One year older... And wiser too?

 June 16, 2025

    Wagwannn everybody! Nope, it's not my real birthday, but it is my mission birthday! I officially hit my year mark of serving the Lord. I don't even know what is going on. I went to bed one night in the MTC and woke up here... In Guyana... A year into my mission. I have learned so many lessons in the last year, so I want to share a few:

            God's timing is perfect

     God has perfect timing, who'd have guessed right? But seriously, it's crazy how his plan is for the whole world, but somehow so individual. As many of you know, a mission was not in the cards for me. I wanted nothing to do with it until I received a very strong impression telling me otherwise. 4 months later, I was a missionary. And the people I have met, the friendships I have made, the experiences I have had have changed me forever. Missions are fun. The mission has been an absolute blast. You learn how to love the hard work and love the people.

     I didn't send an email last week, but not too much happened. This week we had zone conference, and it was great. We talked lots about the need for members to do Missionary work with us, because it's the only way for new members to feel like they truly have a home. I learned a lot, and it's going to be fun to implement it more.

     Something that was interesting was the death day for cows. You all remember, here in Guyana there are cows everywhere. Literally everywhere. But last week, they had a special holiday that was all about friendship. Very fun. This friendship holiday involves killing a cow and sharing it with your neighbors. All of a sudden... No cows. Nowhere. You couldn't find one if you tried. I thought I was free, but yesterday they returned, so Guyana still has a cow infestation. 

     3 Nephi 5:13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

     I love this scripture because it applies to each and every one of us. We have all been called to declare the good word of the restored gospel. And that doesn't mean quietly and to a few people, but that means shouting it from the rooftops, and that sounds great to me. It's a good reminder of our purpose as missionaries and our purpose as the Lord's disciples. Thanks for coming on my adventure through my first year of mission life. Let's see what year two has to bring! I love you all! 

Elder Aldrich

Elder Blake wore a baby tie

Parrots on the church

 Lunch with CHAITRAM for his birthday

The monkey won't bite... but the dog might

  June 2, 2025 

    Good morning everyone! I understand that it's the evening for most people, but that's not important right now! This was a wonderful week! And I'm excited to tell you about it!

     This week was crazy with all of the exchanges! We started with an exchange on Wednesday. I don't think it stopped downpouring the whole day, and we did not care. We rode around on the bikes in the rain happily for hours. We topped it off with some food truck Guyanese barbecue. From there, we moved to the music night for the district. All of the sisters from the mission were in Guyana (that's not normal) for a sisters' conference, and they stayed for the night of music. It was super cool to see a bunch of missionaries from the islands!  We Elders performed "Ye Elders of Israel," and it was a lot of fun! We also ran back "This little light of mine" from when I was in the islands as well!

        Turns out... The dog does bite 

      On my Saturday exchange, after being stuck in traffic for a considerable time, we visited a member who has a dog that is notorious for trying to bite people. It had yet to be successful with the missionaries. I am always prepared with that thing... Till this time. When we showed up, the dog was totally chill, and I figured I had just made good friends with the dog now and we were chill. We go to say hi to the monkey (who doesn't want to say hi to a monkey) and while we are standing there, without a sound, the dog just clamps its fat mouth just above my knee. Unfortunately for that dog, it got a foot to the side, let go without a sound, and walked away. All was well, no blood was drawn, but trust was broken, and bruises were made (it was a big dog).

     I'm sure there's more that I'll remember once I hit send, but for now, enjoy the pictures and the scripture:

Mathew 4:19-20 

"19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

Sometimes the Lord asks us to sacrifice EVERYTHING in the service of him. We must give up our old life to accept the new one that God gives us. He wants to give us all that he has, so let him. I love you all, have a good week, and as always, be you.

Elder Aldrich

(I don't know how to caption these, but these are some incredible people) 

Cows