8/26/09

Last night together as a full zone. Guatamalens go down to the MTC there after 3 weeks.

1/3 of the laundry room. It's huge. So many machines. It is crazy.

One of my first friends (Elder Woodward). He was a farmer and the only kid willing to go against me in a push up contest! Ha ha!

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sorry to disappoint everyone but there is no tree of life anymore. everyone gets there own shower. i am still loving it here so so much and there are so many fun times. half of our district left which was really hard. i have now taught twice in spanish the first lesson i am learning so fast it is so so so great. it is crazy. i know so much already and i am being spiritually fed it is way good. Elder Richard G Scott came and taught us mainly about the spirit. He said who cares if it is the spirit or not it does not matter if it is good. just do it, be a good boy. that is the key. also my advice for this week is: to be truly happy we must always be changing. never be idle always be doing something to prepare for the next and we will always be happy never be idle, it is not good. always be learning to better yourself. keep sending letters i love to get them. and it is so fun here. some of my best friends left this week from our zone. it is sad but cool to have them go even thought i will probably never see them again. but it is cool anyways. it is great here. the message is the same. the atonement is the key to everything. repent and we will be happy if we follow the example of Jesus Christ. i love everyone. love elder phillips

08/19/09

Check out my sweet set up. B-ball and I sleep on the top bunk.

Being a goof ball on my p-day with my companions Elder Shipley and Elder Harder

This is Aaron's email dated 8/19/09:

i am just loving it here. it is totally great. my advice for this week is to really think about the atonement. because it really does everything for us. try and think about it cause that it what our church is all about. i love it so much. i am doing so good. those letters you sent were perfect. and the best way to reach me now is dear elder. keep it up i love getting letters. some funny things that have happened are i yelled temple in my sleep and that same night me and (Elder)ship(ly) kept elder harder up like all night. it was so funny to hear about it after. Next, they think we have what we call harry potter passageways here. it is totally nuts to think about. and i think it is true. because there are like hollow places everywhere it is totally crazy. also someone wrote a fake dear john letter to this kid but he knew about it he showed people and fake cried it was so so so funny. oh my gosh. i also get really hyper when ever we get ice cream which is every wednesday and sunday it is great. oh yeah i forgot to tell everyone about the food i am eating well i usually just eat salad and cereal and fruit which is all good. but when i do eat meals they are pretty good. but there is one large problem that they put fillers in it to make you full. so because of this it makes you fart tons and tons it is terrible. and it is probably cause you are with guys all day. but it seems like alot of farts. and i guess you sit alot to so yeah. and i forgot to tell you. i am going to be here during general conference. and i will sing in preisthood. it is going to be totally sweet. dont worry about me there are very few hard times. and much more great times i am learning quickly and i love everyone. keep being amazing. ahaha i continue to love my companions.

well i love you. i would love to hear from you lots. cant write me enough love elder phillips

Elder Phillips' Email Address

This is Aaron's email address for the next 2 years! Keep in mind that he only checks his email once a week... and may or may not be able to respond to you via email. Some mission presidents have rules that the missionaries are only able to email their immediate family. We will hopefully have more specific rules when he actually arrives in California in 2 months. However, for now, feel free to email him at the following address:

ajpsports@myldsmail.net

08/12/09

wow what a great first week it has just flown by. i love it so much the typical day for me at the mtc is to get up twenty minutes early. shower with no one there cause i am up so early. do my exercises alone cause there are not many who work out in the morning. then it goes into service one day a week. and devotional on monday. then we always have personal and companion study for a few hours. and you eat every time. i am actually eating alot better and alot less here. my new favorite food is grape nuts with honey. it is amazing. (i am missing jolly time popcorn. kettle or butter) We also learn all day, more about the gospel than anything else. i love it so far though and have learned a ton in spanish. i have 2 companions we are in a trio it is fun one is elder shipley from san antonio and the other from springville elder harder. they are both great and we learn alot from each other they are fun. i have a principle that i am going to share with everyone it is in Alma forty nine i believe about how awesome moroni is, he made his army strong where they were weak and then there enemies didn't know what to do and lost. so that is what we need to do make our weaknesses strong holds and then Satan wont know what to do. my teachers names are hermana wall and hermano penaillio. penailillio went to la cali on his mission and is from Chile Santiago i believe they are both awesome i have learned so much. the branch presidency is way cool too. i have learned a great deal from them as well. they are really wise and really really smart. they all have alot to say. our district is really cool. and don't worry i will send some pics soon. it takes a while to get used to how everything works but i think i have it figured out i will tell you more about my district later. i only get thirty min love you bye love you guys.

08/07/09

Dear Mom and Dad-

I love you so much. Man this place is great. Everyone is so happy. You guys are the best for letting me go on a mission. My companions are Elder Shipley and Elder Harder. We are a trio and get along well. I like it so far here. The spirit is so so great. We sang "Hark all ye Nations" and it was overwhelming, it was really great. I feel like I am already growing.... I love you. Love, Elder Phillips

Missionary Training Center Drop Off

Well, this was it. The day had come. It was time to say goodbye. I wasn't on the ride down to Provo (45 minutes) but I am sure it was a quiet ride... or maybe it wasn't. Aaron drove down... mom in the front... dad in the back. When they arrived at the MTC, they were directed by missionaries where to park. Then missionaries opened their car doors, popped the trunk, and took out Aaron's luggage. A older sister missionary was there to give my mom a card with Aaron's address, a final hug was exchanged, and off he went. Mom says that it almost felt like you were in the Disneyland parking lot being directed and served. It took less than a minute to get the bags out of the car and to say goodbye.

Before Mom and Dad dropped Aaron off, they went to the Provo Temple to walk around. There they were able to talk to other families dropping off their missionaries. It was fun to see where everyone was from and where they were headed on their missions.

Aaron talking to some missionaries already in the MTC. These were the missionaries helping the new missionaries with their bags. I think Aaron fits right in!

A goofy "Aaron" smile with the peace sign... symbolizing the fact that he will see us all in "TWO"!

Dad, Elder Phillips, and Mom at the traditional MTC sign!

Aaron sure looks happy, don't you think?

Breakfast at Original Pancake House

The morning Aaron went to the MTC, the whole family went to eat at the Original Pancake House. It was fun to have everyone at breakfast before our final goodbyes to Elder Aaron!

dearelder.com

Want to send an email to Aaron and have the MTC print it and put it in his mailbox for free? There is a great service provided by dearelder.com. Go to www.dearelder.com, register for an account, and click on the link on the left side that says "Provo MTC (Free)". Then use Aaron's full name {Elder Aaron Phillips} his mailbox number {226-1007} and his departure date {10/07}, write your email and push send. Why is this cool? Well, in the MTC there are a limited amount of computers. Missionaries who want to use their email to write home only can do this on Preparation Day (P-Day, which we think is Wednesday) and have to wait in a line for their turn for a computer. This way, you'll know that Aaron will get his letter from dearelder.com the same day in his mailbox!

Elder Phillips' Address {MTC}

It's official... Aaron's at the MTC! It was a sad goodbye for my mom and dad... but my dad says that Aaron was extremely happy to be there and ready to get to work!

You may write Aaron at this address while he is in the MTC. He will have a church based email address as well. We will post as soon as we know what it is. Pictures of the last few days and the MTC to come very soon!

Elder Aaron Phillips

MTC Mailbox# 226-1007

Anaheim California Mission

2005 North 900 East

Provo, UT 84604-1793

Being Set Apart as a Missionary

The night before Aaron went to the MTC, he was "Set Apart". This basically means that he received a special blessing from our Stake President to have him become a missionary. It was a very spiritual and special night. We sang Called to Serve, prayers were said by Anya and Dad and everyone was able to share a few things with Aaron. Those in attendance were Mom, Dad, Aaron, Ali, Jake, Anya, Scott, Grandma and Grandpa Haskell, President McQuinn, President Goodman, President Bateman, and Bishop Bollinger. Among things shared were bearing testimony, giving advice, and sharing words of encouragement and love for Aaron. It was emotional to say the least. Aaron will be an amazing missionary. He will work hard and then work even more hard. The people of Anaheim will be lucky to have his smiling face around.

Saying goodbye to Jackson

Before getting set apart with Mom and Dad.

Tidbit of Information: After Aaron was set apart, he was officially a missionary and therefore had to abide by mission rules. One of those rules is to never go anywhere without a "companion". Aaron's companions for the night were Mom and Dad... so what did Aaron do? Sleep in their room on the couch for his last night at home. Amazing kid, eh?

The Haircut

Aaron was determined to not cut his hair this summer until the day before he left. Well, he met that goal. Here he is getting his hair cut for the mission: