Fourth Transfer in La Ceiba

June 15, 2015

Hey Guys,

As the title of my email implies, I did not get changed. I am still here in La Ceiba working away. I was honestly hoping to be transferred this week, but I am happy to keep working hard with the people I have been helping to prepare. In fact, I should get to see the majority of their baptisms if all goes as planned.

This week has been fairly uneventful except for a few events that happened this week. First of all, I did not get changed despite the HUGE number of changes that happened in our zone this week. Our companionship was one of the 2 companionships that did not have at least one, if not the two, companions get moved to another area. Even one of the missionaries in our ward who was only here one change got moved to San Pedro, and somehow I managed to hang out for another round.

Secondly, a HUGE group of missionaries finished their missions this week. Like 25 missionaries finished up their two years. I only mention them because when I started my mission, they had just over a year in the mission, so it crazy to see these guys finishing, especially since I am now where they were, and it has gone by so quickly. I still haven't hit hump day, but it's getting close...and I am having mixed feelings about the whole deal.

Thirdly, I finished Jesus the Christ. Holy cow that is a HUGE book, like 799 pages long. I loved it. I read twenty pages or so every night before bed, which is about one chapter per night. I learned so much about Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and actually quite a bit about the Jews. The book was written before WWII, so a lot of things are different, and his examples of Jewish sufferings didn't include the Holocaust. It was just a super interesting book and I am feel like I am closer to the Savior for having read it. Plus I am impressed with myself because I was pretty sure that I would never read the entire thing. Haha.

And finally, this week was Stake Conference for the La Ceiba Stake. We had a Seventy, Elder Galvez, the president of the Tegucigalpa Temple, and President Klein, our mission president. As missionaries we had to be in ALL of the meetings. We were in the church building from 2 on Saturday until 3 the next day. We stayed after to clean up, and the stake president invited my companion and I, along with the two zone leaders, to participate in their post-conference meeting to discuss what was learned and what the stake should do to keep progressing. It was a cool opportunity.

I am so excited to be able to work for another six weeks here in La Ceiba. I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the new meaning it has taken in my life. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the opportunity He has given us if we are willing to just humble ourselves and follow Him.

Elder Aldrich

Caleb lost a good friend on June 6, 2015 in a tragic car accident.  He expressed his love for Ciara, her family and the Savior.  He was deeply honored and touched to be included as an honorary pallbearer at her funeral services. Ciara will hold a special place in his heart, and for our family as well. God be with you Ciara-Broox Jackson until we meet again.