Thursday, April 28, 2011
Hna. Jessica Keele- Apr. 25, 2011
Week of Miracles!!
Well, after the promise of going to church to be able to quit smoking, Andres was still smoking Monday and Tuesday. He also went to a party Tuesday night and told us that he had been drinking. BUT, Wednesday he stopped completely!! :) His friends offered him some and he turned them down! He was completely happy and excited for his baptism.
Then, Thursday night, he told us he wanted more time. :( He said that he knew he would be baptized eventually, but he wasn´t sure if he would be able to keep all the commitments he had to make, and he wasn´t sure if he agreed with them all. What surprised me was I didn´t even feel panicked, I felt peace like the Lord was telling me, "don´t worry, he´ll be baptized Saturday". We asked him a few more questions then got on our knee´s and asked him to ask God specifically if he should be baptized that Saturday.
So he did, and after he told us that he got the feeling of someone telling him "Do what you want Andres, It´s your decision". ... Dun dun Dun haha Then I started to panic for a minute, but a scripture came to my mind so I started to look for it and couldn´t find it. But, I stopped on another scripture and felt that I should read it, "Don´t fear to do good little flock." (D&C 6) As we read the scriptures to Andres, we could literally see his doubts going away. He started to smile. Then my companion bore a powerful testimony and he said "it´s okay, it´s okay! I´ll do it! I want to be baptized Saturday!" :D
The baptism was amazing! President and his wife came and a ton of ward members. Abril was also baptized! I´ll try and send some pictures, but I don´t have much time left!
But also, Sunday we had another miracle. We got a reference from a member a few weeks ago to go visit a woman who´s been inactive since she moved here from Chile years ago. Her husband and kids are not members, AND she´s a returned missionary. :( The member didn´t know the address exactly so she gave us a few directions, but we could never find it. Yesterday during sacrament meeting, we noticed a man we didn´t recognize talking to a member outside. The member motioned for us to go out so we stepped out and HE was the man we´ve been looking for!! He said, "I´m Catholic and my wife is a member of your church. She hasn´t come for years, but I´m worried about her salvation and feel it would be good if you could come and visit her. I´ve tried coming before but the door is always locked, and I can´t stay because I just told my wife I went to buy something". Awww!! So we went to visit yesterday as a surprise to his wife. When they answered the door, she started to cry. We talked for a while at the door and set an appointment to go back Tuesday! She said she´d thought about coming back but was embarrassed and offended and could never take the first step! Aww!! She´s super sweet, and we're excited to go visit her again!!
Okay, now we've got to go! I love you all. Keep being good and doing good!! Mom thank you so much for your handout last week I loved it! Steph, send me a picture of your hamster!!
Love,
Jess
P.S. The pictures are of Andres Y Abril!!! :D
Well, after the promise of going to church to be able to quit smoking, Andres was still smoking Monday and Tuesday. He also went to a party Tuesday night and told us that he had been drinking. BUT, Wednesday he stopped completely!! :) His friends offered him some and he turned them down! He was completely happy and excited for his baptism.
Then, Thursday night, he told us he wanted more time. :( He said that he knew he would be baptized eventually, but he wasn´t sure if he would be able to keep all the commitments he had to make, and he wasn´t sure if he agreed with them all. What surprised me was I didn´t even feel panicked, I felt peace like the Lord was telling me, "don´t worry, he´ll be baptized Saturday". We asked him a few more questions then got on our knee´s and asked him to ask God specifically if he should be baptized that Saturday.
So he did, and after he told us that he got the feeling of someone telling him "Do what you want Andres, It´s your decision". ... Dun dun Dun haha Then I started to panic for a minute, but a scripture came to my mind so I started to look for it and couldn´t find it. But, I stopped on another scripture and felt that I should read it, "Don´t fear to do good little flock." (D&C 6) As we read the scriptures to Andres, we could literally see his doubts going away. He started to smile. Then my companion bore a powerful testimony and he said "it´s okay, it´s okay! I´ll do it! I want to be baptized Saturday!" :D
The baptism was amazing! President and his wife came and a ton of ward members. Abril was also baptized! I´ll try and send some pictures, but I don´t have much time left!
But also, Sunday we had another miracle. We got a reference from a member a few weeks ago to go visit a woman who´s been inactive since she moved here from Chile years ago. Her husband and kids are not members, AND she´s a returned missionary. :( The member didn´t know the address exactly so she gave us a few directions, but we could never find it. Yesterday during sacrament meeting, we noticed a man we didn´t recognize talking to a member outside. The member motioned for us to go out so we stepped out and HE was the man we´ve been looking for!! He said, "I´m Catholic and my wife is a member of your church. She hasn´t come for years, but I´m worried about her salvation and feel it would be good if you could come and visit her. I´ve tried coming before but the door is always locked, and I can´t stay because I just told my wife I went to buy something". Awww!! So we went to visit yesterday as a surprise to his wife. When they answered the door, she started to cry. We talked for a while at the door and set an appointment to go back Tuesday! She said she´d thought about coming back but was embarrassed and offended and could never take the first step! Aww!! She´s super sweet, and we're excited to go visit her again!!
Okay, now we've got to go! I love you all. Keep being good and doing good!! Mom thank you so much for your handout last week I loved it! Steph, send me a picture of your hamster!!
Love,
Jess
P.S. The pictures are of Andres Y Abril!!! :D
Elder Jordan Keele-Apr. 25, 2011
Hello there,
It's been another good week. Lots of changes, but things just continue to roll. I'm so grateful to be here in this mission. It's a blessing beyond description. I know the Lord's way is the best way. Always.
On Friday our ward was planning to go to the temple. They invited everyone, and those without recommends would enter the visitors' center, while those with recommends would enter the temple. We were invited to accompany the recent converts and investigators that would be going to the visitors' center. However, on Thursday night, I called our mission president to ask permission, and he said he didn't feel good about it. We didn't end up going.
But, what we couldn't see and the President could was that Miriam and her three kids wouldn't have been found if we went to temple square. We contacted them on Friday night and were able to teach them a very powerful lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The mother really wants some changes in her life as well as her two kids. What a blessing it is to see the hand of the Lord in our lives everyday.
I love what you shared about your wonderful Easter experiences. I, too, had some strong desires to come closer to my Savior as the 1st counselor in the Tecamac stake presidency bore a powerful testimony about the Master in our ward conference yesterday. Thank you for your experience. It's a wonderful goal, and it's definitely something I can do much better on.
Thank you for your support, and I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S. Jose Contreras' wife asked what food we eat in the United States. I had a hard time saying one specific thing, because A) you've always made food from all over the world, and B) there's so much variety in restaurants and stores. She makes really good food and asked for a recipe or something so she can make something ''American''. Any ideas? lol
It's been another good week. Lots of changes, but things just continue to roll. I'm so grateful to be here in this mission. It's a blessing beyond description. I know the Lord's way is the best way. Always.
On Friday our ward was planning to go to the temple. They invited everyone, and those without recommends would enter the visitors' center, while those with recommends would enter the temple. We were invited to accompany the recent converts and investigators that would be going to the visitors' center. However, on Thursday night, I called our mission president to ask permission, and he said he didn't feel good about it. We didn't end up going.
But, what we couldn't see and the President could was that Miriam and her three kids wouldn't have been found if we went to temple square. We contacted them on Friday night and were able to teach them a very powerful lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The mother really wants some changes in her life as well as her two kids. What a blessing it is to see the hand of the Lord in our lives everyday.
I love what you shared about your wonderful Easter experiences. I, too, had some strong desires to come closer to my Savior as the 1st counselor in the Tecamac stake presidency bore a powerful testimony about the Master in our ward conference yesterday. Thank you for your experience. It's a wonderful goal, and it's definitely something I can do much better on.
Thank you for your support, and I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S. Jose Contreras' wife asked what food we eat in the United States. I had a hard time saying one specific thing, because A) you've always made food from all over the world, and B) there's so much variety in restaurants and stores. She makes really good food and asked for a recipe or something so she can make something ''American''. Any ideas? lol
Monday, April 18, 2011
Hna. Jessica Keele- Apr. 18, 2011
Hola familia!
It´s been a good week. Andres, who I don´t think I have talked much about yet, first started investigating the church a few years ago but always had a hard time accepting ALL of the gospel. Like Elder Nelson said, He takes the cafeteria approach to obedience and does the pick and chose. haha Well, one of those things is the law of chastity which he never understood. Last Friday he told us (after we hadn´t seen him for a week) that it had been a very humbling week for him, and he´s trying to make a lot of changes in his life. He said that he recieved his answer and knows that the Book of Mormon is true, AND that he was starting to feel more "content" about living the law of chastity. He knows it´s not a bad thing and every good thing comes from God, right? He agreed to live it and accepted a baptismal date for the 23rd :) this Saturday!! He was worried because he has tried to quit smoking before but never could. My companion and I fasted for him Saturday that he will be able to have the strength to live the word of wisdom, and Saturday I felt impressed to tell him that if he´d come to church Sunday, the Lord would give him the strengh that he needs to quit smoking.
So it was very, very important that he come to church!! Also because he hasn´t attended church since I´ve been here in Vicente Lopez. We call him on Sundays and he wakes up but then later he calls us back after church saying he´s sorry but he fell asleep again. So we were scared he wouldn´t come to church yesterday. We didn´t have anymore minutes on our phone so we couldn´t call him early enough to wake him up. When we got to church we used the phone there to call him, BUT his cell phone was off :( We said so many prayers so that the Lord could wake him up so that he could come to church. But when sacrament meeting started, they announced Andres´s baptism, and he still wasn´t there. I started to feel bad but I just kept praying that the Lord would bring him to church and I told Him in my prayer that I knew He could make this miracle happen. I looked, but I still didn´t see him. Then during the last song Hna Campos turned to me and said, "He´s here! He´s in the back!" Ooh I was so happy!!! After church he was looking at his phone and seemed confused and asked us if we had called him. We said yes, but his phone was turned off. Then he said that he must have dreamed that we kept calling him because we woke him up and said we were waiting for him at church. We truly received a miracle from the Lord and He woke him up! I´m excited for Saturday. We also have another little girl that will be baptized with Andres this Saturday. Her name´s Abril. Her mom was inactive for years but just started going back to church a few weeks ago! And Abril is very anxious to be baptized!
Fun, I loved Españolandia!! That was really dad´s first time going? I thought I remember him getting in jail before. Maybe it was a school carnival or something, idk! STEPH!!!!!! Happy Birthday Tomorrow!!!! I love you tonz! Mom thank you for the handout :) There were very many good quotes! y justo estaba pensando sobre el templo!! I miss the temple so much! Go as often as you can! I love you all
Hasta la proxima!
Hna Keele
PS We could use your prayers a lot for Andres this week that he will be able to quit smoking and accept all of the requirements for his baptism this Saturday!
PPS Tell Rachel congratulations for me!!! :) And yes I got a letter from Ashley :D Is she still living at home then too?
PPPS In the package I could use some thick nylons for winter! It´s starting to get very cold! Black and tan. Thick thick thick!! haha
It´s been a good week. Andres, who I don´t think I have talked much about yet, first started investigating the church a few years ago but always had a hard time accepting ALL of the gospel. Like Elder Nelson said, He takes the cafeteria approach to obedience and does the pick and chose. haha Well, one of those things is the law of chastity which he never understood. Last Friday he told us (after we hadn´t seen him for a week) that it had been a very humbling week for him, and he´s trying to make a lot of changes in his life. He said that he recieved his answer and knows that the Book of Mormon is true, AND that he was starting to feel more "content" about living the law of chastity. He knows it´s not a bad thing and every good thing comes from God, right? He agreed to live it and accepted a baptismal date for the 23rd :) this Saturday!! He was worried because he has tried to quit smoking before but never could. My companion and I fasted for him Saturday that he will be able to have the strength to live the word of wisdom, and Saturday I felt impressed to tell him that if he´d come to church Sunday, the Lord would give him the strengh that he needs to quit smoking.
So it was very, very important that he come to church!! Also because he hasn´t attended church since I´ve been here in Vicente Lopez. We call him on Sundays and he wakes up but then later he calls us back after church saying he´s sorry but he fell asleep again. So we were scared he wouldn´t come to church yesterday. We didn´t have anymore minutes on our phone so we couldn´t call him early enough to wake him up. When we got to church we used the phone there to call him, BUT his cell phone was off :( We said so many prayers so that the Lord could wake him up so that he could come to church. But when sacrament meeting started, they announced Andres´s baptism, and he still wasn´t there. I started to feel bad but I just kept praying that the Lord would bring him to church and I told Him in my prayer that I knew He could make this miracle happen. I looked, but I still didn´t see him. Then during the last song Hna Campos turned to me and said, "He´s here! He´s in the back!" Ooh I was so happy!!! After church he was looking at his phone and seemed confused and asked us if we had called him. We said yes, but his phone was turned off. Then he said that he must have dreamed that we kept calling him because we woke him up and said we were waiting for him at church. We truly received a miracle from the Lord and He woke him up! I´m excited for Saturday. We also have another little girl that will be baptized with Andres this Saturday. Her name´s Abril. Her mom was inactive for years but just started going back to church a few weeks ago! And Abril is very anxious to be baptized!
Fun, I loved Españolandia!! That was really dad´s first time going? I thought I remember him getting in jail before. Maybe it was a school carnival or something, idk! STEPH!!!!!! Happy Birthday Tomorrow!!!! I love you tonz! Mom thank you for the handout :) There were very many good quotes! y justo estaba pensando sobre el templo!! I miss the temple so much! Go as often as you can! I love you all
Hasta la proxima!
Hna Keele
PS We could use your prayers a lot for Andres this week that he will be able to quit smoking and accept all of the requirements for his baptism this Saturday!
PPS Tell Rachel congratulations for me!!! :) And yes I got a letter from Ashley :D Is she still living at home then too?
PPPS In the package I could use some thick nylons for winter! It´s starting to get very cold! Black and tan. Thick thick thick!! haha
Elder Jordan Keele, April 18, 2011
Dear familia,
¿Como estan todos? Changes have already come, and I'm staying here :) But my companion is getting the boot, so I'll meet my new best friend tomorrow :) I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful work. The Lord never stops blessing, it seems that thats all he knows how to do ha ha :) I look forward to a wonderful week.
It sounds like everyone is continuing to do well. I especially love to hear about all the good things you're all doing. Family things, and gospel things. There's nothing more rewarding.
Congratulations to the best elementary school in the world: The Cherry Hill Mustangs!
Last night, I was attacked. I don't know what they're called, but it was a horrible 20 minutes. Do let me explain:
My companion was in the bathroom, (probably crying because he's getting changed tomorrow ;) ), and I was sitting at my table reading something. The front door was open, because it had just finished raining, and it was really cool weather. I liked how it felt. All of the sudden, I heard a buzzing sound, and I turned my head to see what it was. I saw a bug that looked like one of those giant bumblebees. It flew right in front of my face, and scared me half to death. I ran to my room and closed the door quickly. Within a few seconds I opened it slightly to see where it had gone, and I saw it on the front window curtain. I had no clue what to do. And then, the unexpected happened. I saw straight in front of me through the front door about 10 of the little devils all fly in at once. I couldn't believe it and quickly re-shut my bedroom door. I still remember that scene, and it felt like I was in a horror movie. Instantly as I shut the door I heard three or four of them run into it, making an unusual loud noise, and it really creeped me out. I had no clue what to do. I was as scared as a 2 year old in a dark room all alone. I said a prayer, and then tried to warn my companion, yelling, without opening my door. Finally, he came out and starting attacking the little creatures. I was too scared to come out. He opened my door after killing about five of them, and as he did so he let one of them into my room. I almost died. Those things were huge! Finally, I manned up and went out to help him terminate. He knocked one of them towards me on the floor, and it was still crawling, but could no longer fly. I tried to step on it to kill it, but I was too big of a wimp. I didn't like the crunchy sound they made. Anyways, long story short, my companion saved my life last night. Lesson learned: Never leave the door open after it rains. Elder Rodriguez M. ended up killing about 20 or more of them. It was a very scary night.
Well, that's the adventure story of the week. Congratulations Rachel on your mission call. I know you'll do great and represent the Lord well.
Mama, gracias por tus pensamientos en cuanto al Templo. Es un lugar maravillosa, y me encanta verlo. Un consejo para todos... como dijo el Pres. Monson en la conferencia, debemos todos tener un imagen o una foto de la Casa del Senor en cada cuarto de nuestros hogares. Se que al hacerlo, tendremos el recuerdo siempre de la razon por la cual estamos aqui. Que sigan siendo los mejores! Les amo muchisimo.
Elder Jordan Keele
¿Como estan todos? Changes have already come, and I'm staying here :) But my companion is getting the boot, so I'll meet my new best friend tomorrow :) I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful work. The Lord never stops blessing, it seems that thats all he knows how to do ha ha :) I look forward to a wonderful week.
It sounds like everyone is continuing to do well. I especially love to hear about all the good things you're all doing. Family things, and gospel things. There's nothing more rewarding.
Congratulations to the best elementary school in the world: The Cherry Hill Mustangs!
Last night, I was attacked. I don't know what they're called, but it was a horrible 20 minutes. Do let me explain:
My companion was in the bathroom, (probably crying because he's getting changed tomorrow ;) ), and I was sitting at my table reading something. The front door was open, because it had just finished raining, and it was really cool weather. I liked how it felt. All of the sudden, I heard a buzzing sound, and I turned my head to see what it was. I saw a bug that looked like one of those giant bumblebees. It flew right in front of my face, and scared me half to death. I ran to my room and closed the door quickly. Within a few seconds I opened it slightly to see where it had gone, and I saw it on the front window curtain. I had no clue what to do. And then, the unexpected happened. I saw straight in front of me through the front door about 10 of the little devils all fly in at once. I couldn't believe it and quickly re-shut my bedroom door. I still remember that scene, and it felt like I was in a horror movie. Instantly as I shut the door I heard three or four of them run into it, making an unusual loud noise, and it really creeped me out. I had no clue what to do. I was as scared as a 2 year old in a dark room all alone. I said a prayer, and then tried to warn my companion, yelling, without opening my door. Finally, he came out and starting attacking the little creatures. I was too scared to come out. He opened my door after killing about five of them, and as he did so he let one of them into my room. I almost died. Those things were huge! Finally, I manned up and went out to help him terminate. He knocked one of them towards me on the floor, and it was still crawling, but could no longer fly. I tried to step on it to kill it, but I was too big of a wimp. I didn't like the crunchy sound they made. Anyways, long story short, my companion saved my life last night. Lesson learned: Never leave the door open after it rains. Elder Rodriguez M. ended up killing about 20 or more of them. It was a very scary night.
Well, that's the adventure story of the week. Congratulations Rachel on your mission call. I know you'll do great and represent the Lord well.
Mama, gracias por tus pensamientos en cuanto al Templo. Es un lugar maravillosa, y me encanta verlo. Un consejo para todos... como dijo el Pres. Monson en la conferencia, debemos todos tener un imagen o una foto de la Casa del Senor en cada cuarto de nuestros hogares. Se que al hacerlo, tendremos el recuerdo siempre de la razon por la cual estamos aqui. Que sigan siendo los mejores! Les amo muchisimo.
Elder Jordan Keele
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hna. Jessica Keele- Apr. 11, 2011
Hola Familia!
Dallin! I love your metaphor!! We´re very blessed to be in such a big family, no? We make an awesome team!! haha :) Aw, for real I loved being in Spanish Immersion even though I never spoke Spanish well. I wouldn´t change it for anything because of all the culture I learned and friends I have for being in the program! It definitely helped me hit the ground running when I first got here. At least I can see the difference with the culture shock of a lot of other new missionaries. But still it´s fun.
Paqui Handy!! Tell her hi for me when you see her again! She was definitely one of my favorite teachers!! As for Valerie, I'm pretty sure she went to Texas, Spanish speaking. I don´t remember which mission but the same one as Hna Snow, my roommate in the MTC. Everyone´s getting married!! Congrats to Marie and Rachelle too! Oh, and Rachel Aitken and Danielle Ball are still waiting for their calls, right? Could you send me their addresses? Well, actually Danielle's I have. It's not too hard to remember. Is Danielle Smith in in the field yet? Could you send me her address as well as Leslie's? I forgot if you´ve already told me. Too many things to keep track of. haha
Aww, I´m so happy for Jamie and yes the pictures worked this time, thank you :)
It´s been another good week but tough as well! Still working on the doubts of our investigators. Aurora is struggling with accepting the law of tithing. She says she´s paid tithing her whole life but doesn´t understand why she has to put her tithing in an envelope to the church. She says that whatever service she gives and donates to others is tithing, and she´s always given more than 10 percent... :( hmmm
We´ll be having zone conference this Thursday! I´m excited!! I think Hna Peña is in my zone! Well I love you and pray for you every day!! Keeping strengthening your testimonies!
Love,
Jess
Dallin! I love your metaphor!! We´re very blessed to be in such a big family, no? We make an awesome team!! haha :) Aw, for real I loved being in Spanish Immersion even though I never spoke Spanish well. I wouldn´t change it for anything because of all the culture I learned and friends I have for being in the program! It definitely helped me hit the ground running when I first got here. At least I can see the difference with the culture shock of a lot of other new missionaries. But still it´s fun.
Paqui Handy!! Tell her hi for me when you see her again! She was definitely one of my favorite teachers!! As for Valerie, I'm pretty sure she went to Texas, Spanish speaking. I don´t remember which mission but the same one as Hna Snow, my roommate in the MTC. Everyone´s getting married!! Congrats to Marie and Rachelle too! Oh, and Rachel Aitken and Danielle Ball are still waiting for their calls, right? Could you send me their addresses? Well, actually Danielle's I have. It's not too hard to remember. Is Danielle Smith in in the field yet? Could you send me her address as well as Leslie's? I forgot if you´ve already told me. Too many things to keep track of. haha
Aww, I´m so happy for Jamie and yes the pictures worked this time, thank you :)
It´s been another good week but tough as well! Still working on the doubts of our investigators. Aurora is struggling with accepting the law of tithing. She says she´s paid tithing her whole life but doesn´t understand why she has to put her tithing in an envelope to the church. She says that whatever service she gives and donates to others is tithing, and she´s always given more than 10 percent... :( hmmm
We´ll be having zone conference this Thursday! I´m excited!! I think Hna Peña is in my zone! Well I love you and pray for you every day!! Keeping strengthening your testimonies!
Love,
Jess
Elder Jordan Keele-Apr. 11, 2011
Dear gente,
These weeks go by so fast I don't even know what happened the last 8 days. But it's been good. We had a couple of surprise families show up to church yesterday that are ready to be baptized. The Lord definitely blesses us when we do our best, even if we feel like we don't deserve it. We're looking forward to helping them progress into the water.
Jose Contreras surprises us every time as he bears his testimony in church and in the gospel principles class. It was an especially great class for me because the spirit was strong and testified to me in a powerful way how special it is to be a missionary. It's an indescribable feeling!
Me da mucho gusto to hear that Jamie and Travis are doing well. Where do his parents live? I'm sure it was fun to meet the other parents... the first of many Mom and Dad. :)
Wow, 4 weddings this year? Do I hear 5? Could it possibly be 5 weddings this year? I guess we'll just have to wait and see ;)
I do love the Spanish culture in general. Obviously I'll have a piece of my heart here in Mexico for all my life, but I still do have a little also down south in Argentina.
This week I'm sure we'll be seeing lots of changes in the mission. It makes time go so much faster, but I would rather it slow down a little. But really when you think about it time is time, and when it seems to go fast we know we're doing something right. I think that's the way it was intended. So just keep living life to the fullest!
Les amo a todos.
Elder Jordan Keele
These weeks go by so fast I don't even know what happened the last 8 days. But it's been good. We had a couple of surprise families show up to church yesterday that are ready to be baptized. The Lord definitely blesses us when we do our best, even if we feel like we don't deserve it. We're looking forward to helping them progress into the water.
Jose Contreras surprises us every time as he bears his testimony in church and in the gospel principles class. It was an especially great class for me because the spirit was strong and testified to me in a powerful way how special it is to be a missionary. It's an indescribable feeling!
Me da mucho gusto to hear that Jamie and Travis are doing well. Where do his parents live? I'm sure it was fun to meet the other parents... the first of many Mom and Dad. :)
Wow, 4 weddings this year? Do I hear 5? Could it possibly be 5 weddings this year? I guess we'll just have to wait and see ;)
I do love the Spanish culture in general. Obviously I'll have a piece of my heart here in Mexico for all my life, but I still do have a little also down south in Argentina.
This week I'm sure we'll be seeing lots of changes in the mission. It makes time go so much faster, but I would rather it slow down a little. But really when you think about it time is time, and when it seems to go fast we know we're doing something right. I think that's the way it was intended. So just keep living life to the fullest!
Les amo a todos.
Elder Jordan Keele
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Elder Jordan Keele-Apr. 4, 2011
Hola queridos todos,
Vamos a hacer las cosas un poquito diferente hoy. El primer parrafo voy a hacer en espanol. ¿Como ven?
All right, phew, that's a solid paragraph. It was a decent week up until Saturday where things just spiritually exploded! That was by far the best conference (for me anyway) that I've heard. It was packed with things just for me! I loved the boldness used by the majority of the speakers. It was wonderful. Words can't express how much I know this gospel is true. I loved the talks. I know Thomas S. Monson is God's chosen prophet for us. I can't wait to read them over and over and over again, and especially to truly apply what was learned.
We ''gringos'', as they call us, watched conference in the secretaries office at the stake center on a tv just for us in English. It was sweet! It was a lot of fun.
As for the bautizona, it'd didn't go too well for some of us, and for others it was all right. But that's ok, we're just going to have to work extra hard for next week.
Jose Contreras attended both sessions on Sunday. He's super solid, and he'll be a great member once he can overcome his one big setback of the cigarettes. He's down to one a day but just can't seem to let it go. We still have high hopes for him, and we're hoping it happens soon.
So Travis and Jamie watched conference together, huh? Any comments on Pres. Monson's priesthood talk or Elder Scott's message? Hmm....
What about Elder Robert D. Hales? Did I just not pay attention as well as I thought I did or did he not speak?
My dear friend, Elder Jared Hall, goes home a week from this weekend, and I'm pretty sure I said my goodbye's to him. He's helped me here on the mission more than I think he'll ever know. I'll miss him a lot. He's from West Jordan, and he's going to UVU in the fall. I know it's in advance, but he totally deserves a big thank you from the family. He's just awesome. Let me know if you have any ideas. He mentioned he wanted to go to the SCERA sometime, so maybe it could include something there.
I thought it was cool what Elder Perry said about how when our Sunday clothes deteriorate, actions and attitudes follow. Thank you mom and dad for showing us the example of how we can be closer to Christ, even if it may not be a 'big deal'. I also loved what Pres. Eyring mentioned about preparing ourselves well enough so we have extra things that we can bless others with, spiritually and physically. Salvation is a personal commitment, but we can surely help others along the way. In fact, we're asked to.
I have some worries, in a way, for the next six months. We have to be better as a people. If we are prepared, we don't have to fear. The Lord is our Shepherd, and our Father in Heaven is our God. There's nothing to worry about if we follow his chosen leaders, to the letter. Let's get on the ark so we don't have to worry about an excess of water. Thank you all for all you do. When you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto the Master.
As we were in a lesson with some investigators that we had to drop this past week, I thought of a scripture that I've read and heard many times, but never in this way. In 3 Ne. 12:48 (I think), it says ''be ye therefor perfect, even as I, or your Father which is in Heaven, is perfect.'' In other words, it's a commandment to obtain eternal life. So do it! I know we'll be blessed.
I know that's a lot of words to read, but that's what's on my mind at the moment. Thanks for taking the time to support me :) Have a great week!
Elder Jordan Keele
Vamos a hacer las cosas un poquito diferente hoy. El primer parrafo voy a hacer en espanol. ¿Como ven?
All right, phew, that's a solid paragraph. It was a decent week up until Saturday where things just spiritually exploded! That was by far the best conference (for me anyway) that I've heard. It was packed with things just for me! I loved the boldness used by the majority of the speakers. It was wonderful. Words can't express how much I know this gospel is true. I loved the talks. I know Thomas S. Monson is God's chosen prophet for us. I can't wait to read them over and over and over again, and especially to truly apply what was learned.
We ''gringos'', as they call us, watched conference in the secretaries office at the stake center on a tv just for us in English. It was sweet! It was a lot of fun.
As for the bautizona, it'd didn't go too well for some of us, and for others it was all right. But that's ok, we're just going to have to work extra hard for next week.
Jose Contreras attended both sessions on Sunday. He's super solid, and he'll be a great member once he can overcome his one big setback of the cigarettes. He's down to one a day but just can't seem to let it go. We still have high hopes for him, and we're hoping it happens soon.
So Travis and Jamie watched conference together, huh? Any comments on Pres. Monson's priesthood talk or Elder Scott's message? Hmm....
What about Elder Robert D. Hales? Did I just not pay attention as well as I thought I did or did he not speak?
My dear friend, Elder Jared Hall, goes home a week from this weekend, and I'm pretty sure I said my goodbye's to him. He's helped me here on the mission more than I think he'll ever know. I'll miss him a lot. He's from West Jordan, and he's going to UVU in the fall. I know it's in advance, but he totally deserves a big thank you from the family. He's just awesome. Let me know if you have any ideas. He mentioned he wanted to go to the SCERA sometime, so maybe it could include something there.
I thought it was cool what Elder Perry said about how when our Sunday clothes deteriorate, actions and attitudes follow. Thank you mom and dad for showing us the example of how we can be closer to Christ, even if it may not be a 'big deal'. I also loved what Pres. Eyring mentioned about preparing ourselves well enough so we have extra things that we can bless others with, spiritually and physically. Salvation is a personal commitment, but we can surely help others along the way. In fact, we're asked to.
I have some worries, in a way, for the next six months. We have to be better as a people. If we are prepared, we don't have to fear. The Lord is our Shepherd, and our Father in Heaven is our God. There's nothing to worry about if we follow his chosen leaders, to the letter. Let's get on the ark so we don't have to worry about an excess of water. Thank you all for all you do. When you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto the Master.
As we were in a lesson with some investigators that we had to drop this past week, I thought of a scripture that I've read and heard many times, but never in this way. In 3 Ne. 12:48 (I think), it says ''be ye therefor perfect, even as I, or your Father which is in Heaven, is perfect.'' In other words, it's a commandment to obtain eternal life. So do it! I know we'll be blessed.
I know that's a lot of words to read, but that's what's on my mind at the moment. Thanks for taking the time to support me :) Have a great week!
Elder Jordan Keele
Hna. Jessica Keele- Apr. 4, 2011
Hola familia!
I got your letters today! Thank you very much :D Wahoo, I´m glad everyone is happy! But everyone is changing. Tammie is even changing the way she writes, but she say´s she get´s her "y´s" from me so that makes me happy :) haha Mom the pictures didn't work :( Quiero verlos!!... Next week
Conference was awesome!! But so much stress! I kept thinking about all of you relaxed at home on the couch and floor eating M&M´s and Cheez-it´s while playing BINGO as we searched for all our investigators by bus, a train, in another bus and another train. AHH!! So, so stressful!!! We ended up only having one investigator come with us, and I felt like a mom and a 6 year-old on a road trip!! No joke! "are we there yet? are we there yet? I´m hungry! Are we there yet?" When we finally got off the train, it was 1 o' clock (right when conference starts here) and we were only 3 blocks away. So I started to relax, if we hurry we could make it just in time for the opening prayer and not miss anyone's talk. And then...
"I´m hungry! Let´s get something to eat"
-No, no hermana it´s starting right now. We´re almost there.
"No just something to eat during conference"
-Okay, here´s a little store. Grab something quick
"This? No, it´s too small. Isn´t there another store?"
(So we walk a little further)
-Okay here, pick something quick!
"Hmm let me see...... No everything´s too expensive. Let´s go find some hot dogs. We´ll fill up and it´ll be cheaper"
-No, hermana. We´re going to miss it! We´re going to eat in between sessions. It´s starting right now, and we´re just a block away!
No, but it´s all good! We got there eventually! I went in another room to watch it in English while my pobre companion had to entertain still. Turns out our investigator kept falling asleep and left during the second session to go get a cup of coffee to wake herself up.... Oi haha You may be wondering by now how old she is... she´s 60. But the good thing is when I asked her, she said she loved it! :) So anyway her name is Aurora, and we have a few more things to teach her still, but she has a baptismal date for the 16th :) She said she loves the church because the people practice what they teach! She wants to read the whole Book of Mormon before her baptism and she is in 2nd Nephi :) She´s super sweet!
Well, I think I´ve been rambling long enough! Love you all "Super" much! haha
Con amor,
Hna Keele
PS. Ey y Saludos a Travis eh? No puedo conocerle todavia pero bueno! :P Hola igual!
I got your letters today! Thank you very much :D Wahoo, I´m glad everyone is happy! But everyone is changing. Tammie is even changing the way she writes, but she say´s she get´s her "y´s" from me so that makes me happy :) haha Mom the pictures didn't work :( Quiero verlos!!... Next week
Conference was awesome!! But so much stress! I kept thinking about all of you relaxed at home on the couch and floor eating M&M´s and Cheez-it´s while playing BINGO as we searched for all our investigators by bus, a train, in another bus and another train. AHH!! So, so stressful!!! We ended up only having one investigator come with us, and I felt like a mom and a 6 year-old on a road trip!! No joke! "are we there yet? are we there yet? I´m hungry! Are we there yet?" When we finally got off the train, it was 1 o' clock (right when conference starts here) and we were only 3 blocks away. So I started to relax, if we hurry we could make it just in time for the opening prayer and not miss anyone's talk. And then...
"I´m hungry! Let´s get something to eat"
-No, no hermana it´s starting right now. We´re almost there.
"No just something to eat during conference"
-Okay, here´s a little store. Grab something quick
"This? No, it´s too small. Isn´t there another store?"
(So we walk a little further)
-Okay here, pick something quick!
"Hmm let me see...... No everything´s too expensive. Let´s go find some hot dogs. We´ll fill up and it´ll be cheaper"
-No, hermana. We´re going to miss it! We´re going to eat in between sessions. It´s starting right now, and we´re just a block away!
No, but it´s all good! We got there eventually! I went in another room to watch it in English while my pobre companion had to entertain still. Turns out our investigator kept falling asleep and left during the second session to go get a cup of coffee to wake herself up.... Oi haha You may be wondering by now how old she is... she´s 60. But the good thing is when I asked her, she said she loved it! :) So anyway her name is Aurora, and we have a few more things to teach her still, but she has a baptismal date for the 16th :) She said she loves the church because the people practice what they teach! She wants to read the whole Book of Mormon before her baptism and she is in 2nd Nephi :) She´s super sweet!
Well, I think I´ve been rambling long enough! Love you all "Super" much! haha
Con amor,
Hna Keele
PS. Ey y Saludos a Travis eh? No puedo conocerle todavia pero bueno! :P Hola igual!
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