Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Elder Jordan Keele-May 30, 2011

Saludos a mis seres queridos,

The mission life continues to move forward. I guess I can't really say that time goes by fast, because it's always that way, so it's really not any faster than normal. But either way,

I have changes tomorrow, and the Lord is so super merciful to me. I'm so excited for my new assignment. I'll be going to a little town called Molango in the state of Hidalgo. Apparently, there are only 3,000 people there. A whole bunch less than what I'm used to here right next to the biggest city in the world. My new companion is a really good friend. He was in my MTC district, and he's from Idaho, Elder Jerry Castillo. President Hicken told me that up there they don't know much about the organization of the church, and that part of my assignment will be to help them understand how the church works. It'll be a neat experience. Also, President Hicken said that I won't be able to leave there until at least two people from the branch of 65 learn to play all the hymns in the simplified hymn book. I'm sad to leave Montes and all the friendships that I've developed here, but as it always does, life moves on.

I really hope all goes well for Bishop Christensen and his family. I'll for sure keep them in my prayers. You said it best mom, just keep the faith and all will happen as the Lord wants it to.

I'm being attacked by millions of mosquitoes right now, and it makes it really difficult and a bit frustrating to type when I have to use my hands every 3 seconds for some karate chop action. But whatever...

Thank you mom for your letter. I love hearing about the things that are going on back at home and especially that things continue to go so well. We're here on this earth to progress, so that's what we should do everyday.

I said goodbye to Jose Contreras last night, and he told me he'd send you an e-mail in these days. So it should arrive before my next P-day.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Elder Jordan Keele

Hna. Jessica Keele- May 30, 2011

Hola!!

I´m sorry I don´t have any time to write! BUT, I love you all, and I´m doing great! Facundo was comfirmed yesterday :) If I find a computer that works, I'll send pictures next week. We´ll see!

We went to the river today and had an asado, and I PLAYED THE GUITAR!!! :D Oh, how I miss it :) We got permission because we´re having a talent show this Saturday. We asked to borrow Andres´ guitar, and we´re going to sing a song we´re making up to the tune of "Lucky" or to a hymn. We´re still deciding! Anyways, I love you. Talk to you next week!

Love,
Jess

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Elder Jordan Keele-May 23, 2011

Hola everyone,

It's been a great week and I can't wait to continue working :)

Happy 25th anniversary mom and dad! I love you both and am so proud of all that you've done and are still doing for the benefit of us, your children.

It's true, we're told to find the very elect, and, in a nice way, we're told to not waste time with those who aren't going to progress and those who aren't ready to make this big commitment. In my mission we've been told by President Daniel L. Johnson of the 70, that there are 1,000 people in each area that are ready to enter into the waters of baptism right away. We just have to find them.

WOW!! Bryson's already about done?! I can't believe it. Congratulations to him!

I haven't gotten your package yet, but I did receive one from the Knudsen family. Please thank them when you see them next. It was very sweet and very appreciated. I received it today, and they sent it on the 21st of April. So possibly by next week I'll get your package.

Way to go Derek! I'm so glad to hear about all the wonderful things you're doing. By the way, I like your ties Derek and Dallin in the picture, and I like Nathan's sweater :)

It seems that every week someone else is either preparing for or going on a mission. I can't tell you all how happy I am for you.

For all you future missionaries: I read earlier this week Elder Bednar's talk in the Priesthood session of General Conference from about 5-6 years ago on ''Becoming a missionary''. It's a wonderful talk, and he gives lots of good advice for those preparing to serve. One quote that really stuck out to me was this: ''You will not suddenly or magically be transformed into a prepared and obedient missionary on the day you walk through the front door of the MTC.'' (Italics added). I can't tell you how true that is. If you aren't reading your scriptures now, you're not going to want to on the mission. If you struggle with brushing your teeth twice a day now, you're going to struggle with it on your mission. If you don't trust in your church leaders now, you won't obey the council of your leaders on the mission. There aren't words enough to describe the truthfulness of this statement, and I'm sure every returned missionary would agree. You must become a missionary looong before you go on a mission. If you have any bad habits, stop them today. To reinforce Elder Bednar's thought, Elder Richard G. Scott has said, ''You become what you want to be by consistently being what you want to become each day.'' The best way to prepare for your mission is by being a missionary today.

Are you sure those pictures are of Tammie and not of Steph? They look like twins! I'm glad that you had a good time on the trek. Mom, I think there's a reason that boys don't know how to braid... it would be kind of creepy if that was our hobby ha ha.

Thank you all so much. I love hearing from you and I'm so grateful that the Lord continues to bless all of you. May each of us have a stronger desire to follow more closely the council of our modern day prophets.

Elder Jordan Keele

Hna. Jessica Keele- May 23, 2011

WOW, today marks 11 months. Jordan just reminded me. It´s crazy how fast time goes!

Things are going good! I´m teaching English classes. It´s interesting. The first week we had 2 investigators, Andres and another member show up. Then last week 4 investigators and 2 recent converts came. Hopefully it keeps getting bigger! Andres said something I loved the other day. I can´t even remember what he was talking about but he said "when I was an investigator". He´s learning all the member vocab. :) He started inviting the investigators in the English class to church and told them that after his baptism his whole life changed. :) We didn't even ask him to. I didn´t even know he had said that until my companion told me later that night how she was eavesdropping!

I also got to be a witness of a miracle! My companion and I were the reapers! haha WE didn´t have to do ANYTHING! The first time I met Facundo we asked him if he had talked to missionaries before and he told us "yes, I want to be baptized". Turns out he´s always wanted to. There have been many missionaries teach him and the work was all done (The field is white and ready to harvest). Of course, there always has to be attacks from Satan before a baptism, but most of it we didn´t even get to see or know about until after it was over. But Facundo got baptized yesterday! He is a wonderful example to his mom who hadn´t been to church in years, but because of the desire that Facundo (11 years old) had to be baptized, she is starting to reactivate as well. His dad was very against it and yelled and made Facu cry! But it made his mom think and remember her baptism. She bore her testimony and told Facu that is was his decision. They are separated and she has custody, and he made the right choice. :) I love this family! We´re hoping his brother will come to church as well. He´s 21 and has never been to the church but went to the baptism last night. Our zone leader told us that he told him he´s always had the thought of baptism in mind! Hmm.. haha We´re trying to set up a family night with them! :)

Anyway I´m loving my mission, but it goes way too fast!! I love to see you all in photos! You´ve all changed a bit pero bueno, tiene que pasar. Oh, and thank the Knudsen family for me! I got a wonderful care package from them :) And I´m sure your package is here. I'll just have to wait until I go to San Fernando to receive it :) Thank you very much! Love you all!

Hna Keele

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mi L.D. Elder Castro y Yo on top of the sun pyramid.

La zona talking about the Book of Mormon at Teotihuacan

Yo, Diana, Delfina y Elder Aguilar

Elder Jordan Keele-May 16, 2011

Yes, it's time to write!

Another week that went by too fast and that included too many miracles. I don't know why my Father in Heaven continues to bless me so, but hey, I won't complain :) One of the miracles is that we went to teach Omar, Maite and Nohemi and Miriam, that family we found the day we were supposed to go to the temple but our mission president said no. We taught them on Saturday. We briefly taught the first lesson, then watched the powerful 20 minute video of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, and then afterwards we bore testimony and invited them to be baptized. All but the mom said yes! It'll be either this upcoming Sunday or Tuesday that they'll be baptized.

There are a lot of other miracles, and I'm writing them in my journal almost everyday. But the Lord is really watching out for us and helping us in every way.

We could use your prayers for Omar (17 yrs), Maite (14 yrs) and Nohemi (30ish yrs). As well as Saul (16 yrs). He's another investigator, along with his mom, that were a reference from Delfina and Diana. How cool! But Saul has an addiction to smoking and he also has a really bad habit of stealing a bunch of money from arcade games. But he, along with Omar are going on the YM campout this weekend, so hopefully that will help them. There are just so many things going on it's amazing that my body hasn't quit yet, ha ha.

We went to eat lunch with Jose and Olivia as planned, then he asked me that question, ''what do you eat in the States?''. I never know what to say other than pizza, hamburgers, and a little bit of everything. So he said, fine, we'll ask your mom then, and he asked for your number, and I didn't deny that but asked him to do it after I had left. He insisted, like you said, and there wasn't much I could do. I was a bit nervous, but you're right, it won't happen again :)

Mom don't scare me like that! Derek and Nathan, maybe it'd be best if you found another sport other than rugby that can't do so much harm, like croquette or badmitton. ¡Tengan cuidado!

Does Janice Kapp Perry live nearby? I'd like to meet her someday.

So I was thinking the other day about our covenants that we make doing sacred ordinances. Obviously we're reminded of our baptismal covenants through a weekly sacred ordinance. Are our temple covenants any less important?

Also, I like Joseph Smith's quote in the beginning of the Book of Mormon saying that ''a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book''. How true that is. I've been doing a deeper and more consistent reading of the Book of Mormon this past week, and it's amazing how much strength I receive from it.

The man that gave our Teotihuacan tour last week was named Ignacio Salguero. He works on his own now giving tours, but he said that for that last five or so years he worked for 'Fun 4 Less Tours'. Maybe he's the same guy you had for your tour. He talked about the money system using those golden cups, King Benjamin and the ''natural acoustics', and the Beatitudes, along with many other things. It was really neat. I'm sure you remember it well.

That you all may continue to be safe and be good is my hope.

With love to everyone, Elder Jordan Keele

Hna. Jessica Keele- May, 16, 2011

I´m sooo OLD!!!!! Ah hahah I can´t belive I´m 22! But thanks for all
your birthday wishes!

My companion made a delicious chocolate cake w/dulce de leche! Mmmm! It
was also Hna Bray´s birthday on the 12th (my roommate) and her
companion's birthday is tomorrow! Loco! Well, I tried sending the
pictures again but it looks like it just won't work. I´m sorry, but it's good to
hear that you're all doing well. Derk and Nathan, cuidado
con rugby!! Love you!!

Love,
Jess

P.S. 1 picture worked!! :P This is what our oven does when we cook!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Jordan, Janette, Olivia and Jose Contreras, Elder Aguilar

Elder Jordan Keele-May 2, 2011

Buenas tardes,

We changed our schedule around a bit for today so we could teach someone earlier today. It went very well.

Yesterday, we had the baptismal service for Jose Contreras. Finally! It was really cool because I got your letter you sent me back in March right before Sacrament meeting. Jamie mentioned that she had been praying for him, and I'm sure many others of you have been as well. Prayer is a powerful tool, but most of the time we have no idea what the effects were. It was a very special service.

Miriam and her family weren't able to come this week to church because some ''unexpected'' family arrived at their home. We hope to get rid of all excuses for this Sunday so they can receive the blessings that are waiting there for them.

But this week we do have a few other possibilities. Delfina (mom) and her daughter Diana could use your prayers of support. They've had some hard times ''betraying'' their family and for that reason haven't been baptized yet. We hope all goes well with them.

My companion is Elder Mohonri-Moriancumr Aguilar. Sweet name :) He's from the estado, Aguascalientes. He was a paid soccer player before the mission, and he's really good. He decided to serve a mission instead of pursuing his hobby/potential career.

Here are some suggestions for your Cinco de Mayo dinner. I love pozole de pollo. probably my favorite dish. With some corn things in a soup of shredded chicken. Add some diced onions, some cilantro, some spicy salsa valentina, shredded lettuce, and I think that's it. Corn tortillas are a must. I love it! For the drink, you could make a NATURAL watermelon, cantaloupe, or mango juice. Pùt it in a blender and mix it up nice and slushy. Then fill the jar with mostly water. Then add the fruit and sugar to taste. For desert you can try a nice pie thing I had made with cookies ''Maria's'' and it has a lime taste. Idk what it's called, but maybe you could try it out. Whatever you have, be sure to send pictures!

BOO YAH DANIELLE! Another Spanish speaker! How cool. Is it the same mission that my cousin Angela went to?

That is amazing of the little connections you find. The other day we were eating lunch with a member and we found out that my companion's uncle married the member's cousin. It was fun.

This past week, with that same member, we watched Praise to the Man. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know he was chosen to bring to pass the restoration. I learned this week that professor Anthon that Martin Harris took the characters to to see if they were correct, fulfilled biblical prophecy when he said ''I can't read a sealed book''. Maybe at that time the professor, or Joseph Smith for that matter, couldn't see any significance in him saying that or being there. But the Lord has a marvelous work and a wonder going on, and He knows the reasons for every detail in our life. We just have to fully trust Him, and seek his counsel in our daily lives.

I love you all! I wish you all a very merry Mexican May 5th! (Which, for those who don't know, is NOT the Mexican independence day...). I'm sure I'll talk to lots of ''borachos'' this weekend :)

Elder Jordan Keele

P.S. Gracias por sus sugerencias en cuanto a la comida norteamericana!

Hna. Jessica Keele- May 2, 2011

Hola!

Well, transfers were today! I´m pretty sure this was the fastest transfer so far! I can´t believe it´s already over! Hna Campos went down south to Rio Gallegos and her hijita, Hna Cariola, (also from Chile haha) is my new companion! :) ALSO, we are now 4 in our apartment, and I´m super scared because they are splitting our area in two. So I have a 50 50 chance that I'll still be with Andres and Abril and all of the investigators Andrés is bringing us. Then on the other end of the area, we have about nothing, so it will be starting at ground zero. I really hope I´m with them all, but I get the feeling that I´m not. They´re going to tell us the limits tonight I think.

But to catch you up a little, Andrés is progressing afúl!!! (a ton haha) He´s already a missionary! He talks with all of his friends about the Book of Mormon, how it changed his life, about the Holy Ghost and how he really feels more peace and joy in his life. Plus whenever they offer him a drink or cigarrette, he is an example to them by saying NO. They all laugh BUT later he finds out that it´s really affecting them. He had one friend Alejandro, who was Athiest, write him an email saying that he was starting to wonder whether God really exists! :) Another friend, Martin, asked him for a Book of Mormon. Another friend, Juany, told him he wanted to start reading the Bible and get closer to God too. His mom started to read the Book of Mormon without saying anything but Andrés caught her. His sister asks us for a new chapter to read every time we pass by. ALSO, he accompanied us on a lesson with Aurora yesterday and bore a wonderful testimony and he is preparing to receive the priesthood :)

Abril is also progressing! She said that her favorite day now is Sunday! :) She keeps her mom coming to church and keeps trying with her brother. She and her mom asked for a Book of Mormon to give to a friend that went to the baptism! :) She told us she wants to be a missionary like us when she grows up! Aww!!

We´ve got a baptism this Saturday. She´s 9 years old and her mom was a missionary but was inactive for years after she married a nonmember. But a few months ago her husband died in a car crash and she started to come back to church after that. Angela, se llama la niña, es tan tierna! She has many questions and got frustrated with the plan of salvation at first because she didn´t understand how she can live with her family forever! :( But she´s progressing and her mom is planning the baptism and inviting a lot of family that aren't members. It´s really getting her more active in the ward. They called her to be our Principios del Evangelio teacher 2 months ago and she stopped coming. She finally came back and gave her first lesson yesterday. So that´s progress :)

Well that´s about it. I'm very interested and wondering how this 4 in an apartment thing is going to work out. I want to be in my recent converts' area but I´ll accept the Lords will however it ends up. :( I'm very feliz!! :D

I love you all, and I'm so excited to hear you all Sunday!!! Wahoo! :D Make sure you are all there, eh? Love you. Keep choosing the right!

Love, Hna Jessica Keele