Aww so cute! :) I love all the engagement pictures!! So, so, so pretty! I just got Nicole's today too! Wow, she is getting married this Saturday, Wahoo!!! Jamie your's is coming up! I can´t believe it!
Tammie, I got your "Dear Elder" letter today as well. You're so cute. I am excited to watch TTTAAANNGGGLLLEEEDDDD with you when I get home ;)
Well I´m staying in Vicente Lopez with Hna Alfaro, but Hna Huish left us!! ;( She is in Tigre with my "sister" Hna Whitehead (otra hija de Hna Peña). Hna Peña leaves tomorrow and Hna Moreno leaves in two days! No lo puedo creer!! And last night there was a problem with the despedidas (farewells) and we didn´t get to have them. So I didn´t get to say bye to Hna Peña or Hna Moreno. :( I was expecting to see Maria y Luis at the despedida, but I guess that´ll have to wait until the next one. Oh!! But I did hear that they went to Tigre to see Hna Peña before she leaves for El Salvador. They drove for 5 hours because there was so much traffic to get to the apartment in Tigre from Campana!!! How cute!!!!
Bueno, all is well here. I am still learning and growing. How is everyone doing? I love to hear from you all! Thank you for your support and love.
Love,
Jess
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Elder Jordan Keele-July 26, 2011
Hello,
We did have interviews on Thursday in Pachuca. That's when we sent the package. I love Pres. Hicken and his wife. It's always a pleasure to hear their kind, supportive, and inspired words... especially in English ha ha. I honestly don't know how small comparatively our mission is. I haven't heard anything about it here, other than the two newest Mexico City missions are even smaller. But I'm sure I'll end up serving in the majority of the zones here, if not all.
Here in Molango the members are all so close, and we're all just family, especially those three kids in the photos. They call us 'Tio Castillo' and 'Tio Kil' ha ha. Molangan missionaries typically stay up here for a really long time. Elder Castillo has been here since December when he arrived with an Elder Lucas, who went home just before I got here. I replaced him. We're the only three missionaries they've seen here for about 7 years. We work so much with the members here. On the 17th we only had 17 come to church... the lowest I've had since I've been here. Then yesterday we exploded with 57, the highest I've seen. We hope to keep it up near there so we can become a ward and have a church building here!
Dang, Dallin! Way to go bud! I love the piano so much, and I can't wait to really get back to it someday.
Things are going progressively well here. We talked with Pres. Hicken about some things we can do to help it progress more quickly, and I know that will help.
Thanks for everything! Have a great week at camp, Steffy and Mom and Dad on Friday!
Elder Jordan Keele
We did have interviews on Thursday in Pachuca. That's when we sent the package. I love Pres. Hicken and his wife. It's always a pleasure to hear their kind, supportive, and inspired words... especially in English ha ha. I honestly don't know how small comparatively our mission is. I haven't heard anything about it here, other than the two newest Mexico City missions are even smaller. But I'm sure I'll end up serving in the majority of the zones here, if not all.
Here in Molango the members are all so close, and we're all just family, especially those three kids in the photos. They call us 'Tio Castillo' and 'Tio Kil' ha ha. Molangan missionaries typically stay up here for a really long time. Elder Castillo has been here since December when he arrived with an Elder Lucas, who went home just before I got here. I replaced him. We're the only three missionaries they've seen here for about 7 years. We work so much with the members here. On the 17th we only had 17 come to church... the lowest I've had since I've been here. Then yesterday we exploded with 57, the highest I've seen. We hope to keep it up near there so we can become a ward and have a church building here!
Dang, Dallin! Way to go bud! I love the piano so much, and I can't wait to really get back to it someday.
Things are going progressively well here. We talked with Pres. Hicken about some things we can do to help it progress more quickly, and I know that will help.
Thanks for everything! Have a great week at camp, Steffy and Mom and Dad on Friday!
Elder Jordan Keele
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Elder Jordan Keele-July 19, 2011
Hola hola hola,
Well this week has been pretty good. Jesús went out of town to Pachuca this past week and got back on Friday night. We didn't have a chance to talk with him, but he did come to church yesterday again! It was a blessing. He had to leave on an urgent call after sacrament meeting, but we're planning to visit him throughout the week.
Also, we found a woman that said she was interested in hearing our message. We went with her to her home and met her husband. He told us that he's a member. He went to Tennessee about 5 years ago and was baptized up there. But when he came back here he stopped going because he didn't know the church existed here in Molango. We invited all of them, but only Lucio (the husband) came. It was raining pretty hard yesterday morning, and as a result we had the lowest number of assistance at church (17). Rain is no excuse to not obey Gods commandments! But, that's what happened.
It hasn't been raining all day every day like it did a couple weeks ago, but it usually rains everyday for at least a few hours. Just off and on all the time.
I'm so anxious for Derek to get his call! He should work extra hard to get his papers turned in as soon as possible. I can't wait to find out where his life-changing experience will be taking him.
Thanks for letting me know about Steph's improvements. It was perfect timing when you told me, because it was right before I went to the temple that week, so I was able to put her name there too. What a blessing it is to have "easy access" to the power of the Almighty God.
Tell all the girls of the house how proud I am of them! They're making efforts to be better, and that's all anyone could hope for.
Pachuca is about a 4 hour bus ride from Molango. It's the closest city to where we're at. Our area covers about 1/3 of the entire mission, although we mostly just stay here in this little pueblo. The closest missionaries to us are there in Pachuca, and the last time I saw another Elder was about 5 weeks ago. We're kind of alone up here ha ha. I think we have interviews with President Hicken this week, so we'll probably make the long trip to Pachuca and see some fellow missionaries there. But our mission, now that it split, consists of Tulancingo, Tecamac, Pachuca, Ecatepec, and a couple stakes in the DF. I know Pachuca a little bit, but I may get the chance to serve there later on.
Thanks for all you all do, ¡Les amo bastante!
Elder Jordan Keele
Well this week has been pretty good. Jesús went out of town to Pachuca this past week and got back on Friday night. We didn't have a chance to talk with him, but he did come to church yesterday again! It was a blessing. He had to leave on an urgent call after sacrament meeting, but we're planning to visit him throughout the week.
Also, we found a woman that said she was interested in hearing our message. We went with her to her home and met her husband. He told us that he's a member. He went to Tennessee about 5 years ago and was baptized up there. But when he came back here he stopped going because he didn't know the church existed here in Molango. We invited all of them, but only Lucio (the husband) came. It was raining pretty hard yesterday morning, and as a result we had the lowest number of assistance at church (17). Rain is no excuse to not obey Gods commandments! But, that's what happened.
It hasn't been raining all day every day like it did a couple weeks ago, but it usually rains everyday for at least a few hours. Just off and on all the time.
I'm so anxious for Derek to get his call! He should work extra hard to get his papers turned in as soon as possible. I can't wait to find out where his life-changing experience will be taking him.
Thanks for letting me know about Steph's improvements. It was perfect timing when you told me, because it was right before I went to the temple that week, so I was able to put her name there too. What a blessing it is to have "easy access" to the power of the Almighty God.
Tell all the girls of the house how proud I am of them! They're making efforts to be better, and that's all anyone could hope for.
Pachuca is about a 4 hour bus ride from Molango. It's the closest city to where we're at. Our area covers about 1/3 of the entire mission, although we mostly just stay here in this little pueblo. The closest missionaries to us are there in Pachuca, and the last time I saw another Elder was about 5 weeks ago. We're kind of alone up here ha ha. I think we have interviews with President Hicken this week, so we'll probably make the long trip to Pachuca and see some fellow missionaries there. But our mission, now that it split, consists of Tulancingo, Tecamac, Pachuca, Ecatepec, and a couple stakes in the DF. I know Pachuca a little bit, but I may get the chance to serve there later on.
Thanks for all you all do, ¡Les amo bastante!
Elder Jordan Keele
Hna. Jessica Keele- July 19, 2011
Hola Familia,
Ah, Jamie I want to see your pictures!!!:D Wow and Nicole's! Is she married now?
Bueno, Sunday Omar got baptized! Wahoo, he´s so sweet. Hna Salas and Hna Bray first found him. He lives with a member and a recent convert. So when Hna Bray and Hna Salas left, we took over. We got permission for Hna Bray to come back for the baptism and surprise him! Omar was so excited he tried to hug her, but she explained how she couldn´t. Pobre. It was sweet! We had a lot of opposition with him the past couple of weeks, including from the relief society president. (Mas que nada because she was worried about us and telling us not to go and visit him.) The member Omar lives with is Hno Carlos. He lost all of his strength about 2 weeks ago and hasn´t been able to get out of bed. They don´t have money for a nurse to live with them and the nursing home won't take him in. Bueno, I don´t think you want all the details, but it was very hard for me to see especially since that was my job as a CNA, but I can't help him out and there is nobody else here willing to w/o being paid. Which obviously they can´t afford everyday. So about every 3 or 4 days some one comes in to clean him!! It drives me crazy. But anyway, we still went. Omar got baptized and we´re still trying to figure out what we can do for Hno Carlos and his wife Carmen.
Bueno, to finish I just want to say that my companions are amazing!!! haha Transfers are next week, but I don´t want a change! We went bowling today and it was Hna Alfaro's first time!!! She got 76. wahoo! I got 80... but I´ve played before. Sad! I´ll send pictures! I love you all! :D
love,
Jess
PS keep praying for Daniel. I haven´t heard back from him. But I'm sure something will happen this week :)
Ah, Jamie I want to see your pictures!!!:D Wow and Nicole's! Is she married now?
Bueno, Sunday Omar got baptized! Wahoo, he´s so sweet. Hna Salas and Hna Bray first found him. He lives with a member and a recent convert. So when Hna Bray and Hna Salas left, we took over. We got permission for Hna Bray to come back for the baptism and surprise him! Omar was so excited he tried to hug her, but she explained how she couldn´t. Pobre. It was sweet! We had a lot of opposition with him the past couple of weeks, including from the relief society president. (Mas que nada because she was worried about us and telling us not to go and visit him.) The member Omar lives with is Hno Carlos. He lost all of his strength about 2 weeks ago and hasn´t been able to get out of bed. They don´t have money for a nurse to live with them and the nursing home won't take him in. Bueno, I don´t think you want all the details, but it was very hard for me to see especially since that was my job as a CNA, but I can't help him out and there is nobody else here willing to w/o being paid. Which obviously they can´t afford everyday. So about every 3 or 4 days some one comes in to clean him!! It drives me crazy. But anyway, we still went. Omar got baptized and we´re still trying to figure out what we can do for Hno Carlos and his wife Carmen.
Bueno, to finish I just want to say that my companions are amazing!!! haha Transfers are next week, but I don´t want a change! We went bowling today and it was Hna Alfaro's first time!!! She got 76. wahoo! I got 80... but I´ve played before. Sad! I´ll send pictures! I love you all! :D
love,
Jess
PS keep praying for Daniel. I haven´t heard back from him. But I'm sure something will happen this week :)
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Elder Jordan Keele-July 11, 2011
Greetings to my fellow brothers and sisters,
We're definitely experiencing our difficulties here in Molango. But as always, we have many blessings to accompany them. The other day we were talking to our house owner about some leaks we're having in the walls of the home. At the end of the conversation, Elder Castillo subtly invited him, Jesus, to church on Sunday. He told us he'll do "todo lo posible" (all that he can) to come. That wasn't the first time I've heard that phrase on my mission, and I'll probably hear it a few more times this week... and with every other week for the rest of my mission. I didn't think much of it when he told us that. But, on Sunday morning as I was playing prelude, Jesus walked in the front door to the House of Prayer. I couldn't hold in my smile of surprise and gratitude. He's an older man, one of the most well-known and wealthy men here in Molango. He stayed for all 3 hours, and the gospel principles class Elder Castillo and I taught went really well. I know that if he chooses to progress, he could be a great fountain in bringing many other souls unto Christ.
I liked what you said about the Atonement. I love learning about it. On Tuesday, because Elder Castillo and I aren't part of a district, we just have extra long companionship studies. We read a talk that was given to us. It's an old talk by a BYU professor named W. Cleon Skousen called ''A personal search for the meaning of the Atonement", or something along those lines. It was amazing! Elder Castillo and I learned so much!
E. Castillo and I started reading Jesus the Christ as well together, and my hunger for knowledge is very, very strong. I love this infinite gospel, and I thank you for teaching us kids so well. I know without it I wouldn't be who I am today, and I wouldn't be ready to accept or understand such amazing doctrine.
The family vacation sounded like a lot of fun!
Dallin's a priesthood man, wahoo!! He needs to tell me all about it :) Who's in his quorum, who are his leaders, how he feels, etc.
Also Nathan needs to stop being a slacker! What ever happened to that EFY info you were going to send me?
We're starting to really get the piano lessons rolling. They just need to be a bit more dedicated. President Hicken is coming for branch conference at the end of August. The Molango branch isn't part of a stake. It's part of the district of the mission, so Pres Hicken is what would be the stake president of the branch. I would really like a student or two to play for that sacrament meeting, so we need to push 'em a little bit.
Thanks for all your support of everybody. It really is helpful, appreciated and felt.
Elder Jordan Keele
We're definitely experiencing our difficulties here in Molango. But as always, we have many blessings to accompany them. The other day we were talking to our house owner about some leaks we're having in the walls of the home. At the end of the conversation, Elder Castillo subtly invited him, Jesus, to church on Sunday. He told us he'll do "todo lo posible" (all that he can) to come. That wasn't the first time I've heard that phrase on my mission, and I'll probably hear it a few more times this week... and with every other week for the rest of my mission. I didn't think much of it when he told us that. But, on Sunday morning as I was playing prelude, Jesus walked in the front door to the House of Prayer. I couldn't hold in my smile of surprise and gratitude. He's an older man, one of the most well-known and wealthy men here in Molango. He stayed for all 3 hours, and the gospel principles class Elder Castillo and I taught went really well. I know that if he chooses to progress, he could be a great fountain in bringing many other souls unto Christ.
I liked what you said about the Atonement. I love learning about it. On Tuesday, because Elder Castillo and I aren't part of a district, we just have extra long companionship studies. We read a talk that was given to us. It's an old talk by a BYU professor named W. Cleon Skousen called ''A personal search for the meaning of the Atonement", or something along those lines. It was amazing! Elder Castillo and I learned so much!
E. Castillo and I started reading Jesus the Christ as well together, and my hunger for knowledge is very, very strong. I love this infinite gospel, and I thank you for teaching us kids so well. I know without it I wouldn't be who I am today, and I wouldn't be ready to accept or understand such amazing doctrine.
The family vacation sounded like a lot of fun!
Dallin's a priesthood man, wahoo!! He needs to tell me all about it :) Who's in his quorum, who are his leaders, how he feels, etc.
Also Nathan needs to stop being a slacker! What ever happened to that EFY info you were going to send me?
We're starting to really get the piano lessons rolling. They just need to be a bit more dedicated. President Hicken is coming for branch conference at the end of August. The Molango branch isn't part of a stake. It's part of the district of the mission, so Pres Hicken is what would be the stake president of the branch. I would really like a student or two to play for that sacrament meeting, so we need to push 'em a little bit.
Thanks for all your support of everybody. It really is helpful, appreciated and felt.
Elder Jordan Keele
Hna. Jessica Keele- July 11, 2011
HEllo!!!!!!!!
AHHHHH! Que dia de problemas!!! hahaha
Bueno, FIRST, one of my companions broke the handle to the washer of a member, (Betsabet). We were using it for the first time to save money and time on washing our clothes. We spent about an hour calling members to see if anyone had her cell phone number so we could call her and let her know so she doesn´t come home to a surprise.
Finally I just bought a camera and it took two hours because we had to download my pictures and put it on my pen drive in order for my memory chip to work in the new camera. Then I accidentally erased all the pictures from the wrong memory chip.... AHHHH hahahaha. Then they said they needed my DNI or passport number which is in the mission office. So we waited for elders to find it in the office, BUT finally the store people got bored and said it was okay and to just go. hahaha So we left...... WITHOUT my visa! hahaha AHHH! Luckily the guy came running after us! Y bueno, that´s been our pday so far.
Okay news of the week, We are now a trio! :D I´m still with Hna Alfaro but now Hna Huish joined us! She´s doing a mini-mission. She´s from Arizona and is really good family friends with President Gulbrandsen so that´s how she got here! She is AWESOME! She already speaks better Spanish than I do and a lot of the yankees here and she reminds me so much of Nicole :D Oh and she´s only 18 but turns 19 in August. I didn´t know that was legal, pero bueno it´s fun!
I called Daniel the other day (the reference you gave me) and he seems really nice! He was excited that we had called and he said he was going to coordinate with his wife for a day he could invite us to dinner during the week. So I´ll let you know how it goes next week :D
Anyway, it was good to hear from you all! I love you so much!!!! Yesterday we had a wonderful lesson in Relief Society about The Family! :) It made me miss you all a bit. ;P I feel so blessed to have had all of you around me my whole life! There are so many more things I´m learning and recognizing about how blessed I am to have you all to call my family!! :) I don´t have a doubt that I can always depend on you and that gives me security. I have wonderful parents who are so strong and faithful in the gospel and are always ready to give me the comfort and counsel that I need. Everyone should be able to have that support and love or backup strength. But there are so many families being destroyed by Satan! The support and love I can always count on within immediate and extended family is wonderful. We´re really so blessed. Thank you all so much! :D Keep staying strong and building your testimonies! I love you all,
Jess
Hna Keele
AHHHHH! Que dia de problemas!!! hahaha
Bueno, FIRST, one of my companions broke the handle to the washer of a member, (Betsabet). We were using it for the first time to save money and time on washing our clothes. We spent about an hour calling members to see if anyone had her cell phone number so we could call her and let her know so she doesn´t come home to a surprise.
Finally I just bought a camera and it took two hours because we had to download my pictures and put it on my pen drive in order for my memory chip to work in the new camera. Then I accidentally erased all the pictures from the wrong memory chip.... AHHHH hahahaha. Then they said they needed my DNI or passport number which is in the mission office. So we waited for elders to find it in the office, BUT finally the store people got bored and said it was okay and to just go. hahaha So we left...... WITHOUT my visa! hahaha AHHH! Luckily the guy came running after us! Y bueno, that´s been our pday so far.
Okay news of the week, We are now a trio! :D I´m still with Hna Alfaro but now Hna Huish joined us! She´s doing a mini-mission. She´s from Arizona and is really good family friends with President Gulbrandsen so that´s how she got here! She is AWESOME! She already speaks better Spanish than I do and a lot of the yankees here and she reminds me so much of Nicole :D Oh and she´s only 18 but turns 19 in August. I didn´t know that was legal, pero bueno it´s fun!
I called Daniel the other day (the reference you gave me) and he seems really nice! He was excited that we had called and he said he was going to coordinate with his wife for a day he could invite us to dinner during the week. So I´ll let you know how it goes next week :D
Anyway, it was good to hear from you all! I love you so much!!!! Yesterday we had a wonderful lesson in Relief Society about The Family! :) It made me miss you all a bit. ;P I feel so blessed to have had all of you around me my whole life! There are so many more things I´m learning and recognizing about how blessed I am to have you all to call my family!! :) I don´t have a doubt that I can always depend on you and that gives me security. I have wonderful parents who are so strong and faithful in the gospel and are always ready to give me the comfort and counsel that I need. Everyone should be able to have that support and love or backup strength. But there are so many families being destroyed by Satan! The support and love I can always count on within immediate and extended family is wonderful. We´re really so blessed. Thank you all so much! :D Keep staying strong and building your testimonies! I love you all,
Jess
Hna Keele
Elder Jordan Keele-July 4, 2011
Buenas tardes everyone,
This past week, as I'm sure you've heard, has been pretty rainy and stormy. Here in Molango it's been pretty crazy. Today is the first day in about a week that I can actually see the sun without dark clouds covering it. Tuesday morning it started to rain hardcore and didn't end until about 60 hours later, no stopping. It was nuts. I know that's just how this earth-life is, but I also know that ''no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing'', and mother nature fits right in there as well.
On top of the rain, they've just had the elections for what would be the city mayor in Molango yesterday. This past week has been insane as far as that goes. Lots of threats, fights, and other such non-sense. It'll be nice to have that over with.
I assume something went wrong with the computer, but I didn't get an e-mail from you today. I'm not worried about it, I know that the summer time can get pretty hectic, especially on the weekends. Everything is going well here, and we're looking forward to things getting even better! Have a wonderful happy 4th of July! My companion and I will be celebrating right along with you all. Be safe, but enjoy the night thinking of the fantastic freedoms that we enjoy in the United States!
Elder Jordan Keele
This past week, as I'm sure you've heard, has been pretty rainy and stormy. Here in Molango it's been pretty crazy. Today is the first day in about a week that I can actually see the sun without dark clouds covering it. Tuesday morning it started to rain hardcore and didn't end until about 60 hours later, no stopping. It was nuts. I know that's just how this earth-life is, but I also know that ''no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing'', and mother nature fits right in there as well.
On top of the rain, they've just had the elections for what would be the city mayor in Molango yesterday. This past week has been insane as far as that goes. Lots of threats, fights, and other such non-sense. It'll be nice to have that over with.
I assume something went wrong with the computer, but I didn't get an e-mail from you today. I'm not worried about it, I know that the summer time can get pretty hectic, especially on the weekends. Everything is going well here, and we're looking forward to things getting even better! Have a wonderful happy 4th of July! My companion and I will be celebrating right along with you all. Be safe, but enjoy the night thinking of the fantastic freedoms that we enjoy in the United States!
Elder Jordan Keele
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