To whom it may concern,
This past week has been a powerful one. We've had the blessing of teaching a lot of different people. Unfortunately, not many went to church. But we're pleased with the ones who did.
We were able to help 10 year old David get baptized yesterday. His mother has been a member all of her life, but inactivated for a while, and married a non-member. They've recently started going to church, (well about a year and a half ago), and the father was finally baptized just a couple months ago. However, the father, Israel, didn't believe his son was capable of making such a commitment as baptism because it took Israel "42 years" to make that decision. We read in DyC 68 about how it's his responsibility as a father to teach that doctrine to his son "at the age of 8 years". He had never thought of it that way :) It was truly a miracle because from what I've been told by the bishop, the EQP, and other members, (including my companion) that other missionaries have already tried to convince him with no success. Well, I'm here to testify that I didn't do anything. Ha ha, but God still can work miracles for those who (1) have faith, and (2) are obedient. I learned some good lessons from this experience.
I'm so sorry that Derek and Jessica aren't able to meet. But as Derek mentioned, if the decision came from God, it's for the best.
I had no idea that Nezahualcoyotl meant Coyote who Fasts. Thanks for looking that up... lots of interesting things to be learned.
Ha ha mom, you've still got 7 more marriages to go through! I guess we'll see what happens in April...
Nobody in the ward plays the piano, so I get to do the honor :)
There are a lot of sweet older ladies in our home ward. I'll always remember them sitting all together there in the back right corner in the last few rows. I look forward to seeing all of them again sometime!
I have no idea what the museum is, but we'll have to check it out. A lot of museums and stuff are closed on Mondays, so that's a bit unfortunate for us. But I'll try and look into that museum and maybe I can go sometime. I still have to go to the one in front of the temple too!
Thank you for your thoughts and wishes, and I wish you all success this week as well!
Con mucho amor y cariño,
Elder Jordan Keele
Friday, January 27, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Elder Jordan Keele-Jan. 16, 2011
Mis Seres Queridos,
It's been a pretty productive week. I'm learning so much in this area, and I love learning every day. I'm almost halfway through Jesus the Christ, but this time I'm reading all the scripture references, and I'm learning so much more! I've been gaining such a greater love for my Savior, and I continually try to put into practice His attributes more in my life. It truly makes a difference in how I feel every day.
We took Alberto and Sugey to be married legally on Tuesday morning, followed by some delicious Pozole at their house, and then later in the evening was the nice little baptismal service. It was a blessing to effect the ordinance.
I'm so happy to hear about Jessica. I can't wait to see her. She's always been such a huge influence and part of my life. I've loved that we had spent so much time together doing so many of the same things before our missions. Then, what a humongous tender mercy that we were able to be in the MTC together and serve our missions together. Ha ha, I better not write any more about that or else I'll start to cry here in the internet shop ha ha. Jessica, you've already made me look like a fool too many times in the internet shop ha ha! You can ask her about that :)
Jessica, I hope that the Lord guides you by the hand, day by day, so that this transition can be a smooth one for you. Plus, I'm going to need your help too in a few months so it won't be so hard on me!
I've seen the little Mexican Mormon history museum many times, but have never taken the time to go there. I had no idea it was done by a member. Now that I know, I'll be sure to go there that we're so close by. Just this morning we went to play basketball right next to the temple with some other missionaries, including the assistants. It was awesome.
I hope you enjoy the Family Home Evening tonight. How special that Jessica will be there and be able to share experiences that she'd just had a week ago! I hope the spirit guides all who are in attendance to make the necessary adjustments to find more peace and joy in their lives.
I love you all, (as I always say because its true!), and I hope you have a great week!
Elder Jordan Keele
It's been a pretty productive week. I'm learning so much in this area, and I love learning every day. I'm almost halfway through Jesus the Christ, but this time I'm reading all the scripture references, and I'm learning so much more! I've been gaining such a greater love for my Savior, and I continually try to put into practice His attributes more in my life. It truly makes a difference in how I feel every day.
We took Alberto and Sugey to be married legally on Tuesday morning, followed by some delicious Pozole at their house, and then later in the evening was the nice little baptismal service. It was a blessing to effect the ordinance.
I'm so happy to hear about Jessica. I can't wait to see her. She's always been such a huge influence and part of my life. I've loved that we had spent so much time together doing so many of the same things before our missions. Then, what a humongous tender mercy that we were able to be in the MTC together and serve our missions together. Ha ha, I better not write any more about that or else I'll start to cry here in the internet shop ha ha. Jessica, you've already made me look like a fool too many times in the internet shop ha ha! You can ask her about that :)
Jessica, I hope that the Lord guides you by the hand, day by day, so that this transition can be a smooth one for you. Plus, I'm going to need your help too in a few months so it won't be so hard on me!
I've seen the little Mexican Mormon history museum many times, but have never taken the time to go there. I had no idea it was done by a member. Now that I know, I'll be sure to go there that we're so close by. Just this morning we went to play basketball right next to the temple with some other missionaries, including the assistants. It was awesome.
I hope you enjoy the Family Home Evening tonight. How special that Jessica will be there and be able to share experiences that she'd just had a week ago! I hope the spirit guides all who are in attendance to make the necessary adjustments to find more peace and joy in their lives.
I love you all, (as I always say because its true!), and I hope you have a great week!
Elder Jordan Keele
Elder Jordan Keele- Jan. 9, 2011
Dear Mom,
We've had a great week here in Mexico City. I love the opportunity to talk to so many people everyday... literally hundreds. We've had some good success here, even though there wasn't much to start with when I got to this area. I have the opportunity to baptize a brother named Alberto tomorrow. He's the husband of a member, and he's finally taking the steps to be a member. Funny thing is, two of my really good friends from my generation (missionaries who enter the mission at the same time) have both been in this same area. Elder Hopkins (who I lived with in Colorado) and Elder Falslev (from my MTC district. He was E. Castillo's companion in the MTC). They both had tried to work with him and both commented things on his Teaching Registry or whatever they're called, and that was 1 year and also 6 months ago that they worked with him. It's a blessing to be helping him at this time.
Also, we had worked hard all week and didn't get a lot of people to commit to coming to church. However, we weren't discouraged but had faith instead. We trusted the Lord would prepare some one for us. Well, He followed through (as He always does), and Isabel (about 70 years old) showed up on her own to church! We had taught her earlier in the week and invited her to be baptized, but she had declined. We left her only with an invitation to come to church. We didn't think much of it because we invite every one we see to church and everyone says the same thing: "If I have time, I'll be there".... no one ever does. But Isabel did, so that was a nice surprise.
Sad thing about the sisters is that the Visitors Center closed yesterday for remodeling and won't open again until December. Most of the sister missionaries in our mission were working there, however there were a few that worked in Pachuca, Tulancingo and Tecamac where it's not quite as dangerous. The sisters are no longer in my district. It was good though to teach them once though :) They're great.
Also, I'm actually in Barrio Pradera. In my district there are some missionaries in that ward. But it's right next to my area. We go to the same church, and I've met quite a few members from there including Andrés Gumeta. But we take one 5 minute micro to go to the temple, so we're really close by. The other Elders did finally move in to a new apartment, but it wasn't the one we were planning on. They moved on Wednesday. The owner of the house they were going to move in to wasn't very... I don't know what word to use. But he wasn't really easy to work with. So they found a new place and one day later they moved in.
I saw Andrés ayer... He's not married yet, and he lives with his parents. But he seems to be doing well in other areas... he just bought the new iPhone and showed it to us ha ha. It's super super expensive here. But I'll tell him next time I see him about Trev.
It's nice to hear of your real missionary teaching experience! Ha ha what a great opportunity for you.
Oh yeah! Today, Pres. Hicken gave me and another companionship permission to go to the Estadio Azteca- 3rd largest sports stadium in the world! In the parking lot there they had a Nativity, the largest in the world. We went and took some good pictures, and it was really fun. Afterwards, we went to ask if we could get a tour of the stadium, and they let us in for free! We went down to the grass, into the locker rooms, and saw a bunch of cool things. In our little tour group was a couple from Santa Fe Argentina! I started talking to them and told them a bit about how my parents served in Rosario (I wasnt sure if you actually served in Santa Fe, although I think you may have). The lady wasn't too interested in the whole missionary thing, but after telling her that I went there too she got a little more excited. That would've been cool for me to have passed Jessica the reference to go visit them clear from here! ha ha
Way to go Dallin! Ha ha that makes me really happy to hear about that! I can't wait to see you play!
Next time you see Tommy tell him I'm happy for him :) my buddy ha ha
Jessica, good luck on the real life this week! Good luck on your talk as well. If you write it on a computer, I'd like a copy please :)
I love Derek's photos. I'm so proud of everyone back home! Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S. Mom if you haven't already, could you take a picture of all the 6th ward missionaries' plaques outside the bishop's office before Jessica's gets taken off? Thanks!
We've had a great week here in Mexico City. I love the opportunity to talk to so many people everyday... literally hundreds. We've had some good success here, even though there wasn't much to start with when I got to this area. I have the opportunity to baptize a brother named Alberto tomorrow. He's the husband of a member, and he's finally taking the steps to be a member. Funny thing is, two of my really good friends from my generation (missionaries who enter the mission at the same time) have both been in this same area. Elder Hopkins (who I lived with in Colorado) and Elder Falslev (from my MTC district. He was E. Castillo's companion in the MTC). They both had tried to work with him and both commented things on his Teaching Registry or whatever they're called, and that was 1 year and also 6 months ago that they worked with him. It's a blessing to be helping him at this time.
Also, we had worked hard all week and didn't get a lot of people to commit to coming to church. However, we weren't discouraged but had faith instead. We trusted the Lord would prepare some one for us. Well, He followed through (as He always does), and Isabel (about 70 years old) showed up on her own to church! We had taught her earlier in the week and invited her to be baptized, but she had declined. We left her only with an invitation to come to church. We didn't think much of it because we invite every one we see to church and everyone says the same thing: "If I have time, I'll be there".... no one ever does. But Isabel did, so that was a nice surprise.
Sad thing about the sisters is that the Visitors Center closed yesterday for remodeling and won't open again until December. Most of the sister missionaries in our mission were working there, however there were a few that worked in Pachuca, Tulancingo and Tecamac where it's not quite as dangerous. The sisters are no longer in my district. It was good though to teach them once though :) They're great.
Also, I'm actually in Barrio Pradera. In my district there are some missionaries in that ward. But it's right next to my area. We go to the same church, and I've met quite a few members from there including Andrés Gumeta. But we take one 5 minute micro to go to the temple, so we're really close by. The other Elders did finally move in to a new apartment, but it wasn't the one we were planning on. They moved on Wednesday. The owner of the house they were going to move in to wasn't very... I don't know what word to use. But he wasn't really easy to work with. So they found a new place and one day later they moved in.
I saw Andrés ayer... He's not married yet, and he lives with his parents. But he seems to be doing well in other areas... he just bought the new iPhone and showed it to us ha ha. It's super super expensive here. But I'll tell him next time I see him about Trev.
It's nice to hear of your real missionary teaching experience! Ha ha what a great opportunity for you.
Oh yeah! Today, Pres. Hicken gave me and another companionship permission to go to the Estadio Azteca- 3rd largest sports stadium in the world! In the parking lot there they had a Nativity, the largest in the world. We went and took some good pictures, and it was really fun. Afterwards, we went to ask if we could get a tour of the stadium, and they let us in for free! We went down to the grass, into the locker rooms, and saw a bunch of cool things. In our little tour group was a couple from Santa Fe Argentina! I started talking to them and told them a bit about how my parents served in Rosario (I wasnt sure if you actually served in Santa Fe, although I think you may have). The lady wasn't too interested in the whole missionary thing, but after telling her that I went there too she got a little more excited. That would've been cool for me to have passed Jessica the reference to go visit them clear from here! ha ha
Way to go Dallin! Ha ha that makes me really happy to hear about that! I can't wait to see you play!
Next time you see Tommy tell him I'm happy for him :) my buddy ha ha
Jessica, good luck on the real life this week! Good luck on your talk as well. If you write it on a computer, I'd like a copy please :)
I love Derek's photos. I'm so proud of everyone back home! Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S. Mom if you haven't already, could you take a picture of all the 6th ward missionaries' plaques outside the bishop's office before Jessica's gets taken off? Thanks!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Elder Jordan Keele- Jan. 2, 2012
Buenas Tardes,
Oh boy, where do I start today? My new companion is Elder Rubalcava from Cd. Juárez, Chihuaha. My new ward is called Pradera in the Vergel Stake. My apartment is in the Edo. de Mexico in the city Nezahualcoyotl, although more than half of my area is Distrito Federal limits. This place is HUGE! There are soooo many people here. I was switched in one day from a tiny town with a population of 3,000 people to one of the biggest cities in the world of 25 MILLION people. It's a little different ha ha. For example, three days ago my companion and I were street contacting and for literally 2 hours we stayed within 2 blocks, literally. Maybe 300 feet worth. We just kept going back and forth because there were soooo many people going in and out of a tiangis. (Giant garage sale-ish things that they put in the middle of the streets. Those things are nuts). Anyways, I love it here.
When I arrived, the apartment was a pig sty. Because it was a Tuesday, and we really should only spend time cleaning on P-days, we did a bit of sweeping and had to suffer through the rest for this past week. This area used to have two wards for the missionaries, but they just opened one of the other wards so we're only in charge of one now. The two new missionaries that came to open the new area (which is called Barrio Jordan, super cool name for a ward!), didn't have a house. We've been searching for one all week long, and finally found one on Thursday. However, the house owner was being a real pain (to use simple terms), and the other missionaries still haven't moved in yet. We're hoping tomorrow. So in the meantime they've slept with us, even though there's not much room. Looong story short, the mission brought all their stuff for the new apartment, and we have no choice but to store it in our apartment. So, it started as a pig sty, and now it's even worse ha ha. But at least I cleaned the bathroom today. :)
The ward mission leader for the barrio Jordan was a missionary in Veracruz. I asked if he knew Trevor Stevens and he said yes. He said Elder Stevens was a fantastic missionary. His name was Elder Gumeta. Maybe if you see him this week you can ask if he remembers him.
Aunt Louene's package got here last Tuesday. It was a 12 days to Christmas one, but it works out that it's a 12 days to "Dia de los Reyes Magos" on the 6th of January. So I've been opening one gift a day. It was such a thoughtful gift, and please thank her a lot for it. I love it!
Have a wonderful week. I hope all goes well with everything and that everyone continues to do better and better.
Elder Jordan Keele
Oh boy, where do I start today? My new companion is Elder Rubalcava from Cd. Juárez, Chihuaha. My new ward is called Pradera in the Vergel Stake. My apartment is in the Edo. de Mexico in the city Nezahualcoyotl, although more than half of my area is Distrito Federal limits. This place is HUGE! There are soooo many people here. I was switched in one day from a tiny town with a population of 3,000 people to one of the biggest cities in the world of 25 MILLION people. It's a little different ha ha. For example, three days ago my companion and I were street contacting and for literally 2 hours we stayed within 2 blocks, literally. Maybe 300 feet worth. We just kept going back and forth because there were soooo many people going in and out of a tiangis. (Giant garage sale-ish things that they put in the middle of the streets. Those things are nuts). Anyways, I love it here.
When I arrived, the apartment was a pig sty. Because it was a Tuesday, and we really should only spend time cleaning on P-days, we did a bit of sweeping and had to suffer through the rest for this past week. This area used to have two wards for the missionaries, but they just opened one of the other wards so we're only in charge of one now. The two new missionaries that came to open the new area (which is called Barrio Jordan, super cool name for a ward!), didn't have a house. We've been searching for one all week long, and finally found one on Thursday. However, the house owner was being a real pain (to use simple terms), and the other missionaries still haven't moved in yet. We're hoping tomorrow. So in the meantime they've slept with us, even though there's not much room. Looong story short, the mission brought all their stuff for the new apartment, and we have no choice but to store it in our apartment. So, it started as a pig sty, and now it's even worse ha ha. But at least I cleaned the bathroom today. :)
The ward mission leader for the barrio Jordan was a missionary in Veracruz. I asked if he knew Trevor Stevens and he said yes. He said Elder Stevens was a fantastic missionary. His name was Elder Gumeta. Maybe if you see him this week you can ask if he remembers him.
Aunt Louene's package got here last Tuesday. It was a 12 days to Christmas one, but it works out that it's a 12 days to "Dia de los Reyes Magos" on the 6th of January. So I've been opening one gift a day. It was such a thoughtful gift, and please thank her a lot for it. I love it!
Have a wonderful week. I hope all goes well with everything and that everyone continues to do better and better.
Elder Jordan Keele
Hna. Jessica Keele- Jan. 2, 2012
Hola Familia!!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!
Okay, just so you know, I´ll see you next week!!! I can´t believe it... But no worries, I am happy to see you!! And yes, it helps to know that I am coming back to Argentina this year! :) I´ve been telling EVERYONE, because it makes it a lot easier to say good bye since it´s just a "see you soon!" rather than a "goodbye for ever" :) Estoy muy feliz sobre ese asunto. haha
Today we got to meet up with our zone at a park because we crushed our goal and made a new mission record. So President and Sister Gsulbrandsen came and brought us all McDonalds and then reeses for dessert! :) Yum! it was pretty fun!
Saturday night we had dinner with a member (who is actually from Canada) and his wife and CUTE little girls! It was our first time eating with them and Hna Smith and I are very sad about that because they are an amazing family! He knows tonz of stuff about the gospel and just blew our minds with all his knowledge! One of his little girls was nervous to talk with us because she thought we were only going to talk in English and she said she didn´t know very much. It was sooo cute becasue when we first walked in and started talking with her, she just looked nervous and then about 3 minutes into the conversation she said "Oh, I just realized that you´re speaking Spanish! Mom they´re speaking Spanish!!" She´s 4 years old and soo cute! The 2 year old just kept making angry faces at us and the mom was fun to talk with because she just wanted us to talk in English to see how much she remembered. They told us their whole story about how they met. They met here in Caballito and then she lived in Canada for a year and a half. Anyway, they said they would invite us over again before I leave so I´ll take a picture and then I´ll just have to keep in contact with them! They´re soo cute!! :)
Well, I don´t really know what else to say except that MISSIONS ARE AMAZING!! :D I think everybody should go on one. They are happy and sad, life changing/life saving, and they go by sooo fast!!! But I´m grateful for the time I have had and have left! :)
I love you all sooo very much!!!
AND I´m stoked to go to cafe Rio! (to see all of you as well) hahah
Love ya,
Jess
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!
Okay, just so you know, I´ll see you next week!!! I can´t believe it... But no worries, I am happy to see you!! And yes, it helps to know that I am coming back to Argentina this year! :) I´ve been telling EVERYONE, because it makes it a lot easier to say good bye since it´s just a "see you soon!" rather than a "goodbye for ever" :) Estoy muy feliz sobre ese asunto. haha
Today we got to meet up with our zone at a park because we crushed our goal and made a new mission record. So President and Sister Gsulbrandsen came and brought us all McDonalds and then reeses for dessert! :) Yum! it was pretty fun!
Saturday night we had dinner with a member (who is actually from Canada) and his wife and CUTE little girls! It was our first time eating with them and Hna Smith and I are very sad about that because they are an amazing family! He knows tonz of stuff about the gospel and just blew our minds with all his knowledge! One of his little girls was nervous to talk with us because she thought we were only going to talk in English and she said she didn´t know very much. It was sooo cute becasue when we first walked in and started talking with her, she just looked nervous and then about 3 minutes into the conversation she said "Oh, I just realized that you´re speaking Spanish! Mom they´re speaking Spanish!!" She´s 4 years old and soo cute! The 2 year old just kept making angry faces at us and the mom was fun to talk with because she just wanted us to talk in English to see how much she remembered. They told us their whole story about how they met. They met here in Caballito and then she lived in Canada for a year and a half. Anyway, they said they would invite us over again before I leave so I´ll take a picture and then I´ll just have to keep in contact with them! They´re soo cute!! :)
Well, I don´t really know what else to say except that MISSIONS ARE AMAZING!! :D I think everybody should go on one. They are happy and sad, life changing/life saving, and they go by sooo fast!!! But I´m grateful for the time I have had and have left! :)
I love you all sooo very much!!!
AND I´m stoked to go to cafe Rio! (to see all of you as well) hahah
Love ya,
Jess
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