The farewell

The trio!

Elder Jordan Keele, June 4, 2012

Wow! Has the moment really arrived?!

 

We´ve had a great week. Our new companion actually isn´t a greeny from Guatemala. He´s got 14 months on the mission and he´s from Cuzco, Peru. His name is Elder Gallegos, and he´s so much fun to have around. I really love the trio. They´ve said that trios are a lot harder, but I´ve found it to be more fun and effective. We just dominate the streets we walk on talking to literally everyone! It´s great and it´s very rewarding.

 

We´ve been working with two families who will be getting baptized this week. Nailea and her mother were kind enough to work with me, and we have their baptism scheduled for Thursday, right before I leave. Gustavo, his wife Norma, and their son Luis, will be baptized on Sunday. Gustavo and Norma still have to get married on Saturday, so that´s partly why they couldn´t do it any earlier. Plus Gustavo´s non-member mom wanted to be there, and she can only come on weekends. I figured that she could benefit from being there a lot more than I could.

 

Mom, thanks again for sharing your TRC experience with me. I hope to be able to go with you sometimes to relive some MTC feelings!

 

Thanks also for your prayers; I´ll have to share that with Pres. Hicken so he can be re-assured that he receives direct inspiration.

 

I figured rather than have a "Thank-you-mony" when I speak in church in a few weeks that it would be better to say thank you here. First,  to Mom. Thank you for being so consistent in writing me literally every single week of my two year mission. I think there was only one time that for technical issues I didn´t receive a letter from her. Then to both Mom and Dad for all you´ve done for me in my life. I know at times I didn´t want to listen or obey, but I know now that it was always for my own good. You were developing something much greater than just a little picky rule that you wanted me to obey. Thanks to Jamie, Jessica and Derek for setting the example and motivating me to be the best missionary I can be. Also to Nathan, Steph, Dallin and Tammie for your constant motivation.

 

I know this is long, but just hang in there with me here... To the following for constantly writing me throughout my mission: Linda Campbell, Austin Duke, R-jay Rubio, Sis. Williamson, Jennifer Keele, Grandma Keele, and Mariana Lopez. Thanks for anyone else from the family or ward who sent letters of love and packages of support. Thanks for all of your prayers, thoughts, and kind words in my behalf, whether I heard them or not. I truly know and testify that the prayer of the righteous is worth a lot, no matter how far away the receiver is. Thanks to all those who have taken the time out of their daily busy lives to read the weekly reports. Thanks for all of your love and support. I love you all and am excited to be with you all again soon.

 

Last but not least, I´d like to bear my testimony to the world, (or to just whoever reads the blog :) ) that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the one true church upon the face of the earth. Not because we´re the first one, nor because we´re simply the best or better than any other, but because this is where the Melchizedek Priesthood of God is found on the earth. It´s the only church where sins are washed away from baptism. The only church where families are sealed not just for the time in this life, but for all of the eternities without end. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Thomas S. Monson is in direct communication with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and he leads and guides us today. The Book of Mormon is a sacred book of scripture that contains the fulness of the gospel; in it´s original and intended state. It was sent to us by a loving and perfect Father in Heaven. If we read it and follow it, we will receive blessings without end. If we choose to reject it, we deny ourselves of the blessings of eternity. That is why this is the one true church.

 

My mission literally has changed my life. A substitute MTC teacher said it best when he said that "The mission is like a rose bush. As we go through it, a lot of times we can only see the thorns. But as we get out and on to the other side, all we can see are the roses." I know that our trials are for our good, but we need to look through our spiritual eyes and not our natural eyes. Sometimes I´m not very good at that. I can confidently say that I am truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Savior truly knows and understands each of us. As we "Come unto [Him]" with our whole hearts, leaving nothing behind, He can truly heal us and help us feel at home wherever we are. I wish the blessings and miracles of a mission for everyone; young and old; male and female. Please prepare yourselves to serve an honorable full-time mission.

 

I´m grateful to say that I´ve "Returned with Honor" to my earthly home. But I´ll be so happy the day that I can say that I´ve "Returned with Honor" to my eternal home one day. I hope that none of us ever forget what we truly desire. I pray that we can all say together that we´ve "Returned with Honor" to our heavenly parents. In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Elder Jordan F. Keele