How are Sara and her family doing? I just read about the accident. Aww I'm so sorry!!! I don´t know what to say, but I just know that the Lord has a plan for everyone. I love you all. You´re in my prayers, all of you!! Always remember the Plan of Salvation and how wonderful and amazing it is!! The opportunity that we all have!! Never forget it! I love you all soo much!!!
I´m still in Almagro, and I´m with Hna Moreno. Hna Rivera went to Ushuaia (Tierra del fuego). I think it´s kinda funny. I've had 5 companions in Argentina, and I´ve been here 4 months. haha crazy!!
I love all the good habits I´m developing on my mission. I LOVE to study the gospel! Study the words of the prophets and the Savior!! And I love the feelings of peace and comfort that they bring me. I know the Lord knows and loves all of us personally and that he is always watching out for us. The scriptures give me a feeling of comfort when I read them when I'm going through hard times and the situation doesn´t change. It doesn´t matter because I read the scriptures and I feel comfort and peace anyway. I can face my trials with confidence and hope.
One of my favorite words in Spanish is "Esperar". It´s beautiful. It means to wait and it also means to Hope. And I love how they are together because that´s exactly what we need during our trials. Ether 12:4 talks about a better world.. well it´s not this world. To have hope for a better world we have to wait. We have to be patient. We can be confident that if we build upon the rock (Heleman 5:12) we won´t be shaken in the wind that Satan blows at us. Having faith in the Savior means trusting in him. Trust in the trials that he gives us and be teachable so that we can overcome them in the way that He KNOWS we can!
I love helping people come to understand this and gain trust and confidence in our Savior because when we have trust in him, we go through our trials with confidence and patience. I love this! It doesn´t mean that we won't have problems or trials, but it means that we can be happy during them and they are for our good to learn from them. Even when it´s hard to see that in the moment. Listening and reading the words of the prophets and Savior can be a source of strength to us. The strength that we need to overcome all our trials. That´s something I´m recognizing so much more on my mission.
I´m so grateful for my Savior and all that He went through for me. I´m so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve Him. And for all the things He is teaching me. He is my source of strength. There are times when I just don´t understand why I´m not crying haha Especially during Christmas I was so worried about being away from all of you and everybody asking "Oh aren't you sad to be away from your family?" Well yes, but He is carrying me because I feel tired everyday and I miss you all so much. But I´m sooo happy!!!
Well, just remember how much I love you!! Keep reading the scriptures! Say your prayers! Trust in the Savior! And have ESPERANZA during your trials. Hasta la proxima
Chau,
Jess
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Hna. Jessica Keele- Dec. 27, 2010
So traslados were today, and I´m in a fivesome or whatever you want to call it! Yo, Hermana Allen, Hermana Rivera, Hma Mora, y Hna Moreno. haha Es loco because we only have 3 beds. I think we´re going to put all the mattresses on the floor tonight. No se! Divertido! It´s like a slumber party! I love Hna Allen. She goes home tomorrow and Hna Mora leaves on Friday. Then it will be just the three of us until who knows when.
Here´s the problem, one of us, Hna Rivera, Hna Moreno or I are going to have to go to end of the earth... TIERRA DEL FUEGO!! haha They didn´t have any flights going there this week, so we´re a trio until then. President hasn´t told us who is going so.. idk! We´re guessing it´s Hna Moreno, but we´ll see.
Mom, I loved your email. That book sounds really interesting. I love reading about all the prophecies and things! And it was so good to hear all of your voices on Christmas!! :) I love you all sssssssoooo much!! I don´t have much time to write, but I hope you all have a wonderful week and MOM AND DERK HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Que les cumplen feliz!! :) and I´ll talk to you Monday!
Love,
Jess
Here´s the problem, one of us, Hna Rivera, Hna Moreno or I are going to have to go to end of the earth... TIERRA DEL FUEGO!! haha They didn´t have any flights going there this week, so we´re a trio until then. President hasn´t told us who is going so.. idk! We´re guessing it´s Hna Moreno, but we´ll see.
Mom, I loved your email. That book sounds really interesting. I love reading about all the prophecies and things! And it was so good to hear all of your voices on Christmas!! :) I love you all sssssssoooo much!! I don´t have much time to write, but I hope you all have a wonderful week and MOM AND DERK HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Que les cumplen feliz!! :) and I´ll talk to you Monday!
Love,
Jess
Elder Jordan Keele- Dec. 27, 2010
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Derek and Mom! Happy birthday to you two!
It was so good to be able to talk to you and Jessica the other day. I feel re-energized, rejuvenated, re-excited, re-dedicated, and whatever other "re-___" you wanna add. If I sounded sad, I wasn't. Honest. I was just tired because we traveled a bit, and I always get tired when we drive for longer than a minute. Which is almost every time we drive. But I'm happy as can be, and life couldn't be better!
Jessica sounded amazing! She's doing so good and blessing millions of lives.
We did find Raul!.... after church. He was with his mom for the Christmas weekend. I guess it doesn't sound like he wants to be baptized. He seems to be hiding from us. But, this week we're giving him the "charla franca" to ask him if he's really interested, or if we should just move on. But either way, we won't be wasting too much time with him. We have a few other people we're working with, trying to get some things straightened out.
Party after party after party! They never seem to stop at home! Here in Mexico there seems to be a big celebration a few times a week for some reason or another. But that's my favorite time of the year. Spending time with both families, Dad taking a week off of work... that's the way to do it. Have fun, win some games for me, and be safe.
That sushi place sounds good. I had some at a buffet in Colorado a couple times, but here in Mexico all I've found is Mexican food and pizza. In fact, I just had pizza today. But it's different. It was with al pastor, another with avocado tomato and tuna, and another with pieces of steak, avocado and tomato as well, all with valentina sauce. It was really good. Yesterday I had the most delicious enchiladas! Made with six flour tortillas smothered with verde. I don't know exactly what was in it, I think chicken or something. When my companion was talking to his family on Saturday night, I was talking with Hna. Mary Pasteles about food. She asked how you do turkey? I didn't really know. What is it marinated with? She asked for a recipe so she can try it out. As we were talking, she brought out another delicacy, chapulines. I didn't eat any yet because she hadn't put on the chile yet, but sometime I'll try one. If you don't know what they are, you can try and figure out what it is in the photo.
I've mentioned this many many times, but I love studying. I can't wait to read someday all the books the Church has ever put out! Lately I've been reading very deeply the Book of Mormon, and the Ensign from the past conference. I read about a page and a half in my hour study yesterday, and I loved every minute of it. The Lord definitely knows each one of us, and He knows how we can be happy. We just have to trust Him. The moment we don't trust Him, we immediately feel sadness. Having faith in our Savior is the key to success.
Well, have a good week. I know I will. Lots of Love,
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S.S. Happy new year! Think of me asleep as we first get to the new year ha ha
It was so good to be able to talk to you and Jessica the other day. I feel re-energized, rejuvenated, re-excited, re-dedicated, and whatever other "re-___" you wanna add. If I sounded sad, I wasn't. Honest. I was just tired because we traveled a bit, and I always get tired when we drive for longer than a minute. Which is almost every time we drive. But I'm happy as can be, and life couldn't be better!
Jessica sounded amazing! She's doing so good and blessing millions of lives.
We did find Raul!.... after church. He was with his mom for the Christmas weekend. I guess it doesn't sound like he wants to be baptized. He seems to be hiding from us. But, this week we're giving him the "charla franca" to ask him if he's really interested, or if we should just move on. But either way, we won't be wasting too much time with him. We have a few other people we're working with, trying to get some things straightened out.
Party after party after party! They never seem to stop at home! Here in Mexico there seems to be a big celebration a few times a week for some reason or another. But that's my favorite time of the year. Spending time with both families, Dad taking a week off of work... that's the way to do it. Have fun, win some games for me, and be safe.
That sushi place sounds good. I had some at a buffet in Colorado a couple times, but here in Mexico all I've found is Mexican food and pizza. In fact, I just had pizza today. But it's different. It was with al pastor, another with avocado tomato and tuna, and another with pieces of steak, avocado and tomato as well, all with valentina sauce. It was really good. Yesterday I had the most delicious enchiladas! Made with six flour tortillas smothered with verde. I don't know exactly what was in it, I think chicken or something. When my companion was talking to his family on Saturday night, I was talking with Hna. Mary Pasteles about food. She asked how you do turkey? I didn't really know. What is it marinated with? She asked for a recipe so she can try it out. As we were talking, she brought out another delicacy, chapulines. I didn't eat any yet because she hadn't put on the chile yet, but sometime I'll try one. If you don't know what they are, you can try and figure out what it is in the photo.
I've mentioned this many many times, but I love studying. I can't wait to read someday all the books the Church has ever put out! Lately I've been reading very deeply the Book of Mormon, and the Ensign from the past conference. I read about a page and a half in my hour study yesterday, and I loved every minute of it. The Lord definitely knows each one of us, and He knows how we can be happy. We just have to trust Him. The moment we don't trust Him, we immediately feel sadness. Having faith in our Savior is the key to success.
Well, have a good week. I know I will. Lots of Love,
Elder Jordan Keele
P.S.S. Happy new year! Think of me asleep as we first get to the new year ha ha
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Hna. Jessica Keele- Dec. 21, 2010
Yesterday we had a wonderful conference at the mission home, and I got your package. Thank you for your package!! I love the calendar :) Hna. Gulbrandsen told me how she saw four men outside her house. She called president and said they were saying they have something to drop off. He told her to just have them leave it there and go away. haha Then she heard them say thank you, and it was an American thank you. Then she went out to go talk to them: haha funny!!
Today we went everywhere! haha Hermana Rivera and I went to La Boca or caminito where all of the colorful buildings are. It's super pretty! And as we were taking pictures we ran in to President and his wife and two of their sons who just came yesterday. One just returned from his mission in Singapore and the other is going to enter the MTC here on the 30th. He is going to Uruguay. Crazy! haha Then we went to the Casa Rosada and the Obilisque. I forgot the cord for my camera, oops ha, but I´ll send some pictures next week. Crazy, in two days I´ll have six months on my mission and traslados are next week! Es loco!!
Love you.
Jessica
Today we went everywhere! haha Hermana Rivera and I went to La Boca or caminito where all of the colorful buildings are. It's super pretty! And as we were taking pictures we ran in to President and his wife and two of their sons who just came yesterday. One just returned from his mission in Singapore and the other is going to enter the MTC here on the 30th. He is going to Uruguay. Crazy! haha Then we went to the Casa Rosada and the Obilisque. I forgot the cord for my camera, oops ha, but I´ll send some pictures next week. Crazy, in two days I´ll have six months on my mission and traslados are next week! Es loco!!
Love you.
Jessica
Elder Jordan Keele- Dec. 20, 2010
Wow, this past week has probably been the busiest week in my life. We've probably only had a total of 8 hours of actual working in the entire week. Ward parties, Stake parties, Zone Conference, Exchanges, and Zone activity practices. It's been crazy, but a lot of fun. I can't wait for tomorrow. We get to go to the temple in the morning! Then of course, on Saturday I get to talk to all of you! No puedo esperar!
My new companion is Elder Rodriguez from Monterrey Mexico. He's very easy to get along with, and we're going to have a lot of success together. I pray as well that we work hard and effectively.
Wow, 30 minutes is a loong time to speak. That's longer than a conference talk! The talks in my ward here are usually about 5-10 minutes long each. Youth or adult. There are normally 4-5 speakers every week.
Tomorrow as a zone we're singing Hark the Herald and Away in a Manger. I'm going to accompany them on the piano. I had to come up with a little transition between the two songs, but the Lord helped me out with that. Simple, short, and it's kind of fun to play. I just hope I remember it ;) But it'll be good. I'm excited.
Nathan, this paragraph is dedicated to you. Go to choir. Just do it. You have no idea (and I'm not trying to be mean, it's just a fact) how many missionaries don't know how to sing. And the voice of just one person that knows even just a little bit helps immensely. So, learn to sing, and go to choir!
It's amazing how this gospel works, isn't it? Just the act of one simple kindness not only blesses the receiver, but the giver, and also those who know the receiver of the gift. We are so blessed not only to be a part of this wonderful gospel, but this incredibly amazing family we have on both sides. Thank you ALL, friends and family alike, for your support to me and my family in particular. When we use what we have to bless others, the Lord blesses us more and more. If we use what we have to help or satisfy our personal desires and wants, the blessing that could be flowing, don't. ''When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are ONLY in the service of your God''.
This past Wednesday we had a multi-zone conference. I was asked to play the piano, prelude, postlude, and the hymns. Fortunately, I had taken a bit of time the night before to prepare the order of the prelude. At that point, and even during, I had no idea who the special guest was. It wasn't until I got home and looked at the Ensign to see that Elder Tenorio was from the first quorum of the seventy. It was very cool. They got there early, and I was to play 20 minutes worth of prelude music. It was a lot of fun for me, I loved every second of it. He talked to us about praying more specifically. Telling the Lord what you want, how you're going to do it, and what you're willing to give up for it. The Lord works with covenants, and as we make specific covenants with Him, he's going to bless us. I've noticed it makes everything in the work more efficient.
Raul didn't get baptized last week. We had an appointment with him Thursday morning, but he wasn't there. We called and called, but no answer. We continued to visit and call him from Thursday through Sunday. We finally found him at home on Sunday afternoon around 4:00. Turns out he had to work in the DF, (central Mexico City) from 7:00 in the morning until around 10:00 at night Thursday through Saturday for extra training. He's still excited for his baptism, and we've rescheduled it for this upcoming Sunday.
Speaking of Elder Fuentes... I saw him at the exchanges meeting, zone conference, and I'll see him again tomorrow. I had no idea he was a redhead! Funny thing is his new companion also has red hair. Both of them are very light skinned, and look like Americans. But one is from Argentina and doesn't speak English, the other is from Tijuana and doesn't speak English either ha ha. But I took a picture with him, but I forgot my cord so I'll have to send it next week.
That is very sad to hear about the Provo Tabernacle. If they can't rebuild it, I wonder where we'll have stake conferences in the future?
Ok, I can't wait to talk to you all on Saturday. I'll be ready to hear the phone call at 9:30 A.M. my time, just in case.
Gracias, thank you, gracias! Les amo muchisimo!
Elder Jordan Keele
My new companion is Elder Rodriguez from Monterrey Mexico. He's very easy to get along with, and we're going to have a lot of success together. I pray as well that we work hard and effectively.
Wow, 30 minutes is a loong time to speak. That's longer than a conference talk! The talks in my ward here are usually about 5-10 minutes long each. Youth or adult. There are normally 4-5 speakers every week.
Tomorrow as a zone we're singing Hark the Herald and Away in a Manger. I'm going to accompany them on the piano. I had to come up with a little transition between the two songs, but the Lord helped me out with that. Simple, short, and it's kind of fun to play. I just hope I remember it ;) But it'll be good. I'm excited.
Nathan, this paragraph is dedicated to you. Go to choir. Just do it. You have no idea (and I'm not trying to be mean, it's just a fact) how many missionaries don't know how to sing. And the voice of just one person that knows even just a little bit helps immensely. So, learn to sing, and go to choir!
It's amazing how this gospel works, isn't it? Just the act of one simple kindness not only blesses the receiver, but the giver, and also those who know the receiver of the gift. We are so blessed not only to be a part of this wonderful gospel, but this incredibly amazing family we have on both sides. Thank you ALL, friends and family alike, for your support to me and my family in particular. When we use what we have to bless others, the Lord blesses us more and more. If we use what we have to help or satisfy our personal desires and wants, the blessing that could be flowing, don't. ''When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are ONLY in the service of your God''.
This past Wednesday we had a multi-zone conference. I was asked to play the piano, prelude, postlude, and the hymns. Fortunately, I had taken a bit of time the night before to prepare the order of the prelude. At that point, and even during, I had no idea who the special guest was. It wasn't until I got home and looked at the Ensign to see that Elder Tenorio was from the first quorum of the seventy. It was very cool. They got there early, and I was to play 20 minutes worth of prelude music. It was a lot of fun for me, I loved every second of it. He talked to us about praying more specifically. Telling the Lord what you want, how you're going to do it, and what you're willing to give up for it. The Lord works with covenants, and as we make specific covenants with Him, he's going to bless us. I've noticed it makes everything in the work more efficient.
Raul didn't get baptized last week. We had an appointment with him Thursday morning, but he wasn't there. We called and called, but no answer. We continued to visit and call him from Thursday through Sunday. We finally found him at home on Sunday afternoon around 4:00. Turns out he had to work in the DF, (central Mexico City) from 7:00 in the morning until around 10:00 at night Thursday through Saturday for extra training. He's still excited for his baptism, and we've rescheduled it for this upcoming Sunday.
Speaking of Elder Fuentes... I saw him at the exchanges meeting, zone conference, and I'll see him again tomorrow. I had no idea he was a redhead! Funny thing is his new companion also has red hair. Both of them are very light skinned, and look like Americans. But one is from Argentina and doesn't speak English, the other is from Tijuana and doesn't speak English either ha ha. But I took a picture with him, but I forgot my cord so I'll have to send it next week.
That is very sad to hear about the Provo Tabernacle. If they can't rebuild it, I wonder where we'll have stake conferences in the future?
Ok, I can't wait to talk to you all on Saturday. I'll be ready to hear the phone call at 9:30 A.M. my time, just in case.
Gracias, thank you, gracias! Les amo muchisimo!
Elder Jordan Keele
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Elder Jordan Keele- Dec. 13, 2010
Dads experience sounds awesome. The apostles, and the seventy are amazing men.
I didn't know Laura had twins! That's awesome.
No, still no sign of Elder Fuentes. I've met missionaries who have been his companion, and they've only said good things about him. I know he's somewhere, but I'm sure we'll be companions someday!
Way to go the Jamster! You did it! And you're going to the singles ward. Good for you. You know it is! ha ha
I feel so horrible about not writing anyone since I've been in Mexico. It's just the Pouch system takes years, and I've only had one chance to receive mail, like 4 weeks ago. All is well. The nearest US mail station is like 40 minutes away, so that's kind of out of the question for me in this area. I'll write some letters and send them through pouch, even though it's really slow. Better than nothing I guess.
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I didn't know Laura had twins! That's awesome.
No, still no sign of Elder Fuentes. I've met missionaries who have been his companion, and they've only said good things about him. I know he's somewhere, but I'm sure we'll be companions someday!
Way to go the Jamster! You did it! And you're going to the singles ward. Good for you. You know it is! ha ha
I feel so horrible about not writing anyone since I've been in Mexico. It's just the Pouch system takes years, and I've only had one chance to receive mail, like 4 weeks ago. All is well. The nearest US mail station is like 40 minutes away, so that's kind of out of the question for me in this area. I'll write some letters and send them through pouch, even though it's really slow. Better than nothing I guess.
We have one investigator who has a baptismal date this upcoming Sunday. His name is Raul. I think I told you about him last week who was pushing his car. He's going to be baptized on Sunday.
From your missionary who is learning a whole bunch,
Elder Jordan F. Keele
P.S. Tell Linda thank you so much for her e-mails, I love reading them, and I'm sorry for not replying more to her...
P.S. Tell Linda thank you so much for her e-mails, I love reading them, and I'm sorry for not replying more to her...
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