4/23 - Invitation to collaborate

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4/23

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"The Lord wants me to Rest for Awhile"

"The Lord wants me to rest for awhile" is what some of our kabahay sisters (sisters who live in our apartment too) say when they need to take a break or a nap, so they can rest up and work better. The Lord wants me to get help, and come back home. He wants me to rest for awhile. It is definitely not the path I envisioned, but it is the path He has in mind. I don't know what will happen in my future, if I'll ever go back out or not, but for now, I'll start with these few steps forward. 

This whole depression thing has been so hard. It feels like I'm alone, and I can't feel His presence, but I wish to testify that even when you feel alone, broken, and scared, He is still there. There have been countless times where I felt I could just not go on, but somehow He has carried me through them all. Friday was one such day. My depression was super high, and I just wanted to cry in our lesson. As we opened with a prayer, as they prayed I plead silently in my heart to my Heavenly Father to help me. There was NO way I could not cry unless He were to help me. Then, after, I started to ask the investigators how they were doing, and to follow up on their commitments, and as I started I immediately felt a huge portion of my burden lifted. I still had depression, but God gave me enough strength to do that lesson and many others that day. Somehow, through His grace, I made it through and felt comforted. He is there, even when it's hard, when it feels dark and alone. He is there. He has given me enough strength and light to make it through each moment, up until now, and will continue to. I know God is real and He loves us more than we can comprehend.

I love you all. I know that God loves us, and Jesus knows exactly how we feel and wants to help us as well. He knows exactly how we feel when we feel broken, hopeless, and beyond repair, and He always is there. He always loves us, always is cheering us on. Even when we can't feel Him there, He is there. I know this to be true. 

Thank you all for the countless prayers and letters. I needed them, and they have been a source of comfort and helped sustain me. Love you!

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow, For I shall be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee (...) Thy deepest distress." (Hymn #85)

See you soon!

Sister Keeley

4/9/2018 - Rollercoaster

This week has been a rollercoaster! I had some really hard days, but also some good times as well. I'm slowly feeling a little bit better, week by week, in my depression.Thank you all for the prayers and letters ❤ They mean a lot! 

This week we had splits again with our sister training leaders. I got to go with Sister Gaspar again! :) Then we watched conference on Saturday and Sunday. The Spirit was incredible during the solemn assembly. I know that President Nelson is a prophet called of God. 

We went to teach Jennifer, our recent convert Juliet's daughter, today. We felt prompted to go into the house to teach her. Usually we'll invite her out, but she won't come. Today we went in though, and she listened. We found out that she has a hard time reading. She comes to church, stopped drinking coffee, and follows other commitments, and listened from inside the house when we taught her mom. She knows a lot of the doctrine already, she just wouldn't come out. Now that we know her reading problem though, I think she will listen and we can help her. I'm so glad we could follow the Spirit and find out she has issues reading. 

Mahal ko po kayo! 

Sister Keeley

4/2/2018 - He is There

As some of you know, I have been struggling with depression since I got to the Philippines. It has felt incredibly dark and alone, even as I do the Lord's work. However, I know that God is still helping and leading me. This week as I was feeling broken and like I couldn't go on and crying on my bed, all of a sudden in walks our sister training leaders, Sister Gaspar and Rivera. God sent me angels right when I needed them. They comforted me and helped me get help. 

Another time I saw God's hand was really simple, but it meant a lot to me. Tuesday morning, I just really had a desire to have dinner with someone, but our dinner calendar was empty for that day. I think I even prayed and asked if it was His will, could we have a dinner? Then, that day we ended up with not 1 dinner, but 2! Holy canoli! My simple, unimportant request was answered, and it meant a lot. God is watching over me. Even when I can't feel Him their, when it's just dark, He is still there. Even when I forget He is there, or feel despair or alone, He is there. He is my Father, and He loves me.

We had Juliet's baptism this week! It was a really cool baptism. She is so full of faith, and her family too, and such a great example. She really wants to follow the Savior and is so humble. It was awesome.

A funny moment of the week: My planner came with an extra day in week 2, and it just happened to fall on April fools! Hahaha, I think God sent me that planner to make me laugh. 

I know God lives and loves us, and He cries with us when we are sad. He is our Father, and will send help. Even in our darkest hour, and we can't feel Him there, He is there.

Mahal Kita! ❤

Sister Keeley

Marriage!

This week was good! Our investigator Juliet and her husband were able to get married! Our ward really helped them be able to figure out all the papers and were the witnesses as well. Now they can be baptized soon! We started to teach her kids, Jennifer and Joyce, and they all came to church on Sunday! Their family is so cute. We had a family home evening with them after the marriage, and talked about eternal families. The whole time we teach, whenever we teach, Rachelle, the 1 year old, brings me gifts like rocks or marbles or food. She really wants to be my friend, oh, she is so cute!! Their whole family has had so many blessings as they've listened to us, spiritual and temporal blessings. The marriage, a new house, and happiness in their home and hearts. The gospel is wonderful and truly blesses lives. I love seeing them on their journey!

We were led to a sister this week as we contacted. Every day we strive to contact 30 people, and we found her contacting on the street. She was selling stuff from her tindahan- a little shop on the street- and listened to our message about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we went back, and taught her again. She readily accepted her commitments, and didn't make excuses. Amazing! God led us to her, and hopefully she will continue to follow Christ, and be blessed by the gospel. 

I have a testimony that the gospel blesses us. I have seen so many lives become better because of it, and I know that God loves us. He never leaves us, He is always there. I know Christ can help us overcome sins and any trials we are facing. He is my Rock and my Hope.

I love you all!

Sister Keeley❤

3/19 - Invitation to collaborate

mayli.keeley@myldsmail.net has invited you to contribute to the following shared folder:

3/19

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We went running! Yay! and not just from the sink to the front door, it was on an actual track! :D

This week was good!

Sister Juliet is going to get married this week! We have an amazing ward that has really helped her be able to figure out the paperwork for it, and God has blessed us to be able to get it figured out as well. Afterwards, she will be able to be baptized soon. Her family is so amazing. She is so humble and follows all that God wants her to do. She hears a commandment or commitment, and keeps it. Her family will hopefully follow her example, and hopefully they can get to the temple some day. 

We had zone conference this week. It was in Ilagan, a 1 to 2 hour drive away. It was awesome! Our president still is really pushing for us to get 30 contacts a day, and so many people are opening up to us as we do. Today we were looking for some formers, but didn't know where they lived, so we decided to ask around. After asking, we always would ask if they know missionaries, and tell about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we did so, one sister invited us in and we were able to share with her and her child. We are so blessed as we contact. God really guides us daily.

Our main ways of contacting are using the Book of Mormon, the My Family booklet, and a fan chart. "Do you know why Mormon are called Mormons?" "Do you believe your family can be together forever? How?" Contacting on a tricy is a grand adventure as well. You have to yell to be heard over the engine, but the tricy drivers smile and listen, and often are interested to hear us share. We have seen so many people respond well as we open our mouths and share the gospel. 

I know that God is guiding this work, and that it is true!

Mahal Kita! 

Sister Keeley

The pictures are of us riding in a calesa, a horse drawn carriage! Also some 4 week training pictures.

This week I had my four week training, and I also reached my four month mark in the mission, haha so four week training at four months! I saw Sister Fitkin again, my MTC companion. So fun! 

At the training we were encouraged to try to contact 30 people each day. On the drive back I talked to 14 people in the van. 10 said they would like to learn from missionaries! God really magnifies our efforts as we try. I can hardly manage in Tagalog, but He really helped me, and now 10 people can hear the gospel in their homes. It is amazing to see the light and hope that comes to people as we teach them the gospel and invite them to change. 

I know God is guiding this work, and blessing us! 

Mahal kita, 

Sister Keeley​

*correction:

Sister Jolloso told me it is ulam, not gulam that we eat with rice.

Yeah.

I still don't know Tagalog haha 😂 

Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do

People often say that the mission is the hardest thing they've ever done, but also the best time. I understand this now! It has been a very rough transition for me. I have a bucket shower, rice at every meal, bugs everywhere, a language I don't understand, and they teach differently here. I've been learning a lot more about what humility and faith means. I've been emotionally strained. However, it has also been so joyful! I can't say much in Tagalog, but I can say some. I can testify of Christ, and the Spirit can carry what I try to say to people's hearts. I have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ changing lives, bringing light to people's eyes. We have a baptism this week for Brother Celestino, and committed Sister Juliet and her husband and Sister Abi to baptism as well.

A miracle we had this week, besides the baptism commitments, was that we went to see Sister Abi. Her landlord was drunk and shouted at us, so we went to go a back way to Sister Abi. On the way, we met a family, and contacted them. They let us in, and heard the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Brother Arnold, one of them, said he hasn't felt the Spirit in a long time, and he will read the Book of Mormon. I hope that they are able to feel the Spirit and change. I'm glad we could get yelled at so we could meet them. :D

My companion is Sister Cuevas. She is amazing, a superb example of a Preach my Gospel missionary. She is very obedient and a great example to me, and so bold. She is very patient with me as I learn and adjust. She's awesome.

So, more about my day to day life here, and random things in my day to day life... 

We have rice at every meal. We ride a tricy everyday to get to our area (I included a picture of a tricy), then we walk everywhere else. We live with another set of sisters, Sister Taneda and Jolloso. Someone served us a whole fish for dinner. The children follow me because I'm so white and a foreigner haha! We asked one of the girls following me where she lived and then went and taught her and her family haha! The children talk to me in English a lot too. Lots here know a little English, but definitely understand Tagalog better. There are street vendors all over, but there's also a store we buy stuff at. It's warm, but not the super hot season yet. 

I testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and through Christ we can become more than we thought possible. I know that God loves us and is very aware of us. He knows what we need and how to help us. He is there step by step with us. He sends angels to lift us up. He has strengthened me this week as I adjust and learn. He loves us. 

Love you all!

Sister Keeley​

We had Brother Celestino's baptism this week! It was so cool! You could see in his eyes his faith, humility, and joy. I am so glad he could enter in at the gate. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses lives!

This week was an adventure! I am still adjusting to living in a different country, but I know God is helping me. I am learning that my efforts, with God's help, are enough. I don't need to speak fluently or be perfect at everything for God to be able to use me. 

I know God is aware of each of us! Love you!

Sister Keeley

Philippines Here I Come!!!

This week has been so exciting! I got the news that I will be heading to the Philippines this Saturday!!! Today our bishop and his wife took us to get Filipino food, and it made me all the more excited for the Philippines! I'm pumped, but also torn to leave here at the same time. I LOVE Irvine California! I have grown to love the people and have learned so much from them, and had a blast with my companions. We have seen many miracles in Filipino work while being here-Janeth and Romi are on date for March 3 for baptism, and we have other Filipino potential investigators. I also have learned so much from my companions about having faith, hope, and charity. They "live after the manner of happiness," and have really helped me learn to listen to the Spirit. We do so many good things together- everything from singing on doorsteps while we wait for people to answer, wrestling each other after we get home at night (and I got a bloody nose during that adventure... haha but it was by accident :) , trust falling from off the counter, hugging each other even when we're sick, singing in lessons to people, making jokes together, doorbell dropping gifts/thank you notes, bearing testimony together, following the Spirit, doing baptisms in the temple with investigators, and there were many times we prayed together. They have helped me look to God and strengthen my testimony, and see that the gospel is joyful! Man, I love my companions so much and the people here as well! I know that God has a plan for me where ever I go though, and I am so glad that I am called to serve Him where ever it may be, with whomever. I know He has a perfect plan for me to follow. "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." -Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

This week is transfers, and so I'm with Sister Ferrel until Saturday, and we also get a new missionary on Tuesday. I'm excited to meet her! 

This week we got to contact on campus finally! School started back up, and so we can go to the free speech area and talk to people and invite them to activities or to hear our messages. It's super neat to get the chance to sit down, hear about people's lives, and multiple were open to hearing more from the missionaries. There was one girl in particular that I felt led to- I don't remember her name, but I felt like I should talk to her out of everyone around me. Turns out, she is from Iran and was given a Book of Mormon by missionaries a couple of years ago. She couldn't understand English back then, but she is amazing at speaking English now, and so she will be able to read it now. Also, she was looking for something for her mom to go to, to connect with others around here, and I told her about Relief Society, and now we are going to text them about Relief Society activities. She seems really open to learning more and I know that God prepared her and He helped us meet each other. 

I met another young woman as we sat at booth on campus. Booth is where people can sign up for LDSSA and get texts about institute activities. I asked her if she wanted a piece of candy, but she said no. She turned to leave, but I asked her what her name was. She then opened up, and then we were able to have a conversation and give her a picture of Jesus and she signed up for the texts. There is something amazing about knowing someone's name, they see that you actually want to get to know them and help them. When Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father called Him by name. God cares about us so much! He knows our names. He is in the details of our lives. He is happy when we are and when we choose Him, and He weeps with us when we suffer. He loves us with a love that is infinite. I am so glad that we could feel a sliver of the love that God has for her. He loves her so much! He knew that if we asked her her name, she would open up a little more. 

We got to see President Nelson speak and his councilors this week. That was amazing! I have a strong testimony that God leads His church, and this is His work. I know that as we look to God, we can find guidance, peace, and hope. He loves us so much!

Sister Keeley

Tracting for dayzzz

One day, we were going to Nicole's for a lesson, and got there a few minutes early. We decided to knock on a few of her neighbor's doors. As we were tracting, one of the doors was answered by this little boy, Owen, who is about five years old maybe. He answered with a great big smile on his face, and said, "Hi! I have something to show you!" and he ran to go get whatever he wanted to show us. In the meantime, his dad came to the door and talked to us for a while. Owen came back, and wanted us to come in to see something. He was so excited we were there, even though he had just barely met us! However, his dad was not interested so we had to leave. As we left, we could hear Owen start to cry. 

I've been working on charity and love this transfer, and it astonished me how much love Owen had for us. He would have opened that door and reacted the same no matter who stood behind it. He just loved, and served, and wanted us to be happy. I've been trying to truly love others, forgive, and serve, and through Christ, I have been able to become a little more loving and caring. 

A few other times we have been tracting, and met some incredible people. We also met a wolf! He was half wolf, half some kind of dog. We usually meet lots of dogs, but this was the first wolf. It was cool. We tracted in the rain, we tracted and found some Filipinos, who might listen and help me with my Tagalog, and we have found some other people interested in our message. I know that as we seek, God is leading us to find those ready to hear Him. It's been so fun tracting with my companions. They are the greatest! We sing songs together on doorsteps while we ring bells, talk in accents, and do all sorts of things while we work. It's a blast. 

We stopped by Brianna and her dad, Bryan, this week, and they invited us in. He hasn't gone to church for a long time, but is searching for the truth. He feels like there is something empty in is life, and is willing to try reading and praying again. We had to stop several times before we actually caught them at home, I am so glad we kept going and didn't give up before we met them! They are the coolest! I am so excited to be able to teach them and show them how to find peace in their lives. 

I know God loves all His children! He is very aware of us and directs this church. He loves you! Through Christ, we can find peace to fill the emptiness in our lives.

Love you!

Sister Keeley

A week ago we taught a lady named Janeth, and her daughter Romi. They had been taught previously, but because of language barriers and because of schedule conflicts, we had to stop teaching her. However, she speaks Tagalog, so we were able to meet with her again, and she is on track to be baptized in March, with Romi, right after Romi turns 8! She is amazing and so full of faith. Money is tight, but she still fed us pinakamasarap (the most delicious) Filipino food! She is so full of faith and so humble and she knows that God is helping her, and He is. 

We also met with Christina. She is AMAZING! She has been to a lot of social functions, like institute, activities, and church, but we finally got to meet with her. She had us over for dinner, and we taught her about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how much God loves her, and how she can feel the influence of God in her life more. She already was looking for ways to follow 

Christ in her life and have peace, and now she is excited to learn with us how she can further follow Him through the gospel. She wants to be baptized in February. 

The Book of Mormon has amazing healing powers! It brings the power of Christ into people's lives. Whenever I feel down or frustrated, I look to this book and God answers me through it. I felt very powerfully this week that it is true. I know it it God's word, and that He is real and He loves and cares for us. Even today, I woke up feeling sick and couldn't sleep, so I read in the Book of Mormon. I felt so much more positive about my illness, and my symptoms lessened. I know that God is aware of me and that Christ felt all we have felt, feel, and will feel. The Book of Mormon is amazing! I love that both President Monson and President Nelson spoke on the Book of Mormon recently. It is so vital that we read it everyday. It builds testimonies, strengthens conversions, feels lives with peace, gives us answers and hope. I love The Book of Mormon!! If you aren't reading every day, I challenge you to :) It will fill your life with more light. It's the best!

Mahal kita! 

Sister Keeley

He is the Light of the World

This week we went to Cafe Rio. Some Elders gave us gift cards that they had, and so we went. On the way out, we had out our Book of Mormon and this lady, Alma, approached us. She asked if we were the missionaries. She has gone to relief society before, and wanted to go again, and said she would like to meet with missionaries. She was super cool! If we hadn't been walking out at that exact time, and if we hadn't parked so far away, we wouldn't have bumped into her. It was a miracle. Also, our mission president encourages us to have Book of Mormons out while eating, walking around, and everywhere, and it may have seemed weird or unnecessary, but because we did it, we were blessed and Alma was able to approach us. 

Christmas and the New Years was fantastic! I got to Skype my family, and it was great seeing them. We had a fantastic breakfast with some members who made us feel like part of the family. We had dinner with some super amazing members as well, Alma and Carlo (different Alma from earlier). Our zone got together and we played some dodge ball, chair soccer, and every one against every one dodge ball. It was super fun. 

This month I read all of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (I had to read 20 pages yesterday to complete my goal!) I love reading about the Savior's life! I have drawn closer to Him. I know He is the Life and the Light of the World, and He gave His life for us. I am so glad we got to celebrate His birth this whole month. He loves us so much! I have a testimony that He is the path for us to become better, happier, and to return to God someday.

I love you all!

Love, 

Sister Keeley