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