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