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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