Lindsay de Merida

I ALMOST DIED MULTIPLE TIMES THIS WEEK!!!

We got chased by dogs and it was literally so scary. We were just walking calmly to go back home for the day and suddenly 4 dogs ran up to us and were barking and growling like crazy! I legit thought that I was going to be bitten, but we just booked it and started running. But I was thinking oh my gosh I'm the world's worst runner they're going to catch me! We crossed the steet and THEY FOLLOWED US and we crossed another street and then they finally stopped running but I was so scared. I thought I was going to get my leg ripped off.

But I'm alive!!!!!!

We have PTSD now everytime my comp sees a dog she hides behind me hahah.

Also I FELL. It was so embarrasing I was going up the stairs and then BAM I'm on the ground but I recovered really quickly. I was way embarrased.

Also we had a lesson with 4 of our investigators and 2 of them were semi faded (that means drunk) it was very frustrating. So we came back the next day when they weren't drunk and had to teach the lesson again. But pray that they will stop drinking! Literally everyone here drinks and it is sooooooo sad to see people waste all of their money on alcohol when their kids don't have anything to eat :( It ruins families! I have realized that I am sooooo blessed to have grown up in a family with loving and responsible parents!

We are having a hard time finding families to teach! Pray that people will open their hearts and accept Christ in their lives! I know that if we have faith and talk to EVERYONE we will find the people that are ready!

I love being a missionary! I love being a mom (in the mission)! And I love my Savior!

Love,

Hermana Keeler

PS we saw lots of cute animals this week

Cutest Mother/Daughter in their matching dresses!

I love that she has people who take care of her!

Lindsay has been a life long cat lover, she must be in heaven!

Not sure how to caption this!

Matching hair dos with Abi

This is the corn that she was given for free from a street vendor, which made them very sick last week. And she has promised me she won't eat free street corn again!

Buenas! Well this week has been really interesting. It’s been so weird to be the “old” one. Everyone has been asking me how long I’ve been here and when I go home and everyone is like “oh wow, just a little bit left” and “6 months? That’s nothing.” But I’ve been telling everyone that 6 months is a long time. Everyone is trying to kill me (missionary lingo for the end of the mission) already, but I’m still very much alive and not planning on slowing down, haha!

My first week with my daughter! It went really well. I really am surprised that I haven’t felt stressed at all. I’ve realized that I actually do know what I’m doing here. Its been really funny to hear all of Hermana Sanchez’s questions about how the mission works. I’ve explained so much already! I didn’t realize how accustomed I am to the mission life. It’s so different from the life I left back home, but this is the new normal now.

This week was Carnaval so no one was home! It was a little hard to find people to teach, but we found some people with potential. It’s a little bit stressful when no one wants to listen, but I’ve been keeping calm and praying really hard and talking to everybody. It’s incredible that after almost a year I still am a little bit afraid of talking to new people! But I guess I am still learning.

It’s getting hot again. I had forgotten that the sun scorches us at midday. I also had forgotten that the air is like fire. Legit it feels like I’m standing in front of a campfire, but actually it feels more like I’m standing IN the campfire!

We had a really great lesson with an investigator. His name is Wilbert. We were visiting him a lot a few months ago, but he told us he had lots of doubts about Joseph Smith, the Priesthood, the Sabbath day, and lots more. We tried to help him resolve all of it, but he wasn’t receptive. After a while, we stopped visiting him. But HE called US a few times! That never happens! Anyway, we’re teaching him again. This week we talked about the Book of Mormon. He told us that honestly he only read a few pages. We read the story about Nephi and the plates (1 Nephi 3-4) to help him understand the great lengths these people went to, to make sure that we had this book. We testified that the Book of Mormon is the key to everything. To knowing that this church is true, to knowing that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and to knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I felt the spirit really strongly and I felt grateful to be able to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands!

I love this work, and I love this area! I have been changed by the people here! And I’ve felt the pure love of Christ so strongly. I’ve learned to love people I’ve just barely met! I’ve learned to love the Savior! And I’ve learned to love and appreciate all of you so much more!

Have a great week!

Buenaaaas! So this week was waaaaaaay better than last week! Mostly because Carnaval ended on Wednesday and everyone went back to normal life. So there were actually people in the streets and in their houses! We found a ton of new people to teach and that was really great!

This week I finished the Book of Mormon for the 2nd time on the mission. And this time was the best!!! I really STUDIED it. I didn't just read the stories. I studied the people, and tried to follow their examples! I know with my whole heart that the Book of Mormon is true. I have grown to love reading it. I look forward to my personal study time everyday. And am so grateful that I have the opportunity to read it EVERY MORNING. It really is the best way to start your day. I get my daily dose of the Savior's love. If you haven't honestly studied the Book of Mormon, or even read it, I encourage you to do so. No, I plead that you do so. As a representative of Jesus Christ, Our Savior, I am inviting all of you to come unto Him and partake of His reedeming love. It's waiting there just for you! So do it!

I don't have much time today, but I want everyone to know that I am very content here in Campeche. Sure it's hot, and the bus system here sucks, and sometimes the people are rude, but I love this place. I love the people, I love the culture, and I love the food (maybe a little too much). I love to share the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! I love being a missionary! And I love all of you!

Have a great week!!!!

Hermana Keeler