Tell the World that I'm Comin' Home

I don't even know where to begin. The mission has been the craziest, most frustrating, most fun, happiest, heart wrenching, and edifying experience. To go on the mission was the best decision that I ever could have taken.

 It has been a privilege to serve the people of Yucatan and Campeche.

Ammon sums up my feelings a whole lot better that I will ever be able to. 

31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I feel so grateful for this opportuniity that I have been given to spend the last 18 months of my life here in Mexico. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me personally, and that He sent me to the perfect mission. I love Yucatan and Campeche with all of my heart. I love the people, I love the culture, I love the hot sun. I love the tortillas. I love the habanero chilis. I love the buses. I love the dancing.  I love the hammocks.  I love the language.  I love the way of life!  I've said it so many times, but I feel like I am secretly Mexcian. 

The mission is hard. It was physically, emotionally, mentally, and sociallly trying.  Honestly, I'm so tired all the time.  My feet hurt.  I'm always sunburned.  My stomach usually hurts too.  I'm a little tired of killing cockroaches.  I never got used to cold showers.

But I'm so happy.  It's impossible to not be happy, when serving the Lord. I love the people that I teach. I've never felt such joy in my whole life. I've learned to look for the tender mercies of the Lord every day.  He blesses us in little ways.  He's aware of our circumstances, our needs, our hopes, our dreams, our fears.  He loves us infinitely.  He wants to bless us, and He does it every day. 

It's the best to be able to say that I am a representative of Jesus Christ here on the Earth.  I am so grateful to be part of the grand comission, to take the gospel to every land.  I've been able to bring it to the lives of a few truly chosen people.  I will never be able to thank my Heavenly Father enough for this chance I've had to be an instrument in His hands.  This work is far greater than any of us.  He could do it without us.  He could send angels to preach the gospel.  But he gives us this privilege to take part! 

The mission has changed my life. I have been changed by the Atoning sacrifice of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  If anyone is thinking about serving a mission, DO IT.  You will not regret it.  And you'll recieve blessigs for the rest of your life. 

How can I possibly explain my feelings? My heart is full! 

I feel so much love in my heart.  IM IN LOVE, IM IN LOVE AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS IT!!!!  I love Yucatan!  I love Campeche!  I love my Savior!  I love being a missionary!  I love this gospel!  I love the scriptures!  And I love all of you!  I'm so excited to see you all. 

If you want to hear more about my crazy adventure, come to church this Sunday at 11. 

SEE YOU SOON! 

Love,   Hermana Keeler

Saying Goodbye to so many people she loves

 One of her favorite little girls performed in a cultural celebration

With Presidente and Hermana Ruiz at the temple

She said she's gonna teach us to make some Yucatecan food! 

Another one of her favorites George! 

With the District at the Cox Home.   She's wearing the tie because it's tradition for the missionary who is going home to have their tie cut off and everyone says nice things about them.

Miracle on the Bus and the Greatest Joy

This week was really great! I'm with my new companion and I am teaching her the area! It's HUGE so I'm giving her an intensive course!!! She's learning fast so I'm not worried about her. She's the tiniest human on the planet and I feel like a giant. Her dresses are like shirts for me. For the first time I feel legitimately tall. I now understand how others feel when they talk to me!!! 

This week we saw a miracle! 

So I am not a fan of contacting on the bus. Usually its loud and I can barely hear, and the people usually don't live in our area. I've had very little success bus contacting in the past. But I know that I should do it, so I try really, really hard to contact. The other night we were going home from an activity and we had to take the bus. At night the buses are always full and we're all squished in there like sardines. We got on and I noticed a teenaged girl standing a few people from me. I felt like I should talk to her but it was uncomfortable and there were so many people, so I kind of just brushed away the thought. I hesitated for a second and then 2 seats opened up and I sat down. That girl came and sat down next to me. I felt like "Shoot that's a sign now I really need to talk to her." But I hesitated again, but then she asked me what time it was, and so then asked her her name. I told her we were missionaries and she's like yeah I know! We started talking and turns out her uncles are return missionaries and all her cousins are members. We set an appointment for the next day. Turns out she lives 2 blocks from our house! We taught her the Restoration and she accepted to be baptized!  We invited her to church and she went!!! SO much can come from just obeying when the Spirit tells us to TALK! We just need to open our mouths and the spirit will do the rest :) 

I'm kind of in shock that this is my last week in the mission field. I only have a few more prosletyzing days as a missionary! I can't believe that it's gone by this fast! 

I love being a missionary. The greatest joy is to see someone you love dressed in white. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants their salvation, and I am so grateful to be a representative of His beloved son here on this Earth. It's the most incredible feeling, to know that I'm part of such a grand work. I love this gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ! 

Con amor,

Hermana Keeler

Sixteen days left

 

I FELL AGAIN! IN THE STREET! AND OTHER PEOPLE SAW. It was really embarrasing!!!!!! 

This week really was incredible! We had the opportunity to go to the sealing of a family that my companion taught in one of her old areas. It was really beautiful to see a family of 4 united for eternity! Even though I didn't know them, I felt a real happiness to see them there in the temple together! I felt the Spirit really strongly! I love missionary work- it brings families together for eternity!!!! 

Hermanita Lizbeth got baptized this week! Her family is passing through a lot of problems right now, but it has been really cool to see the gospel help them in their difficulties. Hermana Lizbeth was really excited to recieve the Holy Ghost. She needs this comfort in her life right now! 

My convert Jareth passed the sacrament this week! I felt so happy to see him there in his white shirt and tie all nervous to pass the sacrament for the first time. It was so cute! I love him and his family so much! Yesterday his mom Elsy and his brother Kermith told us that they want to get baptized this month! Little by little the whole family is getting baptized! It has been a privilege to work with these people in Aeropuerto! And I am so glad that I have these next 17 days to work with them! I also have a new companion! Her name is Hermana Tepoz and she's from Puebla. I don't really know her that well but I'm excited to work with her for a little.
 
I love the mission so much! I am so happy! I know that this church is true! It's the same church that Christ established when He was on the Earth! I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, and that if we let Him, He can change us! I love the story of Alma-  a prophet in the Book of Mormon! His is a real conversion! 

Mosiah 27 24-26

24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.

25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sonsand daughters;

26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

I love this scripture because it is possible to be born again! We can repent EVERY SINGLE DAY. And become new creatures like the scripture says :) 

I've got just 16 days left! And I'm gonna give it my all!!!!! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!  Be happy because I love you and Christ loves you too!

Hermana Keeler