Monday, August 6, 2012
Elder Derek Keele- August 6, 2012
Dear family,
I´m so glad that the weekend all worked out. The Lord always seems to bless our family so much! I bet it was great to relax with the family for a few days. And dutch oven! That sounds so delicious! Go Jordan! I bet he will love being a teacher! Wow, the TRC is amazing. There is definitely heavenly help in all we do.
Tocopilla is beautiful! Sadly, I bet my idea of beauty has decayed a little in my time in the dessert haha, but I really love it here. You can see the ocean from everywhere in the town! There is still no green. We are surrounded by giant piles of brown dirt, but the ocean is wonderful. And the town is really `linda`. The sunsets are amazing! :D I´ll be sure to take more pictures this week.
Elder Diaz is from Santiago. He is an amazing teacher, and I can tell he truly loves the people here.
I just read that Jessica is engaged!!!! :D :D :D That is so exciting! When is the wedding? I feel weird and nervous that I haven´t met him. But everything I have heard tells me he is awesome. So I´m happy for you both! :D
Yesterday church was super good. I love testimony meeting! And then for Sunday school the class was really good. We talked about the roles of each person in the family. It amazes me how members of the church are able to have such big families. People here have two kids and seem to have the hardest time. But in the church, like our family, 8 kids! The gospel is amazing and truly our loving Heavenly Father knows exactly how to help us keep our big families together and happy.
We had a zone conference last Friday. We are doing another competition in the mission like the March madness things, but with the Olymipics. We spent about 30 minutes of everyone just asking what counts and doesn´t count, number wise. But at one point President Bruce got up in the back of the room and shared 1 Corinthians about 10:19, or something close to that, that says ´when I was a child I spoke as a child and thought as a child. But when I became a man I put away childish things.´ He said we all know what we should be doing as missionaries. We all know what really helps people and what doesn´t. We should not focus on little things and opinions so much that it takes our focus away from what is truly important. With this little competition, it is just to help us work even harder and smarter. We are here in the mission to help people. To save souls. To bring happiness into their lives.
I love this mission, and I love the people. All of Alice´s family is just amazing. The grandma especially. She can barely see or move, but she goes to church every Sunday and loves the gospel already. She is probably the most awesome lady. Her daughter Juana is going to be baptized this Saturday. She has been waiting a couple months, but finally decided that she really does know the church is true. They all tell me that their whole extended family has been so much happier the last few months!
Alice is such an amazing missionary. She comes with us to many lessons, not just with her family. And she just always seems to know what to say. She follows the Spirit. Something the teacher in Sunday school said is that generally men are harder and don´t express themselves, but women are very good at just saying what they feel. I can´t imagine how good sister missionaries must all be.
Thank you for your prayers! I definitely feel them! I have been so blessed and love helping others every day.
Love,
Elder Keele
I´m so glad that the weekend all worked out. The Lord always seems to bless our family so much! I bet it was great to relax with the family for a few days. And dutch oven! That sounds so delicious! Go Jordan! I bet he will love being a teacher! Wow, the TRC is amazing. There is definitely heavenly help in all we do.
Tocopilla is beautiful! Sadly, I bet my idea of beauty has decayed a little in my time in the dessert haha, but I really love it here. You can see the ocean from everywhere in the town! There is still no green. We are surrounded by giant piles of brown dirt, but the ocean is wonderful. And the town is really `linda`. The sunsets are amazing! :D I´ll be sure to take more pictures this week.
Elder Diaz is from Santiago. He is an amazing teacher, and I can tell he truly loves the people here.
I just read that Jessica is engaged!!!! :D :D :D That is so exciting! When is the wedding? I feel weird and nervous that I haven´t met him. But everything I have heard tells me he is awesome. So I´m happy for you both! :D
Yesterday church was super good. I love testimony meeting! And then for Sunday school the class was really good. We talked about the roles of each person in the family. It amazes me how members of the church are able to have such big families. People here have two kids and seem to have the hardest time. But in the church, like our family, 8 kids! The gospel is amazing and truly our loving Heavenly Father knows exactly how to help us keep our big families together and happy.
We had a zone conference last Friday. We are doing another competition in the mission like the March madness things, but with the Olymipics. We spent about 30 minutes of everyone just asking what counts and doesn´t count, number wise. But at one point President Bruce got up in the back of the room and shared 1 Corinthians about 10:19, or something close to that, that says ´when I was a child I spoke as a child and thought as a child. But when I became a man I put away childish things.´ He said we all know what we should be doing as missionaries. We all know what really helps people and what doesn´t. We should not focus on little things and opinions so much that it takes our focus away from what is truly important. With this little competition, it is just to help us work even harder and smarter. We are here in the mission to help people. To save souls. To bring happiness into their lives.
I love this mission, and I love the people. All of Alice´s family is just amazing. The grandma especially. She can barely see or move, but she goes to church every Sunday and loves the gospel already. She is probably the most awesome lady. Her daughter Juana is going to be baptized this Saturday. She has been waiting a couple months, but finally decided that she really does know the church is true. They all tell me that their whole extended family has been so much happier the last few months!
Alice is such an amazing missionary. She comes with us to many lessons, not just with her family. And she just always seems to know what to say. She follows the Spirit. Something the teacher in Sunday school said is that generally men are harder and don´t express themselves, but women are very good at just saying what they feel. I can´t imagine how good sister missionaries must all be.
Thank you for your prayers! I definitely feel them! I have been so blessed and love helping others every day.
Love,
Elder Keele
Monday, July 30, 2012
Elder Derek Keele, July 30, 2012
Josh still hasn't written haha. Maybe he did Dear Elder so it will take
longer. Atlanta, Georgia! Cool! I am so glad he is going!
Nathan = Super Stud
Derek Bradshaw = Also a Stud. That is so good for their family!
I am at last leaving Alto Hospicio. It was a hard Sunday, but I am excited for change. I'm going to Tocopilla, just a little more south. There are only 4 missionaries there, one branch I think. And a famous soccer player's mom, Alexis Sanchez (Chilean but plays for Barcelona), lives there. Not a member, but we'll see ;) haha
My companion is Elder Diaz. I think he is from Chile, and this is his 2nd transfer. I've heard the air is pretty polluted there, so we'll see how that goes. I'm still pretty fat so hopefully the pollution and my new companion won't keep me from running in the mornings haha
I am still going to be in the same zone as Elder Howard! He is going to Calama, so I will probably only see him once a week, if that, but still! We're still together!
Elder Hertler is staying in Arica still.
This last week here was pretty neat. We found a lady one morning that invited us in. We shared the first message and asked her to end us with the prayer. In the prayer she thanked God for sending messengers at this time because the night before she had had a strange dream. When she finished praying, Elder Santos asked if she would like to share her dream. She told us she was with her family and she was being followed by a lot of people. She was really scared and panicking, when somebody handed her a cross. All of the fear went away, and then she woke up.
Can you imagine hearing this! We could barely hold our excitement! Hopefully Elder Santos (who is staying here in Alto Hospicio) will be able to keep me updated on her progress.
Then on Saturday our branch had a couple baptisms. The father of a family and his daughter. The mother was the only member, but the whole time I have been here she has been fully active and always happy. I know because of her example the father decided to listen to the missionaries. And now they are together as a family! I can't imagine how hard that would be to be the only one and always have a positive, energetic attitude. What an amazing lady :D There are many people like this, not only in this branch but in the world, and I have the utmost respect for them. I have been so blessed, and staying strong in the gospel hasn't cost nearly as much on my part. What can I do to show God I have the same strong testimony as these people? I'm not sure I can, other than fulfilling my calling every day the best I can. I love being a missionary and am so grateful for these two years.
The mission goes by so fast! I nearly have 8 months! And I am just now leaving my first sector haha.
I am very excited to work with a new branch, and I know I will miss everyone here so much. The branch of Tarapacá is the best!
Enjoy the family vacation! Love all of the time you get to spend together! ....sob, sob... haha just kidding, I'm not crying. But I do miss all of you very much!
Be safe!
Love,
Elder Keele
Nathan = Super Stud
Derek Bradshaw = Also a Stud. That is so good for their family!
I am at last leaving Alto Hospicio. It was a hard Sunday, but I am excited for change. I'm going to Tocopilla, just a little more south. There are only 4 missionaries there, one branch I think. And a famous soccer player's mom, Alexis Sanchez (Chilean but plays for Barcelona), lives there. Not a member, but we'll see ;) haha
My companion is Elder Diaz. I think he is from Chile, and this is his 2nd transfer. I've heard the air is pretty polluted there, so we'll see how that goes. I'm still pretty fat so hopefully the pollution and my new companion won't keep me from running in the mornings haha
I am still going to be in the same zone as Elder Howard! He is going to Calama, so I will probably only see him once a week, if that, but still! We're still together!
Elder Hertler is staying in Arica still.
This last week here was pretty neat. We found a lady one morning that invited us in. We shared the first message and asked her to end us with the prayer. In the prayer she thanked God for sending messengers at this time because the night before she had had a strange dream. When she finished praying, Elder Santos asked if she would like to share her dream. She told us she was with her family and she was being followed by a lot of people. She was really scared and panicking, when somebody handed her a cross. All of the fear went away, and then she woke up.
Can you imagine hearing this! We could barely hold our excitement! Hopefully Elder Santos (who is staying here in Alto Hospicio) will be able to keep me updated on her progress.
Then on Saturday our branch had a couple baptisms. The father of a family and his daughter. The mother was the only member, but the whole time I have been here she has been fully active and always happy. I know because of her example the father decided to listen to the missionaries. And now they are together as a family! I can't imagine how hard that would be to be the only one and always have a positive, energetic attitude. What an amazing lady :D There are many people like this, not only in this branch but in the world, and I have the utmost respect for them. I have been so blessed, and staying strong in the gospel hasn't cost nearly as much on my part. What can I do to show God I have the same strong testimony as these people? I'm not sure I can, other than fulfilling my calling every day the best I can. I love being a missionary and am so grateful for these two years.
The mission goes by so fast! I nearly have 8 months! And I am just now leaving my first sector haha.
I am very excited to work with a new branch, and I know I will miss everyone here so much. The branch of Tarapacá is the best!
Enjoy the family vacation! Love all of the time you get to spend together! ....sob, sob... haha just kidding, I'm not crying. But I do miss all of you very much!
Be safe!
Love,
Elder Keele
Monday, July 23, 2012
Elder Derek Keele, July 23, 2012
Go Josh!!! He hasn't written me yet, but hearing that he got his
call makes me so happy! :D And Derek Bradshaw too! Where is he going? He
is a man. And I am so thankful for all of the years that he has always
been my friend. He would always treat me with respect, even when others
in school or on sports teams didn't. Derek is a man. He is going to be
such a great missionary!
Last Monday night, we had a meeting with an investigator, Gido Ruiz. His wife and son got baptized two years ago, but for some reason he left them soon after. After he left, Edith, his wife, thought that that was a sign that she made a wrong decision, so she never went to church again. But now we found her, and found Gido one day while he was visiting them. He really wants to change all of the mistakes he has made, and wants to get closer to the Lord.
So last week they went to church as a family. Monday night we met with them and I was so overjoyed to hear what he said. He said that those few hours in the church, he felt such a peace and calm. But when the meetings were over and they left the church, it went away. He asked how he can feel those same feelings of peace and comfort the rest of the week, as we return to our lives? I was so excited to hear that! Any missionary would be! I said Yes, Gido! That is exactly what the gospel is for! We can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and he can always be our companion. I challenged him to be baptized, but he said he is not ready.
So last week we had our interviews with President Bruce on Thursday. I told him about Gido and he told me what we needed to do. (And in fact, the assistants asked if there was any way we could have a family night with Gido that night and invite President Bruce because they were going to be there all day, but Gido had to work so he told us we couldn't. We almost had a family night with our mission president! Maybe next time. :/)
They didn't go to church this week so we felt pretty bad because if they tell us they don't want to get baptized and then they don't go to church either, that usually means we have to drop them and focus on those who are ready. But we "just happened" to be doing contacts next to their house yesterday after church, and they "just happened" to be outside. They insisted that we stop in for a little bit. We even tried to say no, but they insisted.
So we were there and we realized we had never even taught him the 1st lesson, the restoration. We asked him if he had known anything and he said he hadn't. (Obviously we missed something very important!) The lesson was so good. We all felt the Spirit so strong! And luckily it happened so I got to be the one to recite Joseph Smith's words of the First Vision. It was my favorite time that I had ever done it! :D We will keep praying that he recognizes what he has already felt, and that he sincerely desires to find the truth and change. He is so ready! And this will bless his whole family! He hasn't moved back in with his wife yet, but is at their house almost every night now. I love the gospel!
In my interview last week, President Bruce told me that it is probably time for me to go now. I have been in this same sector for 6 months, a fourth of my mission, and from the beginning of my mission haha. I think he is right. But I learned from Jessica experience. I am not going to go around and tell everyone I'm leaving until I am sure I know. haha
Thank you for everything! Especially your example! I love you all! Take care and enjoy every day! :D
Love,
Elder Keele
Last Monday night, we had a meeting with an investigator, Gido Ruiz. His wife and son got baptized two years ago, but for some reason he left them soon after. After he left, Edith, his wife, thought that that was a sign that she made a wrong decision, so she never went to church again. But now we found her, and found Gido one day while he was visiting them. He really wants to change all of the mistakes he has made, and wants to get closer to the Lord.
So last week they went to church as a family. Monday night we met with them and I was so overjoyed to hear what he said. He said that those few hours in the church, he felt such a peace and calm. But when the meetings were over and they left the church, it went away. He asked how he can feel those same feelings of peace and comfort the rest of the week, as we return to our lives? I was so excited to hear that! Any missionary would be! I said Yes, Gido! That is exactly what the gospel is for! We can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and he can always be our companion. I challenged him to be baptized, but he said he is not ready.
So last week we had our interviews with President Bruce on Thursday. I told him about Gido and he told me what we needed to do. (And in fact, the assistants asked if there was any way we could have a family night with Gido that night and invite President Bruce because they were going to be there all day, but Gido had to work so he told us we couldn't. We almost had a family night with our mission president! Maybe next time. :/)
They didn't go to church this week so we felt pretty bad because if they tell us they don't want to get baptized and then they don't go to church either, that usually means we have to drop them and focus on those who are ready. But we "just happened" to be doing contacts next to their house yesterday after church, and they "just happened" to be outside. They insisted that we stop in for a little bit. We even tried to say no, but they insisted.
So we were there and we realized we had never even taught him the 1st lesson, the restoration. We asked him if he had known anything and he said he hadn't. (Obviously we missed something very important!) The lesson was so good. We all felt the Spirit so strong! And luckily it happened so I got to be the one to recite Joseph Smith's words of the First Vision. It was my favorite time that I had ever done it! :D We will keep praying that he recognizes what he has already felt, and that he sincerely desires to find the truth and change. He is so ready! And this will bless his whole family! He hasn't moved back in with his wife yet, but is at their house almost every night now. I love the gospel!
In my interview last week, President Bruce told me that it is probably time for me to go now. I have been in this same sector for 6 months, a fourth of my mission, and from the beginning of my mission haha. I think he is right. But I learned from Jessica experience. I am not going to go around and tell everyone I'm leaving until I am sure I know. haha
Thank you for everything! Especially your example! I love you all! Take care and enjoy every day! :D
Love,
Elder Keele
Elder Derek Keele, July 16, 2012
We had a Zone Conference last Friday! President Bruce is so good at
teaching and really does receive revelation. I learned A LOT of how
important it is for us to act and do things. We cannot just pray for
things to happen if we do not do everything we can. As missionaries, he
told us a lot of us pray that our investigators will go to church, that
they will change and see the blessings and decide to go. But we can
teach people many times, very strongly too, but because of the culture
in Chile, they just decide to stay home. (No joke, they have a holiday every other week, and at
least once a month, they have Mondays where almost nobody works.) So as
missionaries, we really just need to do all that we can. We can go pick
them up, have their day all planned out for them so they are set, go
help them clean or cook food Saturday, just everything. Then once they
get to church a few times, they will grow that desire to be there more
and more. But we can`t just pray that they will have that desire right
off the bat. We have to help them.
In Alma 31:35, the sons of Mosiah pray to have the power and wisdom to
help the people. They do not just pray that they will all change. They
know that we must do all we can.
´Faith without works is dead´
We must have faith, do all we can, and the Lord will help everything
work out. And then we gain testimony after. But we must have faith
first.
Last Saturday the two other Elders in our branch had 5 baptisms! A
family and two other cousins of members. It was a lot of work for
everything to work out. But it did! I felt like I was working at the
Shell again, running every where and organizing people.
Playing piano has helped so much. It turns out I am the only
missionary in our Zone that can play. Learn piano Nathan! And
especially, hymns! I wish I would have practiced more. There aren`t that
many that I am really confident with yet, and there is almost no time to
practice.
Well I have to go now, sorry I couldn't´t get your email, Mom. We just had to write earlier today.
Love,
Elder Keele
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Elder Derek Keele, July 9, 2012
That is so crazy to hear about all of the fires. I can´t imagine how the whole state probably looks right now.
We had a hard week but keep working hard and had an amazing
weekend. Only missing one thing, people at church. How right Jordan was
in his talk when he was amazed that everyone he invited went to church the day he spoke after he got home.
We seemed to invite everyone last week, and not one investigator made it :(
But that just gives Elder Santos and me reason to work hard and stay
focused. Never get discouraged!
Sorry for being so short. But I love this work, the gospel, our Savior, and all of you at home.
Keep strong in the faith! It WILL be worth it.
Love, Elder Keele
Monday, July 2, 2012
Elder Derek Keele, July 2, 2012
YES! We had a great week!
As a mission we all tried to finish the Book of Mormon, so that was kind of crazy. But our whole zone did it with a lot of help from our awesome Zone Leader, Elder Kennedy, waking some of us up at 5 to help us finish in time. And we also had big goals for the week to get 6 baptisms in our zone on Saturday. What a week! But in the end, everything turned out so beautifully. Elder Santos baptized Laura Ruiz, and I got to confirm her in church yesterday. She is a mother of two little kids, and all of her brothers and sisters are members. She actually found the missionaries because of the examples of her family, and she wants the same for her children. The husband is a little difficult, but he went to her baptism. So hopefully he will recognize the Spirit and decide to join his wife in the gospel.
Yes, I am training Elder Santos. But really I feel like I get in the way. I need to just step back more and let him teach. This is starting his 3rd week in Chile, but he is already such a good missionary. He is teaching me. We get along really well though and he really knows how to bring the Spirit in.
His family decided to move to Utah because they were in a bad neighborhood in LA. They moved close to his aunt who is a member. But they really didn`t know much about the church before they moved. His younger sister started going to church with her cousin, and she came back every day so happy. So the rest of the family wanted to go find out why, and they were baptized not very long after. And now he has been a member for about a year and 4 months and is such a good example. He is a stud!
I sadly don`t remember the book Brenton brought... but it sounds amazing. Haha Most definitely help the young women with it if you feel you should. I can wait :D
Poor Tammie :( I hope you feel better tomorrow. Happy Birthday! I love you Tammie!
Oi, I will pray for dad. He is such a great example.
Wow, that is crazy to hear about all of the fires. They are terrible.
The Voelkels moved?:( Where did they go? They are such a good family. I bet he finished school and can move on to a happier job. I remember Brother Voelkel used to work as a lawyer for divorces or something. Please wish them the best for me if you are still in contact with them. I loved being their home teacher.
I will have to take some pictures next week of the ocean. I`ll see if I can convince my companions to climb our hill of dirt and take pictures from there haha. I miss Utah`s mountains- white snow, green trees, silver rocks... Here, there are some mountainish things, but really they are just big hills of dirt. Pure brown. haha In fact, all of the members always tell us how ugly it is here. But yes, looking down to Iquique and the ocean is beautiful.
I am so excited for Brenton! He starts the experience of his life on Thursday!
Have a great week everyone! Thank you for keeping me updated!
Love, Elder Keele
As a mission we all tried to finish the Book of Mormon, so that was kind of crazy. But our whole zone did it with a lot of help from our awesome Zone Leader, Elder Kennedy, waking some of us up at 5 to help us finish in time. And we also had big goals for the week to get 6 baptisms in our zone on Saturday. What a week! But in the end, everything turned out so beautifully. Elder Santos baptized Laura Ruiz, and I got to confirm her in church yesterday. She is a mother of two little kids, and all of her brothers and sisters are members. She actually found the missionaries because of the examples of her family, and she wants the same for her children. The husband is a little difficult, but he went to her baptism. So hopefully he will recognize the Spirit and decide to join his wife in the gospel.
Yes, I am training Elder Santos. But really I feel like I get in the way. I need to just step back more and let him teach. This is starting his 3rd week in Chile, but he is already such a good missionary. He is teaching me. We get along really well though and he really knows how to bring the Spirit in.
His family decided to move to Utah because they were in a bad neighborhood in LA. They moved close to his aunt who is a member. But they really didn`t know much about the church before they moved. His younger sister started going to church with her cousin, and she came back every day so happy. So the rest of the family wanted to go find out why, and they were baptized not very long after. And now he has been a member for about a year and 4 months and is such a good example. He is a stud!
I sadly don`t remember the book Brenton brought... but it sounds amazing. Haha Most definitely help the young women with it if you feel you should. I can wait :D
Poor Tammie :( I hope you feel better tomorrow. Happy Birthday! I love you Tammie!
Oi, I will pray for dad. He is such a great example.
Wow, that is crazy to hear about all of the fires. They are terrible.
The Voelkels moved?:( Where did they go? They are such a good family. I bet he finished school and can move on to a happier job. I remember Brother Voelkel used to work as a lawyer for divorces or something. Please wish them the best for me if you are still in contact with them. I loved being their home teacher.
I will have to take some pictures next week of the ocean. I`ll see if I can convince my companions to climb our hill of dirt and take pictures from there haha. I miss Utah`s mountains- white snow, green trees, silver rocks... Here, there are some mountainish things, but really they are just big hills of dirt. Pure brown. haha In fact, all of the members always tell us how ugly it is here. But yes, looking down to Iquique and the ocean is beautiful.
I am so excited for Brenton! He starts the experience of his life on Thursday!
Have a great week everyone! Thank you for keeping me updated!
Love, Elder Keele
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