IDAHO: Week 8 - What kinds of things are you looking at everyday?

HEY!

This week was a fabulous and miraculous week! Other than the fact that I fell twice...... I was standing still.... Don't ask me how that happens but it did. I was just standing there and a second later I was on the ground but I have some really good bruises to show for it! I also ran into a door.... good thing my bangs cover that bruise!

We started writing birthday cards for everyone in our 5 wards and so far there have been 50 birthdays but it has been a great way to talk to people (because NO ONE goes outside) and get referrals! Plus, who doesn't love getting birthday cards!?

I have been reading a bit of the Old Testament because we are reading the bible and explaining it to one of the Less actives that we teach and this week I was reading about Lot. And, its interesting that when Lot takes the better portion of the land he faces his tent door towards Sodom but then a couple chapters later, he is living in Sodom and most of his children are married to people from Sodom. How does that happen? How does a person go from just seeing a wicked city and knowing that it is extremely wicked to living in it? And, i was thinking about this and we had Stake Conference this weekend (Our stake got split so now we are the only missionaries in our stake which means we have 8 wards!!!) and one of the members of the Seventy, Elder Shwitzer (sp?) talked about how your home, more importantly pictures in your home can effect people. He started out by saying that the First Presidency are the only ones that get to pick the paintings in the temple and also where they go. I didn't know that. That was cool. And, he asked about what kind of pictures are in our home? What do we look at every day? He told a story of a lady that was less-active but all of her pictures were of the temples and Jesus and she had a picture of her missionary plaque. And, all of her sons served missions. Where did they get this idea? From the example of the  pictures in their home. Now, relating this to Lot. They probably didn't have paintings in their tents but what is something they saw every day? Sodom. Just seeing it every day made it seem normal and not so bad. And, eventually he was living in Sodom, the most wicked city there has ever been. What kinds of things are we looking at every day? Whether it be pictures or things on the internet? Are they helping us focus on the right place or is it making evil seem normal? Just think about that. 

Well, I hope you have a most glorious week! I pray for you every day! Thank you for your prayers! They are truly felt and appreciated! Thank you!

Sister Keeler

Finally got to go to the temple! What a beautiful place!

Aren't we the cutest!? 

Week 6: OUT IN THE REAL WORLD!! Well, Idaho(:

Most important things first, my address: 1246 Yellowstone Ave, suite F3Pocatello, Idaho 83201

In case you were wondering, yes, I am in a very small town that does not exist on normal maps. And, yes, it is freezing outside. How freezing do you ask? Well, right now the sun is shining and it is 5 degrees!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5!!!!!!!! Oh man. But, I am getting used to it.....kind of.... it might be because I am in a car area. Which is a huge blessing!

Also, I have eaten some form of potatoes at every dinner appointment.... Who knew you could do so many things with potatoes! ha

Leaving the MTC was extremely hard because I loved it there and I loved my District! Being the only one coming to this area has been kind of hard for me, mostly because I miss them dearly and because there is no one to say funny things in Portuguese with. But, all is well! I spent New Years in the mission home and had the most wonderful (Potato) meal ever! Then on New Years day I met my companion, Sister Matthews (she is from Texas and is amazing. I love her) and got to go unpack because the mission president gave us an all day P-day! What a wonderful way to start out the year and the mission! :) But, the next day we got to work :)

Anyways, even though I am in a small town, I love it here :) The people are so nice and loving and they look out for each other. Oh, BTDubs, 97.6% of the people here are members. So, we work mostly with less actives and inactives. But, we contacted a referral this week! We gave her a Book of Mormon and she gave us some delicious pie and said we could come back anytime! 

Oh! quickly, only one investigator came to church yesterday, but HE BORE HIS TESTIMONY!!!!!! I almost started crying because I was so happy!

The one really hard thing about this area, especially when its still "holiday" season, is no one answers their door! So, after a day of TRYING to visit people but no answers, I said a simple prayer that we would be able to find someone that really needs us and that would answer the door. Well, we then decided to go to someone different than what was on our plans and the mom answered the door! As we started to talk to her she started crying. She said that her daughters are really struggling with the church right now and she has been praying all week for help, she even called the bishop that day. And, when we walked in, she knew that we were an answer to her prayers. Its moments like this that make everything worth it. My favorite quote is "God answers our prayers, but it is usually through another person that He meets our needs" I am so thankful to be on a mission and be a servant of the Lord 24/7! Thank you for all your prayers! I pray for you everyday! (in portuguese:)

Have a magical week! One thing I learned this week: Smiling and waving at someone goes A LONG WAY! :)

Sister Keeler