We went to teach one of our investigators and her husband started talking about reasons not to get married (I think he was drunk...) Then he looked at me and was like "olha! Ela tem uma cara como, casar ou bicicleta?" (Look! She has a face like, marry or a bicycle?) Like, what kind of hard decision is that? Should I get married or buy a bike? We were laughing so hard! I couldnt stop!
So, we are basically like opening the area here, which means a lot of knocking on doors. We knocked on doors for about 3 hours everyday (In the rain of course!!! It aways has to be more dramatic!) and only one person would let us in. I totally felt like a European missionary! (Elder Bascom, is this how everyday is for you?) But, one thing I have learned and thought about this week is the quote that goes something like, "Be patient. The blessings of Eternal life will come. Everytime I have a hard day or week I know that I just need to be patient because the blessings will come. Yesterday, at the end of this hard week we found like young man that is extremely excited to be baptized. It was incredible. I know that God ALWAYS blesses us when we are obedient and He is always watching. Just be patient.
This week I start going on splits with the other sisters and we have a leader conference tomorrow! ahhh!! Getting a little stressed!
I love you all and hope you have a fantastical week!
"Seja fiel aos seus sonhos" --> "Be true to your dreams"
(My Zone Leader said this and I just loved it. Great advice!)
Sister Keeler
Monday, December 1, 2014
Brasil: Week 40 - I HAVE BEEN OUT A YEAR!! 6 MONTHS LEFT!
I CAN HEAR THE BELLSSSSSS!!!!! We had a wedding this week!! Our investigators, Cida and Valdir, got married and then baptized on Sunday! It was AMAZING! Now they are working on to go to the temple in one year to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity!!! I will send pictures next week probably.
We got transfer calls yesterday and I am getting transfered. AGAIN! ha. I am staying here in Sao Carlos but going to another ward. But! I am now the Sister Training Leader, which is the equivilant of a Zone leader but for sisters. I will be in charge of 5 sister companionships. I am really nervous for the big responsibility but I am also excited for the new opportunity to serve. Oh, and my new companion is AMERICAN!!!! I have had 5 american companions so far and only 3 Brazilians! Sometimes I wonder if President forgot that I am american because this usually never happens.....
We live next door to a less active member, who is basically like our mother. I love her! Well, her doctor said that she needs to start exercising so we decided to go walking with her at 6:30 in the morning. Well, I took this opportunity and decided that I would run while my companion walks with her (Dont worry, we didnt seperate because I ran in circles around them. It was really funny) It was a great idea but after just two days we were so sore that it was hard to do proseltying!!! ha (because we walk about 5-10 miles a day)
I hope that all of you have a wonderful week! Thank you for all the prayers! I can really feel them, even all the way here in Brasil.
Sister Keeler
HIT MY YEAR MARK!!
We got transfer calls yesterday and I am getting transfered. AGAIN! ha. I am staying here in Sao Carlos but going to another ward. But! I am now the Sister Training Leader, which is the equivilant of a Zone leader but for sisters. I will be in charge of 5 sister companionships. I am really nervous for the big responsibility but I am also excited for the new opportunity to serve. Oh, and my new companion is AMERICAN!!!! I have had 5 american companions so far and only 3 Brazilians! Sometimes I wonder if President forgot that I am american because this usually never happens.....
We live next door to a less active member, who is basically like our mother. I love her! Well, her doctor said that she needs to start exercising so we decided to go walking with her at 6:30 in the morning. Well, I took this opportunity and decided that I would run while my companion walks with her (Dont worry, we didnt seperate because I ran in circles around them. It was really funny) It was a great idea but after just two days we were so sore that it was hard to do proseltying!!! ha (because we walk about 5-10 miles a day)
I hope that all of you have a wonderful week! Thank you for all the prayers! I can really feel them, even all the way here in Brasil.
Sister Keeler
HIT MY YEAR MARK!!
Brasil: Week 39 - God knows all
I am sorry this email is so short, but I dont feel good. my brain isnt working. Sorry.
So, I am like a planning freak. I love planning. I like things going as planned. I like to be on time. Completely an American thing. Anyways, this week NOTHING WENT AS PLANNED. But, at the same time, everything happened at the right time. Funny how that happens sometimes. God definitely knows all things.
Our Deaf investigator wasnt there for our apointment but we saw him later in the week and guess what! I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HIM! (Thank you for all the prayers!) He was impressed that I learned so fast. My companion didn't know how to talk to him but she understood this time what he was saying so that was really cool.
I am so glad to be a missionary. I am so glad to share my testimony everyday that I know this church is true. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth and I KNOW that God answers our prayers.
I hope you all have a great week and dont get sick because its not fun to be sick!
P.S. We are getting another set of sisters in this ward next week! Woohoo!
Sister Keeler
So, I am like a planning freak. I love planning. I like things going as planned. I like to be on time. Completely an American thing. Anyways, this week NOTHING WENT AS PLANNED. But, at the same time, everything happened at the right time. Funny how that happens sometimes. God definitely knows all things.
Our Deaf investigator wasnt there for our apointment but we saw him later in the week and guess what! I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HIM! (Thank you for all the prayers!) He was impressed that I learned so fast. My companion didn't know how to talk to him but she understood this time what he was saying so that was really cool.
I am so glad to be a missionary. I am so glad to share my testimony everyday that I know this church is true. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth and I KNOW that God answers our prayers.
I hope you all have a great week and dont get sick because its not fun to be sick!
P.S. We are getting another set of sisters in this ward next week! Woohoo!
Sister Keeler
Brasil: week 36 - The Holy Ghost testifies Truth
You are never going to guess who I met! Really, you are never going to guess... A Deaf person! We went to teach on of our investigators and her brother was there who is deaf and only speaks Libras (which is Brazilian sign language)! I dont know how but I understood what he was saying I just didnt know how to respond. (My companion was completely confused) He really wnated to hear our message but since we dont speak Libras he left. BUT! I promised him before he left that I would learn Libras and in one week be able to speak to him and teach him the gospel........Our lesson is tomorrow. I really hope I remember all of the signs becuase its COMPLETELY different from ASL. My brain goes crazy when I try to study because I translate the word into Portuguese and then English so every sign I do, I translate it 2 times in my head. Oh baby. Please pray for me! haha
Every Missionary needs a dog story. Well, mine isnt THAT cool but at least I finally have one! I was walking, obviously. and this dog that I thought was sleeping woke up and decided to attack me! (I dont think he likes Americans because he didnt even look at Sister Bastos) Good thing I carry the Word of God, The Book of Mormon, in my hands because it was really easy to just wack him. And he went back to sleep. The end. :)
We met a lady at the Family History activity we had and she was really interested. Well, we went to her house on Friday and she is GOLDEN! We were having a FHE for all of our investigators that same night and she went! THEN she went to church all by herself! She absolutely loves the people in our ward and especially loves the gospel and the atmosphere. Also, at the FHE one of our investigators that I have been teaching English came and he said the coolest thing after our message. (We showed the "Graças a Ele" video) After the film he turned to me and was like, Sister Keeler, I feel like I am going to cry but not because I am sad but because of this feeling that I have in my chest. It feels like my heart is really big and warm and I dont know how to describe how I am feeling but it feels so good! Wow. I almost cried. I explained to him that it was the Holy Ghost that testifies of the truth. etc. He was like, I love this feeling! I looked at him and was like, I do too. Thats why I am so thankful that I have the privilege to have him as a constant companion.
I am really so thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I feel him every day and I think sometimes I take it for grantite that I have this wonderful gift. But, I love that as a missionary I can help people receive it too. Its the greatest feeling to help others and share with them the joy and blessings I receive from being a member of Christs church.
I hope you have a great week! LOVE YOU!
P.S. If you want to send me anything for Christmas like a card, letter, chocolate, presents, more sunscreen etc. I would advise you to send it now to be able to get to me in time. Or else it will become a valentines gift :) haha
Sister Keeler
Every Missionary needs a dog story. Well, mine isnt THAT cool but at least I finally have one! I was walking, obviously. and this dog that I thought was sleeping woke up and decided to attack me! (I dont think he likes Americans because he didnt even look at Sister Bastos) Good thing I carry the Word of God, The Book of Mormon, in my hands because it was really easy to just wack him. And he went back to sleep. The end. :)
We met a lady at the Family History activity we had and she was really interested. Well, we went to her house on Friday and she is GOLDEN! We were having a FHE for all of our investigators that same night and she went! THEN she went to church all by herself! She absolutely loves the people in our ward and especially loves the gospel and the atmosphere. Also, at the FHE one of our investigators that I have been teaching English came and he said the coolest thing after our message. (We showed the "Graças a Ele" video) After the film he turned to me and was like, Sister Keeler, I feel like I am going to cry but not because I am sad but because of this feeling that I have in my chest. It feels like my heart is really big and warm and I dont know how to describe how I am feeling but it feels so good! Wow. I almost cried. I explained to him that it was the Holy Ghost that testifies of the truth. etc. He was like, I love this feeling! I looked at him and was like, I do too. Thats why I am so thankful that I have the privilege to have him as a constant companion.
I am really so thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I feel him every day and I think sometimes I take it for grantite that I have this wonderful gift. But, I love that as a missionary I can help people receive it too. Its the greatest feeling to help others and share with them the joy and blessings I receive from being a member of Christs church.
I hope you have a great week! LOVE YOU!
P.S. If you want to send me anything for Christmas like a card, letter, chocolate, presents, more sunscreen etc. I would advise you to send it now to be able to get to me in time. Or else it will become a valentines gift :) haha
Sister Keeler
Brasil: Week 35 - Thy FAITH hath saved thee
Well, we had Halloween this week. And, if any of you know me, you know that Halloween is my favorite holiday of ALL TIME!!! Well, two things #1. Halloween does not exist here in Brasil #2. Sister Keeler completely forgot that it existed..... So, nothing special happened :/
We teach one of our investigators every morning. I teach him english and then we have a lesson. Well, on Saturday, he brought out cereal and milk for me to eat for breakfast because that is what we have in the U.S. Its was really nice. And I realized that its been a REALLY LONG TIME since I have had cereal!
We had an activity Saturday about Family History. The church was open for everyone and there were a bunch of computers to research about your families and get help from the family history consultants. It was really cool! Sister Bastos and I were receptionist so we didnt get to do any Family History stuff. But I did learn a lot. I am excited to go home and continue the family search that my Dad and I started!
In Princípios do Evangelho we had a lesson about eternal marraige and the fiance of the couple that we are teaching talked about how he is so thankful for the gospel in his life and how it has truly blessed his family and has changed them and helped them become closer togehter and how he is so happy to become an eternal family. When he was talking about his family, man it made me SO happy that I couldn't stop smiling!
I know that more things happened this week but honestly, the weeks are going by so fast that I cant even keep track! Like seriuosly! The days just mix together! Probably its because I always wear a skirt.......
I was reading about miracles this week in the New Testament and there was a really cool thing I noticed that was different in Portuguese from English. When Jesus says, thy faith has made thee whole. In Portuguese it says thy faith has saved thee. Pretty cool, huh? I have never thought of it like that!
Have a great week!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Keeler
We teach one of our investigators every morning. I teach him english and then we have a lesson. Well, on Saturday, he brought out cereal and milk for me to eat for breakfast because that is what we have in the U.S. Its was really nice. And I realized that its been a REALLY LONG TIME since I have had cereal!
We had an activity Saturday about Family History. The church was open for everyone and there were a bunch of computers to research about your families and get help from the family history consultants. It was really cool! Sister Bastos and I were receptionist so we didnt get to do any Family History stuff. But I did learn a lot. I am excited to go home and continue the family search that my Dad and I started!
In Princípios do Evangelho we had a lesson about eternal marraige and the fiance of the couple that we are teaching talked about how he is so thankful for the gospel in his life and how it has truly blessed his family and has changed them and helped them become closer togehter and how he is so happy to become an eternal family. When he was talking about his family, man it made me SO happy that I couldn't stop smiling!
I know that more things happened this week but honestly, the weeks are going by so fast that I cant even keep track! Like seriuosly! The days just mix together! Probably its because I always wear a skirt.......
I was reading about miracles this week in the New Testament and there was a really cool thing I noticed that was different in Portuguese from English. When Jesus says, thy faith has made thee whole. In Portuguese it says thy faith has saved thee. Pretty cool, huh? I have never thought of it like that!
Have a great week!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Keeler
Brasil: Week 34 - Because of Him
We had Multizona this week. Wow. It was really good. The spirit was really strong during the whole meeting! Our Assistants talked about recognizing the Spirit in our lives. (Becuase if we cant recognize how the spirit talks to us, how are we going to help others?) And, they showed this new (okay.... maybe its not new but its new to me!) video called "Becuase of Him" It is a really powerful video. I HIGHLY recommend you watch it. Right now :)
https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng
President Canuto talked about a lot of things but I especially liked when he talked about the difference between dreams and desires. Everyone can dream, you can be a couch potato and have dreams to one day rule the world but what is harder is to have the desire. Becuase, with desire, you need to ACT! He talked about our desires as missionaries and how we are going to achieve those desires. One of my desires is to be the Sister Keeler that God wants and knows I can become. What are your desires?
I am going to be a witness for a wedding!! Wooho!!! How cool is THAT? Our investigators are getting married and they asked us to be the witnesses. I know nothing about getting married but I was SO in! We went to some government building to declare that they are getting married and set a wedding date so we had to sign a bunch of papers. I felt really special. The lady was like, wow. I have never had a wedding where one of the witnesses is an American! Yes, wedding of the year!
We had a miracle happen on Saturday. We had stake conference that we had to attend, so we didnt have a full day to work. The rule in our mission is that we need to have at least 5 lessons per day and 100 contacts per week. Well, it was about 15 minutes until we had to catch our ride and it was raining and NO ONE was answering the door..... We started walking to the house of the irmã that would take us to Stake Confrence, only needing one more lesson and one more contact. I looked at this house on our left and I was like, Sister, THIS IS THE HOUSE. Well, I knocked twice....no one answered....I started walking away when this old lady yelled out the window to us! I started talking to her and she let us in to have a quick lesson with her! And she told us to come back next week! Miracles do happen people! Even if they are as small as that little old lady we taught:)
I hope you have a wonderful week!
P.S. One of our investigators that has been taught by Elders and Sisters told us that he definitely likes Sisters better. SCORE!!!
Sister Keeler
https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng
President Canuto talked about a lot of things but I especially liked when he talked about the difference between dreams and desires. Everyone can dream, you can be a couch potato and have dreams to one day rule the world but what is harder is to have the desire. Becuase, with desire, you need to ACT! He talked about our desires as missionaries and how we are going to achieve those desires. One of my desires is to be the Sister Keeler that God wants and knows I can become. What are your desires?
I am going to be a witness for a wedding!! Wooho!!! How cool is THAT? Our investigators are getting married and they asked us to be the witnesses. I know nothing about getting married but I was SO in! We went to some government building to declare that they are getting married and set a wedding date so we had to sign a bunch of papers. I felt really special. The lady was like, wow. I have never had a wedding where one of the witnesses is an American! Yes, wedding of the year!
We had a miracle happen on Saturday. We had stake conference that we had to attend, so we didnt have a full day to work. The rule in our mission is that we need to have at least 5 lessons per day and 100 contacts per week. Well, it was about 15 minutes until we had to catch our ride and it was raining and NO ONE was answering the door..... We started walking to the house of the irmã that would take us to Stake Confrence, only needing one more lesson and one more contact. I looked at this house on our left and I was like, Sister, THIS IS THE HOUSE. Well, I knocked twice....no one answered....I started walking away when this old lady yelled out the window to us! I started talking to her and she let us in to have a quick lesson with her! And she told us to come back next week! Miracles do happen people! Even if they are as small as that little old lady we taught:)
I hope you have a wonderful week!
P.S. One of our investigators that has been taught by Elders and Sisters told us that he definitely likes Sisters better. SCORE!!!
Sister Keeler
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)