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