{October 7, 2013} General Conference

Hello everyone,

All I can say is WOW to the wonderful conference we had. It was so inspirational, I felt the spirit so strongly...I've never cried in a General conference, but this one made my eyes water big time. Hopefully I'll cry next time. So many quotes from our prophets I have written down that I want to memorize and share with everyone. It was so amazing feeling the spirit and thinking how I can apply what I'm feeling and what they are saying in my everyday life. When you have investigators and listen to GC I feel like you can learn a lot more, cause you are trying to relate things to not only yourself, but your brothers and sisters who are struggling spiritually and are trying to loosen themselves out of Satan's snares. I learned so much, I'm not going to give you an essay of what I learned, but I really enjoyed E. Hollands talk, I related it to myself because of my headaches I've been suffering with the last few years...and no doctor can really tell me why I'm having them, but I learned how to trust in God more and face life with hope and pray for strength to get through the painful time. And of course I thought of Dustin with his talk and another one which I can't really remember now, but it was so comforting and said at the right time, holy cow. Elder Uchtdorf "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" was amazing, Whit and I quite liked that powerful statement. E. Nielsons talk, Explanation!! !! !! YES, I loved so much!! We need to be more enthusiastic with the Lords work and rejoice and show gratitude to the Lord with the Many blessing he gives us, like Alma did when he had success, sometimes we are too casual with what is going on with this church, we need to be 'doers' rather then 'hearers' and do all we can to share the Gospel with others. Like E. Ballard "If we all talk to one person about the gospel before Christmas then millions would feel the love of God in their hearts, and what a Gift that would be to our saviour." So true!! Let's do something about what GODS chosen servants have told us to do!

This week was a slower for us because of transfers...We didn't teach as much as we wanted too, but we knocked into a Indian families home, so we will be teaching them tomorrow. I don't really know how to teach middle eastern people...Well I don't have much else to say, rather than how grateful I am for this Gospel, and for General conference, it really has given me a boost to be a part of the Lords work of Salvation. It is an amazing time to be in. I need to endure these last months I have and have no regrets, and completely avoid slackin off.

Well I love and miss you all so very much!! 

Thank you for all that you do for me, and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. 

Cheers!

PS: you all should meet my British friends up at the house this weekend! John Coules and his sister and nephews. Great and hilarious people!!
I love you!!

{September 30, 2013} Success in Taunton District & in Washford, Maria committed for a baptismal date!

Both weeks have been so great!! We have had much success in the Taunton district! We set weekly goals as a district every week and we have been accomplishing almost every goal we have set this week! We have only come short with one indicator for 2 goals we set this transfer. Last weeks goal was to get 7 investigators progressing, and we accomplished that. Had most of them come to church for those who were well. This weeks goals was to get all of those investigators with a baptismal date and we got 6 with a date this week and a couple more that we will extend to this week. The district is doing really well, we are all so happy with what the Lord is blessing us with, we have seen so many miracles this transfer, we learned that we just need to NOT be afraid to invite people to repent and be baptized! We are so excited to see how our investigators will progress and develop a relationship with Christ. Our goal this week will be 9 new investigators which we have been slacking a little bit, we have all committed that we will focus a little more on our finding efforts and talk to everyone. We need more people to teach! We are harvesting at this time, people seem so much more open and we are more confident in our areas, so we are going to keep this momentum going! 

For us in washford, we are so happy that Maria Law has finally committed herself to a baptismal date for Nov. 8th, she has a little bit to go, but she will make it! She has changed in so many ways, she is finally realizing how blessed she really is, and wants to change her old life and be more happy. We are so happy with what has been going on these last few weeks.

This district has been struggling for many years...ha ha the Taunton ward has had missionaries for over 50 years straight and they have struggled with baptisms, they have 4 missionaries up there, and have struggled still. Now we have completely turned everything around! Ha ha we use to only teach 40 lesson now its 70.

We hardly ever had baptismal dates, now we have 6 and counting!! It's amazing! Our district is so unified and having fun!! 

Keep us in your prayers!!
I love all of you so much!!

Shout out to my parents!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

AND DUSTIN, I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT HE CAN SEE SOMETHING! HE WILL RECOVER! I KNOW HE WILL!!

I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!

{September 23, 2013} Quick Update on Nicola Gipson & Maria Law

Hello friends and family.

This week was another good week, we didn't teach as many people as we did last week, but it still was a good one. Nicola Gipson (fam of 7) dropped us a few weeks ago...I don't know if I mentioned that, but we stopped by again and she said we can teach her again. I guess we were too forceful, but we taught her last night and it went well, the actual teach went way too long and my comp is still trying tot learn the ropes, so its fun.

We are working with Maria still...she is progressing spiritually and she sure is being tested. I've learned that when people are being converted, the conversion process involves lots of trials. And that's when the lord is really testing us to know if we are really that sincere and committed to follow him. I read 'conversion' in the bible dictionary and it explained it perfectly with great scriptures in Luke 22:32 and d&c 112:12-13.  That is what Maria is experiencing now. Maria had a wonderful spiritual experience at church last week and the day after her dog died...and it was a test for her. So I felt it was our job to strengthen her. And shes doing a lot better than she was the first few days of the week.

We are working with a few other people and trying to get them a date. Our district goal this week is to have 7 baptismal dates!! And we have accomplished all our goals that we have set as a district this transfer. So hopefully we can do this and the Lord with provide!

I love and miss all of you!!

Cheers mates! ;) 

{September 16, 2013}

Hello family and friends!!

I can honestly say that this week was one of the best, most successful weeks and most enjoyable in my whole mission. Elder Thompson and I have learned a lot this week. I have learned a lot for myself with many things...specifically, setting meaningful goals and careful planning, and how a goal without a plan is only a wish. It is so true. The weekly planning we had for this week was great, we set real goals and had a plan for all of them, for each key indicator and how we were going to accomplish it. We were not happy with our previous key indicators so we repented and changed what we were doing wrong. We told each other that we were not going to let a day go by teaching less than 3 lessons. We committed that we will do whatever we can in our own power to accomplish it. We practiced teaching more, we listened to the spirit more, we were more unified, and studied according to our needs and of course as well as our investigators needs. We learned how to be more effective with the time the Lord has given us in the mornings. The precious hours in the morning really sets off our day. We are very happy with the work the Lord has given us, and we are excited to keep the ball rolling. We know that it still will be hard, but we will do our best to keep working as if we were teaching at least 3 lessons every day. I've seriously learned that if we have a Vision we WILL have motivation. That is what we did, we put up a target and worked towards it to hit the bulls eye. We had one of those weeks that we will reflect back on to help us realize that all things are possible if we are willing to WORK.

We almost have a baptismal date, Maria Law. She is back on track, she had a wonderful experience at church yesterday, a speaker from the Weston Super mare ward came down and shared her experience about the Atonement, and many trials she faced...Maria spoke to that sister and told her that her talk felt like it was directed right at her. They continued to talk more, and the sister will be sending her a book that has helped her understand the Atonement, but to stay committed to read the Book of Mormon.

This week was full of miracles you guys. The Lord has blessed us so much, its unbelievable. I enjoyed this week so much. My district meeting went better, I felt better about myself, and a little more confident and positive. And I felt the spirit very strongly ;) Last week we only taught 12 lessons...This week we taught 27! It was so awesome! I did not want to be the Elder that was in this great area and see it go downhill...Heck no! So I've learned that if we want to be successful then we just need to simply work our butts off and just do it. And if we fall short, then work harder the next day and make up for the slacking moments or the lessons we weren't able to teach. Easier said than done...that's for sure, but if you just do it, its all worth it at the end.

Funny gross story...

I was on an exchange with one of my good missionary mates Elder Green. He and I get along really well, we have a good time whenever we are together. Haha we laugh loads. So of course on our exchange we experienced a very funny thing. K so, we were in my area, with the car, and we just got done seeing a less active named Duncan, and he lives in the middle of no where. We were driving back to Watchet, and the roads are very windy and narrow, with hedges all along the sides. So here we are driving about 45 mph, and we are turning a corner and there's a man on the side of the road and he jumps like crazy, we weren't even close to hitting him, but just the look on his face was funny, and we said "he almost pooped his pants." Then we carried on turning that corner and lo and behold we see another man...In the middle of the road squatting down takin a dump................right in the middle of the road...we yelled "what the HECK!??!!" Haha yeah...so we saw a man take a dump in the middle of the road and before we passed him he pulled up his sweats and carried on struttin on, walking like nothing happened. Haha.

Sorry for that inappropriate story at the end, but I had to share it cause it was so funny and I probably wont be able to write it in my journal...I'm so behind on my journal entry's now that I have a responsibility. 

I love all of you! Thank you for everything you are doing for me!!

Keep the UK in your prayers!

...............................

Other exchange last week...Elder cluff and I. He's from missouri and worked at the Nauvoo theatre and he knows Jeff! Another one!

He even had the video so we watched it!! Haha Jeff is an amazing Joseph Smith, I loved it!! It was the first time I was able to see Jeff in action! You rock Jeff!!

Sister Danielle & Me

Lookin fat & sexy at the same time...How is this?

Elder Thompson & I...Lookin fresh on the church steps

Very English...Down in the town Minehead 

 

{September 9, 2013}

Hello fam,

This week was a slow one for us...Washford has slowed down a little bit, and I feel like it's my fault. We aren't teaching as many people as we liked to. We have spent a chunk of time trying to get my license, which I finally got, it was a huge relief. We got dropped by a couple of investigators that we have been teaching, it was a sad feeling, I had so much confidence that our investigators (Nicola Gipson) and her family would accept the gospel, but I feel like we may have been too pushy and not following up enough over the phone...So I feel like I have learned a lot from my mistakes.

Elder Thompson is doing better I think, I think he's happy that he doesn't have to drive anymore, haha. But we are working hard with each other and learning so much. He's a great missionary, I sure love the kid.

We are working with Maria Law, Scots woman, she has been out of time for a couple weeks, now she's back, so we are going to really focus on her and help her resist temptation. Satan has really grabbed a hold of her, so we are going to help her conquer him!!!!! And she is a little bit more committed! So she has a strong desire, and we will let that desire work in her to develop some faith! We are also working with 2 gentlemen who recently joined the church, we found out that they have been smoking for some time...I'm quite disappointed. We all chatted a little bit and we are going to get them to quit completely! Please keep the work in Washford in your prayers. We need some miracles.

My first district meeting didn't go the way I wanted it too. It was about the Book of Mormon, I was going to use the talk from Ted Callister about the 2 points. I love the analogy so much, I use it all the time teaching. The district is very young so I'm teaching very basic things that will help them get their own ideas to work more effectively. I hope my next meeting will go well and that I will be more confident and that the Lord will give me the words to speak at that very moment that I need them.

I love all of you so much, thank you for your love and support, you guys really help me out so much, you have no idea.

Cheers!

{September 5, 2013} Pass Driving Test: Check. Answer to prayers: Check!

Hello family and friends!

How are all of you? Thank you again for your emails and pictures! Everyone looks so good! 

This week was a bit crazy. My first full week of being a DL, it is stressful, but it is a huge learning experience. We did really well as a district, we set the goal to give out 20 copies of the Book of Mormon and we gave out 24! With 7 new investigators, which we have been slacking with for a long time with, are new gators, so that was great! Now we are going to turn those numbers to baptismal date then baptisms!! We are excited!  

So I PASSED MY TEST!!!!! Thank goodness! It was so stressful you guys, I was praying so hard, and reading like crazy, there was 1500 questions for the whole theory test, and they just choose 50 random ones and then you have a provisional test where you watch a screen and click whenever you see a hazard. I got 45/50 on the theory, needed a 43, and I got a 67/75 on the perception, and needed a 44. I was so happy! You have no idea, I took the test the morning of our zone training which was postponed an hour and a half because of my test, so showing up passing my test was a huge relief. Everyone would have made fun of me if I failed. Everyone was giving me crap all week about it...haha. Now I have to take the actual driving test, practical test. It's on the 9th of this month. I feel a little more confident with that test, but they are very strict, its ridiculous. So I need to practice driving.

Speaking of driving, my comp. scratched the heck out of our car and another car while he was trying to pull out of a parking lane, it was so bad...I felt so bad for the kid, both cars had about a 5 foot long thick cratches on the sides. He pulled over and ran to the car and was trying to wipe it off, but of course that did nothing...he walked back to the car and said he's not driving anymore and gave me the keys...I said I cant either, he said he didnt care, haha we sat in the car chatting. I was trying so hard to invite the spirit and comfort him and tell him its okay...we were trying to get to an appointment as well...So I said a prayer that sounded like I was giving him a blessing, and he felt good. So we went to the appointment, and of course before we left we left a note on the car that we hit to call us. He didnt call us that whole day and all throughout the day we were praying so hard as a companionship and ourselves that the dude wouldn't freak out at us and stuff. Christopher called us the next morning and told us how happy he was that there are honest people in the world that would care enough to leave a note on his car to let him know it was hit and things. He was such a nice guy, so merciful, and told us that we dont have to worry about it!!! Hahaha we couldnt believe what this guy was saying. It's either he was a really really nice guy, or he stole that car and didn't want it reported...haha I dont know, but I feel strongly that it was definitely an answer to our prayers from our Loving patient merciful Father in Heaven.
I love and miss all of you!!
Thank you for your everything!

Cheers mates!!

{August 26, 2013}

Hello everyone,

This week was a bit busy, especially for my head...I'm always thinking about things I need to get done...It's crazy. My new fresh companion is elder Thompson from Moroni Utah, and he is a true greenie. Ha ha he makes me laugh. He's a good kid. We will have fun serving together. Hopefully I will be a good enough example to him and teach him something. The first day together was a bit tough..,we didn't really teach anyone, we knocked doors and not really anyone listened, so it wasn't the best first experience you could ask for, but the days following were great! We taught quite a few lessons and we set up return appointments with 3 different families! We are still planning on seeing the Gibson family this Thursday, we confirmed with her and she was very nice and said she has read some of what we gave her and has a few questions and is excited to learn more. Then we have a guy named Lee this Saturday who wants to know if Gods exists, he has a young family of 4. And another young family of 4 named Katie and Ryan. We are so excited to teach these people, I'm just hoping and praying so hard that they will stay committed and will still be willing to meet up with us. Please keep them in your prayers!

You can also keep me in your prayers please...ha ha.
I have a driving theory test on the 29th, and we have a zone training that same morning, I told the ZL's that I already scheduled a test the same morning as the training, and they called the ap's and they said me getting my licence is more important...So they will postpone the zone training until I'm finished with my test haha so NO PRESSURE AT ALL.........If I don't pass it will be the most embarrassing moment of my life..,me holding up the whole zone because I have to take a test...I'm flipping out. I've never had so much pressure in my life.

It's good though I guess..

Anyways I love and miss all of you. Hope all is going well.

If any of you guys have been District leaders, please give me some advice...

I love you all!

{August 19, 2013} Michael's Baptism & a goal for more baptisms!

Hello everyone,

This week was crazy! I forgot to mention our baptism for Michael Powell was this Friday. I feel terrible that I didn't say much about him. He has been a progress, we knew he was going to be baptized for sure weeks ago. So he has made a lot of changes in his life! He is awesome! It was a good baptism, a little stressful because we should have been a little more organized...people were a bit irreverent after the baptism just acting too casual about things, but it worked out! Many people were there supporting Michael, it was lovely! So we got anotha one! 

Before the baptism started I got a call from President Millar...and he called me to be DL + train again... I was flippin out...it was a big shock for me. I don't think I'm qualified for any leadership responsibility,  but obviously the Lord knows I need to learn quite a few things, so I'm willing to take the blessing. I'm quite nervous though.

We have been working hard this week, we have found a couple of families knocking, and set up return appointments with them. The funny think is, is that I made a personal goal to get 7 more baptisms before the end of my mission. I was praying really hard about it and the number 7 kept coming in to my mind, I thought it was way too high, I was thinking more like 3, but the spirit I think said NO go for 7. So I committed myself that I will see 7 more people enter the waters of baptism before I head home. Soon after that prayer we were knocking and we found a single mother who was recently converted to Christianity and she has 6 kids ages 8-17, so I feel like this is an answer from God. And I'm going to do all that I can in my power to not let this family slip out of my hands. As long as it is in line with Gods will. We will see the Gibson family on the 29th.

 

Anyways guys, I love you all to death. I pray for you as you pray for me. Thank you for all that you do and share with me, your emails really make a difference in my mission life.

I love you all!

Cheers buds! ;)

{August 12, 2013} An eventful Birthday Week!

Dear family and friends,

Thank you for your birthday wishes. I love you all.

My birthday was really good! I enjoyed it a lot! It went by really quickly because we were so busy.

First bad news...I failed my theory driving test...I was so mad. President was really pushing me to get it, but I failed and have to wait another 2 weeks to take it again...the tests here are so much harder than America, I'm not saying this to make me sound better, but the UK, it is the the most difficult country to get your driving licence...not lying! They the people at the center said so. And I believe it, or else I would have passed. I didn't even really study for it either...so that goes to show that you must study...which I am now...It's hard.

Anyways, this week was great like I said, and I have had many cool experiences which I wish I had time to share, but i don't. I want to tell you guys something really quick, so we were teaching a less active guy named Duncan, he is so depressed, like most of the UK...sadly...and he's mainly depressed because the government won't pay him his money (benefits..) He just sits in his house all day everyday, he's 38 years old and does nothing with his life...he text us and said he doesn't know if he will survive because he doesn't have food...and a bunch of rubbish. (He has an iphone 5, 2 mac book pros, and 2 cameras like Steph's) He has money, or has things that he could sell. Anyways I won't go any further.. he just needs to get up and do something. The way he lives and takes care of himself is how he shows his faith...no wonder he is less active ha ha. So we were chatting, the missionaries have tried so many things with Duncan and nothing really has hit him...so that morning visiting him, he was complaining about the government for 20 minutes. It was so hard for me to listen to because its extreme liberal so I happened to have read a chapter in the book of Mormon a few days back that talks about the government... (Alma 58:33-40) if fit perfectly with what Duncan was saying. Ha ha the spirit totally helped me out! All credit goes to the Lord. If you read these verses and don't really understand, its because you had to have been with me and Duncan to understand what his needs and concerns were. It was really funny. After having Duncan read those verses he just sat in silence and he kinda mumbled saying he understood, and how he needs to stop murmuring and "trust God" and everything will be okay. And verse 40 sums it up. This helped me out with Obama being elected.... ;)

I love and miss all of you so much! Thank you again for your emails. They uplift me so much, I don't know what I would d do without you all.

PS I had a surprise bday party from the Chris & Danielle family, they are so nice! I love the members here so much!

A member showed us this you tube video. watch it. It made me cry!! ha ha (never give up) Tell me how you liked it please! I need more feed back on things!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Dunster Castle, pretty sweet.

Sisters made me Cinnamon rolls!!! Super good, not as good as moms of course... 

Driving instructor John...He's so funny & strict!

Birthday & Lime Green...

Got a birthday kiss from Chris, a recent convert, he's so funny!

{August 5, 2013}

Hello family and friends.

Sorry I didn't write last week, it was a a busy p-day. These last 2 weeks went pretty well. really interesting. First of all, we had zone conference, it was really good! So inspiring, I got a lot of good information and answers to my questions. The main topics were working with members and the church media, and PRIDE...Pride has been a big issue with me and many others...It's so from the devil...I hate pride. I have a lot of it. So it was focused on and I took loads of notes to help me avoid being so prideful.

This week was another good week. Zone conference really boosted me and made me want to put all the things that I learned into action! It was so inspiring to hear all the talks and lessons that were prepared, it was what I really needed to hear, and make changes in my life. Thank you for your preparation, the spirit really touched my heart.

In minehead, we are doing really well, we have Michael as our baptismal date for the 16th still, he is doing great, he is still committed and has such a honest desire to know more about Gods plan and Jesus Christ. It is so wonderful to teach him, I love all the people we are working with, they really need and deserve the Gospel in there lives.
We are also working with Maria who is a former baptismal date, a few weeks ago, we are teaching her again, and she wants to change! Which is good! We taught her about the Atonement and prayer, it went really well, but a few days later, she left with her ex boyfriend, and we haven't heard from her in the last couple of days...which is really sad. We are really praying hard that she will come back and remember the spirit she felt as we taught her. Satan is so real...I cant believe how many times I've seen people start making commitments and actually have a Strong desire to know God, and opposition/Satan comes right in the way...It's so sad, and annoying. But I know that God knows best, its a test for them to see if they are really that Committed and sincere to follow the Savior. I'm confident that Maria will come back soon.
We are working with a lot of potential and new investigators, they are wonderful, we have had many miracles and powerful moments. Sister Danielle came on a teach with us 5 days ago to see a young couple we found knocking, (James and Gaina). They invited us in their home and we got talking and teaching. While teaching they didn't look a whole lot interested, we watched the Book of Mormon DVD with them, and nothing really hit them...we said a closing prayer, and we got chatting again about different things, and Danielle and Gaina drifted a little way from us, and they were in a deep conversation. A little bit later Gaina started crying as well as Danielle
, we found out that Gaina is pregnant and depressed at the same time, she was taking some depression pills that the doctor said not to, but she did anyways...and Danielle had the exact same problem when she had her last baby last year, same medication as Gaina's. Danielle said she took the medication anyway, a little bit here and there, and it helped her tremendously, and the delivery of her baby boy was perfectly fine. So this little experience really touched Gaina, and now Danielle and Gaina are really good friends! Awesome!! They said that Danielle was really inspired to come with us. Danielle shared her testimony with them, now they are a lot more committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They said they feel like their faith has been restored or strengthened. It was a great experience.
Things are going well down here. Lots of things are happening. The Lord is in it!
I love you all!

Sorry something went wrong with my email so I sent my president's letter to you...Sorry about that.

Love you all!!!

{July 22, 2013} Memories of Grandma Keller, Sunshine, Advice from Elder Folkerson

Dear family,

 

This week I have to say was difficult, mainly because of my wonderful Grandmother passing away. I was thinking about her all week, and had a feeling that any of these last 7 days she was going to pass away. Every day all day I have been thinking of her. She is such a wonderful person. I didn't have the chance to write my stories to Aunt Kathy, but if it's not too late I will share it now anyways.

 

Grandma Keller, the first think that comes to my mind when I think of Grandma is SMILE. I always can imagine her smiling and laughing all of the time. She is a perfect example of happiness, no matter what happens she always has something positive to say and laugh about. She has the loveliest sense of humor and is always up for a laugh or joke. I remember Hayle
igh and I growing up together always going to grandma and grandpas house for sleep overs and games. We always had a wonderful time putting puzzles together, watching old movies...and fighting for the banana chair she had in her old house. Grandma would always mention going out in her back yard to play baseball, us 3. We did so many times. I remember she would toss the ball to us and we would hit it with a bat of course, and one time I hit the ball and it hit grandma in the nose..........(it wasn't way way hard... I must have been like 5 years old.....) I felt so terrible, but she immediately forgave me and said its okay, and would always give me big hugs and kisses. I would have that Bright RED lipstick all over my face. Oh how much I miss those days. ;) I don't know why I always remembered this story...I guess I've learned how to love and be patient with people who make mistakes. Grandma is such a wonderful example to all of us, she has so many Christlike attributes that she has had her whole life. She is such a wonderful person. I love her so much.

Aren't we so blessed to have the restored Gospel that allows us to be sealed together for all time and eternity. The more I learn, the more I'm grateful and want to share this knowledge with others who don't know there is life after death. I'm so grateful that I KNOW I can be with my beautiful Grandmother again.

 

 

Ill be brief about what has happened this week. 

Like I said it was hard...our baptismal dates are slipping away....Michael is smoking again and won't keep his commitments. And Maria just wants time on her own to quit smoking by herself, then she will be baptized...It's all frustrating at the moment. The light just won't turn on in their heads, but they will come around.

I forgot to tell you guys about the weather here in England...It has been the best weather for the last 3 weeks, the sun is always out, its really hot, but its so nice, I feel more alive. It is so beautiful here always looking at the ocean and the big green hills, I need to send more pictures of this place, but I never have time.

 

I spoke to Jacob Folkerson last night on the phone and we had a nice chat. We didn't get to see each other because we are so far away and he is leaving on Thursday. He gave me such wonderful advice, we are very similar in many ways. I look up to that kid so much, he was my first AP and he blew my mind how powerful and clear his teachings were for the mission.

He gave me advice on confidence about when he became a ZL he didn't really feel like he should be a leader... but President Shamo (pres at the time) told him "As if, Lead as if you knew the gospel better, act as if you were the man for the job" and so on. I can't really repeat all he said, but I know I felt the spirit and I need to work harder and do things "as if" the Lord was with me. The phone call really helped me out.

 

Anyways family, I hope everything is going well for all of you, I sure wish i was there with you for grandmas funeral, I know it will be a pretty day for grandma.

I love and miss all of you, thank you for your support.

 

{July 15, 2013} Letter to the President, Will you Marry Me? & Graffiti!

Dear President & Sister Millar,

This week has been great! Also challenging as they should be. We have 2 baptismal dates still, Michael Powell, and Maria S. They are both wonderful people. They are progressing really smoothly, except neither of them came to church yesterday which was a disappointing. On Saturday we were able to go to the Temple with our Group,  it was a wonderful time. Michael was able to come and he had some wonderful and powerful experiences being on the temple grounds. He really was filled with the spirit he described, he loved it and wants to go again with his recent convert parents. We all had a wonderful day at the temple, so many people were there, so many families gathered together having picnics, it was a beautiful sight to see.
Michael has a date for the 26th of this month, on Saturday he went throughout the whole day without smoking! it was awesome! He felt so good about himself! We were so proud of him. He wants to quit so bad and he is making progress!
Maria has a  date for the 16th of Aug. She has some serious challenges with depression and smoking. She is slowly making progress, she needs to read and pray more. She has a solid testimony of why we need a prophet on the earth. Things make sense to her when we teach, she explains.

These two wonderful people I know will be baptized these next few weeks, I love them so much, the Lord is blessing us and the Minehead area. We see so many miracles down here, I am so grateful to be where I am to serve.

..............................

Last week we were able to go to famous Bristol City. It was really cool, there is graffiti everywhere and the city allows people to do whatever they want really...So there's art everywhere on buildings and everywhere you look really. It was a cool city to visit.

The temple was just amazing, there was so many people there like I said, there were 2 weddings going on, and I saw a lot of familiar faces from my last ward in London. There was a lot of people my age that I was friends with and I saw a girl I recognized walking out of the temple with her grandpa and sister, and I walked up to her and for some reason I ask "have you been married?" It came out wrong...and the grandad said "Whoa are you asking my granddaughter to marry you right now?" Ha ha I was confused cause they took it the wrong way...I felt really stupid, but we all laughed...what I meant to ask her was "Were you the one that just got married?" Cause I knew she was dating one of the guys in the London ward. She said no, it was the other couple in that same ward. There was a lot of young couple in the London ward so it was interesting, but yeah we had an interesting talk, and asked how everyone was doing and things. Then we said bye and then I got a load of crap from members and my companion. Ha ha they just made fun of me...

Anyways, I have loads of emails to respond to, so if I did not email you back I'm really sorry, its busy being a missionary!

I love you all so much! And I'm so grateful for all that you do for me, seriously!

Cheers Mates! ;)

{July 8, 2013} Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal...Smile.

Hello everyone,

 

This week was really good! We just got another baptismal date! Her name is Maria, she's from Scotland! I love Scottish people, they are so FUNNY! She will hopefully be baptized on the 19th or 26th...so keep her and Michael in your prayers please.

 

We have been workin more in a new village, ha ha and a town called Minehead, we found a neighborhood full of families! It's awesome! We found 3 new investigators in the place, young families too! And the rest of the week its just normal missionary work, we are trying to be more creative with our finding so that we won't become like vain robots that want to share a message about happiness. Ha ha we have more Zeal in our finding I think. I learned from my comp that we truly choose to be happy. And when we are happy we will have the spirit, so we can really invite the spirit a lot easier than people think. Just smile. Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal. :) This is something I'm really trying to work on, is staying motivated and happy while working. It makes life so much easier. And you'll have much more success as we all know. So if you aren't happy, JUST DO IT and choose to be joyful and you'll have the spirit, and learn to "Host" the spirit like dad likes to say. Welcome him back into your heart. So true and works.

 

Transfers are already on Wednesday...I feel like my comp E Hovizavi will leave...and I'm going to feel lost...goodness...We will see what happens.

 

I love and miss you so much!

Hope all is well with your every day lives.

The church is true.

Cheers!! :)

{July 1, 2013} More efforts & locked outta the Flat...

Family, 

This week was pretty good, we have been working a lot with recent converts and normal members. We have been trying really hard to strengthen everybody's new testimonies. The people here are wonderful, they all have a great desire to do good. They all want to improve and help the missionaries.
Yesterday we have a couple that we have been trying to get a hold of for some time to teach, and to come to church, it was a total miracle and surprise, some members that live close by Rosie and Don just called them up and said they will pick them up for church, and they did! They loved church and want to learn more, we will see them tomorrow morning. We are so excited!
We also have a baptismal date, Michael, he is the Recent converts, Clive and Leslie's son, he wants to be baptized. We had a good lesson with him last night about baptism and following Christ example, and he's willing to see us 3 times a week until his baptism on the 19th. So we are very excited.
We need to focus more on our finding efforts, and to look for opportunities to serve and reach out to others. We have come up with some more ideas on how we will accomplish this, by setting specific times and hours of the day to just FIND and LOOK for opportunities to help someone. 

We locked ourselves out of the flat 2 times this week...I was so angry...We had to pay 60 pounds to get us back in the flat...and all it took was 20 seconds to put a stick thing through our post box and open the door...It was so expensive, but the mission will pay for it...;) It wasn't my fault either, just sayin.

 

I got a surprise phone call a couple of days ago from good old Elder Jacob Folkerson, I was so confused when I first started talking to him, it was funny. We chatted for a little but and we had to go. So we will be calling each other again soon probably. He said he wants to take me out to lunch, heck yes! That'd be sweet.

 

I love and miss you all!

Family, I'm sooo happy that you enjoyed Powell, I've been NOT thinking about it all week. ;) Cant wait to see all of the new babies in the family + the boat. ;)

 

Love you all!!

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{June 24, 2013} Clive & Leslie Baptism

This week was interesting and different that is for sure. Moving to Minehead was very cool, driving into this area I knew I was going to love it, because it looks just like Cornwall, and I loved serving in Cornwall, even though it was a little bit tough, I enjoyed it all. I will miss London, but I can feel that the Lord does need me here. I love everyone in this "Group" of 15 people, they all have wonderful hearts and are excited to build the kingdom in little Minehead.

I was very blessed to come in this area with 2 baptismal dates, Clive and Leslie, they are a wonderful and unique people. I met them the day I got here on Monday, and they were very excited for baptism. We taught them a few times during the week, and they made it to Friday and were baptized in Weston Super mare. It was a wonderful service, everything went really well, a lot of support was there, and the spirit really was felt by everyone.

I'm enjoying this area a lot, and am looking forward to the future success and growth to the Group to hopefully make it into a Branch as soon as possible. The members really want to make it a branch and they are willing to help out with anything. I sure love all these people already. 

I hope you all have a great summer!!

I love and miss you all so much!

Elder Keller

Picture at the Baptism, Clive & Leslie in the middle...I confirmed Leslie yesterday, I get so nervous giving blessings...It went well. 

{June 18, 2013} Moving Back West

Hello family & friends,

 

Sunday night I got a call from president Millar and he asked me if I would be willing to Emergency move to the West because some companions wasn't getting a long, I said of course. So I moved yesterday to the Bristol Zone back west, near Plymouth, the first Zone I was in. So I am very far away from Welling/Woolwhich/London. I am living in a place called Watchet, it looks exactly like my first area (Helston Cornwall) but even more beautiful, I want to take you all here after the mission, you have to see this place. There aren't many people at all. All white people and we aren't even a branch, we're too small. We are called a "Group". Ha ha its funny, with about 20 members. It's so cool! This area is doing so well! They just had 2 baptisms last week, and another one this Friday. They are doing some seriously good work here, I'm so blessed to be in this area. And we also have a CAR!! ;) It's sweet! So I will be getting my British license in the next couple of weeks. I'm so pumped! My companions name is Elder Hovizavi, he is German, ANOTHER ONE! He's so cool! The most humble and funny kid ever.

 

This is a quick update, I'll write more on Monday. I'll miss London though, but I feel like I will enjoy this place a little bit more. We already taught 2 people this morning.

 

I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers!

 

New address is:

 

#4 south road

Watchet,

TA23 0DA

England :) 

{June 11, 2013} Central London, Special Speaker, New Companion!

Hello fellow Fam and friends,

 

This week was cool. I have hardly any time to share what happened this week...

So the reason why I didn't email yesterday was because we had a surprise Zone conference in central London, we knew we might have one a few days before, but it wasn't official. So we found out yesterday morning that it was going down. We got on a train to CENTRAL LONDON BABY!! I was so pumped!! We didn't have time to take any pictures or anything cause we were jogging to the High Park chapel, it was so sweet!! London is so crazy! On the other side of the river it is a completely different place, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It's so RICH on the other side, I think I saw over 50 cars that were worth more than $150,000. I'm dead serious, all the stores were ridiculously pricey..it was just crazy, and there were only white people pretty much...just on the other side of the river, that much changes...it was cool though. I saw Big Ben from a distance and cool cool things, but vain things compared to the Gospel of course.

 

So we went to the high park chapel with half of our mission, and the London North mission was there as well, we were told that we cannot talk to the other missionaries...weird...but ok, so we had a guest speaker, and it was Elder M. Russell Ballard. It was a surprise for all of us. I sat on the 3rd row, it was a great experience. He looked really tired. The reason why we didn't find out till that morning that the conference was going to happen was because Elder Ballard was in Germany and he couldn't decide to either go to Russia Moscow, or London. So he prayed and the Lord told him to come to London. So he did. It was so cool! He told us a lot of stories about the restoration, and how we all need to be better teachers, teach more simply with power and authority. He was amazing. A lot of other things happened that he explained and taught, but it was all focused on the Restoration, and Priesthood and how we need to be basic, which I LOVED to listen to, I took it all in because I love simplicity, that is how I roll! That is the only thing I can do pretty much, ha ha but I need the power bit in there. So he was definitely told by the Lord to come to London. Wow, I'm so grateful. ;)

 

It was also exciting to leave our mission boundaries, it was exciting for all of us. Central London, I would love to visit again after the mission.

 

Anyways the missionary work here is getting better, we are finding more people to teach, which we are very excited for! Right before emailing we picked up a new gator named Ben, he's Nigerian...surprise surprise, he's super cool and really serious about finding out the the truth. He is committed! Ade, is ade...He has been really lazy lately...I'm not too happy with him. He's not really getting what we are trying to work towards. We weren't able to get a member present with him yet, which is disappointing.. but we will this week. The other elders in our flat are having crazy success, I'm so proud of them, they have like 4 baptismal dates and they knocked in and gave a family of 3 dates as well. So its so cool to see miracles happen here in London, we just need to pray for guidance, and have a vision of the success we can and will have.

 

 I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers and love.

 

PS. my comp is Elder Schmoekel, he's from Cali, he knows Jeff Dickamore and his wife, mainly his wife really well cause they are in the same ward. So that was cool! Ha ha we found that out while we were in a teach. It was funny. 

{June 3, 2013} Transfers, New companion, goodbye to Elder Romer & hard at work!

This week was good! Transfers really slowed us down a little bit. My new companion is Elder Schmokel from California. He's pretty cool. We didn't accomplish the goals we set, other than we got a baptismal date, which is pretty exciting. We are working with Ade who is the baptismal date, he is really great! He is reading so much from the Book of Mormon, he is in Mosiah, and he started reading about 2 weeks ago. So he is really progressing with reading, but praying for some reason he hasn't really been consistent with. He hasn't prayed and asked God if the Book of Mormon is true, he keeps putting that question off because he wants to read the whole book. We have taught him a lot about the importance of prayer, and why he needs to read and PRAY, but he just keeps saying he wants to finish the book first. He did finally say he will pray and ask in 2 days...he wants to fast for a couple of days about the book of Mormon. We tried to explain to him that he doesn't necessarily need to fast for a couple of days to get answers to prayers, but he's slowly making some progress, and he really wants to follow what the Book of Mormon teaches. We committed him to be baptized on the 29th of June, he said yes. He came to church for about 10 minutes and left to go to work or another church. So we are a little bit confused with what is going on in Ade's head. We set up an appointment with Ade tomorrow night and we are going to bring a solid recent convert member that will be buddies with him. So we are excited for that.

We are working with a few other people that seem great, we are teaching a family, the Opes, and we found out that they live almost right next door to some members that have a young family as well, and we are all going to get together on Thursday! We are also excited for that evening. 

 

The picture of the temple is of me and my trainer Elder Romer, I love him so much!

He was my Zone leader here, so I "killed him off" I dropped him off...and he picked me up. I thought that was pretty cool that this happened. This never happens where the trainee drops of his "dad"/trainer. So cool. We had a good goodbye. He gave me some really good advice that I should do the rest of my mission. I love this guy. We will totally hang out when he comes to Utah. He's from Switzerland. I'll miss him.

 

Our zone leaders got whitewashed, meaning they both left, and 2 new zl's came in. Their names are Elder Patten who was my DL, and the other one is Elder Jarman, ha ha so we are back together in the same ward. There are 8 missionaries in our ward, if I didn't already tell you guys. So that's really cool! We are going on an exchange tomorrow, Elder Jarman and I. So we can catch up on things from a transfer ago.

 

Well I love you all more than I can explain. I hope all is well.  Things are good here in London. I wish the work was a bit better, I just need to be better, so things will start picking up more! Hopefully Ade will stay committed.

 

Cheers!

{May 27, 2013} A scary attack & more on Ade!

Hello everyone!

 

So this week was interesting, I don't know if you guys have heard about the attacks in Europe from Muslims...There was a killing just down the street where I live, some Muslims killed a military man. I don't know why, but they are saying it is a terrorist attack, so I don't know what really is happening, but I'm all good. ;) I walked by where the killing happened that day, it was gross, but the Lord really was watching out for us and when the killing actually happened we were out of Woolwhich, we were pretty far away. So that is really cool.

 

Really fast, I can't remember if I told you about our investigator Ade, he was one of the first people I spoke to when I got in Woolwhich on the bus, which I hate doing..,talking to people on the bus...he actually contacted me. We were on the bus for a minute or so, and Ade looked at me, read my badge, and just said "Kella." So I took the opportunity the Lord gave me and said hey how are you doing? I sat by him and talked to him about the Book of Mormon. Ade is Nigerian, he's about 25 years old. Really nice guy. I got his info. Then during the next few weeks I tried contacting him and he was always too busy or he just wasn't answering the phone, so I gave up for a week...we were planning and I felt like I needed to call him one last time. I did so, and of course Ade picked up and I set an appointment up with him for the next day. We taught him the restoration, it went really well, committed him to read and pray. He said he would. 3 days later we came back, taught him more about the Book of Mormon, he didn't read from the last visit. We committed him really hard to read and pray again, he said he would. 3rd visit, on Saturday, we get to his house, we sit down and chat a little bit, and he told us he's been reading. He read from the beginning all the way to Mosiah!! In like 3 days! It was so sick! Then he went on and thanked us so much for coming by and sharing this with him. He bore his testimony about the power and divinity of the book of Mormon, and how much it has taught him about Jesus Christ. He said that the Book of Mormon has been a big missing piece in his life, that he has now found. it was wonderful. We committed him to be baptized and he said yes, but he wants to finish the Book of Mormon, and come to church. He came to church yesterday, only for about 40 minutes and he really enjoyed it and wants to come next week for the full 3 hours. We will see him tomorrow and give him a date to be baptized!!!! Oh how awesome this would be if he accepted!! Please keep Ade and us in your prayers!!! I love this man!! So cool!!

 

I love and miss all of you! Hope all is well! I'm so happy and grateful to have the Gospel in my life. I know that this is Gods church and that he is preparing His children to hear his words and truths, through his instruments. ALL OF US. So go and share the Gospel! ;)

 

Thank you all for you love and support!

Cheers!

{May 20, 2013} Game of Spoons & Investigator Ade

Hey everyone!

This week was better! We had an activity with members, it was a great time! I had to come up with an activity to play with 30 people, so I chose Spoons! It was crazy, crazy Africans! Ha ha.

One of our new investigators name is Ade, I met him on a bus the second day I got in this area. I gave him a Book of Mormon and he gave me his details. After that day, we have been trying to get in contact with him, and he kept pushing us away. So after a couple of weeks I stopped calling him. Just a few days ago, I felt prompted to call him once more, I did so and Ade picked up the phone and we had a nice friendly chat and he told us to come to his house the next day. We did and we taught him one of the best lessons Elder Pond and I taught on the Restoration. Ade understood pretty well, and he really wanted to find out if these things are true, and he committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. He said he will come to church. He knows exactly where it was. I guess 4 years ago he ran into missionaries and he promised them that he would come to our church and he never did. So now he said is the time to fulfill that promise, ha ha. He was sincere, so we are excited for Ade and the work in the area.