Luau, Specialized training and more

 On Tuesday Elder Mountford and I were able to head down to Visalia for Specialized training (Zone Conference). We were able to learn a lot, especially about doing a great work where we cannot come down, like president Uchtdorf's talk a few years ago.

I had a lot of fun work this week. We had limited time to proselyte this week with Specialized Training and a Luau on Saturday, so we made the most of what time we had. I had 4 main highlights of my week.

The first was Specialized training of course. I love the spiritual recharge and edifying effect that zone conferences and district/zone meetings make in this work. I go back to work with practical and effective things to work on to take part in the Lord's hastening of this work. Maybe the biggest thing I learned from Specialized training was to not come down to worry about the things that don't really matter. 

The second highlight was also sad in a way, but we were teaching one of our investigators named Andy. He had been one of our better readers of the Book of Mormon, and was progressing in many ways but wouldn't come to church or even commit to try to come to church. We had a lesson with him on Sunday about the Atonement of Christ and repentance, and at the end of it he was crying and almost shaking from feeling the spirit. He told us that he was happy with his religion where he was at, and that he believes that his baptism is good. It was a neat experience for me because it was something that Elder Allred had talked about people doing as they choose to turn away from the spirit. It was like the story of Alma and Amulek in The book of Mormon.

The third highlight was helping people move. We were able to help one member's family, and one investigator move across time this week. 

The forth highlight was the luau on Saturday. We were able to have a lot of people come to it, and it was a great experience for everyone involved. We put a lot of work into advertising and preparing for it. We had several of the people that we have been working with show up. A lot of great things happened there, and there are a lot of good stories, but I am out of email time. I have a lot of pictures, but am only able to send a few.

Elder Keeley

two more pics

The return of the Hansens

I had a good week this week. I went on an Awesome exchange with Elder Strommen. We went pure spanish. It was fun, we even played soccer. 

We were able to teach the Hansens again after a long break while their mom was on vacation.

Alyssa came to church, and it was great.

We got a new Senior couple, the Hammonds. 

We built a pyramid.

The Zamoras are close to baptism. Sorry for the short general email this week.

Love,

Elder Keeley

The Week of June the 12th

We had a great week this week. Unfortunately, Domingo dropped us. We have been teaching a lot of lessons, and doing lots of good stuff. The Zamoras were able to come to church again, and we are working towards getting their mom's permission. 

We played Soccer on Tuesday again. I'm starting to get decent at dribbling again, so now were are beating the Hispanics.

Our ward mission leader Brother Smeaton is down for 6 weeks recovering from a shoulder surgery.

One interesting story that we had this week was teaching some drunk people. I think it was Elder Mountfords first time. They were at one of our investigators house, and were crazy. One was very confrontational and was asking us to teach him something new because he had dies and had seen Jesus. The other one was telling us about how he was in the military and could beat up the other guy if we needed him to. We didn't need him to. We were able to teach an interesting plan of Salvation lesson a little bit. Then we left.

Elder Keeley

Secret English Exchanges

I had a great week this week. Elder Collins and I went on Exchanges to the far away place called Selma Spanish. It is the same area as Selma Spanish, but it's puro Espanol. It wasn't on this exchange though, as I successfully commandeered 4 new investigators for Selma English. We also taught an English family, and ran into Able.

Elder Mountford did fantastic leading the area in my absence, and was able to find a new investigator that we had previously street contacted. Unfortunately, he was just a bible basher, so we stopped teaching him.

We also had a great district meeting and Zone meeting. Elder Allred gave a great training on how we can work with the Bishop more effectively to help investigators come to church.

We also had what I like to refer to as the return of Elder Perkins to Selma. Elder Perkins came to Selma and we worked as a tripanionship for half of a day. We weekly planned, and then were able to meet with a few people. It was good times.

We had no investigators come to church on Sunday, but we were able to have three less active members come for the first time. One of them just got Sundays off for good. 

Our area is doing well, our only struggle is still helping people have the faith to come to church.

Elder Keeley