I LOVE Mississipppi/people!!!!!!

HI mom!!!!:D

You'll be happy to know that I LOVE Mississipppi/people!!!!!! I'm doing really well and loving my mission. The people here are so nice and friendly…most of the time lol Can you please send my denim shirt? And maybe my belt buckle, thank you!!

My companion's name is Sister Moffett, she's really nice and is a great teacher! She's from Mesa, Arizona.

Vicksburg is really nice and the people here are just great. They're super funny, and they say the oddest things sometimes. Yesterday we saw the river and it was SOOO pretty! Unfortunately, my camera was dead so I wasn't able to take any pictures, but I will for sure next time and I will definitely send them to you.

The people are very open and love hearing about Jesus Christ. I met most of the members yesterday at church and they seem great! Can't wait to get to know them better :)

First day after getting settled, we taught a lesson. So, yes, I taught the first day :) There are a ton of teaching opportunities in Vicksburg. This week we had 12 new investigators!

Loved the General Women's Meeting! There was a little girl sitting next to me who kept drawing me pictures, it was super cute.

A few days ago, we taught a guy named Jonathan who I met for the first time. It was a really cool experience and here's what my companion wrote in her journal about it, "Sister Keables’ sincere prayer and sweet testimony was exactly what he needed. She started crying during her testimony and so he like shot forward out of his chair, kneeling down in front of us, extending his arms. She (not yet fully aware of how southerners roll) was like 'I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to hug you'. And I was like 'he wants to pray'. So mid-testimony, we joint hands and he just started prayin."

It was a funny/spiritual experience, and it’s been so amazing being able to have experiences like that a few times a day! lol

I really have to go but really fast, I know the church is true with all my heart and I'm so grateful for the chance to service my Heavenly Father.  I know I was called here for a reason and its already strengthened my testimony so much!:)

Last thing please tell dad I'm sooo sorry I wasn't able to respond to his email, and that I'm definitely going to respond next week! I had several emails to respond to and I just ran out of time. Please tell him that I love him and miss him, and I’ll try really hard to respond next week!<3:)

Love you Mom, Dad, and Ryan.

Sister Keables <3 <3

I Made It To Mississippi!

I made it to Mississippi! I just met my trainer and she seems really nice, her name is Sister Moffit. Just like when I arrived at the MTC, I’m not talking much to other people, and I’m really tired. I'm sure I’ll love it here after a few days, but for now I’ll be praying a lot for strength and comfort. I didn't get any sleep on the plane, so I can't wait to go to bed tonight. lol My first area is Vicksburg (Editorial Comment: Vicksburg is right on the border of Mississippi and Lousianna.  And right on the Mississippi River.),  and it has lots of history and museums. Dad, I thought of you when they told me that. lol 

Yesterday we we're supposed to be at the buses at 3:30am, and all of the sisters in our district woke up at 3:36!!  I literally woke up, got dressed, grabbed my bags, and left with the sisters. We made it to the bus, but because we were late none of us got to say goodbye to each other.  I was really sad to leave the MTC.

A few days we before we left our district, I had a really cool and amazing experience. One of our teachers was pretending to be a less-active member and it was our job to bring him back to the church. It was really cool because we tried really hard to teach/help by the Holy Ghost. It was amazing how the Spirit guided our questions, and how strongly each of us felt it. Just by asking the right questions, and good questions, you can really help an investigator or a less-active member. One of my favorite things I’ve learned is the only way to help/teach is by the Spirit. If you don't have it, then you can't really bring others unto Christ. I've learned so many great things, and I can't wait to bring the gospel to others!:D If you have a chance, look up “Character Of Christ” By David A. Bednar, it’s sooo good!!:)

As promised, I have pictures!!lol All are from the MTC, and I’ll probably send more from here next week. Sister Kidd is the one with glasses standing by me the in most of them. Also, two of the Elders in my district are with me in Mississippi. 

Can you tell Beth I loved, loved her letter and tell her and Alyssa to email me. Thank you!:) 

Got to go, but tell dad happy birthday for me, and I think he's the greatest dad in the world!:D Miss and love all ya;) And can't wait to talk to you and everyone else in less in two months!

Love, Sister Keables!!!:D

P.S. Last thing. Guess what!? I saw Karly Manwill at the Temple!!! While we were taking pictures she came up to me and really surprised me lol

Pictures from the MTC!

The Sisters in my district

A surprise picture with Karly! 

Elders from my district

First Message From the MTC!

Excited much? Just kidding mom I’m excited too!! :D lol I've been dying for p-day and its finally here! Things are good here, I'm still sick but getting better. Ryan is dying to hear from me? Wow, time really does change people! jk lol. Wish I could tell you more about the first day here, but I don't remember it super well (shocker lol) It’s been eight days since I got here and it feels like weeks. I can't believe I only have four days left! 

The MTC is intense and hard. Not loving it quite yet but pretty close, there is a TON of study time but our teachers tell us that once we leave we're going to miss it. Probably one of the few things I can tell you about the first day is that all the new missionaries as a big group taught three people our first day! It wasn't scary though, and it definitely was a humbling experience. Our first day EVERYONE was saying welcome to the MTC, and yesterday we got to say that to everyone arriving. Even though we've only been here for a week we feel so old lol.  Well not really old, just not brand new. The rest of the day is kind of a blur, it was busy but that's all I really remember. I don't really like the food that much here, it reminds me of what cafeteria food would taste like at a high school. (even though I've never been to one)  Really missing your cooking mom:) 

So you know how I was all excited to be on my own? to not be nagged lol. Guess what?! I have a new mom! lol My companion is Sister Kidd and she's really nice and funny. She is also quick, organized, and she also has a lot of other things I really like about her and value. She wants to be exactly obedient, which really helps me to be exactly obedient too. She's a really good example to me, and she has this saying that I really like. “Obedience brings blessings but exact obedience brings miracles.” And we're definitely being very blessed in our lessons. We're setting goals as a companionship and really trying to be exactly obedient. Sister Kidd and I have three investigators we're teaching, plus a member. A couple of the investigators might be members but we're not sure. At least every other day or everyday Sister Kidd and I are teaching lessons to our investigators and member. Most of our lessons have gone over well, and I really love the teaching and our investigators. It might be my favorite part of the day! lol  

We have the best district EVER!!! There are four sisters and four elders, and each person brings something fun and unique to the group. The elders are great and really feel like brothers to me, and the others sisters too. Elder Holyoak is probably the funniest elder and we all love to tease each other. (Kinda like our house lol) When we try to focus and study as a distinct it’s hard because we're always laughing at something someone else said or did. Yesterday our teacher was talking to us about language and he mentioned sarcasm. The minute he said that we all look at each other and started laughing. It was great, now it’s on out list of district goals, to not use sarcasm, but it’s going to be tough. lol 

Mom, I got your package yesterday and didn't open it till the end of the day. I was soooo excited to open it the whole day lol. THANK YOU!!!!! I literally ate the whole bag of gummy worms less than an hour after I opened the package:) Also thanks for the Dear Elder letters. I look forward to them every time I get one. Can you tell the YM and YW in the 3rd ward thank you for me? They sent me a letter and everyone signed it. Tell them I loved, loved, loved it! And I miss them all a lot!! Mom and dad keep sending those letters please, love them more then I put into words!! 

I'm learning so much at the MTC and I love that I’m becoming a better missionary! I'll tell more about what I’m learning next email

I really have to go now, but miss you lots and sorry I didn't send any pictures, but I will next time!!! P.S. next email will be sent from Mississippi!!!!!!!!!