Love

A pending baptism!

A few quick updates and happenings from this week:

It's been such a good week! Every week is good actually; missionary life is the best! We went to TWO chidaobaos this week (basically buffets with better food) because I guess our members love us haha. One was a steak house and the other was a hotpot place. That's my favorite thing to eat here. We went grocery shopping and we found some really good normal American food, so that was nice too! We went to a morning market and had to run away from a creepy guy who kept asking where we live. That's one of the first REAL crazies I've met here. Sister Bello says she seems to attract them for some reason. We got stuck at the church with a kid whose parents didn't come to pick them up after English class until 10:15pm and President had us take a taxi home. My bike box broke and we fixed it with ALOT of zip ties. I realized that my Chinese, although I have improved alot has a LONG way to go. I'm pretty limited in the subjects I can talk about. I have much studying to do! I really do feel like my ward here in Zhanghua that I am serving has become my family. It is amazing.

New companion!

I have a new companion: Sister Bello!!! It's soo exciting! We are already great friends. She is from Utah and her family has 8 children, she is also the oldest. She wants to study elementary/childhood education and she is an AMAZING missionary.This week we went to a night market for my first time because we had an appointment with a member and some of her nonmember friends who w e were able to refer to the missionaries who live in their areas. At the night market I bought a succulent. His name is Henry. We also had a member give us shoes which was really sweet of her. We did hair masks and had to get Sister Bello's bike fixed three times. Please ignore the bumps on my head from my helmet. Haha

I'm no longer in training, so we have lesson study time and we leave the house earlier. We have so much more time to really be involved in the work. Because she is new, I am leading the are and I'm realizing just how much I really love the people here in Zhanghua 3rd ward. We have already seen so many miracles.

We have seen so much success in our contacting as we've been using the Book of Mormon. That doesn't mean we found a new investigator with every conversation, but I do feel like our work is a lot more effective. I truly feel like Aaron who "expounded on the scriptures" (Alma 22:12) I feel like I am doing what I was called to do here in Taiwan. We truly are giving others the opportunity to accept the Gospel. The Book of Mormon makes our purpose VERY clear to those we speak with and they have a better idea of what they are saying no to when they "bu yong" us. Contacting with the Book of Mormon really is so much fun! I love the  detective work of listening to a conversation and listening to the Spirit to identify the needs of the person and find a scripture to help them.

I've been learning that I am just a very happy person. All of my companions so far, including the Sister Training Leaders I have been on exchanges with have told me that one of the things they loved about me and one of the things they learned our time together was an attitude of happiness regardless of the circumstances. I did not realize that I am an "unusually" happy person before, but it really comes down to this: I am following the plan that the Lord has for me in my life, so of course I'm happy! I have no reason not to be happy! What I love about missionary work i that when it really comes down to it, we are not responsible for the outcome, but only for the effort we put in to sharing this AMAZING and happy message of the Living Christ. What a wonderful life! I've never been happier nor more satisfied that I am here and now, doing His work.

I love you all and your are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hurrah for Israel!!
With Love,
Sister Keogh