So I got moved again! Now I'm back in busy, dirty, incredible Bangkok! I got called as a zone leader over here in Tone buri. We're in the Bangkok West zone! Which is actually where the office is so I'll be doing switch-offs in my old area! They mentioned (and I understand) how nice it will be to have someone who knows how to do the office work to help on switch-offs haha.
Elder Tanner is my new companion. We came to Thailand at the same time but were in different districts in the MTC. He's been in Tone buri for a transfer all ready but was district leader. We're learning how to do all of this zone leader stuff together!
We've got a district of 6 elders here. I know a few of them, haven't served with any. Elder Anudson is from Sagon Nakon where I just moved from! It's fun to talk with him about all the members there. It's nice that we get to start off this transfer with a new month as well. It's a good time to start over and set new goals.
Right now my focus is to put everything up to the Lord. I know that is when he will bring to pass miracles. That is when he will show me what I need to do. That's when I will really be able to magnify my calling. Ammon is such a perfect example of this principle.
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
I know the Lord has his hand in our lives and we can see it if we look hard enough!
Love Elder Keller
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Thailand Week 75, 18 Jan 2015
Hey Family,
Something we see a lot with less active members here is "I still love God, I haven't forgotten him." Yet they haven't been to church for months or even years. They often have a problem with an old member or they started work that took them away form the church. Many people had worldly needs that came first. Our job would be so much easier if loving God was enough to qualify for salvation.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Can we truly love God if we don't put him first in our lives? James 2: 17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
So often something gets in the way of our relationship with God. It's a problem that plagues everyone in one way or another. Being shy might keep us from opening our mouths. Being tired might make us quit an important job early, or walk past a precious opportunity. For me, fear has been one of the biggest obstacles. Fear is a part of my "natural man" that I haven't mastered. One of the many parts that still plague me, but I'm growing. Christ will heal us of all weaknesses. His love and mercy is sufficient to save, if and only if we apply it in our lives to follow him and overcome the natural man. This verse has helped me learn how to over come fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.
It's still hard, it's still scary. But when we love God and have a testimony that he loves us. What could possibly go wrong? It's not an all at once perfect cure, but I think it's an important ingredient. Before I doubt myself or try to excuse myself, I have to remember that God loves me with a perfect love. And if I love him, I must keep his commandments. That doesn't make it easy, but it makes it possible. Sometimes I think about all the precious truths we learn as a child. I am a child of God. I want to try and make this my anchor. That God loves me and I need not fear.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Joshua Keller
Something we see a lot with less active members here is "I still love God, I haven't forgotten him." Yet they haven't been to church for months or even years. They often have a problem with an old member or they started work that took them away form the church. Many people had worldly needs that came first. Our job would be so much easier if loving God was enough to qualify for salvation.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Can we truly love God if we don't put him first in our lives? James 2: 17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
So often something gets in the way of our relationship with God. It's a problem that plagues everyone in one way or another. Being shy might keep us from opening our mouths. Being tired might make us quit an important job early, or walk past a precious opportunity. For me, fear has been one of the biggest obstacles. Fear is a part of my "natural man" that I haven't mastered. One of the many parts that still plague me, but I'm growing. Christ will heal us of all weaknesses. His love and mercy is sufficient to save, if and only if we apply it in our lives to follow him and overcome the natural man. This verse has helped me learn how to over come fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.
It's still hard, it's still scary. But when we love God and have a testimony that he loves us. What could possibly go wrong? It's not an all at once perfect cure, but I think it's an important ingredient. Before I doubt myself or try to excuse myself, I have to remember that God loves me with a perfect love. And if I love him, I must keep his commandments. That doesn't make it easy, but it makes it possible. Sometimes I think about all the precious truths we learn as a child. I am a child of God. I want to try and make this my anchor. That God loves me and I need not fear.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Joshua Keller
Monday, January 12, 2015
Thailand Week 74, 11 Jan 2015
Hey Family!
This week we were able to focus on families and member missionary work in just about everything we did! And we saw the results from it! This last Sunday there were 86 people in church! That's a 22 person jump from last weeks 64! ( it was a holiday but still!)
All four of us missionaries got to speak in sacrament meeting and we hit hard on member missionary work and families. That's the new focus of our mission. Well the new angle to our focus of faith, baptism, and diligence, and all those good things. We're excited to see how many family members get brought next week too!
Dad, have you read "It's a Miracle" lately? It's a talk by Elder Anderson about missionary work and it's perfect! Hope you have an awesome week!
Love Elder Keller
Friday, January 9, 2015
Thailand Week 73, 4 Jan 2015
Hey Family,
So some kind of disappointing news, the lady and her daughters we've been working with didn't show up to church or pick up the phone. We'll go and track them down and figure out what happened. Right now our biggest goal is to instill a new culture in the saints here. We need to help them grow and prepare themselves for becoming a ward. We're trying to get them to start working with their friends and family more. We're helping them get involved so they can help the branch grow. There's a lot that we can do, but it doesn't compare to what 90 saints who are determined to help can accomplish. I definitely didn't understand the significance of the McManus' coming into the church. I now know what eternal significance that has.
Dad you're 48 now. Pretty soon I'll be 20. That means your 28 eight years older than me. Coincidence? I don't have an answer for that. Elder Evans has an altoid can that says "Altoids were created in 18 something, 168 years before man walked on the moon. Coincidence?" That's all it says, it gives no answer. It left me with a small gap in my soul...... I know for a fact it's not a coincidence that you're my dad. I know that this is part of Heavenly Father's great plan. Thank you so much for your example and how much you loved me these 2 decades.
That's exciting about the ward changes!! Mt. Baldy....definitely not the classiest name in the world but I see how it fits.
I hope you all had a great week!
Love Elder Keller
So some kind of disappointing news, the lady and her daughters we've been working with didn't show up to church or pick up the phone. We'll go and track them down and figure out what happened. Right now our biggest goal is to instill a new culture in the saints here. We need to help them grow and prepare themselves for becoming a ward. We're trying to get them to start working with their friends and family more. We're helping them get involved so they can help the branch grow. There's a lot that we can do, but it doesn't compare to what 90 saints who are determined to help can accomplish. I definitely didn't understand the significance of the McManus' coming into the church. I now know what eternal significance that has.
Dad you're 48 now. Pretty soon I'll be 20. That means your 28 eight years older than me. Coincidence? I don't have an answer for that. Elder Evans has an altoid can that says "Altoids were created in 18 something, 168 years before man walked on the moon. Coincidence?" That's all it says, it gives no answer. It left me with a small gap in my soul...... I know for a fact it's not a coincidence that you're my dad. I know that this is part of Heavenly Father's great plan. Thank you so much for your example and how much you loved me these 2 decades.
That's exciting about the ward changes!! Mt. Baldy....definitely not the classiest name in the world but I see how it fits.
I hope you all had a great week!
Love Elder Keller
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