Morgan—
So I spent most of this last week in New York for work. I skipped up to Connecticut for a day and saw Brett & Marcie. Really fun. Calvin is doing great, but kind of worries his parents sometimes with the living conditions and some of the risks they take when helping on construction projects for service time. They hope he stays safe. Made me grateful once again for the relative safety you (hopefully) have there in NZ.
Mom and I attended a Mormon Arts Foundation event Friday night and yesterday. Elder Uchtdorf spoke, as did Hank Smith! Margaret Young invited us. It was up in Aspen Grove, and it was a lot of fun to meet a number of Mormon artists. Some incredible musicians there! Spiritually, it was also nice to hear Elder Uchtdorf talk about making our lives a work of art. I think in my last letter to you I mentioned how our lives should be less a pre-determined script and more a canvass that the Lord and we with our agency paint for him. Elder Uchtdorf’s words reinforced that for me, this opportunity to live beautiful lives, and as you know, good art takes a lot of work, and sometimes a bit of suffering. The hard things help us create beauty in our lives, and you are doing both right now. Working hard for the benefit of the people around you and the benefit of Christ’s Church and the greater work he is doing.
The house is slowly coming together. Mike and Stacie have moved into the condo, so a bit of musical chairs going on. Ethan and Ana seem to like their new rooms. Tanya is also living with us, sort of. She frequently stays up at her new boyfriend’s place, which is kind of hard for us. Not sure what to do about that girl.
We sure love you. Keep up the great work. Keep a journal!
Dad
Morgan's reply:
That's way fun! I hope Calvin is safe, I know it can be dangerous in the Philiipines. Is he anywhere near the new temple?
That is way cool!!! I love what you said about the difficult things making beautiful paintings. It makes me think of all the conference talks about trials and our need to get through them. If we always rely on Christ we can make it through the inevitable trials and learn from them. Thank you for that!
Tanya has a new Boyfriend????? What's his name, whats he like? Man I'll pray for her. I hope she's doing better.
I do keep a journal and write in it every day! So the things I leave out I'll be able to reread and tell yous about when I'm back haha
Apparently uncle Justin ran into my companions Aunt at his work! He told her that her niece is training his niece hahaha
The mission is great! This week is super spiritual and I can't wait to write all about it in my weekly email! I'm glad things are going well in Utah, Ana reassured me that the dog is still alive which is good because I've been worried these past few weeks.
If you have any questions about the culture or the work please ask! I never know what to write about from the many experiences throughout the week so I wouldn't mind a little direction haha.
Love you lots! Have a good one
sister Keller
Also on Pday last week we went and saw a bunch of NZ plants. One was called a leafless lawyer and I thought it was hilarious. No one else laughed. Your sense of humor has cursed me. So I'm sending you a picture of it so hopefully someone will appreciate it!
troymkeller@yahoo.com
6:53 PM (1 hour ago)
to me
I’m not sure whether Calvin is near the temple. In fact, no idea where he is in the Philllipines. That country has always confused me with all its islands.
Just read your letter—great to hear about the investigators. Let us know who and what they are going through, and we will pray for them.
I don’t know Tanya’s boyfriend’s name, nor much about him. He lives I think near point of the mountain, so a little ways from here. He has come by a time or two, but we’ve told Tanya we’re not interested in getting close to another one of her guys that she’ll just move on from in a couple months. That made her a little grumpy 😊 I think mom knows a little more about him that I do.
Will think of some questions to ask you, but please tell us about the food! What kind of things do you eat on an average day and any new foods that you’ve fallen in love with??
