Food Drive, Funeral and Friends

Well, this week was definitelty an experience! We started off doing the usual P-day things; Shopping, cleaning the apartment, and then ending off at the Lexington building to play some ball. Even though I don't ever play. I just sit and socialize with the other Missionaries who don't like playing either.

 

We had Zone Conference this week! It was such a great Zone Conference!! We learned how to use the Holy Ghost more in our lives, and how to call upon His presence. I love learning these things! It makes everyday as a Missionary that much better!

 

On Thursday, we went to the local Food-Drive place. We only helped for a couple hours, but it was really fun being able to help people out that needed it, and being able to get to know them. Hopefully, one of them will think of how nice the Missionaries were, and call us and want to be taught and baptized!

 

On Saturday, we went to a funeral of a guy that was in our ward. Everyone just called him Ski. He was such a cool guy! We were able to go over and talk with him once before he passed, but he had so much faith! At the funeral, the old Bishop got up and spoke and talked about the Plan of Salvation. It was really cool hearing from the previous Bishop about his realtionship with Ski, and his understanding of the Plan.

 

Yesterday at church, we had an awesome day of learning and growth in our testimonies and faith. Domingo ws able to come again, so this was his 6th time being at church. The first time, he said it was too long. But, ever since then, he has loved every second of it. I love seeing the change in his countanance from the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Finally, I want to add my personal testimony of the Holy Ghost. Something I have learned is that He speaks to all of us in different ways. But, the feelings He shows are always the same. Love, Peace, Joy, Comfort. The thing that always helpe me is the scripture; John 14: 26. He shows me and reminds me of things I have already learned in the past so that I can help someone in the present.

 

Remember to keep praying, keep reading the Book of Mormon, and keep having a strong testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ.

 

-Elder Yates

1) Another BEAUTIFUL sunset!!

 

2) The terrible-duo of Elders Whetzel and Yates after Zone Conference.

Week 8 in Texas

This week was INSANE!! We had one of our investigators, Domingo, call us and ask if we could visit with him. We didn't know if we could drive all the way out there, but we both had the impression to visit with him.

When we got there, he expressed how he felt horrible about life. We found out that he wasn't reading the scriptures or praying. So, we had to explain to him that if he wants to feel peace, he needs to do those things. After our talk with him, he started crying and said that we are really the only family he has left. His family that he has just talks bad about him. 

He then asked us to visit the next day! We went to see what everything was about. And, HE ASKED TO BE BAPTIZED!!!!!! We are so freaking excited!!!

We are just waiting on his interview with the Mission President now...

P.S.

Sadly, no pictures this week.....

Elder Yates

1 Transfer Down!!

This week flew by, but felt slow during the day. We started transfer #2!!! I can't believe I have made it a full transfer out here already! Every time I tell someone that it is hot or getting hotter, their response is the usual "You haven't felt anything yet Elder!". After hearing this at least 15 times a day, it gets pretty annoying. Oh well... 

After having 1 transfer under my belt, it just makes me even more excited about staying out here on the mission!

I just absolutely love this work. It is already the hardest thing I have ever had to experience. But, from what I have seen it is the most blessings and spiritual help ever! 

Something I have learned recently was that this "battle" that we have been fighting, is the Lord's. Everything that we do in this life may seem hard or useless. But, the battle is already won! The Lord has already pre-destined us to win!! This puts everything in perspective for me! I don't have to worry about having doors slammed in my face, people yelling at me, completely ignoring me, etc. I know that The Lord will help us through these trials if we put in the effort and faith.

Ether 12:12 - We need to make sure to put forth our efforts and faith if we want to have miracles brought about in our lives. This scripture has also helped me out a lot when focusing on missionary work.

There are so many blessings that come from faith and action on faith. The challenge for y'all is going to be sharing a "B.O.M." or "Scripture Bomb" with people. It is super easy! All you have to do is read the Book of Mormon every day, and pick out a scripture that has meaning in your life. Once you find it, you now have it ready to share with whoever may come into your path during the day or week. Do this once a week! Just once! I promise the Lord will bless you for your efforts!

-Elder Yates

1) I forgot to show my photo with my friend "Jack" at the Alligator park.

2) When the city of Sienna plans perfectly for you to park your bikes.

 3) Another super pretty sunset!

Gators and Investigators

This week was awesome! We went to Brasso's Bend State Park (Alligator Park), invited like a million people to come to church, and sweat more than I thought humanly possible... 

 

I know that Heavenly Father has been helping out because, there is NO way I could survive this heat and humidity without his help!

 

Something that we taught an investigator this week, was about Peter and the boat. His name is Domingo, he had been progressing really well, and then out of no where just texted and dropped us! He said that he was perfectly fine with his Catholic faith... So, we went over and had a rescue lesson. The Lord just schwacked him with the spirit and told him to follow Jesus instead of going back to the "boat" of comfort with his Catholic faith. We know that the Lord was with us, because he agreed to come to church, and he actually showed up!

 

When we went to the Alligator park, we didn't see any for the first mile of our walk, then about halfway through it, there were like 4 ON THE PATHS!! It was so cool!! The members that took us had brought their dog, and I thought that it was going to be eaten like 3 times. 

 

One thing I miss about home is the cold... The heat here is just ALL the time. Even when it rains, it is just hot rain. This little Utah boy was not ready for the Houston weather, that's for sure!

Elder Yates