In His hands

There have been so many times on my mission that I have felt like crap after to talking to someone who just rips into you with their beliefs and how mine are "wrong" or "not thought through". I just want to tell them that they don't know what they are talking about and start to Bible-bash. But, by doing that, the Holy Ghost is drawn from us and we are left without His guidance. Every time that I end up feeling like that, there are a lot of ways that I have used to fell better about myself and the work that I am doing, but the one that is most useful is asking myself this question... "Know ye not that are in the hands of God?" This quote comes from a verse in the Book of Mormon. Mormon 5:23. As I was trying to find some good "pump-up" scriptures, this one came across me as the best suited for me. 

Do you know that are in the hands of God? When you feel like quitting, do you remember how much He loves you and wants you to succeed? I can promise you that you will always be watched over and guided as you live His commandments.

My challenge for all of you this week is to think of how the Lord's hand is in your life, and then to write it down! Writing things down make it so much easier to remember them and apply them in our lives. As you write these down, share them with your friends, family, co-workers, etc. That way, y'all can get a little bit of missionary work in your day-to-day lives! ;)

- Elder J.T.Yates

 

 

A home-made blueberry pie from one of our investigators

 

 

My hair looking like Wolverine!

 

 

Elder Gillies and I rocking the solar shades

 

  Super hilarious sign outside of one of the members in the area.

All things are Possible through Him

As I have gone through this week, we have been working towards a very hefty goal... One that President Hall had shared with us a few months ago. While on his mission in Orsono, Chile President Hall and his whole mission during the month of December set a goal to bring the most souls unto Christ in a month than the mission had ever done before! They called it "Más Que Nunca", which translating into English means "More Than Ever". What better month than the month of December? Give a gift to the Lord in His Birthday month! 

So, as the great Texas Houston South Mission we as well have introduced "Más Que Nunca" into our mission! So, Elder Gillies and I have been very prayerful into these last few months as to this initiative. We at this moment are teaching 3 people who we are working towards a baptismal date in December. But, something that I have learned well so far on the mission is that nothing you do is from your own work. It's ALL the Lord's! 

I was reading in the Bible the other day, and came across a passage that I loved! It's Luke 18:27. "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.". This is the story when the rich young ruler come to Christ and asks what else he can to do enter into the Kingdom of God. When Christ tells him to sell everything that he owns and follow Him, the ruler turns away ashamed that he values his property too much. Afterwards, Christ turns to His Apostles and says that it's easier for a camel to enter in through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. He follows that statement with that quote that I shared earlier.

As I have gone throughout these past 3 months preparing souls to enter into the waters of baptism, I have learned that through God, ALL things are possible. Christ not only gives us a way to be forgiven, but he literally lights the path so we can know exactly where to go! Think of how easy He has made it for us to return to live with Him! All he asks is what we'd call "The Doctrine of Christ". It is, put simply, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Five steps, that's all he's given us!

The thing that we all have to remember is that we can all falter on one or more of these at times, and it is important to always be striving to improve! There is always room for becoming better! So, my final thoughts are this from the Face-to-Face last night. "Repentance is possible, and forgiveness is certain" -Elder Dallin H. Oaks. As we use our individual agency, we have a choice to make the decisions that will either require us repenting, or give us more blessings. But, we know that there is always forgiveness available through our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Eternal Christ. As we all will fall, forgiveness is certain, all things are possible, and the light of Jesus Christ will lead and guide us the whole way!

- Elder J.T.Yates

 

 

A super flippin' awesome sunrise after our exercise time on Tuesday morning.

 

 

 One of the greatest "double chins" I have ever done!

 

 Another super flippin' awesome sunrise! Haha, there is no shortage of those!

 Myself, and Elder Fox (the old Distrist Leader)

Apologies.......

I don't have any time this week, mostly because I didn't make any... Oops! 

But, just know that this week for me was definitely a nice challenge. We were trying to figure out ways that we could share the gospel with people that we haven't tried before. We came up with a couple, but not as much as we'd like. So, for all you returned missionaries out there, what are some cool ways that you know or used to find people to teach?? Reply and let me know!

Also, for all of you that saw my Face Book post on Friday, yes that really was me, and yes we really are getting Face Book! This will be one of those ways that we can find people, but it is just another tool. This isn't the end-all of missionary work! The Lord really is hastening His work! 

I love all of you! Keep growing in your testimonies!

- Elder J. T. Yates

 

 1) Super cool texture looking clouds!

2) The best district out there!

3) A map of my area.

How far is Heaven?

This week was pretty good! We were able to get a new car, have zone conference, and we went to FREAKING NASA!!! Man, one thing that I have learned from being out here on a mission is that the only easy part about it is getting in bed to go to sleep! Haha, waking up has been easier these past 2 days from the time change, we are fed pretty well by the members here so that's good, and we have been able to help with a lot of service lately!

As we had gone through the week, there was a poem that kept running through my head as we were working on our individual goals...

How far is heaven?

It's not very far.

When you live close to God,

It's right where you are.

How close am I living? How close are you living? There is always more we can be doing to bring Heaven closer to us as we strive to become His disciples! Discipleship requires discipline. Heaven requires commitment. As we are all striving to become the best representatives that we can be, we need to be focusing our efforts on our efforts towards both our own testimony as well as those around us. Heaven is not far at all as we live His gospel.

-Elder Yates

 Elder Whetzel and I

Astros World Series hat!!!

Dah boizzzz at Nasa!