Merry Christmas Y'all!

I don't want this to be a very long email, because I want all of you to be spending most of your time with your family or friends.

This week was a really good one! We had our annual THSM Christmas Conference. And, that was definitely one for the books! Oh how I love the Christmas season! Elder Bell and I got to participate in the chior, we were fed like kings, we got to hear from President Guthrie's Mission President and his wife, and to top it all off, we were able to be a part the nativity. I got to read the Christmas story found in Luke chapter 2.

I just want to share with you the love I have for my Savior! I love Him so much! He is everything to me! He has given everything to me, and He wants to give even more. There is nothing that we can give to Him that He doesn't already have. Accept one thing... Choosing to give Him our will. 

Will all of you please choose to as I have done give your heart, might, mind, and strength to the Lord? I promise that as you do, that the Lord will be there to bear you up. He will be there to give you guidance and strength. I know this to be true, because I have experienced it myself.

I love y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 I have even more posterity now! 

From Left to Right: Elder Nilsson(3rd Grandson-being trained by Elder Smith), Elder Smith(1st son), Elder Fleming(2nd son), Me, Elder Bell(3rd son), Elder Robinson(1st Grandson-trained by Elder Smith), Elder Borden(1st Great Grandson-being trained by Elder Robinson)....... not in the photo - Elder Halverson(2nd Grandson-trained by Elder Smith, and is now in the Philipines)

What Christmas Conference looked like. 

A really cool looking black and yellow lady-bug.

This Husky climbed on top of a Grill... 

You could say that the owners were less that excited about it.

Sing praises to His name

Well hey there friends and fam! I can't believe that Christmas is only 8 days away... This week was pretty good. There were definitely days that felt like they lasted about the entirety of my mission, but we got through them! The work in the Baybrook Ward is going well, we just had a baptism yesterday night for a 9 year old! He is super awesome! He is the son of a returning less-active member, and loves the gospel! More good things to come! 

During the week, I was thinking about why I am on a mission. My answer came to me, as it always does, "Because I love Jesus Christ." I truly do! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ!

With the Christmas season being upon us, and the day we remember our Savior's birth being a little over a week away, I want to talk about why I am grateful for Him. Being grateful has been one of my week points throughout my life. I have been able to develop that a lot more since being on the mission, and being so close to the Spirit all the time!

~ He gave me the option to return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again

~ I can be forgiven of all my sins

~ His grace is sufficient for everything that I do

These are a few of the things that I am grateful for that my Savior, Jesus Christ gave me! I know this is a very short email in comparison to others that I have sent, but I wanted to give you more time for my invitation! ;)

Will all of you reading this, write down a list of things that you are grateful for? In particular, things your are grateful that your Savior has given you? I can promise in the name of Jesus Christ that as you do this, your love for Him will increase far more than you would think.

I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Smith, Nilsson, and I biking around Baybrook.

A freaky little bug outside our apartment.

 Elder Nilsson crashed, so you know I had to get photos of it.

Elder Bell and I with our boi Kenny before his baptism!!

PCI

Well everyone! This week has been a week for sure! It has felt like 7 days to be exact! ;)

Okay, to start let's talk about some miracles that I saw this week!

~ I felt the Spirit lead and guide me as I helped people come closer to Jesus Christ.

~ I learned more about what the scriptures meant when they said that Jesus Christ descended below all things.

~ We finished preparing for our friend Kenny's baptism by filling out his baptismal program, and the miracle in that was that we got it done with no fuss.

~ Elder Yates successfully purchased healthy food this week, and the last. :)

Oh how I love this G

ospel! I really do! How much do you love it? Enough to share it with others? Well that's good, because that's what we all should be doing! Why? Because you love your Savior, Jesus Christ, that's why! :)

In our Stake down here, the Friendswood Texas Stake, our Stake Presidency has set a goal for the year of 2019. Here is the goal...

"Every member intentionally invites 1 person every week to do something that will bring them closer to Jesus Christ."

So, to help with that, they formed an acronym for it. PCI. What does that stand for you may ask? I will tell you! :)

P - Pray

C - Connect

I - Invite

As you begin each day, you pray specifically for an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone.

You then go throughout your day looking for that opportunity that will come your way. When that opportunity comes, you then connect with that person. In some way, build a relationship with them so that when you invite them, it's not going to be as "weird". But, many of you know, one of my life mottos is, "It's only weird, if you make it weird." :)

Finally, you invite them! This doesn't have to be an invitation to baptism, that's the missionaries' jobs. Invite them to come closer to the Savior. Invite them to a party, to listen to a Christmas program. Invite them to do something. And, this can be to a member of the church, or not. It can be an invitation to someone in your family, or someone outside your family. As long as you invite someone to do something that will bring them closer to Jesus Christ.

This has truly helped me as a missionary! I have been more conscious about how I can help my fellow Brothers and Sisters come unto Jesus Christ. I know that this will work for all of you as well! I know this because this isn't new! ;) This is found in Chapter 9 of Preach My Gospel, it is found in Conference talks, and it is found in the teachings of Jesus Christ during His Earthly ministry.

And now, I invite all of you to come closer to Jesus Christ by being more like Him! Will you Pray, Connect, and Invite this week? I know you will! I know that our loving Father in heaven will bless you immensely as you strive to become more like Jesus Christ. I will follow up next week, so I am excited to hear those missionary experiences! :)

Love all y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

For those of you that don't know what these are, this is a poisonous caterpillar. 

It's called an Asp. They will put you in the ER if you aren't careful, 

so you bet your bottom dollar that we were!

This is our boy, Arnold the cat. He has decided to make this chair and blanket his throne. We think that the Elders in the past fed him, so he loves us. 

We went to Taco Bell on Wednesday, and look who we saw! The old 2nd Counsellor in the Bishopric from Sienna Plantation 1st Ward! He was all they way down in Friendswood! It was so cool to see him!

Elder Bell all lit up from one of our members' laser lights. 

#LazyWayToPutUpLights ;)

The Prince of Peace

Welcome to December ladies and gents! Wherever you are, I hope that it feels more like December than it does here! Haha, the leaves are really falling now down here, and it is like 65 degrees outside. It feels like the early fall season. Kinda messed up, but one learns to live with it.

I also hope that everyone has had a great week! I know that I did! I learned a lot this week. I learned things that had to do with...

~ Being a missionary.

~ The Nephites and Lamanites, and what happens to them when they choose to be a bunch of bums.

~ The nature of Jesus Christ

This last bullet point, is the greatest knowledge that I could've ever gained this week! You wanna know why? Okay, I'll tell you!

As I was reading in the Book of Alma, Helaman, and 3 Nephi, I kept coming across this simple truth. The Lord gives help to those who obey Him. Throughout the later half of the Book of Alma, and through the Book of 3 Nephi, there are so many refrences to bloodshed and violence. But, we know that God does not delight in this. Along with God not delighting in this, neither does His obedient followers.

One of my favorite names for our Savior is "The Prince of Peace". I love this name because it shows the character of Christ. He, being the greatest of all, having all power, and knowing all things, uses that power to incite peace upon His children.

Throughout our lives, we experience violence, fear, anger, contention, distrust, and everything else that does not bring the Spirit of God. But, guess what!? There is hope! Jesus Christ is our Redeemer! He is our Advocate! He is the Good Shepherd! He knows us. He suffered for each and every one of us. There is never not hope!

A good friend of mine once told me, "Don’t ever give up. On yourself or the gospel. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’ve done, there’s always hope. With Him there is always hope." The Prince of Peace can and will bring peace to our lives, as we obey what He says.

No matter what trial we are going through, Jesus Christ can and will heal us! I can promise that as a representative of Jesus Christ. He never said it would be easy. He only said that it would be worth it.

I love you all! Thank you for all you do!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 A super schweeeet sunset over some super gross bayou water.

A "Y" stick. Gotta rep the Yates clan!

We put up Chrsitmas lights in this ladie's tree. 

Tbh, they looked terrible.

Call me Tron.

We got attacked by the Laurels in our Ward!

This massive storm drain tunnel that is taller than I am.

Lasting Testimonies

Well a good Howdy-do to all y'all out there! Just so you know, I have never heard anyone here in Texas say that, but that's what you get! :) This was a great week for the "Baybrook Biking Babes"! Haha, yes I said it, Biking Babes. With some of these bike rides that we do, we are facing headwinds that are at least 15 miles/hour, and my legs are feeling it! I fear lest I should burst a seam.

We had 4 Thanksgiving meals I tell you! 4!!! What a glorious holiday to be eating food! I love it so much. I think it is my favorite holiday as a missionary. I had 3 of the families that we ate dinner with send a photo home to our parents, so if you want to see those photos, ask them. Haha. The fourth, I forgot to ask, but 3/4 isn't bad at all! 

We ended our week with one of the best Sundays that I have been a part of in the mission. Which is saying something since I don't have very many left... But during sacrament, there was a talk given that really struck home for me, and helped me know an answer to another question that I had, "How can I have a continued and lasting testimony throughout my life?" Well, how would you answer it? I am guessing you would answer with the simple Primary answers... (Go to church. Say your prayers. Read the Scriptures.) Well, guess what? You aren't wrong at all!!

One of the speakers for our sacrament meeting told a story of how when he was a kid, his faith was wavering a little bit. So at about that time, his mom invited him to attend Stake Conference. (And where would we be without moms, am I right? Or am I right?) And at this Stake Conference, one of the Counselors in the Stake Presindency promised the audience that if they would do these simple 4 things throughout their life, they would NEVER lose their testimony. 

1. Pray day and night.

2. Study the scriptures daily.

3. Attend Church weekly.

4. Pay your tithing.

Now, I want you to re-read this list. Have you read it? Good! Now do it again! Do you see how simple this promise is? This reminds me a lot about the story of Moses and the Serpent of Brass. In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Chapter 21, we learn of this story. The background is that the children of Isreal are basically being beaten up by another group of people. So, they pray for relief and deliverance. The Lord then grants unto them what they prayed for, but as they are journeying through the desert, they start to murmur against the Lord, and Moses. So what happens? The Lord sends "fiery serpents" and those serpents bite and kill a lot of the chidren of Isreal. As they are experiencing this tourment, they recognize their sins of complaining, and come to Moses seeking forgiveness.

This is the part that I want to focus on... Moses then goes to the Lord and asks what is to be done. The Lord responds with, "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." So, Moses makes a Serpent of Brass and puts it on a pole. He then tells the children of Isreal, that if anyone looks upon the Serpent, they would live. And because of the simpleness and easiness of the way, they wouldn't do it. And a lot of them died.

Okay, okay, okay. I know that this is kinda dark for a missionary letter home, but like it says... The simpleness and easiness of the way causes us to look upon it as if it is impossible for us to have such a great blessing if we "only" do these simple things. But, I can promise in the name of Jesus Christ that if you follow this SIMPLE promise of praying daily, studying the scriptures daily, attending church weekly, and paying your tithing, your testimony will not die. It can not! As long as you have faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then ACT on that faith, it is impossible to lose our testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love you all, and thank you for reading through this whole email! I really hope that you also noticed the number 5 bullet point as well! If not, email me seperately and I will tell you! :)

-Elder J.T.Yates

 "Y" for Yates!!

The newest addition to my classic missionary photos! :)

One of the laziest and fattest cats I've ever seen...

Elder Bell got REKT with the mud. Haha

Eternally Minded

I cannot believe that it is already the 19th of November! It feels like it was just yesterday when I was saying, "Well I am glad that summer is over, and now I get to look forward to Halloween!" Guess what? Halloween has passed and gone! Just like my time here on the mission, it feels like we are going faster than ever before, and that kind of scares me. But, I have many different things that help me to stay focused and on task.

This past weekend we had Stake Conference. On Saturday, we went to the adult session. I am still trying to decide if it was good for me to go or not. We were blessed to hear from our Stake Presidency and Stake Patriarch. All of their talks were about marriage and families. I will be honest with all y'all... It made me a little "trunky" for going home and dating. But, it also helped me increase my vision. 

In the movie The Lion King, Rafiki tells Simba to, "Look beyond what you see." This simple phrase matches perfectly what I thought and felt on Saturday. As the Stake Patriarch was talking, he said that there are 3 types of marriages. 

1. Term

2. Whole Life

3. Eternal

I don't want to focus really at all on 1 & 2. But, just know that those were man-made. They have never, or will ever existed in God's kingdom. But, I want to focus on Eternal. Thinking with an "Eternal" perspective helps us to, "Look beyond what (we) see." This is what I will use throughout my life to stay close to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The mission is the greatest experience that anyone can ever have. No one should ever say, "Well, the mission just isn't for me..." Because the mission is for EVERYONE! We shouldn't look at these experiences that we have in life as something that is time bound. All these things that we do, help us to achieve our bigger or ETERNAL goals of living with God again, and becoming as He is. 

My perspective of the mission has changed from seeing it as a separate experience of 2 painfully long years, to now seeing it as what it really is. This is 2 of the greatest years, and only years to show God that I truly desire to live with him again. My mission is to help me develop righteous habits that keep me on the covenant path.

Brothers and Sisters, these are the last days. The Lord is asking a lot of us. We can not "settle" for small things. We need to "...press forward feasting on the words of Christ..." I know how hard life is, trust me. But please also trust me when I tell you that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, needs to do better. No one is exempt of this hard work. I love this Gospel! I know it's true! As we all strive to have that Eternal perspective, I know that we can and will work towards our goal of living with God again.

-Elder J.T.Yates

An oil plant that we drove past on exchanges during the sunset.

That same oil plant, that looks like it is on fire. 

The sun behind the smoke stacks made it look SUPER cool!

My 1 pound Joe's Burger.

 The Yates posterity all in one photo! From left to right: Elder Fleming (2nd son), Elder Bell (3rd son), Elder Yates (me), Elder Robinson (Grandson - Elder Smith trained him), Elder Smith (1st son).

Some biking babes in the rain!

Forge The Flame of Faith

Well hello there! Long time no talk! :) Again, I feel as if I have been teleported through another week. All those returned missionaries who told me that the last part of the mission flys by... Were... So... Right!! 

This week was good in terms of those "afflictions", they have subdued for the time being, and I don't worry about them as much. They are still there, but It isn't something that I concern myself with too much because I know WHO I am doing this for. Jesus Christ Himself that's who! :) 

We learn in the scriptures that when the Lord returns again, those who will stand before him will be those who have gone through the "Refiner's Fire". As we go through life, we are all faced with challenges. No one can escape them, but everyone can overcome them!

With going through our lives being purified and refined, we become that priceless work of art formed by the Master's hand. The one that we have so desired throughout our lives. I know that this is possible!

As of late, these "afflictions" have been mostly my legs not being able to keep the same pace throughout the week. Being in an all-bike area, your legs become stronger, but they also take a while to get there. Right now, I am in the stage of becoming stronger and slowly but surely I will get there!

I love these verses! I love being able to understand that all these wonderful afflictions will "but surely come to pass". As my dear friend Domingo Noriega once said to me. 

I can testify, that no matter what you are going through, you can get through it! YOU CAN DO IT!! The Lord loves you! I love you! There are spirits in the Spirit World cheering you on! Keep on it, and don't give up. Know that you can do all things! 

I know that as you continue to study the scriptures, pray fervently to our Loving Heavenly Father, and always make and keep covenants with God, you WILL be refined! You WILL be made better! You WILL be made whole! I love you all!!

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Bell and I were blessed to participate in the Baybrook Cupcake Wars! 

We were able to judge(eat) the cupcakes!

One of the biggest movie collections I have ever seen!

 Also, they are all alphabetized.

Some of the best Rib-eye & Baked potato that I have ever had in my life! 

My Testimony

"I have a Testimony,

that is sacred, and dear to me.

One that lies within my soul.

One that you cannot see."

-Alvin Schow

Brothers and Sisters! Today, I want to share my testimony with all y'all! 

First, let me start by saying how blessed this week was! At the beginning of the week, I somewhat looked at our week ahead and thought, "Oh boy... This is going to be a long week." But as it turns out, the week flew by and a lot got done!

As all of you should know, and if you dont I would reccommend to learn, but this week was Halloween! And that means that Missionary Work didn't actually get done. President Guthrie asked us to be inside by 7:30 that night, which was a little strange. But, we were productive! So, all is well.

One of the best parts of this week for me, was that we got to finish setting up those Halloween decorations for that one lady I was telling y'all about last week. And, it definitely doesn't look as good as it did last year from the pictures that we saw, but I was proud of our work!

On Friday, we were able to go to the Mission Office for the "Atonement Training" presented to us by President Guthrie. I am so super grateful for him, his leadership, his example, and his worthiness to hold the Spirit and the Priesthood.

Bretheren and Sisteren, my testimony is simple. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He leads this church, which is the only true and living church on the Earth today. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet in these the last days. I know that what I am doing is hard, but it is worth it!

I promise to all of you reading this... This is worth it! This is the Lord Jesus Christ's church restored on the Earth today! Why anyone would leave it, is such a silly notion. But, I promise and testify in the name of Jesus Christ that as you continue to have faith in Him, and then exercise that faith by repenting, making and keeping covenants, being lead and purified by the Holy Ghost, and continue throughout your life to live these basic truths, YOU WILL BE HAPPIER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN!!!

Brothers and Sisters, this is not a 200 year joke that we have been playing on the world. This is the Lord's Church, Gospel, and teachings. I love this work, and I know it to be true.

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Whetzel and I got to see each other again on Friday!

Elder Bell in the middle of a super nasty rain storm. Haha

A massive branch that got knocked down because of the storm.

Me in front of the super schweeet Halloween decorations we put up!

One of my new best friends, who is also a decoration. Haha

Decorating for the Holidays

Well folks! I'm back! It's your Houstonian Missionary, Elder Yates! What an adventure we had this week! I have most definitely seen the hand of the Lord in my life, and especially in the lives of those here in Texas.

When I first recieved the call to leave my last area, open a new one, and train a new missionary, I was a little nervous. But, I can now see the blessings that come from it.

My new companion is Elder Bell. He is 18 and is from Boise, Idaho. He has 3 older siblings, and is super funny! We have gotten along very well, and I expect us to get along great for the remainder of our time together! :)

This week, we tried to focus a lot on building the trust with the Ward members, and let me tell you... THEY ARE AWESOME! My favorite experience of the week thus far, was on Saturday. We helped a member fix up their house a little bit from Harvey damage. After that is when it got really good!

We first arrived, and got to know them a little bit, and it turns out that they were actually moving out of the Ward... But, as we got to know them, Sister Reynolds told us that her neighbor was somewhat interested in our church. 

These neighbors love Halloween, and I mean LOVE it! It's their favorite holiday! So the husband got called out of town for work, and they wouldn't have been able to set up their decorations themselves. So, we offered... AND I GOT TO SET UP HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS AGAIN!!! I have missed doing that so much.

While we were setting up, it made me think of my family, and how much I love and miss them. It put a newer more acute perspective on how important and eternal families are. There are a lot of members out here who have been like my extended family. I love the mission. I wouldn't have given these past 18 months for anything. It has truly helped me understand why I need my family in my life. Without them, I wouldn't have had such a good life or have felt so loved in times of need. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have such a great family and for my chance to serve a mission.

-Elder J.T.Yates

The make-shift fence that he made out of old rotting wood.

Elder Bell and I. :)

Super white Elder Yates putting up Halloween decorations

Brother McCutcheon from Seabrook reached out to me and 

took us out to Texas Roadhouse!! Haha

Transferred again!

Greetings friends and family! And a very friendly and warm Texas greeting if I do say so myself! 

This past week was one that was a little bitter sweet. It was a 50/50 chance that I would leave my area. And, I got the luck of the draw! I was called to move to the Baybrook Ward in the Friendswood Zone. I can definitely say that I have loved being in the Memorial area. The Ward is awesome! The people who are living there are so hilarious! 

We had some really great times this week! We went to Torchy's Tacos on Thursday with my last companion, Elder James. That was so weird! Seeing someone who I was just with, all of a sudden not be in missionary attire. But, It was so good to see him!

I have been 

As a missionary I have been striving to become the disciple of Jesus Christ that He sees me as. This is always the greatest task for me. Becoming involves in my mind 3 parts...

1. Choosing

2. Doing

3. Becoming

My invitation to you this week, and my challenge to all y'all is to look at this list, and write down. I repeat, WRITE DOWN what each of these mean to you! Why you may ask? Why am I not expounding on them now? Because, sometimes we must let the Spirit teach us these things rather than someone else. So, will all of you do it? I know you will, because you are all so awesome!

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder loveridge and I in our last companionship photo.

My favorite costume at the Trunk-or-Treat BY FAR!

 

Elder James and I. What a glorious reunion!

The "Vietnamorial District" at our favorite Rhode Islander's house!

 My favorite member in the Memorial Ward, Sister Sanders!