The death of a loved one.....

To those of you who have served a mission, or are familiar with missionary lingo, when someone goes homefrom serving their mission, we refer to it as "dying". And, less than 24 hours ago, I said goodbye to my dear friend and companion, Elder James. He was a great  example to me of leadership, kindness, forgiveness, and how to be oneself. Even wile being in roles of leadership.

This last week was a little stressful and hectic. With having our quarterly temple trip, Elder James' departing and final interview with President Guthrie, to then having Elder James' departing temple trip, and finally with having to drop him off at the mission office yesterday afternoon... There wasn't as much work in this area as one would hope for. But, I tried to make it the best I could.

With the "death" of a missionary, brings new challenges. You have to then go from having a companion who is literally going home in less time than you have months in the mission field. To then having a companion who has been out less than you. It is a strange transition, but one that I am excited to experience.

My new companion is Elder Loveridge! He is from West Jordan, Utah. Him and I actually served around each other before when I was in League City. He has been on his mission since August of last year, and will actually be hitting his year mark in 11 days. He is incredibly talented when it comes to almost anything music oriented.

Oh how I love the Lord. He truly has helped me in all that I have done here in the mission. Our loving Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us! I know that He has been with me throughout my entire life! He has especially been watching over and protecting me as I have been serving Him, and His children in this part of His vineyard.

I love each of you! I don't want you to feel like I just say that to say it. I really mean it! I know that I am terrible at responding to emails... There are many of you who have written me in the past, and I am not able to respond... I hope and pray that y'all can forgive me. Again, I love all y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder James and I before he left

Elder Loveridge and I in the crib

When the Camden Boizzz get the club goin up with Cactus Cooler!

Can you spot the Texas Jack-Rabbit?

Wrestling with God

From the title of this week's email, you can only imagine what took place. This week was eventful to say the least. Probably one of the best weeks I have had in a while! Here are some of the things that happened.

• I had an eye appointment this week to see why my eyes have been hurting. They said that I need reading glasses... I have yet to buy any, mostly because I would have to sell my soul for how expensive they are. Oh wait... Redheads don't have souls. I'll have to think of something else to sell then. Maybe some pass along cards? A book of mormon? Hahaha

• We had our very first official interviews with our new Mission President, President Guthrie. I love that man! I truly do miss President Hall, but I love President Guthrie. I am really impressed with how well he is doing as a Mission President. He has never been in a calling in the church that allowed him to go to a ward council... ever! During the interview, I told him how much I love and cherish my family and friends. I talked about the highs and lows of the mission. And then we ended talking about the fun things I have done. Like, skydiving with my boi Brandon Young! That is still one of my favorite things I have ever done!

• We had a recent convert temple night this Friday! Danelle from Seabrook messages me and Elder Johnson, and asked if we could go with her. So, we did! Haha, I am so grateful for the Priesthood, for being worthy to hold it, and for the temple! I could feel the spirits there that were waiting for us to help in their eternal progression.

These past few weeks, I have been challenging myself to do something I have never really done before... As I have been striving to become more consecrated, I have noticed that my mighty prayers have dwindled. So, I made the resolution to shape up, and become the disciple I am meant to be.

I have been keeping a prayer journal next to me as I pray. Every time a thought (that is good) comes into my head, I write it down. By doing this, I am more able to actually see with my own eyes the revelation my loving Father in Heaven sends to me. 

In Enos 1:2, 4 it says

2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

4 ...and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him...

As I have done as Enos of old has shown us, I have felt the hand of God in my life more than ever! This is more of a testimony builder than anything! Prayer works! I know, because I have done it with a "humble heart and contrite spirit".

I challenge each of you for this next week to keep a prayer journal next to you as you pray. So will you do it? Of course you will! I know how awesome each of you are!! I am also very excited to hear all the responses from all of you about your experiences! 

I love all y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 Elder James' last District Council. So we had to take the stereotypical "funeral" or "death" photos! Haha

Elder James made himself a Post-it tab beard. I am going to miss this guy.

 Me, Elder Johnson, President Guthrie, and Danelle at the Temple! 

 Me, Jose (the member who came with us), and Elder Johnson.

 Photos of one of the most beautiful temples in the world!!

Our love for God

This week was yet another great week! There were it's ups and downs, but it all-in-all was great! 

Good things:

• I have been getting better at both basketball and volleyball!

• I was able to help people come closer to Christ!

• Elder James and I are still getting along great!

"Bad" things:

• I ate Burger King and about died... Haha, it wrecked my stomach.

• I wasn't able to learn anymore Vietnamese. But, I will get there! :)

Obviously the "bad" things weren't really there. There might have been more, but I didn't really dwell on them. And because of that, I was able to see all the tender mercies that the Lord was so gracious to give to me. 

In D&C 57:9 it says, "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." How great a commandment is that? It says ALL things doesn't it? This us honestly one of the most challenging things for me to do. Even while rolling around on the floor because I ate Burger King. ;)

This one scripture that was given to Joseph Smith, told to him not only to thank God in all things, but to love God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. I love how the Lord always re-states these commandments.

My challenge to all of you is... This week, for 7 days, thank our Heavenly Father for EVERYTHING! The good, and the bad. By doing this, I promise that you will feel more of God's love in your life! God never falls short on His promises, let's not fall short on ours.

I love all of you!

-Elder J T.Yates

The long awaited tag picture.

On exchanges, Elder Mangum and I got "Snoot Flutes"!! 

 One of our investigator's dogs.

In Christ alone

I had such a great week! We had a week where our schedule wasn't very different than most weeks. What made the difference was my mindset that I had. I have been working on becoming consecrated, and this is a hard process...

President Hall had given us a challenge for the month of July before he left. He challenged us to study the Atonement of Jesus Christ everyday, and gave us an outline to help our studies. Through this study, I have been able to feel my Savior's love.

In my studies this morning, I was reading out of Mosiah chapters 2 through 5. In these chapters, I lost count of how many times it said "only through the name of Jesus Christ are we saved", or something along those lines. This single principle answers so many doctrinal questions.

In Mosiah 3:12 it says, "...salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."

I love how repentance and faith are inseparable. As we have faith, it leads us to act. And when we act on our faith, we repent of the things we have done in our lives that don't align with the Savior's will.

Only through Christ are we saved and brought unto our Heavenly Father. This is my purpose as a missionary; to serve others, and help them come unto Christ. I know that as we increase our faith in Christ and repent daily of the small and simple things, we will see our days, weeks, and life become so much better than we could hope for.

I love y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 My favorite Vietnamese Elder, Elder Nguyen.

 President and Sister Guthrie!!! I love them so much!

Elder Nguyen feeding a homeless cat some squid.

This dude this morning bought 400 oranges! 

Return and Report

Many of you know, this was a sad week for the Texas Houston South Mission. Our beloved and cherished Mission President, President Aaron Hall went home. He finished his 3 years here in the great THSM. It was sad to see him go, but onward and upward!

I am ecstatic to be under President Guthrie's service. He has nothing but love and kindness in his heart for this work, the people here in Houston, and us as his missionaries. Though I have yet to personally meet him, I know that he is called of God! :)

I have been greatly bless to have been able to serve under the guidance and direction of President Hall! He taught me so many plain and precious truths. Of these, one of my favorites is the principle of "Return & Report". 

Every week in the mission, I have sent a weekly email to President Hall reporting of my actions throughout the week. This form of accountability has helped me continue to improve and progress towards my vision, goals, and plans. I will forever be grateful for the accountability I have learned on my mission.

We have been taught that under the direction of Heavenly Father, Christ formed and created all things. After each of these creative periods, Christ would return to Heavenly Father and report upon His actions. Each time, he would give a full accounting and would display His full obedience to the instructions given to Him.

Because of this eternal truth of accountability, I have found myself on the wrong side of the fence, where I avoid accounting for the things I have done. Not because I didn't do them, but because I feel as if I could've done better. Too many times do we feel inadequate and that we have fallen short. In the words of one of our Apostles, "Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are."

As I am completely honest in all of my actions, the power and Spirit of God is brought into my life more. That is what I desire most (see 3 Nephi 19:9). This simple yet profound principle is what can and will help us have a more Christ centered life.

As I was pondering what I should write on today, this principle stuck out most because of my own personal lack of accountability before my mission. Now, I have personally felt and partaken of the fruit (see 1 Nephi 8:10-16). And as it says, "...for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Brothers and Sisters, this is merely one of the "fruits". I promise in the name of our Savior, that as you strive to personally develop this attribute of accountability not only to those around you, but especially to our living Father in Heaven, that you will see an increased love for those around you, and you will have a better connection with those same people. 

I am eternally grateful for this gospel. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lived and died for me, and because of Him, all of my sins, worries, and pains will be washed away. I have come to personally love Him and what He has done for me.

I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 I got to see my boy, Elder Smith! He hit his one-year mark last month!

 The "Briefcase Boizzz"!!

 My best friend, Elder Whetzel and I!

We were blessed to receive a brand new 2018 Toyota Corolla with 12 miles on it. So, we took a pic next to our new "whip". Also, if any of you have ideas for a name for her, let me know!