If Jesus can do it... SO CAN YOU!

Well, this week was awesome! Even though 80% of our appointments fell through and were cancelled, we were yelled at once a day, and we almost ran out of milk. There were so many tender mercies that were woven in our daily lives that it was incredible to see how much Christ loves us!

In my daily study of the New Testament this week, I discovered something that I thought was awesome! In Luke chapter 4, Christ was just baptized. So He being led by the spirit, went up into a mountain and fasted for 40 days. We all remember this story right? So what happened next? After 40 days of fasting, He being very weak is tempted by Satan. But, as He is tempted, he sends those ministering angels to His cousin John, who is now in prison.

Let's think about this... Jesus being VERY physically weak, gives up His angelic helpers to send them to someone else who was in more need than him. First awesome story! Boom!

Then, as He was tempted 3 times by the Devil:

First, Satan asks Christ to turn stone into bread so Christ can eat. What's so bad about that? Well, not only does Christ resist the temptation to end His hunger, he battles it with the scriptures! He quotes Deuteronomy and says "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Second, Satan takes Him to a high mountain and says that He (Satan) will give Christ ALL of the Earthly Kingdom if Christ will worship Satan. So, now Satan is offering Christ the whole world, and Christ wouldn't have to go through the Atonement and suffer. So, what does Jesus do? Battles him with the scriptures! He quotes and says, "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

Third, Satan takes Christ into Jerusalem and puts Him on a pinnacle and tells Him to cast Himself down into the streets. Now, if we think about this... If Christ would've done this He would've landed right in the middle of the busiest street in Jerusalem. Instant popularity! But, what does Christ do? You guessed it! He goes straight to the scriptures! " It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Isn't that amazing!! Jesus Christ being so physically weak that he had to have ministering angels come to him, still was able to resist temptation of being fed, taking the easy way out, and having instant popularity!

Could you do it? I couldn't.

So, what I am trying to say is that we have all of these small temptations in our life that may cause momentary pleasure, but do they bring Joy into our lives? NO!

My leaving thoughts are for y'all to go into the scriptures, and to find a story, verse, chapter, 3 sentences, whatever it may be. And to memorize it! Next time that temptation comes, you now have that much more of a resistance to be able to combat it!

Please don't ever forget that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us individually! He knows what we have been through! And, our Savior HAS been there! Through the scriptures, we are able to find pure joy and happiness that we cannot find anywhere else! Literally no where else! This Gospel is the true and living Gospel of Jesus Christ on the Earth today, this church is the only church to have the correct Priesthood authority, and this church is the only church to have a Prophet of God! I know that this church is true! And so should you! So, go and read those scriptures!

- Elder Yates

Elder Smith and I by a Disney sign

Judge not, that ye be not judged. - Matthew 7:1

Oh boy, this week was frustrating...

Almost every appointment fell through (members included), we had to drop our ONLY progressing investigator, and we haven't been able to find ANY new investigators this week.

I tell you what! If I have learned anything on the mission so far, it's that the Lord sure does know our weaknesses! For any of you that don't know me very well, I am not that patient of a person. So, when we couldn't get anyone to talk to us, come to church, etc. You can imagine that I was a little upset and didn't know why we weren't having any "success".

But, from what we have been focusing a lot on lately as a companionship has been not judging how successful we are compared to other companionships. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ teaches all about how we need not judge others, and instead ask of God. As I was studying this chapter lately, I realized that he says the EXACT SAME WORDS in 3 Nephi 14! He comes to the Americas after His resurrection, and gives the same Sermon again! So how important is it if the Savior Himself gave it twice? Pretty darn important!

How many of us judge others? The answer should be everyone! No one has gone through their lives without judging anyone! And that is the tricky part! Our goal should be to best represent the Savior, Jesus Christ, and emulate all of His qualities as we serve in His church!

So, even thought this week was a little disappointing, I have learned that as we judge not, and look inside ourselves to see how we can improve, God will bless us by "making weak things become strong unto us." - Ether 12:27. I just love the scriptures, and am sad that I didn't study them more before I left, so here is my challenge to all y'all! Read at least 1 chapter of the Book of Mormon EVERY DAY!

So, will y'all do that? And, this isn't an invitation coming from Elder Yates... This is an invitation coming from Christ Himself! He knows that when you do this, you will become so much closer to him that you ever thought possible! And, I can promise those blessings and more, because I have seen that happen in my life!

-Elder Yates

The Houston, Texas Temple with its pure beauty!

 An absolutely amazing sunset.

Elder Smith and I on our bikes. (With my super awkward face)

The newest edition to our food collection! Hebanaro salsa!!! 

Which means most to you?

Well, where do I start??

How about at the beginning? Sure? Alright, sounds good!

So, to start off... When we got to the Mission Office on Monday, I was freaking out! Haha, Elder Smedley was leaving, I was getting a greenie, and I didn't feel good enough. But, like my email last week said, I know that any and ALL callings that anyone receives in the church are called by God! So, what do we have to worry about? Absolutely nothing! So, after we go to the Mission Office, we walked around and took pictures with all of our favorite Elders in the area. Man, that was weird seeing everyone again! We were able to see all the fresh new missionaries climb out of the van and run through the huge line of missionaries. After they had all gotten situated, the trainers went inside and met up with them. I was assigned to train Elder Smith! He is from Lancaster California. Man, I was excited to see who I got to train!

Training is one of the most taxing things you can do as a missionary. Not as bad as DL, ZL, or AP. But, it really tests your faith. And it has tested mine. The greatest part about everything that has happened to me in the last 3 almost 4 months, is the relationship I have been able to build with my Savoir. We had an awesome District Council where I was asked a question in our Role-Plays. I was asked what my favorite term for Jesus Christ was. That kind of caught me off guard! But, I thought about it for a second, and decided on Advocate. I love this term because of the thoughts that I have behind the word. Christ is our Advocate to our Heavenly Father. He pleads for us when we do something bad, and celebrates with us when live and honor God's commandments. I love having Him as my representative. Because He lives, I will always have someone I can count on for help, guidance, strength, and support.

So, just like the heading says, which title of Jesus Christ has the most meaning to you? Which one gives you the drive to keep going? Which one helps you know that you are a son/daughter of God and will always have a place in His kingdom? I can't help but say that each and every one of you reading this knows what I am saying. So, that is your homework this week! Go into the Index and look up Jesus Christ. Find a title that you feel has affected you most, and tell me! I love to hear how people are doing with their testimony, and how I can help! I love each and every one of you!

- Elder Yates

1) From Left to Right: Elder Hanchett w/ Elder Whetzel, Elder Yates w/ Elder Smith, Elder Gillies w/ Elder Johnson, and Sister Hererra w/ Sister Bodily. (Everyone from my MTC District was called to be trainers)

4) Domingo after getting ordained to the office of a Priest and receiving the Aaronic Priesthood!!!

The Student Becomes the Teacher

This week was quite the experience! With Elder Smedley leaving, we had packed everything we could into our days. We were also very frustrated with how things went this week... Almost every person we spoke with this week was very receptive! But, ALL of them cancelled our appointments or texted us and said that they really had no intent on finding out more.

 

I realize now how the Lord humbles us. We have such a great week, give thanks for everything we have, and then the next week, we'll just get schwacked by not having any success. I have really learned the importance and how to have a successful "Mighty Prayer".

 

Mighty prayers are something that I actually feel like could help every one who is reading this to become that much closer with our Heavenly Father. I just want to start by saying how easy they really are! It may seem like we don't have time to do that in the morning or at night, but I PROMISE you that, when you find time to do this every day and every night, you will be so much more blessed! So, start and end your day with a mighty prayer! Kneel down and tell Heavenly Father everything you want to accomplish that day, or tell him everything that you were able to get done. Trust me, He listens. And He blesses!!

 

The past couple of days, I have had some of the most mighty and sincere prayers that I could ever conjure up. On Friday, President called and told me that he had felt inspired to call me to be a trainer! I accepted the call, and after I had hung up the phone, realized what had just happened. Elder Smedley is going to be a grandfather! Haha, but seriously... I am still very nervous about exactly what is going to happen.

 

I have become the Teacher! I know that this inspiration came from the Lord through a man called of God. I have faith that everything will be great in the end!!

 

So, the take-away for today, is to get down on your knees every night and offer up your desires to God! Trust me, he helps!

 

P.S. There might not be pictures this week... :(

 

- Elder J. T. Yates

The Good, The Bad, The Baptized

Well, this week was both good and bad.

Toward the beginning, we were trying to get Domingo as prepared for baptism as we could. We taught him 2 twice this week, and both times he expressed to us how cool it has felt to have his baptism coming up. 

On the 4th of July, we showed up to do service for a guy in the other ward, we all got a text 15 minutes we were all supposed to meet, he said he had done everything by himself, so we went to Shipley Do-nuts. After that, we went and played kickball with the ward-members. That night, we had a Root-Beer party at the church, and couldn't actually stay and watch fireworks because they started at 9:15, and our curfew is 9.

On Saturday, DOMINGO GOT BAPTIZED!!! He was telling us that he has never been more happy about anything in his entire life! Neither have I!! I was able to see someone come closer to Christ, let alone being baptized! The spirit was so strong that day!

Finally, on Sunday. Domingo Noriega Jr. was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was given the gift of the Holy Ghost! He said that when we all placed our hands on his head, he felt the spirit go from his throat down to his finger-tips. I have always wanted to know what that feels like! Sometimes, I wish I could be re-baptized... Hahaha

-Elder Yates

Domingo after his baptism.

 Our AC broke, so it was 78 degrees at 10:21 at night.

Elder Smedley and I on his last P-Day

Baptism!

Well, this week was pretty great! We were able to meet with Domingo 4 times before Sunday to prepare him for his baptismal interview. He is so ready to be baptized! 

We were able to find 2 people this week that we are going to start teaching. The first guy is named Lawrence. He is from India. He is so funny! He hates the Catholic church. He says it's just a Bureaucracy.

The other guy is named Cornell. He is from Nigeria! He is apparently royalty in Nigeria! So that was cool to find out! He and his wife were so amazed by our message that we shared with them.

-Elder Yates

1) My new haircut (that I don't like)

2) A flower after a rainstorm at a member's house.

3) Some baby birds outside someone's house when we tried to talk to them.

4) A super cool Texas sunset

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