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!

Drawing ideas from the heart

This week was great! Getting to know Elder James is great! He works really hard, and loves the work, so it is as Tony the Tiger says, "It's Greeeeaaaaaattt!!" It rained soooo hard 2 days in a row, and gave me a little bit of PTSD from Harvey. Haha, but Elder James and I didn't care! We went out and biked, walked, and ran in the rain to our appointments!

We had a fun time this week working on our vision, goals, and plans for myself, our companionship, and the zone. And, I love it! I love being able to think about what I can do to better improve my own testimony, the work in the area, and for the other missionaries around me! Being able to reach deep down inside, then look and behold at what I have done.

Being able to look inside yourself and then take what you have done and then improve upon that takes a lot of humility and faith. I know that this is truly a skill only developed upon relying on the Lord. I have been getting closer to achieve this, yet I feel so far. 

This is a short email, but the message is still there. I promise in the name of Jesus Christ that as you humbly come before Him in prayer and ask for help in what you do, He will help you think of ideas of how to help the people in your surrounding areas. I know this with all my heart! I am so grateful for the gift of Christ and His gospel. I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 Pictures of Elder James and I 

A sweet drawing that I have been working on for a while.

Bro. McClendon from the ward. He served his mission with my papa!! #smallworld

Goodbyes and Hellos

I got transferred! I am now in Richmond in the Memorial Ward. Man, it really sucks leaving. But, I know that I am moving into bigger and better things! The Lord has a lot in store for each of us. It's my turn to now find out what that is for my life and missionary work!

This past week however was amazing! Elder Fisher, Gilleland, and I worked as hard as we could, knowing that one of us were leaving. Not knowing who, we each set individual goals to push ourselves to serve those in both the West University and the Macgregor Wards.

You could say that this was blind faith. Working as hard as we could not knowing what was going to happen. This type of work, helps me know that God is there. As I am walking forward in a dark room, with only enough light to lead me a couple of steps ahead of me, I am always increasing my faith in the Savior!

I have always had a hard time with goodbyes... They are awful. These goodbyes include leaving an area, leaving a companion, friends or family pass away, etc. But, there is always a brighter future! This is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ!

I testify in the name of Jesus Christ and know that through the Atonement, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING can be made better! I have personally experienced this in my life.

I love my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, my Brother, and my Advocate. He is to me, all of these and more! He has blessed my life in more ways than I ever though possible. 

I love this work, and know that it is true. I know because I have prayed, and then went out and did what my Heavenly Father has asked of me. I know because I have experienced the blessings that come from this Gospel. 

I love you all! As always!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 Downtown from on of our investigators' houses

 I saw my boy Elder Whetzel!!

A flippin' cardboard castle! This homeless man has got it good!

The first District pic in this area! #RichmondGang

Impressions....

This week was great! I can't believe it's already Monday again! It has blown my mind how quickly time has gone by these past 5 weeks. It just feels like yesterday that I was put into a trio.

Elder Gilleland, Fisher, and I all were trying to work really hard this past week. We haven't seen a ton of success in our finding. But, our efforts sure did pay off! Last night, marking the end of our week, we received a text from our Ward Mission Leader thanking us for all the hard work we have done. He then went on to say that we have earned the trust of the ward, and if we need anything, to not hesitate and ask. That, for me is a huge task to accomplish, and one that is payment for our hard work!

We have been experimenting with new foods and trying to up our cooking game. This is one of the most impossible things to do. I bet you could make a reality TV show out of it. But, in the process, we found about 5 fast food places around us that have meals under $5 and can fill you up! Hahaha

We have also been trying to get "RIPPED"! This is really hard to do! But, the effects are slowly setting in as the three of us work our hardest. Not just spiritually, but physically.

As I was studying last night, I had a very strong impression from the Spirit that I should write my email about impressions. Why that is, I have no idea. But, what the Spirit tells me to do, I do it. 

When I think of this Celestial Principle, I often question what an "impression" feels like. Well, what does it feel like to you? Go on... Think about it for a second.

Okay, back to impressions. :) For me, I feel the Spirit in many ways. The most common for Elder Yates is a burning excitement in my chest. But, this doesn't last for long... I think of it like an impression someone can make in the sand. When you walk along the beach and come across a patch of sand which has been soaking in the ocean water, you make an impression. But if you watch it, it will eventually be washed away by the constant force of the waves.

If I receive an impression, and I dont act on it fast, it will eventually dissapear from the constant force of the adversary and the "wordly" influences. Like a footprint, the spirit can be flooded by outer forces that we can't control. 

I have asked myself so many times if this is me, and if I am not acting fast enough. Other times, I question if it is an impression from the Spirit of not. Then I remember this...

Moroni 7:12

 "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God..."

Remembering this, helps me know that anything that comes into my head, if it be good, comes from God and I should act on that thought! 

I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that as you act on impressions from the Spirit as soon as you receive them, you will be more blessed than you already are. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that this is His church. That no other church has the authority to have the saving ordinances required for the Celestial Kingdom. I love you all and wish you a blessed week!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 The three of us with one of our favorite investigators, Sean!

A FLIPPIN' FERRARI next to a Mercedes-Benz.

A book I will need for when I become a parent. Haha

Me, Elder Gilleland, and Elder Fisher after helping someone move. And on top of the parking garage. :)

Bad Haircuts

This week was one for the books ladies and gents! We started off by going to see an old investigator named Clarence. The name might sounds familiar, and if you are thinking "that is the guy that is super creepy", then you are right! Teaching him is like going in a circle. We have explained to him the importance of the Priesthood, and every time we explain it to him, he tells us that he thinks he has already been baptized. Ugh, so frustrating... Good news though! I got the rest of his music that he has made! He sings along to Psalms, Proverbs, Revelations, and the Gospels. They are awesome.

Throughout the week, I had a hard time keeping on task. I would get distracted and couldn't focus on missionary work. In all reality, that is just me giving an excuse for not putting my whole heart, might, mind, and strength. But, good news!! We ended the week with a fireball finish though! 

During the middle of the week, we allowed a member in the West University Ward to give us a haircut. We normally would not do this, like at all. But, this guy is currently going through stage 4 cancer, and was begging for us to go so he wasn't sitting around all day by himself. And let me tell you what! I was about 65% satisfied with my haircut. He gave Elder Fisher a bomb haircut, mine was mediocre at best, and then gave Elder Gilleland a "chilly bowl cut" or "the Shrek" as I like to call it. You can definitely say that we will all be getting haircuts from me.

As I was thinking about what happened this week, I was drawn to our experimenting upon the charcoal face masks. Last week, we tried some that we had purchased from Walmart, those turned out as expected... Garbage. And this week, we tried a face mask from a different company. This had better results, but still didn't give us what we wanted.

When thinking about this, I was taken to the experience of Joseph Smith that I have recited and explained to people hundreds of times. In almost the same way, Joseph had gone through a similar experience. He had tried church after church not finding the one that gave him what he wanted. He then did what he was taught to do... Pray!

He knew that if and when he would pray, he would receive an answer. He had the faith that God would answer. At times, I do not. As a missionary, I should and do have this faith. But not all the time. I know that this Gospel gives me everything that I need. It gives every one of you who are reading this everything that you need. It may not feel like it, but I promise in the name of Jesus Christ that is does! 

Though face masks are an easy fix and can be resolved by not buying them. Our relationship with God is the most important thing that we can ever do in this life. Yet, this is one of the easiest things we can accomplish. It only takes humility, prayer, and patience. 

I love this Gospel. I know that it is true. Jospeh Smith had the faith, and because of him, I will receive salvation. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. And I invite all of you to go off by yourself and pray to our Father for truth. I promise in the name of Jesus Christ that you will receive an answer as you exercise humility, prayer, and patience. I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

The second round of charcoal face masks

Elder Fisher getting his haircut by our friend

A lizard egg that we found while doing some service at the Hermann Park Centennial Gardens

A flippin' Pontiac Firebird!!

The Temple along with a Homeless Ragemonster

This week went by so fast, it was ridiculous! I am already approaching my 14 month aniversary! Holy moly artichokey well, last Monday my whole District and I went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science! That place is super bomb and we didn't even get to see all of it... So, the senior missionaries in my District have a pass there and can get us in for free! So we are going to go again today. Hahaha

Throughout the week, there were many miracles that had shown themselves and many other experiences as well...

The greatest miracle this week was that of visiting the Temple after almost 10 months of not being able to go. I love the Temple! The blessings inside are so incredible and I just absolutely love the spirit that is even just on the Temple grounds. As we drove onto those holy grounds, the Spirit was so strong! And of course, as we proceeded into the actual Temple, the Spirit just got stronger!

The funniest, wankiest, and most uncomfortable experience of the week was this last Saturday night. We had ridden the MetroRail into Midtown and had just finished a lesson. We made sure to leave with enough time to get home ON TIME. That didn't happen. Instead a flippin huge rainstorm attacked us from out of the blue! The MetroRails wouldn't go to where we needed them, so we had to wait next to the Dynamo stadium for about an hour. While we were waiting, there was this homeless man who looked harmless and was asking for any spare change. We told him we didn't have any on us, which truthfully... We didn't. Anyways, we went to talk to him for a few minutes. I got a phone call from the Zone Leaders, while Elder Gilleland and Fisher got yelled at by this guy. He kept telling about how Jesus was black, Islam is the truth, the Quran is the word of God, etc., etc... I have never used the Christlike attribute ot patience more in my life than at this moment. We had to listen to this guy for about 45 minutes yell at the top of his lungs... Ugh, 3rd ward. Haha

Back to the spiritual stuff! ;)

I have come to love and appreciate Science as I have been out here on my mission. As I have without a doubt that we did NOT evolve from monkeys, God does indeed work in mysterious ways. Yet, He still works within the laws of science.

As we walked around, we were taken from the prehistoric dinosaurs to the new-age energy exhibits. Both of them fascinated me and made me want to learn more. Which is part of the reason why we are going back! Lol, but I love being able to know the "why" behind things and how they work. Knowing this "why" helps me understand the need for it. 

God has always been there for me, and has always been there for you! Now if I could pose a question to all y'all... WHY do YOU need Him there?

If we are going to strengthen our relationship with God, WHY do we even try? WHY do we continue going to church every Sunday, read our scriptures everyday, or prayer multiple times a day? WHY do you do these things?

I can tell you my why! I go to church every Sunday because I get to renew the covenants that I had made with my Heavenly Father. I read my scriptures everyday because I know that it is one way God speaks to us. And I pray multiple times a day because I know that when I pray, I feel so much better and receive so many answers because of it. 

Now, why do I (Elder Yates) need God? Because of almost an infinite number of reasons. But I can name a few...

-Without Him, we would have no clue where to go in life.

-Without Him, we wouldn't have any spiritual guidance to guide us in our decisions.

-Without Him, you or I would still be intelligences without form and wouldn't even have a body.

Brothers and Sisters, I know my why. I know why I am on a mission. I know in what ways I need my Heavenly Father. So, my invitation to y'all is to pray about why do you personally need Heavenly Father in your life. I can promise in our Savior's name that as you do this, you will have the Holy Spirit testify to your hearts and mind of your why.

I love all of you! As I always will!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 

 Elder Htay(Tay), Stites, Akin, Ferrero, me, Gilleland, and Fisher

 

 The beautiful Temple!

 

 Elder Fisher, me, Elder Gilleland

 Me and my awkward self in front of the Temple

 

One of the funniest bathroom signs ever!

 The West MacGregaverisity Elders coming at you with a black seaweed mask on!

 

A super awesome building in Downtown Houston!

 

A homeless community under one of the freeways here. This is a natural occurrence here. It's really sad that this has to be a thing.

 

 Another super small lizard! So cute!