Apostolic Humor

I guess that I will just start with my thoughts on the week. WOW!!! From last Monday, until now... Wow is the only way I can really express my thoughts. Throughout the week, I have been striving to live more in accordance with what was taught in General Conference, and my experiance doing so has been amazing! I wrote a list of all the action items that I personally recieved during that wonderful weekend of revelation, and let me telll you... It was a nice list! One to make anyone crumble because of fear of not being able to accomplish it. But, as 2 Nephi 9:40 says, "...but the righteous fear (it) not, for they love the truth and are not shaken."

I look forward with an eye of faith, and with my eye single to the glory of God. As I wrote about a month or two ago, I have been keeping a "prayer journal", and what has been being impressed upon my mind over and over lately has been that of, "follow what I say. Whether it be out of my mouth or the mouth of my servants, it mattereth not."

The highlight of my week, and the highlight of everyone's week that is serving in any of the Houston Missions (Houston Mission, Houston East Mission, Houston South Mission), happened on Friday. Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came and spoke to all of us! We traveled wayyyyy outside our mission to go to this Tri-Mission Seminar. We drove all the way to Humble, Texas. And for further knowledge, it is pronounced UMBLE with no H. Haha

Anyways, after I kept receiving that thought of paying strict attention to what The Lord says, and His servants, you can imagine how excited I was to listen to an Apostle! When we got there, Elder Holland wanted to shake the hands of everyone in attendance, so we lined up and got to shake his hand and look him in the eye. About halfway through Elder Holland's address, he told us that he didn't much care about our names or where we were from, I mean he did, but what he cared more about was making enough eye contact to "look into our souls". He told us that by doing that, he personally interviewed each one of us! That was so cool to hear!

Elder Robbins and Elder Teixeira were also in attendance, and all three of them mostly spoke about oour own personal conversion to the Gospel rather than the conversion of the people we are teaching. Elder Holland kept going back to how right now is the "Harvest Time"! Right now, is when the Lord needs ALL OF US! The comment that struck me the most was when Elder Holland said, "We have not given our lives(speaking of the Apostles, missionaries, and members of the church) to a fairytale. This is not a joke that we have been playing on the world and the members of the church for the past almost 200 years! This is the Lord's work!" 

I LOVE THAT SOOOO MUCH!!!! I know that this is the Lord's work! To top it all off, I just want to testify to all y'all that Elder Holland the the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve are probably some of the funniest people in this world! Elder Holland had some of the greatest and wittiest quotes! I didn't write any of them down because I was trying to focus on the Spiritual aspect of what they were all saying, but I promise you that they are freaking hilarious!

I love all of y'all so much!

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Whetzel and I went on Exchanges on Tuesday, and we went back to La Madeline's! I have been waiting almost 18 months to be his companion again for at least a day! You could say it was a really good day!

Elder Smedley's (My trainer) little brother, who is serving in the Houston Mission!!! 

It was so cool to meet him!!

While waiting for Elder Smedley, a ton of Sisters from our mission came and jumped into the photo and Elder Loveridge snapped this photo. Hahaha

A bee that hitch-hiked his way from the mission office to the Dairy Ashford Building today! :)

GENERAL CONFERENCE WOW!!!

Honestly, there aren't many words that I can say this week other than what was spoken to us during these past 2 days of General Conference. I know that what was spoken is from God!!

This week was freaking sweet!! We went on 2 exchanges! The first was with Elder Handy on Tuesday. We went out and worked SUPER hard! The best part was getting El Salvadoranian Papusas! Haha

Then on Friday, I went and had a full biking day with Elder Phan down in Vietnam. It was really good to be back on a bike. But I tell you what! My legs feel like jelly!

Here are some Conference quotes I want to re-share with y'all...

☆ "Sometime our challenges come from our own or others' agency." 

- Elder M. Joseph Brough

☆ "Exercising faith in Jesus Christ, is trusting and relying on Him!" 

- Elder David A. Bednar

☆ "Not using prayer and faith, puts a limit on your search for truth." 

- President Dallin H. Oaks

☆ "There is NO point of no return." 

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong

☆ "Repentance is powerful Spiritual medicine." 

- Elder Neil L. Anderson

As you read these, I invite you to now go back through them and read them again! And then again! And then as many times as needed to impact your life. I know that many of you have taken notes that have inspired you personally, but this is what inspired me, and I know it can inspire you! :) 

I love you all, per the usual!

-Elder J.T.Yates

I put my nametag in a giant jar of jelly beans. Haha

Some very interesting Vietnamese food...

A super sweet pic of the sunset!

Probably the best cheesecake I've had in a VERY long time!

The size comparison between me and Elder Handy. 

General Conference Prep!

Happy Monday everyone!! I realized this week that missionaries are probably the only people who look forward to Monday as much as we do. Haha, I LOVE MONDAYS!!! Why do I love Mondays you ask?

Here is a small list:

- I get to email my friends and family.

- I get to buy more food for the week.

- I get to play sports with my other missionary homies.

- I get to play board games with those same homies.

- I get to wear basketball shorts and a regular t-shirt for at least 4 hours. Trust me, after wearing a white shirt and slacks every other day of the week, you want to rip them off asap to put on comfortable clothes.

This week was SO GOOD! We had an awesome Tuesday and Thursday this week!

Tuesday: We had an exchange with the Vietnamese Bike Elders. Elder Baker came here to me, and Elder Loveridge went to Elder Phan. At around 10:30 in the morning, we were at an apartment complex that has been worked A LOT in the past by other missionaries. But, we were led there by the spirit, so that's where we needed to be! When we were walking, I remember verbally saying to Elder Baker... "Ya know, I don't actually know why we are walking this way, but I know that there is something that needs to happen." About 5 minutes later, we knocked on a door, and a young Father opened the door. He tells us that he has recently moved to this apartment 2 weeks ago from SIENNA PLANTATION! We connected very well from there! ;) We asked if we could come inside and talk about our message with him. He agreed, and soaked up everything we talked about! He then told us that he has been praying to find a church to join!

Thursday: Thursday was Zone Conference for us and the Houston South Zones. It was soooo good!!! President Guthrie is truly called of God, and is here to help me increase in my personal testimony. While we were there, I felt the Spirit so strongly! President Guthrie spoke to all of us about setting goals. In particular, was setting daily goals. This has helped me so much more. As I have written down my daily goals, I have seen the difference in my missionary work and feel much more accomplished. 

Now for the good stuff! General Conference is coming up in 6 days! Who is excited!? I AM!!! I am soooooo excited! I haven't been this excited to hear what the Prophet has to say than today! I know that President Russell M. Nelson is the Lord's Prophet on the Earth today.

The question for all of you is... What are you going to do to prepare yourself for Conference??

Some ideas I have for you are as follows. :)

- Listen to Mormon Tabernacle Choir for this whole week to invite the Spirit more into your life.

- Listen to the past General Conference talks in preparation for this weekend.

- Get good sleep the night before the sessions.

- Prepare beforehand your food/treats so you don't have to stress about it during Conference.

- Fast & Pray before for knowledge. 

I invite all of you to try at least ONE of these this week! This will help all of you increase in faith, knowledge, and all the other Christlike attributes!

-Elder J.T.Yates

My interpretation of the Statue of Liberty

Taran Morford. He is leaving on his mission this Wednesday

 to the Salt Lake City West Mission

Phillipino Spagetti, Vegetarian Lasagna, and some mediocre brisket

Me and my boy Elder Whetzel!

I'm holding Michael Jordan's first professional Baseball shoes

 when he started his baseball career!

Alma 5

Alrighty then!! This week was great! I haven't made enough time to email this week. But, I want to challenge all of you to read Alma 5 this week!

I read this chapter in the Book of Mormon this week, and I found that the Spirit can and will speak to you with what you need to hear. I apologize for not sending a longer/bigger email.

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Baker and I wearing some bomb glasses from a super target. 

Courtney the Corolla.

Elder Whetzel and I after MLC.

Elder Smith and I reunited!!

Patience young Padawan

Throughout the last 17.5 months that I have been away from home, I have learned one thing for sure. Patience is a virtue. This week was a great week! It flew by again, and I can't believe that I am writing another weekly email home!

As for things that I am struggling with (we all do, just admit it), is having patience. There are so many things that I miss and want to do from home. But, I know that they will be there when I get home! :)

Alma 26:27 says, "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

The things that I am learning patience with aren't necessarily "afflictions", but I know that as I am patient in the things the Lord has commanded me to do, as this promise says "I will give unto you success". All I desire is to be fully converted unto the Lord. These days we are living in are perilous and are becoming more difficult.

I promise that as you have patience in your "afflictions" that the Lord truly will give you success! I can promise this as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His name! 

I love that the Lord has given us so much instruction and guidance as to how we can survive in our day. I know way too many "lost sheep", and fear for them. But, just as this scripture says... Be patient! :) Look unto Christ with a perfect brightness of hope and with an eye single to His glory! By doing this, your light will shine unto those who are going through a difficult path in life.

I know that this Gospel is true. I know that this is the ONLY true and living church on the Earth. As Elder Peiper said to us a few weeks ago, "this is the only church on the Earth to have actually been started by the Savior Himself!" I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that if we truly do have patience in our trials and afflictions, the Lord will bless us! 

I love y'all so much! Please be patient and have hope! This is the Lord's work! 

-Elder J.T.Yates

The smallest snake I have ever caught in my life!

"Pug Life"

The jackpot of the "lisence plate game". Haha

Elder Loveridge and I in the attic of the Dairy Ashford Building. 

A painting of Angel Moroni by someone being taught in Victoria.

A Promise is a Promise, and I will keep it

Well folks! Here we are! Another week has flew by at about the same velocity as The Flash when he was battling Zoom. So, for those of you who don't quite understand, it's basically really fast. Haha

I can't believe that I now only have 5 transfers left in the mission. With hitting my 17 month mark this last week, it became more real to me as to how I need to make this count. I have had too many encounters with returned missionaries who are now not keeping those sacred promises that they made in the temple of our Lord. I will not be one of these. 

A "Covenant" is a two-way promise with God. In the Doctrine and Covenants 82:10, it says... "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." How amazing is this?

As we do what the Lord commands us, He promises us that He will fulfill that promise. He is literally bound, when we do as He asks. I know this is true. As a missionary, or more specifically, as a representative of Jesus Christ, I rely on this promise. So should we all.

As the scripture further goes on to say, when we don't do as He has asked us, we have NO promise. Absolute zero. How many times do we willingly disobey the simple things He has asked of us?

As we go through the temple, we make promises with the Lord to be obediant to His commandments, to sacrifice our time, efforts, and talents to Him, to live the Laws of the Gospel with a happy heart, be clean, chaste, and live a sexually clean life, and to then consecrate everything we have to Him who gave all. 

I know, and trust me, I know how hard it is to live the life the Savior asks of us. But, would you rather be temporarily happy here in this life, and then eternally miserable after we pass from this mortal body? Or, would you rather live a life that is centered on the Savior and these promises, and then live in His presence forever? I think this is a no-brainer!

I love this verse of scripture the Lord has revealed to us. By this promise, hangs all of my "hope for a better world", as Moroni speaks of in Ether chapter 12. 

With this, I promise to all of you reading this, that I will never break these promises! I need that promise given in the Doctrine & Covenants too much to give up. And, I am forever grateful for all of you who set a good example for me, and others around you!

I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

A super bright lightbulb with the brightness turned down to capture this. 

A healthy serving of protein after a good workout this morning.

A picture of Elder Baker at JCI Grill while on exchanges. 

My favorite 4 year old in the Memorial Ward, Beckham Rogers.

Philippians 4:13

This week was interesting. We had an awesome exchange, a strange p-day, a birthday party for one of my favorite members, and an awesome meeting with President Guthrie.

In the beginning of the week, I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Heider. He is currently serving in the Vietnamese Branch. He and I were talking about ways that we want to do better at our missionary work, and we both agreed to keep each other accountable by staying positive throughout the entire week. So far, we have both been doing pretty good!

Our p-day last week literally felt like it was in hyper-drive with Chewbacca driving the Millennium Falcon! After p-day ended, we had a seriously awesome lesson with one of the people we are teaching! He is having a really difficult time with some things. We promised him some very powerful blessings if he reads the Book of Mormon and prays everyday! Then on Tuesday, we texted him and he said "It's working! :D" MAN!!! I am so pumped!

Sister Sanders was the member who had the birthday. She is seriously so amazing! She has changed my life for the better, and is such a great example for charity! 

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". I love this verse of simple truth. So many times I myself have relied too much on my own strength. But, I know what this scripture says truly invites the Spirit, improves your testimony, and helps you do all things. 

As all of you go throughout this next week, I invite you to rely more on the Lord. When you come to a crossroads or a decision, say a little prayer. Ask the Lord for help. He wants to help us! I promise that you will recieve the help that you desire, and deserve!

I love you all so much!

-Elder J.T.Yates

The squad pulling up and doing some service

Call me Anh cả Thành. That is my Vietnamese name!

A super cool colored sunset!

Following up

Alright, so I said that I would tell all y'all how my experience with Elder Peiper was last Monday. So here we go...

So, Monday was our "Mission Tour". The last mission tour that the great THSM had was with Elder Zwick in February of 2017, just before I got here. But, I was more than happy to have Elder Peiper come! 

Before he got here, my first thoughts were of wishing that I could go out and work with him. I never thought it would come true. So just before he got here, President Guthrie sent a message out to all the Zone Leaders and asked if there was any companionships who we thought would be good for Elder or Sister Peiper, or President and Sister Guthrie to come out with them. We asked if President Guthrie could come with us, since he has been trying to come out with us for so long. President Guthrie then set a time to come out with us.

The day of, President Guthrie said that Elder Peiper would come out with us instead! So elder Loveridge and I were both a little nervous, and super excited that we would be getting a General Authority to come proselyting with us.

While he was with us, he taught us to not waste the Lord's time on those children who have a hardened heart. He truly followed and lived by the Spirit to help find those "elect".

During our conference on Monday, we were taught multiple things. The teaching that stood out to me the most, which I need to work on the most, is daily goals. Elder Loveridge and I have been applying this to the best of our abilities thus far. 

Elder Peiper spoke of how the 12 Apostles have the same calling that we have, to declare the Gospel to the world, and represent the Savior. As he spoke of this, he talked about how if we want to become the missionaries that Heavenly Father knows we can be, then we must not only "begin with the end in mind", but also have plans to reach the end. 

As we start our day, we read out of the White Handbook, to help us understand the standards we are expected to keep. We then review the progress of the people we are teaching. From there, we make plans and set goals to help them become a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

As we have set daily goals and plans for the people that we have been teaching, I have seen the Spirit flow into their lives. This is something that I have always desired. And now I know how.

After we have planned for our day, we set daily goals for ourselves personally, and as a companionship. These goals that we set go along with our plans for our day, they help us stretch, and most importantly, they give us the direction needed to achieve our highest potential for the day. 

I am not the best missionary, planner, or human being, but I am the best me.

I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

A better picture of Elder Peiper and I.

The re-united trio! 

A massive (and dead) Cicada. I hate these things.

On exchanges with Elder Leary, we met these 2 little awesome kids.

A General Authority and some Elders

Due to me not taking the time to actually write, I do not have the sufficient time to get my thoughts. 

But, to write my thoughts of this week...

We had the privilege of having Elder Paul B. Peiper of the Seventy come on a mission tour yesterday! He spoke to us about how we need to exercise our faith, what a Missionary is, and what we can do to better prepare ourselves for the last days. 

Next week I will write a big email explaining my experience! I apologize for not writing. I promise I do feel bad about it. But, I love you all!

-Elder J.T. Yates

Me, Elder Peiper, Elder Loveridge

In memory of mom! Haha, gotta love that Dr. Pepper and rye chips!

The strangest yard sale advertisement

I made a burger made out of ramen!

A Secada. These things are messed up. 

Choose Faith

This week was a doozy! On Monday of last week, as we were playing sports, I sprained my ankle pretty badly. Luckily, it is doing a lot better now! But, at the time, the mission nurse told me to baby it, and rest for a few days. This is a tall order for missionaries.

On Thursday, Elder Loveridge and I led our very first Zone Conference. President Guthrie asked me to conduct the meeting, and I gladly accepted, but on the inside was terrified. For your knowledge, conducting a Zone Conference would be like conducting church on Sundays. But at a smaller level. It went pretty good, right up until the end, then I butchered it. Oh well...

Throughout this week, I have been having a lot of thoughts running through my head. Most of them were not of missionary work, and so as you can imagine, I became very distracted this week. but, there was one quote that stuck out to me. This quote came from President Dallin H. Oaks. It says...

"I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unkown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

I say choose faith! I love this so much! When I read this, it made me reflect on what I was choosing. Faith? Or fear? At the time, I was choosing fear. Now, I can tell you with a clear conscience that I am choosing faith. I may still have fears, but I am choosing to live by faith.

I can tell you Brothers and Sisters, that living this Gospel is hard. But, that is how it is supposed to be. If it was supposed to be easy and fun, this would be EFY. This Gospel is supposed to stretch us. It is supposed to push our limits. This is the Church of Jesus Christ after all!

I love this Gospel, and I know the blessings that come from living it. I challenge each of you reading this, to right now, choose faith. Tell your loving Heavenly Father that you are choosing faith over fear. I know that as you do so, you will see a difference in your lives. You will see the powers of heaven rain down upon you! I love all y'all!

-Elder J.T.Yates

 We hit "801" on our odometer in the car. Both of us are from Utah, so it made us both happy. Haha

Elder Embody, one of the office missionaries. He is moving to Georgia with his family soon. 

I am going to miss him.

This is a super weird building that is in our area. It is some type of church, but is abandoned. And looks like it has been abandoned for a long time. Also, absolutely no one knows what it is...