Season 4, Episode 4, The One With the Addiction Recovery Program

Hey Folks!! 

  This week has been really good and very long. One of my favorite parts of this week was that we had a storm with dust, rain, rainbows, thunder, and lightning. It was awesome. We even went outside and watched the lightning and got pretty wet because of the rain. Even though Arizona rain is practically a light drizzle. STILL. It was awesome. I also got to play some more gatorball and volleyball today. Did I put another hole in my pants and burn my knee? Yes. What is worth it? Probably not. 

  My companion and I have been asked to be a part of a Hope and Healing Council. Which is another fancy name for a group for the 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program. We are a part of a group of 13 missionaries that are going to go through the program ourselves to learn how to help others. I am so excited to be a part of this. We have already had 2 sessions and I love it so much. We are learning about the effects of addiction and what it means. We are also going through the 12 steps ourselves to gain a testimony of the change that can come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am very excited to be able to learn more about the Atonement and how I can use it in my life. 

  My challenge to each of you this week is to think of one small habit that you could change and allow Jesus Christ to help you through it. It will make it so much easier. I promise. 

  Love you all!!! 

                 Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 4, Episode 3, The One With the Social Distance Meetings

Hey Folks!

  I hope that your week has been good! My week has been very busy. We had a lot of meetings this week. We even had one in person with masks and social distancing of course. It was a bit weird but we were staying safe. Also last p-day we were able to go play volleyball as a district and it was so much fun. I did almost put a hole in my pants from diving and I think my arms got bruised but it was a blast. At one point it was just me and a bunch of elders playing. My comp was taking a break so I had to represent the sisters. 

  This past week I have received some really good trainings. Sister Goaslind (my mission Presidents wife) even gave a training about being a consecrated missionary and she used the Lord of the Rings as an example. It was awesome. We also had a really good training about prayer. The Assistants to the President gave the prayer training and I learned a lot. We talked about how if you ask a broad question, you are going to get a broad answer. We need to pray with humility, love, sincerity, and respect. We have a loving Heavenly Father that hears and answers our prayers. I love the quote "At the very moment we say, "Father in Heaven," He hears our prayers and is sensitive to us and our needs." by Juan A. Uceda. I know that Heavenly Father does hear your prayers and loves you so much. Prayer is our communication with God. It is powerful. And speaking from experience, daily prayer makes a huge difference in every part of my life. I challenge each of you to say a prayer every single morning and night this week. I can promise that blessings and answers will come as you do. 

ALSO!! My mission has an Instagram!! Another challenge for each of you, go follow @atmissionaries 

         Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 4, Episode 2, The One With the Egg

Hey folks! 

This week has been good! Let me tell ya, we are so busy I have been in need of a nap for the past week. But it is so awesome because we are so busy! We didn't have too crazy of a week but we did try to fry an egg on the ground. And as Mythbusters would say: BUSTED. Unfortunately and unexpectedly the ground here in 113° Arizona was not hot enough to fry an egg on the ground. But that's ok, we might try again with some new techniques. Also I am now the new Sister host for the Arizona Tempe Missions Sunday Service! I don't know if any of you watch it but they are good. You can go ahead and skip past my part and get to the good stuff though. 

This past week we talked a lot about the joy that comes from this gospel. I even read a really good talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson called The Joy of the Saints. In it he says "Joy comes from keeping Christ’s commandments, from overcoming sorrow and weakness through Him, and from serving as He served." Joy has been a theme this week for me and I have loved it. Even in the Book of Mormon, Lehi teaches that "men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25) We are here on this earth to have joy and love the life we have. Our time on this earth is precious and meant to be enjoyed. I have definitely found joy while serving. Sure times get hard but the joy I feel helping others come closer to Jesus Christ is worth every moment. I am very thankful to be serving in blazing hot Arizona.  I challenge each of you to read the talk I mentioned and find or create more joy in your every day life. Make every moment count. 

I love you all!!! 

      Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 4, Episode 1, The One With the Fourth of July

Hey Folks! 

  This week has been crazy. But transfers do that to ya. Everyone in my last apartment in Mesa were moving locations so the stress was high. I have missed those sisters a lot but I have been able to get to know my new companion and housemates and they are all super sweet and super hard workers. My new companion is Sister Anderson! She is an STL and a very good missionary. I know that I am going to learn a lot from her. These past couple of days I have been able to go on a very cool hike and play a very intense game of Gatorball with some other missionaries. That game was on the Fourth of July and that was a party right there. 

  Ok, this week has been very interesting. A bunch of things happened that I won't get into but, through it all I have been able to find a lot of things to be grateful for. Gratitude has been super helpful to me this past week. Finding joy in the small things can help us more than we know. I love the quote by Neil A Maxwell that says "you and I should count our blessings, but we should also make them count!". I love this quote because it reminds me to always be aware of the blessings I have and to sincerely be grateful for them. Some examples of small things that I am grateful for is 1) Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up 2) An otter pop right after being 112° weather 3) A ceiling covered in glow in the dark stars. 

  

My challenge to each of you: Everyday, write down 3 things that you are grateful for and then pray to Heavenly Father and thank him for each of those things. Gratitude prayers are powerful. 

I am grateful for each of you. Love y'all!! 

     Love, Sister Yates :)