Season 8, Episode 6, The One With New Talents

Hey Folks!! 

   This week was a lot of fun! We got our test results back and we all came back negative!! We got out of quarantine on Tuesday so thank goodness. This past week we all got the challenge to develop new talents. So this week I learned how to draw using charcoal, write short stories, and even how to dance better! It was honestly a lot of fun to learn from some really talented sisters. We also got polar pops one day (obviously) and we even decorated gingerbread houses. Yes I know that we did it about a month late but that's ok cuz it was fun. Oh and I got transfer news and I am staying in the same area with Sister Merkley AND we are getting another ward!! I'm excited and kinda nervous. I'll keep you all posted. 

   This past week I listened to an incredible talk given by Hyrum Smith called Staying in Condition. In it he said the phrase "What you do depends on how you feel about what you know." If you had to read that phrase a couple of times to understand it, don't feel bad. It definitely took me a minute to understand it. Or at least understand what it means to me. The past little while I have had a lot of moments where I have done a kind of self evaluation of myself. Looking at what I do know. Then looking at how I feel about it. Once I figured that out, I could make the decision about what I need to do next. I think that this past week I have really realized that there are so many ways that I can still improve my behavior and testimony. But instead of me realizing my flaws and then wanting to be better, it was more me seeing the strengths that I want to work for. I have a long way to go to be a more committed disciple of Jesus Christ. But then again, I am more than willing to walk that far. I might get hurt, tired, sore, or lost. But I can also become stronger, kinder, smarter, braver, and more like my savior. The path of discipleship is not easy. But it is completely worth it. My challenge to each of you is to think about the quote that I shared and then do a self evaluation for yourself. Then do something about it. I love you all so much. Have an outstanding week! 

                Love, Sister Yates :)

P.s. sorry about a lot of pics, I just took a bunch that I like  

Season 8, Episode 5, The One With the Best Breakfast Dinner

 Hey folks! 

   This week was pretty awesome. We were still in quarantine but we made it fun. We got to see some amazing sunsets, do some in house exchanges, take funny pictures, and I had one of the best dinners that I have had in a while. It was French  toast with fruit and caramel syrup and I was even more blessed because they also brought bacon. It was ridiculously amazing. Breakfast for dinner is the best kind of dinner. I'm going to attach a picture of what missionary work usually looks like right now, being inside all day. It has been amazing for me to be on a mission right now. I have been able to see so many different ways of missionary work. The beginning of my mission I was tracting and knocking on doors. Then we shut down and started to figure out missionary work on social media. Then things slowly would either get worse or open up. I have been completely locked down in my house multiple times and tested for COVID 3 times and in all different ways. I have been exposed a couple times and as far as I know I have not gotten it yet. I could honestly go on with a list of things that I have experienced. But even though there was all of this change, I learned to adapt and continue to do the work that I have been set apart to do. I am so grateful for the chance that I have to be here and learn so many amazing things. 

   The other day Sister Merkley, and I rewrote an incredible missionary scripture that I want to share with you guys. :) 

Alma 26:29 

"And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again."

Our modern day version: 

"And we have been stuck inside our houses and called them, and we have taught them over zoom; yea, and we have taught them over text; and we have also entered into their Facebook and their groups and taught them; and we have been blocked, and mocked, and ignored, and exposed to COVID; and we have been quarantined, and taken and bound with many masks, and cast into pandemic; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again."

Love you all!! Make it a great day!

                      Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 8, Episode 4, The One Where When Life Gives You Lemons

 Hey Folks! 

   This week has been pretty good! We are seeing some slow improvement in our day to day. Our quarantine has been extended just a bit so my companion and I are doing our best to be creative and effective. This past week we didn't do too many crazy things but I did have fun! My parents bought us Denny's for breakfast one day, we cleaned up our backyard a bit, Sis Merkley and I had a photoshoot, and Sis Bake and I attempted to paint a Bob Ross painting. So I had some fun times. 

   I was thinking about the saying when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and I have realized that for me it means when life hands me something sour, I need to make it sweet. When we have trials in our lives, are we going to let them be the thing that tears us down? Are the trials going to shake your testimony? Will you doubt, lose faith and hope? Or are you going to let the trials be something you learn from? Are the trials going to strengthen your testimony? Will you find greater assurance, and more faith and hope in Jesus Christ? You get to decide that. You have agency. You can choose if you want life to be sour or sweet. This week, even though I was sad and a little mad about more quarantine, I had fun. I enjoyed my time with incredible people around me. I was grateful for the little things that made me happy. But I had to make those decisions myself. I know that life is not easy. And trials are hard. But life is meant to be enjoyed. We are meant to have joy! So my dear friends, make the choice and find joy this week. And if you are going through any kind of trial. Find a way to make it lemonade. Life will be so much sweeter when you do. I love you all and I challenge you to make it a great week! 

                   Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 8, Episode 3, The One With New Years Eve and COVID

 Hey Folks!! 

   This week was crazy and awesome. A couple of things happened that definitely caught me by surprise. One of them being that the sisters I lived with got exposed to COVID, got COVID, and then I got sick and tested. My test results came back negative so I don't know. It hasn't been too bad for me. The exhaustion has been hard. So now I have also been in a lockdown and I am not sure when I am getting out. That's definitely the worst part. Not being able to be out and be with people. But even with all this going on I still had a really good week. New Years Eve was definitely a highlight. We took pictures, played games, and you guessed it, we had Martinelli's too. It was a super fun night and a great way to welcome in 2021. ALSO I got to see Jess from my old ward who was baptized in September! I started crying because I was so happy to see her. That was a huge tender mercy of this week. So like I said. Crazy and awesome week. 

   Ok because it's a new year I wanted to set some goals for myself. And this year I am determined to stick to them. Plus most of my goals have to do with me building my relationship with my savior. And I will be on my mission for 8 months in this year. So I think that I should do pretty good. But I would love to ask each of you for advice. I always need to be better at keeping with my goals and I would really appreciate some advice. I would also like to extend an invitation to all of you to make a small goal for yourself that will help you strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. I promise that by doing the small and simple things each day, you will be blessed. I love you all and I wish each of you a Happy New Year! Make it a great one and start it off with some gratitude and positivity! It's gonna be a great year y'all!! 

                  Love, Sister Yates :)