Season 11, Episode 1, The One Where it Begins

 Hey Folks! 

   Not a lot of super crazy things happened this past week. We are doing our best to teach and follow the spirit. There have been some ups and downs, but that comes with life. We put someone on date to be baptized but he might not want to be taught anymore. That is a roller coaster for missionaries let me tell ya. We also got to see a sunset this week. Wasn't a huge one but I love the sunsets down here. We also did get Dairy Queen blizzards this week, whoa- that's always a pick me up. The next upcoming weeks are going to be a lot more eventful so I will keep y'all posted. 

   Okay, the reason why I titled this email The One Where it Begins is because tomorrow is the start to my final Book of Mormon study as a missionary. And hopefully you will all join me. Just as a reminder, set a study plan in the Gospel Library app to read the Book of Mormon from April 27th to August 25th. I am so excited to read through the Book of Mormon again and share my thoughts with all of you. To quote Joseph Smith "the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." If you want to feel close to God, or if you want to feel God close to you, read the Book of Mormon. If you want to know how to find strength for your challenges, read the Book of Mormon. If you want to read about incredible people with inspiring stories, read the Book of Mormon. If you want to feel joy, peace, comfort, love, light, courage, wisdom, or hope, you guessed it, read the Book of Mormon. I promise you, as a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ, that as you read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart, you will find the blessings you are looking for. Get ready to Hear Him folks. I love you all! 

                     Love, Sister Yates :)

Season 10, Episode 6, The One With the Big Announcement

 Hey folks! 

   This week was pretty good! I got transfer news this morning and I am staying in Casa Grande with Sister Curry! We are really glad to stay together. This past week I was able to have some super good local Mexican food, see some more Arizona sunsets, and this morning I went on a hike on Picacho Peak. I always love hiking and seeing more of Gods creations. Up at a point where they called it The Saddle, I was tired and trying to control my breath. I then thought of the scripture Mosiah 4:27. It says  "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." Sometimes in life we are exhausted, hurting, tired, weak, or gasping for air because of the mountains we have to climb. Our moral strength fails us. But we know that through Christ all things are possible. When hiking, we don't have Christ pushing us up, pulling us along, or even carrying us on his shoulders. But we can find that strength in our savior for the other kinds of mountains in our lives. 

   Ok now for the big announcement. :) I am going to read the Book of Mormon all the way through one more time on my mission. And I want all of you to join me in studying the Book of Mormon. The first day will be April 27th. The end day will be August 25th. The day after I finish my mission. So what I want all of you to do is to make a study plan on the Gospel Library app to read the Book of Mormon from April 27 - August 25. Don't let chapters be split. Every week I will write about what I learned from what I read. And I would love to hear all of your thoughts from what you read. I am very excited to do this and I would hope that you will join me. I will remind you all next week about it so you don't forget :) I love you all so much and I hope y'all have an amazing week! 

                 Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 10, Episode 5, The One Where I Matched With Sister Goaslind

 Hey Folks!

   To be honest, nothing crazy really happened this week. Some moments that did happen was a pretty intense lesson with someone we are teaching, a super revelatory Book of Mormon class, and interviews with President and Sister Goaslind. Seeing the Goaslind's is always a highlight for me. Plus Sister Goaslind and I were matching! They are so awesome. 

   For my little thought this week I would just like to share something from Elder Uchtdorf's talk in this past General Conference. In his talk he said "Yes, the world is in turmoil. And yes, we have weaknesses. But we do not need to hang our heads in despair, because we can trust God, we can trust His Son, Jesus Christ, and we can accept the gift of the Spirit to guide us on this path toward a life filled with joy and divine happiness." I love how much Uchtdorf talks about how we can find joy in this life. Because we are supposed to find joy! Life is hard but boy oh boy life is so good! If you are going through some tough times I want you to remember a couple of things. 1) I love you and think that you are an incredible child of God. 2) You are a child of God that has Heavenly Parents that love and know you better than you love and know yourself! 3) There is always something to be grateful for. 4) Whatever you are going though, it will pass. Like Uchtdorf said we just have to trust our Savior and Heavenly Father. If we do, we will find joy. I know that to be true. I love you all and have an amazing week!! 

                     Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 10, Episode 4, The One With the Spirit Filled Weekend.

 Hey Folks! 

   Ok this week was pretty legendary. Mostly because of the INCREDIBLE General Conference that happened this weekend! I loved it so much and I definitely had my prayers answered. The prophet and apostles are called of God. I know that to be true. This weekend was full of the spirit and I absolutely loved it and needed it. Anyways, it was just so awesome. Last p-day we went bowling as a zone, today my housemates and I hiked CG mountain, I finally had a Dutch Bros drink, and yesterday was Easter Sunday. So many good things. 

   For my little thought today I want to share a scripture that impacted me a lot. It's D&C 38:7 and it says "But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;". Christ I always with us even though we cannot see him. Just like Elder Uchtdorf was talking about when he said "God is among us." I have felt Christ with me more when I look for him. Remember when Peter was walking on the water, and as soon as his eyes left his Savior, he started drowning. As soon as we take our focus away from Christ we let the fear set in instead of letting our simple faith allow us  to perform a miracle. Always remember to look to Christ. Because he is always there.

I love you all so much!! Have a great week! 

                    Love, Sister Yates :)