Season 13, Episode 2, The One With More Rain in Arizona

 Hey folks! 

   This past week was pretty awesome. On Tuesday I went to my last Zone Conference and I was able to see more good friends and past companions. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and the spirit was very strong. They also sang to me and other missionaries for our birthdays, so that was fun and I got a mini loaf of homemade bread. It rained more this week and it was awesome. When we were biking, we would purposefully ride through all of the puddles we could. Plus with the rain and clouds it was so much cooler than it usually is. One day it was 76°. Crazy, I know. One night it was a pretty heavy downpour so we went out and played in the puddles and got pretty soaked. We also had a mini dust storm one night and we had to bike home in it. That was crazy. I also got to pet SO many doggos this past week. I even held a miniature schnauzer!!! My heart was happy. This past week was another good one. Tender mercies man. They are awesome. 

   For our Book of Mormon read we should be through 3 Nephi 4 today. For my little spiritual thought, I want to write about how Christ is the Light of the world. In Helaman 14, Samuel the Lamanite gives signs of Christs coming to the Nephites. In Helaman 14:3 it says "this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness". When Jesus Christ came into this world, there was only light. In Helaman 14:20 it says "as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you". When Jesus Christ was crucified and taken out of this world, there was no light. These signs literally show how Christ is the light of the world. The hymn The Lord is My Light has become a favorite of mine. If I could quote the whole thing on my weekly, I would. But instead I will just invite all of you to go listen to it or read the lyrics. I know that the Lord is my light. "He is my joy and my song". I am so grateful for my Savior and the light that he brings in my life. I know that he can do the same for all of you. Love you all!!! 

                  Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 13, Episode 1, The One Where I Biked in a Monsoon

 Hey folks! 

   Ok this past week was honestly so crazy and awesome. Last Monday night Sister Anderson and I had to announce to a lot of our ward members that both of us were leaving. It was kinda heartbreaking because I came to love a lot of those members. So we pretty much took a selfie with everyone there. On both Monday and Tuesday night, we had 11 sisters sleeping in our apartment. The first night we had the departing sisters and the second night we had some of the brand new sisters. So let's just say that I did not get sleep for a few days. Then Wednesday was transfers and I got to see a lot of friends and past companions and give them all hugs. I also found out that the area I am in is a biking area! So I am using a loner bike. Listen, biking everywhere everyday in Arizona is a whole lot of fun. On Wednesday night we hosted a stake Young Women's activity where we taught them chair soccer. Let's just say that I was part of a pretty legendary shot. Also my church building has a bunch of scorpions so we get to see those on the daily. So on Friday in the morning we went and did quilting with one of our members for service and then we had to bike home before a Zone Council. On our way back we literally biked through a heavy downpour. (It was intense for Arizona) It was SO MUCH FUN. While I was getting literally drenched I couldn't stop smiling and wondering why I was so happy. At one point we just dragged our shoes through puddles. We even had to show up to Zone Council with soaking wet hair. It was legendary. Then on Saturday we got to do a district service project where we helped at a food bank. And on Sunday we went to a total of 5 church meetings and 3 of those where full 2 hours church services. Then at dinner I got to hold some chickens. So as you can see, I had a pretty awesome week. 

   Ok since that was an experience dump for y'all I just want to talk a little bit about being happy and grateful in every circumstance. This past week, there was actually a lot of hard things and good things. But in every experience, I was really happy. It made me think of a quote by Elder Uchtdorf from his talk Grateful in Any Circumstance (one of my favorite talks) . He says "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?". I was so grateful for biking in a dress in pouring rain, almost stepping on a scorpion, seeing good friends, being sleep deprived, meeting members that remember me, working hard, and feeling joy. I know that y'all can also be grateful and happy in any circumstance. Just choose to have fun and enjoy each moment. I love you all, have a fantastic week!!! 

              Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 12, Episode 6, The One With A Great Week and Big News

 Hey folks! 

   Ok so this past week, I got to go on an exchange with Sister Everett, one of the Sister AP's, in my area and we saw some miracles! I also got to go do some service at Feed My Starving Children and it was so much fun! Sister Anderson graduated training! We had TWO dust storms with dirt, rain, wind, lightning, and thunder! And yesterday at dinner, we got our very own Phoenix Suns shirt from the kindest member ever. So as you can tell from how many exclamation marks I have used, this week had some pretty great moments. Now for the big news. Last night I got called to be a second half trainer AGAIN. So that's pretty wild. Transfers are this Wednesday. Next transfer is my last. I was prepared to stay in this area that I am in now. Until, this morning. We got the news that I am leaving this area and going BACK to Mesa to serve in family wards that I had served in before. My mind is kinda blown. Definitely was not expecting it. So back to Mesa it is! 

   For the Book of Mormon study, today we should be through Alma 55. Since last week, we have begun the war chapters of the Book of Mormon. I actually really enjoy the war chapters. It's my action and adventure while I am a missionary. One thing that I have loved learning about is how the Nephites fight for the right reasons. They aren't fighting to shed blood or to take the Lamanites captive. They are fighting to protect their country, their families, and their religion. Those are the things we need to defend. They were fighting for the right reasons. They were trusting and relying on the Lord.  In Alma 49:28 it tells us how the Nephites reacted after a victory. It says "the people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies". Whenever we have a victory in our lives, if we conquered or accomplished something, we should always give thanks and praises to God. So just remember, fight for the right reasons, and do it with God. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior that deliver me on a daily basis and for the little victories that I have because of them. I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week! 

                  Love, Sister Yates :) 

Season 12, Episode 5, The One With Sparklers and Hot Dogs

 Hey folks! 

   This week was pretty interesting. And also pretty awesome. Mostly because of the 4th of July. I LOVE the 4th of July. I was able to eat dinner with a super fun couple that's in the bishopric. We had good ole American food and we even got to hold some sparklers!! That was the extent of my firework experience this year. It was a lot of fun. Earlier in the week I got to go on an exchange with my STL's so I was back in Tempe SA! It was a super fun day. We even had a bible study in a Lutheran church! Kinda crazy. I love meeting interesting/weird/cool people. Also earlier in the week, I got to roast a hot dog over a fire so that made my soul happy. I also dropped the hot dog in the ashes but I was able to save it and still eat it. I like to call it campfire seasoning. Gotta love it. 

   In the Book of Mormon study we should be through Alma 41. I have really liked these chapters for this past week. I really love reading about these amazing missionaries and their missions. I especially love Alma 26. Ammon is expressing his gratitude and love for the savior and what He has done for them and the people they taught. Ammon's brother, Aaron starts to think that he is boasting. I love Ammon's response to Aaron. He says in Alma 26, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." I love this verse because I am very weak. I am nothing. But with God, I can have strength. I can become something. And I am grateful for the miracles that I have seen in the Arizona Tempe Mission. I am so grateful that through the strength of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, I can do all things. I know that as each of you continue to praise God and do things in His strength, you will be blessed. I love you all! Have an amazing week! 

                   Love, Sister Yates :)