Good Week!

Well hello...

First off, Kevin your mission companion Elder C (I think his first name is Dave) says hello. Yeah crazy, he is in my area. We ate dinner at his house and he said he served in Michigan. I as a side note said, "oh my uncle served there." I didn't think much of it because I assumed Kevin was older (not because you look it, but because your kiddos are teens, his are tots). Of course he asks who my uncle is and I said he would have been Elder Moss at that time. Brother C's  jaw dropped and he said "KEVIN MOSS?!?!?" I was like, "No way! You do not know my uncle!!!" Well he showed pictures and told stories and yes, he definitely knows Kev!!!! Not only that but his wife works for Deloitte. Small world! It was so fun hearing stories about Kevin. :) 

Some of you know about the Mildenhall connection already!! Crazy!

(Excerpt from an email sent by a family in the Arizona area to Brother Mildenhall who lives in our parent's ward)

"After our brief exchange this week and learning you live in the Atlanta area, we had the sister missionaries in our ward over for dinner. Imagine Sis. Yates surprise when I asked if she happened to know you! 

She is a delightful missionary and we are very grateful to have her in our ward. Would you mind letting her parents know how much we enjoyed having her in our home? 

The world is so small in the church."

Other exciting news, I saw Stephenie Meyer on Sunday. She's in the stake. She dyed her hair red (not my fav on her, but whatever, not my head). So yeah that was exciting.

I also got a much needed hair cut today. Got 2 inches off, nothing too exciting, but I feel better!

Now if only my face would stop breaking out!!!  Oh well could be worse. My weight is no longer a huge concern. I heard that the average weight gain in this mission is 30 pounds. So I'll watch myself but I'm doing way better than I could be and I don't seem to be adding on!!! 

February 5th I am having a procedure done. Not a crazy procedure, but not necessarily a fun one!  So prayers would be great. Also the pain is back and not good!!! Other than that I'm good health wise.

I might need braces though. I have a tooth on the bottom that has gone a little crazy. Mostly because the ortho who originally put the permanent retainer in did it dumb!!! I have a tooth that is no longer straight. I did get it "fixed" so it shouldn't move any more, and my retainer should be good for the rest of my mission. 

Everyone in the ward I'm in has at least like 4 kids. It is a huge ward!!! And most of the people are under the age of 12. Also 40% of the ward are in part member families, so lots of work for us! Which is good, other than the fact that they are all too busy to meet with us.  No one really tells you that most of what you do on a mission is get out of the car, knock on doors, and get back in the car. I sometimes wish we could do the good ol' tracting!!! Oh well.

We aren't working with anyone yet, but are getting there. As I said, people are busy here!!! 

Okay, I am great! I hope you are all great!!! I love you all so much! God really does love you!!!

"Do good, be good"- Sister Nichols

Love,

Sister Bresia Yates

Only one year left!

Hello Family and Friends!!!!

Well here I am! This week has been kind of lame because I've been sick again!!!!! Yes, I get sick a lot, but not this much in one season!!! This whole bad immune system thing stinks!!! Oh well, at least we are coming out of the sick season. When I went to the Dr last week she informed me that I will have allergy issues for the next 364 day of my life. So if you ever feel like adding to the Bresia allergy meds donation I wont deny you! Claritin is expensive!!

Yesterday was my "one year left" mark (as of right now). Crazy!!!! 

If you want to send me stuff you can totally send it straight to me my apartment # is 1013! I get it much faster when you do that. 

I love driving. Well, kind of. I am getting more comfortable doing it. I also LOVE the car I drive. Its a 2013 Toyota Corolla!!! It drives like Dad's car! Its super nice and new! Only 1,600ish miles! So nice! I will have a picture of it soon!! 

Sorry this email is so jumpy, but that's me for ya!  

I love hearing about how everyone is doing! I don't hear a whole lot about people, but I love what I do hear! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!!!!

Well I've lost weight. Not a whole lot, but I'm closer to where I was when I came out! And my Dr said that the amount I have gained really isn't bad considering what she has seen...

I have another Dr appointment today, this time with an OB/GYN.  We will decide what we will do for the rest of my mission to keep the problem under control. I really hope they just keep me on the Lupron though! It seems to work pretty well.

I'm not really sure what else so say. I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying life. I know I am.

I am in a beautiful part of the country, its January and everyday is above 70 degrees. There are cacti everywhere and the coolest trees! The rock gardens are growing on me, I still prefer grass, but the lawn of rocks is fun! The people here are wonderful. They are horrible drivers, but so kind, for the most part. 

A news channel out here did a special on the Gilbert temple. It was very well done and that temple is beautiful and huge!!!  I am excited to go to it! you should all look up pictures and videos of it! So nice! 

ABC Gilbert Temple Special (in 4 parts)

I hope you are all well and happy. I hope school is going well for all of you in school! I hope all of you who are waiting to hear from colleges find out soon and that it is good news! Keep me posted! 

To any that have exciting news or cool plans let me know about it! I know several are expecting babies soon or preparing to get married!!! You better send me pictures and announcements!!!!

Please keep me posted in your lives! Tell me about spring break plans or fun things you are doing! I love stories!!! And I love all of you!! 

This is the best time of life. No this is not easy. No its not always fun, but it is always rewarding. Knowing that I am helping people is the best feeling. Missions are great. to anyone thinking about going, DO IT!! Nothing will help you grow more, and not just spiritual growth! Yes that is a big one, but you grow as a person! You become more of an adult! Like now, I do the dishes. None of the other sisters I live with do, but I can't stand when there are dishes in the sink. There are several other things that have changed about me! I feel all weird and grown up now, but it is so cool!

I will get going . I love you all! Be safe and happy! Life is to short, live happy!!

Love, 

Sister Bresia Yates

Driving around town and feeling good!

Settling In

My new area is nice!!! So much warmer than the mountains and so many more people!

I don't really have a whole lot of time to write today. Time flies!!! So this will be short.

The area is good, just super confusing! My companion is amazing! So funny, quirky, and awesome.

My driving confidence is improving!!!

Elder Holland didn't make it so we heard from an area authority. Still awesome but not Holland.

For the next little while, just send everything to the mission office since that address is not working. I will get it late, but at least I will get it!

Things are going great here! I am doing very well! Missions are amazing!   

Its super weird coming from covering three wards and a branch to sharing one ward.

The people are super nice and all very wealthy! Its weird, but nice seeing BMW's again!!!

I'll take pictures of the apartment!

I have to go though. I have yet another Dr apt!

I love you all!

Sister Bresia

TRANSFERRED!!!

I finally moved!! I hate leaving my old area, but I'm excited for change...

It is crazy down here though! I love how its warmer, but not that I have to drive!!! I'm driving a new Toyota Carolla that only has 1,400 miles on it. Its nice, but I hate driving! I don't actually live in my area, and to get to my area, I have to drive on the freeway!!! :( and the road is always busy! I am also super lost. My new companion is awesome. Her name is Sister Hogenson. She is from Canada and has been out for 4ish months. We actually arrived in the mission the same day, but I've been out 2 months longer. We are both new to the area so neither of us know whats going on. Our area was just split so we share 1 ward with another set of sisters. We also live with them, which I'm not sure I like only because it is too many girls!!! The area is a little wealthier, which is fine. The people are just as nice. I am definitely not in a small town though! It is weird going from covering 3 wards and a branch to sharing a ward. Its nice being closer to the mission office though! I could get use to being down here!

I don't really know what else to tell you. Oh yeah, my address is:
4750 E. Union Hills Dr.   
Phoenix, AZ 85050
Send letters!!! I don't know how packages will work where I'm living, but if you want you can just send stuff to the mission office. Be aware that I get it later than usual, like it can be a week later!

I have another package in the mail. I don't know when it should be there, but open it carefully. There is a fragile plate in there that the family I use to live with gave me.

On the first, we had a tri-zone activity, which was super fun. I hurt my shoulder!  it hurt for several days to the point where I couldn't move it, but it feels a little better now! I also think I have a sinus infection so looks like a nice trip to the Dr for me... yay... nothing serious though.

How has the weather been at home? Has it been crazy cold like the north? Or has it been normal?

Elder Holland will be here on Saturday!!! I am so excited! I doubt I will shake his hand or anything, because there will be about 600 missionaries there, but I will still see and hear him!!!

I saw Elder Molinaro  yesterday!!! He is doing well!!! But we've decided we don't really like seeing each other since we cant hug or anything. Its great seeing him and talking to him though! He is awesome, as we all know!

I'm trying to think of exciting things that have happened, but I can't think of anything!

I guess  just wish me luck in my new area!!! And pray for my safety in driving!!!! This whole driving thing is really stressing me out!!! The fact that neither of us know the area is just the cherry on top. Well not really, the cherry is that we have 900 miles to use this month, we live out of our area and its a big area, that's the cherry. I'm gonna try to just deal with it, but well see what happens. I really hope I don't mess up the car! But then again I wouldn't be allowed to drive if I messed up the car. I really don't want to pay to fix any damage I cause... I HATE DRIVING!!!!

well, I think I'll get going. Next week's letter should be more exciting, but if not I'm sorry!!! Feel free to write me letters and let everyone know my address changed.

Remember to read your scriptures daily. Pray always. go to the temple as much as possible. And be happy!!!

Stay warm and safe! I love you all!

Sister Yates