Big News!

Last week I asked President Sweeney about extending my mission. He said "I'd love to have you extend." I don't know if I am quite ready to tell you when my new release date will be, but don't plan on coming to get me from the airport January 19th. I'm not sure how I want to break the news of my release date to you, but I will think about it. Honestly, I probably will just tell you because I am not a good secret keeper when it comes to myself!!!

My new address is: 

203 E Forest Dr. #7    

Payson, AZ the zip code is either 85541 or 85441 

I am having my dad find out for sure. I have seen it both ways and still received letters, but just in case Dad will find out! I love letters!!!!

President Sweeney also said I might be up here for the rest of my mission! Here is his exact wording "As Ammon said, so say I to you, 'perhaps until the day I die' is how long you should plan for being in Payson. Truly, longer terms are better than shorter!" I love him! I would love to stay here! It would mean that I would be here in the cold again. I will need warm clothes!!! I know I sent a lot of my warm stuff home, but I might need it again. Or I will need money to buy new warm things, or both. really I am more concerned about driving up here on the ice and snow!!! Yesterday was my first day driving in the rain, snow and ice are way different!!! I hope I don't die!!!!

I have been named one of the best budgeters in the mission. I have used my mission money very well! Sister Sweeney is pleased with me :) I hope I can always have that skill!!! I think I will. It feels good knowing that I have money in case of an emergency!!! One of my tricks is I pretend like I don't have any money :)

It is a super small town up here! Everyone knows everyone. Its not as small as my first area, but it is still small. I am still getting use to the slow pace!! Now it is weird not seeing BMWs and other nice cars everywhere. Again the main shopping center is a Wal-mart, its strange!!!  But we have some of the best mountain views ever!!! It is so beautiful up here!!! The weather is perfect! At night I almost need a jacket!!! I like it! I hate the cold, but I am liking the cool!!! The best temperatures are between 70 and 89, that is what I spend my day in!!!

That is my life in a nut shell! I saw my first baby scorpion, those ones are actually scary! I would hate to be stung by a baby!!! We also saw a tarantula crossing the road! It was huge! They aren't too scary, just gross. Rattle snakes and baby scorpions are the only scary things to come across. Oh and javelins. They are aggressive! Dogs are also scary! I am in the area where one of the sisters was attacked by dogs. So anytime we see big dogs we are cautious. Everyone here has pit-bulls or boxers. Two of my least favorites. I'll try not to get eaten! Thankfully Sister Isert has pepper spray!!!

I love you all!!! I hope you have an amazing week! I love you! I miss you!!! I will think about how I want to tell you about my release date, but really you should just tell me how you think it would be cool to tell you...

Read and pray! Go to the temple!

Sister Yates 

New Area!

I am back in the mountains!! It is much cooler up here!!! Its sad. Last might it was in the 80's and I was cold. Dang valley thinned my blood!!! Oh well!! It is beautiful up here!!! I love it! I am white-washing again!!! so that is fun. I love and hate white-washing! \

I don't know how the mail stuff works here yet, so just send any letters to the mission office!!

Colin happy birthday!!! I hope you have a great birthday!

It is weird how much things change in a year! Its also weird the think that this time last year I was still in the MTC... missions are weird! Good weird, but weird! The people you meet and the fun you have is unlike anything else. I love it! I don't ever want it to end!! Of course I miss home, but I love it here!

My last area really became like home because I was there for so long! I was there for over 7 months and the members there became like family! Even though the work was slow, I loved it! I'm excited to go back and visit after my mission!

I am in Payson. I am covering one ward. We live with other sisters, which really isn't my favorite, but oh well at least the place is nice-ish! I drive a Chevy Cruise, which i hate!!! the 2014 Cruise and Jetta are poop!!! The acceleration and braking are so dumb!!!! I hope and pray I don't get in to an accident!!! As I'm sure everyone does, but yeah don't get those cars unless you enjoy life or death thrills. The drive up here is so beautiful! A little scary for a pretty unexperienced driver, but we made it alive! They are just curvy roads on mountains, so they go up and down!!! Not my favorite, but it could be worse! It is very slow pace up here. The speed limit doesn't go above 35 mph up here which is not what I am use to at all!!! The valley is all fast pace!!! Payson looks kind of like home the valley acts kind of like home! Arizona drivers are terrible though!!! Like Utah drivers, if not worse, because they all have nice cars (in the valley at least). I am in a little bit of culture shock!!! Small town is weird again! I was use to it when I was up here before, but I forgot how slow it really is!! I like it though! We heard that they have some awesome hikes in the area! So that is exciting!!!!

My new comp is Sister Isert (like insert but without the n, kind of) she is sweet! I like her!

That is pretty much it for me! Lots of new things happening in life, I am excited to be up here again! I'm excited to go to the temple again soon!

What is new at home? I would love to see more pictures of everyone! Just through email if that is easier. I hear a lot about Riley, which I love, but I have a big family and a few friends... So how is life?

Are you going to the temple? Are you helping your missionaries? Are you doing family history work? If yes, good. If not get started! You all have a family history consultant!!!

I hope you all have a great week! I love you and pray for you all!!! Be safe!

Love

Sister Yates

Three Sisters!

Sister Baham is back for a few weeks. That is exciting!!!

I gave a talk in church on Sunday and sang with the youth.

 

I love Sister Alexander. She is from all over, but most recently Virginia. She is an army brat. She has been out 6 weeks longer than I have. She also sings some, so the three of us will sing all the time!!!!! Yay!!!

 

I cant believe June is over!!! It flew by!

 

We saw a bug that was a big as my hand. It was gross!!! And scary!!!

 

We are seeing miracles all the time. We met this guy who has been less active for years, and we talked to him about his concerns. We will hopefully begin working with him.

 

We were trying to contact potential investigators and tried this door. The first time it wasn't a good time. The second time no one was home. The third time the lady that lives there told us to come in the apartment. She told us that she had a religion, but that she loved what we did and she could tell that we had good spirits! She said she could see the light of CHRIST in us! It was so cool. She was the sweetest lady and said we could come back!!!

 

Then there is this other guy who we offered to help. He rejected the help but said that he wanted to know more about what we do as missionaries. He is also a film producer! So that was pretty cool!!!

 

There are great things happening here. No we aren't actively teaching but we are trying!!! Maybe soon!!!!

 

What is the fourth of July plan? Send me pictures and tell me stories about your fun!!!! I always loved the fourth! It will be very different as a missionary, but still so fun!!! I am excited!!!

 

I hope you all have great weeks!!! I love you all so much! Be safe and keep us in your prayers!!!

 

Read the Ensign talk in the June issue titled "That we may rejoice together". Missionaries need you to do the finding. Its your job, not ours. So do it!

 

Read your scriptures and pray often! Go to the temple too!!!! It is the best place you can be!

 

 I love you all,

 

Sister Yates!

Good to See you!

I'm not texting and driving. I am a good driver. 

The one where I am wearing the brown sweater I was just having a fun night with the other sisters. The one where I am laying on the floor next to my bed, our beds are very low to the ground and I was trying to plug in something. So hard!! I couldn't fit!!! The one at the temple is Sis Hogenson and I with a member at the Gilbert temple open house. The eyes closed one, it was too bright and I was being a butt!!! Then the rattle snake we ate... that is its spine. 

I am doing great! It was so nice seeing everyone I saw on Sunday! You all look great!!! That makes me happy. 

I got Grandma's and Poppy"s letters! They are the best! Poppy is so funny!

Things are going so well here! Its weird though, for the next few days we have other sisters living with us. I don't like living with other people!!!! Its not as good for a companionship!!! Some people love it... Sis Baham and I don't!!! Oh well, its temporary!

I'm trying to think if there is anything else to say...

so you should all watch these videos!!

http://easter.mormon.org/

http://motherhood.mormon.org/

They are amazing videos!!!!

Transfer meeting was fun to go to yesterday! I got to see all of my other companions! They are all doing well!!!! It is weird because my trainer goes home in like two transfers!!!! Time really does fly!

Well it is time for me to get running! I love all of you!!!

Love,

Sister Bresia Yates

Half Way Gone.

Now to add pink eye to the list, my body is falling apart. At least its warm and beautiful here.  

****TRANSFERS ARE APRIL 1!!!!  Send letters with that in mind! I don't have a clue if I'll be staying or going, but we will find out Saturday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!!  I hope you have a great birthday!

How is everyone's temple attendance? What about your family history work? Are you reading the scriptures and praying? Are you reading Preach my Gospel? If not, start now!!!

This week has been good. It flew by. Really my whole mission is flying by. I'm coming up on 9 months out, 9 months left!!! Scary!!! This has been the best time though. It is so hard. You really do have nights where you just get home plan and fall asleep.  You really do spend all day knocking on doors (note: I don't even do tracting) to find no one home or that the person is really not interested. You really do get yelled at and made fun of. Its hard. Its hot. But it is so worth it. I am so glad I am here. I am learning things that will help me so much in life. Things that can only be learned through experience. Things that I would learn as I get married, have kids, and work, but am learning here and now. This is like a crazy role play of how to handle different situations of life. I am practicing now so it will be easier in the real world. It is so weird. Really missionaries bless and help in every phase of life. Seriously, everyone who can... GO ON A MISSION!!! Cousins and other youth of the church, you need this. Your current family and future family need it. The people in the places you serve need it. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ need you to serve!!!! Just do it. It is hard, but it is worth it. Trust me!

Well, I hope you all have a great week! Remember that I love you and am so proud of all of you!!

Love,

Sister Bresia Yates

Week of Firsts

I had lots of firsts this week. The main one being that I ate rattle snake and prickly pear. Rattle snake is good! Prickly pear not so much!!! As soon as I get my two memory cards back I can send home the video of me eating the rattle snake! and stuff. We were at a members house for dinner and the kids asked what the weirdest thing we have eaten was. I answered, "Well on the mission it is moose, but ever is hermit crab." The kids were grossed out and the mom about died. I them told them that I like eating weird stuff just so I can say I have and they were all impressed. Then the mom says she wants to give us some weird food and offers rattle snake. I was so in, my companion not so much. We just happened to be eating with this family the next week so they got it. It was really good!

I also drove in the rain! That wasn't too bad; it thankfully wasn't raining too much when I was out. The problem what that AZ roads are NOT designed with rain in mind, so they flood super bad!!! I'm just glad I paid attention to other people when they would drive me around so I knew what to do! It still wasn't fun. Driving is fun, but driving on flooded roads, especially in a small car, not so fun!!!

I sang at a mission fireside on Sunday. It was the same song that I just sent home, but performed infront of at least 100 more people than the first time! Stephanie Meyer was the speaker, its kind of weird seeing her all the time!!!

Last of all, we had the Gilbert temple dedication! It was great!!! They said that the Phoenix temple should be done this year!!! Two temples while I'm out!!! That would be cool!!! We will see though, I really hope it is that way. Temple dedications are cool!!!

Well, I am out of time! I love you all!!! Be safe and happy! Life is too short to be unhappy! Remember that you are loved. I am so proud of all of my family members who are entering into new exciting times of life!!!

Have a great week!!!

Love,

Sister Bresia Yates

Still in Show Low! Send letters since the address is the same ;)

Well, no moving for me. I do have a new companion though. Her name is Sister McCashland. I will let you know more about her as I learn it.

We had our first snow! I took pictures and will send them off when I fill the card! I have a package getting ready to send home for Christmas. I am sending it home. Make sure you send me my package by the 10th. And send everything directly to my living address!!!

I got my shot!!! I'm in a lot of pain still. Some of the glue holding my permanent retainer on came off. It shouldn't be a problem, but I'll let you know. I also haven't been sleeping well. I take two 1 mg melatonin and still don't sleep. 

*** Christmas/birthday list!!! PLEASE SEND ME LOTS OF CLARITIN!!!(allergy medicine) Decongestants would be great!! I can buy them myself, but they are super expensive!!! CDs would be great: EFY, Enya, Jenny's Indian music, anything soothing, like Swimming with Dolphins and the Wedding Collection CD that should be in my CD player at home. 

Really the best gift any of you and all of you can give is to get the temple work done for the family!!! There are a lot of missing ordinances on all sides of my family, Dad's is the most complete, but even Henry and Viola Yates aren't sealed or something!!! GET TO WORK FAMILY!!!  use family search, the church's site, to help! Yes, I can do some, but not all of it. Especially the stuff that has been reserved! Please help our family. Everyone needs to write their own story down. Write down the important events from life. Write your testimony. We need to do our part, by doing work in temples for the dead we become saviors on Mount Zion. Those aren't my words, those are words of the prophets. Look it up in True to the Faith!!! 

Okay, Cibecue story. One day last week we heard a story about how a man was burned alive. They don't know if he did it himself or if he was murdered, but still, and that isn't uncommon. Don't worry, it is safe while I am there! Another weird thing that Natives totally believe in Bigfoot, they believe that there are whole families of Bigfeet. Of course not all of them believe in them, but the ones who drink, smoke and use bath salts believe. Bath salts are some kind of drug that is super poplar in the reservations!!! It just happens to be a hallucinogen, I don't know what it is for sure, but it isn't really bath salts. I guess it looks like them. 

Suicide on the reservations is also really common. What is even sadder is it is youth doing it. They start in 6th grade and it spreads from there to about 18 years old. Don't know why, it just does. 

Saturday we had a Thanksgiving down in Cibecue. We were worried because we had to be careful what we ate because the food isn't safe! Thankfully the members who bring us to Cibecue and the Branch President down there provided most of the food. It was weird though, they have such a different culture!!! 

I'm glad Joanna's surgery went okay. Please keep me posted on her and on Duncan! I pray for them so much!!! 

For Thanksgiving we are eating breakfast at the O.'s, they live super close and Bro O is the high counselor over missionary work. Lunch mostly at the R's, with several other stops through the day, and dinner nowhere because we are going to be so stuffed!!! I'm excited. But we don't get to watch the parade :( Oh well, its not that important, I have the rest of my life to watch them. Two years won't hurt!

For Christmas, I want letters too. I don't know if everyone will get a letter from me but I will try to do at least something for everyone! Please don't hate me if you don't all get something! Oh, Mom, I do want that calender for next year with all the birthdays in it!

Speaking of Birthdays, HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY KAYLA GRACE!!!

Time is up. I love you all and hope all is well. Sorry I don't talk at all about investigators, but I don't really have any that can be baptized. We are teaching people, but all of them have some reason why they can't be baptized. Its hard, but we help in other ways. We do what we can to  help others come unto Christ!

Missions are the best! Know that I am happy and loving life! I am healthy, and staying as warm as I can in a skirt. It is beautiful here and the people are amazing!

I love you all very much and hope all is well! Happy Thanksgiving! Take care!

Sister Bresia

P.S. Don't forget my address is the same!!!

I don't know what to write

Well, it has been a good week. Nothing too crazy.

Tomorrow I have a doctors appointment! I'm super excited for it! Like more excited for this apt than any other!!!

Also do people actually read this?

Brooke and Mom, is it baking powder or soda that you use in your hair?

Dad i need more contacts!! soon!

Okay so how is everyone? Hows the weather in GA? Tell me about it.

Fall here is weird. Its as cold a December, but lots of pretty colors. I'm not looking forward to it getting colder though! Its also super windy here!!! Almost as bad as Idaho!

I'm excited to get that package! Getting real mail is the best!

My next transfer should be the 26th of November, so be prepared for no email that Monday.

Please send pictures! Dad sends me a lot of Riley, Kiersten, and Kayla. I loved the homecoming pictures, but I want more! That way you aren't all different when i get home.

Ask me more questions so I know what to say. I'm not good at just writing. That's what I do in my journal. Maybe when I get home I will read some of it to you. I think you would all like it.

I had another baptism. It went really well, and after a 10 year old girl came up to Sister Jones and I and said she wants to be baptized. That was really cool!!! Maybe coolest thing this week.

Cibecue was good this week!

We have several people to teach and not enough time or miles allowed to drive to get it all done. Three wards and a branch is too much! And only 1300 miles to cover them is crazy!!! But some how we handle it okay.

This is the best time of my life. Its so difficult, but so worth it.  I love serving the Lord!

I love you all and miss you! Stay safe and go to the temple!

From a Dinner Appointment

Send some Mail/Emails

Here we are. This was a good week! On Sunday, we went to Cibecue, which is always an adventure. The kids just run around and the adults don't talk in the lessons, but church is only two hours long. The rest of Sunday is super busy!!! We don't even get study time.

Yesterday we had a meeting with Elder Teh of the 70. We learned a lot about how we need to realize that our time as missionaries is preparing us for the future! It was awesome! It was cool getting to be so close to a member of the 70. President and Sister Sweeney were also there, which is always fun. I love seeing them. 

Happy Birthday Everett and Clair-bear! I hope your birthdays are great! 

Everett, I am glad you are back!!!! That is a relief!

Even though this was a great week, I don't really know what to say. We have received several referrals, which gives us something to do so that's good. Also no snow yet, thankfully, but maybe in the next two weeks we will see some! Snow on Halloween.... That's weird!

Things are still great with Sister Jones. Did i tell you we got two new sets of sisters and that Sister Jones is sister training leader, so more exchanges and more driving for me... yay...not!!! Oh well, could be worse!

Thank you for the letter Austin!! I did got some shoes, too. I am so grateful for your emails!!! I like hearing how you are all doing! 

This is a super lame email, I'm sorry. Just know that I am live and well, and that I love all of you!

Keep going to church and showing Heavenly Father you love and trust Him, and He will bless you!

Anyone can email me or write me, just remember that.

Have fun with everything you do. Feel free to ask me questions about anything. When you do, I know what to write about.

Go to the temple as often as you can, and if you can't go, work towards being able to go. I only get to go once every other transfer I won't go again until December. If you are going only as often as I'm going there is something wrong, and you aren't using an gift from Heavenly Father correctly. Go when you can, its the best place you can be.

I love all of you and hope all is well. Be grateful for the gospel!

Love,

Bresia