Pictures

Sister Yates sent home pictures!  The following are from her adventures dating back to her time in Provo.

From Show Low:

Meet Sister Jones

Sister Yates and Sister Jones share the gospel together

Sister Yates's first zone

 The landscape of Arizona  

The places we visit:

The Snowflake, AZ Temple

Cibecue 

Cibecue

Cibecue

From Provo and the MTC:

The Provo, UT Temple 

These are friends from home serving as the Mission President in a California mission

One of the MTC Zones

Another MTC Zone

Leaving so soon!

Well everyone, yet again I have a change of plans, I leave Monday the 2nd of September. Mom and Dad I will be calling (if time permites) at around 7-8 pm Utah time. Basically keep your phones on you all day!

Things are going well here! I am super anxious to leave, but I know I will miss it here! 

I am so excited that Tyler Molinaro is reassigned to my mission! I think that is just awesome! 

Things are pretty much the same as always. Just classes, eating the tasty food, and loving the spirit! Nothing new, but so great! I really do love this place. 

Ok, cousins and friends, if you are planning/wanting to serve a mission, start preparing NOW!  Ladies get on and study what you can and can't wear! Everyone study Preach my Gospel, the scriptures, and any other books you can. Missions are amazing, and will change you if you let them! I hope all of you will seriously consider serving! This is the best decision I have made thus far in my life! 

I'm glad school is going well for everyone! I am so glad that I don't have to worry about that for a while! I really don't like school! 

How is everyone? I know how Mom, Dad, and Riley are doing, but thats it. I would love to hear from everyone.  I know that friday is the last day I will get dearelders at the MTC, so maybe wait until I get to the field! I hope all is well. I would love some pictures of the family and of my friends. You can email them if you want. I just love seeing the things you are all doing.

I hate emailing home because I feel like I have nothing to say and I have no idea what to say... 

My branch president ( President Robinson) was released last week:( He is on to bigger better things. He is a great guy though, and his wife is an angel here on Earth! They both helped me so much over the past two months. 

I am so thankful for this oppritunity to serve! Its crazy how fast it is going though! I feel like I'll be home in no time! Which is sad, even though I have 16 months left, I have learned so much about how to help others come unto Christ and how to be a better person! I am so excited to learn more and come closer to Christ myself! 

All of us can come closer to Christ, we all need to repent, which means to change, and realign your will with God's will. Strive to do what is right. learn more about Christ and His Atonement. always strive to be a better. You love life and those around you, read your scriptures, and pray all the time! The Book of Mormon can change your life if you let it. read and apply the scriptures to your life. Sorry if this sounds preachy, but my purpose as a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ and I am pretty sure you are all others... Heavenly Father loves you all, He knows you, and He hears your Prayers. Never forget that. 

AJ and Shauna, I love you and your family so very much! You are the best. I pray for you often and put your families name on the prayer roll every week. You are amazing! please tell the girls I love them so much. 

It amazes me how much Heavenly Father helps me. If I have a difficult comp, He helps me with being patient! He is literally helping me with everything! Big things and little things. It is amazing to see!!! everyone needs to look for the tender mercies! They are real. 

I love Sundays here, because they are so full of the spirit. No one does anything except for attend sunday meetings and study, or build stronger relationships in the districts. We are all focused on having the spirit with us. We watch conference talks or Church movies, it makes such a difference! Sunday is a day of rest, not a day to hang out with friends, watch random pointless tv, clean, work, or anything like that! It is a day to strengthen our families and enjoy the spirit!!! take advantage of that! use Sunday to come closer to Christ and our Father in Heaven. Again I am sorry if that sounds preachy, but keeping the Sabbath day holy is a commandment! and to be Christ like we need to obey ALL  of Gods commandments! If there are things you could change about how you are living your life I invite you to work on them and change them, then feel Heavenly Fathers presence more fully in your life! It is amazing!!! And so worth making the changes. Start small and work up! 

I love you all so much! stay safe, and stay close to the Spirit!

Pray always and read the Book of Mormon! 

Love always,

 Sister Bresia Alysse Yates

Is this really 7 weeks??? I don't even remember!!!

Well hello loved ones! How are you?

My district that just left Monday was soooo amazing!! They changed my life!!! We were all so close and we had amazing times together!!! I am so sad they have left!!! But its ok, that is life!

I'm really sorry these letters are so bad! I just never know what you all actually want to hear.

Jenny thank you so much for the doughnuts they were so tasty! I love getting packages and letters! Its the best! Especially now that I have been out for like a month and a half. Time had literally flown! I feel like I'll be home soon...

I would love some hard copies of pictures so I can see my family! I love getting letters about Riley and all of my cousins! I miss you all and love hearing about your adventures!

This letter might be shorter because I only get one hour and I have lots of people to write! But I guess something is better than nothing!

I really hope everyone is doing well and loving life.

OK so one of the teacherish people I have right now knows Cody! And yesterday he told me he had sent Cody a Facebook message telling him that he knew me... small world. I'm curious to know if he said anything else! I was kinda of jealous, because he is allowed to talk to my family whenever and I only get 1 hour a week. oh well that is missionary life for ya... And 17 months isn't that far away!!!

I feel super bad because I know this letter is super lame, but all I do is go to class and teach investigators, that aren't real investigators, so life is a little dull. I don't have any super cool stories other than Saturday I taught four people and it went amazing!!! like the spirit was leading the lesson and touched everyone!!!

I do love the MTC!

Family and friends- Share the gospel with everyone! They need it! Its not hard! Just open your mouth and Heavenly Father will take over!!!

Also go do those family names in the temple! And work on furthering our genealogy. Have Family Home Evening activities and just do it!!!! they need it!!!!

I have to go because my hour is up, but I love you all so much and pray for you all often.

Cousins- prepare NOW to serve a mission. You will never regret it! This has already blessed my life so much!!!

Stay strong and pray always!! You are the best support ever!

I love you all!

Love,
Bresia

Also, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it often and rely on its teachings!!

Waiting in the hospital

This is Bresia's sister Brooke writing-
I received a call Wednesday evening informing me that Sister Yates would be having an out patient surgery this morning, so I am composing this post from Utah Valley Hospital.

Bresia's doctors determine that they needed a closer look at the problems and she had an abdominal scope.  It has been such a blessing to be here with her and to spend time with one of her companions. She has been very patient and strong through this entire process.  It is hard even going to the doctor with out your mom for the first time when you have a cell phone! It has been a great learning experience for her and she has learned so much more independence.

Her scope has gone well, she had a few problem areas that they were able to "clean-up" and will look into the best options to manage any future outbreaks.  She is coming out of the anesthesia now. She says she feels like an old person and her arms are heavy.

Be sure to send a get well soon note!  dearelder.com is fast, free, and easy. She is in the Provo MTC and her unit is 65, departure date Aug 05 and mission codeAZ-SCDL.  She would love to hear from any one even if all you have time for is a get well soon.

Here is a pre-surgery photo of her. Post op has been a little hard so we won't embarrass her.

Week 3 of the MTC

Well I have officially been here for 3 weeks.... its getting a little old, but I'm still loving it! I have surgery tomorrow, but I don't know what time that will take place. I find that out at 4:00 today. Oh yeah so, since surgery is tomorrow and Thursday is my P-day, my companions and I got permission to have p-day today.

Sister E went home this week, so I was moved to a trio, the two sisters I am with are really sweet and fun. I'm in my third district. I don't feel totally welcomed, but oh well they all leave Monday. I might leave also, but I doubt I will.

I don't really have much to report on this week, because I am relearning everything for a third time now. I am still learning a lot.

Oh Sumier, thank you so much for the book mark, with the Kayla hand and foot print and the note! I love you and miss you!

Mia I got your dearelder! I'm glad you and Shelby had a fun beach trip;)

Everyone in the family, I am glad the beach trip went well, and that you were safe. 

Dad thank you so much for all the dearelders! I love getting them! And everyone is jealous when they see how many I get.

Sister Huntington!!! How is the field! I miss seeing you everyday, but I am so happy you are out!

I hope Everett had a great visit and that he is safe!

Happy Birthday Tyler, Mia, and Colin! I hope you have awesome birthdays!

I love all of you so much. Stay safe, stay strong, I love you!

Heavenly Father is there, He loves us, He knows us!

Love 

Sister Bresia Yates

p.s. thanks for the letter Britta! 

p.p.s. sorry this is a lame letter. I am just kinda stressing about surgery!

dearelder.com
Bresia's address has recently had a mailbox change

AUG 05 AZ-SCDL
2007 N 900 E Unit 65
Provo, UT 84602

Week 2: MTC continued

Hello everyone!

SO first thank you so much for the pictures! Riley is getting so big! I would love some pictures of the rest of the family! I miss you all! And I would love to hear some fun stories!

I won't be leaving until August 5th at the earliest. So send me dearelders often! I am kinda bummed that I'll be here so much longer, but it will be good. They just dont know what to do with me. I really don't want to go through the same classes again.  They don't want that either, so we will see that happens! Sister E , who had surery, will most likely be leaving on Monday. I will be getting a new companion, which will be weird, but oh well I'm sure she will be great! It's kinda nice being here longer because I got to see more friends from BYU-I like Hannah M aka Amersican Hannah, Abe P, and Jack L!  It's been so fun! I have so much to tell but no time to do it! I knowa lot  of you have written and I will write you all eventually! I promise!

I have been to the doctors so much this past week!!!  I hate it! Of course you have the 15 min wait once you get there, then the 15 min wait in the room after the nurse checks you out, then they don't even answer the questions and reffer you to some one else! It is too frustrating but I am use to it after 19 years of it! I really just wish mom could be here with me... she has always been with me through my many crazy appointments! Mom just has an amazing talent with calming me down! She's the best as many of you know! Oh random thought, but if I did end up having surgery or something I am pretty sure I could have visitors like Brooke and Cody, Claire, or any other family. I know they all have lives but if I did end up having a surgery it might be comforting having a familiar face to greet me.  So maybe if someone could write me and tell me some Utah family cell numbers just in case! Anyway! I have an appointment for next monday where I will hopefully find out what I can do, or rather what the Doctor can do! Because I am so done with constant intense  pain, pain killers, and birth control pills that dont even help!!!

Well, I am still learning a lot and loving being here. Tess is the best and she is so willing to talk, help, and do anything! I know its a bummer she didn't get to go streight to Brazil, but it has been such a blessing having her here with me! Heavenly Father really has blessed me through her. While everyone else I know is leaving I still have her to help me! I am meeting so many great people out here and really enjoying everything.

Oh, dad, I got the package.  I dont know if you knew that or not, but thank you! It was great! And unfortunatly we are not allowed to chew gum on a mission so no more gum in packages :( I'm sad... they say no breathe mints, but send them anyway!!! Also, if you want to send stamps that would be ok. I have 20 but I could always use more. I really dont know what else I could possibly need but I'll let you know as I know.

Sunday night, I got to talk to mom on the phone and it was sooo great!!! I felt a lot better after talking with her and I got to talk to Riley he said, "I love you Bree Bree!!!"  Best thing ever! I miss my little buddy soooo much!!!  Britta, I want you to write me! And tell me how you are doing! How's work! Talk to me!

I love getting dearelders! They are the best!

Sorry this is so scattered, I am so bad at this whole writing thing. Not that ya'll mind but I feel bad.

The food here is good, the people are great, and I am loving life. the teachers are all so funny and awesome. I kinda wish I could just hang out with them all day and teach with them.  I feel like that would help me become use to talking to strangers and learning to love others! Also, the teachers are great examples. Like I learned so much from Sister D. and Brother G. And then there is Brother M and Brother S who are sooo funny! Like you cant take Brother M serious ever, but he has the greatest testimony, and he teaches really well. Brother S is just so goofy! No words describe him. Sisters C and V are my new teachers, and they are so sweet! They are impossible to not listen to!!

I have been like hard-core writting in my journal lately, which I never have done before! It is really nice though. I know I will love looking through this stuff in a few years! Its funny because it is just a random as my letters! But I guess that is just me!

I hope you are all doing well and having a great time in whatever you are doing....

Hannah and Dakota are getting married soon... that is so exciting! congratulations you two! I love  you both!

What other exciting things are happening in life? Let me know by writing! I have dearelder for a few more weeks! Use it while you got it for free!

Well time is at an end. I love you all and will keep you posted on the events of my life. Thank you for sending me Gregory's email, and pictures and all the other things that were sent!

You are all the best and I am so blessed to have you all!

Much love,

Sister Bresia Yates

MTC Life

Hello all!

 So I made it through my first week. I hate that my P-day is Thursday because you guys didn't get to hear from me until today. Oh well. First, my package never came, which is super annoying. And second, I found out on my second day here that I will be in a biking mission.... ( in the words of Joanna" I'm not happy!!!")   So mom and dad be prepared to lose money for a bike! Oh well I guess I will be blessed, at least I really hope so...

So the first day was insane! but in a good way. I had no time to think about anything but what I was doing. I saw Tess and still see her all the time. We are on the same floor in our housing like literally two doors down. Its great. I love seeing her. I have also seen a lot of people I know from BYU-I. My friend Jackson Hern was my zone leader, so I saw him a lot! And then there have just been other friends I made out at school. I saw Tyler Molinaro yesterday at dinner and he is in Tess's zone. I see Tyler Christensen pretty often. It is so weird not being able to hug them or call them by name.

I love my district!!! we get along so well and talk about everything. My companion and all the other sisters in my district are going to Scottsdale, and the elders are going to Irvine, California. My companion is really sweet and I love her but she can get on my nerves!! I am learning patience. Most of the sisters  are having medical issues. Sister E. is most likely  going home for an intestinal surgery, Sister J. has migraines  Sister C. has a respiratory infection, and my ovaries have been freaking out, I am guessing because of being on anti-biotics twice in a short time. So we have issues, but we all help each other.

Oh, so I leave the MTC the 22nd and will call mom and dad around 7 ish my time. I really don't know what time but just have your cell phones on you!!!!! If you don't we won't talk.

I love getting the dearelder letters from everyone! I got one that I don't know who sent it, but some family member... I am so happy Everett made it home safely!!! I shouted for joy when I read that!!! Joanna, I know you and your kids are loving that! I love hearing about Riley, its the best! I do want to hear more about everyone else as well as my little buddy. please encourage everyone to use dearelder! Hand written is fine but I get dearelder the same day... at least for now. I loved the package from Claire! So thank her! and I will let you know as soon as I get the package from dad... I really want it soon! 

I love the MTC. The people are great the teachers and great the spirit is amazing! And the food is really good! But it make me and all my roommates super gassy!!! (*this next part was left in per Sis.Y's insistence) We get to our room at night and just let it all out. Its kinda gross but we cant help it! The food is to good to not eat. Surprisingly I haven't gained any weight! I have been working out a lot more than, usual so I can relate to those of you who have been going to the gym. I am proud of all of you! Don't you feel awesome after a good work out!

So I don't miss home. I mean i do but this is where I need to and am suppose to be! I am learning so much about myself and about my testimony! I almost don't want to leave, but I am excited to get to Scottsdale!

I don't know what else you all want me to talk about,  I guess I'll just apologize for the jumpiness of this email, only having an hour to do everything is hard. I guess I'm doing good though, minus the ovary issues. I really have been learning a lot about the gospel and how to teach and so many things. I think I might consider Nursing again but that was just a totally random thought I just had. My teachers are bro Godfrey and Sis De Arton (we call her sister de). They are amazing teachers! and everything they say is so helpful! We have the best time in our classes even though is is 6 hours of class!

My Branch President and his counselors are so great! They give the best advice and really care about us. Even though they don't know us. Everything here is so great and fun. I have learned more about the gospel in one week than I did in all four years of seminary. Nothing against seminary, this is just more meaningful and exciting! Being here makes me so grateful that I was put in Young Women's before heading out! I know how I can teach the sisters I work with and I have a stronger love for them. I miss the temple. The Provo temple is closed so I won't get to go again until I get to AZ. Apparently there is a temple in my mission, who knew. I feel like I will do OK with teaching people really because of all the teaching practice I have been getting. 

So to all my younger cousins and friends who are of ages where a mission are in the future, here is some advise! JUST COME OUT! You wont regret it. It is an amazing experience! It is really hard. I won't lie. But it has been the best week of my life!  Yeah, there have been hard times, but there are so many people here who really love and care for you. And the elders are super willing to give priesthood blessings! They are the best! I know that being on a mission will be hard and that you will be giving up other opportunities  but it is so worth it. I love when I can sit in a lesson with our fake investigator and the spirit takes charge. It is amazing feeling and letting the spirit flow through me and let Him do all the talking. Then seeing the light in the investigators eyes as you know they feel what you are saying and seeing how the spirit of God is flowing through them... it is am indescribable feeling. Pray to know what you need to do and Heavenly Father will let you know! I know that is absolute truth! 

Well I only have a few more minutes left, mom have fun editing this! I guess I will end with some shout outs.

Mom- I love you so much! Stay strong and write me more! I love hearing from you.

Dad- If there was a contest of who writes me the most you would win. So thank you. I love getting the letters. I love you!

Brooke and Cody- Your letter made me laugh! You and Cody are too goofy. Remember that I love both of you! and thank Cody for the mini Preach My Gospel, I use it all the time!!!

Brad and Sarah- I am glad you two had fun with Riley, and that you are doing well!  I love you two.

Britta and Roo Roo- I miss you two, I hope all is well and I love you!
Cousins!- Have a great time at the beach! I love you all!

Aunts and Uncles- Thank you all so much for everything! I have the best family! I love you!

Grandma and Poppy- You are the coolest, most thoughtful people and I love you so much! 

Stay strong write me when you want. Remember that I love you, but even more importantly Heavenly Father knows and loves you.

My P-day should be Monday from now on but I'll let you know later for sure.

Don't forget mom and dad keep your phones on you!!! All day MONDAY!

I love you all,

Love,

Sister Bresia Alysse Yates