Is Anybody Out There???

I've never started a letter with a rebuke, but I would like all of you to read D&C 95:1 and seriously consider emailing a poor missionary who doesn't get very many emails a week....... I love you all.
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Anyway. this last week has been a pretty good/great week. So right after I emailed you last week, we saw our most promising investigator and after a great lesson with him, I asked if he'd like to get baptized and he said yes, he wasn't too sure on a day, but we saw him again yesterday and he said August 20 (Vanesa's B-day!) but he said that that day can easily be moved up if it feels right. So pray your hardest for him!!!!!! We had interviews with President and Sister Greer yesterday, I talked about Arizona with Sister Greer for most of the interview (they're from Gilbert) And President informed me that 36 new missionaries are coming into the mission in the next two transfers, and he asked me if I would feel ready to train a missionary and I said yes. That doesn't guarantee anything, but I thought it was kind of nice to know that he recognizes the work that we are putting in. Other than those two big events, nothing new has really gone on in the last week. We have been enjoying the nice weather, and there is a chance that the missionaries will be movingback to Battle Ground (where I was living before) Which would be optimal. I love the bigger city feel.
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Sadly, I left my camera at my house, but I do have an interesting scripture I stumbled across.
Alma 48:23
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23.Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood;
yea, and this was not all 葉 hey were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an
eternal world, unprepared to meet their God.
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I am beginning to feel that sorrow more often now when someone doesn't have an open mind to the gospel for whatever reason. I know that the Gospel has, can, and will continue to bless all of those that follow it. I have grown to appreciate and love the doctrine of Christ more and more; it is amazing how perfect and true it is. It is our DUTY to make sure that our neighbor, friend, coworker etc... has an opportunity to be prepared to meet God. I love it!
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Please write back,
Love Elder Bates

Not Much to Report

It was great talking to you and everyone else on Mother's day, I LOVED it and it made me want to recommit myself to being the best missionary I can be! Not much new here, We had a 5 hour service project pulling weeds at a less actives house yesterday, so I am a little sore, but other than that, everything is going well. it is still rainy, but it is a mist-like rain, so it is very bearable. Sorry this letter is short, but I'll leave a spiritual thought. I love all of you and look forward to hearing from you all! Sorry, I didn't take any pictures this week, but I make it double next week
Love Elder Nick Bates


Spiritual Thought 5/10/2011

We have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon again by our mission president, and this scripture lept off the page at me, I hope you like it
Alma 26:27

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us,
and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will
give unto you success.

This scripture gave me so much confidence and hope. Thankfully, in the last few months I have been happier than any other time on my mission, but I know, that when something sad does get thrown in my way, I can turn to this scripture. I noticed how the last word isn't Baptisms, a truly successful missionary does desire to have investigators make that essential covenant, but success is far more than that, it is being lost in the work. I know that hard work and planting seeds leads to great things, some of the happiest moments of my mission have be reactivating less actives and doing service for the elderly. I know that Faith+Work=Conversion and Success. Pray like it's all up to God, and work like it's all up to you.

Transfer Week Again

1. This is me and my new (former as well) Zone Leader Elder Olsen back in December at the Portland, Temple

2. A Little Kid in the Maple Grove ward wanted me to wear this, so I put my name tag on it.

Hello everyone. What is up? So, this last week was pretty same old same old, we have been teaching with the spirit, it has been raining a lot, and members are feeding us way too much. So pretty much, This last week has been pretty close to the same as my last four plus months here in Vancouver. Six weeks are up, and we get the transfer notices on Monday, and the actual transfers are on Wednesday, but the good thing is, both of us are staying in the Maple Grove and La Center wards. At the end of this transfer I will have been in MG for nearly 6 months and LC for 3. Time really flies when you love the work, love the people, and love your companion. There is nothing better than enjoying what you do everyday. The west side of the mission (where I've spent my whole mission) is always known as the lesser productive side in terms of baptisms, but when you do get them, the converts are in it to win it! I love it here and would not mind spending my whole mission on this side. So we found out yesterday that the Zone Leaders in our Zone are being doubled out (both leaving) Elder Baker is going home to Orange County, CA and Elder Eli Johnson is spending his last six weeks in Walla Walla, BUT one of the new ZLs is also my first ZL back in my old zone, Elder John Olsen from Woods Cross, UT he is literally the coolest guy ever (besides everyone back home of course), and I jumped for joy when I found out. It is crazy how many relationships you build on your mission.
Last night, the Lusher's invited us to dinner, and a lesson. The dinner was good, and the lesson was even better, He (Dave) is golden, and we just need to keep working with him, and great things will happen for him and his family! I love this work, I love the spirit, I love that Osama is dead, and I love all of you.
Elder Nick Bates

Oh, and to answer your question, we have Sunday meetings from 8 Am to 4 PM, so I'll probably call at about 6 PM ( 7 for you.)

Crazy Cool Week!

Hello there, how in the world is everyone doing? So let me start off by saying, that package got to me safely. Thank you soooo much, I was actually thinking about getting new ties, and I love polyester ties!! You really can never have too many ties in my book, I went to the MTC with 6 and now, after donating some not so great ones to goodwill, I have 35, the most I've seen a missionary have is in the low 60's, but he had been out a long time, so I still can do it haha.

This last week I've had two more "it's a small world after all moments" 1) A lady in the La Center ward was at dinner with us one night, and she was talking about how she lived in Mesa for a while in High School, I asked her where and she said Red Mtn. I asked her if she knew any Bates' and she said she was in a seminary class with Vanesa and thought she might have even been in the same prom group. 2) We were eating a Pre-Easter Dinner at The Brinton family's house in La Center, I told them I was from Mapleton, and she said her cousin Jason Williams and his wife April lives there, and I just about freaked out, It was a neat experience. They are a great family!!

Yesterday was actually one of the best days I've had since I left my first area. The two wards I'm serving in (Maple Grove and La Center) have been pretty cold in the category of converts and retention rate in the last year or longer, but yesterday night, we had a lesson with a part member family (the Lusher's), in which I thought the husband (Dave) was never going to embrace the church. We have been seeing Trisha (wife) on an almost every Monday basis for a while, but a few weeks ago, we asked her to ask her husband to take the lessons, and they both said yes. She has been in-active for 11 years, but feels like now is a great time to change. So we taught about tithing, the Word of Wisdom and Baptism yesterday, and the spirit was just vibrating, I know that they felt it because we asked them and they said it was an overwhelming peace. I couldn't feel my legs or my arms when we walked out, I was (and so was everyone else) on Cloud 9. I love this work and I know that if you prepare, and teach by the spirit, miracles WILL happen. I PROMISE!!
Love Elder Nick Bates

Another Week in Sunny (not kidding) South-West Washington

This picture is an old run down shack in the back woods of La Center, WA (probably used by teenagers to commit sinful acts).

Hello there! How is everything going back home? This week has flown by, much like this whole transfer no less (Not to mention Mother's Day is coming up. A missionary told me on December 26, that the time in between The Christmas call and the Mother's day one is the quickest time of the year, and I believe it 100%) So, we have been focusing on finding people and talking to everyone on the street that we see, and that has provided for some good success! We have found a couple less actives and people that are genuinely interested.

Funny story (sad too)..... So on Friday, we were walking to our next appointment on the other side of the area, when we see an older lady (50's-60's) she was walking kind of funny, and we ask her how she's doing, and the first thing she says is "I'm smoking pot" It was at this time that I notice a brown bag hanging from her pocket, a lighter in her hand, and a makeshift marijuana pipe made out of an old Shasta cola can. We asked her a couple questions and she says God doesn't love her, and it was at this time that I felt a legitimate love and compassion on that lady.... Maybe we'll never see her again, but hopefully she'll come to the truth one day.

We've been teaching by the spirit and I love it! I especially love talking to the sea of Russians on the south-east part of Battle Ground.

Love Elder Nick Bates

Another Week of Hard Work, and an Awesome Pday Activity!

Hello! How is everything going? I am doing fantastic. So, this last week, we drove a lot (we have 1,300 miles/month) and we taught some great lessons! I really feel like I am in my groove. The spirit is strong, and our investigators can tell. A couple days ago, we were getting into our car for dinner, and some random lady came up to us in a bathrobe and started talking to us. She loved the idea of a church that can uplift and edify her, she didn't come on Sunday, but I have high hopes for her. This morning, we drove to the Columbia Gorge, and we hiked Multnomah Falls (look it up!) And I have a few pictures to show all y'all. I hope you all enjoy, sorry I don't have extra time today. I really love all of you, and I appreciate all that everyone does for me! This church is way true, and I don't want to think of where I'd be without it. Read D&C 121:34-46, I LOVE those scriptures.
Love Elder Nick Bates

More Pictures...

Just found these, and I don't think I've published them yet...ENJOY!

A Great Week for Missionary Work!

Hey! How is everyone doing back home? I hope all is well. So, this last week was pretty much awesome! Something happened in which I just lost all fear in talking to people on the streets, and that makes the world of difference! Time really does fly when you are having fun, and the most pure version of that fun is WORK! Last night, we visited a Part member family in which the wife is less active and the husband is a non member, I had seen them a lot lately, and frankly, I was kind of looking down on the situation, but things went better than I ever would have expected! He agreed to Investigate, and they expressed desire to come to church together!!! So pray for Dave and Trisha Lusher. Not much else to report on, besides we watched all five sessions of conference at the Vancouver North Stake center, and as usual I especially loved Elder Nelson's, Elder Bednar's, and Elder Christofferson's talks. They are my favorite three!!! We had dinner with the stake president his name is President Richardson, He grew up in Heber City, and he loved getting bread and stuff at Bates Bakery!!!! Sorry there isn't much more to report on, but I will attach some pictures. by the way, I don't know who all reads this, but I'd love to hear from you!!
Love Elder Nick Bates

Very Fun Week

Hello! How is everything going? It was awesome seeing the pictures of Jason and Michelle! This last week has been really enjoyable, we have a new look District and Zone, so that will make things fun. Our new Zone Leader is named Elder Baker, he goes home in 6 weeks, and up until now he has been an AP my whole mission, and he is a really great missionary. Elder Hawkins is great (It helped that I already knew him from our district for the last three months. So now we cover two wards the Maple Grove (Battle Ground) and we cover/live in La Center as well. My new address is

33915 NE Taylor Valley RD
La Center, WA 98629-2732

I inherited some great investigators that we predict will be put on date for baptism pretty soon in La Center. One is named Korrin, she is 15. and the Other is named Bobby, he is in his 40's. We have been staying busy (thankfully we have a car!) Elder Hawkins has been out for 18 months and no, he does not have a "Texan" accent. haha. He is a great missionary, and he teaches me something everyday! My first Sunday in my new ward, I spoke in Sacrament meeting about the restoration. I know that public speaking is something I've never done too well, but I know I am getting better. It's crazy how weaknesses can be made strong (Ether 12:27). I am feeling great physically, and trying to get the weight down even more. I know that being well physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually are all very important. Well, I hope that all is going well. I love and miss everyone.
Love Elder Bates

Pictures From Last Week....

Hope we get the story about the muddy clothes....

I'm Getting Transfered...Sort of

Hello! How are you doing? It's kind of weird, I have received emails saying it's really cold in Utah and really hot in Arizona. It is pretty mild here in Vancouver (except it does rain a lot). So yesterday, We got transfer calls, and Elder Schmidt is getting transferred to Kennewick (Sad, I will miss him lots) and I am going to be doubling up wards, I will now cover Maple Grove and The La Center ward. I am in the middle of packing all of my stuff and will move in with my new Companion into the Taylor's house (she is a recently widowed 80 year old member). My Companion is named Elder Hawkins from Dallas, TX. I have known him well for the last three months, so I'm pretty excited. He is awesome! I have been doing pretty well, I just have been kind of down because Elder Schmidt and I are leaving, but to quote George Harrison "all things must pass". I love it on the West Side of the mission, and am 100% excited and happy to be staying!
Sorry the email is short, I've got to get packing
Love Elder Bates

Hey!

Hey!!!! I got your package, thank you sooooo much! I took the money, paid fast offerings and took a couple missionaries out to lunch, so that was a cool little treat! I hope Patric is doing Ok, I really need to talk to him. Have you heard how Brady is doing in Japan? I hope all is well, everyone here is talking about it, I'm just so happy that we are land-locked.
I am doing great, we have been walking around a lot (I'm going to probably need to get a bike soon now that it is getting warmer) Daylight savings time is kind of cool, now that it stays light until 7:30 (I still side with Arizona that it is a waste of time haha). That is awesome that Logan is home, does he know that I'm just across the river from his mission?
Well, it rains a lot still, but I love it. Life is going well, and time is going TOO fast. TRANSFERS are already next week. I would like to stay with elder Schmidt for a 3rd, but it is unlikely...... I love this gospel, and all of you who may read this. God Bless
Elder Nick Bates

Short Letter Today

So we have been teaching some pretty cool lessons, and we have committed a less active of 15 years to come back to church, hopefully she will! We came back from the Portland temple today, our ride+traffic=We missed our session, so we took pictures and then went home (he had to be back for work) I took some funny/awesome pictures, and they will be on the way shortly. We went to a rugby game of one of the youth in the ward, they were playing an all gay team from Seattle, no joke!!! I am running out of time, so instead of a spiritual thought today (sorry) I'll just say that I know that staying active in the church in crucial, not just for the social part, but mainly because we have that great opportunity of renewing our covenants and being made whole again, I love the Gospel, and I marvel everyday how perfect it is, this is Christ's Church, and it has been Restored, No Reformation could have brought the Priesthood and all of the Saving Ordinances back to the earth, we are really a blessed people to have that in our lives.
Love Elder Nick Bates

Time Goes By Too Fast!

Hey! How is everything going back home? This week has been pretty decent, We have taught some great lessons (mostly to less actives) We have a few really solid Investigators, but half of them weren't home for whatever reason, but I felt the spirit very strongly in our lessons. On Saturday Feb, 19, I finished the Book of Mormon (I wanted to read it cover to cover in one months time, and I DID!) I got on my knees and prayed very hard about the book, and I can't describe the overwhelming feeling I got! The Spirit testifies of Truth!!!!
Lots of walking, and we got 2.5 inches of snow (the flakes were the size of baseballs!) I am loving the area and my companion, I'll be sad to see a change, but knowing this mission and its missionaries, I'll love it there too!
Today's scripture, is a scripture mastery found in the 4th chapter of Mosiah, verse 30.

30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your
words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what
ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.
And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

This scripture has always had kind of a negative connotation to me, but as I was pondering, I decided to take the word NOT in the first line and put it at the end, before the word Perish. It makes it seem a little less intimidating when that is done. My companion and I have recently committed ourselves to be a little more virtuous in our thoughts and words, and it makes all the difference!

I love it here and I love this gospel. It has brought so much joy to my life!

Love Elder N. Bates

Pictures!

Another Week

This week there isn't much to report on, Elder Schmidt has been having some pretty intense headaches, so I figure I'd send a few pictures, and then a little spirtual thought. So hopefully all of these pictures work! So my spirtual thought this week will be 2 Nephi Chapter 29 http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/29?lang=eng This chapter really jumped out to me, Logically this just makes sense as well. If God really is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever and is a loving God, he will continue to give us his word, and to all of his children. I LOVE IT!! Well, sorry for the shortness of the letter, I love all of you and hope you all a good week.

Love Elder Bates

Another Week in Vancouver

Hey!!! How is everyone doing? So last Friday was my 6 month mark, wow, time sure goes fast when you are CTR-ing. The slowest times of my mission were when someone was sick or we got preoccupied with non important things. We got transfer calls yesterday, I am staying 6 more weeks with Elder Schmidt!!! Having a cool companion is always fun. We have actually be on the verge of putting two of our investiators on a baptismal date, but for some reason or another, it is really hard to catch them home these days :( 

 

My little spiritual thought for today is Mormon Chapter 7 http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/7?lang=eng. I was reading this in personal study, and I was just thinking what would my final testimony be? Would I have the courage to tell the people that killed our whole nation to repent and be baptized? I know that this gospel is for everyone (I just wish others would see it the same way).

 

I love you all and am keeping everyone in my prayers

love Elder Bates

February 1, 2011

How's it going? So tomorrow is the first day of the last week of this transfer, man has it ever flew by!!! I am loving life and the opportunity to be companions with my MTC comp Elder Schmidt again (I hope we stay together another transfer!). This is going to sound crazy, but this Friday is both of our 6 month marks! Boy, is it going TOO fast! There isn't a cloud in the sky today, so I hope to get you a few really good pictures of Mount St. Helens! We have been teaching some great lessons to some great people. We are hoping to put one of our investigators on date for baptism this week, so please keep on keeping us in your prayers! My scripture today is Doctrine and Covenants 95:1 http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/95?lang=eng I have been thinking a lot about my experiences in my past, and also I remember Dad's first book reffering to this. I love it! Well, I hope I get to hear from you.....

Love Elder Nick

Transfered to VanCouver Washington!

Hi everyone.  Sorry it's taken me so long to put in another post.  I thought I was e-mailing his letters to lots of people, but found out this is something people want to read!  I will be better.  I'm also hoping for some pictures from Elder Nick to add.

Hi Mom, thank you so much for the letter and the $. We had a dinner cancel on us that night,so that came in handy :) So you are in Vegas huh? Did Melissa go to Sacrament meeting? That is really cool that you are able to spend some time with her. Not much new here, we have been working hard and teaching some really good lessons, and my scripture study this last week has gone exceptionally well. Time really is flying by, I felt I was in Goldendale a couple days ago, and it has almost been a month already. The scripture I would like to share with you comes from the little tiny book Words of Mormon verses 7 and 8 on page 144. There is not much more I could add to that, but I know that as a missionary, the Holy Ghost is your biggest allie and friend. I love you and am going to continue praying for you and the family.

love Elder Nick

This letter was from January 25