It's Almost December 11.30.10

So today is another P-day, and It is very snowy here. I had a great Thanksgiving and also a great week. We went up to Yakima yesterday for zone conference (Hour and a half drive) and I learned so much at that conference, It was really a refresher course. How is life in Utah? I also hear that the Utes won on a blocked Field Goal, that's cool. I love it hear, and I really love this work! Sorry this entry isn't as long, I really can't think of any more to write, it did though, write something cool for you that I'm putting in the mail soon. I love you all

Love Elder Bates

 

Thanksgiving! 11.23.10

Hey Mom, how're things going? We are in the middle of a snow storm, we have gotten 3-6 inches so far, boy, how fast do I forget that I grew up in that stuff? So my new Companion is Elder Bogdanowicz from Fallon, NV. He is 6'5" and probably 320 lbs! He is a bonafied cowboy and a really nice guy. Great Missionary too! He has been out 9 months. It probably hasn't come yet, but I sent you a handwritten letter a couple days ago! Happy Thanksgiving Birthday. Turning 32 I think? So at church two days ago, A member brought one of his friends named John Ledgerwood, and we talked with him for awhile and he is very open to the gospel, The members here make it too easy for us! Most of my life, I feel I don't get adequate rest, even if I sleep 8 hours I wake up very tired, and at a dinner apointment a few days ago, a member said he went through the same thing and underwent tests and got a CPAP machine, and said his insurance covered it and his life has never been better, so I've been thinking about that a lot lately and I think maybe I'll ask the mission president if i can go see a doctor. I know my missionary work would greatly benefit from that! If you could, also keep your eye out for a Nikon or Canon camera on an amazing after thanksgiving blowout firesale whatever, my camera finally stopped cooperating with me. I have no preferences to anything, you can send whatever you want, and I'll accept it with open arms! I Love you so much mom. Have a wonderful birthday!

Love Elder Bates!!

Big Weeks Coming Up!

As of Thursday, I will have been on my mission for 3 months, and time really is flying. My Second transfer (6 weeks) is ending on the 17th and I'll most likely be getting a new companion!  I'm having so much fun here and the Lord is blessing us like crazy!  We have a Baptism this Saturday, and our other investigator moved up his date to next Saturday so both of us missionaries can witness it!  This week is zooming by!  I'm excited for you and festival of trees, please keep me updated on that!  Not anything besides that is new, I'm just so happy to be here.  Apparently there is a big game this week #5 Utah vs. #3 TCU in SLC, Brent tells me. GO UTES!!  I love you and I think about you everyday, have fun!!!

 

Love Elder Nick-o-lus Bates

More Baptisms!

This week has been a really quick one, Something about being out here on a mission makes time fly! We have been teaching quite a few lessons to people, especially to our 3 (soon to be 4) people on date for baptism! Studying a learning this gospel is one of the most enjoyable times of my mission so far, I can't believe how much the Lord blesses us and our investigators as well. At church two days ago, an 11 year old hispanic kid from  Nogales, AZ comes to church for the first time, and loves it, after chuch he says he wants to be baptized!! He speaks pretty decent English too (thank heavens). That is about it i can think of, I am doing very well here, and am bracing myself for freezing temps.

Love Elder Bates

October 19, 2010

Hey mom! This week has been a different one for me too. I was sick for
two days with a pretty bad cold, but after a priesthood blessing and
lots of medicine and vitamin C, I am feeling better than ever! On
Sunday we had 4 non members come to church including one who started
the Book of Mormon last week and is in Mosiah, his name is Ray Brown,
we met with him yesterday, and is more ready for baptism than most
anyone I've met, he commited to November 4. SO WE HAVE 3 ON DATE
NOW!!! Time is really flying by, I take things day by day, and next
thing I know It's P-day again and The Utes are 6-0 ranked #9!! (Kenny
and Brent Emailed me!) It's pretty easy to focus on the work when
things are going so well here. I'm bracing myself though, because life
has taught me that hard times can always be around the corner. I just
need to enjoy every day like it is my last I guess. I love and miss
all of you guys, and I keep y'all in my prayers
-Elder Bates

Wednesday P-Day

Hey mom, how are you doing? This week because of training, P-day is on Wednesday.  There really isn't much to report, we commited a guy named Sean Jackson to baptism, he loves the Book of Mormon and knows Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Besides that great news, nothing new really, I do have a few pictures!!! I am so glad you had fun in Michigan, I really want to visit there when i get back! Sorry I don't have much more, Literally everyone was gone this week, pretty annoying.

 

Love Elder Bates

 

Not much new to report

(note:  sorry I didn't post this last week....no excuse!)

Hey Mom, how has your week been?  This week zoomed past, it is really weird.  So, how did you like general conference??  I loved it, it was so informative.  we have a new investigator who has a desire to learn more and he said he wants to get baptised when he receives an answer to his prayers.  His name is Shaun Jackson, and he is a really nice guy.  Sadly that is about it, transfers are tomorrow, but I am staying here for 6 more weeks.  I know the Lord still needs me here so it is going to go well.  I love you and am praying for you and everyone back home, have a great week.

9.28.10 Update

This last week was pretty amazing to say the least, first off, we had the baptism for our investigator Alice Gossett (pictures coming soon I hope) and we found two or three really solid potential investigators, I am loving it here and things are going great, the end of my first transfer (six weeks) is next week, and that is pretty crazy! This story that I want to share is 100% true and is one of the biggest testimony builders I've ever had, enjoy!!

 

So, last Tuesday night at about 10:15 pm during personal prayers, I had a thought come to my head, it was one of the most clear thoughts I have ever had, It might have well have had it in big Neon Lettering it was that distinct. My thought was that I need to pray for a young couple named Sean and Kayley Patton in our ward (Sean is less-active and Kayley is interested in taking the lessons) I had only met Sean once two weeks before and had never met Kayley, so naturally that thought coming to my head was really strange, I had never prayed for them before. So, I went and told my companion this, and we decided to pray together about it, and that was really neat.... fast forward to Sunday morning before sacrament meeting, Sean's mom comes up to us (like she usually does) and tells us about her week and how she had become a grandma at 12:03 AM Wednesday morning!!! Kayley had givin birth to a baby boy a month early, and she was in labor while I got that prompting! Well I told Sean's mom that and she was blown away, and I was even more. This gospel is true and the Holy Ghost does exist, I have found that promptings like that occur when we are doing what we should like prayer or scripture study.

 

I promise on my life that it happened just like that!!

09.21.10 Mission News!

Hey there, how are you? I was really happy to hear from you (like i am every week!) Basically, there is nothing new this week, besides our baptism with Alice Gossett on Saturday, that is going to be an AMAZING experience. It has been tough this week, because we can't seem to find anyone to teach, but I have faith that that will change soon, I have had the opportunity to read and study a lot more than lately, and I have had such a wonderful time doing that, this gospel is sooooo deep and interesting to learn about, when you think there isn't much more to learn, you open up a whole new box of goodies. I am loving it here and the great opportunity and experience to be a missionary. on Saturday we had the opportunity to dig a trench for a guy so he can hook up his pipelines from his new house to his trailer. We dug for 2.5 hours, it was 3 feet deep and 10-15 feet long, boy it was sooo fun and you couldn't ask for a better day for it, I got some pretty sweet blisters too! Well, I miss you a lot, and love you even more. keep in touch

Elder Bates

9/14/10 Another Baptism Date, and some sad news to friends :(

Hey mom, how are you doing today? It's weird to think it is already Pday again, the work here (as any small town would be) is pretty slow, and I feel like I've already knocked on all of the doors! We have been working a lot with a recent convert named John Dunlap, he is 30, and has 3 kids and a wife who is taking the lessons, he is an awesome guy, the time just seems to fly when we are over there, we have looked up at the clock on a few visits and realized we had been there for two hours! So we have been working really hard on that lady Janiss that I mentioned before, and she finally set a date in stone for her baptism, so that is pretty big news. Thank you to everyone who tell me how my awesome UTES are doing, and please continue to send me the Rankings each week!!!! I am focused and dedicated to the work, but it is nice to hear about College Football. The sad news is that The mission president said that we are only to send Email to blood relatives only, so continue to send emails (or regular mail) and I will send you a handwritten letter. in case you don't know my address it is

 

Elder Nicholas Bates

8656 W. Gage BLVD - STE 205

Kennewick, WA 99336

 

my address goes through the mission office, so that is the only address you'll ever need, and please if you do Email me (Brent, etc) give me your street address!

I love all of you very much and I am thankful for everyones support.

 

Elder Bates

9/7/10

This week went pretty well, We officially have a baptism on the 25th, and our other main investigator is having trouble quitting smoking. Today is P-day and we drove to this amazing place here in Oregon, did a hike and saw awesome waterfalls, it was one of my favorite experiences yet. I'm not sure if there is much more to report.... I did hear that the U of U beat Pitt last week!!!!!!!!!!! (and there was also news about that team down south) The days are slow, but the weeks are fast. I'm sorry I don't have anymore to write, I have been learning A LOT in my personal study, and I know that this is Christ's Church restored to this earth. Thank you all for your letters and support and keep it up :)

Love - Elder Bates

8/31/10 First week in Washington! (Goldendale city)

Hey Mom, it is Tuesday Aug, 31. Tuesdays will be the day you hear from me for the next two years. We just got back from the Portland Temple, we get to go there (or the Columbia River Temple based on distance to the temple) every three months, I can't wait to show you the pictures I took there! Holy cow this week has been CRAZY (in a good way ) it is about 75 degrees in Goldendale most days, and it is very windy also, the town is about 3,500 people, and they are really humble. The second night I was here, I was called to give a blessing to a lady who lives 20 miles from civilization in the ward who messed up her knee while trying to move a tree from her dirt driveway in the woods, she has no electricity, and sleeps next to an old wood stove with her 5 dogs. Well, I gave her the blessing, and I got to see her the next day, and she told me to write home to my mom that I took part in a miracle! She was walking again and everything!

     The Goldendale ward is in the "The Dalles Stake" The Dalles is in Oregon, and that is actually where I am now and I will probably send all my emails from, it is a 45 minute drive here, and we go over the Columbia River! My Companion is Elder Borup from Kaysville and he has a huge knowledge and testimony of the gospel, so I am glad I ended up with him. We have had the opportunity to teach this 60 something year old woman named Janiss, she is awesome, but is having a hard time quitting smoking, so if you can keep her in your prayers, that would be great, we actually set a baptisimal goal date with her for Oct 23 I think, but I wouldn't get my hopes up yet, we also have a lady who is starting the lessons tomorrow who has been to church a couple times and has LOVED it, and said she wants to get baptized, her name is Alice, so If all goes well, I could have two baptisms in my first two months, but they still need some help, and that is what we are here for!!

     Sadly, all the mail has to go through the mission home first, which makes it easier for you because you never have to remember a new address, they say it just makes it easier for everybody.

     The members feed us too well, and I need to learn to say no when they offer thirds or fourths (seconds are a given, because this food is waaay to good!) but i think i'm staying in pretty good shape.

     EVERYONE WHO READS THIS, PLEASE GET MY ADDRESS FROM MY MOM, OR SEND ME AN EMAIL @ nicholas.bates@myldsmail.net.

I love all of you and have a great week!!!!!!!!!!

8/23/10 Last day at MTC letter

Hey how is everybody doing?? Well, it's true, I will no longer be composing any mail here at the MTC, because I leave for the Mission Field at 8 AM tomorrow. This week has gone by faster than any week of my life, I cannot tell you how much I love it here, the spirit testifies to me of the truthfulness of this gospel on an hourly basis it seems, I have really loved learning about the Plan of Salvation, and Reading Jesus the Christ (man, has my vocabulary just shot out the roof.) There is a very bittersweet feeling for me today, the friendships I have made are some of the best of my life! There is this Elder in my zone from Heber City, he is one of the happiest, kindest Elders here, and he has made me really consider maybe moving to Heber City when I get home. It would take me the rest of the morning to explain and talk fondly about everyone here that I love. My companion and I committed one of our volunteer investigator to Baptism and going to church with us after the first two lessons, granted it is fake, but it still was amazing! I really don't know what more I can add...um... I eat a bowl of Frosted Flakes with every meal. I'll make sure to start sending some pictures, even though they won't be nearly as cool because none of you know these people. Well, I'll talk to you all later, I get to go to the temple and maybe get in a nap today. MOM, I DIDN'T TELL YOU THIS, BUT I NEED A BLANKET, SHEETS, AND A PILLOW, IS THERE ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE A QUICK TRIP TO THE MTC TODAY??? Thanks so much!! I love you

    -Elder Bates

8/16/2010

Hi Mom and everybody else! What's new? Thanks a million for everyone who sent me something for my birthday, and thanks for keeping me in your prayers! Guess what mom? I got a letter from the Pattersons and they have the same branch presidency as I do when they were in the MTC! Anyway, I had a very good week this last week, I have nearly perfected the first lesson (the restoration) and now I am trying to polish off the second (and longest) lesson (The Plan of Salvation!) this time here is going by a little too quickly, I found out a couple of days ago that I am flying out to the Pasco Airport (news to me that it even existed) next Tuesday, the 24th. I'm not quite sure if I am ready for the field and all of the challenges that comes along with it, but I know that I will be guided by not only the spirit, but my patriarachal blessing says that Heavenly Father has granted Dad the opportunity to be with me through good times and tough times, and that is a really amazing blessing to have! I love my district, and my zone, we have so much fun together, one of the three districts in the zone reports to the field tomorrow, so that's kind of a bummer. we had a fireside last night that was pretty cool, the man who composed the Hymn "Lord, I would Follow Thee" spoke to us, did you know the last two measures in that Hymn are the first two played backwards??? Class everyday is pretty long, but I often find myself lost in my studies, the gospel is not only true, but it is so interesting, my teachers are amazing RM's who genuinly care about you, the only thing is that they go through so many in the course of a year, it's hard for them to get attached to you. The food here has been so elequantly described as "Manna from Heaven" it'll always be there tomorrow, it is really hard to lose weight and get healthier when it is all you can eat/drink of anything, but I think I am doing pretty well. I guess I'll finish here because it is still 6:54 and my eyes are half closed, so never mind the typos. Never before in my life has there been such a strong testimony that not only the gospel is true, but the work I am about to embark on is also. I truly know what it means to have the Holy Ghost be your CONSTANT COMPANION,

8/9/2010

Hey Mom and everybody else! How is everyone? Well, I am having a great time here at the MTC! The first few days here have been long, but at the same time they have flown by, it's really weird, it seems like the outside world just stopped, which is a nice feeling sometimes. My companion is Elder Schmidt from West Valley City, UT, he is a great guy and a fantastic elder, it seems like even though I'm older than him, he has still taught me a lot. My district is great as well, ten out of the eleven elders in my district are going to Kennewick, and the other is going to Phoenix...... so small world huh? Elder Ruettenger is from Gilbert, Elder Brinkle is from Mesa (As as myself), and Elder Bush is from 'Bama, I have had an amazing experience getting to know them and why they are out on a mission. I have been thinking a lot about Dad lately, I can feel him so strongly sometimes. The spirit is one like you would never imagine! The food is great, the teachers are outstanding, and the gospel is true, so pretty much everything here is great! Don't get me wrong, I'm having to work extra hard in my study and my commitment to keep the mission rules, and I can feel the difference when I do. My time is short, and frankly, I don't have much more i can tell you other than i have giant blisters on my feet :( so I think I'll talk to you next monday, can you please post this on my facebook wall? (man do i miss listening to the beatles, and any music in fact, they have a nice bookstore here that has CD's but i didn't bring a player, oh well, I can always sing my heart out (I won't though, because that sounds retarded) alright mom, I love you tons and same with everyone else who might read this.

 

Love Elder Bates