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

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