Earthquakes & Hurricanes!

Hola mama!!

So good to hear from you! It sounds like everyone is doing so well! Im so happy. :) Oh man! My comp and I didn´t feel anything during the night of the earthquake. I think it was because we were so tired and also because we sleep in hammocks hahah. But some of the members in our ward said that they were up at midnight and they felt the shake. It really startled the people here in Merida because it shouldn´t have hit this far but everything is okay. No one has been hurt. It´s super interesting to hear all that has been going on here in Mexico, Florida and Texas. Thats so exciting to hear about the little softball tournament dedicated to children who have cancer. What a cool experience that must have been for Kdog. I love that little girl! Im so proud of how far she´s come and everything she has accomplished. She´s so tough! I saw the video of her catching too! She has been progressing so well. :) 

Ricardo has been progressing so well! I seriously feel so humbled to be teaching him because he is so prepared to receive the gospel. My companion and I are still so amazed at how well he understands the message, how well he hears and reads. He´s 87 years old! He is a chosen one! The other day we went to visit him and he was like, "I have so many questions for you two! You have to tell me about these people nephi, Lehi and alma because the bible doesn´t talk about them!" and then he started talking about the Mayan people how well it makes sense that the stories in the Book of Mormon are true and the people are real. He went to church with us again yesterday and loved it! We´ve seen a great change in him. His eyes are shining brighter and he´s been smiling so much more. You can tell that the gospel is changing him. I LOVE that part of being a missionary!!! to see these great changes in these people!

My companion and I set up an activity with the YW-YM in our ward. We had a great turnout! ALL of the teens went! The first part of our acitivty, they helped us search the less actives in our ward and invite them to church.. "la rescate!" and then we played the tree of life scavenger hunt. Its been so great seeing the change in the ward. Little by little its growing. :) the teens are getting more and more excited to help us out and go on visits. 

I love this scripture!! "Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him." -3 Nephi 13:8. Heavenly Father truly knows each of us perfectly! He knows what we need in our lives! So why is it necessary to ask him for blessings in our prayers? Because we are showing our faith towards him. When we pray and ask we are showing Him that we know He lives and that He is real and that He has all the power to do anything He wants. We are showing Him our love and devotion and our willingness to obey Him. We must always remember to pray to Him daily. But not only asking for blessings but to thank Him for all that we have in our lives. He has given us EVERYTHING. He is our Loving Father in Heaven. 

Oh mom! I received the Christmas letter that grandma Gates sent me hahaha. Will you tell her thank you, please?? 

There´s so much to be looking forward to here in the mission! We have a baptism coming up, general conference, more activities planned out for our ward. Things are going so well! Im so grateful to be working in this great work! Its been an amazing experience. We are continueing to search and find the chosen children of God here in this area. God will always be preparing his children to receive the gospel. We just have to be good hunters and fishers and search for them! I hope you all are doing well and are truly happy. Thank you for your love and support! I love you guys!! Have the best week. :)

Con amor, Hermana Gates

#kickitkdog

1) Vicky and Elias!! They are the funniest little kids who LOVE to play with their action figures hahaha.

2) Family home Evening witht the Orozco Family!

3) Hermana Leticias birthday!

4) Cool street paintings

5) Hanging out with the Young Women!!

6) La plaza Sendero!! Viva Mexico! This week we will be celebrating the Independance of Mexico!! 

It's such a privilege to be a missionary!

Hola Mama!!

Sounds like you all had a great weekend! Im so glad things are going well and that you are all happy. Its so fun to hear what everyone is up to. So many things are happening and changing at home but its all good stuff! Im so happy and grateful that you guys have been watched over and protected in these 16 months i´ve been gone. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you guys and strengthen you guys. He loves you all so much.

This week was a great one! We were kept busy! On Tuesday we had some more divisions with some sisters from another área. This time, one of the sisters came to our área to work with me! Her name is Hermana Rodríguez, she´s from Mexico city. She is the humblest, softspoken sister. She has such a pure heart and a true love for this góspel. Almost all of the appointments we had that day fell but we were able to do a lot of contacting on the streets and in the homes. It was a very productive day! I learned a lot from this sister. :)

Well with the family we found, they called us and told us that they would be moving and so we wont be able to teach them anymore... so we are really sad about that because they could´ve really progressed but this is the the Lords work and He has the better plans! BUT we have another investigator who is progressing really well. His name is Ricardo and he is an older man. He doesn´t walk very well so he uses a Wheel chair. He came with us to church yesterday and absolutely loved it! He loved hearing the testimonies of the members of the Ward and told us that he felt the peace that he was searching. :) After the meeting he asked if he could receive a blessing of peace and health. After he told us that the momento the men put their hands on his head he felt a rush of Gods love go through him. He said it was something so powerful and has never experienced it before in his life. I know the priesthood is REAL! I´ve seen so many miracles here in the mission from worthy priesthood holders using the power of God. It heals us and strengthens us. Im so grateful for a dad and two brothers who are worthy to hold the priesthood. Its one of the biggest ways God has showed us His love for us here on earth. :) Ricardo has a baptism date for September 23rd!

We met with another investigator this week. Her name is Shirley and half of her family is LDS and the other half is catholic. She is a Little nervous for baptism because she´s afraid of what her sisters (who are catholic) might think of her. The lesson that we had was so powerful! We talked about the authority of God and how essential baptism is in our lives. Baptism is the first covenant we make with God and its the covenant that opens the doors of the heavens. Through baptism we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Shirly accepted a baptism date for the 30th of September. She has so many desires to know the truth. Finding and helping Gods children here in Merida is wonderful! Its such a privilage to be a missionary. I love it! I love seeing these people change and receive the blessings of the góspel. Its such a special moment in my life!! I love you all! Thank you for your love and support. I hope you continue to have good health and safety. I pray for you every day. Have a safe week and I´ll talk to you next week!

Con amor, Hermana Gates

#kickitkdog

1) Loani, Marycruz, Hermana Rodríguez and I! We had a Little Family night with this wonderful family! It was a lot of fun. :)

2) Hermana Marycruz eating a "chicken sándwich" hahahah

3) Hermana Morales, hermana chacon and I!

4) We ate this whole cake hahahah.