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!!