WHAT A SMALL WORLD?!!

Mama!! 

Ahh como está?? How was your week! It sounds like it went great and Im so happy about that! Sounds like everyone is doing really great. :) Im so happy Ken is progressing every day. What a blessing! Thats awesome that she´s been able to walk a little bit more this week. She´s such a strong little girl, I couldn´t be more proud of her. Thats seriously such a small world that you and Ken ran into the Liz´s grandparents! You´ll definitely have to tell her. Im excited for Ken to start her next phase of treatments. SO she will get her port taken out the next month.. so does that mean she wont need any more chemo or how is that going to work? Hahah I think its so funny you said something about the weather here in Merida... because it has been SOO cold the past two days! It´s been a little rainy and with the humidity and rain its so cold. I like the heat! Im so grateful its only going to be cold for a month or so ahhah. 

This week is transfer week! But Hermana Gonzalez and I are staying in Dolores Otero! This will be our third transfer together! This is actually her last transfer so we are going to make it the best one yet! There is a lot of work to do here in Dolores Otero. We are working on finding more people to teach right now. It´s a little difficult but we know that they are out here. :) This week was a good one! On the 6th we celebrated el "rosca de reyes". all of the bakerys bake bread and put little baby Jesus´ in the bread. Each person cuts their own slice of bread and if you cut a slice with a baby Jesus then you have to buy tamales or share a secret or an embarrassing story haha. We did it as a ward and it was awesome. 

I want to share a scripture with you all. :) Its in Alma 5: 60-62.. it says, 60: "And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are in his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you that ye may not be destroyed. 61: and now I, Alma, do command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you. 62: I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying; Come and be baptized unto repentence, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life." I love these scriptures! I´ve been reading in Alma this week and felt that I needed to share this with you all. The good shepherd is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day in our lives he is calling after us. He wants us to come unto him and follow Him. We must be strong when temptations or the "wolves" come into our lives. When we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we will be saved. Those teaching are here to protect us in our everyday lives. The best part about this, is that He wants EVERYONE. Not just certain people. We come unto Him by obeying is commandments. When we particpate in the sacrament. When we read our scriptures. When we share the gospel with our friends. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father knows each and everyone of us personally! What a comforting feeling! They know our strengths and weakenesses and love us for who we are. Im so grateful to be a member of this church and especially right now, a missionary! Thank you for all that you do for me family and friends! Im so grateful for all of you and your examples. Im reminded everyday how lucky I am to have such wonderful family and friends. :) I hope you all can feel the love of the Savior in your lives. I hope you all have a good safe week. Talk to you next week!! Love you!

Love, Hermana Gates

#kickitkdog

1&2) Rosca de Reyes!

3) I cut out a piece with a baby Jesus haha. :)