October 29, 2019

Salut à tous! This was transfer week and it was really crazy! I got my new companion sister Livingstone and I seriously love her so much! I can tell that this transfer is going to be truly amazing! She is so fun and happy and so hard working. We are going to see miracles:) We have been doing a lot of work with the members. They are all very on board and every one of them knows at least one person who needs to find some peace in their lives. We just invite them to bring them unto Christ in whatever way they feel inspired to. It can be as bold as inviting them to sit down with us, or as simple as praying for them. But we have asked them to do those things consistently and naturally. I know that by doing that, people will come to Christ and his gospel on their own. Just like President Uchtdorf stated. I feel like there are good things coming up for the Greenwood area this next transfer. I want to do my part and try to be the best missionary I can be for the people in this area. I had a very special experience last week that I just wanted to share as well. I had mentioned before that I had met a lady in our ward that had known my dad back when she was living in Halifax. During our last visit, she pulled out this huge binder (one of many) that was just chock full of notes and pictures and letters. She had kept it all these years and during that time missionaries had written in it, including my dad. She found a note that he had written her. It was short and simple, but so priceless to me. I am so grateful that she faithfully kept them all these years. I have a testimony of the importance of keeping record. We all need to be journaling and writing memories and beautiful experiences down. Their worth will only grow with time. And the connections we will make in the future because of them will be of so much worth to us. It's like President Phillips always used to tell me, "there is a power in connectivity." I know that it is not a coincidence that I am here in Greenwood at this time. I know that everything the Lord does, he does for a reason, and if we let him, he can show us what those reasons are, whether in this life or the next. I am so honored and grateful to be a missionary at this time. What an exciting time to spread the gospel! I love the work, I love my Savior, the gospel is true!

October 23, 2019

HELLO! This was quite a week because we found out what is happening with transfers! Sister Clark is headed to Cole Harbour for her last transfer and I am getting sister Livingstone! It was super crazy! We were definitely not expecting a change this transfer. It's kind of sad because i love her a lot and we made a really good team! But I know that the Lord knows best. I am really excited for this next transfer. Only 3 left and then I'm home... I can hardly believe it. This week three of our Jamaician friends came to church! It was so exciting! They really loved it and want to come back next week! We continue to work with the members in the ward. We are visiting each of them and creating individualized family mission plans. They are really running with it! Member missionary work is the best way to go for sure! We also got the opportunity to listen to President Ballard and Elder Christofferson speak to us! They had a special missionary devotional and a special area devotional for Eastern Canada and United States. It was so interesting and so specific! Haha. He told us that we need to pray for our nation and our leaders and invite others to do the same. He also spoke a lot about how we need to be spiritually prepared for the days to come. Remember how they used to council us to have food storage ready? I haven't heard about that in a very long time. That's because it's not merely food that is going to sustain us in the last days, but our testimonies. If we are not spiritually prepared, nothing else will matter. I really have been feeling the urgency of time. The Lord is hastening his work and he's doing it quickly. I have also felt that it's important that we have a testimony of the restoration and of Joseph Smith. I know that he was a prophet called to restore the gospel in its fullness. And because of that, I can enjoy all of the blessings that come with it. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and leads this church today. I love him so much. He brings peace now and guarantees complete healing in the next life. I have had way too many experiences in my life to ever deny the fact that I know that he lives. I love you all dearly! Keep being amazing! Sister Bates

October 18, 2019

Salut mes chers amis et famille! This week was Thanksgiving week here in Canada! We had a lot of cool experiences:) I posted a bible ad a week or so ago and a guy named Greg asked for one. So we went to deliever it and it turns out that he is from Jamaica! He is working at and apple orchard with along with like 12 other guys who are also from Jamaica! We went in and talked to them and they all asked for bibles and copies of the Book of Mormom AND they said they wanted to come to church this Sunday! That would be so cool! They were all so very kind and friendly. I am so excited to see what comes out of it! They were so open and hungry for truth! It had been hard because there have been a lot fo people that we have been working so hard with but they just aren't progressing or willing to keep commitments. It makes it difficult because I love them. I know that the gospel will bring them joy but I can't force anyone to accept it. Anyways... we have been working really hard to find people that are ready to accept the gospel and we have been finding lots of people! I can see how the Lord blesses us when we are willing to work hard and align our will with his. One of our dear friends named Brian has had a lot of struggles but he has a lot of faith. We committed him to live thr word of wisdom and he was willing to try but he was skeptical. During our last lesson with him, he was so excited to tell us about a cool experience he had. He felt this strong the urge to go get some beers. But then he said that he started thinking about us and our conversations and he said he just felt the urge leave him instantly! He said it literally felt like it jumped out of him! Haha. He thought that was pretty cool! And then what's more, he has been looking for a saw to cut wood for winter. That night he went up to visit a friend, and that friend had a saw that he was willing to sell him for 50$. He had 45$ on him. He wouldn't have had that money if he would have gone out and bought the beers like he wanted to. It was such a cool experience!! It is so exciting to see how he is recognizing God's hand in his life. He keeps telling us that things like that keep happening. He keeps seeing sp many miracles:) It's a beautiful thing. The gospel changes people and makes them better. Something in him changed. I have seen it. These are the fruits of the gospel. This is the joy that I work for:) I hope that you all had a great week as well! Je vous aime beaucoup!! Sister Bates

October 8, 2019

Hello everyone! Wow, this week was a spirit filled one!! I remember when I was a kid and conference seemed to drag on for 5 years and I just wanted it to end... now it goes by in like 3.7 seconds and I never want it to end!! Everything that was said was exactly what I needed. I dont know how the Lord can do that with billions of people in the world, but somehow he caters to the one. It doesn't make sense but it works. I felt that a big theme was trusting in God. I have felt myself doubting a lot lately. Not the gospel or the Lord, but myself. I realized strongly this weekend that my efforts are enough and they are acceptable to the Lord. We always say that the Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect. I think that over the years my mind accepted that but my heart never did, because not measuring up has always hit me really hard. But I have been realizing over these last few months (and it was solidified at conference) that the stakes are never too high. He has set all this up so perfectly so that I can make a billion mistakes and still ALWAYS be good enough. When we look at this life with a correct and eternal perspective, we can see that it's more than okay to make mistakes! In fact, it's good! We should relish in the fact that we will never be mortal again so now is the time to be imperfect. After we get to the next life, the stakes will get a lot higher because then we will be expected to be more perfect, but not now! We are like children in so many ways. I look back sometimes at my defiance and little tantrums and it's almost funny. Heavenly Father is just as kind and patient (and probably amused) as a loving father with his toddler. Even more so! I am grateful that he loves us all so uncondituonally. Simply for being his. I know that he knows us and our hardships and he has given us the Savior to be a mediator and a friend for us. All of the power of Christ is ours if we accept it through faith, repentance and baptism. The way is so clear and so easy if we let it be. We were able to get two people we have been working with to come and watch a session with us. Their names are Carol and Joe and they are the sweetest people under the sun! They really really loved the messages! I think it was really a big step for them. Now maybe they'll have a desire to be taught and not just visit Haha🤣 they are such lovely people. I am so grateful to know them. Thank you all for your prayers and love! I hope all is well and you feel the love of Christ every day! Love, Sister Bates

October 1, 2019

Bonjour tout le monde! This week was a spiritual overload! It really wiped me out haha! I got to go to stake conference, zone conference and the temple all in the same weekend! It was so so special because I haven't been to the temple in over a year. So after such a long time, walking into that building was healing. Literally, the peace was tangible. It was a very sweet and sacred experience. It was great too because all of the missionaries in the zone came together and sang in the missionary choir. We did this beautiful rendition of called to serve. The whole entire theme of stake conference was missionary service! It was so cool!! We had RMs speak, people that were just about to leave on their missions, and people that served missions a long time ago. It was wonderful to hear all of the different points of view. One thing was constant throughout all of the talks. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was the best thing I have ever done. I feel like that's the cliche phrase that everyone uses, but it's true. It amazes me that the numbers of trials and frustrations that come with serving a mission can coexist so perfectly with the mountains of blessings and Joys that come from serving a mission. I am a witness of that. I don't understand how it works, I just know that it does. We went on exchanges this week with the Yarmouth sisters. It was so fun! Sister Stoddard is absolutely amazing! She is also an Aggie so I guess that's why! Just kidding lol. But she is seriously so awesome. I work with such focused and consecrated missionaries. It is a great blessing. I have been thinking a lot this week about what makes a successful missionary. I read the Ricciardi letter (it is SO good. I would totally recommend it to anyone!) and it said that success is measured by our obedience, not by how many people we find or teach. The Lord knows where the elect are. He could lead us straight to them if he wanted to. But why would he deprive us of the experience and the growth and the learning that comes from finding them on our own? He knows the experiences that we need to have to help us become. I am trying to tell myself that. As long as I do, I will never fail. I love being a missionary. Sometimes, it is so hard. But I look back at where I was a year ago and I see why it has to be. As much as it hurts sometimes, I am grateful for the ways the Lord has kindly and lovingly shaped me. I love him so much for that. I know that the church is true. It just makes so much sense! The more I study and teach it, the more I am sure that it is directly from God. I am just so grateful to be a part of this work. I love you all:) Keep being amazing! Love, sister Bates