*professional throat clear*

My dearest family and closest friends,

3 John 1:13-14

with all my love,

Elder Mason Yates

last week in the mission?

can it be?

Well my friends, my next week letter might be a little different so I have decided to take this time and bear to you my testimony.

I, Elder Mason Shane Yates, know that Jesus Christ is my Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. I love Him. He suffered for me. I am nothing without Him in my life. He has built me up and strengthened me and He knows me. I love my Father in Heaven. He is literally my Father. He has heard and He has answered my prayers. He has sent me to difficult areas, with difficult companions, with difficult circumstances becuase He loves me. I am who I am now thanks to Him. I am a better person. I am different. I am repented and changed. And I am happy. I am so grateful to him. He is my song and my salvation.

I know that the church is true. It is the only true church over this earth. Jesus Christ is the head of this church. Everything that happens in this church is under His control. We are members of His church. I know that Thomas S Monson is His living prophet today on the earth. I have no doubt. I have testified of it before and I will testify of it again.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and together with the Bible, they have the power to convert us to the truth. I have read them. I have studied them. I know that they are books inspired of God and are here on the earth not to collect dust but to be read, studied, and applied.

I know these things are true. I may not have the most eloquent testimony ever, but of the things I have said, I testify because I know them to be true and I cannot deny the things I have said nor Will I deny them in the future. I have felt the truthfulness of these things in my heart. I invite ever person who is thinking about going on a mission to go. go. go. go. you will NEVER regret it. ever. it is the best decision that you can make right now in your life. serving God with all your heart, might, mind and strength is the only way to be happy on the earth. of this I know to be true, because I am happy. I am truly happy. Pray and ask your Heavenly Father if its what you should do. He will help you make this decision. Trust in Him. He knows better than us. Follow His counsels. Never doubt. Act. I love you all so very much and as I finish this last week of my mission, I will do so with a happy, satisfied heart for the blessings that God has given me that I didn't deserve. I am a happy missionary. I appreciate each one of you for the example you have been in my life. I love you and I pray for you. And more importantly God loves you too. Have a great week and may God bless each one of you reading this.

Elder Mason Shane Yates

downpour rain soccer?

check. :)

So, this week has been great. First, yesterday was Pday. First we had to go to the area office because Elder Coyoy had to do some things with his visa to go to Argentina. It hasn't come yet but it MIGHT be close, or it might not. No se sabe. But after we had planned to go play soccer with the young men of the ward, as a district. We get there and after the first 15 minutes its lightning and thundering. So what do you do when it rains on your Guatemalan-styled soccer game? Why, you play in it of course. So play in it we did. It rained so hard that it got to the point where the court was flooded and when we scored a goal we dove on it like a slip n slide. Don't worry. I have videos. :) But they'll have to wait till I get home, just know that it was the funnest ever and if I get sick, it was totally worth it ;)

 

Also, something tragic happened this week. Child services came and intervened with my children and took one of them away! :( Elder Smith was sent to Escuintla this past Friday because a missionary there waiting for his visa to go to the Dominican Republic left and left a missionary there, well, companionless. Soooo seeing as we are/were in a trio, they sacked Elder Smith and put him in the belovedly hot, and unbearably wet coast. Lucky boy. He is probably suffering right now but little does he know, he's going to love it. But that means that Elder Coyoy and I are flying solos now. It's sad, but its the way God wants it. respect. 

 

To say goodbye to Elder Smith, we ordered pizza. Pizza Hut 3 for 1 baby. 3 pizzas. 120 quetzales. Doesn't get any better.

 

Well are preparing a family right now to get baptized on the the 23rd of this month. The wife is a member but her husband isn't. His name is Rudy and he wants to get married and baptized the soonest possible he said. Soooo we obliged. haha. He came to church last week for the first time so we are preparing his marriage and baptism. Pray for Rudy please! We need your prayers!  #alcancetusmetas

 

We are planning a couple more baptisms  for this next two weeks. I'm going out in style. I just pray that you help me. Pray for me and I'll pray for you. kinda like I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine. Please and thank you. Welp, have a great week. Love you lots and lots. Read your scriptures and say your prayers, and remember that Jesus and Elder Yates love you. Have a great week! 143.

 

Elder Yates

 

3 pizzas...120 quetzels

Elder Yates and Elder Montero 2 year cake

soccer in the rain

 

a week full of fun.

What a great week! Lemme explain why...

Heyyyy! So I'm in a super good mood right now! First off, MARISOL GOT BAPTIZED!!!! Por fin! That was great. We kept talking to her about putting her faith in God and taking the first step in the waters of baptism. and she finally agreed! and she asked ME to baptize her. haha. It didn't take much convincing! That was on Saturday, then on Sunday, she got confirmed and her twin sister got all her mission papers done to go on a mission. Marisol wants to go on a mission too but she has to wait just a short little year. It is going to go by fast!

Also on Sunday, we had a stake baptism! In total, we had 8 baptisms on Sunday and little Marcos was part of it. It was great and so spiritual. His whole family came and now his mother is active in the church again after about 2 and a half years of not going. So that was great too. President Brough came and the mission president of south mission so we got to meet and talk with him a little too. They are getting nimajuyu ready for the big change! (after I leave!) 

Also, on Friday I got word that the elder in Guajitos 2 was going to have emergency changes with an elder in the coast. who was the elder in the coast, none other then ELDER MONTERO! My old companion. He is awesome! so he is in my district and we get to see each other lots and lots. Actually we are going to finish our missions together. So that's why I have the picture with him at Antigua. We went together and it was great. Tons of fun. 

 

Lastly, we got word yesterday from President Brough that we were the most successful district this past week and so we got invited AGAIN to the house of President Brough to have district meeting and eat lunch. It was great. We just got back. AND Hermana Brough even made chocolate chip cookies. aka. heaven. I haven't eaten those since I got to this country. They made me smile and I got to bring the extras home in a bag. Helllooooo dinner :)

 

Welp, that's about it now, only a couple more weeks left! I'm almost there. Have a great week. Laugh lots and lots and read your scriptures everyday! I love you!! 

Elder Yates

 

Elder Yates in Genie Pants