Sister Mitzi Gates // Week Thirty-Six

Another great week!

Butch and Lisa got baptized on Saturday!! It was so special. Sister

Gregory took us to Mt. Juliet to be apart of it. They were so prepared

it still kills me! Okay the water level was only like a 2-3 week

deep........ First of all brother Benitez is this little Hispanic guy.

Second Butch is tall and big. So it took him 3 times to baptize Butch.

Lisa went first and it was great. Then Butch went and he literally had

to let his feet slide under him so his whole body would go all the way

under. But it all worked out! Haha we were able to be there with Lisa

in the fount doors, it was so special. After she bore her testimony

and it was so sweet. Their 5 year old son Isaac said "Even though I'm

not baptized I can still be Mormon right?" Then after we went in the

gym and Butch brought a bell that his great grandmother, who was

Mormon, brought across the plaines when going to Utah. Then it

traveled back to Kentucky. So he had everyone ring it, it was so

special. There's no doubt in my mind that those Ancestors were there

with us that day.

On Monday we met with Jeanette and Ron's preacher. Now that was

interesting! First thing he says is what is your first name, I'd

rather call you by that, we were like okay. So we said our names and

he said he doesn't like my name because their are bad connections with

some Mitzi's he knows. Some I'm already a little bugged by this

preacher. Then we share the Restoration lesson and he lets us talk.

Then he goes on about how if Jesus Christ appeared to the people in

America then where is the evidence, where's the evidence for the gold

plates. We were like faith! Then he proceeded to say he doesn't

believe in miracles. I was just bitting my tongue the whole time he

was talking. I hate bible bashing, it's the worst.

This week we visited a lot of less actives. One was Shirley, I've only

met her once, but we weren't planning on seeing her that day, but I

thought we were and the plans we originally had fell through, so we

went and saw her and she was outside with her son! We went in and

actually watched "the district" with them. It's what we watch as we

train. So that was good! Her son who isn't a member asked about

temples and we said we would share about them next time we came over.

Then on Saturday Deb took us to eat at Logan Roadhouse and then sonic

for ice cream after, we were so full but we still had to tract for an

hour. So we decided just to stay close to her house and we met this

guy Jamie and he said come back tomorrow. So we were tracting

yesterday and I had to write down the guys name we tracted into and I

saw that we forgot about going back. Thank goodness the spirit reminds

us of things! So we went over and the wife answered and we started to

share the restoration. She said she believes it was all possible. Then

we gave her a Book of Mormon and she loved it! She's a bartender in

Nashville, so her hours are crazy. But she even said she was looking

for a church to go to! WAHOO!! I really hope this works out.

On Sunday we were out a ways and their was this referral the Elders

gave us. But the house looked like no one was home, we almost left,

but then the spirit was like you might as well try and at least you'll

know so we did! This cute lady named Star Blair opens and let's us in.

She was making cake and she had her bible on the table. She is such an

amazing Christian lady. I love the south. People will just let you in,

ask if you want some iced tea, we say no and then we just talk about

Christ, the bible and Book of Mormon. What's better than that?

Also we found out that Benjji Russel, the lady we always go see in the

rest home had a brain aneurism. So she is in the hospital and she had

brain surgery today at 1 and she has a 5% chance of living after. Her

husband has been gone for a few years and she is ready to be with him

again. But it just makes me cry thinking of not being able to see her

again, well not on earth at least. I feel like this is The Lord

reminding us all of what's really important in the eternal

perspective. So it got me thinking and I hope all my family is in

heaven with me. I'm sure Grandpa Gates and Grandpa Isom are sitting up

there saying "no empty chairs" I hope we are all doing what we can to

live righteously and endure to the end. It's never to late.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have

peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I

have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Christ suffered for us already. Use the atonement. Also pray for

Benjji, I really really love her.

This week has been amazing. Following the spirit is the only way to

go. This week I've had amazing experiences with that and I'm so

grateful Heavenly Father is letting me be an instrument in his work.

I'm grateful we have forever families. I can't wait to have Kambree

join us today!!!! So ready for her to be here.

There is nothing better than being a missionary. I hope you all have a

great week! Love you!!




Love Sister Gates






So spoiled out here. People are always giving us fresh produce! I love that they have a farmers market here.‏






This is Ty. We meet with her older cousin Melonie in Hartsville! I might take her with me when I come home!!‏













We got a new mattress... In with new and out with the old!! Down the stairs, a couple times!‏













Butch and Lisa Bates baptism!!! SUCH AN AMAZING DAY. The Benitez family are also in the pictures:) love them so much.‏








This is the bell that Butch's great grandmother took with her across to Utah and back!! He had everyone ring it! Such a cool idea.‏









Elder Soffee and Elder Ashton! We all came out together, it's so fun to all work together to help someone come unto Christ!!‏




This is Star Blair. We tracted into her yesterday and I already love her!! Such an amazing Christian lady! She was embarrassed because she wasn't wearing make up, so excuse her! Haha‏








We were tracting and totally got stuck in the rain!! Haha you never know when it's going to come down!‏