Mitzi Gates: Sister Mitzi Gates // Week Sixty

SUCH AN AMAZING WEEK!!

Well to start off we had Zone Conference in Murfreesboro and Elder Renlund from the 70 came and spoke to us, as well as his wife. Such a strong and powerful meeting. I got rebuked a little, I got spiritually uplifted, and I gained more love for my Savior.

He kept going over 4 things that he never wants us to forget that were so powerful

1. The First Presidency and 12 Apostles thanks each one fo us for serving and caring so much about Gods children to serve.

2. We have been sent to the Tennessee Nashville Mission for a reason. Know it for yourself. If you don't know, find out. Then write it down, so you never deny it.

3. President and Sister Andersen have been called of God and love you.

4. Elder Renlund said "I know Christ lives"

He obviously went in depth about all of these. But I came to know more than ever that he is so aware of us. He know EVERYTHING that we are going through, everything we have been through, and everything we are going through. It was only because of our Savior, Jesus Christ that all of this was even possible.

In a meeting we had after with just the leaders in the mission and president and sister Andersen, as well as Elder and Sister Renlund, one of them said

"Run to him in the end, be confident that you have done all you can to make him proud of you!"

Wow. I can't even tell you the spirit that came over me. Am I doing things out of love for my Savior? It was such a testimony builder for me. Do all you can to make him proud of you.

Also we had Bishop Davies from the presiding bishopric come to our stake conference and talk to us. We had it in the Music City Center, in down town Nashville. Like who can say they have done that? Such an amazing experience. He also had a twin sister, so that just made it that much better.

He mentioned the 5 steps to grow your relationship with our Savior:

1. Daily communion involving prayer

2. Daily selfless service to others

3. Daily striving for increased obedience

4. Daily acknowledgement of the Savior

5. Daily study of the scriptures.

Also something else he said that I loved:

"The reason we build temples is so love can be eternal"

I knew that. But that was so beautiful.

Also this week I went on two exchanges. One with Sister Bishop in Green Hills. We went down town and contacted people right on the famous Broadway and showed people "He is the Gift" video right on our ipads. They got 3 new investigators that night. Such an amazing experience.

Then Sister Boyle came to my area. We helped deep clean the building. Then we had a lesson with our investigator Caleb, his wife Alyssa actually sat in on the lesson too for the first time. We get into some pretty deep stuff. So it's really interesting. His wife didn't really know what she was talking about either. She would try and bash with us and then be like "that's right, isn't it Caleb? and he was like no... it was awkward. She didn't really like us! haha but that's okay.

Okay so our people we are really focusing on is Diana, who is a less active we found by a miracle. Then her boyfriend is Adam, and Adam has a younger sister who is Mia. we are teaching them. We taught them the Restoration last Monday, and their mom actually sat in on it! their dad does not like us though. So then we went over on Saturday. We brought cute little 12 year old Natalie Neuhaus with us. She knows Mia, so it was perfect. She did so great! If a 12 year old can do missionary work! so can you!! But any ways we talked about the Plan of Salvation. BEST LESSON EVER. Diana, Natalie, Sister Oldroyd and I all testified. The spirit was so strong. We talked about baptism and she said she wants to get baptized! YAY!! We didn't set a date because we wanted her to pray about it first. So we are also worried about their mom and dad.... hopefully that doesn't effect it. But YAY! We are going to meet with them tonight. So hopefully that goes well!

We also started to ride the bus to down town Nashville and back to find more investigators.

We find some creeps. We find some scary people. We also find people who are prepared.

We rode it down and this guy got on the bus and needed $20 in change to ride, but I just gave him 75 cents to ride. Then he felt obligated to come and talk to us. So he came back and asked what our name tags were. We told him. So I start having a conversation about the church with this Indian guy, in the mean time. This guy looks over, tattoos all over his face, pants to his ankles, and just a hard core black man form LA. He turns to Sister Oldroyd and asks "Is Jesus real?" boom! Just like that we started up another conversation! We have had so many miracles like that. We are just teaching slowly, but this area is on the VEO (verge of explosion) haha

We also are doing this 40 day fast in our ward. Where for 40 days one family in the ward will fast for missionary work. We have seen the results from it increase already!!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!

Also we don't have a Christmas tree because we just opened this area, so there are no old ones from old missionaries. So like a few weeks ago I was like "hey lets just get a branch and make a tree!" she laughed at me and said no. Then when we were on a run this week I was like "hey lets get a branch for our tree!" So guess what? We went over to the pine tree. Grabbed some branches off.... cars were driving by.. so we pretended to stretch. Then we got our branches... after we got all sap over us. Then ran back to our apt. and put it in a spaghetti jar. Then put a bow on it! Hahah it was hilarious. Seriously. its the greatest.

We laugh all the time. I'm grateful I have Sister Oldroyd over the Holidays!!

I love being able to show He is the Gift to everyone. It never seems to change my feelings every time I watch it. I love my Savior. I'm so grateful I get to be his personal representative at this time of year. Thanks for all your love and support.

I love you:)

Sister Gates

Elder Renlund from the 70 came and spoke to us!!! So amazing.‏

Riding with the Zone Leaders and Spanish Elders to Zone Conference! Haha in the mini van.

Cute little Natalie Neuhaus came out with us to a lesson, so we rewarded her with ice cream! Then she gave out pass a long cards! Did I tell you she's 12?‏