Pictures

This is me and one of my dear friends(: We got the same scarf at our missionary Christmas party a few days ago and so we had to take a picture together(:

This is probs one of the most awkward pictures I have on here and it makes me laugh everytime. Me and Sister Shurtluff were taking a picture together and all of the sudden Elder Ary, one of our AP's just comes right on into our picture. The best part is is that we are both SUPER short and he looks like a skyscraper next to us... so here you go (: haha

This is Debbie one of my investigators(: We made a poster for her the other day so that she could help all the kids she lives with to follow more rules. haha

 We make pies at Bonnies at least once a week. From scratch. Crust and all. No big deal. haha 

     This is me doing... something. I can't figure out what now that I look at it. haha

The farmhouse we live in! (:

Some of these members shot this REALLY BIG BEAR! (:

We went caroling with La Familia Abregu the other day... it's a little blurry but I thought it was cute. They are the best ever! (:

2 letters

Christmas Zone Conference

4 de Deciembre:  
Well... today I found out my baby sister just had a baby so that's good(: I hope everything went well. I bet she will be a good mother to her. I do feel a little bit out of the loop though.

Today was seriously the cutest thing of my life.. so we went over to this families house called the Stricklands and they are going to be out of town for a few weeks so they had us over for a birthday dinner tonight. (:  They made me this beautiful chocolate cake and I got to blow out candles and everything! I absolutely had such a great night. Also this week was Thanksgiving and we went over to the Sheets and seriously it was the BEST food ever! I didn't even have room in my stomach to try everything there was so much food. Afterwards we played cornhole and dictionary these two "Southern" games. It was such a great holiday (: Also it snowed this week. I was a little homesick. haha Well gotta go! Love you all!   Hermana Bateson

P.S Jacob 4:9    For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure?




16 de Deciembre:

Hola Como estan todo? How is everyone's holiday going? The Christmas season is seriously the funnest. We went  to get our nails done today and I got red and gold. I love Christmas and Christmasey things and Christmasey colors and I love Christmas! (:

Well this week went by so fast again but this week was special because it was my birthday week! Yayyy! Monday night was really fun because we had an appointment with this less active family, the Glatz and we were able to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ and I loved it because they were so excited to learn and I love teaching because actually getting a lesson with someone that is actually expecting you is priceless so it was a great start for the week.

Tuesday we taught this lady who was in this college class who had to write a paper on religion and she chose ours! I think I maybe talked about her but this week was super awesome because we basically taught her all 4 lessons again and then committed her for baptism in McDonald s. Well it was funny because it was totally random but I try to commit everyone for baptism like every lesson I teach and so she was a little confused about how Jesus Christ  creo la tierra bajo la direccion de Dios and so I looke up the answer and explained and then I started to say,  "Will you follow the example...."and she (before I actually asked her to be baptized) said, "Absolutely." And so we committed her to pray and continue to pray but that kind of reaction was amazing. (:

Wednesday was Zone Conference and as usual, the Spirit was there and I was totally uplifted. 

Thursday was my birthday! The cutest thing ever. I was so over whelmed with gratitude because all the people that called, and wrote, and sent packages. I was just filled with gratitude(:
One of our investigators Celeste who is this 14 year old girl, made me a cake from scratch and this other family gave me a card and it was so wonderful. It really was such a nice day.

Well I guess that's about it for me this week. I love ya'll. I am grateful for all the love and support I get from you back home. It means the world to me!
I know that the church is true. I know that it's through Jesus Christ and his atonement that make up the difference when we think or feel we aren't good enough. I also know that by the power of the Holy Ghost we can know all things and I know that this plan of happiness is real. This is his work, and I am so grateful we were chosen to be a part of his church. 

Love you !! Hermana Bateson

I am seriously becoming a master baker here.

Brooke's new companionship

Mission Home

New missionary trainers meeting

( I found these pictures on their mission website and since Brooke didn't send any I thought I'd post these)


Hello Everybody! How was everyone's semana! We're you all able to watch the First Presidency Devotional? I was really excited to watch it. (: 

Guess what? It's my birthday week! I was thinking that I was going to be super excited but honestly all I want is to like baptize someone or something for my birthday. I think that would be the BEST birthday ever.

Anyways, so this week was an interesting one. I woke up Monday morning with strep throat (or at least I thought) and I thought I was going to die. But then I remembered I got this conveniente package from the young women ( thanks girls!!) that has everyting I need to get better. So anyways, I have been sick this week but it's still been okay.

There is the cutest Asian lady that lives in the ward who literally is smaller than me and the funniest lady ever. She told us that when she was a teenager she was incarcerated in these Japanese camps in Oregon. It was crazy!

Our main investigator Bree has been hit really hard by Satan lately. It's really sad because she was supposed to get baptized on December 14th but she has had too much "anti" from her boyfriend and parents that she has decided to "take a break" for a while. Sorry for the bad news but I was a little sad.

There was the coolest thing ever though. I am seriously becoming a master baker here. Everyone says I make the best pies!! We had a ward Christmas party on Saturday and so we made pies for it and... anyways I guess it was just fun to do.

Last night we went over to the Abregu's for dinner. They are from Argentina and they showed us this drink called Mate and it was disgusting but it was cool how they made it from this plant. 

Well I guess that's all for me. I am not sure if I mentioned this but I started memorizing a scripture everyday. It's so hard, wish me luck! 

Love you all. Hermana Bateson

It snowed this week!!

Check it out!!! It snowed this week!! (: This is just outside the of our house.

This is a picture of me and my beautiful companeras and we are just eating at the Stricklands who by the way are like the most christlike people in the world. (: They do come in second to my mommy though(: 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Como estan??  I hope you actually get this letter before or on Thanksgiving. (: I realized today that I seriously have been out here so long and usually it doesn't even seem like it. The past 8 months have seriously flown by! It's the craziest thing to me. I guess I feel like when I get home I am just going to go back and everyone is going to be the same but obviously that's not going to happen. haha   I forget you all are learning and growing too!

So guess what?? As you know, I'm training again!! I got my new Hermanita on Wednesday strait off the airplane although it definitely does not seem like it. Her name is Olivia Winters and she is from South Jordan too.Yep, we know each other. We went to Middle school and at Bingham HS I knew her. Sweet huh?  She is a very nice girl and I am very grateful to be serving with her. What's even luckier is that I get to stay with Hermana Horrocks but I think I already told you that.

Not really anything too exciting happened this week... Oh wait! It did! We got a baptismal commitment out of Bree for Dec. 14th and the coolest part is that date is her birthday! She is really excited but she has a lot of opposition from her family so if ya'll could pray for her to receive an answer, that would be wonderful. Gracias!!

Oh and I would just like to make it known how grateful I am to be somewhat fortunate enough to be a member of the church. There are so may people that don't have it and my heart just hurts for them. Seriously, how lucky are we to have the knowledge we have! Anyways love you!! Have a great week!

Hermana Bateson

going to be training... again

So this week came and went by super fast. As usual. Something amazing happened to me this week. So Wednesday is transfers so we got the transfers call on Saturday while we were doing some service and first we found out that I was going to be training... again. So I just assumed that they were going to take away Hermana Horrocks but then we kept listening and turns out that we are going to train together! I am so excited(:   That means I get a whole six more weeks with  her! I am just super excited about that because we have the best times ever together. I am so grateful. Also, that does mean we have to train which is always such a learning experience because these Hermanas are coming from Mexico MTC now and I love to hear all about that. I hope she is cool. That's all I have to say about that.

My companion is helping to stop me biting my nails and you would be so proud to see how long my nails are now! Also, today we went and got our nails done and the little Asain lady that did my nails took one look and was like, "you bite! You stop bite!" haha it was so funny!

Oh my goodness I have to tell you about the spiritual experience I had today. So our appointment that we had at 8 cancelled because she was sick. So we went to go see this familia that we sorta lost faith in because they weren't progressing or anything so we decided to stop by and it ended up being a total bomb. I have learned to love feeling the spirit work through me. I love sharing my testimony. I am so grateful to be a member in the church. What a privilege and honor it is to be a missionary.

How are you all?? I hope everyone is doing well. I am looking forward to Christmas (: 
Hermana Bateson

2 letters this time

One day, we were driving around trying to contact these people and we found them but they were still at work so we started tracting on this beautiful mountain until they got home and I turned around and saw this... que bonito!(:

This picture is absolutely terrible of me but it's a good one of the district and our Zone Leaders! love them!(:

I know I have been slacking but... I finally got the fish mailbox(:

(oh and in case you were wondering... it was FREEZING that day!

4 de Noviembre

Hello, Everyone, How is everyone doing? I have sure missed Utah lately although I have heard some rumors that it's snowing so maybe I don't miss it that much. haha

Okay two quick thoughts before I forget:
1) I am grateful to mi madre this week because she raised me to be a hard worker. Even when it's hard and you don't want to. I am so lucky  to have the work ethic I have because that truly is what these people out here are missing. I have been thinking so much about that lately. I'm so lucky to have such a good mommy.
2) I love learning. I seriously do. It's my new favorite. I can't believe that it took serving a year and a half in Tennessee to realize that. haha

So this week was Halloween! We had a super fun "Trunk or Treat" out at the church on Wednesday with the ward. I was able to better get to know a lot more people in the branch and me and Hermana bought the same cardigan and dressed up as twins!

Sooo on Sunday I had a bit of an experience. I went to Relief Society and was chosen to be the translator. yayyyy..not.  haha Let's be honest right now, my Spanish is not that good and so I ended up translating Sociedad de Socorro for some Spanish sisters and after I asked them if they could understand and they said "un poco" which means "a little" so basically I need  to step it up and all that I could do was laugh because I honestly and truly did my best. haha slap in the face haha. It is hard when you seriously have no Spanish investigators or anything. Pray for my Spanish It needs some work. haha

Alrighty, well shout out to the Young Women for sending me that adorable package and all the quotes. I love ya'll remember who you are and stay beautiful!!

Love you all!!!

Hermana Bateson


11-13-13

This week was super fun. And by fun, I mean productive. haha Monday was super awesome because my beautiful companera and I got new coats at Banana Republic so now not only do we have the truth... we also look great sharing it(: Thanks Mom! haha Tuesday we spend our time in the mountains... it was beautiful. I think I sent a picture but I swear it is fifty thousand times better in real life! (: Wednesday... I spend yet another day in Knoxville with the Sister Training Leaders for exchanges. I learned muchisimo!(: Knoxville is so boring though. I am totally converted to serving in the country. And by country I mean Tennessee middle of nowhere country where the houses are ten miles apart and the walking up the driveway could easily be taken as scaling a mountain. haha

Guess what?? I played the piano at District meeting!! (: Yayy! It was so exciting, I'm not kidding, I thought I was the coolest. (: I played "We thank thee O God For a Prophet" and "Love One Another" Of course they were in the easy hymn book but still... I played and people sang to it. Goal? Accomplished.

Also, there is this super awesome family in the ward named the Boles and let me tell you... if anyone does member missionary work, it's them. We found a solid investigator through them. Member missionary work. Do it. I mean, this is the work of the Lord guys. How can you not want to be a part of it?? It makes me soo happy(: (:

Um... I think that is all for now. I absolutely am so happy here. No doubt, its the hardest thing of my life but I can't think of anything more rewarding... literally I have tried and there is nothing. haha  I love being a missionary and I love learning and I love the gospel and I love YOU!(:

Hermana Bateson

I'm doing great in Sevierville!

Me by the sign again

Ahhhh Tennessee

Mi companera y yo con masks(:

Mi companera y yo with our mustache pens we found at The Cracker Barrel(:

The leaves are be-a-u-tiful here in Tennessee right now(: Here is a sample

For some reason, we were practicing our sad faces in the car one day so... enjoy. hah

It's so weird because it seems like each day in the mission is like a freakin marathon but somehow, P day comes around sooo fast! It's crazy! But anyways... how are y'all? 

I  am doing great here in Sevierville. It's a great place for me to be. I feel very lucky to be serving aqui. My district is super awesome - all Spanish speakers and I love that. Plus there are actually people in the ward that are Spanish ( or Natives... whatever you call them) and so I love it. 

This week has been awesome. Mi companera is a boss at the piano so thanks to her and my "Hymns made easy " book, I have agreed to play the piano at District Meeting on Friday. I'm super nervous, but I think it will be good for me to get some time in playing with actual people singing along.

 Also, I had to give a talk yesterday in church and it was super awesome because I really didn't have to prepare all that much and I wasn't even nerviosa or anything! I'm thinking that it has to be like a missionary thing because it was always super scary to give talks back home but now, it's just sorta like teaching a lesson or something.

So you guts, the best thing ever happened this week. We were able to teach this girl named Courtni and she gets the Gospel.  Por ejemplo, so we taught the whole restauracion up to Jose Smith and we said that God and Jesus Christ appeared to him ( which to us Mormons that seems like no big deal, right??) Well, it is. She said, "What??? There is God and there is Jesus?" and we were like, "yeah, isn't that amazing?" And she literally sat back and said, "I have always believed that. It just makes sense." It was amazing. (:

Also, I know the priesthood is real. So, the Elders had a baptism on Saturday and she wanted to be confirmed at her baptism which usually doesn't happen but anyways... so Elder Peterson confirmed her and immediately when he put his hands on her head, I just knew, in my heart that it was real  and to sorta tell you why that was so profound, earlier this week we had been totally bible-bashing, like hardcore with this gut who was about to go to "Bible school" -about the priesthood and weird stuff like that. So anyways, that confirmation was just a witness that it is true.

I love the gospel, I love the church, I am just so happy to be a Mormon. We are so Blessed.

Anyways, so this week I got a "compliment" from one of the Elders. I couldn't actually decide if he was trying to be nice or calling me stupid in a nice way. Anyways, he said I acted exactly like Buddy the Elf. I thought about that for awhile and decided to take it as a compliment because seriously... who doesn't like Buddy the Elf??? Am I right or am I right? 

Anyways, okay I love you all! Sorry to ramble. haha   Hermana Bateson

The first cold day

Mi companera y yo. (: 

This was the first cold day and so we had to take a picture of us all bundled up and FREEZING! haha (:

Isn't this the cutest sign?? 

I think so too(:

Okay so how are you all doing?? This week was one of my most interesting yet. So it started out like any other week. P-day was super fun. We went up to Pigeon Forge and played tennis with the Elders. I figured out that I'm glad that I i didn't try to play sports ever in my life because no matter who I play with ..... we LOSE! I'm serious. It's un poco depressing.

Tuesday, we went to Bonnie's house for like seven hours and made pies and oh my gosh... my baking skills are like a TON better than my sports skills. I learned how to make pie crusts! It's sooo fun (: I will teach you all how to do it as soon as I return.

Wednesday we went to this funeral and I'm pretty sure that it was my first funeral so.. yeah!    Plan of Salvation = real.

Thursday we went all the way up to Gatlinberg for this meal appointment. It was Beautiful!!! It actually reminded me of Utah  a little bit with the "mountains" (more like big hills if you ask me) and the leaves are all changing and just, WOW.

Saturday we committed our new investigator Evan to be baptized! Yay! La obra  misional!! So it was only a monumental experience because Hermana Horrocks  hasn't had that experience yet on her mission so it was really good for her to see Missionary work change someones life. I seriously  do have la mejor companera. I am so lucky to be with her.

Friday (sorry backtracking) we had la cena con esta familia en Espanol y apparently not only do they correct my Spanish but this guy was correcting my English too!! haha Oh and Mom, they were from Argentina!(: 

Monday (ayer), Elder Corbridge came to speak to us. He is such ans amazing man and he taught us about teaching the most important thing. Guess what it is? The Gospel. El evangelio is singlehandidly (haha -note her spelling) the most important thing because only through it can we receive a remission of our sins. Amazing!!! Well  I am out of time(:  Les quiero

P.S. Go read the talk "the Way" by Elder Corbridge from Conference.

Tidbits from online chatting with Brooke

I know this looks super lame, but it really isn't! This is a picture of "sapo the gato" We found him tracting. This guy was standing outside of his house and we started talking to him and 5 minutes later I walked away with this toilet paper holder shaped like a cat! (: haha

I didn't write you yesterday because we had a General Authority come to our mission so our Pday is today instead! (: The one that came was Elder Corbridge, he actually spoke in General Conference. You should read his talk. It was really great. But yeah, he came to our mission and it was such a good meeting. Sorry about my letter last week. I was so busy with transfers and all that I didn't get it in the mail until the next Saturday! hah Lo siento!(: 

Did that guy give you his toilet paper holder?

hahahahahahah No. He made a ton of them and just gave one to us because he was moving. hahahah 

No pictures of you this week?  

 I didn't take any. It was a busy week. Im really trying to get this area going hahah It's been slooooww here for a while but I am trying to get some work going. 
  

Only 10 1/2 more months! 

I'm proud of myself too because I haven't even gotten fat yet and that is a surprise because they feed us soooo much! haha

What do you do for exercise? During your exercise time?

Yeah I get up early so I have enough time to workout good. haha And I do like intervals with jogging, sprinting, and like resistance training such as pushups and planks and stuff. 

Does your companion do it too?

 She doesn't like getting up early but she goes out there with me and does some jogging and walking usually. 
  
Emily mentions she runs out of money for food. How are you doing?

 Sometimes I do but that's because I buy a lot of other stuff too. I don't just buy food usually. I'm doing pretty good right now I think. 

But anyways... I have to go now. My time is almost up. Love you Mom! (: 

Tenga una buena semana(:

1st transfer

This is my old bedroom! hah Mine is the bed with the black flowers(:

Is this dog not the cutest dog everrrr? I love him. His name is Winston(:

I know this looks weird of me but I just want everyone to know that sister missionaries in the South have thee cutest bikes ever! (:

Downtown Loudon(: Voy a extranar a Loudon!

Best sign ever! I finally took a picture of it like the day I left Loudon. The Elders made this sign like 4 or 5 months ago and I loved it so much I had to get a picture!

The other side of it. (:

This is the old study room down in my beloved Loudon!

1st letter this week: 

Hola, Another week! Holey Moley! I am really so confused on how it is already October, but whatevs I guess. Does time go by this fast in real life? Just wondering because it's starting to scare me. haha

Well conference was this week and wow. It gets better and better every time I watch it. We are so blessed. Want to know what my thoughts were the whole time?? Well... to sorta preface my thoughts... they kinda go along with Uchtdorfs talk and this guys conversion story I heard. He said, " I don't want to be a Mormon" 
Wake up call everyone- living the gospel is hard and most people aren't willing to it. Also, people (at least in the South) go to church and listen to their Preacher tell them that we are a cult and to stay away from us. Why would you want to walk around with the churches name taped to your chest or even have the courage to express membership?? he said, "I don't want to be a Mormon... but why are we?? Because it's true."
Hello! It really is true. The blessings are really and truly there. It's amazing. I am so grateful to be part of this church. How blessed we are to have a prophet- the mouthpiece of God.

Also, Sunday morning we were driving over to the Elder's casa to pick them up for Conference and every single church that we passed (besides the Seventh-day Adventists haha) had full parking lots and we pulled up to the parking lot to our little humble  church and we were the only car there. If those Baptists, Methodists, etc, only knew that THE prophet of God was speaking they would do anything to go there. Truly, how great is our work. Bringing them to the truth. Anyways, sorry for that missionary soapbox. Sometimes I can't help myself. haha 
LOVED CONFERENCE! 

P.S. The Lord has truly tested my patience this week, There is this Elder where I am serving with a lot of "different" philosophies about missionary work and the rules and stuff. Let me tell you... I have only raised my voice once and I am proud of myself (: haha

P.S.S. Big News! I almost forgot to tell you! GUESS WHAT??? I am getting transferred for my very first time. I am so sad to leave Loudon but I completely trust that it is what the Lord wants. I am very scared though. I feel like I'm going to a brand new mission or something. Estoy nerviosa :/

2nd letter: October 14th

Well this week has been very different for me. I actually got transferred for my very first time! It was so crazy, I'm telling you. So now guess where I am?? Sevierville! It's super loco. 
My new companion is freakin awesome too (: I love her and her name is Hermana Horrocks. She is from Bountiful, Utah and I just don't even know what to say... oh yeah. She is one of those "sporty girls" haha. She is super good at sports.

So we live with these miembras called the House's and that is pretty different. The house we live in is an old farm house built in the 1800's and so its super like "southern slave" material. It's crazy. And awesome. 

It's really weird because right now in the area we didn't have any investigators. Like none. So I am working super hard just to find new investigators... Someone to teach! haha And my comp has been here for 12 weeks and hasn't exactly had any investigators or baptized anyone so we have a lot of work to do. Also, she just got done being trained so I really want to help her to have more faith in the area and la obra misional.

Anyways, I'm really excited to be here.(:  My Spanish has also been improving too because we actually have Spanish members and all of my district is Spanish so it's fun to actually speak Spanish and have people understand me. haha

Tengan una buena semana!! Hermana Bateson

We went to this old "cotton mill" or whatever it's called and when we showed up after riding our bikes like three miles to get there.. this was all it was. haha BUT it was still a little fun.

This was about 5 minutes before I, Brooke Bateson, put my foot in the Tennessee River. It was pretty gross but I had to do it, just to say I did it. (:

I have had such a good week! Being a missionary RULES THE WORLD! haha This week we got to go down to Farragut and go to the La reunion de Sociedad de Socorro. (Relief Society Meeting) It was amazing! I will tell you, the second the Prophet stood up and started to address us, I felt the Spirit so strongly. I know he is the prophet of God on the earth today and just knowing that is such a blessing. I loved what he said about prayer. All he said was, "Remember Prayer" and it was just so profound. Best night of the mission for sure. Plus, the women in Tennessee have such big hearts, I love spending time with them. 
(:

NEWS FLASH: Sister Bateson had her first Spanish investigator at church yesterday!!! It was soooo sweet! I was so happy to see her come. It was our fast Sunday and I was able to go and dar (give) my testimony en espanol and it was just a neat experience to be able to do that. (: (: 

Also, I'm starting to get better at this whole "Bible belt" Tennessee thing. I mean, I wouldn't exactly call it "Bible bashing" but kinda in a sweet little sister missionary way. haha  I have put a lot of trust in Heavenly Father's promise that if you bare sincere testimony you will not be confounded before men. And the Lord keeps his promises. I have never once had my testimony be put down and for that I am grateful. But really and truly, these people need to know the truth and that's what we have so I am just doing everything I can to let them know what we have. ** okay missionary soapbox moment** haha

SECOND NEWS FLASH: Sister Bateson was asked to give a training ( for hose that don't know what that is, it's basically when missionaries teach other missionaries) at Zone Conference on Friday! Ummmm... Hello! Are you loco?? Haha I definitely should not be up there training other missionaries. haha I still feel brand new at this! More on that next week... I will tell you how it goes! haha 

LOVE YOU ALL!               Hermana Bateson

P.S. Shout out to all the kids in Daybreak 2nd ward who wrote me! I hope they call me on a mission...

Spanish Conference

Como estan ustedes? So as for my adventures this week...

1) We had a Spanish Conference this Saturday. It was literally the best thing of my life, no joke. It was cool to actually be with Spanish speaking missionaries. haha Also, I got to chill with Elder Antaleo who is strait-up from Chile and he basically answered every question I had. It was dee best. (:

2) Today was pretty fun because we actually did something cool on P-day. haha We went on a bike ride down the river which was bea-u-tiful! (: Oh, and I stuck my foot in the Tennessee River! I mean, who can say they have done that?? I can!! haha We also went to this old cotton mill place which sounds a lot cooler than it actually was but still! I'm just proud of us for actually getting out and doing something other than just sitting around in the mission office and eating brownies. haha 

3) Some lady while we were tracting literally said this to us. Oh wait let me reenact this for you... *knock* 
Us: Hi! How are you today?
Girl: What do you want? *dog bark*
Me: Oh that's a cute dog you have there! What kind is it? Is she nice? *dog barks more*
Girl: It's a pitbull and no, What do you want?
Me: Oh well were just missionaries  from the Church of Jesus Chri...*and more*
Girl: If you don't leave I'm gonna let her out on you... 

Anyways... I was like are you serious lady??? Some people these days...haha Good times in Loudon County everybody....haha

Alrighty.. No tengo mucho tiempo. Hasta Luego!  I Love You! Hermana Bateson

Practicing Spanish

I went on exchange to Knoxville again and check out this picture this lady had on her fridge! (: Hilarious!!

We keep it real in Tennessee(: Just kidding... I just like this sign thing. I seemed old and vintage and I was bored sitting in the car.

Esta semana paso muy rapida. Como ustedes pueden ver, estoy trabajando en mi Espanol. Lo siento si ustedes no pueden entenderlo. Es porque yo necesito practicar! Aunque esta semana paso rapida estaba bien. Yo aprendi mucho. Yo fui a Knoxville para exchanges otra vez...estuvo bien, pero me extrande a Loudon. Loudon es mejor que todos otras lugares! Pienso que pronto voy a ser transferred. pero esta bien porque yo estoy aqui ahora. 
(This week went by fast. As you can see, I working on my Spanish. I'm sorry if you guys can't understand it. It's because I need to practice. Although this week went by fast it was good. I learned a lot. I went to Knoxville on exchange again.... It was good but I miss Loudon. Loudon is better than all the other places! I think I'm going to be transferred soon, but that's okay because I'm here now.)

Okay enough with the Spanish... I have to hurry here. I don't know if I told you this already but I officially started reading the Bible. I figured since I'm in the "Bible Belt" I should probably do that considering we "Bible - bash" like everyday- it's ridiculous.

 So let me say something... The other day (Saturday to be exact) we had like perfect weather. The humidity was like at 5% or something and the sky was blue with a nice light breeze. It was wonderful.(:  It made me miss Utah!!!

The church is true!! Hermana Bateson

I ate crab!!

This is of me pretending to eat crab. hahaha It was so funny because I ate a piece the size of a pea but they all wanted me to take a picture like I was eating the whole thing! And let me clear this up, I would never... never, eat crab.

This one is called "The meal of Shame" haha They made me a burger last night because I didn't want to eat their seafood. hahah I thought it was a good burger. (:

This one is my companion and I the day we got our "crazy Johnny's Gym" hats. What an honor. haha

Como estan? Espero que ustedes tengan una buena semana! Yo ha estada practicando espanol mas porgue necesito apprender mas rapido.  haha Yo apprendo slow. Entonces... nothing to spectacular happened this week expect for one of our investigators vino a la iglesia! Finally someone came to church!! Tambien, El quiere que ser baptizado! Estoy feliz!!(:

Guess what though? Craziest thing of my entire life! Sister Bateson ate crab! I totally ate fish for my very first time!! The piece was like the size of a pea but still, I ate it. It took only like an hour and a half to convince me. haha Then Bro. Cziep took like a billion pictures of me after cuz he was so proud! hahaI'm still in shock.

I have been learning mucho though. I am so grateful to be a missionary even though sometimes it is hard. 

Oh ya... my bike is doing good by the way. haha Just in case you were wondering. I plan on being super fit in like a few weeks. haha  I hope everybody is doing well(:

This past week was one of the hardest on my mission so far.

This was the day Elder Becker and Elder Huffaker left Loudon. I tried to get them to be normal for once but obviously, they couldn't. haha  They are trying a little too hard to be "strong" or "buff" or whatever it is they do these days! haha Miss them!!

These are my two best friends... and they left me :(

This is the most southern license plate ever. I just can't even handle it. haha

The wallpaper in this bathroom. Do I need say more??

Hmm lets see.. I wish I could lie and say this week was super-awesome and a fun filled adventure... but I can't. This past week was one of the hardest on my mission so far. Some of my complaints are (but not limited to):

1. We had to ride bikes with helmets...gross.
2. We didn't have a car.
3. We tracted for 13 hours- Did you know we're a cult now?? haha wow I just absolutely LOVE getting the door slammed in my face... not.
4. Spiders ( not Utah spiders... like real spiders) are literally taking over the South. We kill like 3,000 a day, the bushes look like Christmas trees because of webs, one actually landed on my head when we were walking up to this one door- you can imagine me running around their yard flipping my head around like a cray person, very next house... a spider literally jumped at my face. I screamed bloody murder. I'm so glad nobody was at home. haha Okay enough about spiders... I think you get the point. I hate them. But really.
5. Oh... the humidity. Might as well not even dry off after my morning shower.
6. We got locked out for like an hour a few nights ago. I bawled. I think that was the first time I told my companion I wanted to go home:(    ..... Don't worry I'm fine now (:  
7. So Loudon and Lenoir City are separated by a river and so LC High School and Loudon played last Friday. Loudon lost:( No estaba feliz.


OKAY... ENOUGH. Guess what? Even though it was a rough week I did learn a TON! Ether definitely has got it right in Ether 12:6!  

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.

Finally, Saturday night we were able to find a few new investigators.  The Lord doesn't forget about us. He just doesn't. Even when we think he does. He doesn't.

 Plus, we were able to find the best, I mean best Mexican food  down in Farragut. It's called the "Taco Truck". Let me tell you, they have Quesadillas that are to die for! And the guys all think I'm cool cuz I can speak Spanish. (sorta haha)

Anyways... I know this is super scattered and random BUT I love you!

Hermana Bateson