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

Lightning strike

It was too precious watching the Elders weed Sister Roner's garden. I was so proud! haha

This is us in the car one day when Elder Huffaker had my camera... 200 pictures later... I finally found a "decent' one. haha

Okay so now that I have the coolest camera this side of the Mississippi, the Elders love to steal my camera and use all my memory with all these lame pics of them being... well... Elders. So here is all I got for this week.

This is me with yet another mailbox. It's not my favorite, but it's definitely up there. This house btw, was evicted. Loco.

This one was when I went on exchange with Sister Preston. She is a cutie that's for sure.

Downtown Knoxville! #boom

More Downtown Knox

Some "bike cops" in Knoxville! hahaha They look like missionaries! (:

Crazy story... okay so guess what?? Hermana and I were walking to an appointment and it starts pouring rain! All of a sudden this huge crack of thunder and lightning went right by us. Like for reals, I saw the lightning. It was so loud, I almost died. So we ran to the peoples house and I bet you will never guess what happened... they weren't home. (shocker...ooh) So we just chilled for almost a half an hour on this random ladies porch. It was so stressful. My companion just started singing and I had myself thinking we were destined to get struck by lightning. I'm glad my companion kept me calm. Needless to say.. we ended up praying and walking back home! We were drenched through. Tennessee rain is hardcore. Scared me to death. 

Also, we have been teaching a lot of people that have some terrible smoking habits. The smell is starting to bug me. I come home and my hair, my bag, and yes my Book of Mormon all smell horrible. It's the worst. Sorry. Venting sesh over. 

Wait! False alarm. Totally not over guess what? All my friends are getting transferred tomorrow!! Elders Becker, Huffaker,  and Mumm are leaving me and I'm so sad. I have been with them my whole mission and now I seriously do not know what to do. It's going to be so different now. No me gusta. I do get to stay in Loudon though so that's a plus. (: But really... I need to start to learn not to be so close with people on the mission. It just makes it harder when we all have to move around. It's the worst tambien. 

One more quick thing... sooo best thing ever happened this morning during my study time. I have been praying to have more love for the people lately. My doctrine of Covenants just fell open to Chapter 112 and I had verses 10-11 highlighted. I read them and I just felt Heavenly Fathers love so strong.

 10 Be thou ^ahumble; and the Lord thy God shall ^blead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

 11 I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy ^alove be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name.

I was grateful that He really does answer our prayers. He won't ever forget us. It's a beautiful thing. (:

Hermana Bateson

What is Brooke doing wearing glasses? She is a kook!

8-22-13 Loudon district mtg. (from mission website)

 This was and is the one and only tic toc! Best. Ice cream. Ever. PS that guy right there is my most favorite person in the world. Everybody... meet Elder Roner. haha

 

How ya'll doing this week? I was definitely having a good week myself. So I went on my very first exchange this Thursday. It was the very first day of my mission outside of Loudon. I almost cried when I had to leave the apartment for 24 hours and go serve in Knoxville.... downtown Knoxville, THE KNOXVILLE. It actually is super small, SLC is like three times the size. I got to teach some super hilarious people though. It was funny. The drugs are super bad there though. Definitely worse than Loudon, that's for sure.

So I have a new goal, (drum roll please) I am going to learn to play the piano. It is so useful as a missionary and I can play lots of easy versions of the Hymns so I'm really excited to start learning more. We have also been doing a lot of Family History lately, or at least learning about it. Sooooo yeah. Isn't that sad that these are like the exciting things for me??? hahaha Well.... not that many cool things happened to us this week. It was sorta lame compared to our family baptism last week. haha

Fun fact #1: I some Hispanic guy gave us a whole bag of peppers! haha We gave them to the Elders... seriously what am I supposed to do with 30 jalapenos?? haha

Fun fact #2: I almost Bible bashed with some old lady about prophets. haha almost... some dreams just don't come true. ha just kidding, don't bible bash. It's bad. The Spirit instantly leaves and we can't have that.

I had a really spiritual experience in District meeting. One of the Elders chose me to do a role play with them and I got really nervous because I was totally at a loss for words or what to say or anything. Then I prayed so hard to Heavenly Father to literally fill my mouth when I opened it and He did, completely. It was amazing. I felt the Spirit so strong.

Anyways... I'm still doing good as ever. I love teaching the Gospel and I love serving. Everyday I am so grateful for this opportunity. (:
LOVE YOU ALL! MISS YOU!!  Hermana Bateson

Amy, Matt, and Matt got baptized!!!

This is me the day that I learned how to crochet. Don't let my smile fool you. I had the worst headache in the world after that. Shout out to all those awesome ladies that crochet, this girl is definitely NOT cut out for that. haha I think I will just stick to missionary work from now on. haha

This first one is of all of us at the Baptism of Amy, Matt, and Matt on Saturday! Yay! It was probably the best day of my life. haha

Yep. We found a pony yesterday. Its like not a big deal or anything... haha

This is just Matt, Katy, and I at church yesterday. Katy reminds me of me in little girl form. She never stops talking and her hair always needs to be brushed. haha

Brooke's mission President and his wife are to the left.

Sooo many things have happened this week. I am trying to be exactly obedient and work as hard as I possibly can. I hope you feel my love and prayers. I hope the Lord blesses all of you as much as he blesses me. 

Okay, so I got myself a new camera ( her last camera got dropped and broke) Love It! It's the cutest, littlest white camera. I'm practically obsessed with it. Plus, the guy at Target gave me a $40 discount! (Perks of being a missionary I guess)

I made my first cake this week. It didn't turn out very well but it was super fun making it. The Elders liked it. haha We went to the Knoxville Bishop's Storehouse a few times this week. I love serving I also just love seeing how it works. The church really does have an AMAZING welfare program. If you haven't been able to notice, the church just gets more and more true everyday. It makes me so happy.(:  I actually got to pack all the food and supplies up and send them off to the truck. It goes from there strait to the people. Everyone there talks about how there is an "amazing Bishop's Storehouse" in Utah and everyone wants to visit it. They think I'm cool when I tell them I'm from Utah. hahaha

I have been trying to be more positive in my life lately. I really want to be like the roommate in "Beautiful Mornings". Elder Bruce D. Potter's talk from General Conference. I have been trying to choose to be happy and choose to "live after the manner of happiness" like in 2 Nephi 5:27. But then again, I guess it's not that hard when all you have to do is teach people this amazing gospel. I never knew how the Book of Mormon can literally be your best friend. But it makes me happier than anything.(:

Guess what?? I have wonderful news! Amy, Matt, and Matt got baptized!!! They are the best family ever. They are those people that just get it. They got baptized on the 10th by Elder Huffaker. It was such an amazing experience. I was stressed out of my mind trying to put it all together but it worked out and it ended up being the perfect baptism. that is what it is all about. They got confirmed by Elder Becker yesterday at church. The Lord really did bless me so much by letting me have the chance to teach them. I am so grateful everyday for that family. 

Hmmmmmmm...... que maz????  Ohhhhh yeahhh. The lord has been blessing us with lots of Spanish investigators lately. We teach almost all our lessons in Spanish. It has been so great to finally teach in Spanish regularly. My Spanish is still no bueno, pero it's getting better. It is hard for me to understand it but I know the Lord is helping me.

Okay sorry for being so selfish and so talkative in this letter. I hope it makes sense okay, ust know that missionary life rules. I couldn't be more happy. (Well, maybe if Mom was here haha)

Entonces... I'm super tired.   LOVE YOU ALL!  Hermana Bateson

P.S. South for lyfe!!! Estoy feliz aqui!(:

I finally get to learn how to be a classy Tennessee lady!

This one is of Elder Becker on his birthday making fun of me. Again.

This is one of me by the train by our house. Let me tell you something... when I say "by the house" I mean it. It is literally like 10 feet away. hahah

This might be the classiest picture ever because it just describes Loudon. The water tower. The cancer filled buildings. AND the bridge. Nuff said

This is just the back of my head the other day. I told Hermana to take a picture because I wanted to see what my pony tail looked like. What do you think?? haha

How in the world is it already August??  I figured out that in 1 month and 8 days I will be out on my mission for 6 months already! How did that happen??

I am very very grateful to still be in Loudon though.  I LOVE, LOVE LOVE it here. haha The Lord has definitely been blessing us that's for sure. We are hoping to have Amy, Matt & Matt baptized this weekend. Their faith is so strong. Best thing ever happened this week. We were checking up on their commitments to keep the Word of Wisdom and they walked right into the kitchen and gave us their coffee and tea. It was simply amazing to say the least. Plus, we have found two new families to teach and one is an awesome Spanish family! Yayyy! (: SO HAPPY!

Sometimes as I sit back and look at my life as a missionary and I wonder why the Lord blesses me so much. I have done absolutely nothing and yet, he gives me and grants answers to every single prayer. Really, I just feel so blessed. 

As far as my journeys as a missionary, first of all, crocheting is like a big deal for pretty much all women and so this one lady told us that if she taught us how to crochet, we could teach her the lessons. Which I super excited about because that is definitely a win, win situation! I finally get to learn how to be a classy Tennessee lady! (oh and we get to teach her(: )

Oh and I forgot to mention this but these mosquitos here in Tennessee are literally destroying my legs. I have like 40 on each leg, not including my friends the chiggers. Like really???But for reals, like every house we knock on and in every appt. we go to, someone has to comment on my completely spotted legs! haha it's kinda fun. 

Anyways... nothing too special has happened, and even if it did, I probs wouldn't remember because my memory is so terrible... but, I love you all! Have an amazing semana!
                                                Hermana Bateson