Hey fam bam,

Can you believe we just had our first skype call?! I loved it! I felt like I was right there with y'all on the couch watching basketball!

Lol only 2 more calls and I'll be home!!!!!  Man I miss you guys. But I'm so happy I was able to actually have a conversation with y'all:)

So let's see, after our call we had a busy Christmas Day. We went to dinner at a recent converts house, Sister C. So when we got there it was popping. So many people were there it was crazy busy. And so for dinner Sister C had a buffet of everything. Oh and she is a chef so she had made a bunch of food, like there was a Mexican section, and then like fish heads and lobster and rice, and steak, and potatoes, and shrimp, and then a big dessert table. Oh man I was so full, I got a little bit of everything and I was honestly about to throw up I was so stuffed. Lol then when we were leaving she gave us a Christmas present, which was a a really cute purple water bottle which I needed because I left mine at home. It was so sweet!

Then after that we went to a couple in our Ward, they are older like 50s or 60s and we just came to hang out. It was a lot of fun because the lady is so energetic and has so much energy, I just love her, she cracks me up. And so we ate and talked and it was just nice to relax and not worry about teaching. Oh and she gave us a target gift card:)

Then we went to another recent converts house to watch the other side of heaven. Oh how I miss so much just watching movies. So that was super nice, and she gave us slippers, I honestly was just so happy because all these people who barely know me and my companion gave us gifts and I just felt so loved and blessed! Oh it just warmed my heart!

Oh it was just such a good Christmas considering I was away from my family. But don't get me wrong I missed spending time with y'all so much but I know this is where I need to be!

So Saturday was crazy, we went to go visit our investigator, Axxx, who was suppose to get baptized on the 9th, and we walk to her apartment and hear her fighting with the man who lives above her. They were yelling and cursing and it was crazy. Then she comes down the stairs and we tried to talk to her and figure out why she dropped us and she was yelling at us and telling us that her and her friend, Philip(the one who lives above her) got in a fight and he is a member but he's not all there in the head so he smokes and stuff and so since they are fighting she doesn't want to have anything to do with him so that's why she dropped us. So sad. So heart breaking that because of a person she doesn't want to get baptized. I guess it shows that she wasn't truly converted or really had a testimony. It's still sad though.

So after that we had a lesson with a lady and her husband and while we are talking somehow she starts talking about her marijuana plant and I look over next to me and there it is. I'm sitting next to it! Oh my I was dying, anyway we have a lesson and I'm almost positive that she was high.... When we left I saw that she has some marijuana in a bowl on her desk and then I realized she probably was and it smelt like pot the whole time we were there. So then we go tract a little around the area and then we get in the car and the car instantly smells like marijuana also. We then realize that WE SMELL LIKE POT!!!! And it was so bad! Like that whole night I could just smell it coming off my clothes. Oh man I was so embarrassed and scared someone was going to ask us about it. So that was my Saturday haha....

Sunday we had to teach Sunday school and I was freaking out! But all went well haha.  Oh and then it started SNOWING!!!!! It's was so crazy, it was freezing cold but it didn't stick so that was good! But we had to go tracting in the snow and that was not fun! Lol

So yeah that was the rest of my week. Oh and that guy I told y'all about, our lesson is tomorrow so hopefully all goes well!

And so sorry about the pictures this week, I didn't realize that I didn't take very many haha sorry, I'll try and be better!  Well I love y'all so much and am so blessed to have such a great family that I can't wait to spend Christmas with!!!!

#onlyonemorechristmasawayfromhome

Xoxo
Sister Batey

Sister Finn and McKenzee

Best Christmas present ever...

Family home evening.

December 21st, 2015

Hello beautiful family who I get to skype in 4 days!!!!!!!!!:)

Too pumped to see your faces in just a few short days!!! So how the heck are yall?? This week was the best and it flew by!!!!! And omg mom! I can't believe you were at my house!!!! In my town!!!! I can't get over it!!!! Oh my heck! And btw the sweaters you gave me are not the ones I want! You gave me a large and a medium... Those are way to big to be wearing with skirts. I want my maroon one and the I got for my birthday, Kylee is wearing it in one of the pictures you sent me, the white and black one. I need the ones that are smaller!!!! Tuesday was sister Finns birthday and we had a lot of fun, still worked hard but also had fun. She was getting lots of sweets and stuff which meant I got lots of sweets too haha. 

Wednesday we had zone conference and that's where I saw sister Mortenson. It was so good seeing her since I haven't seen her in a long time! And zone conference was so so good! I love missionary meetings:) lol we talked a lot about God doesn't do random which I have a story to tell you later. But that night we were out tracting and then we got in our car to pray about where we should go next and earlier that night we were talking about how scary it would be if after prayer when we open our eyes there was someone standing at our door, well I guess I shouldn't have said that because that night when it was dark and scary we were saying prayer and during the middle of it we hear this creepy lady voice say, "excuse me" and then I looked up and there was this lady standing at my window. Oh man I screamed so loud and was so afraid, my heart was going so fast. She was just asking for our card with our number. But dang was I freaked out. Lol 

Thursday we had lots of findings. Which means we were going to look for lots of people that we need to talk to. So here's my God doesn't do random story. So we went to one of the nursing homes because a lady in our Ward asked us to go visit her mom Ruth. So we go and we ask the front desk which room is hers and they tell us 226 upstairs. So Sister Finn and I go upstairs and find 226 but the name on the outside of the door says Lillian. We knock anyway because we figure the name is just wrong, well we find this old lady who is 100 years old!!! And boy she is so funny, we started talking to her and she starts asking us if our parents love us and we say yes again and she calls us stupid hahaha. Then she asks if we want children one day and we say yes and so she calls us stupid again hahaha. Then she said we can't trust anyone, not even her! And she told us she need to always cross our legs! Oh man I was dying laughing. Then we ask if she knows who Ruth was and so she takes us next door and we start talking to Ruth and tell her that her daughter sister Williams told us to come visit her because she is a member of the church. She seems pretty confused so we just think that she's old and senile haha. So we finally convince her that she is a member and so we give her a lesson. Then while she's watching the video I'm looking around at her pictures and realize that she is not the Ruth we were looking for! Hahaha and so we finally find the confidence to tell her we were the confused ones and she actually isn't a member. Lol but she wasn't mad. She really enjoyed the lesson and said that we represent our church very well and she wants us to come back! Lol just a crazy funny story because we were trying to convince her that she was Mormon and her daughter was Mormon, but how crazy that her name was Ruth and she has a daughter with the last name Williams? Like I said, God doesn't do random! Lol

Friday we went to the temple and it was so much fun! I loved it! Such a great place to be and so relaxing. Driving home though we got stuck in traffic for 2 hours because a big semi truck was turned over on its side!!! So crazy!

Saturday wasn't to exciting, we went to decorate a Christmas tree oh and we went caroling. I'm starting to really miss home with Christmas coming up:( like really really miss home. I miss you guys a lot:( it's hard being away from home during this time:(

Sunday, we went to church and then found out we are gonna teach Sunday school next week:( man we can never catch a break! Lol Well I'm super excited to talk to you guys though!  Does 11 work for you guys????  Well love y'all so much!!!!!!

Xoxo
Sister Batey

McKenzee patiently waiting...

 

Sister Mortenson from the MTC...

 

The sweet sister that they live with.

 

That better be hot chocolate...

  

Helping decorate the tree...

  

Sister Finn and McKenzee at the temple.

Celebrating a birthday.

 

December 14th, 2015

Family,

I just am so incredibly happy. This week has been so awesome I don't even have the words to say what I'm feeling. But it also was kind of sad. I had to say goodbye to some of the best people I've ever met. And some of my favorites (Rxxx Family). La center definitely has a piece of my heart! We got to eat dinner at the Rxxx's the night before I got transferred and it was so awesome! They are the bomb. We had lasagna which was also bomb haha. Oh and I had a few cokes;) and my homie brother R hooked us up with some nice hats lol. I was so bummed to leave them though, definitely fighting back tears. I already miss them so much and our Sunday appointments :(

But on a happy note, I love my new companion!!!! Sister Finn is the best. We get along so so so well! Like we are so very similar it's hilarious!!! I don't even know where to start with her! Lol she's great! We have so much fun but also work so hard that it doesn't even seem like missionary work. I love it! Her birthday is Tuesday so we are getting pretty pumped for that, then before we know it it'll be Christmas and we get to skype:) :) :)

Speaking of Christmas we get to skype for about an hour so I guess I'll call y'all? Lol I need my skype info, or I might FaceTime y'all? I'm pretty excited :)   So we will be spending Christmas Eve with some family in the Ward I'm not very sure because I don't know very many people yet, and then all I know is we are going to a lady who just got baptized for Christmas dinner. We will see. So Wednesday was transfers and it was so exciting because I saw most of my homies from the MTC and I got an awesome new trainer! Speaking of, small small world, she said she knows Kazdan. Apparently Kazdan and his friends went to her apartment to make cookies one night up in Idaho, this was last fall. So Kazdan do you recognize her? Lol just thought it was hilarious to find out she knew you when I was showing her my family pictures! Also turns out back in my party days we were at the same parties and didn't even know it! We get a good kick out of that haha.

So yes we still get a car, which is great. All sisters now have cars. And of course it's still raining and cold here. So dumb haha. And he's my new area is smaller but that's because I'm not way out in the boonies, we are in a suburb area with lots of people to work with! It's great! And my new companion is great. We get along very well. Same favorite color, same style make up, same things to do. We even say some of the same things like oh my lanta haha.

So Thursday we did a lot of missionary work and stuff. Oh and then I found out that I was speaking on Sunday so I was freaking out because we don't have time to write talks because we have people that we need to visit with! I just winged it haha. But anyway we were in this lesson I think Friday and this lady and her son started talking about medicine because this lady is in a hospital bed, then she started telling us how she smokes marijuana every night and how it's totally okay and then her son was telling us how he is a drug dealer and you guys that was the first time in my life that I just totally felt the absence of the Holy Ghost. And the first time on my mission that I was without it. Such a scary feeling, I just kept feeling like I needed to get out and run! It was awful. We left as fast as we could and I hurried and said a prayer to try and get the spirit back, I didn't like the feeling at all! Then that night we went to IHOP for dinner ith our district leader and his companion and their Ward mission eader. It was so much fun:)
Then Sunday we had to speak, I'll send you my talk, but I also said things that weren't in my talk, just saying. Haha  Oh and sister Finn is only a month older than I am! My back still hurts, but it's moving to the upper part of my back. I'm getting old! Oh and I can see the first five lines of yalls emails throughout the week I just can't go into the email and read it. Oh and mom take the iPod home so you can put the David archuleta and John Allred music on it, thank you:) How was Oregon? I loved the pictures of the boys!

I miss  you guys! And dad sorry about the video, hahaha I just did the instinct "hi mom" when on camera haha but I did remember you at the end so that's the important thing:) Oh and I got one letter from you mom, but I can only write on my pday so it takes me awhile to reply:( BUT I DO LOVE YALL!!!!!!
And miss y'all so much!!!!! Can't believe I've already been out for 2 months!!!!!:)

Xoxo
Sister Batey

 

They got their nails done for Sister Finn's birthday.

 

Bundled up...apparently it's cold.

 

The Rxxx family and McKenzee.

 

McKenzee's with her new zone.

 

McKenzee must be standing on a pile of books...

 

December 7th, 2016 - Transfers are here

Hey hey hey,

So IM GETTING TRANSFERRED!!! Actually both me and my companion are getting transferred so there will be two new missionaries here in La Center. I'm not sure where I'm going yet but I'm hopeful for a great new area and companion. I should be getting a letter today that will tell me my new area and companion so I'll let you know. I am a little sad to leave just because of the few families that I really came to love and because they definitely made me feel at home when I went into their homes. So it'll definitely be hard but like I said, I'm hopeful for what is to come.

I actually had an experience last night that made me realize that I was supposed to come to this area. Our mission motto is, "God doesn't do random" and I really came to see this in action. So we were at the Rxxx's house last night for our weekly lesson with their less active son and earlier at church when I told Brother R that I was leaving he got so sad/mad. Oh it was so hard to see him like that. He then came and whispered in my ear, fighting back tears, "I don't care what they say I'm giving you a hug before you leave" haha made me laugh but still sad. So then in this lesson we were talking about fasting and I felt super prompted to tell Txxx about my first week here and how I was having a real hard time and I wanted to leave. I also told him how me, some people in the office, and my family back home were fasting for me to have strength and possibly have a desire to stay. And let me tell you it was super hard to talk about as I fought back sobs. Anyway I'm telling this story and all three of the Rxxx's are crying as well, I'm not sure about my companion, and so I end by baring my testimony about fasting about the power it has if you faithfully fast for a purpose. And Brother R then tells me how he could see I was struggling and that he was praying for me because he knew I was supposed to be here. Then Txxx explains how he regrets so much not going on a mission and he could only imagine the regret I would have if I left early. Then he said he was so happy that I didn't leave because he knows I was supposed to teach him for a reason. And what's amazing is he has really been making progress in coming back to church since we began teaching him.  And of course sister Rxxx tells how thankful she is that we have been able to help Txxx and how happy that she is that I stayed.

Anyway it was such an amazing experience and I just really felt like I was called to La Center for this exact purpose. Meeting the Rxxx's and having that connects with them through Jamie has just been such a blessing and I'm so grateful that I've been able to have enough strength to stick around to see this. Although I didn't get any baptisms I was able to hopefully help reignite the spark for Txxx so that he can feel the love the savior has for him as I have felt it so much in my life. 

So this week I ate at a casino... Twice!!! Haha Sister Txxxx (who we live with) had us signed up for dinner and so she took us to the only restaurant in town called The Last Frontier Restaurant which is connected to one of the four casinos in town. Lol it wasn't a big deal but it was fun to be at a restaurant again, and plus I was able to hear normal music again and that was the bomb.com. Haha oh and then a few days later we went to the restaurant again with another member, she goes on splits with us all the time. She's awesome. So yeah I got a nice big burger and it was so good! Haha 

The Ward Christmas party was on Friday and it was so great! The first part was a bunch of musical performances then we went to the gym for food and dessert and crafts and mingling and of course Santa. The Ward did a great job and we even had some nonmembers and less actives show up which was awesome. It's so weird though because now that I'm a missionary I have to actually walk around and talk with people which is not at my comfort zone but I'm working on it. Lol. I can't wait for the Ward activities where I can be a normal person again and just eat my food in peace hahaha. 

Omg I forgot to tell you! Brother Rxxxx is the best. He bought me a case of 24 500mL bottles of Coke! And so every time I go to their house which is more often than not haha he pops open a bottle and I get my Coke for the day! Oh it's amazing haha, although I definitely think my New Years resolution is to try and give up Coke because I have been drinking it wayyyyy to much! Lol we will see. Oh another thing that happened this week. So we volunteer at the food bank each week which is such a beautiful opportunity that we have. I love it. We get the food really and then give it to the people right then. And oh my, this week this lady came and it was her first time so we give a little bit more than they usually get, and so we have her shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, and toilet paper. When we opened the door to give it to her and explain what we were giving her she was so happy. Like wow, just glowing because she was getting soap. She almost began to cry she was so happy. Then a man we gave some food too came up to the door and knocked and told us how thankful he was because the food we gave him was going to feed his family for Christmas. He was so happy to receive a little bit of food that I couldn't believe it. Man it was such a humbling experience for me. We are so blessed with all that we have. We shouldn't take anything we have for granted because there are so many people who have nothing. I love that I was able to help those in need, and I can't help but think of the hymn, "Because I have been given much, I too much give." We need to give to others this holiday season and always. We have so much in our lives and we should share because that's what the spirit of Christmas is about. It's the spirit of Christ and we need to always remember that because all that we have we owe to Him so why not share with all? So yeah, that was an amazing experience.

The only thing that happened was while I was lifting the cans and different boxes at the food bank my back went out... Oh man I was in so much pain and struggling but I pushed through. So this week has been hard on my back but it's definitely getting better, slowly. Haha so pray for my back lol.  Hmmm what else happened....? Honestly I have no idea. This week flew by which was a #christmasmiracle and it wasn't all that bad. So I guess things are getting better. I'm still missing home, and family, and Texas. Oh the rain is no fun at all. But I'm definitely getting used to it. Also the cold isn't so bad anymore. I think I'm acclimated!!! Haha only took me about two months but I think I made it! Speaking of two months, I'll have been out two months next week!!!!! Is this real life???? Only 16 months to go? Wow i can't believe it. But then looking back my birthday was only like 2 weeks ago. It goes by so fast but so slow. A mission is the strangest thing ever!
Well I love you all and miss you tons :)

Xoxo
Sister Batey

UPDATE:  I'm getting transferred to the Fairway Village Ward in the Vancouver east zone!!!!! And my companions name is Sister Finn. That's all I know!!!!

New hair cut...

Same hair cut...and face.

McKenzee and someone from the mission.