January 30th, 2017

Hello hello, 

 

This week has been busy as usual! Crazy life as a missionary. Lol 

Monday we had a lesson scheduled for right after pday but it ended up canceling a few minutes before pday was over. To be honest I was pretty bummed. But we had backup plans and we decided to stop by some investigators that the previous sisters were teaching. So we show up not sure if we were at the right place and a man answers the door and invites us right in. His wife comes out too and we start talking to them and they tell us that they just finished making dinner and so we figure they want us to leave but they were so sweet and invited us to stay! So we go to their kitchen and we were thinking it would be a little meal but no. Haha we walk in and it's like a ton so food! They made a huge meal. There were ribs, chicken, steak, rice, salad, and KING CRAB LEGS! It's was like we were eating as kings! My mouth dropped open! It was crazy! Haha. But it was soooo good 😋 And of course I had to try a king crab leg and it was soooo GOOD! Lol. I really enjoyed it, after we ate it though I felt bad because they told us how expensive it was, but seriously, LOVE king crab leg! If you haven't had any you should try it! Also while we were eating we found out they were having this dinner because tomorrow was the man's birthday! So we basically were crashing the party! Hahah. Then they brought out a birthday cake and we sang happy birthday to him! Hahah it was so funny! #onlyonamission

 

Tuesday morning we had district Meeting, and of course, you know how it goes, yours truly gave a training to the other missionaries. Hahah. Then we had a few lessons which went pretty well. Then for dinner we went out to eat with an older couple. They took us out to eat Chinese food and it was fine. But as soon as we got our food the man leaned across the table to grab a plate and he lets out a very loud toot. Needless to say my appetite was gone! Lol. Gross. 

 

Then we went to community meals and it was so fun as usual. I passed out oranges haha. And no one really wanted any. It's kind of hard not taking it personally. Lol

 

Then we had a lesson with our investigator, R, who is getting baptized on the 11th:) so we planned out the baptism and everything and it was so good! 

Wednesday we had a missionary broadcast in Rainier. It was being broadcasted from salt lake to missionaries all over the world. It was a good broadcast. Although we had to drive 45 minutes to get to Rainier lol. Oh and I got to see Sister Crawley:) it was a much needed reunion:) anyway, in the broadcast they changed our schedule and also some of the things about missionary work. Nothing too crazy for anyone other than missionaries. We have more time to get ready in the morning which is soooo nice!!!! Haha so I'm happy. Plus we have more time to sleep because we could go to bed as early as 9:30. So I'm very happy about that! 

 

After that we had to drive across the bridge to go to Longview to get our oil changed and tires rotated with the other sisters. Well turns out our car didn't need it so we just wrote our talks while we were waiting for the other sisters. 

 

Thursday morning we went to the farm and we helped a lady brush her miniature horse and her goats. Then we helped her clean out her chicken coops. It was really disgusting. Haha and when I say I helped I mainly held open the bag that they were putting the old eggs and the poop in. Hahah. It was so gross I thought I was going to throw up hahah. 

 

Friday we had Planning but we also had cleaning check so we had to make sure everything looked good. Haha oh and also the sun was out and shining and it almost felt like summer:) it was soooo nice!!!! Then we went to stop by to meet this family we've been wanting to meet since we got here and we go to their house. So we show up and it was so awkward because the bishop was their doing his home teaching so we just crashed his little party. Felt bad, but we were doing our job! Haha 

Then we went to have our lesson with R and we had such a bomb lesson! At the end he was in tears and it was so powerful!!! The spirit was so strong!!!! I just love missionary work!!!!

 

Saturday we were sooo busy!!! We had lesson after lesson then we also had some service too! It was busy! The lessons went well and then for service we went to help a lady pull out her carpet. I felt very strong and it was pretty fun! Hahah although her house was pretty gross. 

 

Anyway, the night we had a lesson with our investigator T and again we had another great lesson:) we talked about the restoration and prophets and the BOM and at the end of the lesson he was like, yeah okay I think I want to start reading it. Which is so big because when we first started meeting with him he was against it! Ahhh it made me so happy to know that Heavenly Father is preparing him! Miracles are happening:) it was awesome! 

 

Sunday, oh boy all morning long I was just freaking out to give my talk! I was super nervous. I timed it and it was about 25 minutes but when nerves kick in you never really know how long it will be. And I was nervous because the only other speakers besides me and Sister Bevan were 2 youth speakers. And since I was last I would have to go long so I was really nervous. Well turns out the youth did a good job and did out 10 minutes each, and Sister Bevan did 10 minutes so I only had about 15 minutes and I kept my eye on the watch and time was going so fast! And I basically had to cut my talk in half! Which wasn't a bad problem to have haha. I think it went pretty well. I felt confident and that's what I kept praying for. And a few members in the Ward said it was good so I guess it wasn't too awful haha. I'm just so glad it's over with:) 

Oh also, a man in the Ward came up to me and Sister Bevan after our talks and he said that we were steak and potatoes since I was from Texas (steak) and she's from idaho(potatoes) hahaha so weird but so funny! 

 

Well, I just LOVE my mission. I love the peace and joy I feel in my life because of the gospel and because of my Savior. I feel so blessed and happy! Seriously, a mission is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Everyone should go. You learn so much about the gospel and also about yourself you wouldn't have otherwise. Missions are the best. Thank you for the love and support y'all give me! Couldn't do it without y'all! 

Also, I love the Book of Mormon. I know that it's true. I know that Joseph smith was a prophet and I know that we have a prophet today. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to send me my Savior. I just LOVE them both. I love my family. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers and I'm so grateful! 

 

I miss you guys sooooo much!!!!! 

I LOVE y'all to the moon and back!!!!!! 

 

"Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way." 

 

Oh and don't forget to remember me;)

Xoxo

Sister Batey

 

McKenzee was able to see Sister Crawley this week.

McKenzee and Sister having fun.

 

January 23rd, 2017 - 99 days left

HI I LOVE Y'ALL, 

 

Alrighty, so this week was full of things to do! Let's hope I remember so I can mention it all in my letter! But first, I just want y'all to know how much I love and enjoy getting emails from y'all! It makes my day and makes me feel like I'm there with y'all! I love them! So thank you for taking the time to fill me in! I really appreciate it! And believe me, I know how much of a pain it can be to try and remember the week, so just know they mean the world to me!!!! :)

 

So Tuesday morning we had planned to drive down to Vancouver for a big missionary meeting and it was going to take an hour or so so we set our alarms for 4 to start getting ready so we would get there on time. Well we wake up and I had a feeling to check the phone and as I read the text we found out our big zone conference got canceled due to freezing rain that was in the forecast. So there we are, 4 am in the morning awake and getting ready. Haha needless to say we were all so tired that we jumped back in bed as fast as we could to sleep for another 2 hours before our real alarm went off. So Tuesday when we got up the second time we were all exhausted and a little in a panic because we had blocked out the whole entire day for this meeting and now we had nothing. Zip. Nada. Lol so we started making calls trying to find something to fill in our day. Well we found a service opportunity to go to with the other sisters and when we got to the house it started freezing raining and so we had to leave and the rest of the day we stayed home because it was really bad outside. I felt so lazy! Haha it's crazy how the mission makes you feel like you always need to be doing something! Again, I feel like mom where I constantly need to be productive. Haha. 

 

By Tuesday night it started clearing up and we got the okay to go ahead with our temple trip! We were SO PUMPED! Well with us being all the way in St. Helens we had to make sure we had enough time to drive there. But we first were meeting altogether as a zone in Longview and we didn't know how long it was gonna take us to drive so again we woke up at 4 am to start getting ready! Boy was it a pain but we were just so excited to get to go to the temple that we didn't want to run late. Well it was raining and we didn't know if there was gonna be traffic on the way to Longview and so we left around 5:40, we thought it was an hour or so drive... oh and I picked the short straw and I had to drive haha. Anyway, we end up getting to Longview at 6:30 and we didn't need to be there until 7:30!!! We were so mad haha. And mostly exhausted! So we took a little nap as we waited for everyone to show up. By the way, it was pitch black outside and raining buckets. So it was a very stressful car ride. So 7:30 rolls around and people start showing up and then we pray and off to the temple we drive. Well here is where the traffic starts. It was so bad. Just bumper to bumper for miles and miles. And it was still raining super hard. I was stressed. And all the sisters fell asleep while I was driving, I was so mad! Hahah we finally made it to the temple around 9:40 for our 10:30 session. Lol, it was good though, I enjoyed getting to just spend time in the temple. Oh and Sister Crawley was there!!!!:) so I got to see her and talk with her and it was so good! I miss her so much! I was a real happy camper. Then at the end I got to see a bunch of other missionaries. I saw Sister Foster, Davis, and Sister Mortensen (from the Mtc). It was so nice to see everyone in the house of The Lord! It was like a big reunion:) I think like it will be when we all go to heaven. Anyway, I was so happy! I just seriously LOVE going to the temple! It's one of my favorite places! 

 

After the temple we went applebees and got some bomb salads haha. Then to the book store, also one of my favorite places:) then we started on our track back home. We got lost in Portland and it was even more stressful than the drive up! Although it was brighter outside so it was a little easier to see. Portland is crazy. Haha lots of cars and people. I miss it. This girl is not made for a little town! Get me out! Lol. We finally made it home at 4:55. Longgg day. Then we went out and had a few lessons that evening and it went pretty well. Got home and went to bed around 9:50. We were pooped. 

 

Thursday we woke up around 6 and we were all feeling super motivated so we went to the church and ran some laps and did some circuit exercises. It was so good! And it felt so great! Really woke me up and gave me energy. By the end of the day my body was sore and I could feel my legs hurting but it was the feel good hurt. (We've been doing it every morning the last few days) 

 

Okay so rewind, Thursday morning we get a call from the lady with the dead dog(found out it was 2 dead dogs and a cat) in her freezer and she needed help moving some of her boxes outside because the sheriff was coming to lock up her house. So we went and helped her with that and oh my lanta... I don't even know if I can explain how messy it was. Her house is just awful. And the smell. It's just so rotten I don't even know how to convey the smell. Think of death with a little bit of feces and nasty animals mixed with garbage. It's just a big stinky hole. Anyway, we tried holding our breath because it's so bad. Well on top of that she had cob webs on her ceilings that are huge! They are so bad and just cover everything. And she has stuff everywhere. So you're always walking on things. Well it took us a while but we got a few big boxes outside for her. She told us that as long as they are outside she can use them . Anything left in her house she wouldn't be able to get to. It was really sad. We might be going back tomorrow, haha. To be continued I guess....

 

After that we went to the farm with the other sisters and the elders. And we mucked a cow stall. If you don't know what mucking is (I didn't either) it's where you shovel out cow poop! Hahahah, and the stink was so bad! Although I'd rather smell that than the lady's house! If that tells you anything about her house. Lol. Anyway it was actually fun. I mostly did supervising while everyone else was working. And by supervising I mean I was petting and feeding the baby cow. She was so cute! Her name was super and she was super friendly! She even kissed my nose. It was fun!

 

When we finished mucking we came home and had to clean up. Our boots were just covered in cow poop and we smelt just as bad. Haha. Then the Lowders (from the mission office) came to drop off a dresser for us and they were so sweet and took us out to lunch! It was a good time. Although they told us we stunk! Hahah after they left we had to shower and clean up. Then that evening we went to community meals and served again and it was so fun! I think a lady sent you some pictures? 

Friday we had weekly planning then a few lessons then we went to dinner with the Murphy's. He's the one that called you mom. It was funny because he asked for your number and then he asked if we wanted to say something to you. And I was thinking that I had to tell you something that you would know was from me, and that was all I could think of hahah. Then at church he told me that you already sent me another one. I was laughing so hard. Lol we finished the night by having two more lessons. One of which is with our investigator who is getting baptized on February 4th!!! Whoop whoop :) we are so excited! It was good one! We have another lesson with him tonight! 

 

Saturday was crazy busy but nothing really excited happened. It rained pretty much all day. We went and visited with this cute little old lady who can't remember much so we had the same conversation pretty much 7 times during our visit lol. Then we had dinner with the family that sent you the picture. Can you send it to me mom? Thanks. I really hope I don't have food in my teeth and I hope I don't look crazy haha. 

 

Then omg we had such a good lesson with a PMF we are teaching!!! The husband is an investigator and the wife is less active. But he is seriously soooo awesome! We love teaching him! At first he was kind of closed off but last week we read the intro to the Book of Mormon and he totally opened up it was really cool. Well this week we went over the plan of salvation and he was a little iffy about it because he wanted to know where it talked about it in the Bible and so we were able to show him a bunch of references and every time it was like a light bulb went off in his eyes and it was soooo awesome to see:) made me so happy!!!! He's opening his heart and it's just the best thing! We are really loving working with him! :) it just made me fall in love with missionary work all over again! It's experiences like this that bring me so much joy and make me so pumped to be a missionary! :) 

 

Well I love this gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and I know that it supports the Bible. I know that it can bring us closer to Christ and can help us become better. I love the way it brings peace into my life. I love that we have temples too. I love that I get to go into the house of the Lord and spend time there. It's my happy place:) I love sharing the gospel and I love being a missionary. Even though it's so hard I love it. Who would have thought? Lol

 

I hope y'all know how much I miss you guys. Think and pray for you guys often.

Thanks for all the love and support. Means the world. 

LOVE Y'ALL TO THE MOON AND BACK. LOVE Y'ALL FOR ALWAYS. 

 

Don't forget to remember me;) 

 

Dad, I can't believe I'm at less than a hundred days. Makes my heart flutter knowing I get to see y'all soon! Also makes my heart flutter knowing this is coming to an end. Wow. Time flies. Life is good. God is good.

 

"Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way."

 

Oh ps. This week we are having a missionary meeting and we are thinking a lot is going to change in our schedule. We also might get Facebook as a tool to use to proselyte... we are kind of nervous about all the potential changes but we won't know anything until Wednesday at our meeting. But on days we might only have 3 hours to email and that will literally kill me:( but we will see. I'll keep y'all posted. 

 

xoxo

Sister Batey

 

McKenzee and the other sisters at the Portland Temple.

McKenzee on the farm.

She made a new friend.

All smiles on the way to service.

McKenzee and a hairless puppy.

 

January 16th, 2017

Hi, 

 

Well this was the coldest, snowiest week thus far! It was crazy! 

 

We started off Monday by playing in the slush that we thought was snow, I sent y'all pictures on Monday! Well then on Wednesday we just got smacked down with tons of snow, about a foot! And ever since it's stuck around! It's awful! 

 

Tuesday we went on exchanges, I stayed here in St. Helens and was with Sister Mandin. She's really nice, she's from Canada and goes home in like 3 weeks! But it was a fun exchange! We had quiet a few appointments so we were running around all day! We volunteered at a place called community meals, it's a lot like meals on wheels in Portland. Here we serve food to anyone who comes and it's a lot of fun! It's just so funny being in St. Helens though. It's a pretty small town and everyone knows everyone. Most of the people here are born and raised in St. Helens and never leave! It's kind of crazy! Haha. Anyway, after we got out it started snowing and everyone one freaking out. Well we had a lesson to get to and then another and by the time we got out everything was covered in snow! Then before we went home we exchanged back and went home.

 

When we woke up Wednesday morning it was crazy! It had snowed about 8 inches and snow was still coming down! So we had a snow day and it felt so weird! Like I just had no idea what to do with myself. Ha We went outside and had a snowball fight with the kids who live in our apartment and then we buried one of the sisters! Then we came inside and cleaned and organized our apartment. And we just did a lot of talking. It was a lot of fun! I kind of enjoyed being lazy but we also kind of were going crazy! Haha then that night we played clue because Sister Bevan wanted to so bad and we painted our nails! It was great!

 

Thursday we woke up and it was still completely snowy and icy but we just couldn't stay inside anymore so we went out and walked around and just tried talking to people and we also took a bunch of pictures because it was exciting haha. Then we walked to this old lady's house and helped her sort through some ribbon and I shredded a bunch of papers for her. It was fun, but completely freezing outside! 

 

Friday, not a whole lot happened. We had a bunch of our lessons cancel on us since there was snow everywhere and since we aren't allowed to drive in the snow we did a lot of walking! It was hard because it's mostly ice now and it's so slippery and I do not have coordination when it comes to walking on ice! It's nearly impossible and I slip all the time!!! It's so annoying! But luckily we were able to get some rides from some members, we were very grateful! 

 

Oh and then for our dinner appointment on Friday, oh my lanta. First of all, I'm really not at all picky compared to what I use to be, but there are still a few things that I just don't like and one of them is tuna. I can't stand the smell and I definitely don't like the taste of it. Well lucky for me we had tuna macaroni. Ugh it was so awful, I thought I was gonna throw up. Lol. Just thinking about it makes me sick. It was gross. Then during dinner I started to realize that my cup isn't really that clean, oh wait neither is my fork, or my plate... I then turn around to look at their kitchen and it's just a complete mess. Dishes were just piling out of the sink and onto the counters and cat food is on the floor and in the sink. Needless to say I was disgusted. I then volunteered to wash all their dishes because I couldn't stand the thought of another dirty dish. Haha. So I spent the next 45 minutes cleaning all their dishes.

 

Saturday was my 15 month mark!!!! Woot woot!!! And it was a pretty good day! Betsy and Penny drove up to take us out to lunch and it was so good! I was just so happy to see them I almost cried! Haha. Then after we ate some of the workers came over with a cupcake and surprised me by sings, "happy 15 months" haha. It was hilarious but also so awkward. I was shocked and slightly embarrassed but it was sweet of them to do! Then, since we can't drive in the snow, Penny and Betsy drove us to our apartment so I could show off our junker haha. And it was so great because when we got home their was a nice little box for me :) it was so perfect mom:) THANK YOU! You're the best! And I loved all the sweaters:) seriously, I think your style is getting better haha, I'm so proud of you! Haha. But seriously, it was THE BEST!!!! Everything in it was so awesome:) :) 

 

The rest of the day we had a few appointments and such, we were pretty busy. Which was great! I just still am in shock that I've been out for 15 months! Time has gone both slow and fast! I just am so grateful for the time out here but I'm also excited to see y'all again! 

 

Oh and I forgot, we had a really good lesson with our PMF we are teaching! (Part member family). We taught about the BOM and he was just really opening up and understand more and it was a great lesson! 

 

Sunday, we actually had church and I was so so happy! It's crazy how much you miss church when you don't get to go! I seriously love going to church! It just always feels like a home away from home:) and plus it was nice to get to know a few more people! Oh and I forgot, they asked me and Sister Bevan to speak January 29th!!! I'm a little nervous haha, and they asked me to be the concluding speaker so that I can fill in if there is extra time! So that's great haha. Hopefully it goes well...oh and then we walked home from church! Haha, don't worry the church is basically our backyard so it wasn't too far;)

 

Well you guys, I hope y'all know how much I LOVE YALL!

And I also hope y'all know how much I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, His gospel, and my Father in Heaven. I can't even put into words how blessed I feel to be apart of His great work to share peace and joy with all of His children. It truly brings me so much happiness into my life. I'm so grateful for the time I get to study too. It's literally insane how much you can learn when you take the time to read and such. It's awesome! How is your reading coming along dad? Hopefully good because mine is so great! I love it! 

 

I love y'all to the moon and back!!!!

And I miss you guys TONS! 

 

Please don't forget about me because I'll be home in 3 1/2 months;) hehe

Have the best week ever!!!

"Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way." 

Xoxo

Sister Batey

 

Showing off their name tags...

Snow is starting to get a little deep.

Kenzee is enjoying the snow.

One of the sisters agreed to be buried in the snow...

Making a wish that it would warm up a little...

Sister Batey...and her smile.

 

January 9th, 2017

Hey fam bam!

So literally as we speak a blizzard is happening in St. Helens!!! Snow as been coming and going all week! Needless to say it's freezing and I'm so ready for the warm weather! lol I miss the sun and the heat so much! This Texas girl needs the sun back into her life:) Although we just went and took a bunch of pictures in the snow! It was so pretty but freezing!!! Haha you guys just barely missed it!

So this week, let's see if I can remember what happened!

St. Helens is not as exciting as Portland so my letters might be boring so just a heads up:) haha

Tuesday we drove down to Vancouver, which took about an hour and 15 minutes, for our trainer/trainee meeting. It was so great being back in Vancouver! And where the mission office is, is right around Hazel Dell and it just makes my heart sooo happy to be back around one of my favorite areas! I just wish I was able to go say hello to my peeps! I'm way excited to see everyone again one day!

So anyway, we had our meeting and it was so good! It took pretty much all day! We didn't get back to St. Helens until around 5:20 but we didn't really mind. I've actually missed being able to go on road trips and just taking a long drive. So I really enjoyed the time in the car! And the meeting was really helpful! Not in the way where it told me how to be a trainer but I just felt that some of the trainings that were given were specifically for me and to help calm my nerves. So that was really nice. I love how Heavenly Father works like that. :) oh plus I got to see Sister Reeves who I served with and lived with when I was in Portland. So that was really nice. I was able to talk to her about the area and it was just nice to see a familiar face!

When we got back to St. Helens we went to dinner with a really great family in the Ward! They took us to a Country Inn and the food was so great! I had French toast with Nutella and it was a little taste of heaven in my opinion. Haha but I felt guilty later that night because it was so sweet. The rest of the week I tried to eat healthy:) haha. After dinner we had a few lessons and they were pretty good:)

Wednesday we had interviews with President McAteer in Rainier, which is about a 45 minute drive from where we live. Everything if so far from us it's crazy! We drive a lot out here, which isn't awful, just so different, especially coming from my last two areas where we didn't have a car the whole time. Lol. But interviews were great! I love getting to talk to president and such.

After interviews we had to drive back and we had a lesson right after so we had to eat our lunch in the car! Haha life of a missionary. So we were pretty busy having lessons and stopping by people trying to get to know more of the people in St. Helens. It was good.

Oh and the best part was I GOT YOUR BOX!!!! 😊 oh man, it seriously was so perfect!!!! Thank you so much!!!!! I loved everything in it!!!! You guys are the best! My favorite part was all the hand written letters! So thank you again! I just love y'all so much! Oh and I hung up the pictures on my wall from Nixon and Liam:) it was so great❤️

Thursday we had district Meeting, and I got called on to share a little training and I think it went pretty well. Idk ahah. Then after that we had a service project with our district. A lady that lives in our area got evicted from her house so she needs help cleaning it out and such. We started by helping her outside. We tried to organize all the junk she had in her yard and and it was so awful. First of all it was freezing cold outside and second of all we were basically moving a pile of junk to a different side of the yard. It was bad haha. Then we opened her freezer that was outside and let me tell you, it smelt like death. It was so bad! Then come to find out her dog died a few weeks ago by getting hit by a car and so she is keeping its body in the freezer until she has enough money to cremate it... CREEPY!!!! Oh and the body was in a big hot dog box... how freaky... Then we went inside to help her inside, and we were really hoping for it to be warm because our bodies started going numb because of how cold it was! But anyway, inside was no warmer at all. And her house was just filled with junk. And it smelt worse than the dead dog in the freezer! Lol. Luckily we had a lesson so we had to get going haha.

Friday we had weekly planning but for dinner we went to Sunshine Pizza. So here in St. Helens we go there on the first Friday of the month and our Ward goes too and we get to spend time with a bunch of families and it's so much fun! I really enjoyed it. And the Ward is so sweet and pays for us. Anyways, it was a lot of fun! Slowly we are getting to learn more people! Lol and that night we had a few more lessons which was really nice!

Saturday was busy:) we had two lessons in the morning. One was with a lady and her son, they are from Hawaii and they are super cute. The mom gave us a kiss on the cheek when we got their and she just told us all about her life. She's pretty old and blind but she had the biggest heart and testimony. Then our second lesson was with an older lady who has the mouth of a sailor and is very much intimidating. Haha it was funny. She's very different but she's sweet. After that and after lunch and training we went to a nursing home nearby to visit with a lady in the Ward. She's really cute! She was wearing a sweater that she knit and was so proud. But it's really cool because where she lives she has such a perfect view of the Columbia! It's really breathtaking. But the funniest thing is the home that she lives in. So obviously all of the people their are losing their marbles and it's fine ahah, but there is this one old lady who is always carrying this baby doll. Well this week she decided to start passionately kissing her baby doll. lol I was dying. And the way that I was sitting she was always in my line of sight. Hahah it was so strange. I felt bad for her though.

After our lesson it started snowing and by the time we got home it was back into a winter wonderland!

Oh and then Sunday we woke up and church got canceled because of the snow! Again, it was so weird not going to church on Sunday! It didn't even feel like sunday! It was weird! But by the afternoon it had all turned to slush! I was really sad though not going to church because I need to meet more people! I'm hoping we have it next week! Lol

But today we woke up and everything was completely covered with snow! We couldn't believe it! So basically it snows and it's bad then it rains and turns it all to slush and then it starts to snow again. It's this cycle over and over and over again! Hahah it's getting really annoying! But hopefully it will all be over pretty soon! Lol

Well I'm still pretty stressed but I think I'm doing better. We are still very different from each other and I don't know what to say half the time but hopefully it will keep improving.

I still love this gospel. The church is still true. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for the time I get to serve His children and to share the gospel. Life is so good and God is good. If I've learned anything at all on this 14 month(I hit my 15 month this week) journey it would be to trust God. He knows all and He cares so much. Turn all things over to Him and things will work out. I'm so blessed to have the knowledge of the restored gospel in my life. I'm so grateful for my many blessings and especially for my family!

Please don't forget about me because there hasn't been a day that I don't think about y'all. So many people have touched and blessed my life and I am forever grateful. Y'all rock for putting up with a snotty nose kid like me. Thank you!

LOVE y'all to the moon and back ❤️

Miss you guys more every day!

"Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way!"

xoxo
Sister Batey

Woke up to snow...

 

Playing in the snow...

All the sisters McKenzee is with this transfer...

 

January 2nd, 2017

Hello and Happy New Year!!!!!!!

I can't believe that it's already 2017!!!!! What a great year 2016 has been! It's crazy to think and say that I have spent a full year of my life as a missionary teaching others about Jesus Christ and His gospel and the happiness and peace we receive from following Him. I'm so grateful for the past year that I've been given to teach others about the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ. I just love it so much and I love how close I've grown to Him as I've studied it along with the Bible. I love that I've been able to strengthen my relationship with my Father in Heaven this past year through prayer. Prayer is the best and I feel so close to Heavenly Father through many many many prayers. lol. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I love my Heavenly Father. I love this gospel with all of my heart. If I could, I would give everyone I know and love a copy of the Book of Mormon with my testimony because both the Book of Mormon and my testimony are the most valuable things to me. My life has forever changed because of Jesus Christ and I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've had to serve my fellow men here in Washington and Oregon. What an amazing experience I've had and I pray that I will continue to have amazing experiences that will not only help me but help others to find joy, love, and hope. I love you all and am so grateful for the love and support from each of you. Here's to 2017, let's make it a great year:) 

Also cannot believe that I only have 4 months (from today) left of being a missionary in the mission field!!!! See y'all soon;) 

Well so much has happened since my last letter! 

Skyping the family is still one of the highlights of my week, although it was last week haha. Oh well. I just love y'all! 

So the rest of Monday night us Sisters spent packing because out of the 4 of us, 3 of us were leaving Mt Scott and only 1 Sister was coming in! So it was pretty crazy trying to make sure we got all of our stuff and didn't take anyone else's stuff. Mostly I just spent Monday moving all of my stuff from our bed room into the living room because I'm the absolute worse at packing! Hahah  

Tuesday we lots to do as well and because the best people live in my mission Bethany was able to come help me pack again:) haha she is seriously my life savor! Although now that I'm all the way in St Helens she won't be able to come help me if I get transferred again!!!! Which I'm thinking will probably happen with my luck. I will for sure have two transfers here training my new companion and then they will probably transfer me my last transfer because they usually have the newbie stay in the area. Which is fine, I'm just really tired of packing (or having someone do it for me) and then unpacking just to pack up again! So we will see. 

The rest of Tuesday we were visiting and saying goodbye to people in the Ward which was so sad because we just had Christmas! And also because I was only here for one transfer and I was really starting to love it!!!!! It was really sad to say goodbye, if I'm being honest. I hate it so much. Saying goodbye is my least favorite thing and it seems we do it a lot being a missionary. 

We went to this one family and I sent you a video, but their little daughter is tiny! But she's in some type of karate and she is really strong and so she pinned me and Sister Crawley and there was no way for us to get out of it! Hahah it was the funniest thing ever! Then we went to teach a Book of Mormon class which was pretty awkward but we made it out alive haha. After we said goodbye to a few more people that we were teaching we went home and finished packing! It's seriously such a chore! All of the last minute things to pack are so annoying. 

Wednesday we got up and packed our car with all of our stuff and my suit case was probably 150 lbs, no joke. I couldn't even carry it down our stairs, and the elders even had a hard time getting them into our car. Hahah it was hilarious but also not because I have too much stuff. But I use everything so I can't give anything away. So we get to Vancouver and missionaries start arriving and I got to see Sister Hibbard and a few other of my companions but I was just really nervous because we were about to find out who we would be training, so just letting you know Dad, I was stressed to the max and that's why I didn't stay longer to talk! Hahah my apologies! I will do better! 

Anyway, so my companion is Sister Bevan. Sounds like Evan but with a B in front. She's from Blackfoot Idaho and she just graduated high school and now here she is. She's really quiet and she's never been on an air plane except when she flew to Portland. Shes the 3rd sibling out of 4 and yeah. She's very different than me, very much a country girl but things are okay. 

When we got in our area, we had to drive for soooo long, we unpacked and such and then tried to figure out our area Book (daily planner) but for whatever reason it wasn't working and so it was just a little stressful because we weren't sure if we had lessons or what since we were both new. Finally after a few days it started working thank goodness. We were able to meet a few people which was good but we still have so many more people to get to know! This Ward is a little bigger in numbers than my last area but I think geographically it's smaller. I'm not positive so don't quote me haha. 

Training a new missionary is so different though! It's like a test because I have to remember how things happened 14 months ago and I dot remember all that well haha. I just hope I'm teaching her how to work hard! 

For our new year we had to be inside our apartment starting at 6 so we could be safe and we did weekly planning all evening. It went pretty well. We were able to get more familiar with people's names and we were able to schedule some lessons which is super good! Being busy is the best thing ever! Hahah 

Sunday we have 1 o'clock church which is the best! As a missionary it's so great because the day goes by so quickly! So we had fast and testimony meeting and of course we bore our testimonies since we were both new but also because my time is running out to bear my testimony! I only have 3 fast Sundays left!!!!! WEIRD!!!!! 

But anyway, we met soooo many people and it was a little over whelming because I'm awful at names but for the most part it was good. Just a little different but I think I'm sorta getting the hang of things. And by sorta I mean, I'm not wanting cry anymore hahah. At least today! 

But no things are okay! I'm excited for the new year and what is in store! Things should get better as time goes by and as I start to learn more people in the Ward! St. Helens is a cute little town and I'm intensely looking for scenes and places from the twilight movie hahaha. 

Well I love you guys to the moon and back ❤️ 

And I miss y'all TONS!!!!

Please don't forget about me;)

"Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way." 

Xoxo

Sister Batey

McKenzee in her new area...

Saying goodbye...

Saying goodbyes are never easy...

McKenzee and Sister Crowley with a little girl...

The 4 Sisters saying goodbye...

McKenzee and Sister Crowley one last photo...

McKenzee and her new companion Sister Bevan.