June 20th, 2016

Hello hello beautiful family:)

Well this past week I turned 8 months on my mission. And I just want
to start off by saying these past 8 months have been the hardest most
challenging months but also the most beautiful and exciting months.
Words can't begin to describe my feelings about my mission. Oh and
also on the 18th, it marked a year ago that I opened my mission call.
I still remember like it was yesterday. So crazy how fast a year can
go and to see where I am now. I'm just so blessed to be out here in
Vancouver serving these people, serving the Lord! I have learned so
much out here, more than I ever thought was possible for me. I've come
to really appreciate this gospel and how happy I am to have it in my
life. We are so blessed to have a loving Father in Heaven who loved us
so much that He was willing to sacrifice His beloved son, Jesus
Christ. I'm know that He lives and that He loves us so much and has
provided a way that we can return to live with Him and our families
again. I know that we have the priesthood on the earth and also a
prophet who can led and guide us. I know this church is true. Even
when people are not wanting to listen and slam the door in my face.
It's still true. The atonement is real and makes everything worth
while. I'm so grateful for this experience and for all of the lows
because I can more fully enjoy the highs. And I'm just so so so
grateful for my family. You guys mean more to me than everything I
own. You guys give me the strength I need to keep going. You guys are
my rock. Thanks for all the love and support. You guys rock.

So I hope you all had a great week! Monday night someone sent you a
picture mom. Did you get it? I'd like to see it lol. If I remember it
shows our height difference pretty well haha. We were having a lesson
with a recent convert at her house and she has a son on a mission and
thought our moms would enjoy a picture. She was sweet. Oh and also
found out she served a mission in Finland. And of course I talked
about my brother serving there and she was so excited because not many
people serve there.

Tuesday was a good day because S came out with us. We began by
making cookies to take to an investigator who has been sick lately.
That was fun. And it was so weird because while I was with S
Kylee got into town and I was just freaking out because we are
basically breathing the same air. Lol. And then we sent some snap
chats to her and it was just so weird! Haha but I liked it:)

Wednesday was pretty hilarious. We had a man in our Ward who invited
us over to help him do some service, he is a gold miner I guess and
wanted us to help him and then he could give us some gold afterwards.
So we go over Wednesday morning and it's the strangest thing. He gave
us some buckets of dirt and then we poured water on them and then put
them through this machine and well long story short we spent like 2
hours sifting out dirt and after all this work we found one single
little tiny speck of gold! Hahaha omg I was laughing my head off! It
was so funny. He was sweet though and got some gold from his
collection and gave us some. He also gave us some Oregon rock crystal
things. These little specks are like the size of sand...
Lol but it was a funny experience. I can now say I
went gold mining. Lol after that service we help P, the lady we
live with, also the one who sent the picture to dad. We helped her by
building a table that she bought from ikea. Not so much building but
putting together. We had to screw some stuff and make sure things were
even. I definitely came to appreciate dad for taking on all those task
growing up. Haha but hey we did it and it looks great! Omg I almost
forgot. So that night we stopped by a member in my Ward and came to
find out that SHE KNOWS GRANDMA IRENE!!!!! Oh my lanta it was the
funniest thing, so her name is Heather Swanson and apparently grew up
in Springfield and went to her Ward!!! Such a small world. We took
pictures and she said she sent them to grandma on Facebook? Did you
seem them grandma? So you remember her? Anyway, that made me so
excited!

Thursday was a really good day! We had our last zone meeting with
President and Sister Taylor. I sent some pictures with them from that
day. I got to see Sister Davis and get a run down on all my homies in
Hazel Dell and it just made me so happy:) Oh the meeting was just so
wonderful! The spirit was so strong. I just love the Taylor's so much.
President Taylor is going to be a general authority one day, I can
just feel it! Lol so the whole presidency spoke to us and I wish I
could remember everything they said but I can't. Something that Sister
Taylor talked about though was about finishing and being a finisher.
She talked about never giving up and always giving it your all. Made
me think about all the things I quit as a kid and how foolish I was,
but I can also look at all the things I didn't quit and see how
blessed I will be. At the top of my list is my mission, now I know I'm
not done but I'm still here and plan on being here until my time is
up. She told us to look to our ultimate example of finishers, which is
our Savior Jesus Christ. While suffering in the garden He asked if
there was another way, but there wasn't, and he didn't give up. He
just kept going, even through all the pain he suffered, he didn't give
up. What a perfect example of someone who finishes.

Then President Taylor got up and he talked about a few scriptures in
the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 12: 13-14. Verse 13 talks about salt of
the earth. He related the salt of the earth to missionaries. We know
that salt is essential for the human body and just like that, the
gospel is essential to salvation so we can make it back to live with
our Father in Heaven. Loved that. This work is so important! And it's
not just important for missionaries but for every single member of the
church. We can't do it alone, that's why we need the Ward members! So
please if you think for a second that you don't need to share the
gospel with others, you're wrong. You promised at your baptism to take
His name upon you, and with doing that means to be a missionary, with
or without the name tag. Then verse 14 talks about how we need to be
the light of the world, which is a little confusing if you think about
it. How can we be the light when we are taught that Jesus Christ is
the light. Well after a cool story and an object lesson, President
Taylor clarified. He gave everyone in the room a quarter sized mirror
and then told a story about how with the mirrors we can reflect light
into dark areas all around us. We can do the same with the light of
Christ. We can take the gospel that we've learned and loved and
reflect the light of Christ to everyone around us. His light is what
can bring our lost brothers and sisters back into the fold of God. How
beautiful and poetic this is. I just really love this work and came to
really understand this last week how important it is. So remember that
you have the light of Christ with you and it is your duty to reflect
it so others can see His light.

Then after our meeting we got to personally say goodbye to and shake
the hands of the presidency. And it was so emotional. Here I had to
say goodbye to these people that have become my family, especially
President and Sister Taylor, in about 20 seconds. It was hard because
they have really helped me and changed me so much. I couldn't even get
my words out to express my appreciation to them, so I just cried and
gave them the biggest hugs. Yes finally we got to hug President
Taylor! Lol it was an exciting moment for the sisters, especially
since most of us haven't hugged a man in a long while, but it was
really sweet because he's become a father figure out here on our
missions. It was really nice, definitely going to miss the Taylor's so
much!

Friday was an absolute crazy day! Haha so I woke up feeling really
sick and well Sister Foster being the sweetheart she is found some
cold medicine for me to take that she used when she was sick a few
weeks ago. So I took the stuff she gave me and drank it during my
personal study. Well by the time companion ship study came my eye lids
were so very heavy I couldn't stay awake. I was absolutely miserable
trying to study. No matter what position I was in I kept falling
asleep, even mid sentence! Lol then it dawned on me that it could
possibly have the same effect as Benadryl, and Benadryl puts me to
sleep every time. Haha so after the struggle of staying awake during
studies and also planning, since it was Friday it was our planning
day, I skipped lunch and went straight into my lunch nap and set an
alarm to wake me up in an hour so we could finish planning. I was
really hopeful that the medicine would be done after my nap. Wrong.
Lol I slept through my alarm and woke up two hours later. Still dead
tired. Well I got up anyway to try and help plan but again I couldn't
keep my eyes open. This time P was home and she thought it was
funny that I having such a hard time, so she suggested I drink a red
bull to wake me up. Haha well I was exhausted and not right in the
mind so I agreed. Lol well another wrong. Hahaha after drinking the
red bull and rushing off to our lesson I was having a tug a war in my
body. My body was awake but my mind was not. Haha I was so out of
balance my body was having the hardest time knowing what to do. I was
having an out of body experience the whole day! Lol it was crazy!
Luckily our dinner canceled so I got to go home and try to sleep
again. It was just a little harder because my body wanted to be awake
but my brain was not having it, lol. It was just a crazy experience.
Haha, needless to say lesson learned. Haha. Cold medicine and red
bulls do not mix!

Saturday I was feeling some what better, still tired but refused to
take medicine or drink anything that wasn't water. Haha we went to
help this family pack up their house to move. They had to be out by
Monday (today) and they still had so much in their house. Oh it was
just a nightmare, I'm so grateful that I wasn't home when y'all moved
houses. Haha I was just sick for this family because they have so much
stuff. Anyway, I realized that I don't ever want to move! Hah
Dinner Saturday night was good, I realized that I hate mushrooms
though hahah. I can do most food now, but mushrooms are not one of
them! Lol then we shared a message with them and it just made me kinda
sad because like I said earlier, we can't do this work without the
members! So please family try and do your part. Try and share the
gospel with your friends and neighbors. Stop making excuses. Do your
part. Help this work move along. When the missionaries come for dinner
help them out by finding people they can teach! It means a lot when
the Ward members help us.

Anyway, Saturday night we had a good lesson with this man named A
and his wife V. It was our first lesson with them but we met
them knocking doors and so we gave them a restoration pamphlet and
invited him to read it before we came back. And he totally read it
which is amazing because most people forget! So we were really
excited:) But omg it was so funny, so before the lesson we were
talking to his wife and she was talking about sausage and ended up
giving us some. Well I didn't want any because I'm not a huge fan of
it and because we just ate dinner and I wasn't hungry at all. I'm
trying not to eat when I'm hungry. Well Sister Foster eats her piece
super fast and I had only taken one bite and literally could not eat
any more. And I didn't want to be rude so I hurried up and shoved it
in my purse and zipped it up haha. Well they have a big golden
retriever dog.... So during the whole lesson I'm holding my purse
because the dog I'm sure can smell the sausage and wants to eat it
because it couldn't leave me or my purse alone. It was so funny and
yet not funny at all because I had dog fur all over me at the end of
the lesson from trying to keep him away. I sent you guys a picture
with the nasty sausage haha. We were dying when we got in the car and
I explained to sister Foster what happened! Lol

Sunday was Father's Day and I just missed being home with my dad, but
next year we can be together:) but anyway I don't remember if I told
you but me and Sister Foster are in the Ward choir :/ lol and I
honestly have no idea how to sing so I just mouth the words hahah.
It's pretty funny. We are singing in sacrament meeting next week so
I'm a little nervous. Hopefully all will go well! Omg but during
sacrament meeting this Sunday I saw a lady nurse her child, in the
middle of the meeting. She didn't get up or anything, just did it
right in front of everyone... I was like what the heck?  So strange!
Haha then we went and heart attacked the members of the bishopric and
our Ward mission leader. It was fun to show our appreciation!

Well I miss you guys tons and tons!
And I love y'all to the moon and back!
Have a great week:)
Don't forget to remember me;)

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

Xoxo
Sister Batey

PS.
Also dad, I'm not on a bike yet, I think this week they will be taking
it away... Please pray for me!! Haha I'm gonna die!
Love love love y'all!!!!!

President and Sister Taylor with McKenzee.

 

The escaped sausage...

 

Kenzee got to be on Snapchat...wait..what??

 

June 13th, 2016

Hey, what up, hello,

Well here's an update about me: tomorrow is my 8 month mark!!!!! WOOP
WOOP:) Also our car is going to be take away so I'll possibly be on a
bike... Although the ones they have for us to use is way tall and I
might not be able to get on it... Haha so we might just have to
walk...idk. Hmm my companion is 6 ft tall, a whole foot taller than me
haha. And her sister just moved into my home Ward. Pretty crazy!!

This week has been an interesting one as well. Like so many people
have canceled appointments this week, more than I've ever had the
whole time I've been on my mission. It was awful. I did not like it.

Tuesday we had a lesson with a Muslim lady and it was just very
strange...not too sure what's going to happen with her... Oh and I
forgot my name tag that morning so that was awkward lol...
Wednesday we did some service for our Ward mission leader. He asked us
to help him with his weeds because he has a vine yard in his backyard
and so before we know it 4 hours later we are done. And omg my
fingertips were so so sore afterwards!!!! Haha

Then Thursday we had zone meeting where they told us our car is
getting taken away:( and it was a rainy day so it was just very sad
and gloomy the rest of the day! And then that night sister Foster was
having a hard day(she was actually having a sad/hard day everyday this
week...) and so she went to get a blessing from our district leader.
Friday was planning all day and it was very stormy although I was
super disappointed because it thundered but it was so lame compared to
Texas thunderstorms. That is something I miss so much about Texas, the
storms!

Saturday was so fun because we got to go to dinner with Betsy and
Marie at Red Robin!!!!:) it was so fun!!! And we went to the same red
robin that I went to with bub and bri so it was a really good memory!
It was just so exciting!!!!

Sunday was awkward because I still don't know anyone at church... And
I hate that...

So I wrote all that earlier and we just had a really good conversation
with our STLs (sister training leaders) about our missions. I realize
that people that haven't gone on mission really don't or can't
understand how hard this is. But it's okay because we have other
missionaries that we are around so that we can help lift one another
up. And I'm only apart of this missionary work for a little while and
it is so important and it makes me so happy (most of the time). I'm so
blessed to be apart of the Lords work and it is such an amazing
opportunity that I have to serve. The church is true and it always
will be, even on the hard days. The hard days just help me appreciate
the good ones.

I love you guys to the moon and back and miss y'all more than y'all know.

Xoxo
Sister Batey

The new sister McKenzee lives with...

 

Sister S...who Kenzee used to live with...

 

McKenzee and Sister Foster

McKenzee and a rooster.  I. have. no. idea.

McKenzee and her new Zone.

McKenzee with friends...and her really tall companion...

McKenzee and a frog...praying she isn't going to eat it.

 

June 6th, 2016

Well well well,

I know I say this every week but it has honestly been the craziest
week!!! Yes I did get emergency transferred!!!! We got a call Friday
afternoon telling me that I needed to pack up my things and be at the
mission office at 10 am the next morning and that I would be
transferred to Nehalem with Sister Foster. And this all they said.
Saying I was very shocked and confused was an understatement haha. I
was so surprised and had no clue why or what or anything. Needless to
say I started freaking out big time. I had a panic attack because I
had less than 24 hours to pack up all my stuff and to say goodbye to
my Ward family. It was hard and very sad. So after I kinda of stopped
freaking out I went and made the rounds telling people that I was
leaving although I had no idea why. The only good think about saying
goodbye is I got lots of pictures to send home this week:) gotta look
at the positive because I was not happy to be leaving. I just
absolutely love Hazel Dell!!

So I just don't even know what to start with. Haha. So I had to pack
up all my stuff and you guys know me and packing. I just can't do it
haha. So we had dinner with one of my favorite families, the
D's, and then that night Sister D, the real MVP, came
over and totally packed for me! Haha her and sister Davis just took
over because I was just so overwhelmed. Oh and I also left a bunch of
things that I totally still want with her so that she can either send
them home or have Kylee pick them up when she comes! So please work
that out with her! Thanks.

So then Saturday morning we had a zone breakfast that we went to and I
said goodbye to everyone in the zone because it was a total shock.
Then at 10 we went to the mission office and met us with president and
sister Taylor and my new companion and another set of sister
missionaries. So I since I was leaving sister Davis, she got put into
a trio with 2 other sisters and now they are over 2 wards.
Sister Foster is a real sweety though. She's 6 ft tall and we seem
to get along alright. Haha I just love her.
It's weird, I'm getting better at just loving all
these people that I normally wouldn't. It's definitely the gift of
charity that I've been given.

So we are staying with a little single lady, P. She's maybe 60...
Has a dog and cat... So my allergies have been pretty bad but I'm
trying not to complain... Especially with everything that has happened
within the last few days. And poor sister Foster is very emotional and
just drained so I'm trying to not focus so much on me and my needs. I
guess you call it growing up? Haha we are currently at the mall, she
is trying on clothes and I'm trying to be strong and not but anything
because I have no room lol. But you better believe when I get home I'm
gonna need a whole new wardrobe!!!!! Hahah. But yeah I'm trying to
control myself and not buy more things....

Although we did treat ourselves this morning and went to get pedicures
because sister Foster had a pretty rough week and we'll I had a pretty
crazy last few days... So yeah I'll send you some pictures later. Hehe

So I honestly don't even know what else to say because I feel like a
headless chicken. Lol. Oh I went to the dentist this morning!!!!:) I
got my teeth cleaned by a man in my last Ward for the first time in 8
months!!! he was super sweet and didn't charge me! It was so great! I
just love getting my teeth cleaned!!! They told me everything looks
good, and I'm glad because I literally take such good care of them,
you guys should be proud!!! Lol

And I'm sorry but I don't even remember what happened at the beginning
of the week since its been such a crazy weekend. Although I do
remember we went and helped paint for our investigator M the
mechanic at his car shop and he was so grateful and said he would come
to church. So hopefully he did, I don't know because I got ETd...
Oh and it was fun because we got to have S, she's a laurel in a
different Ward come out with us for the day and then for dinner we
went to Buffalo Wild Wings with a member in the Ward. I just love
bww:)

But My first Sunday in this new Ward was different. It's always so
hard because I just miss my homies in Hazel Dell.  I don't like not
knowing anyone, that's the worse part, trying to get to know people
again. But yeah. Things are good. Just trying to meet people and learn
things the area. Oh and it's weird because I'm in the same zone that I
started my mission in. So I see the sisters serving in la center all
the time. It's weird because I know that area haha. But it's cool.

So yeah sorry it's a kinda crazy letter. I'm trying to figure things
out and we've been running around all day. Glad to hear from you guys
this week. Hope you guys are enjoying your summer!!! And a trip to St
joe. So jealous! Lol I miss the lake. It's been so so hot hear this
last week, like it feels like I'm in Texas, it's hot humid and 98*.
It's super weird. I've forgotten about the heat lol.

I can't believe Kylee is graduating tomorrow and turning 18!!!! So
weird!!! But I'm happy for her! So weird that she is growing up!!!

Well I miss you guys so much and love y'all to the moon and back;)
thanks for the magnet mom & dad!!

Oh and don't forget to remember me with all your craziness going on!!!

Xoxo
Sister Batey

Kenzee always gets along with the kids...

 

McKenzee and her new companion, Sister Foster.

 

Her old zone....

 

McKenzee with Sister D...

May 30th, 2016

Hey, what up, hello family and friends,

So transfer news: We are both staying.... Don't really know how I feel
about this... It's kinda bittersweet... I really like this area and
the people in it but I'm also kinda worn out here, I'm ready for a new
place but I guess that's not the Lords plan for me... And I was
honestly hoping for a new companion just because of how hard this last
transfer has been with her. But I guess I still have more to learn...
We will see how long I last before I go crazy haha... I am happy that
I will be in this area for the 4th of July though... The D Family
have already invited us over to have games and such, so that should be
fun:) Sister Finn is leaving though, and that is really sad because
she's helped me so much getting through these last 6 weeks. But she's
needed else where... She's going out to St. Helens in Oregon.
Hopefully we will serve around each other again.

So let's see, Monday night was fun because we went over to a family in
our ward to help them make posters for their daughter who got home
from her mission on Wednesday. She served in Jackson Mississippi which
is crazy because of all our family down in the area... She said she
served in west Monroe and I was like wth that's where my mom was
born!!! Lol

Tuesday we decided to make some cookies for our investigators and some
less actives. That was fun to take to them. Then that night we had our
dinner appointment but sister Finn was having dinner with a sister, she was
a recent convert in our last area and so after we finished dinner we
went to say hi. It was so great because I just miss her so
much! I was so happy to see my old homies! After that we went and we
had a few lessons with some of our lady's in a nursing home type
place. That was really awesome. Then we went and helped a couple start
packing up and boxing their things because they are getting ready to
move to a new apartment. It was fun to be able to help them out, they
are the couple in the picture I sent. I just love them:)

Wednesday we had district meeting and I had to give a training and I
was so nervous. But they said I did good, I'm just so glad it's over!
Lol after that we did some service for brother H. We helped him
do some yard work and it was honestly like working out because we were
putting dirt in a bucket, run down some stairs to put it around the
trees in the back yard. And then repeat. Haha it was tiring! Lol then
we had to carry these big bags of bark down the stairs to replace the
dirt we moved. It was a long process but it definitely helped him out
because he can't move very fast and because he would have been alone.
Lol so it was nice to help him. He kept telling us what hard workers
we were because we were working so fast. Haha it was sweet. Afterwards
we went and stopped by some people and ended up talking to this really
nice man and we shared a little bit about the Book of Mormon and he
told us we could come back to teach him more! So we are excited for
that! Then at dinner we had pie for dessert and I was just so full,
and after dinner we had a lesson and after our lesson they wanted to
give us pie but I was so full from already having some that I couldn't
get myself to eat it. So while they weren't looking I was going to
throw it away but I felt bad so sister D was nice and let me put
my pie on her plate lol. She ended up eating 3 pieces of pie that
night. Haha and then after that we were going to the D's
because they were having mutual at her house and they invited us. They
were making crepes and of course I could pass that opportunity up! I
haven't had a crepe in way to long! Lol so it was really fun to be
with the girls and to eat there food lol. But they weren't as good as
moms;)

Thursday, was a very stressful day. So stressful. Sister Davis woke up
sick, she had a pretty gross cold that gradually got worse and
Thursday it was really bad. We had one lesson early in the morning and
she hardly said 2 words because she wasn't feeling good. After our
lesson was over we went home and she went to bed and told me she
wouldn't be able to go out to our lessons and that we should find
someone to be my companion so she wouldn't get them sick. So as she
went to bed I was calling around to find somewhere for her to go and
rest while I also called around to find myself a companion for the
day. We had 2 lessons that I needed someone to go with me. And it was
also tricky because I couldn't just drop her off and then drive myself
to another members house. Neither one of us could be alone so I had to
plan things perfectly and get to our lessons on time. So I finally got
ahold of some people, sister Davis went to sister B's house to
sleep and sister D came out with me to be my companion. We
drove to her house and then sister D took us to drop off
sister V's. Then me and my new companion went to our lessons. Well
after all of the work I did I make sure things worked out our lesson
ended up not wanting to meet that day, so I was a little bummed. Then
we went to our next lesson and they weren't even home. So both of the
lessons fell through which was so annoying because I worked so hard to
make sure we got there. So after that we went and picked up sister
Davis and we went home and sister Davis went to bed and I watched a
movie, although it was so weird because I felt like I was wasting
time. It was strange.

Then the next day, same thing. She was still sick but since it was
Friday we had to plan the whole day so it was basically me planning
all day by myself. Then I had to do the same thing I did the day
before. Find somewhere for sister Davis to go and find me a new
companion to go to the lessons. Well I did, but then one of the 2
lessons fell through. It's so annoying. Why do they fall through when
I try so hard to make sure that I'm there. Ughhh I was just so sad and
annoyed and just so stressed.

Saturday was a crazy busy day, sister Davis was still sick, but she
wasn't as sick so she came out. We started our day out having
French toast at the D's then we went and helped a lady move in
with some other missionaries in our zone. Then we went to some lessons
and then we did some more service. Then some more lessons. It was so
crazy!!! But good because it went by so fast.

Sunday was good because the girl that got home from her mission spoke
and she did such a great job! The spirit was so strong and I felt a
new appreciation for missionary work. Oh and she is just so sweet! We
already get along pretty well and she's already asking when she can
come out with us. Haha it's great. Oh and we had 10 less actives at
church!!! That was super exciting!!!

And now today, Monday, we went shopping and then just got some doterra
oil massage. It was the best😍

Well I hope to hear from you guys soon!!!
Miss y'all and love y'all to the moon and back!!!
Don't forget to remember me:)

Xoxo
Sister Batey

Oh PS
Happy anniversary to the best parents ever!!!
I miss you guys more than you will know! 28 years is so long but I'm
so grateful that y'all stuck out the hard times and have made it his
long! I love love love y'all!! Have a great anniversary!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

McKenzee and friend.

McKenzee painting her nose...

Not sure what to say here...looks like home during conference.

Friends...

McKenzee and friends.

May 23rd, 2016

Hey,

So let's see what happened this week...

Well Monday during pday I don't remember if I told y'all but we went
to lunch again with M, our investigator, and the other Sisters,
Sister Finn & Crawley, Sister Finn and I taught her when we were
companions a while ago. So that was fun to do! She made us pull pork
sandwiches and they were so good! It was nice to just hang out with
her!

Tuesday we were busy all day in lessons, so that's exciting.
Wednesday was really fun because we had district meeting but
afterwards we had a district potluck! We all brought different things
so we could have a big breakfast. It was so great! We ended up having
pancakes but because I've missed having chocolate chip pancakes I
brought some chocolate chips and everyone was so excited! So we had
chocolate chip pancakes, fruit, and bacon. It was just so delicious! I
wish I took a picture to show you guys, the elders did a really good
job of setting everything up while me and sister Crawley made the
pancakes. I just kept thinking that you'd be so proud of me mom;) lol
then after lunch Sister Davis and I went to Sister D to help
her paint her office in her house. That was so much fun! I love
painting! I felt like a normal person! Ha so that took most of our
afternoon. And in between coats of paint I got to go jump on the
trampoline with her kids and play dead man, hahah it was so cute.
Makes me think of when I was little. It was fun!

Thursday we had our interviews with President Taylor! 

Friday, we had weekly planning and then some lessons. We had a lesson
at Sister T's house and then afterwards she played that piano and
organ for us. She is absolutely amazing!!! She has almost the whole
hymn book memorized and just plays and plays. It's just so great!!!
I'm so jealous but my little fingers couldn't handle it. Ha

Saturday we went and did some hard work for a family in another Ward.
And it was so intense!!! They wanted us to pull weeds and the weeds
were taller than I am!!! It was legit like a forest! And it was the
whole back yard and it wrapped around the whole house. Oh my, it was
so much! And it took us almost 4 hours!!! And we had 10 missionaries
helping us!!!! Oh it was crazy!!! But we did it and it wasn't raining
or the sun wasn't out so the weather was really nice. Then afterward
they made us ribs for lunch which was nice! They were pretty good.
After we were done though we were driving home and that's when it
started to rain sooooo hard! It was crazy! Like I don't even know how
to explain it. Like a fire hydrant exploded all throughout the sky!!!
Luckily we had lessons and didn't have to be out knocking doors all
day! And speaking of lessons, we put someone on date for baptism for
June 25th:) oh we were so excited!!!! It was awesome! Then that night
we had our Ward pinewood derby, there were no rules so you could add
anything you want on the car, so that was cool. We didn't have time to
make a car but we went hoping some less actives would show. This one
man in our Ward though put a battery powered fan on his car. It was
pretty fast to say the least. Haha. He ended up winning.

Sunday nothing fancy happened... Sister D came out with us to
our lessons so that was fun! But yeah, we had some really good
speakers in sacrament meeting so that was really exciting!

Well not much, to report on this week! Sorry!

I miss you guys so much and love y'all too the moon and back! <3


Xoxo
Sister Batey

At the Pinewood Derby...

 

More cars...

 

Back with Sister Finn for a day!

 

May 16th, 2016 - 7 months down!

Hello mother, hello father, hello everyone else lol

So this week was a legit roller coaster of events, thoughts, feelings,
and everything else.

YOU GUYS YESTERDAY WAS MY SEVEN MONTH MARK!!!!!!!!!
WOOP WOOP...ONLY 11 MONTHS TO GO!!!!!!

So last Monday we went and played soccer again and I was basically
just running up and down the field just so I could get some exercise
haha. Then after we went to the mission office to email and hang out,
sister Finn and I decided to work out(mostly because no body was
emailing me back!!!) so we went and ran a bunch of laps in the gym
then we did a workout with our workout apps. And boy we were going so
hard, we thought we were going to die but we are both so determined to
get in shape! Lol so I was pretty proud of myself:) haha

Tuesday we had a bunch of lessons and then we went out with Sister
T, she's the one where she will pull over her car when she sees
someone and ask them if they go to church and then give them a Book of
Mormon. Haha so we went out driving with her and talked to a bunch of
people that way. Haha and I was so proud of myself because I've been
eating really healthy lunches lately but I've been craving a cheese
burger but I didn't cave until sister T said she was hungry and so
she went through the drive thru at burgerville and well I ended up
getting one lol, I was so upset with myself but it was so good! Haha
then that night we went to a baby shower for a nonmember in the area.
She is married to a member and so we through her a shower because they
just moved here and we were trying to be friendly. So that was really
fun. We got to visit with a bunch of people in the Ward and it was
weird because it almost felt like home because I knew everyone and it
was like familiar and just comfortable. It was really fun.

Wednesday we had zone meeting which was really good. Then we had some
lessons then we went and helped a lady plant some flowers in her yard.
That was really fun because the sun was shining and we got to wear
shorts and I just loved it. Then we went and did some more service for
a lady in our Ward.

Thursday we went to clean windows which is always fun, and I got a
package from grandma!!!!:) it was such a nice surprise! THANK YOU
GRANDMA!!!! Love you:) then we had a bunch more lessons and S (a
laural who comes out with us) came with and I just love her because
she reminds me so much of Kylee and I just love being around her and
having normal conversations with her. It was fun! Then that night we
had a lesson and afterwards we got our make up done by the little 9 yr
old. She was so funny because she was begging us every week to do it
and finally we had time for her. Haha and then she ends up telling us
we have to pay her 25 cents! Hahaha oh man I was laughing because it
wasn't me that wanted to do it but I had to pay her! Haha the good
thing was I already had makeup on so it didn't show up as much. Poor
Sister Davis wasn't wearing any and I tricked the little girl in to
putting bright green eye shadow on her and she put bright pink blush
on her too. Oh man she looked funny! Hahaha

Friday we had a bunch more lessons and then we helped Sister T
plant some flowers and also we had to move some rocks of hers out of
her neighbors yard. And well it was hot and I didn't have gloves so
she gave me a sombrero to wear and she didn't have gloves so she gave
me pink socks instead hahah. So try and picture this, we had to go on
the other side of the fence (metal fence) and grab the rocks and throw
them thru the holes of the fence. It was the dumbest thing but her
neighbor was mad that her rocks were slightly in his yard. Anyway so
sister T is on one side of the fence and we are on the other and
I'm looking like a Mexican trying to cross the border with my sombrero
and pink socks hahaha. She took a picture, I'll have to try and get it
so I can send it to y'all.  It was honestly funny.

Saturday we went to down town Vancouver to help the van first sisters
move a lady's t-shirt business to a new studio.  And plus we got free
t-shirts:) and that is exciting because I love free shirts! Haha then
we had a lesson with a lady we are helping go to the temple and then
we went and helped weed an older couples yard. Although it wasn't nearly
as fun because the weather took a turn for the worse. It has been so
hot and sunny and amazing and then Saturday it dropped like 20 degrees
and started raining again. So now we are having a week of rain which
I'm no too excited about, and also it's cold again so I have to wear a
jacket again which is weird since its May!!! Haha so yeah, we were
weeding in the rain which was hard because it was very muddy. But it
was still better than knocking on a bunch of doors in the rain!
Then we were on our way to another lesson and this poor man ran out of
gas on the road so we hurried and pulled over and got out in the rain
and pushed this mans car so he could get out of the way. No one else
was helping him, poor guy. But it was okay because we helped him and
he was very happy, only spoke Spanish but still very grateful:)

So yeah, my week was pretty crazy! This week on Thursday we are having
interviews with president Taylor which I'm excited and nervous about.

Well I love you guys to the moon and back and miss you so much!!!!!
Have a great week!
And don't forget to remember me;)

Xoxo
Sister Batey

The missionary crew...

Kenzee getting her makeup done...

The end result...lol



May 9th, 2016 - Day after Mother's Day

Dear family,

Well I don't know what to say haha. Besides the fact that skyping
y'all was the cherry on top of the amazing Sunday we had at church!
Church was just awesome! We had so many less actives show up along
with some investigators which just makes me so happy! Then we had some
bomb lessons and they gave the moms (and missionaries) some bomb
chocolate... haha it was great. Oh and the weather was just perfect,
sunny with a cool breeze. It truly is beautiful up here in Vancouver
and I am enjoying it more everyday.

So after we got off skype we went to our dinner appointment with a
family in the Ward, the wife is from Texas so we get along real well :)
lol they smoked some pork and it was delicious, tried to make it feel
like home:) at least that's what they told me. And mom you'll be happy
to know that I only had a little bit of the food that they offered, so
I definitely wasn't full. Which I was very proud of, but then they
gave us cheese cake and then I got full... dang. I am really trying! Ha
after dinner we played a jeopardy game that they made, which consisted
of a bunch of church related questions. It was really fun and I
actually knew the answers! Haha then we went and heart attacked some
of the mothers in the Ward who are less active, investigators, and
members that help us out. It was a fun service and a nice way that we
can show our love to them.

Rewind to Tuesday night after dinner we went to do some service for a less

active lady in our Ward. That was fun because we got to wear normal clothes.
Wednesday we had district meeting then some service afterwards, we
helped the Van 1st sisters (Finn and Crawley) move a man into a new
apartment. While we were waiting for the stuff to unload I almost ate
a snail, elder Petitta dared me again and he was trying to figure out
what to get me if I did it but then we had to get to work. Lol isn't
it funny to see what I will eat for something nowadays. This time last
year I wouldn't think twice about it. Crazy how much I've changed lol.

Then dinner that night we went to Applebee's. It is so weird being in
normal places again. Music was playing and I just loved it, even
though I recognize barely anything lol. That night we had a lesson
with some cute less actives and they had just gotten ice cream so they
gave us some, it was sweet although I really didn't want anything.
Then they let there dogs out, usually they are lock in the cage but
they let them out because they were crying and this little black dog
snuck up on me, jumped on my lap, and licked my mouth while I was
talking. Gross gross gross. I wanted to throw up. Oh man, I just can't
stand animals lol.

Thursday was pretty boring. We went to clean windows and went and did
a bunch of findings and such.

Friday night was the Johnny Miller fireside and it was so awesome!!!
He's such a cool guy and had great stories and things to share. His
wife also. And the really exciting part was getting to see all my old
homies again. It was just awesome!!! I was so happy to see sister
Richards and Sister Michaud. It was just the best. Did you guys by
chance get an email from a lady with a picture of me and sister Davis?
Someone came up and offered to send a picture to you. Just wondering
if you got it?

After the fireside we went on exchanges with the sister training
leaders. So I went to their Ward and one of them came to Hazel Dell
with sister Davis. It was weird not driving again. Lol and honestly I
didn't really have a good time with them because it's always hard
getting thrown into a new area. I hate not knowing anyone. It makes it
tough. And plus I had to sleep in the bed of the other sister and I
just don't like that... Lol I find it pretty gross haha. And it was
just so hot in their room that I didn't even really sleep the whole
night because I was being suffocated by heat. Haha then we went out
and just knocked doors all day. *yay* this one man hears us know and
instead of coming to the door he just yells come in. Well that would
be awkward if we went inside and then he sees who we are and then
yells at us to get out. So instead of an awkward situation we yelled
and told him who were are but I guess he couldn't here us so he kept
asking if anyone was there, lol it was pretty funny at first. We ended
up just leaving lol. 

 

Oh something that was fun though that we did was
heart attack sister Taylor's house since she lives in the STLs area.
They was a lot of fun. Then it was cray because the people we had
dinner with that night, their son actually lives in fairway village,
my last area. And I actually did a lot of work with him. He was a big
help to S getting baptized. It was way weird, small world.
Then we switched back that night and then Sunday was Mother's Day:)

So yeah, not too much going on here. Lol
Hopefully this next week will be better.

I love you all so much and miss you tons!

Don't forget to remember me;)

 

Xoxo
Sister Batey

McKenzee and a little boy that likes her

 

 

Sister Richard, McKenzee and Elder Funk

 

A Sister Missionary and McKenzee.