Be strong!

 Familia,

-We played soccer today and we all got FRIED

-I think it is 130 degrees here these days

-well that's probably an exaggeration, but that's how it feels

This sunday we had our district conference here in Peten and it was awesome!  All of the branches of peten came and it was SO FULL of people!!!  I have never said hi to so many people.  (Here in Guatemala it is rude to skip anyone.  When you walk in you have to walk through row by row kissing every woman and shaking every guy's hand, then go to the door to greet everyone else!)  Elder Morales came with President and Hermana Curtiss and they all delivered messages that were very helpful!  We had several investigators there, including Rosalydia who will be baptized this Saturday!  After the meeting Elder Morales and President Curtiss wanted to meet all of the investigators.  They had all of the missionaries with investigators go to a room where he shook all of their hands and encouraged them to keep investigating the church, praying, reading the scriptures, and keeping the commandments.  Then he spoke to the missionaries there present in the room.  He got very emotional and just looked at us for a very long time.  He said that the Lord is very aware of us, our needs, and our efforts.  We are His representatives and we will be blessed for all we do.  He told us to serve with all our hearts and give everything to the Lord.  I know that he is a special representative of Christ and that he has His authority to preach, serve, promise, and love in His name.  To have a testimony of the Restoration of the Priesthood we have to have a spiritual witness that the Lord's servants really have the priesthood.  I have received that time and time again as I have been able to serve with worthy missionaries, work with an amazing mission president, meet, listen to, and learn from members of the 70, receive blessings, and preach of Joseph Smith and a living prophet.

I hope you have a great day tomorrow!   Be strong!  Don't be too sad, I know goodbye's are hard but this is really the best and biggest blessing Porter is about to receive!  How awesome!!!!  I love you all and good luck Elder Yates!

No Empty Chairs

Hermana Yates