How Deep Are Your Roots?

Dear all, 

The Lord is so good. I can hardly believe the miracles we have seen this week. Wow! I am in awe of the Lord's matchless power and grace. His hand is everywhere! How grateful I am for the restored gospel and the perspective it lends to us! 

Enjoying Lunch at Wendy's Thanks to Mom!

As part of his testimony in a recent meeting, President Slaughter said something that has really stuck with me. He stood before us and declared, "When you are deeply rooted, you will not ever doubt for a single second. My roots extend from this piece of ground in Texas all the way to China on the other side of the world." I have no doubt that his roots extend even further than that, but I was left to ponder how deep my roots are. 

We often hear of large and beautiful trees that have grown for years before being uprooted by a single storm; their shallow root systems unable to support them when it was critical to do so. These trees stand in contrast to giant oak trees that have deep root systems, rarely moving a single inch when violent storms and winds swirl around them. 

It is a conscious decision to have deep roots. We have to constantly be asking ourselves things like: "How deep are my roots? Why are they deep? Am I committed to my roots without results? Are my roots only based on my receiving? Are my roots deep enough to withstand opposition?" Growing roots is an act of agency. A decision we all must make. 

The prophet Alma taught this principle when he said, "Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief...behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must needs be that this is a good seed...for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me" (Alma 32:28). 

Before a seed can sprout, we must give place for it in our hearts. 

Alma continues, "And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit...if ye will nourish the [seed], yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life" (Alma 32:37, 41).

It is only after we allow the seed of the gospel to be planted in our hearts that it can truly take root and become a tree!

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, "Faithful members of the Church should be like oak trees and should extend deep roots into the fertile soil of the fundamental principles of the gospel. We should understand and live by the simple, basic truths and not complicate them. Our foundations should be solid and deep-rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted. Members whose roots are only at the surface of the gospel need to sink them deeper until they reach the bedrock below the soft topsoil."

There are four fundamental truths of the gospel that must be deeply rooted in our hearts if we are to withstand the increasingly violent storms of the world. In our day, any one who desires to come to a sound understanding of the Restoration, must understand and accept the foundational elements of the Restoration. These are that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth today, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and  Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

If our testimony consists only of these four things, then that is sufficient to maintain us firm in the path of the gospel. These are the truths that will anchor us in the storms around us.

If you do not know that Christ has restored His church to the earth in the form of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I invite you to give place that a seed may be planted in your heart, that you may become a part of the kingdom of God on earth.

If you do not believe that Joseph Smith was the Lord's chosen instrument, through whom the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored, give place that a seed may be planted in your heart, that you may come to the knowledge of the glorious Restoration. 

If you have not read the Book of Mormon, give place in your heart that a seed may be planted and begin to swell, that you may know that God has no limits. 

Most importantly, if you have not come to a knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer, give place that a seed may be planted in your heart, that you may come to know of the goodness and endless mercy of God, our loving Father. 

May we all be deeply rooted in the gospel! 

Love, 

Sister Waite

MIRACLES!

Dear all, 

Miracles, Brothers and Sisters! Miracles! I don't have words to express or explain the many ways we have seen the Lord's hand this week. From the little things like the rain always letting up right as we needed to be out in it, to the big things like an investigator family showing up to church unexpectedly... I can't adequately express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father! 

On exchanges with Sister Martin

The Wind picked up and this selfie resulted! haha!

Allow me to share a handful of miracles with you:

* We contacted a Church Headquarters referral. Caroline had requested a free copy of the Bible, so we were asked to deliver it to her. We tried calling her to set up a time, but never got an answer, so we decided to knock on her door. It was incredible to see the joy in Caroline's eyes when she opened the door. She let us right in, and we started teaching her. We talked about the Bible and how wonderful it is, and then shared a verse from the Book of Mormon and taught her about the Lord's love for all of His children, especially her! She told us about some of the trials she is going through, but it was incredible to see the change in her countenance as she listened to two servants of the Savior testify of His love. She thanked us over and over again for coming, and told us that she definitely wanted to come to church and read the Book of Mormon. 

* We had a couple extra minutes at the end of the night and decided to visit Jason, an investigator we hadn't heard from in about a week. He came outside to talk with us, as usual, but pretty soon, the door opened up again. Out walked a woman we had never been able to meet: his wife! Jason had been very adamant that he didn't want to pressure her into also investigating the church, and had been very careful to keep us from meeting her. We talked to both of them about the Book of Mormon and it's important role of testifying of our Savior. Jason offered to say a closing prayer, and in it he prayed that they would be able to begin attending church together. He texted us later that night and told us that Sarah, his wife, is becoming more interested in the church that he knows is true! 

* Erica and her son Isaac are progressing beyond quickly. When we met with them, Erica explained to us that she's been feeling "whisperings", as she calls them, prompting her to keep her commitments. The smile on Isaac's face was wider than his face when she told him-and us-of the progress she is making. She is a changed woman. The Spirit works wonders! 

* Danny and Trisha had medical appointments up by the temple this week. A member was kind enough to give them a ride. As they got off the freeway and started on the road that leads to the temple, they passed by a rather large, well-known church. Trisha got excited, as she enjoys watching their televised sermons on Sundays, opting out of coming to church with Danny. That excitement was forgotten, however, as soon as she laid eyes on the temple. We were able to visit with them that night, and all they talked about for 45 minutes was how beautiful the temple is. Trisha, who had not talked to us for several weeks, was the most talkative of us all. She loved it! She still wasn't ready to accept an invitation to church, but there's progress there. Danny, however, was above the moon with excitement. He told us "When I die, bury me in those flower beds, because I never wanted to leave that place." He asked what he needed to do in order to go inside, and was ecstatic to learn that he was already on that path, and is set to be baptized on June 4. 

* President and Sister Slaughter were asked to speak in the Balcones Heights ward yesterday (a real treat)! We had several investigators all lined up to attend, and President wanted to meet every single one of them. We excitedly waited outside of the chapel, but as the clock ticked closer and closer to 11 am, no one appeared. We took our seats, and it took a lot in me not to shed a tear. We had worked hard all week and promised President that he would meet all of our investigators, and not a single one showed up. However, I did not allow my faith to waver. This was still the Lord's work! About halfway through the meeting, the back doors to the chapel opened up. We looked back to find an investigator family straggling in. Sister Hardman and I elbowed each other excitedly and I'm sure the grins on our faces could have lit up the world because they were so bright. I looked up at President, and he smiled at us, too. After the meeting, he came with us to greet them, and they said that they want to come to church every week, even though it will be difficult for them! Que milagro!

"O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?" (Mormon 9:15-16)

Miracles have not ceased. They are happening around you every day. 

The Lord has declared: "I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith" (2 Nephi 27:23).

As we move forward each day with unshaken faith, our eyes will be opened to the many mighty miracles that surround us each day. The hand of the Lord is in all things. "Doubt not, but be believing" (Mormon 9:27). 

May we all have the ears to hear, the eyes to see, and the hearts to believe the miracles that are happening around us each day! 

Love, 

Sister Waite

My Redeemer Lives!

At the mission home with the Slaughters. I just love them!

Dear all,

My Redeemer lives! Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives!

I have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and His matchless power, and His wisdom, and His patience, and His long-suffering towards the children of men; and also the atonement, which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life. This knowledge of the goodness of God has awakened me to a sense of my nothingness, and my worthless and fallen state (see Mosiah 4:5-6).

Mission Leadership Conference

How sweet, however, the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!

Jesus Christ is the means whereby men receive salvation. "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent" (Mosiah 3:


17). "This is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God" (2 Nephi 31:21). "And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved" (Mosiah 16:13)?

We are fallen and less than the dust of the earth, but because of Jesus Christ, we can repent and overcome our fallen nature.

"... Believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you...

New Missionary Meeting

"And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in
remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come" (Mosiah 4:10-11).

"O remember, remember... the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that He cometh to redeem the world" (Helaman 5:9).

"And now... I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn... that there is no other way or  means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, He is the life and the light of the world. Behold, He is the word of truth and righteousness (Alma 38:9).

My soul rejoices in knowing that "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

"I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord" (Psalm 104:33-34).

May we all come to a greater understanding of the role of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our salvation.

"Be faithful in Christ... may Christ lift thee up, and may His sufferings and death... and His mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of His glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever" (Moroni 9:25).

I love you all,
Sister Waite

Praise to the Lord!

My new companion, Sister Hardman, and me.

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
Join the great throng,
Psaltery, organ and song,
Sounding in glad adoration!

"Praise to the Lord! Over all things he gloriously reigneth.
Borne as on eagle wings, safely his Saints he sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen
How all thou needest hath been
Granted in what he ordaineth?

"Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy way and defend thee.
Surely his goodness and mercy shall ever attend thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
Who with his love doth befriend thee.

"Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath breath, join with Abraham’s seed to adore him!
Let the “amen”
Sum all our praises again,
Now as we worship before him."
Hymns, 72

New missionaries at the Alamo.

Our transfer theme!

If only the lyrics to my favorite hymn could adequately express the
joy that fills my heart as a missionary. If only my favorite hymn
could praise the Lord as much as I desire to praise Him!

I wish I could tell you of all the tender mercies and miracles that
have happened over the last week. They are too numerous to count, and
many are too sacred and precious, anyway.  Suffice it to say that I
feel as though my heart could burst because it is so full.

Family photo on Mother's Day!

All is well in Texas. The work continues to move forward. I am in a
wonderful area with a wonderful companion in a wonderful mission with
a wonderful mission president. There is nothing else that I could ask
for. The Lord knows me so well and I still stand all amazed at the
love that He offers me.

There are two scriptures written on a mirror in our apartment. When
read together, they express a beautiful message of hope and a promise
of strength: "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying
unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee... verily I say unto you, that
great things await you" (Isaiah 41:13 and D&C 45:62).

I am reminded of the Lord's goodness every day. He leads this work.
Let all that is in me adore Him!

Love,
Sister Waite

Consecrate

I finally broke down and bought a Spurs shirt! It even has the Alamo on it!

Dear all,

The Lord is so good. I marvel that I was counted worthy to be His missionary for the last 16 months. He has blessed me with wonderful companions and wonderful areas to serve in, and I do not think that I will ever, in all eternity, be able to express enough gratitude to Him!

We received transfer news this week, and I have been blessed with another six weeks (and probably another six after that) in the wonderful Balcones Heights area. Sister Paul, the wonderful sister I have been blessed to train, is being sent off into the mission and I will be receiving a new companion. Words cannot express how excited I am for the coming transfer. Look out Texas!

Sunday night with President and Sister Slaughter

When I heard that I would be staying in the area, I began to ponder what more I could give in order to accomplish the work that I have to do here. President Slaughter is always telling us that there is always a next level for our hearts to jump to, and I wanted to know how to get there, but I could not think of anything more I could do. The Missionary Handbook is my 'best friend', as I described it to the incoming missionaries six weeks ago. We are awake at 6:15 every morning and in bed by 10:25 every night. We are careful to only listen to music that reflects the sacred nature of our calling. We wash our car every week, and we stay within our allotted miles (we were even 150 miles under in April! ¡Que milagro!) I am as diligent as I can be in obedience. I pondered this for a few days, and it wasn't until last night that I realized what more I could give. It's not about following the rules at all, it's about our hearts.

Transfer calls with Sister Johnson! Love her!

The assistants and lead sister training leaders were invited to the mission home last night to make a few transfer phone calls and discuss plans for the upcoming week.(Transfer week always requires extra planning and coordination. So much happens!) As we waited for the appropriate time to make phone calls, President Slaughter opened to Mark 10, and had us read the story of the rich young man in verses 17 through 22:

"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

"And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

"And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."

In reading that and participating in the ensuing discussion, I found my answer.

This young man was obedient. He had kept every commandment from his youth. He wasn't COMMITTING sin, yet there was something he was lacking. He was OMITTING the most important commandment from his life: complete consecration to the Lord and His work. He missed the lesson Christ was trying to teach him: it's not about the money, it's about what you are willing to do to follow the Master.

The Guide to the Scriptures defines consecration: "To dedicate, to make holy, or to become righteous. The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God’s kingdom."

I built a bookshelf this week. With a screwdriver! Lots of fun. Haha! (mom's note: I love the candidness of this one, Just cute)

Last night, my heart and mind and soul flew to a whole new level. I THOUGHT that I had been loving the Lord with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. I THOUGHT that there was nothing left to give. I THOUGHT that there was nothing more that I could give up to follow the Savior.

But now I KNOW that there will always be something to give up. Whether it's something as seemingly silly and simple as giving up a favorite David Archuleta Christmas CD in favor of something that helps one focus on the work a little better, or even making sacrifice that's a little bit harder, there is always something.

Am I willing to give up everything and be all in for the Lord? What level am I willing to be on? What would I be willing to give up if I were to be asked?

I have made a covenant to consecrate everything that I have and am to the Lord (see Mosiah 2:34). Just as with the rich young man, He does not care about money or possessions, He cares about me. About who I am becoming. And He knows that I can only become who I am meant to become if I completely give myself over to Him. Consecrate myself. The rest will follow.

Caught in a downpour but luckily found cover before the hail came!

"Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:7-8)

"And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:33).

"Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

May we all love God and stay ablaze in the gospel.

Love,
Sister Waite

 I almost knocked on the wasps nest. Terrifying!
Then we took a picture of it.

Tiny lizard hitchhiker