I'm All In!

I'm not going to lie to you, the transition from the MTC to the mission field is super tough. Aw man! I miss that place! With the food and the "study" time and my district. I'm pretty sure the hardest thing was being away from the other missionaries. Especially my MTC district. Who said they could leave me?! Geez. Where did the time go?! I honestly felt sorry for myself for a couple days. But then I realized that I'm not here for me! Not at all! I'm here to help other people! And that realization really helped. When we're out doing and teaching and helping, I really can't think of any place I'd rather be! 

When we first arrived in Texas, we were taken to the Alamo and told to go out and hand out Books of Mormon. Oh dear. That was just great! Sister Harrison and I were feeling pretty good about the 3 that we got! It's super hard to talk to people, but I'm learning! 

The next morning I found out that I'm actually serving in Austin for this transfer! I'm not going to admit to how long it took me to realize that this is Longhorn territory... It's actually literally in our area. And it took me a while to realize why there were so many Longhorn symbols everywhere! Haha! :) 

That night I met my new companion, Sister Gagon, and got right to work. We even taught a first lesson and it was really great. When I was telling about the First Vision, I really felt the Spirit and it was amazing. I'm not going to forget that. 

I didn't think I'd get too much interesting food here, but I totally ate some kalimari the other day. And that was an adventure. I actually liked it. And then they gave us these huge bowls of soup and it was all I could to to eat all of it. For real! Haha! :) 

We have two little families that we're teaching and helping prepare for baptism in a couple weeks. I haven't actually contacted anyone yet, but I'm working on it! Sister Gagon is really good and hasn't made me stand there awkwardly, which is something I'm really grateful for. I promise I'm working on it, though! :) 

One scripture that has really helped me in this transition is D&C 50:41. "Fear not, Abbie, for you are mine..." is what I feel when I read it and it has really helped. On the plane after I didn't get to call my family, walking the streets at the Alamo, trying to make it through 4 hours of nothing but planning... It just helps with it all. I'm just so grateful to be out here and experience this and help people! 

I love you all! 

Sister Waite

Hailey Overson, Abbie, and Dayton Waite - yay for St. Johns' kids! (at the MTC)

MTC district

MTC district

MTC district at the Provo Temple with their Branch President, David Boone.

Sister Waite with her two companions in the MTC at the Provo temple. 

Sister Rachel Harrison, Abbie, and Sister Maria Budke.