Becoming a Missionary

Onto Transfer #2 with Sister Montclair!

Hey, all!

I have a lot of great things to share about this week, but first I wanted to express my love of Elder Perry. It seems like just yesterday (but really almost a year ago) that I was sipping a smoothie at BYU and saw him walking around the Wilk with his wife! I was sad to hear of his passing, but also excited that he was able to move on and continue his labors there. I loved how President put it: "I love Elder L. Tom Perry–Prophet, Seer and Revelator! At the time of his transfer, he was the oldest living apostle in the church and third in seniority. In his new assignment, he will continue his labors “in the preaching of the gospel” (D&C 138:57)." 

Our Tribute to Elder Perry

It's been raining a lot the past couple of weeks, which is a little unfamiliar to me, but really great! However, there's been lots of serious flooding. Not to worry, though! Our area hasn't been really affected by it. There was one road that flooded last Monday during one of the worst storms, but we were able to turn around and be safe! I wouldn't worry about us! But keep those who were affected in your prayers!

One really great thing that happened this week (before I get to the really great people we taught this week!): Sister Montclair has some family who live a couple minutes north of our area, and we got permission to visit them and teach them a lesson before referring them to the sisters in that area. One catch: they only speak Spanish. Yeah. That was pretty terrifying. I knew that with the limited Spanish that I had learned over the last transfer wouldn't really help me teach, but I just prayed that I would be able to understand what was being said, and I totally understood! The whole time! If someone had asked me right after we left what they talked about, I wouldn't have been able to tell them a single word that was said, but in the moment I understood! It was so wonderful!

The Book of Mormon and Bible illustrations we made for a lesson with Michael and Matthew tonight! 

An addition to the ever continuing saga of Geoff (the super awesome investigator that we just love to death!): He's doing super great! At church yesterday, someone asked him if he was investigating the church, and he looked at her and said "You know, Sister, I think I'm way past investigating. I have my two feet firmly planted in the concrete of the gospel!" Aw man, I just love that guy. He's still reading and tells us every time we see him that he would like to have words with Laman and Lemuel. Haha! He's super great!  

Cesario's baptism is this Saturday! I don't remember how much I've actually said about Cesario, but I'll probably give y'all the whole story again next week, so I'll wait on that. He's so super great! And he accepts everything so quickly! He's already in 2 Nephi and is always telling us ways that he's applying the Book of Mormon into his own life. Which is super great, because that's what the scriptures are for! 

Jerry came to church yesterday! He's the roommate of a member, and decided to sit in on one of our meetings a couple months ago. We caught him again a few weeks ago and he said he'd like to continue learning! We were super excited that he came to church! :) 

We started teaching a mother and son this past week and they're so amazing! Diana and Brandon love learning from us and ask the most amazing questions. It's been so great! And only a week and I already love them! (And their cat seems to really love us... so that's a plus! ;) )

We Heart Attacked Brother and Sister Webb. It was super great! They loved it!

Sister Montclair gets to take a Spanish test every transfer, so we had the opportunity to attend transfer meeting even though we're both staying in Zilker. Transfer meetings are the best! Everyone who bore their testimony talked a lot of BECOMING a missionary and not just serving a mission. As a missionary, you change who you are. Completely. I know that I've already grown so much, and it's only been about 5 months. Sitting in that meeting, I realized how much my entire vision of my life has lifted. And it's all dependent on me truly becoming a missionary, and not just serving a mission. A former TSAMer was at the meeting, and President had him bear his testimony. Before he was able to sit down, President stopped him, made him look left and right, and then said "Do you see that? Elder Thorn truly became a missionary. You've heard his words, you see his haircut, you see his suit, all he's missing is a name tag." So Elder Thorn opened up his jacket and his name tag was right there in an inside pocket, which really drove the point home. That was when I decided that I am going to truly become a missionary. As I am here in Texas helping the Lord change lives, I'm going to let him change mine as well. And I'm so excited! 

I hope everything is great in your neck of the woods! Have an amazing week! 

Love, 

Sister Waite