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| My frizzy hair and pruny fingers after my service. |
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| I guess orange juice deserves a photo. Sister Paul and me. |
This week was absolutely incredible! We saw so many miracles!
* We were walking through an apartment complex, and some children yelled out "Hey Mormons!" We waved and said hello. The kids were so excited to see us! It turns out that missionaries used to visit their family, but stopped going by. They told us that they've been reading the Book of Mormon and wondering where the missionaries went!
* We had an investigator tell us that she wants to give her friend a Book of Mormon! We offered to practice with her and she loved it!
* There have been several times we've knocked on someone's door and they've answered and told us that they're not usually home at that time. We've been able to set appointments and it's been great!
* We've received several promising referrals and they just keep coming!
* I didn't burn my grilled cheese sandwich just now! (Which was really great because I love grilled cheese!)
I also had the opportunity to attend Mission Leadership Council, where President Slaughter asked us all what made our missions great. My mind immediately jumped to every single one of my companions! I still marvel at the inspiration that goes into assigning companions and proselyting areas. I have learned something unique and different from every single one of my companions in the field. Sister Gagon, Sister Montclair, Sister Risenmay, Sister Harrison, Sister Johnson, Sister Kirkman, and now Sister Paul! They all hold a special place in my heart!
I recently reached a point in my mission where I felt I was doing all that I could to serve God, but knew that I had more to give. I searched and searched for ways to improve and increase my service.
I talked a little bit louder, walked a little bit faster, and pushed myself a little longer, but I still felt like I had more to give.
"... when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God," and whosoever will lose his life in the service of God shall find it."
I love what President Kimball said about service: "We become more substantive as we serve others-indeed, it is easier to 'find' ourselves because there is so much of us to find!"
It wasn't until I read in Mosiah 2:17 that I realized that I could do all I wanted to serve God, but until I was serving my fellow men, I wasn't truly serving my God. I decided this week to experiment and do all that I could to serve those around me. My life has been forever changed.
The sweetest experience happened less than 24 hours ago. We walked into the home of one of the strongest women I have ever known. We could tell she was a little frazzled and frustrated, and all I wanted to know was how to help her. I noticed a giant pile of dirty dishes in the sink and immediately asked if we could wash them for her (which was probably a little bit selfish of me because I absolutely love doing the dishes!) This sweet sister accepted our offer, and we began to wash. It took a lot longer than I had anticipated, and by the end my hair was frizzy and poofy and my hands were red and pruny. But they got done, and I could see the countenance of this sweet sister lift.
That night as I wrote in my journal, I was pondering the day and what I had learned, when an image of our Savior standing at a kitchen sink, washing dishes flashed into my mind. The question "If Christ had my opportunities, what would He do?" followed quickly after. As I thought about that, I could almost see my Savior walking even faster than I had been, speaking with more power, and pushing even longer. I could hardly finish my journal entry for the tears.
The scripture "How knoweth a man the master whom he has not served?" (Mosiah 5:13) has taken on new meaning for me.
When we serve God, we come to know Him because we draw closer to Him, yes. But I now know that we come to know Him even better because we are walking the paths that He has walked before us. As we serve others, we are filled with the love of God for all men and begin to understand more about how He feels about us!
The Lord loves us so much and in His infinite wisdom has allowed us to feel an inkling of that love as we serve others.
What an incredible week it has been!
Love,
Sister Waite
