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