Week 81 - March 6, 2017

Hello!

Well, this last week was super busy, and I'm super busy today right now
getting prepped for transfers.  Elder Andrus and I are staying together for
another transfer and then he goes home :)


We had a baptism this week for Thomas Ashton.  It was fantastic.  We had
so many people there, members from the Stake Presidency and a few
investigators that attended as well.  He asked if I could baptize him
and I was thrilled to do so.

We got to go to the Temple with the YSA and brought a few of the
people we have been working with, so that was really cool to help them
get a temple recommend and then be able to go to the temple with them.


We took a group of young women from an all women's college on a tour
of the temple grounds and chapel for an interfaith activity.  It was
lots of fun - I really enjoyed it.


It's been a stressful (which is good) week, certainly many learning experiences.
Meredith and Tai are rockstars - they are doing so well.

Meredith sent us a message like an hour ago and she said:  "So today is
like my 10th or 11th day without coffee, but this morning was the first
time (and I worked at 5:30) that I was completely alert and awake
caffeine free  🤗"


Tai came up to us after the baptismal service and said how excited he
was to be baptized.  ALL IS WELL.

I shared a great talk with some individuals this week.  It's entitled, "Stay
by the Tree."

Enduring to the end is a hallmark of true discipleship and is
essential to eternal life.  But when trials and challenges come our
way, we are often told to simply “hang in there.”  Let me be clear:  To
“hang in there” is not a principle of the gospel.  Enduring to the end
means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.
If enduring to the end is essential to eternal life, why do we
struggle to be faithful?  We struggle when we are caught between
competing priorities.  Casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken
faith.  Enduring to the end requires total commitment to the Savior and
to our covenants.


True disciples continue to awaken unto God each day in meaningful
personal prayer, earnest scripture study, personal obedience, and
selfless service.


Once we enter into covenants with God, there is no going back.  Giving
in, giving up, and giving out are not options.  In the kingdom of God,
there is a standard of excellence for exaltation.  It requires valiant
discipleship!  There is no room for average or complacent disciples.
Average is the enemy of excellence, and average commitment will
prevent you from enduring to the end.

Just work hard and love.

Elder Wilde

This was like 1/2 of our transfer planning session last night, our
mission president made a few last minute changes this evening and so
we are back at it again today!