Consecrated Services :)

Hi Everyone.

I found spring flowers and sunshine even in all of the New York snow and ice!!!

I have come to realize that I will probably be in either a leadership or training position most of my mission because of 2 simple things: 1) I am motivated and I know my purpose.  2) I am also confident and I know how to work with people.  SO MANY SISTERS struggle with this.  It's slightly frustrating... I mean, I could just tell them to be motivated and confident, but I am quickly learning that that is NOT a great way to truly lead, serve, and help someone in their life.

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day... Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.  I just love fishing!  Being a missionary has taught me so much more about fishing.  Even Christ, himself, called his disciples "fishers of men" and performed many miracles with fish. Coincidence.. I think not!!  As missionaries, we are fishers.  Many fisherman can spend 9 hours a day, prepping their lines, packing lunch, setting up for the perfect spot, taking a break and fixing equipment, but their lines are only in the water for 3 hours.  Then, they get discouraged because they did not catch any fish.  Well, other times, you can have your line in the water all day, and only catch one.  As a missionary, I need my line in the water for 10 hours a day, not 3 hours.

Great fishermen know that 90% of the fish live in 10% of the water, and they put more weight on their lines so that they can catch with more force and power.  As a missionary, I have learned the principle of work hard, work smart, and work consistently.  If you don't do all three, then you are just working.  Faith without works is dead, and work without faith is just hard work with leads to discouragement and being burnt out.

Well, this then lead me to think about what does it mean to be consecrated??  Well, during Zone Conference, we focused all of our study on that subject.  We all thought of Abraham and how he was so willing to sacrifice the thing he loved most because he obeyed the commandments of God.  But come to think of it, what he loved most was God.  Abraham not only loved God, but he had 100% trust in Him.  Abraham was promised, that through Issac, he would be the father of all nations.  Instead of doubting or even complaining, both he and Issac submitted their will to the Lord's and did what they were told.  Such a powerful example, they submitted everything.  So, we must too.  We can't experience the blessing of being consecrated servants and being blessed with everything we need until we let go of that control that we hold so dear.  Because control is comfortable.  But instead, I've learned that we need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

There's been a lot going on here in New York, so many struggles, and so many miracles.  :)  My testimony of the enabling and cleansing power of the Atonement has grown so much in 4 months with my experiences and with serving others.  This has probably been one of the most unexpected but exciting weeks of the mission.  I haven't been stressed out, I have been for the most part, at peace.

My new favorite quote is:"Worry is what happens when we try to play God.  Peace is what happens when we simply trust God."  That is going to be my motto for the next month.  I have a companion who is struggling to learn her new area and struggles with her confidence, I have many Sister Missionaries that look to me as their leader as an example and they are struggling with their confidence and sometimes their failing assigned areas.

Attitude is the only thing that we really can control in our lives.  If we can be positive and determined, so much more gets done.  Sometimes I too am humbled and need to remember the Lord's timing.  When I get home, I know I won't be the same person... because I have finally realized how much more I could do to help people and be productive and not just sit and waste so much time behind my phone or computer.  To be consecrated, you take more on in faith and devote all of your time, talents and abilities to the Lord.  Because truthfully, are my time, talents and abilities even mine?  Well, yes and no.  But mostly NO.  Ha Ha.

So, my new goal is to be a CONSECRATED MISSIONARY for the rest of my mission.  What does a missionary like that do??  Hmm..  well, they talk to everyone and allow them the opportunity to accept the gospel.  They love, serve, and listen to their companion and people around them.  They obey standards with exactness and have the goal to inspire, lift and bless.  They teach men to fish, and not just throw a fish at them.  They always seek improvement and are humble enough to let go and allow other missionaries to take charge and learn from their experiences.  A consecrated missionary just knows how to fish... and fish well.

This week I got to meet an amazing young woman, through members, and she is excited to hear the gospel and is on fire.  We've had some great experiences with less-actives and their friends asking questions during lessons.  We've helped serve and love many members in the Branch.  We have worked diligently with trying to prepare the cutest 70 year old couple for baptism in April.  With time and effort, they will soon become members.  We've given out a few Books of Mormon and now this week I will be out of the area traveling to Elmira for one day and Binghamton for three days.  Then I go up to Ithaca and Owego for Stake Conference this weekend.

So many great things are in the works, and I still have a lot to work on.  I have my faults, and I get tired and even eat a few cookies here and there, but i just love being a missionary.  It's not easy.  But if things were easy, then you never experience the joy of working hard and seeing results and knowing that you gave your all.

I can't believe that I have been out around 4 months now.  time flies :)

I love this gospel!
Sister Kylie Williams