wait upon the Lord

Dear family,
I've been thinking a lot about patience today. And my mission president's e-mail helped me see something a little more clearly. I read today D&C 133:45 which talks about how great the blessings are for those who wait on the Lord. But after reading your e-mail I was reminded again that waiting (patience) is not just sitting still letting things happen. Like D&C 123:17 says we must do all within our power to make it happen. God is a 4th watch God. His blessings will come but not until after all that we can do. Blessings are predicated on obedience. And it takes diligence.
This is especially striking to me today because of our investigator Alex who has decided that he doesn't need baptism. We tried to teach him an understanding lesson last night but he still says the same things. We have to have patience. With Christian as well. I want so much for him to just get baptized because I don't know how much longer the Lord will allow me to be in Black Creek. I want so much to see him baptized, but I can't push it just because I want it. The Lord knows MUCH better than me what he needs. And he is making progress little by little. He continues to read and pray. He is working on quitting smoking and is doing well with it. The hard part is getting him to church and helping him have the courage to be baptized. He doesn't want to make a commitment he can't keep. We talked a lot about baptism in our last lesson with him and about how church will help him keep that promise he would make. He is now thinking seriously about it. I have great hopes for him. We have to follow the spirit. It is so essential. That's what made the last lesson work. And I pray, oh I pray, that he will take that step very soon of accepting baptism.
Julio's wife had the baby. She's so cute but takes up a lot of their time (as Jesse and Julie well know :)). We hope to get them to church this next week.
I love you all!
Love,
Hna. Cottam