1 Transfer Completed! Monday September 8 2014

Hello everyone!

 

So, I have made it through an entire transfer already! And on Tuesday, I will have been serving for 2 months (where even does the time go?!) So that's pretty exciting:)

Except, i'm going to just be straightforward and honest... I really don't like transfers. Because that means change. And change is my least favorite thing! However, I am learning to cope with it, and someday I will probably love it. After all, this gospel is a gospel of change! Which is an awesome thing! Life is all about change and we obviously need to change in order to progress and become the people that Heavenly Father has designed for us to become! The only constant thing about life is change.

We have a new elder serving with us in the Centreville 2nd ward. His name is Elder Gledhill, and he's actually from Ukraine. He was adopted by a family from Sandy UT when he was 16 (he and his twin sister grew up in an orphanage in Ukraine) and so he's a convert. He's fluent in Russian... and guess what? So is Elder McDonald! (because he was sent here from the Ukraine, Kiev mission) and they have been called to serve as Russian-speaking missionaries! like.. what?! That is SO crazy! The Lord has people here that are prepared to receive the gospel from these two young men, and I am excited to see what miracles and blessings are about to unfold!

So Jeff  is on date to be baptized next Saturday, the 20th. However, we have hit a road-block with him. He is really not a fan of tithing. Which is a problem, because he can't be baptized unless he commits to keeping the law of tithes. So.. That's actually really rough. We have grown to really love and care for Jeff in the way that Heavenly Father does, and the thought that this will keep him from coming into the fold of God is truly heart-breaking and devastating. If you could keep Jeff in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated!

Erica is still as amazing as ever! She came to all three hours of church yesterday, and she took home a gospel principles book with her because she wants to start reading everything out of that.... haha she just has this great desire to learn and do the Fathers will! Also, she said she'd start teaching us Portuguese so, don't be surprised when I come home fluent in Portuguese! ;)

Dee is... not progressing. He's actually been on vacation all week and will be all this week. He's supposed to be baptized the 27th, but seeing as we haven't even taught him anywhere near all that he needs to know, and we aren't entirely sure that he's reading the book of Mormon... he can't really be baptized then. So that's a struggle...

But now it's time for me to talk about the miracle of the week! So earlier this week we received a referral from church headquarters, for an Ian Lewis who was requesting a copy of the Bible. Now, usually, there isn't a ton of success with headquarters referrals.. it's either a practical joke, or the person changed their mind. But this time was different!

Last night, we stopped by Ian's house. His mother answered the door, and she was so friendly! She didn't even look at us skeptically or weird or anything! Ian is actually 15 (going on 16 next month--- so he's your age Ethan! and he is a gymnast too!). His whole family just barely moved here from Texas. This last week was the first week of school, and he decided he needed to start making friends pronto. So he reached out to a kid. They got talking, and he found out that this kid is actually of the Wicca faith, his whole family is, but lately he's been feeling like it isn't right. Ian comes from a Christian family, and he said, "Well, if I gave you a bible, would you read it?" and this boy was like yeah! I would definitely be willing to give it a try.

Problem was, Ian only had one copy of the bible--his own. And he wasn't really wanting to part with it... So he googled, "free bible" and found his way to Mormon.org where he requested a bible... and two days later, the sister missionaries showed up on his doorstep! He was shocked! haha

So we gave him a short doorstep lesson, and his little sister, Penny, joined us too. We taught a little bit of everything; restoration, plan of salvation, and the gospel of jesus Christ. Then we introduced them to the book of Mormon, asked if they'd ever heard of it. They never had. We told them about it and asked if they would like a copy of their own to read. Their faces just lit up with excitement and they accepted gratefully! It was sooo great!

We talked more with him about his new friend, and told him how our purpose as missionaries is to bring others to Christ and teach gospel truths, and we said we would love to meet his friend and help him find the truth he's searching for. Ian LOVED the idea of having us come back over again and teaching his friend in their home...... So basically, we have this new investigator who is already doing member-missionary work..... say WHAT?! haha it was pretty exciting and awesome! Also, not only are Ian and his sister new investigators, we have an opportunity to teach in their home, which means we are FINALLY going to teach a family!:) yay!

A wonderful experience for me and Sister Osmond!

I do not believe in coincidences. God is not a creator of coincidences. He has a plan. A grand plan and a smaller plan for each individual. There's no such thing as luck, everything is a blessing. a miracle. This was definitely a miracle. This whole experience was definitely planned out a long time ago. I know it. I can so blatantly see God's hands in this instance! It is simply AMAZING:)

So basically, this week was a week of HARD CHANGE. but change always brings miracles. After all, we did get 5 new investigators, and now have the opportunity to teach a family:) Being a missionary is just so awesome:)

I want to close my letter this week by talking a little bit about the wonderfully powerful gift of Agency.

Agency is a beautiful thing! If we use it correctly.... It can lead us to freedom or it can lead us to captivity. But it is all up to the individual. We were made to choose for ourselves. There is power in choice. Every day, the minute we wake up we get to choose how the rest of the day is going to go.

We can choose to start the day, on our knees, in prayer to our Father in Heaven. We can choose to 'wake up on the right side of the pillow' and live that day with an attitude of gratitude.

Or.

We can choose to get up and go through our mundane activities, dreading the days events.

Every choice we make, every step we take, it all leads somewhere and affects something. We have to continually make a conscientious effort to use our agency for good! I have a quote written in my journal that says,

"We have Agency to DO good, and BECOME better."

As a missionary, we exercise agency everyday and witness how others use their agency. Our job is to invite everyone--literally EVERYONE we see to come unto Christ. Which is scary because i'm scared of being rejected... I usually will say, "well... what if they don't accept it? What if they aren't home.. they don't look home..." but sister Osmond always reminds me that, "so what? you'll never know unless we try!"

All that we are asked to do is TRY. The success is in the invitation, not in the outcome. Which is really great! because as long as we try, we are a success in God's eyes! However, agency is the WORST sometimes because everyday, we see people use it in the wrong way! It's so hard to watch investigators choose to not pray or read the book of Mormon. To use their agency to decide that a certain principle just isn't for them. We can't force people to do anything, all we can do is invite and pray that they accept.

So my challenge/invitation to all of you this week is to really take a look at yourself and your day. How are YOU using your agency? Are you using it wisely? Are you doing what you know is good? Are you sacrificing the 'best' decisions to make a 'good' decision?

I know from experience that you can honestly decide and judge how your day goes, by how you start it out!

**So start every day on your knees, having a conversation with your Father in Heaven.

**Make time to STUDY your scriptures--even if you are just working to memorize a verse--before you go throughout your day.

**Think 7 happy and good thoughts about yourself, and about how the day is going to go!

** EXPECT MIRACLES TO HAPPEN!

I promise that as you do this, you will find life more enjoyable, you will be able to choose the right in any given situation with ease, and the Lord will pour out blessings upon you! :)

I love you all immensely and am grateful for the wonderful examples you have set for me in my life! I wouldn't be here today without all of you!

Have a wonderful week! I hope it's full of miracles!

Love,

Sister Carly Lewis

Pictures:
Saying Goodbye to Elder Payne!
Eating lunch with the Hermanas!