APRIL FOOLS just kidding

So this week we were having a lesson with a Young married woman in the ward, Bri, and she was just asking us questions about missions and such, and how long we've been out, and she says to me, "So you have 10 months left right?"

I quickly responded with "No! I still have like 13."  #MATHFAIL

I was really sad when I realized:

a) February is OVER

b) I have less than a year left

c) The fact that the majority of my education seems to have gone in one ear, and right out the other!

That was a shock. But other than that, the rest of the week went soooo well! :)

We had a WHOLE mission conference, in which a general authority, Elder Schweitzer, and his assistant, Brother Gonzalez, came and talked to us all about the new age of missionary work!

Basically it was all focused on the internet, and how we are going to learn how to use it for good!

The meeting was actually really spiritual. Brother Gonzalez said that this is a time for us to set our 'reset buttons' and start fresh! We are going to look at the internet in a new way now. Develop self-discipline, and good habits. And they gave a GREAT promise!

Said that when we get on the internet, it will be like grocery shopping; you go to the store, get what you need, you know your purpose and you stick to it! And when you go down the beer/alcohol aisle, you don't even look at it! It's not even an option to buy it!

That's what it will be like for us, and the generations to come, when we use the internet. The goal of the brethren, is to raise up a stronger generation, so that internet safety is just second-nature to us. Satan will not be able to ensnare us that way.

I'm REALLY excited for all of this to take place! :)

We had a couple of really awesome lessons with Summer this week! and guess what?!

SUMMER IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON MARCH 21st!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :)

It was the CUTEST thing ever when we put her on date! She was SO happy. It was as if she had just been waiting her WHOLE life for someone to ask her if she wants to be baptized!

And we have the full support of both of her parents! When Sister Larson told Summer's mom about the baptism, she was SO excited, and put it in her calendar, and asked to set up an appointment to meet the bishop. Then she started tearing up saying how Summer getting involved with the church has really made an impact on their whole family. Summer has been happier, and her mom said, "So goes Summer, so goes the whole house!"

Sister Larson then explained to her how that is the Spirit touching Summer's heart, and in turn touching theirs. And when she is baptized and confirmed, she will ALWAYS have that gift with her. And apparently, Summer's mom was just overwhelmed with joy at that point!

She may not be ready to commit to, and receive this gospel yet, but I bet that a few years down the road, The whole family will be investigating, and I am SO excited!

Michi is doing well!

So cool thing is that Sister Simmons' daughter, Julia, just returned home from her mission in Mesa Arizona last week, and she sat in on Michi's lesson with us! The Spirit, once again, was unbelievably strong! And guess what? MICHI PRAYED ABOUT BAPTISM!

and she got an answer.... the answer that she honestly isn't ready to commit yet. Because she doesn't have a solid enough foundation. Which is okay. Normally with that answer, I would've been really bummed, but the Spirit whispered peace to my heart that night. And I know, that Michi will come to learn more, and build a firm foundation on her Savior. It will just be in her own time. There's no need to rush. But when she is converted to the Lord, she will be such a solid member!

Also, it's just really cool to have a RM sister missionary to work with us! Julia is so sweet, and is willing to help us with whatever! You can tell that she was a stellar missionary:) I hope to become a missionary like her! Oh. also. She bore her testimony in church, and it was an eye opener. She made a joke about how somebody asked her how she feels, and her answer is, "Oh, like 1500 people aren't praying for me multiple times a day!"

uh.

yikes!

Sometimes I take for granted all the blessings I receive from being a servant of the Lord. I want you all to know that I really love and appreciate all your prayers! I know that our Heavenly Father hears them, and that they ARE answered. You all raise me up through the simple act of prayer! Never doubt the small things in life, because they always make the biggest difference! :)

Hmm... let's see... what else happened this week....

Aaron ? Yeah... we dropped him. He's kinda silly and hard to get through to.... . He's just not ready to receive this gospel.

And about the weather here in Virginia... 'tis still crazy! We had more snow. lots more snow. And then yesterday we have what is called "Freezing Rain."

Basically, when the rain hits the surface of anything, it freezes, turns to ice. Which makes for dangerous traveling... So we were grounded from driving. AGAIN.

However, we walked around lots, and that seemed more dangerous than driving! The roads were salted and ice free... but nobody did anything to the sidewalks! Thank heavens for the years of ballet that I did.... the technique learned prevented me many a time from falling on my face!

Also.

Pretty sure there is a hole in my Right rain boot somewhere... because when we returned home, I had a very soggy sock.

Apparently this is the coldest it has been here in Virginia since the 1800's. So. It's pretty cold. At least that's what I keep hearing from everyone.... But I honestly have felt like Elsa, and had an attitude of "The Cold never bothered me anyway." :)

So this is really embarrassing because I KNOW this week was a week of miracles.. but my memory is failing me. We did a district blitz on Thursday... and didn't have a lot of success. no one was home... but every time people opened the door that day, they let us right in! Nobody accepted the message, but it was a tender mercy to be let in! :)

Oh! We checked up on a referral from a member, and it was the COOLEST thing ever.

The mom, Ali answered, and she let us right in! She was so kind, and was really interested in hearing about what we do as missionaries. Then she said, "I have no Idea why I'm telling this to two strangers but..." and she proceeded to tell us how in the last couple of years, that she has not recognized who it is she sees in the mirror [[[cue "Reflection" Music from Mulan]]] and she had just gotten back from this spiritual seminar thing where it was all about loving you for who you are! When you love you, you can love everyone around you! We shared the first and great commandment with her, and told her about FHE. She was all for that, and asked us to come back over the next week to have an FHE with her family!!

WHAT?!?!?!

That was a miracle.

I'm so excited. but also nervous. We may only have one shot at introducing this family to the gospel... and I really don't want to mess it up! So we have our FHE with the Young family on Wednesday! Any prayers would be much appreciated!

Well, my time is up! But I just want to share my love and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have been reading the gospels, and my eyes are being opened to so many marvelous things. I know that the Lord's plan, and His Gospel is the ONLY way to true happiness. It's a huge test, and requires sacrifice, but it's worth it.

I love the story about Peter walking on water.

As he looked to Christ, and believed in Him, he was able to partake of a miracle! But soon, the boisterous winds, and the raging sea, and the tempest around him distracted his focus. He lost sight of His Savior..... and that is why he began to sink.

It hit me really hard this week that life is all about focus. Where is our focus? Where are our 'treasures'? Because where our treasures are, there will our Heart and Focus be also!  So I encourage you all this week to strive to remember your Savior more often. Don't let the many voices of the world distract you.

 Remember who you are; A CHILD OF GOD. Remember why you are here; TO BE TESTED AND GROW FROM EXPERIENCE. Remember the end goal; CELESTIAL GLORY.

There is power in simply remembering our divine nature, our purpose, and our goal. Hold fast to the rod. Keep your focus on Jesus Christ, and press forward with hope, faith and a cheerful countenance!

And if you falter, you falter! But it doesn't mean the end! Christ is right there, to pick us back up when we sink.

I love this gospel. I know it is true.

I love you all!

Sister Carly Lewis

Pictures:

This is what freezing rain looks like!

 

and this is how it makes me feel