somebody call I X II

I can honestly say that this week was the most interesting, exhausting, and challenging week of my entire mission!!!

Where do I even begin?!

Let's start with Tuesday:

During my studies, Sister Stewart exclaims to me, "Sister Lewis I am in a whole lot of pain right now!!" She was lying down, writhing in pain. It was in her right abdomen and back,... Our first thought, where's your appendix? Unfortunately neither one of us knew.... So we called the mission doctor. He said she was probably just constipated, so he put her on a cleanse for the day.... So all day Tuesday, we were out of commission. 

And it was actually just what I needed! 

I ended up studying the scriptures and an article that a dear friend suggested I read called "Seek Learning by Faith" by Elder Bednar.... Little did I know that article, and those hours of studying would be an answer to weeks of prayer! So to that friend, I say THANK YOU. You truly were an angel in my life:) a messenger sent from God. 

Anyway, I learned SO much from that talk, my faith was put into perspective and strengthened, and my testimony grew! I realized that I need to take more action when it comes to faith. My mind reflects on the words from hymn number 169:

                                    

                 "As now our minds review the past, we know we must repent;

                   The way to thee is righteousness---the way thy life was spent.

                   Forgiveness is a gift from thee we seek with pure intent.

                    With hands now PLEDGED to do thy work, we take the sacrament.

                  As now we praise thy name with song, the blessings of this day

                    Will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray

                   For COURAGE to accept Thy will, to listen and obey.

                    We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk thy chosen way."

That's the purpose of life my dear friends! and even more so for me as a full time missionary. I am to align my will with God's will and do ALWAYS those things that please HIM. 

Crazy that it's taken me 8 months to truly let this sink into my heart.... But now I have a formula to living happily and serving God with my ALL! This talk really turned me around and I was more excited to get back on my feet and do the work! 

So Tuesday was a blessing for me:) 

Then Wednesday was interviews with President Riggs, and Sister Stewart was feeling well enough to go! Hooray! This day was,,, well. I'll just tell you.

I go into my interview with President, and we discussed a few 'housekeeping' items... Such as having lunch with someone soon, and I told him to seriously pray about me being companions with Sister Osmond again!;) haha

Then, President looks at me and goes, "Sister Lewis, you look rather melancholy... And that's not like you! What's on your mind?"

Oh boy. That question did it for me. 

Suddenly, the weight I had been carrying for the past 8 weeks, and all the nagging things that I had managed to keep bottled up inside me, came flowing out. I started crying and just couldn't stop the waterworks. Then I started laughing because I felt awkward/embarrassed for breaking down in front of President for no apparent reason.., I expressed to him that I didn't really know how to express myself... Or explain what was wrong.. So he said,

"Sister Lewis! You are amazing! You have been a ROCK your whole mission. You take on instruction and challenges without questioning, and you move forward with it boldly.... Have you ever taken the time to pray and tell Our Father just how hard it is?"    

  Yes. Lots lately! Haha

Then he proceeded to tell me something he told newly called bishops, and missionaries and teachers when he was a Stake President. 

He said that at the beginning of a new calling, the Lord seems to be just carrying you though it all. You have wings. Yes, challenges and hard times come, but you are able to face them with courage and find a way through it without much effort. Revelation comes with ease!

But then, you hit a wall. And it feels like the Lord has "dumped" you. You're on your own. The burden you bear is heavy, and it seems like it takes every effort to seek revelation...... When this happens, it's rough! But it's for our good. It's a humbling experience. A reminder of whose work it is, and the power by which miracles come..., But there is hope, because this period of time doesn't last forever. It is but a small moment. Revelation will again come."

At this point in the interview I'm still crying. And the words from the song, "my kindness shall not depart from thee" pop into my head.... The Savior's words to the Prophet Joseph Smith at liberty jail:

                                  "For a little while, have I forsaken thee.

                                   But with great mercies will I gather thee.

                                  In a little wrath, I hid my face from thee,

                                   For a moment.

                             

                                  But with everlasting kindness will I succor thee.

                                And with mercy shall I take thee 'neath my wings.

                                For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed,

                                  And the valley shall be lost beneath the sea.

                               But know my child, my Kindness shall NOT depart from thee."    (See also 3ne22:7-8)

President and I talked some more, I told him about the article I read the day before and what I learned, and then out of the blue he asked me,

"When was the last time you received a priesthood blessing?"

"Uhhh.... The beginning of my mission?"

"Well. I felt impressed to ask and offer to give you one now, if you would like it." 

So he gave me a beautiful blessing. I felt God's love for me very strongly and was granted peace that "this too shall pass". To just hold on a little longer. There is help and happiness ahead. I knew that God was very aware of me and my circumstances, I had indeed not been forgotten, and that soon I would be able to join in song with the pioneers of old, "all is well!" :)

So that interview plus the amazing study I had on Tuesday really got me all pumped and ready to go and do as the Lord commands! Nothing could stop me at this point! I was all refreshed. It was like I had pushed my reset button. And it felt GREAT!!!!!

But then the worst thing ever could happen...... My sweet companion was struck again with the horrendous side pain! O.o      

So bad this time that we had to call the Relief Society President to pick us up and at 3:00pm, we entered the ER.

And to make a really really really long story short:

She had appendicitis.

We stayed in the ER, with her on a double dose of morphine, (that's how bad the pain was) for the rest of the evening. President Riggs came with our district leader to give her a blessing. Then, she was taken by ambulance to another hospital, while the Relief Society President, Sister Rands, took me home to pack an overnight bag... And I stayed the night at the hospital with Sis Stewart. 

Thursday at 11am, she had her appendix removed. And I spent the majority of the day by myself because there was another HUGE snow storm, and nobody could drive out to switch me places or sit with me... It was the longest hardest day of my life.... I hadn't eaten since 2 the day before, and I got maybe a total of 3 hours of sleep. I was a hot mess to say the least! Haha

Also, Sis Stewart needed to stay one more night in the hospital......Thankfully, that night, the Bishop's wife came to see us, and President gave me orders to have her take me to spend the night with some other sisters, so that I could sleep in a bed! [[[ huge shout out here to my main man, Tyler Price! Pretty sure you've spent the majority of your life in hospitals, and I don't know how you do it!;) I feel for you.. Haha]]]

Friday morning, we went back to the hospital and stayed there... I went on a 'mini exchange' with Sister Gray so that we could get lunch, and relieve some anxiety. I was able to play lots of beautiful hymn arrangements on the hospital's piano in their lobby, and let the Spirit touch the hearts of those waiting for loved ones. There was this one sweet lady that was so grateful for that. It was a really sweet moment:) we finally left the hospital at 4.... And we stayed home that night. 

Saturday morning we had to go back to the ER because once again, she was in lots of pain.... And she had to get a catheter. :-P poor poor girl! She just can't get a break! 

By this point I'm just going crazy. Itching to do missionary work... And get out of the house! So our sister training leaders came, and I was able to go visit some people with Sister Anderson:) it was too much fun! We laughed lots! 

Then Sunday another exchange so that I could go to church... And then I spent the day working in Ashburn with Sister Savage.... And that was just an awesome night! Also. One lady we visited had chinchillas. And I got to hold them:) 

Also, driving home, we saw A LIVE POSSUM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD PLAYING DEAD!!!!!! 

It was the freakiest thing. 

We screamed bloody murder and then laughed our heads off at our weakness;) haha but in all seriousness, it was gross, looked like the R.O.U.S. from "The Princess Bride". 

Then this morning at 3am, S Stewart again woke in pain and we rushed to the ER to get the catheter removed.... Hallelujah! She's free! And now can heal at a quicker pace! 

Today she is up and walking more and in happier spirits.

Through it all she's been really tough, had a good mood, and kept her head on straight. I'm grateful for her courage, and the example she sets for me every day! And I pray that she will heal soon so that we can get out there together and rock the missionary life! 

Because truth is, it's IMPOSSIBLE to be a missionary by yourself. I tried it this week. Companionships should come in threes; you, your companion, and the Lord. 

So... Yeah. All in all this was a really hard week, and I am so GRATEFUL that it is over! The ward members here have been truly amazing, and there have been many tender mercies sent our way this week! Thank you for all your prayers! We couldn't do this work without all your love and support! :)

Sorry this letter is kind of a hard read. 

All really is well, :) and continuously getting better! I'm happy to be a servant of the Lord at this time! And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Love you all!

Love,

Sister Carly Lewis

P.S.

CYNTHIA IS OFFICIALLY GETTING BAPTIZED ON THE 21ST,!!,

PICTURES:

ER visit:( poor Sister Stewart

Hospitals for daaaaaayyyyzzzz

Exchange with Sister Gray. Much needed. Lots of laughs.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: chinchilla!:)