Let's Get Down to Business!

Dearest Family and Loved ones,

I have so much to say, and many things that I would love to express! But I'm really struggling with words today.... so I'm going to try my best to form complete sentences and convey how I am feeling:) Bear with me here.

Tuesday we had a lesson with the Layne girls. We decided that we should go back to base 1 with them, and re-teach the restoration, focusing on the importance of the Priesthood, and Revelation!

The lesson was... really powerful actually. Sister Johnson and I taught in complete unity, were asking inspired questions, and really felt the spirit strongly.... Things were going great on our part! Except... the girls didn't really reciprocate anything back to us! They were soooo silent and quiet and just... not into it. We were going to try and put them on date for baptism, but the spirit prompted both of us, multiple times, to not bring it up.... which was odd. But ultimately, it's what's right.

The laynes are an amazing family, and I love them. They are doing this for all the right reasons. Their conversion will be at their own pace and in their own time... but I'm okay with that. Because when they do come to fully know that this is the FULL gospel, and receive that witness that it's true... they will be so strong and fully converted and will never stray.

So.

They are currently taking their sweet time, and we will just do our part to help them gain a testimony of the book of mormon:)

Wednesday

This day was a turning point for me.

This was President and sister Riggs LAST zone conference with us! :( So sad, but so amazing at the same time! The spirit was so strong. And my eyes were opened.

For the first half of the conference, they focused on our missionary Purpose.

"Our Purpose is to INVITE others to Come unto Christ, by helping them receive the Restored gospel through:

-Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement

-Repentance

-Baptism

-Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost

-and Enduring to the End"

They helped us realize that we need to be full-purpose missionaires. The whole reason we exist and are even here is to INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST by HELPING them to Receive the Restored gospel!

That's why I'm here!

I'm not here to vacation, make friends and memories, and just have a good time. I'm not here for myself. I'm not here to build up the church's statitstics.... but i'm here, to search out my brothers and sisters that have been lost, and to invite them to come unto Christ!

So that was a really good thing for me to here... and I was able to realize that I maybe have not been as focused on my purpose as I should be.

Honestly, Zone conference was a very humbling experience for me. The Lord cried me to repentance.. my eyes were opened and I realized that I could be giving so much more to the Lord's work! I also realized that the time I have left... is not much time at all. And it scared me. I began to feel anxiety that I have not been giving my all, and that I haven't been serving as diligently as I could.....

But then the spirit started to speak to me. I gained an eternal perspective. And then.

I underwent a COMPLETE change of Heart.

I feel like the people in Alma5:7

"Behold, He changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word;"

*I have begun to have the desires of my heart swallowed up in the Fathers will. (Mosiah15:7)

*I have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mosiah 5:2)

*I feel like the lord has humbled me, and filled me with patience. My faith has been strengthened. (Alma7:23-24)

*I've truly been awakened to a sense of my duty! (Alma7:22)

*The Lord is my Light, and I have NO reason to fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)

*In fact, I learned that The only thing we need to fear is SIN. Becasue only sin can separate me from my Heavenly Father. Rejection and persecution and trials may come... but none of these can separate me from the love of God! (Romans8:35-39)

......... To make a really long story short:

"And according to {her} Faith there was a mighty change wrought in {Sister Lewis'} heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.

And behold {She} preached the word unto {The people of Leesburg}, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved." (Alma5:12-13)

I left zone conference, having receivied much revelation, and I was walking on spiritual cloud 9! Seriously! I was PUMPED to Go&Do!!!

On the ride home, Sister Johnson asked me what was on my mind... and I told her everything. All my worries and concerns about having wasted the Lords time, and my hope and desires to do good, become better, and Serve God. We just cried tears of joy together, and resolved to give the Lord our ALL.

That night, we had the most amazing lesson with Michi. Seriously. The spirit was tangible! I love Michi so so so so much! She has come SO far in the past few months and it is amazing for me to witness. We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and really focused in on Faith. What it is. Why we need it. How to strengthen it. And we testified of the wonderful Atonement. At the end, Michi expressed to us how she does indeed have faith in God! :) And she believes the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God!

.... she just doesn't have faith in the church.....

But that's okay! She doesn't have to have faith in the church. I'm just happy that she has developed a faith in Jesus Christ:) So. it's still a Work in progress with her.... but she IS progressing! :) Gah.. I just want you all to meet michelle, and love her like i do!

On our way home that night, Sis Johnson was like, "Okay. I don't know how, or what exactly happened internally with you today... but whatever it was, I am amazed. You truly are a different person! I can see and feel it! And it's wonderful!"

Repentance is real my Friends, and the Atonement is Powerful! :)

Thursday we saw summer and introduced her to the spirit of Elijah and Family History! She THRIVED off of that! We were showing her this video of president packer in the kirtland temple, testifying about the scripture in

Malachi4:5-6 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the hear of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers...."

And at that point in the video summer pipes up and is like "Hold up! Pause the video!

So. Are you telling me that in the bible he tells us about the prophet elijah.... and then he actually did send him to joseph smith?!"

Me: "Yup. That's pretty much what happened."

Summer: "Woah. that is like, SO cool."

hahahhaa. I love summer! She's such a bright little tot!:)

Saturday

Highlight number 2 for the week!

Wait.

Acutally.

Let me back it up to friday.... the ward had a family history night... where we went and just learned lots about family history... it was awesome! We went with Jan Jones, and she was able to fill out her family tree, and print out slips for her Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, and Son that have all passed away, so that their work could be done in the temple! It was awesome! Also, Jan is stinking HILARIOUS. (Abby. you two would just thrive off each other)

We were cleaning up afterwards, and I started to sing the "clean up" Song.... and she was like "Now, why is it that I always thought that was a cool song that I made up for my grandkids?! Then come to find out, EVERYBODY knows it?" hahahahah (i'll send a video of that)

Also.

I found out that SISTER JOHNSON AND I ARE 4TH COUSINS?!?!?! Related through the Furniss Line! Robert Furniss is our great-great-great-grandfather! :) #coolbeans #WeAreFamily

Okay.

NOW let me talk about saturday!

JAN JONES WENT TO THE TEMPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!! And she was able to do the work for her mother, and sister, and had Bishop brinton do the work for her father, brother, and son! :)

It was such a sacred experience, and I am truly grateful to have been there to witness it.

Like I said last week, Jan has come such a long way. I am beyond happy for her. My heart and soul are just leaping for joy over her conversion! I lvoe this gospel! It truly does change lives.

We were also able to do baptisms. Which was neat! It's been forever since i've done that! :)

This week was just amazing.

I think I say that every week.

And I wish my vocabulary was more abundant so that I could use words other than awesome, amazing, sweet, wonderful, fabulous.... haha

I feel so different, and so alive.

The atonement of Jesus Christ is a remarkable gift, and we all need to access it more. We don't access the power of the atonement enough. It literally covers EVERYTHING.

So this week, my challenge to you is to do a self-evaluation. Look inside yourself, and then see where you can better access the atonement! [[If you want a really good self-evaluation... study Alma Chapter 5 and answer the questions that a prophet of God was inpired to record:))]]

God is Good.

The gospel of Jesus Christ truly is good news and I want to shout it from the mountain tops!

The Book of Mormon is true and I LOVE it.

Repentance is a BEAUTIFUL thing:)

Keep being the wonderful people you are! I love you!

Love,

Sister Carly Lewis

xoxo

Pictures:

All at the D.C. Temple!

Jan Jones

We're 4th Cousins!!!

Bishop Brinton and his amazing family! I love them SOO much! they've been angels to me!

 

 

 

Odds & Ends

Hello family!

Abby--

I am so happy for you! And so proud of how much you have grown in just the last couple of months:) your patriarchal blessing is such a beautiful gift from a loving Heavenly Father, and you're right-- it is him speaking DIRECTLY to you! My advice would be to journal down the feelings and impressions you had yesterday during the blessing! And then when you receive your written copy of it, read it OFTEN! :) I think you'll find the comfort and peace you've been looking for. :)

So, my week was........

Long. Tiring. Frustrating. Hard. Odd. Hilarious. Miraculous. Strange.....

Really a wide spectrum of things!

Not a lot happened...

We met with Janice Davis almost every day this week... Trying to get her to read the Book of Mormon and pray daily on her own! But she just won't do it! The stinker! I love her to death... I really do. She makes you feel like the most important person in the world, like a million bucks. And she's got a crazy sense of humor.... (She's a lot like you Abby!;)) but she also is lazy. She's bed ridden, unable to move by herself. All she does is sit on her bed day after day. Sometimes watches British comedies.... But other than that, she has lots of free time to read the Book of Mormon! But she won't...

We ask her if she prayed.

"Nope"

"Well, why not Janice?"

"I dunno! You tell me!"

"....... Janice......"

"Sigh.... There's really no reason NOT to....."

"Exactly! So let's get you to do it!"

This conversation happens at least every other day. I'm definitely learning patience in long-suffering..... We finally just decided to sticky note attack her whole house. And call her daily. Hopefully that will do the trick! We are just trying to get her out of his rut!

Wednesday night we spent all 3 hours in the evening Tracting... And it actually was really great! Everybody that answered the door was very kind to us and listened to what we had to share. We found a couple of potential families and this really sweet older woman named L. Lewis! (Maybe we are related.....?) She's so darling. Just a lonely woman with a whoooole lot of health issues! :( so keep her in your prayers!

Thursday we had a lesson with summer in a members home. We are trying to get her introduced to more kids her age, so that she will feel fellow shipped and welcomed. The lesson was so powerful. All focused on the Book of Mormon! She hadn't really been reading it much before then... She read all in the bible. But after that, she was way more excited to dive in and find answers to her questions!

Also, at the end, we asked her if she had any questions or concerns... She said no, but hat she would like to make a comment. We said alright....

Then summer proceeds to tell us how in violin she just got her new piece for the summer concert and it's REALLY hard and she's nervous, but she's glad she's a second violin and not a first... Hahahahhahaha ohhhh summer!

So we told her that if she reads the Book of Mormon before she oracticies, that God will help her learn her piece!

Friday was really cool because we had a neat opportunity to sing at a funeral! This 90ur old lady that we were teaching passed away last week... And her great grand daughter invited us to the funeral... So then we asked if we could sing, and they were more than happy to have us!! So great! Except also, it was so... Odd. Because it was my first time at a non-LDS funeral....

Not only that, but we were going to a baptist funeral..... Needless to say.... We were definitely the minorities there! Haha it was a really different experience. I absolutely loved all the gospel music they were singing! :) I felt right at home;) my little piece of "white chocolate" heaven;)

It turned out to be a wonderful missionary moment, because afterwards, people kept coming up to is and asking lots and lots of questions. And we had a nice little discussion with the preacher at the luncheon afterwards... , (over our 100% Mormon "funeral potatoes" that we brought!;))

Sunday was really spiritual.

They had a changing of the bishopric in the Leesburg ward! It was truly amazing to witness. I'm excited to see what unfolds with this change! Words cannot fully describe what I felt during sacrament meeting... But I learned a lot. And it was all a very sacred experience for me.

That evening we saw Jan Jones..., and guess what?! SHES GOING TO ENTER THE TE,PLE THIS SATURDAY TO DO BAPTISMS FOR HER FAMILY MEMBERS!!!'

This will be Jan's first time in the temple! She's been a member since 2006..... And when I got here in January, she had hit rock bottom.

Now, she's prepared to enter Gods holy temple, to do the work of her loved ones. AND she has her recommend to receive her patriarchal blessing! A month ago she would not even think about the subject, wanted nothing to do with such.

Jan Jones is my hero.

I wish that you all could take a moment to stand in my shoes, and see and feel the things I have seen and felt over the past 3 months. I have truly witnessed a miracle take place. I've seen the miraculous power of the infinite atonement come into Jan's life and change, heal, strengthen, uplift, and restore her to a new person.

I love this gospel so much. I feel so blessed to have taken part in helping Jan find her way back to the Savior. It's been amazing:)

This week really was hard and had a whoooole bunch of rocky points... But I can honestly say to you that there was not a single time where I felt like Heavenly Father had forsaken me! This week was a lot like alma 26:27-30

"27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world--not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some."

There were moments his week where my heart was depressed... But every time, I felt the spirit touch my heart. I felt encouraged to keep going. Press forward with faith and hope. All would be well.

And as I endured with patience my afflictions, I would witness a miracle, or see a tender mercy! I was truly able to recognize the hand of the Lord in my life DAILY.

And now at the end of the week, Alma's words perfectly describe where I'm at:

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I truly have every reason to rejoice!

Leesburg ward is the promised land, and I feel lots of miracles just around the corner. We just need to be diligent in searching out what the Lord would have us do! The members here are amazing, and I never thought it would be possible to feel right at home with so many strangers. I love the people I serve very much. I know that we are all children of God.

I'm blessed to have such an amazing family! You have always supported me through so many things, and I am so grateful for the support and love you continue to give! I'm glad you decided to keep me;) and haven't given up on me yet!

This gospel is just so good. The atonement is incomprehensible... But it is all encompassing and eternal. I would be lost without it. I love my savior so much.

This week I learned that the literal translation of "Mormon" means "more good".

Truly the Book of Mormon is just more good:)

All things that are good come from God and everything denotes there is a God!

Remember that, and share your testimony with a friend this week! I love you!

Love,

Sister Carly Lewis

 

Woah! Halfway there, whoooooooa! #livin'onaprayer!

Hello family! Man this week has been a great one! So many wonderful
experiences.... I'm not even sure where to start! So I guess I'll
start at the very beginning:)

Monday_
The weather was seriously sooo gorgeous! We spent the day picnic-ing
in the park! Soaking up sun, writing in our journals, and writing
letters! Just a nice, chill day. Monday night we got the call that
Sister Stewart would be transferred.... And she's becoming a sister
training leader! Woot!

Tuesday:
The sunshine left us... And instead we were blessed with cloudy skies,
humidity, and rain! :-P Sister Stewart had to go to a leadership
meeting at the mission home... So I spent the day on exchanges In
Haymarket (not really sure where in relation to Leesburg it is... But
I'm almost positive it's at the opposite sides of our mission!) With Sister
Bost from Texas. She's so sweet and I had a good time with her.
We went to a members house in the Haymarket ward, and you will
seriously never believe what I did.....
Spent the afternoon catching chickens, feeding chickens, cleaning out
chicken coups, fertilizing hay bales, and being paranoid about getting
Lyme disease.... ;) haha! Man, the mission sure is giving me quite a
variety of experiences!
That evening, when Sister Stewart and I returned to Leesburg, we had
dinner with this recent convert named Andresa. She's from Brazil. Her
husband served his mission where she lived, and afterwards went back
and married her, and she got baptized! We've been working with her for
a while, but it's hard because she doesn't really speak English, and
we certainly don't speak Portuguese! But we do what we can.
Anyway.
A couple of weeks Ago, Andresa expressed to us through broken English
how she wanted to feed us, and on Tuesday night, her wish came true!
And my belly was full of delicious Brazilian food, and home made lemon
meringue pie! :):):):) #tastebudheaven

Wednesday:
We had district meetings with a different district, because our
district leader went home last week.... So we have been district
leader-less... Haha it was fun though! Just us two sisters, and like 8
elders. At the end, we re-enacted the music video "Come Unto Christ"
from the 2014 youth theme.... That's probably one of the highlights of
my week"! Seriously. I'll have to send the video separately or
something... It's good stuff;) ahhh man. Some of the elders I serve
around are just nuts. They're crazy! Haha

The rest of the day/evening was spent packing Sis Stewart's things and
saying goodbye....
The Simmons are finally back in town, so we were able to have a lesson
with Michi in their home again, and it went really well. The Spirit
was so strong, and we were bold with her! She finally opened up and
asked some of the deep questions that have been troubling her..... We
didn't resolve all of her conflicts.... But we tried our best.
Michi is a deep thinker, and she's very smart... She looks at
things more scientifically... So faith is a harder thing for her to
grasp. She's still struggling to accept and view God as an entity, as
our Heavenly Father..... BUT she does believe that Jesus Christ is the
son of God, and she believes in his life and ministry. So. We will
continue to help her hold strong to what she DOES know, and work with
what we've got! Every week she gets closer and closer. I feel that
eventually, what it will all come down to, is her taking a leap of
faith, and just committing herself to Christ! Which will be a
challenge for her. But she's capable of it.


Thursday:
TRANSFER DAY!
Also, my 9 MONTHS MARK! #happyhumpday
:)
In order to celebrate my 9 months, we went to lunch with the zone
leaders and another set of elders that the ZLs live with..... At the
one.... The only... CAFE RIO!!!!
I haven't had cafe rio since I left on my mission! I've never served
by one..... But there was one on the way to the Centreville Stake
Center... So of course we had to stop by! ;)

Transfers are always hard.... Change is never an easy thing.... And
I've been dreading this transfer because I was SO afraid I was going
to be put with a rough companion.......
:-/
But sometimes, you've just gotta trust that Heavenly Father's plan is
the best plan. He knows exactly what we need, and what's best for us. I
was trying to come to terms with this, on the way to transfers. I was
praying to develop charity for my new companion, and for strength and
faith to endure well whatever may be coming my way.....

Here is highlight#2 for my week.....

MY NEW COMPANION IS SISTER MYLIE JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know. My
bff/music major buddy from Snow College?! Woot woot!
I still can't even believe that we are companions! Haha we were both
SO excited!
We actually were sitting by each other in the transfer meeting, hoping
and praying we'd be put together, but neither one of us really
believing it would happen. (O ye of little faith)
But it did:)
#tendermercy #wonderofwonders #miracleofmiracles
Afterward we went up and talked to President and he told us how this
all came to be.
At first, President wanted to put us together just for fun. He felt
like it would be a good thing. He knew that we were friends, and that
we studied music together at Snow, and thought we would really enjoy
being together. But then he had to switch things  around.... So we
weren't companions anymore. But then more changes were made. And more
switching.... Until finally, At the end, it worked out for us to be
put together!
He said that it felt good at first when he prayed, and in the end when
he prayed again, it really DID feel right.
I truly am so grateful to be under the stewardship of a wonderful
leader like President Riggs, who is truly so in tune with the spirit,
and close to the Lord.:)

President Riggs told us he expects to see great things from us, and
then told us to work on a musical number to sing at the whole mission
conference in June! (Which is his last conference on the mission:((( )

Friday-
Weekly planning! Honestly, weekly planning is my favorite thing to do!
It feels so good to sit down and plan things out. This last week,
Sister Johnson and I tried to really turn our plans over to the
Lord... Instead of planning what we thought was best or what we wanted
to do, we really prayed a lot and truly sought for inspiration.... And
it made all the difference in the world! We have a wonderful transfer
ahead of us and I truly feel, deep down inside me, that the Lord has
amazing things in store for the Leesburg area for the next little
while! We are really committed to working hard on preparing the way.
Our focus this transfer is on the members, on working with them and
especially with the youth! Getting them to be more aware of missionary
moments in their own lives, and training them out of PMG.
This transfer will be a transfer of planting seeds.... But there's joy
to be found in planting seeds and preparing the way for a great
harvest! After all, SOMEBODY has to do it!

Saturday-
Saturday mornings, we always go and visit Sue's best friend,
Lamb. Lamb is a double leg amputee, and she has severe diabetes. Just
a lot of health issues.... The missionaries have been meeting with her
for. . . . years. She's not a progressing investigator.... So we don't
really teach her. We just do lots of service for her:)
Anyway, every time we visit, she always requests that a song is
sung.... Of course Sister Johnson and I were more than happy to
sing!:)
We sang "How Great Thou Art"
By the end of the song, none of us had dry eyes! There is so much
power behind the hymns... We closed by bearing testimony of our
Savior. And the goodness, and glory of our Heavenly Father. I look
forward to the day when our Savior comes again, and I will be able to
look to him and "bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, 'My God
how great Thou art!'"

The rest of the day was spent introducing Sister Johnson to ward
members and such. :)

Sunday--
The Layne family all came to church! This was Elle's first week!
And they LOVED it:)
Also, in gospel essentials, there's this lady, Joan, who attends,
because she likes the bible study. She's a good friend of Sister
Cummings.... And has met with missionaries once or twice... Anyway,
the Cummings have been trying to get her to take the discussions for a
while... And she has politely declined. Yet, she has been coming to
church for the past 3 weeks! Haha
The lesson this week in Sunday school was on the atonement, and
afterwards, Joan had a ton of questions!
So, being my sly self, and over-hearing her conversation with a
member..... I snuck in and went for the kill! In other words, I
preached the gospel:) and it was awesome! She wants us to teach her
more next Sunday! So we shall see where this goes...

Basically. This week was good.
But right now, my brain is fried.
We just spent all day in DC for the cherry blossom festival! It was
delightful! But sooooo exhausting. So I apologize for the scattered
thoughts.

All in all, I am loving life. Every day gets better and better. The
Leesburg ward is paradise! The members here are truly so supportive,
and there is so much work to be done, people to be found, souls to be
saved! I am grateful that I have been placed here at this time, and
that the Lord has entrusted me to hasten the work, and serve Him in
the very best way that I can. I am so grateful for my lovely, musical,
sweet companion. She's like an angel to me. We've just been able to
help each other grow, and she's helped me regain the motivation to go
and do. Plus, we just have FUN ALL THE TIME.
I've missed just having genuine fun all the time, while still working
hard. This transfer is going to be the best transfer of my mission.
I'm determined to give it my all, and truly lose myself in the work!

I know that Jesus is the Christ. I am grateful that he suffered and
died for me, and for you, and for everyone else. I am so very glad
that I made the decision at a young age to serve a mission, and I'm
grateful for everything you have all done to help me get to this point
in my life.
I have faith in my Savior, and I know there is great power that comes
from reading the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY EVERYDAY EVERYDAY. If you
haven't picked it up for a while, or even today... Please do that!
Now! And then read it again tomorrow. And the day after that.

That is the key to a happy life.
This week, in all your endeavors, I encourage you all to look to our
Savior and live. Stay by his side, and hold on to the simple truths
you know! :)

I love you so much, and I feel your prayers!

Love,
Sister Lewis



Pictures:
9 Months!
Cafe Rio!
Cherry blossoms!

I believe in Christ

Can I just start out by saying how much I love being a missionary? :)

 

This week, I finally started to let go of what I want to do, and what I think is best.... and I just took a step back, allowing the Lord to do HIS work, and use me as an instrument in His hands. THAT'S WHEN THE MIRACLES HAPPEN! :) 'twas a crazy, packed, miraculous week!

 

Quick Updates/Random things:

 

Summer STILL HAS POISON IVY. Its gotten worse... I'm pretty sure -_-

The Martinez family has an extension to stay in their home 'til school's out! That's a huge blessing. Also, we visited Bro Martinez, and he introduced us to his chickens and goats:)

Janice Davis went to the doctors finally! All is working out! 

I learned this week that President Uchtdorf's son served in this mission! #awesomesauce

Learned that Obama grew up in Hawaii, playing basketball in an LDS stake center with other mormons!

I got the clothes from Grandma Dorothy! Thank you very much Grandma! I love you! :)

 

 

Tuesday, we had a MIRACLE lesson with Michi!

The Simmons have been in Utah for the past week and a half, leaving us to our own devices of teaching Michi... well, we decided that she needed to really get to know other women in the ward. She's only a senior in HS but she's very mature. So we had a lesson with her in Bri's home. (I mentioned Bri a couple of times before... she is 21, pretty recently married. just had a baby in October.) And our ward mission leader's wife, Sister Ferons, joined us too!

We all sat down and conversations flowed freely! Michi was happy and it seemed that she felt comfortable and good with this new atmosphere... so we dived head first into the plan of salvation.

I honestly can't remember what we focused on or taught... But I do know that there was a lot of discussion about faith, and that now is the time to prepare to meet God. We really tried to address her issue, of feeling that she needs to know EVERYTHING about this church and gospel before she gets baptized.
We reassured Michi that she's on the right path, she's so amazing and has undergone a HUGE change in the past couple of months. She even admitted she's seen a change in herself.

Then, Sister Ferons piped in and shared a personal experience about how she was a dumb, rebellious teenager once.... but she had an experience at girls camp that turned her around.  She said, "Michi, I never served a mission, nor been a teacher... I honestly don't know a whole lot of everything pertaining to the Gospel. But what I DO know, I hold onto. I've learned that everything will come in time, and some things, I just don't need to worry about."

 

And then. Something crazy happened.

Sister Ferons looked Michi in the eyes and said, "You've been attending church for years, you teach the kids who are preparing for baptism... You have a vast knowledge of things. I think it's time for you to get baptized!"

 

WHAT.

Yup/.

That just happened.

#GoHolland

 

haha but Michi didn't shy away from it. So. We shall see where this goes from here! :)

 

Wednesday, we had Zone training.

It was awesome and focused on the importance of the Book of Mormon! We are really going to flood the mission with the Book of Mormon. I made a personal commitment to do more teaching from the scriptures.... When someone has a question, or wants to learn something, it's so easy for me to just share what I know with them, in my own words... But there is power in the scriptures. I've seen miracles happen on my mission, when I use the scriptures to answer questions!

So i'm working on saying, "Let's see what The Lord/ The prophet Alma/ The scriptures have to say about that!"

At the end of training, we had a mini transfer meeting, because the departing missionaries left this past Friday, but transfers aren't until THIS week, due to spring break occurring last week. So, we were still able to hear some of the departing missionaries advice and testimonies:) That was fun!

 

Thursday morning we had a really neat experience...

There was an elder in my zone that was here from Maryland, as a 'trial' mission. Just a temporary thing to see how you do with the missionary life.

Well, last week, his REAL mission call arrived, and he opened it in front of the whole zone on Thursday morning!

Lots of nostalgia in the room! haha Memories of opening my own call flooded into my mind. It's insane to me to realize that happened a year ago! I feel like I am a completely different person now. I'm still Me -- crazy, energetic, enthusiastic, random, ridiculous, caring, Carly!

But I'm a better version of me.

I truly feel that over the past year, I have been perfected in Christ.

Today, I am more spiritually sanctified, more confident before the Lord, and happier than I was a year ago.... And that is the joy of the gospel! The beauty of the Atonement! The purpose of life:) 

 

Life is a Process of Refinement. Self-improvement comes to us line upon line, precept upon precept, day by day. The change is so small, that sometimes you may not even realize it... but I promise it is there!

So, if you, on your own personal journey of discipleship, your road of refinement, process of perfection, feel that you are getting discouraged------- STOP! Look up! If TODAY you are just a LITTLE bit better than you were YESTERDAY... then that is ENOUGH.

Angels above, and our Heavenly Father rejoice in every victory of ours -- no matter the size:)

 

Thursday afternoon, Sue  came on exchanges with us... and she BEGGED us to go tracting! So. We did. And it actually was a pleasant experience. The weather was 72* and sunny with a slight breeze, and nobody yelled at us! Woo! We actually did have a cool thing happen--- we tracted into this Islam girl, Aya, and shared "Because He Lives" with her... and she LOVED it.

She asked us some questions about what we believe, and then took a restoration pamphlet.

She said she loves learning about all the religions, and would look into our beliefs!

That was a really unique experience because normally, people who are Islamic are VERY passionate about what they believe.... and they will tell you allll about it! But Aya, was very sweet, and open to listen. :)

 

Now...

Onto the GOOD stuff:

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!

 

Wasn't it just delightful?:)

I received a whooooole lot of revelation!

Last conference, I asked God the question, "What is it that you expect of me? What can I do to become who it is you want me to be?"

So this time I asked the question, "How am I doing?"

 

So the Spirit was able to answer that question as well as much more. I received revelation on what it is that I need to do right now, in order to be more effective and efficient as a missionary, so that I can actually help hasten the work, and not be a road block!

I also learned a lot about what it is I want/need to do when I return home! Not that I'm thinking about that already. I'm definitely not. :) But it's never too early to prepare!

 

I loved all of the talks, and was able to apply almost all of them to myself... But I feel that the one I want to focus on in my letter to you, is L. Whitney Clayton's about Believing.. but also i'm gonna throw in thoughts and ideas from a few others!

 

Something that I've been struggling with a lot lately is Diligence. Missionary work is HARD. And often times frustrating... well, the work part isn't, but the constant opposing force of the adversary IS frustrating. It's so so so easy to slip into the devil's snare of despair and fear.

I admit that I have been caught in that snare a few times.

However, our Savior will NEVER leave us comfortless, guideless, helpless, or on our own. (I really loved Elder Holland's analogy of the two brothers)

When the children of Israel were facing death and pestilences and firey serpents, the Lord -- through his prophet --- provided a way that they might Look to Him and Live.

 

I love that so much!

LOOK TO OUR SAVIOR. He is the WAY the TRUTH the LIFE. he is the LIGHT of the world. Even in the darkest abyss of despair... His Light and love is always shining. Light will always dispel the dark. All we have to do, is Look to him in faith, and BELIEVE.

It's easy! There is always a reason to hope, and we need the Light of the Savior in our life every day! The key to finding this Hope and light, is as simple as daily scripture study and prayer. Its SO SIMPLE.

Which is why we often fall short!

 

"O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would LOOK they might LIVE; EVEN SO IT IS WITH US. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live FOREVER." -Alma 37:46

 

I also love Elder Oaks talk about the parable of the sower (( in fact, the spirit had prompted me that morning to study that parable!! ))

It got me thinking, where am I planting my seeds?

What is my testimony founded on?

How FIRM is my foundation?

 

Sometimes, we just need to go back to the basics. Go back to primary! Build your foundation, have your testimony be centered on Jesus Christ and the Atonement. Then, everything else will fall into place. You can build off of that, line upon line. So when the devil comes with everything he's got.....

When your closest friends seem to be making decisions against your beliefs.

When someone in church says something that offends you..

When something arises that you don't totally agree with..

When fears and doubts creep into your mind, and get you to question what's truth...

 

When these things happen..... YOU WILL NOT FALTER NOR FALL. Because your testimony is based on your PERSONAL witness that Jesus IS the Christ, the Savior of the World. Nobody can take that away from you. Even if the church were to fall apart, you would not falter, because your belief is in Christ. Hold firm to what you KNOW.

That's the kind of testimony we need in these latter days.

The way to this kind of testimony is through the simple day-to-day actions of scripture study, prayer, and obedience to the commandments. We need to have spiritual experiences daily!

 

And like I said earlier, don't worry about perfection.

You won't be perfect at it.

I'm not perfect at it.

We all make mistakes!

But we have the hope and glory of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He will enable you to accomplish what it is you righteously desire to do! And where we fall short, He makes up the difference.

 

I love my Savior so very much.

 

I need you all to understand that I AM A SINNER. *gasp* !

It's true!

I've got a lot of spiritual scars from poor use of agency. But I'm no longer ashamed to admit this. The gospel is for sinners and imperfect people!

 

"I'm no saint---- that is unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying"

"Twas I, but 'tis not I."

"No failure ever need be final"

"Though we live in a failing world, we were not sent here to fail"

"It matters not how oft you fail, if you fail, and try again. What matters much is if you fail, and fail to try again"

 

So many good thoughts, feelings and impressions have come to me this Easter weekend. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy to have the restored gospel on the earth, and to be a part of the Hastening generation! I love our prophet dear, and know that he is called of God. I believe in Christ. He is my joy, and my song. I know the atonement is all encompassing, and that there is always always always a reason to Hope! If you want to be truly joyful in this life, and in the world to come, then I encourage you to dive into the scriptures, with no reservations, and Come to know your Savior more perfectly. He will grant you rest, and guide you safely home.

 

Continue to search for truth, goodness, and light! And always help others in their journey. :)

 

Transfers are this week, and Sister Stewart is probably leaving! Only heaven knows what's in store for me.... In all honesty, I'm really nervous... I feel a big change is coming. But hey, when I'm on the Lord's side, there's no need to fear! :)

 

Lots and lots and lots of LOVE,

Sister Carly Lewis :) xoxoxo

 

Pictures:

Leesburg Zone! #killinit

 

Baby Goat!

 

Happy Easter!

 

 

The Ideal conference setting:)

D&C 18:14-16 kind of week

Speechless.

Literally I am speechless. Weak in writing. At a loss for words. My heart and soul are just overflowing with joy and gratitude! :)

This week was just a week of miracles and goodness and light.

Then Tuesday night we had a (mostly) great lesson with Michi! Great, because it was totally focused on HER needs. We told her to come with questions to ask, and we would just have a Q&A session. Well, the first question she asks is, "Why does God want us to know him?"

ah.

This girl is a deep thinker.

Threw us off guard for a bit, but we ended up talking about the plan of salvation!

And this is where the "Mostly" part of the lesson comes in. . .

ya see, Michi's mom is out of town, visiting family in Chile for 3 weeks. so her little brother, Drake, also came to the lesson.... and at first, he was quiet.

But then, he just kept asking us about OUTER DARKNESS.

-_-

Seriously?

hahahaha we didn't even know what to do. Because it wasn't just once. but at least a dozen times, that he asked the same questions about it. even though we answered it once!

Thank heavens for Julia Simmons (Sis. Simmons' recently returned missionary daughter) she was a huge help to us in staying on track.. haha

Mostly, we just had to laugh the whole situation off!

Thursday we had our LAST lesson with Summer before her baptism! And we talked all about priesthood, and temples and family history. The spirit was incredibly strong when we were talking about why we have temples. And Sister Stewart and I both felt impressed that Summer has a whole support system of family members on the other side, cheering her on! The Spirit testified to me that they were SO excited for Summer to be baptized! And when we told this to her, she just lit up like a christmas tree:) She's so adorable:)

But unfortunately, Satan was working REALLY hard against her.

Friday afternoon, the day before her baptism, she was out in the woods, playing "Hunger Games" with her sister... and she got POISON IVY ALL OVER HER! :( and all over her face. poor poor girl. she was having a rough time.

So Saturday morning, we went over with the elders, and they gave her a blessing. She felt lots better after it!

Then that afternoon....

Sis Stewart and I were running around like chickens with our heads cut off! There was still SO much to do before the baptism. And we were behind schedule. We went to fill up the font, and it was disgusting! There were dead stinkbugs, and cobwebs, and spiders, and grime everywhere! so we had to clean that out.

Then, when our WML went to print the program, it was incorrect. so he had to run and go get that fixed.

We had to set up chairs and tables and table cloths all by ourselves.

Oh, and we had to change our spiritual thought, because we were afraid of offending Summer's aunt.

Also, the font water was FREEZING.

Things were crazy.

But it all turned out for the best, and in the end, none of the silly little things mattered because..... :

Summer followed the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by immersion on March 21, 2015!!!!!!! WOOOHOO! :) It was truly so awesome. The program was beautiful, and the Spirit there was overwhelming. The young women sang, "I know that My Redeemer lives" and the tears were just flowing down my face.

I realized in that moment, how much my Savior loves me.

I know that Jesus Lives. And I now understand more fully the reason WHY he lives. He lives for me. He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to lead me to every happiness. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my souls complaint.

He lives for US. To help us. To Love us. To listen. I know that, and have experienced his divine love multiple times on my mission. I am beyond grateful for my Savior. :)

Sunday, Summer was confirmed in sacrament meeting! It was amazing! Also, it was another sister's homecoming. She just came home from... some mission I can't remember in Brazil. She's adorable. Also, you can tell that she was a consecrated missionary, and we are really excited to have her come on splits with us!

Then that night..... the moment we have ALL been anticipating for the last 5 months....

CYNTHIA WAS BAPTIZED!!

And the best part was, Rick was able to baptize her! Honestly, for the past few months I had been so bummed that they were waiting on him.. because she was ready in November! But ya know what? This experience taught me to truly trust in the Lord's timing. His plan for us, is far better than our plan for ourselves! I know things all worked out the way they were supposed to, and I am so excited for Cynthia and Richard to be able to support each other over this next year, as they prepare to enter the Lord's Temple, and be sealed for eternity! That's truly why we are baptized. It's just preparation for more covenants, and a grander vision of eternal families:)

Unfortunately, they will get sealed after I come home.... hmmm I guess i'll just have to come back out to D.C next March! ;)

I was able to see lots of members of the Centreville 2nd ward! I missed them sooo much! Right when I walked through the doors, I was welcomed by so many warm hugs and "I love you's". Cynthia hugged me at least a dozen times probably and said how much she had missed me and Sister Chandler. She was just beaming! :) Also, It's always a good time when I get to spend time with Sister Kailey Chandler! Plus, the old Centreville gang was there! :)

Man this weekend was seriously too good to be true. So many spirit-filled meetings....

Oh!

Speaking of which, I almost forgot!

Friday, we had a special training allllll day long! Because of the new ipads, and the online training stuff, President and Sister Riggs had special permission to go around and do trainings. So it was kind of like a multi-zone conference. The focus was on planning, flooding the mission with the Book of Mormon, and the 'why' of ipads and online proselyting!

I have been looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this all week long.

So why do we have the ipads?

Is it to help hasten the work?

Is it to make reaching every nation, kindred, tongue and people more convenient?

Is it to help us have more effective studies?

Is it to keep up with the world?

the answer to these questions is NO.

Let me tell you why the Brethren of the Church, why our Latter-day Prophet, have distributed ipads to missionaries... or in essence, why the Lord is pushing for this adjustment in the work:

It is simply to Create a Righteous generation of people who know how to use technology appropriately.

Are you as shocked as I was?

Today, we are facing and dealing with problems that will NOT go away until the second coming. In fact, they will probably only get worse.

Elder David F. Evans said this,

"For many, this is the BEST and for some the FINAL chance to develop righteous technology habits."

wow wow wow! Crazy stuff!

We all know about the dangers and the advantages of the internet. Pornography is a real issue, and it's never going to go away. We aren't going to be able to stop it, but we WILL, with divine aid, be able to withstand the temptations of the adversary. That's a real promise, and I have full faith in it!

The Prophet and Apostles can see things that we cannot see.... and I know that all this is for a wise purpose! They are trying to fight against this evil, and they ARE going to succeed.

Think about it. The age lowering? The introduction of technology to the work? God has a plan.

I had the strongest impression during the meeting that I was sent to this mission, at this exact time, for the purpose of providing a better future. Heavenly Father is trying to build up stronger families! And He's preparing me for parenthood, in a day and age when the tares are becoming ever more prevalent among the wheat!

During the meeting, President Riggs turned to us few sisters there, and through tears expressed to us that the Spirit had just spoken strongly to him that WE would be like the mothers of the Sons of Helaman. We have a strong effect on the coming generation, and would have the responsibility of raising our sons and daughters firm in the Faith of Christ.

That someday, because of our learning self-discipline, we would raise a string of sin-resistant souls, who would one day echo the words, "We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

So basically.

This week was just the best week ever.

I love this Gospel, and I am grateful for our Prophet Thomas S. Monson! I feel so blessed to be a missionary at this time. I am learning so much, and truly feel that the Lord is refining me. I'm so excited for conference that is JUST around the corner!

I am happy.

I am well.

I know that my Redeemer lives, and loves me.

I know this Gospel is true.

I testify to you that Jesus Christ IS the WAY. It is only by him, and through Him, that we will receive Eternal Life. I look forward with a brightness of hope to that day when all the faithful will return to our Father in Heaven, to live in a state of NEVER-ENDING HAPPINESS.

:)

Love,

Sister Carly Lewis

p.s.

SHOUT OUT to my other half, my bff-jill, my twin, Amy Alysse Dymock for submitting your mission papers! what! I am SO excited for you! Even though that means 3-ish years without seeing you..... ;(

 I know You'll rock it where ever the Lord sends you, and will be a light and marvelous influence to many:)

Pictures:

Summer

Cynthia!  also sister chandler:)

The two Coolest elders in the mission

most of the Centreville district!

The Walter Family! :)