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

 

I'll give my whole heart to Him

Where the HECK did the last 6 weeks go?

I feel like the last transfer just slipped through my fingers... it's crazy. Time needs to take a break, and SLOW DOWN. haha

Anyway, I survived another transfer, and Sister Stewart and I are staying together in Leesburg! Good thing too--- because things are really going places, and this transfer WILL be one of miracles!

 

This week just seemed to zip by as well! And it was so full of lots of awesome things.....

Monday, we had a sweet FHE planned with a member in the ward, that they had invited friends over, BUT it snowed lots that night. And we weren't allowed to be out driving. So we weren't able to go :( #BUMMER

but they turned out to have a great night without us!

 

Tuesday after district meetings, we had our Zone party to celebrate reaching our goal! And for this party, I had been asked to bring a baked good... So on Monday, I made these scrumptious cookies called $250 cookies. Pretty much, they are melt in your mouth, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. We made them with our WMLs wife a week ago, and I had decided to make some for the zone! Only problem is, it called for 2&1/2c blended oats, and 1 c. grated choc. chips.... but WE DIDN'T HAVE A BLENDER.

And we were grounded from driving our cars.

So. What did I do? I chopped those oats by hand, and took the chocolate chips and a cheese grater and grated them one.by.one.

It took f o r e v e r

I felt like a pioneer.

hahahahaha

but hey, those cookies were a real hit! Every body LOVED them, and were begging for more.

It's probably because I put a few special ingredients in there.... aka. blood, sweat, and tears. also LOVE. ;)

 

Moving on now.

We met with Michi that night and let me tell you.... my mouth is still gaping open from that lesson! The Spirit was so strong, it was almost overwhelming. We had planned on teaching her the plan of salvation... but ended up teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! And then we pulled out Mosiah 18, and posed the question, "What have ye against being baptized?"

We told Michi that we love her SO much. We really do, and we will always love her no matter what. We pointed out how she is so amazing to us, because she is already living the life of a member of the church... she's just missing out on the blessings of having the Gift of the Holy Ghost! God has all these blessings he wants to POUR out upon her, and the way to receive them, is through baptism!

I can't remember the exact details and events... but I do remember that for the first time, she didn't cringe at the thought of baptism. And for the FIRST time, she opened up and shared some really deep, personal experiences.

Then she told us this, "You know, before we started doing.. this, when it came to God, I was like 'ehhhh'... but now, I'm all the way there."

 

WOW!

This girl went from not even believing in God as a being... she just believed you could find good and truth all around us.. in spiritual things. She prayed to the universe... and now, 5-6ish weeks later, she has faith in God! That, is a miracle. The Spirit has been working hard on her! :)

The lesson went on, and we discovered that her real concern now, is with Jesus Christ. So now, we are just trying to help her find faith in Christ, and come to know for herself, that he is the Savior of the world.

 

So lots of good things happening there!

 

Wednesday, we went to a lady in the ward, Sister Kowalski. She lives out in the boonies in a big farm house. She broke her foot 3 months ago, and it still hasn't healed, and now she's home in this huge house on a farm... alone. So we went to do some service for her... And you know what she had us do?

COOK.

haha. She had us put together big freezer dinners like casseroles and soup that she could just put in the freezer and give to families in the ward when they need them. It was sweet, because she is professional at cooking, so I learned a few neat tricks! [[mom-- wanna know an EASY way to shred cooked chicken? Just put it in a big bowl, and take the egg beaters to it!]]

 

Thursday we had another great lesson with Summer! We taught the Restoration using our Apostasy cup lesson. Once again, she loved every bit of it. We asked her how she knows that God loves her and she told us "Oh, because he guides me every day and grants me peace."

 

Ah.

Of course. Because that's how every 11 year old would answer that question. ;)

She is SO ready to accept this gospel! It is really just a matter of teaching her all the lessons!

 

Thursday night we dropped by a member's home, The Jones family, to give a sweet, short message. I love being in their home! They were one of the first families I met here, and I just love them to death. It's a family of all boys (even their dog is a boy) and then Sister Jones... and she LOVES us! haha she was like, "You know, we usually have the Elders over, and whenever they are over it's SO rowdy here.... But it's so peaceful when you come! You bring such a lovely spirit!"

Anyway. not sure why I'm telling you this. Just know, I love that family. And every time I go there, the night is filled with genuine laughter and I leave happier than I came! #tendermercies

 

Now, for the Highlight of the week....

Ya'll Ready For This?!

 

SATURDAY WAS A BLIZZARD!

Literally.

We got at least a foot of snow here.

Maybe more.

And we weren't allowed to drive our cars.... so we walked everywhere! and I LOVED it! It was so peaceful. Nobody was out. Just two sister missionaries, owning the town. haha

We were able to help push cars up a snowy hill, because Virginians don't know how to drive in the snow....

And when we went tracting, the Spirit led us to this home... and the guy let us in! His name is Aaron . and turns out, he met with Elders last summer! But they mysteriously stopped coming over... (turns out, it wasn't a mystery. those Elders just never kept a teaching record for Aaron, so he fell through the cracks.) He's an older guy. Retired. And now he's the drummer in a band. He's kinda crazy... but he's read the BoM and marked it up clear to Mosiah, and we got a return appointment! So, we will take what we can get!

 

Sunday.... church was ALMOST cancelled, because of the snow. (even though the roads were clear by then. and it was 50* yesterday) so they only held sacrament meeting... but only the youth speaker showed... So they did a special meeting. A "Hymn-a-mony" Where people could go up to the pulpit, and bear brief testimony on their favorite hymn, and then we would sing that hymn. I WISH THAT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN.

It was really touching to me..... that is when I wasn't being distracted by a 3 year old! haha. We sat by our Ward Mission Leader and his family... and his little girl, Hailey, is a handful. She reminds me of Piper. She thinks she's a dog. Also, she just randomly kissed both me and S. Stewart on the cheeks during the meeting! It was adorable! haha

 

There's so many other great things that happened this week..... Sister Stewart and I laughed lots, we met and found lots of cool people, a 90 yr old woman kept asking me why I'm not dating anyone and then giving me marriage advice, and my testimony was strengthened immensely.

I spent lots of time reading a CES Devotional from this January by Randall L. Ridd. I highly recommend it. It's all about the importance of REAL INTENT. And I realized that I need to work on my real intent!

I'm really going to focus, from now until the end of my mission, on turning my Will over to the Lord.

Missionary work is not about what I want, it's about what God wants.

As soon as I stop seeking to do the things I feel are important, or I want to do, and start having an attitude of "Thy will be done" I KNOW I will find true happiness in the work! And I'm starting by developing an attitude of gratitude. :) So this will be a journey!

This week I was flipping through the Book of Mormon, and came across Alma 27:27-28, 30.

That scripture changed my week.

I want to be like the sons of Mosiah... That even in strugglings and despairs, and suffering through ALL manners of afflictions, that I still give it my all in the hopes of maybe, possibly, saving SOME SOUL.

 

I Know that The Lord will NEVER leave us comfortless, but He will always fulfill his promise, "I will come to you"

He came to me when my heart was depressed, and I am forever grateful for that. The Lord is my Light! Then why should I fear? He IS my Salvation from sorrow and sin, His blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring!

 God has sent us here for a purpose, and he WILL help us find, and accomplish that purpose. He will always come to us in our time of need.

 

Wherever you may be at on your journey of becoming like our Savior, I encourage you to not give up hope. He is forever watching over you, and will not let you stray too far. God will not let you fail. So never give up. Never surrender. Never let despair overcome your spirit. Even in your darkest hour, hang on a little longer.... Pray with all the energy of your heart for deliverance, and just like Joseph Smith, suddenly, a Light will descend upon you. Christ will come.

 

I love you all and pray for you! Keep doing what you're doing! :)

 

Love, Sister Carly Lewis

 

pics:

Zone!

Blizzard

God is Good.

This week was a week of miracles!!!!

Ya'll already know about Laura... She's just so wonderful!
She wasn't able to come to church on Sunday, but that's okay! Because
Summer came to church! And Michi was there for all of Sacrament
meeting!

Also, there's a less active man, Brother Wood, and we have
invited him to church for the past three weeks! He's told us he will
come, but then he never comes. We go to his house, he talks to us on
the porch, makes some joke about us being out in the cold, we invite
him, he commits, then doesn't come.... But this last week, it was
FREEZING when we went... And he let us right on in! Brother Wood is
one of my favorites. He's one of those people that I just felt a
connection with right off the bat. We both have the same kind of humor
(aka he's just as sarcastic as I am) and turns out we have more in
common than that! He did theater and music all growing up! He played
Nathan Detroit in 'Guys and Dolls' and Professor Harold Hill in 'The Music
Man', so it was cool for us to connect on that:) When I told him my
decided major, he was really interested in it. And when I invited him
to church to hear me sing, he looked me straight in the eyes and
promised he would be there.... AND HE CAME,!!!! He sat right in the
middle, in the back of the chapel, and beamed up at me when I got up
to sing! I prayed really hard that the words of "I Stand All Amazed"
would touch his heart..... He came up to me after and thanked me. Said
he really needed that, and that it uplifted him. I love Brother Wood:)
he's a good guy, who's just seen a lot of hurt. We also gave him a
rock that says "pray daily" on it, because he collects rocks! Haha I
think he really was touched by that.

Remember how I talked about our zone goal of finding 20 people this
week? Well on Friday night from 6-9 (the coldest part of the entire
week) we went out finding as a zone... And MIRACLES HAPPENED. As a
zone, over this last week, we found a total of 30 prepared
individuals! And lots of those found were actually families! It was
really exciting. The saying "where there's a will, there's a way" is
soooo true. Also, the Lord will use those who are ready and truly
desire to help, in the hastening of His work! It's pretty neat! :)
Sister Stewart and I didn't actually find anybody on Friday night
though.... Why? Well let me tell you.
We happened upon this cute little farm house in the outskirts of
Leesburg,,, and knocked on the door..., and turns out, an Islam family
lives there. So the father talked to us on the porch for a good 15
minutes in the dark, freezing cold.... And then his son came out and
was like "you gonna invite them in?" So... We followed this man into
his house.

We ended up spending like an hour and a half there,,,, (whoops) trying to share
a message... But not succeeding...... So. We now know everything there is to know about the
Islamic faith! Haha
I would say that it was a waste of our time there... But it wasn't
really because the more they tried to tell us and convince us of their
ways, the more the spirit spoke to me and testified of the truth of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I KNOW this church is the one true, living church of God here on the earth.
Our beliefs are so simple.
Young children and the unlearned can understand it.
It's simple, yet it covers everything. It makes sense that a Savior
was sent to the earth. It makes sense that we are all children of God,
and because he is our Father, he blesses us immensely. God is not some
all-powerful being that we can't understand.
He is our Father.
He knows all.
He sees all.
And he loves us.
I just want everybody and their dog to understand this!!! Gahhh

Anyway.
Also.
They gave us tea. And even though we told them about the Word of
Wisdom and they assured us it was herbal... I'm pretty sure it had
black tea leaves.... Yikes. Good thing repentance is real!

Last night we met with Summer and let me tell you. She should've been
born into the gospel! Her spirit just searches after the truth! She
told us how she did some different bible studies growing up, and that
she'd been around places... But that she never felt the Spirit there.
But she felt it at our church! This girl is only 11 years old and she
is already soooo wise! We love teaching her! It truly is such a
blessing to us.... And she gets so excited about it! Cool story:

We taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ, and when we told her about
the atonement, and how the icky feelings of guilt, worthlessness,
sadness, and loneliness can all be taken away and replaced with joy,
peace and comfort, because of Jesus Christ... She responded excitedly,
"really?!"
Yes:)
Really:)
She told us that she ALWAYS wants that peace to be with her.

She's a blessing. Keep Summer in your prayers:)

Hmmmm lets see... What else...,
Oh, we got to play with horses today for p-day!:) it was AWESOME!
And like 4 members gave us doughnuts for Valentine's Day.... Haha
The weather this week is supposed to be in the single digits....
YIKES. And we are supposed to get like 6-8 inches of snow tonight....
The storms are pretty bad here in Leesburg!

Well... That's all I have to say! This week was miraculous and I am
just so so so grateful for the blessings that are raining down on us.
The work is hastening and I'm struggling to keep up! Love you all!
Have a wonderful week, and seek out spiritual experiences!

Love,
Sister Carly Lewis.

p.s.
I just found out that they emergency transferred the Centreville
sisters on Friday... So.... Keep Sister Chandler in your prayers! And
Cynthia too! They are both in shock!

Pictures:
Me with horses!
Matchy matchy Valentine's pajamas!
#valentineswag

Edified and Uplifted

Today is just a really great day.

The sun is shining bright. It think it's like 60* outside. My belly is full of yummy tomato bisque soup from costco, and... oh yeah! I almost forgot!

WE FOUND SOMEONE TO TEACH!

okay.

we didn't really FIND her.

It's Laura, Sister Simmons friend. :)

We were finally able to  meet with her, and the lesson was a miracle. Really. Laura is SO prepared and ready to receive the fullness of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it. The lesson was kinda all over the place.... but it was directed by the Spirit. She is just so very amazing, and she was just soaking up every little bit of what we had to share!

At the end she said, "Ya know, when I got here today, I was... I was just really not in a good place.... But now, I feel edified, and uplifted. I feel like this big weight has been lifted from me. I know that God had this meeting in his plans for me. I am really grateful to have been here today!"

Wow. Did she just use the words edified and uplifted?? I think she did! She described exactly the role of the Spirit in conversion. #GOLDEN

She was really excited to keep meeting with us, and we set up a time to meet with her next Tuesday! She also however, had some head trauma accident some years ago... so that affects her health. So keep her in your prayers, that the Lord will bless her with strength!

I also invited her to church at the end of the lesson, because I'm singing in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she said she had plans... but that she was definitely going to try and arrange something, so that she could make it! Gah. This is the miracle we have been waiting for!

Missionary Work is awesome.

Another miracle of the week, is that a couple weeks ago, a lady in the ward, came up to us and said her daughter has a friend, Summer, who really loves coming to church and activities and wants to learn more about the gospel. The only problem is that Summer is 12, so we would need permission from her mother in order to teach her.

Well, after weeks of waiting, Sister Larsen got back to us and told us about the conversation she had with Summer's mom!

Her mom was all for Summer taking the discussions. She wasn't interested in it for herself (she's not ready or wanting to change her lifestyle.) but she recognizes that Summer is more spiritual, and she loves the people in our church, and she said she would love for Summer to be baptized if that is what Summer chose!

WHAT!

Things like this never happen.

Ever.

It was a miracle.

And so we have a lesson set up on Sunday night at 7, to teach Summer the restoration:)

The members of the Leesburg ward are seriously on FIRE with member referrals! It is SO exciting to be a missionary, and it is so much easier to do the work of the Lord, when we are on the same page as the members! I really want to point out, that both these miracles would not have even come if it wasn't for the missionary work that the members are doing.

It is SO easy to share the gospel!

I honestly cannot express that enough.

If a little 9 year old girl, can explain to her friend (Summer) at activity days, that the warm fuzzy feeling she gets from doing service, is in actuality, the Holy Ghost, then certainly, we ALL can do something to share a gospel truth with somebody in need.

And if you think about it...

Everyone around you is in need of SOMETHING.

So pray for opportunities to share what you know to be true! Then be on the look out for when those opportunities present themselves! :)

"God WILL put prepared people in the way of his prepared servants who WANT to share the gospel." - Henry B. Eyring

Test that promise out this week.

I Think you will be surprised at what happens! :)

Alright... so.... other exciting things that happened this past week......

--I got my hair cut. And turns out, that the lady who cut my hair is related to the Fredrickson family in our stake!  I went to school with her little brother, Matthew. He's a year older than me. And he played tennis for Orem High... soo we were pretty good friends!

--Saturday was Sister Stewart's birthday and it was a WAY awesome day! :) WE were able to go to the Temple visitors Center with Michi, Nikki and Sister Simmons to watch the Joseph Smith movie... it moved everyone to tears.

Michi was genuinely touched by it. She especially admired the character of Emma. So on the car ride home, we talked a lot about that. I shared my testimony on how I know that Joseph was a prophet of God, and how I also feel with surety that Emma knew he was too. She had to have known God as well as Joseph did in order to have endured all the trials and persecution they went through... and How I admired that she came to know the truth of the Book of Mormon for herself. Michi whole-heartedly agreed with that.

Michi is a very independent, do it her own way, gal. She is very strong too. In fact, she is a lot like Emma Smith.  And I just feel it deep inside, that she WILL come to know this gospel is true. In her own time. And for herself.

Anyway that was a great night.

--We had exchanges this week with our sister training leaders and that was MUCH needed. for all 4 of us.

. Whenever we have exchanges, the sisters give us a little mini "training". Mostly, it just feels like a therapy session to me. And I love them. It's a time to reflect and learn and look inside yourself. And this time, It was such a spiritual experience for me!! I was reminded of lessons that I have learned on my mission, that I had somehow forgotten... many tears were shed. I was just touched by the Spirit. Reminded that I am NOT alone, and that I don't need to feel that way. I know that God is aware of me, and what I'm going through, and I am going through these things for a reason.

I had a mini change of heart that day. Realized, that it's time to stop asking, "Why me? why this? why now?"

And start acknowledging that what I am going through is for my own good, and I need to ask, "What am I to learn from this?"

So I was reminded of the importance of being grateful IN EVERY circumstance!

-- I wrote Sister Stewart a song for her birthday. On the spot. It's pretty darn funny. I'll send a snippet of it!

-- I had the worst head ache of my life. Ever. I thought I was going to die. And I was confined to my room for the day. It was the worst. But I'm alive and well now:)

--I got the valentines package you sent! We love it! Sister Stewart says THANK YOU! :)

-- As a zone we made it a transfer goal to find 70 new investigators... well, as of yesterday we are at 50 new. So that means we have 7 days to find 20 new investigators... So we had a discussion on how we were to accomplish this, and if it was possible.... And I really wish I was better with words. But I am poor in writing. The gist of the story is that the Spirit was SO STRONG in that meeting yesterday, and we are going to find 20 prepared people this week. It isn't  going to be an individual effort either, but the effort of all of us together. TEAM WORK! being ALL in! :) Sister Stewart and I already found 2! woot woot! So here's to a week of miracles!

This week has been just so busy and full and all over the place.

I love being a full-time servant of the Lord.

There is just a wonderful Joy that comes from doing the will of the Lord, and standing as a witness of God at ALL times, and in ALL things and in ALL places!

And guess what?

You can do it TOO!

So get off your butts and go do some missionary work! ;) [[I say that with much love]]

Have a wonderful week!

Love you!

Sister Carly Lewis

Pics

Dinner with Sue!

Temple Visitors Center!

I forgot to wear a hat... and Sue hates it when we don't wear hats... so she gave me this to wear. She's great.

Pictures!

These are just some pictures of Sister Lewis from the past few weeks. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

A Week of Learning September 1, 2014

Bonjour!

Happy Labor Day errybody! Hope you've all found a fun way to spend
your free day:) Ethan I'm glad to hear you are loving high school!
Isn't Orem high just the greatest? And the teachers are awesome! Tell
Mr Ellingford that I say hello! And then tell him that I said he has
to do one of his awesome magic tricks for you okay? :) haha also, who
is your seminary teacher?
So the weather sounds like it's been pretty crazy! We have had lots
and lots of rain storms here too... It's scary awesome. Thunder and
lightning aren't nearly as bad here as it is in Utah. It's much
quieter here... Which of course I love, because then I am less
scared!;)


So I guess I'll start off this weeks letter by sharing a really neat experience:
Last night, there was a fireside for new converts to the church and
returning members, they were the main speakers, and then missionaries
from the whole mission were encouraged to bring their investigators
and invite less actives they work with. Well, on Thursday the
assistants to the president sent out a text asking for someone willing
to do a musical number... And I thought, "hmmm... What the heck, why
not?" So I volunteered as tribute. We found me a pianist and things
were on their way! I didn't have much time to really prepare anything
so I decided to sing that arrangement of "I know that my Redeemer
Lives".
When it came time to perform, I wasn't nervous like I usually am..
Which kinda weirded me out, but I was grateful for at he same time...
Anyway, before I went up, I sat on the bench and I began to pray to my
Heavenly Father. I told him that I was excited to sing this song. I
also said that I didn't just want to 'sing a beautiful song'. I didn't
want it to be pointless, just a time filler. I said that if I was
going to perform, I was going to do it with purpose. I recognized that
He is the one who blessed me with my talents, and I wanted to show my
gratitude by sharing it with others, In a way that would benefit them,
fulfill my purpose as a missionary, and bring someone closer to
Christ. I felt like there was at least one person who needed to hear
something from the spirit that day through music(because music speaks
where words cannot) and I wanted nothing more than to be an instrument
in the lords hands that day. I asked in faith if he would provide a
way for me to be that instrument and help him reach out to someone. I
didn't care if I didn't sing well, just as long as my testimony
reached someone.
Well... Ask.... And ye shall receive! And receive I did! I have sung
that song a couple times before in a church setting.... But never have
I ever sang it with that much conviction. I was able to bear my
testimony in a way I never had before, not holding anything back. It
was so amazing. And I know it was only possible because God made it
so! And I don't know who it helped or touched or even if it did, but I
know that I did what The Lord expected of me, and that felt good. The
feeling of Gods love and approval is so desirable! I am going to go
through this week, striving to fulfill the fathers will in ALL that he
requires of me, because I want to feel that way all the time! I sort
of understand how Lehi felt when he partook of the fruit of the tree
of life... When we just do what God asks, he showers us with peace,
joy, and blessings! And I want everyone to experience that keep coming
back for more! So my question is, when have you felt Gods love and
approval for you in your life? And what are you willing to sacrifice
in order to feel that way again? How can you help others around you to
feel it too?

So a couple weeks ago we got a new investigator, her name is Erica. She's a married woman from Brazil, and she's probably in her
50's. She is the SWEETEST lady I have ever met! She's so loving and
willing to accept this gospel. She was referred to us by the Chinese
elders here, and turns out she was actually a former investigator! The
first lesson we had with her she told us about a miraculous experience
she had where she knew her prayers were answered. We talked about
prayer a bit more and invites her to church. We were supposed to visit
her at the end of the week and have another lesson and remind her
about church but honestly... We forgot. Things were crazy and we
forgot. But she showed up on Sunday with a bright smile on her face,
ready to hear the gospel! We visited her again this last week and
brought her a Book of Mormon In Portuguese (she can read it faster
than English) and she looked like a child on Christmas. I have never
seen anyone more grateful to receive a copy of the Book of Mormon! We
talked through the restoration, and suddenly in the middle of S.
Osmond talking about Joseph smiths first vision she asks, "so when is
the baptism?"
Both of us were taken aback. I asked, "you mean your baptism?" She was
like "yes!" So sister osmond and I were like... Uhh I think we were
going to out you down for October 18th. Then she said okay! And
started asking questions about what she's supposed to wear! It was
seriously the most wonderful thing!
Then at church on Sunday I was sitting by her and she was looking over
my notes I was writing, and she pointed out the phrase "fast & pray"
and she said, "fasting is where you go without food?" I was a little
shocked at that and said yes and began to explain about fasting, and
how we do it the first Sunday of each month. However that we don't
just not eat, but we approach it in prayer, we pray and ask for
something, fast for a reason... And I gave her a few examples in my
own life and then related it to her... . Then I said, but you don't
have to fast until you are baptized... And she replied with "okay...
I'll fast next week."
So pretty much she is just amazing and has SO much faith. She also has
the gift of discernment. She knows that what we teach and believe is
good, and she desires to seek after it! I really love Erica so dearly
and I am excited for her to continue to accept this gospel!

Oh! So Friday it was our district leader (elder fink) and his
companion (elder Blanchard) birthdays! This is elder finks last
transfer and elder blanchards first, and neither one of them has had
their birthday celebrated while on the mission... So naturally we
sisters decided that was unacceptable and took on the challenge to
make it a day to remember! So we woke up at 6:15 on Friday so that we
could put balloons and signs on their apartment door. Then we wished
them happy birthday at the gym. Then we made them breakfast for
lunch... So basically we spent our lunch time making bacon, pancakes,
eggs, and a smoohie. That food was IHOP-quality! Haha [also, I have
this irrational worry that my future family will starve because I
can't cook anything besides mac&cheese and pastaroni... Well I now
know that I can make breakfast foods so... Yay! We won't starve after
all!] anyway. It was awesome, and they were surprised and well-fed and
happy. We also gave the. Silly gifts from the dollar store later and a
birthday card each. It was seriously the happiest day, and it wasn't
even my birthday! It just felt great to do something for someone else.
Always does:) service is mine and sister osmonds favorite thing! :)

So I know that from the above stories that my week probably sounded
awesome, and at parts it was! But the missionary work aspect of things
this week was ROUGH. We weren't accomplishing ANYTHING. Last night s.
Osmond and I were discussing our frustrations with ourselves the fact
that Our investigators seemed at a stand-still and we ourselves
weren't personally progressing.... But we couldn't pinpoint why his
was happening.......
Well this morning in my personal studies I was reading in Alma
chapter 37. This is Alma's epistle to his son Helaman [[ by the way
mom and dad... Before you die, will you write me an epistle like the
prophets of old did? That would be pretty awesome!!]] and he talks
about how by small and simple means are great things brought to pass.
Then he talks about the liahona in verse 40:
"And it did work for them, ACCORDING to their FAITH in God;
Therefore, IF they had FAITH TO BELIEVE that God could cause that
those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, IT WAS
DONE; Therefore, they had this miracle and also many other miracles
wrought by the Power of God, DAY BY DAY"
When I read that scripture, it was pretty neat, and I realized that I
had in a sense given up on The Lord this week... I had not exercised
my faith in him. I didn't have faith that he would lead us to those
who are prepared to receive the gospel.... Oops. Learned that
lesson... Or so I thought. Then I went on to read the next verse
where it says that they noticed the miracles that were being brought
by small means and they, "...began to be SLOTHFUL and FORGOT to
exercise their Faith and Diligence and those marvelous works ceased,
AND THEY DID NOT PROGRESS IN THEIR JOURNEY."
Yeaaahhh..... That last bit that I capitalized.... Definitely a
spiritual slap in the face! Haha it hit me finally why the week was
such a disappointment. I personally had just gotten lazy. We had
worked so hard the week before, and had seen so many miracles that I
just kinda figured that it couldn't continue. I assumed (which is
dangerous! Don't ever assume!) that God could only give blessings
every once in a while. He helped us fine 3 new investigators the week
before, so there was no way we could find 3 more people this
week....so I kinda expected to get nothing, so I gave nothing and
became 'slothful' ....Well I learned today how wrong I was! I let
doubt overcome my faith this week and ended up wasting the Lord's
time... But the good news is we can all repent, and I have and by
golly this week I am going to give it my all! Work in faith and
diligence!
Don't ever doubt Heavenly Father. Don't give up on him, or yourself.
And never surrender to the natural man or the enticings of the
'cunning one'. Remember you are a blessed child of god, and that even
though you may be faced with trials, that you are NOT alone! And we
can't see God's grander design for us... We are not aware of the
blessings that are soon to follow! "Ye cannot behold with your natural
eyes for the present time, the side sign of your God concerning those
things which shall come hereafter.... For after much tribulation come
the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with
much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand" (d&c 58:3-4)
I testify that those words are true! I've experienced the blessing
that come after trials and I know that they are from God. He is the
source of all truth, love, pure joy. Seek after those promised
blessings continually. Come unto Christ, he is waiting with open arms
for you to run to him so he can be your support and guide and through
him you will never be left wanting. Receive daily the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and you shall never wander astray. On this long hard journey
through life, never forget who you are, where you came from, and where
you are going. We each have a divine destiny. I know that my Redeemer
lives, and through him ALL mankind can be saved if we but accept the
invitation to, "Come Follow Me". I love The Lord and it's In him where
I find peace.
I want to close my letter this week by inviting each of you to choose
one thing in your life that you feel is keeping you from coming closer
to Christ, and the fix it. Try this week to draw nearer to God...Then
I want you to share your testimony on your experience with someone!
Write it down in a letter to a family member, friend, whoever. Post It
on Facebook(and tag me in it if you do). Share it on Instagram or in
an email... Bear testimony in fast and testimony meeting... Or do all
of the above! Doesn't matter how you do it, just as long as you are
trying and share your testimony! I am very serious about this
challenge and I want all of you to do it. I WILL follow up next week
on if you did it! I want to hear back about your experiences! :)

I love you all so very much! :)

Love,
Sister Carly Lewis