Easter--My Testimony of the Savior

Dearest Family and Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! I know I did. Saturday began with a bright and sunny 70 degree morning. We helped an investigator paint her new apartment (that was fun!) and we made lovely Easter egg sugar cookies and delivered them to investigators and members. :) It has been wonderful-- all weekend we have been sharing our testimonies of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'd like to share that with you.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of our loving Heavenly Father. It is His Atonement and Resurrection that gives us the opportunity to repent, to change, and become more like our Heavenly Father. Because of Him we can rise above our circumstances and become something more than we are. I know our Heavenly Father sees us as we can become, not as we were, not as we are now. He loves us and wants the best for us. He sent His Son because of this great love. I know that Heavenly Father gives us commandments for our protection, and that our Savior is always there to offer us strength as we strive to keep the commandments, and as we face the trials that will inevitably come to us on our journey here on earth. I know that Jesus suffered for our sins individually--and that's what makes it possible for Him to understand our trials and struggles personally, completely. He can empathize with us perfectly, because He knows us perfectly. I know that 3 days after His crucifixion, He rose again. He lives! And He loves you. I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

Another Bedbug, Another Baptism, Another Wonderful Week.

Hello all!

This week has been a whirlwind of activity and emotion! We've had ups and downs, most of them were crammed into the latter part of the week.

Thursday we had a wonderful lesson and chapel tour with Giovanni. The spirit was so strong as we taught him. When we asked him how he felt, he said he felt at home, and that the feeling he had was as if there were some indescribable power filling him. Yes, he felt the Spirit. At the end of the lesson, he accepted a baptismal date of April 19th! We were so happy and excited for him.

Friday was my sister's birthday (Happy Birthday, Cecily!) When Sister Driesel and I got up to exercise, I was pulling on my socks when I looked down at my leg... and there, sitting serenely on my leg was ... you guessed it: a bedbug. EEK. The horror. The horror.

Thanks to some trusty zone leaders, we soon sprayed the apartment, and washed and dried our clothes and sheets again.Also, the other sister missionaries in our ward helped us throw away our couch and chair. (We weren't taking any chances). We're pretty sure we got the bug from an investigator--who we had actually dropped the night before. We're pretty confident that we are bug free in our apartment, but if you know how to pray, you could pray that all the bedbugs die. :) 

Saturday began with less chaos than Friday. Thank goodness. Soon after our morning study, we received a voice message from Giovanni's mom. Her husband just found out that Giovanni was going to be baptized, and won't allow it. So, that was a sad start to our day. About 20 minutes later we received a phone call from another new investigator, Teri. She had some questions and wanted to see us. We were able to see her later that afternoon. We invited her to come to the General Women's Meeting that night. She attended with us, and enjoyed it. She came to church on Sunday as well, and while we were sitting in the chapel, waiting for sacrament meeting to start, she asked "How long do I have to come here before I can be baptized?" :) She will be baptized on April 26th. At the end of church her friend (a member of our ward) asked her if she liked church. She told him "No, I didn't like it. I LOVED IT!" 

:) Bedbugs, miracles, just another wonderful week in Middletown.

Transfer calls came this morning. Sister Driesel will be transferred and I will be training again. 

Love to all! :)

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

218 D Bavarian Drive

Middletown, OH 45044

Write to me. :)

Because of Him

Hello!

This week has been a great one. :) This week will be a great one. Instead of reading about all the things I did this week, I would like to ask you to watch this video and share it on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Share it with everyone you meet this week. tell them to go toeaster.mormon.org :) We have so much to be grateful for, and it's all Because of Him. John 8:12

I love you all!

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

Be grateful.

218 Bavarian Drive Apt. D

Middletown, OH 45044

General Conference!

While stuck at at a railroad crossing... we took a picture!

Dear Everyone, 

Today's email will be short due to a zone activity in Centerville. I'll write more next week.

General Conference was wonderful, we were able to have 3 of our investigators watch. :) There were so many good talks, but I especially loved Elder Bednar's and Gary E. Stevenson's. And ... a lot of the others. To me, one of the overarching messages of conference wasfamily--what more can we do to strengthen, protect, and bind our families together?  

Here are some of my favorite quotes from conference. 

"Those who face their fears with faith have courage as well." -Thomas S. Monson

"Obedience is an emblem of our faith" -L Tom Perry

"The family is the pattern of Heaven." -Lawrence E. Corbridge

I hope all of you are studying Preach My Gospel!   (Elder Ballard said so!) :)

Have a great week.

Oh! Also, I'm training again! Sister Swensen is from British Colombia, Canada! She's super sweet. I love her.

Love you all,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

218 Bavarian Drive Apt. D

Middletown, OH 45044