Transfer to New Lebanon, Ohio

Here's a picture from transfers this week. From Left: Sisters Swenson, Ashcraft, Johnson, Ison, Lewis, Carlson.

It was such a great transfer meeting! :)

Think. Do. Become.

To my dearest family and friends,

This week has been WONDERFUL. We were blessed to have Zone Conference in Centerville this past Thursday. It was a great way to celebrate my year mark. (Before anyone asks, yes. It has flown by.) We left the meeting uplifted and edified by the Spirit. :) That's always a good feeling. Since I loved what we learned so much, I thought I would share a bit of it with you!

President Porter talked a lot about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End). What stood out to me was what he said about repentance. He asked us to come up with one word that could sum up repentance. That word is change. When we repent, we change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors to become like Jesus Christ. The changes that we make lead us to baptism, which covenant puts us on the path of determination to follow the Savior. Then we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost--whose influence renews us as we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent and renew our covenants each week.  And then we endure to the end! Not only do we keep going on the path of discipleship, we keep growing. Our Heavenly Father's purpose for sending us here is so that we can grow, so we can be changed when we return to live with Him. He wants us to be new people. As I reflect on the things I've learned so far on my mission, I can honestly say that repentance and the Atonement have been the biggest lessons I've learned. Without a Savior, I could not change. I could not rise above the weaknesses that hold me captive. I would be bound forever by my sins and infirmities. But because I have a loving Savior, I can be more. I can do more. And it all begins with what I think. I have learned that repentance begins with changing my thoughts to be aligned with Heavenly Father's will. Because my thoughts influence what I do. What I do determines who I will become. 

 

I love you all! Be good. Have fun. Be loving. :)

Love, 

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

939 West Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

"Now I’ll have to whisper, because this is a secret. If you want to wake up in the morning guaranteed to have a smile on your face, go to bed with a coat hanger in your mouth. Remember, a good sense of humor helps you greatly." -Elder Richard G. Scott, To Live Well

What a wonderful world!

Dear friends and family,

This week has been a great one! We found a few more families to teach! Heavenly Father is preparing people here to accept the gospel, it's great! :) 

I don't have much time to write today, but I enjoyed reading this talk and thought I would share.

God's Harvest

I hope you all have a great week!

I can't believe it will have been a year (this Thursday) since I went into the MTC. :)

Love you all,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

939 West Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

 15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should nothave compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget,yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thywalls are continually before me.

1 Nephi 21: 15-16

Where in the World is Sister Lewis?

Hello!

So, I'm sure you're all waiting on the edge of your seats to find out where I am!

Well, I'm in a little place called New Lebanon, Ohio. (It's part of the Eaton ward). It's a lot like Peru, Indiana. Except it's in Ohio. :) I like it here. There's lots of work to be done in this ward (it used to be a small branch, they just became a ward last year). I'm happy to be here! 

My new companion's name is Sister Hall, she was companion's with Sister Carlson in the MTC, so I knew of her before Tuesday. She's from Idaho Falls and she' super sweet! Oh, and she has red hair. That's my 4th companion with red hair. I'm noticing a trend... I'm just not sure what it means! (Heavenly Father must know that I've always wanted to be a redhead/that I like redheads! haha)

I've just been having a wonderful time out here, it's a beautiful place! We drive a lot because our area covers one and a half counties, which includes several little towns. :)

On Tuesday at transfer meeting sister Carlson told me that my investigator from Middletown, Brenden, would be getting baptized on Saturday. 

Tender mercy: because Eaton is close to Middletown (it takes 30 minutes to get there), I was able to attend Brenden's baptism. If I had stayed in Cherry Grove, or gone anywhere in Indiana or Kentucky, I wouldn't have been able to go. 

It was a wonderful baptism! After he was baptized, Brenden shared his testimony. It was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard from a recent convert. :) I am so happy for him and for the leader he is becoming! :) I"ll attach a picture.

I hope you are all having a lovely day!

Love, 

Sister Lewis

939 West Main St.

New Lebanon, OH 45345

Write me! :) Missionaries love mail!

Goodbye, Cherry Grove!

Sarah Jane with the ward's Bishop and his family

Well Folks,

I'm being transferred. We got the call this morning, I'll be leaving. Sister Burton will be staying to train a new sister. 

I have LOVED being in this ward, and Sister Burton has been a phenomenal companion for me. I have learned so much from her, and so much from the members here! :) We have seen so many miracles in this area. But, I'm excited to learn in a new area and from a new companion!  So, wish me luck! I'll let you know where I go next week. 

:) I have to pack, so I'll just share a talk I read and enjoyed this week. Here's a parable and a poem from it. For the full talk click here.

The parable: A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last theperfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box andline it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so otherscould share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon heturned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl.

The poem:

We are all blind, until we see

That in the [universal] plan

Nothing is worth the making if

It does not make the man.

Why build these [buildings] glorious,

If man unbuilded goes?

In vain we build the [world], unless

The builder also grows. ¹

Have a great week!

If you want to write to me this week, send letters to the mission office:

4610 North Bend Road

PO Box 11671

Cincinnati, Ohio 11671

Love,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

P.S. Keep your chin up. Heavenly Father loves you more than you can comprehend. His love is Always there.