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