Another Baptism, Another Companion

Pictures from the Cincinnati Reds Game

Hello all! 

Dennis's baptism went well. I didn't sing for it, President Porter has asked us not to participate in the program--it's the ward's opportunity to be involved and welcome their new member. :) It has been wonderful to see the gospel change him.

Sister Worthen is my new companion. She is from Ferron Utah (Central-Eastern Utah) She and I served in the Middletown ward together for my first transfer there.(There were 3 sets of missionaries there when I served there.) She's spunky. :) She's a very good teacher. We get along well. 

I have been thinking about discipleship lately. When we are baptized we make a covenant to always follow the Savior. To keep the commandments. To stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places. We literally take his name upon us.

I've also been thinking about forgiveness a lot. I've been teaching someone who struggles with forgiving someone that hurt him years ago. 

I know that sometimes it can be hard to forgive someone who hurt you, especially when it is someone you were close to. When a parent, a sibling, or a friend doesn't live up to your standards, breaks your trust, or fails to care, we can be left feeling a little bruised--emotionally, spiritually, even physically. But through following the example of our Savior and applying his Atonement, we can forgive. We can let go of anger, sorrow, and disappointment, and we can more forward with more love. We can be healed. And then we can put our energy into helping those who have hurt us, and lifting those who have failed us. We can be disciples of Jesus Christ, we can extend love to those who have felt it before, we can lend a listening ear.

I love the words of President Thomas S. Monson from this past General Conference:

"Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”4—a crowning expression in mortality of compassion and love.

There are many attributes which are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts.

Usually our love will be shown in our day-to-day interactions one with another. All important will be our ability to recognize someone’s need and then to respond. I have always cherished the sentiment expressed in the short poem:

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind."

My mission is teaching me that selflessness is really the only choice if we want to be happy. We have to put others' needs before our own, we have to ask "What would the Savior have me do?" We need to replace resentment towards others with love. If we pray for understanding, Heavenly Father will help us to know how to reach out and lift; strengthen and build; and love and serve those around us.

When I give more of myself, when I forgive, when I consider the needs of others, I am happier. :)

I love you all!

-Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

939 W. Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

Write me! :)

Love--the Essence of the Gospel

What a Week!

Dearest family and friends. It's been an incredible week. 

Monday we went to the Cincinnati Reds game. :) It was fun to see all my  missionary friends. (We rarely are all together as a mission... in fact, I've never seen us all together before. :)

Tuesday was great! We were able to teach a family that we haven't seen in a while. 

Wednesday we went to Englewood to help with the funeral of a man whose wife is in our ward. For me, it was a great opportunity to reflect on the Plan of Salvation. <-- Here's a video I like.

Thursday we had a fantastic district meeting where we learned more about Revelation. We watched Elder Bednar's "Patterns of Light"videos. :) wonderful.

Friday we helped a sister in our ward paint her dining room.

Saturday was our Media split day. We spend the day with members, they take pictures of us and post them on facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. And use the hashtag #mormon and #mediasplit. It gives non-members the opportunity to see what we're all about! It's always pretty fun! :)

We helped our Elders Quorum President pass out flyers for the Feed Ohio campaign at a grocery store. I was inspired by how giving people are! :) The world really is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people.

For dinner we ate with a family with 10 children. 7 of them are special needs children adopted from other countries. I am amazed by how well their family works together. Even with 10 children in the house, their home is a place of profound peace. It's evidence that the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families.

I'm still in New Lebanon. But Sister Hall is leaving. I will miss her! She's been a great companion, and I have learned so much from her in this short transfer!

Love,

Sister Lewis

Hello from O HI O

Hello family and friends!

Yesterday was a day of miracles! We had 5 investigators at church and we taught the 7 year olds in primary, and taught a lesson on the Sacrament for Gospel Principles. The family we're working with came to church. The mom approached us and said "we need to start having you over again. Our home needs it!" This is a huge miracle because we haven't seen them all (together for a lesson) in over 2 weeks. They recognize the absence of the Spirit in their home. :)

This week we had Zone Meeting and exchanges. :) Sister Colton came to our area to work. We had a good morning, we taught a lesson and went to contact a referral. When I got in the car afterwards, something on the dashboard told me that one tire was at 18 PSI. When we pulled into a gas station to investigate, it was down to 8 PSI. We had a screw in our tire. That was an experience. We thought we were going to have to change the tire in skirts. :) But, luckily for us, chivalry is not dead. A young man stopped to help us. 

This week I have been thinking a lot about diligence. Missionary life can be exhausting sometimes, but I've realized that my diligence  an expression of my love for my Heavenly Father. Just as my obedience to the commandments (missionary rules included) is an indicator of my faith.  I love this work. This week as I have increased my diligence, I have seen miracles. I know that as we persevere in doing that which is right, we will be happier. We will have more peace in our lives--the peace that comes from knowing the path we are walking is pleasing to our loving Heavenly Father and his Son. I know they live. I know they love us. I see that love every day. 

I love you!

-Sister Lewis

P.S. Next Tuesday is transfers! If you write me today, send it to my address in New Lebanon. otherwise send it to the Mission office. or wait til next week to find out if I move. :)

Oh! also! The whole mission is going to a Cincinnati Reds game tonight! :) Pictures to come next week.

Labor Day

Hello again!


In case you were wondering, preparation day is today, not yesterday. :) We were out laboring on Labor Day. And we had a good time of it, too. (Sister Hall and I began the day by singing "Have I done any good in the world today") I particularly liked the second verse, which uses the word "labor"

'Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love's labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

We had a great day yesterday, and found 4 new people to teach--and one family!

I don't have a whole lot to report, just that things are going well! Our new friend Dennis is working towards being baptized on the 20th of this month, so that's exciting! :)

This week in Sacrament meeting a young man shared parts of President Uchtdorf's talk "The Infinite Power of Hope" I enjoyed it and thought I would share. :) Click here to read it.

Have a great week! :)

-Sister Sarah Jane Lewis 

939 W Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

Write me!