I moved! :) I am now serving as a sister training leader in the Little Miami Ward in the Cincinnati East area. :) The ward is HUGE! There are about 265 people who come each week on average. The members here are very focused on sharing the gospel with their friends and it's exciting to be serving here! I'm serving with a new companion, Sister Syndergaardfrom Roosevelt, UT. :) She is an amazing and powerful missionary, I will definitely be learning a lot. She's been really patient with me as I have been trying to learn the area and the ropes of being a sister training leader.
As a sister training leaders we are responsible for working with the zone leaders to motivate, uplift, and train the missionaries in our zone. We are in charge of arranging all the exchanges for the 4 companionships of sisters in our zone. :) It's awesome! One of my previous companions, Sister Carlson is in the zone, so that should be a lot of fun. :)
On Halloween we drove down to the mission home for an all-day leadership council. (For pictures see the Ohio Cincinnati Mission page). It was a wonderful experience! I love learning from President and Sister Porter and the Assistants. I took so many pages of notes. We talked a lot about being a consecrated missionary. But really, this applies to any member of the church who has made covenants with Heavenly Father. It takes discipline to be obedient to the commandments. We must offer something to live a life of sacrifice. We must give of ourselves (give our will) to set apart and dedicate ourselves to Him--to live a consecrated life. The greatest sacrifice we can make for Heavenly Father is that of changing ourselves. Heavenly Father wants us to give up whatever it is we don't want to give up. Why? Because that's when he can change us.
Sacrifice is an act. Consecration means changing your nature. You are the sacrifice.
We were given the example of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham waited years and years for Isaac. Isaac was pure and clean, he was the best son ever. Abraham was a wealthy man, he had land and riches. But God didn't ask him for his riches (though that might have been a sacrifice for him). He asked him to give his son--the person dearest to him.
(*funny side note: President Porter said it should have been Sarah--his wife should have been dearest to him.)
It just made me think, whatever it is in our lives that we are least willing to give up, that is what Heavenly Father wants from us. If it's a hobby that takes precedence over church service, or an addiction that takes time away from family, or even career pursuits that take our minds away from being a disciple-- He wants whatever we don't want to give up.Mosiah 7:33 helped me put it into perspective. 33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put yourtrust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure,deliver you out of bondage.
This weekend I have been working on giving a few things up. And let me tell you, it's not easy. But I have seen a change in myself already. Little things that might have distracted me or kept me from being effective are diminishing. In my own life I have seen how the Savior has helped deliver me from bondage.
I know that Jesus Christ is the key to overcoming any weakness. He suffered it all for us so he can help us through it.
11 And [Jesus Christ] shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
Jesus Christ suffered for our sins. But he suffered for other things as well, not because he had to, but because of his love for us. He did it so he could help us through our infirmities (weaknesses) and through our temptations and pains. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so happy that I can repent daily and change each day to become more like Him. :)
I hope everyone has a spectacular week! :)
Love,
Sister Sarah Jane Lewis
205 Sycamore Ln. #62
South Lebanon, OH 45065
Isn't it funny? I moved from NEW Lebanon to SOUTH Lebanon. :)
Letters and packages are welcome!!
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