They sent me "home" early!

We were at the transfer meeting and they said "In Peru 1 Sister Nielsen will receive...." and I knew it was my name they would call! :) For the rest of the meeting I sat in complete shock. I wasn't expecting to come back to Peru at all! TheMcDonalds drove us from transfer meeting back to Peru. It was good to be with them. I love Sister McDonald a lot. She's a sweetheart. We kept it a secret to the rest of the ward for as long as we could. :) I wanted to surprise everyone. We had dinner with the Tuckers (another one of my favorite families.) Brother Tucker said "It's like getting one of my daughters back." :) That night we visited the Kintner family, Sister Kintner came out teaching with us (we're teaching a family of 6--the Strong family). Sister Kintner was surprised as well. But my favorite thing was when Sister Waite came to pick us up and drive us to district meeting. Her face was priceless. We hugged and I cried. It felt like I was coming home. I love Sister Waite, she's so wonderful. I love Peru, too. Heavenly Father sure loves me a lot. 

My new companion is Sister Nielsen. She's from Idaho Falls, Idaho. She loves writing fantasy stories, reading, and cats. She's a stellar missionary and really loves the people we're teaching. :) We're getting along great. Working hard and having fun!

We went to a meeting in Muncie on Friday, then drove with the Hilemans to the Columbus Temple to do baptisms with Christopher for the first time. He was baptized in October. There were so many recent converts from the mission that there wasn't time for us (the missionaries) to do any baptisms, but we had a wonderful time helping in the temple. The Spirit is always so strong. It was cool to see new members being baptized for their parents and grandparents. It's awesome to be a part of that kind of missionary work. We're hastening the work of salvation! Another side note: I saw and visited with members from the Middletown ward, the Cherry Grove ward, and also the Eaton ward Bishop and his wife. :) It was pretty cool. Sad news, I got an update on my 84-year-old recent convert, Brother Howard. He was Baptized in Middletown, and he's not doing well. He's been in and out of the hospital. :( 

It seems surreal. I cannot believe I am back in Peru! I think Heavenly Father wanted me to see how much I've changed since I was here before. Sometimes I have a hard time seeing how I've changed. Being here has helped me see that I have changed. :) 

Sadly, I was not close enough to see Lauren's baptism. I hope it all went well. I'm waiting to hear back from her about how it went. :)

Yesterday in Sunday school we talked about Jesus Christ and what he means to us. I love being in the Gospel Essentials class because of the pure and simple testimonies that we get to hear from the recent converts and returning members. We were talking about how forgiving Jesus Christ is, I was reminded of Doctrine and Covenants 6:4, one of my favorite scriptures.

 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. If we build upon Him we are His.

 35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. A loving invitation from a friend.

 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. He is always there.

 37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen. He loves us and wants to bless us.

What a blessing to know that we have a loving Savior who cares about us individually. He wants the best for us and for our families, and He is there to help us achieve our greatest potential. :) I know He lives! I love Him and am forever grateful for His Atoning sacrifice on my behalf. 

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

It's true. He loves us, and we are His friends.

Well, I guess that's about it! I hope you are all having a wonderful day and a wonderful week! Write to me if you'd like. I have a new (old) address!

Carry on!

Sister Lewis

1858 S. Business 31 Apt. 2D

Peru, Indiana 46970

We took a Zone Picture after the District Meeting

We went to the Columbus temple to do baptisms with our recent convert, Christopher. :) President Porter was there too! :) Another tender mercy: Sister Abrams and Sister Carlson (sisters from my last zone) were there as well.

A major surprise!

My Goodness, this morning has been one of tears. 

Sister Syndergaard and I are both being transferred out of the area. I am soooo sad! I love this ward so much! We have had so many good things going on. And I can't believe we're being transferred because we are having a baptism on Saturday!!

All I know is that this week I asked Heavenly Father to send me wherever I needed to be to grow the most, or send me where I could be the most helpful. I am nervous and excited for my new adventure. In the words of President Hinckley "It will all work out."

It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.

It all works out. Don’t worry.

I say that to myself every morning.

It will all work out.

Put your trust in God,

and move forward with faith

and confidence in the future.

The Lord will not forsake us.

He will not forsake us.

If we will put our trust in Him,

if we will pray to Him,

if we will live worthy of His blessings,

He will hear our prayers.

This past week has been amazing. We have seen so many miracles. A young man that we met this week came to church yesterday! His Name is Nick. The cool thing about meeting him was that the timing was PERFECT. we met him on Tuesday and set up a return appointment for Thursday. He cancelled Thursday and rescheduled for Friday. Friday he told us that his mom passed away the day before. I know it wasn't a coincidence that we met him this week. 

My spiritual thought for this week comes from my favorite talk of the week. Some of you may have already heard it. If you haven't. Listen/watch here. 

"If we are focused on the things of the world, we can miss a whole spiritual world that is all around us. We may not be able to recognize the spiritual promptings that the Holy Ghost is anxious to give us to direct our lives and to bless others. Conversely, if we focus on the things of the Spirit and that which is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13), then we’re less likely to be sidetracked by the temptations and distractions of the world. The best way to avoid distractions is to have our focus firmly set on our purpose and be anxiously engaged in a good cause. Be careful of your focus—don’t spend time focused on climbing a mountain only to discover you have climbed the wrong one.

 Inspired thoughts produce good deeds; good deeds produce other good deeds, and so on, eternally.

Mark 4:20 says, “These are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”

The idea that small, simple but purposeful acts can have dramatic consequences is well supported in the scriptures. Alma taught his son Helaman:

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …

“… By very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).

One of life’s early lessons should be that there is great power in the compounding effect of little things that we do each day. Small and simple things are at work in your life right now—working either for you or against you. Just as the Lord uses such things to build you up, Satan uses them to distract you and lead you slowly, almost imperceptibly, off the path."

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Wish me luck! :)

Carry on!

-Sister Lewis

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

c/o Ohio Cincinnati Mission

P.O. Box 11671

Cincinnati, OH 45211

Many are Cold, but Few are Frozen.

Here's a winter photo from LDS.ORG for you to enjoy:

It's a cardinal--because I'm in the great OHIO!

WHAT A WEEK!!

Oh-so-many good things are happening! I don't even know where to begin! :)

I will just say... this week has been cold, but we are working HARD! (Thanks for the hand warmers, Cecily!) 

So, something cool I've been learning about that applies to any group: the church, a family, a mission, etc.

Doctrine and Covenants 63:63 Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off.

It sounds pretty harsh, but the principle is that when we repent as a church, as a mission, or as a family, we can receive grace. The opposite is true. When one person fails to repent (change/become converted) it robs the whole group of divine help. So! I'm focusing on doing what I can to tie up any of my own loose ends. :) It's awesome! We all get to be a part of THE Hastening!

Doctrine and Covenants 88:73-74

73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.

 74 And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom (THAT'S US!), a commandment that you assemble yourselves together (Work together!), and organize yourselves (Prioritize), and prepare yourselves(Put on the Armor of God daily), and sanctify yourselves (Repent--joyfully!); yea, purify your hearts (what do you desire?), and cleanse your hands and your feet before me (what am I doing with my time? With the time the Lord has given me?), that I may make you clean(An invitation to apply the Atonement more fully in our lives.);

It's an exciting time to be serving! :) I am so glad I get to be a part of this! The Lord is hastening His work! :) So many miracles are being poured out.  I am choosing now to strive to  "[b]e one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere. Don’t get drawn into some of the parlance of our day and try to “win” by intimidation or by undermining someone’s character. Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care." -Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword"

I hope you all have a lovely week! Do something nice for someone else today. :)

Much love,

Sister Lewis

205 Sycamore Ln. #62

South Lebanon, OH 45065

P.S. Transfers are next week. I don't think I'm going anywhere. :) Which is good, because I love it here. 

Happy New Year!

My challenge to you is to give yourself time today to "be still" and listen to Heavenly Father. Ask Him a question! :) 

"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences.

Because He respects your agency, Father in Heaven will never force you to pray to Him. But as you exercise that agency and include Him in every aspect of your daily life, your heart will begin to fill with peace, buoyant peace. That peace will focus an eternal light on your struggles. It will help you to manage those challenges from an eternal perspective." -Elder Richard G. Scott 

This new years was the best, most memorable I've ever had! President Porter gave us a packet of talks to read and questions to ask ourselves for a self-evaluation. :) It was awesome to take some time to read my patriarchal blessing and reflect on the vision Heavenly Father has helped me to create. 

What's your vision for your life?

In 100 years from now, what will I care about?

What do you want your life to be like when you're 50?

What will be important to you then?

What do you want your marriage to be like?

What kind of home do you want your children to be raised in? Describe the activities, the feeling and the tone of the home you desire.

What do you want your relationship with God to be like?

What do you need to do now to strengthen that relationship?

When you go home, what kind of woman do you want your family to see that you have become? 

What kind of woman do you need to become in order for this to be a reality?

                                

It was awesome to step back and think about what He  has planned for me. :) It's easy to get down on yourself, but thinking of how He sees you is ennobling. 

"Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence . . . 

Another regret of those who knew they were dying may be somewhat surprising. They wished they had let themselves be happier.

So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.

The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.

We do matter. We determine our happiness.

You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness. " -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful day and spectacular week! :)  Remember who you are! :)

Love,

Sister Lewis

205 Sycamore Ln. #62

South Lebanon, OH 45065

P.S. Does anyone know what this fruit is? We found it at Kroger. It smells like a lemon and looks like an octopus. 

P.P.S. Can't believe it. 2 months left. I'm finishing it strong!!

 Strange Fruit 

"God Moves in Mysterious Ways" and He knows how to use a GPS.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my favorite people!

(You really are my favorite if you've stuck with reading all my emails for 16 months. )

This week was fabulous because I got to do the Lord's work! Oh and also because it was Christmas and I got to Skype my family. (I  them.) To all my family members who weren't there: I missed you! :)

Sister Syndergaard and I enjoyed Christmas eve with a family who have a small farm and doggie-boarding house. :) I got to hold some cute goldendoodle puppies, and after dinner Sister Syndergaard and I were angels for the nativity. :)  I wish we had taken a picture. Meh, a photo probably couldn't have handled all our heavenly glory. hehe.

Christmas day was a bundle of fun! We skyped our families from the McGee's home (see attached picture), visited a couple of single sisters, and one of our recent convert families. We had dinner with the Simmons family (Mom! they even had carrot pudding for dessert). 

Christmas as a missionary is the BEST. The Spirit of Christmas is really the Spirit of Christ. And the best way to bring that Spirit of Christ is to serve others. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ full-time. :) In serving others, I really am the one who learns the most. That is a gift I will ever be grateful for. 

Yesterday we had a pretty cool thing happen. We had just finished contacting some people who had been referred to us in Morrow, and we were heading to Maineville to visit a member when all of a sudden Sister Syndergaard said "who is that on our GPS?" There was a little icon in the middle of the road a few hundred feet in front of us. (Each icon represents a person in the ward.) This was not someone we had met before. So we went in search of Jamie. She didn't live in the middle of the road, but she did live in Maineville. After a few dead ends, we finally found Jamie's house. We knocked on the door. Her ten year old peeped through the window next to the door and said "I don't know who it is" to the residents therein. Soon thereafter a man opened the door. His wife followed after him. They invited us in. When we asked if we could come back later this week to get to know their family better, the dad said "yes!" Jamie is a less-active member and her husband is Catholic, and they have two little boys. It was a miracle that we found them last night, and that we found them all together and at home (Jamie is a pharmacist and works odd hours). :) It was pretty cool. After meeting them, I thought back to something that had happened earlier in the day. I had been flipping through the hymnbook and stopped on the hymn "God moves in in a Mysterious way." How fitting. :) If he needs to, Heavenly Father will place a tiny icon in the middle of the road to catch our attention. :) It's all because he loves us! I know it's true!

I love you all! Have a good week! Choose to be happy!

Love,

Sister Lewis

205 Sycamore Ln. #62

South Lebanon, OH 45065

Write me letters! 

A Savior Was Born: Rejoice!

The Ward surprised us with gifts! The ward loves us, and we love the ward!

Merry Christmas to all!

Tuesday we had a wonderful Christmas conference! There were probably 20 different musical numbers. The Spirit was so strong as we talked and testified of the Savior through words and music. :) We watched "What Shall we Give?" and wrote down what we were going to give up for the Savior. I am so grateful that He is there to help me as I make changes in my own life. I've been thinking a lot about Ether 12:27

7 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

As we strive to learn and improve, we will be shown our weaknesses so we can, with His divine help, turn them into strengths. It's a process! But I'm believing and I'm hoping and striving to help others do the same. Repentance is joyous, just as Elder Christofferson said "Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration." (The Divine Gift of Repentance)

 Ether 12:4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

It is hope, belief, and faith in the Savior's Atonement that has carried me when I could not carry myself. When my soul was sorrowful because of my sins, I relied on Him. This is the joyous message of Christmas. A Savior was born! He lives! And because He lives we all will live again. We are free from the bondage of death and sin. :) What a miracle. What a Gift.

Merry Christmas! May the Spirit of Christ surround you this week.

Much love,

Sister Lewis

christmas.mormon.org

easter.mormon.org

Exchanges with Sister Carlson

Another Great Week!

Hello all! 

This week has been sweet.

On Friday I had a great study. I was reading a talk by Elder Maxwell and 2 Nephi 4. It's one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. If there's one lesson I have learned on my mission, it's that repentance is such a beautiful thing.Nephi's psalm really touched my heart as I read it. :)  Each time we open the scriptures, we learn something new. I just thought I would share a quote from the talk. :)

 

"Jesus instructs us, for instance, that we are to come unto Him (see Alma 5:34; Matt. 11:28–30). However, as you have noticed, when we strive to come unto Him, we come to see how He will then make our weaknesses better known to us, sometimes painfully, in order to help us to progress. Christ even promises us that He will make some weaknesses into strengths (see Ether 12:27). . . As to the location, nation, time, and circumstances in which our personal discipleship is placed, we should, as the scriptures say, be content with the things allotted to us (see Alma 29:3, 6). Yet there will be an accompanying divine discontent in order to spur us on as we strive to become more like Jesus." -Neal A Maxwell,"Testifying of the Great and Glorious Atonement"

Tomorrow we'll have our Christmas Conference. I will have to tell you about it next week. It is should be amazing. It was last year! Sister Syndergaard and I are going to be singing "His Hands." 

Here's a snippet from Sister Syndergaard's email this week:

This last week we have been teaching Mike and Clara. They have been coming to church with us for almost a month now. Mike has schizophrenia among other things and Clara has severe depression. They are very poor, but also very humble. It has been so cool to see Mike happy. He's always laughing when we are around and says things like "I want to be a Mormon!" or "The 27th is too far away. I think that I should get baptized this week." Haha! It is so funny :) A friend of Mike's told him once that we were weird and this was the message that was left on our phone... "Hello Sisters, I am really upset right now. I'm just really upset. One of my friends told me that you guys are, well that you, you're weird. BUT YOU'RE NOT WEIRD!EVERYONE FROM THE CHURCH IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME AND I LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART. YOU'RE NOT WEIRD. AND I BELIEVE YOU AND NOT THEM! Anyway call me back. I'm really upset right now."

Haha, It cracked us up :D He is the sweetest man you'll ever meet.

:) Have a wonderful week! I love you all!

-Sister Lewis