Hello All!

Hello!

What a wonderful weekend we've just had! :) I love General Conference as much as I love Christmas and Easter.

After all that I heard and learned today, I am just overwhelmed by the incredible sense of love I feel from the Prophet and all the General Authorities. They carry such a strong spirit of charity. I know without a doubt that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. He has been called to lead and direct us on this earth today, and if we follow his counsel, we will not go astray.

Elder Scott took us back to the basics, giving us 4 ways to handle mortality's challenges:

1. Pray. Tell Him everything that concerns you, your full range of feelings and experiences. Include Him in every aspect of your daily lives. Pray morning and night. 

2. Study the word of God in the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. (He said, if you need to rearrange your priorities: DO IT! His prophetic promise: As you dedicate your time daily to study God's words, peace will prevail in your life. It will come from within your own heart.

3. Weekly Family Home Evening. "Have a marvelous time together."

4. Go to the temple often. Pray about and ponder the temple ordinances.

It was a good reminder to me that challenges help us grow and become more like our Heavenly Father. 

Have a super week! :)

-Sister Lewis

939 W. Main St. 

New Lebanon, OH 45345

Busy! But life is good.

Hello! 

This week has been full of great things! We had zone meeting, interviews with the mission president, and yesterday we had a sisters' conference. It has been a week of learning!

President Porter shared some insights with me to help me in the work, and yesterday he gave a great talk about the doctrine of women. He had us read in Moses 2, when it talks about the creation. If you read it, it goes through the different creations, starting with grass. Next, herbs (shrubs). Then trees. Each creation is a little more complex than the creation before it. Then, on the 6th day, mankind is created. Adam first, then Eve. Eve was Heavenly Father's crowning creation. :) 

I definitely know that women have a special role in Heavenly Father's work-- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Heavenly Father chose women to bear children. In bearing children, women are co-creators with the Savior and his Atonement. Without mothers, Heavenly Father's spirit children would not be born. If they are not born, they do not receive a body. If they do not receive a body, they are  subject to the devil. 2 Nephi 9:6-10. The moment a child is born, they are recipients of immortality. They will inherit a place in a kingdom of glory--never again to be subject to the devil. 

Fathers play a special role in the eternal scheme, too. Providing, protecting, and presiding. To preside is to "teach, bless, and set in order." Fathers provide and protect--both spiritually and temporally. The priesthood covenant helps them as they strive to become the men Heavenly Father needs them to be. Both men and women have a noble heritage! We are all children of God, we all have a divine nature and inheritance. Knowing this motivates me to be better--to do  more to help others reach their divine potential. 

I know Heavenly Father loves his children. I know that He has a special plan for each of us, and that we can know of that plan as we seek inspiration and guidance by the Spirit. :) I love this work! It's hard, because, as Elder Holland once said "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?" But, it is entirely worth it. I have seen the gospel change lives. The gospel makes good men better. It inspires us to reach higher. To forgive more freely. To love deeper.  I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and through His Atonement we can be cleansed and we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

I love you all. :) 

Be good.

Love,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

939 West Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

P. S. Shout out to my nephew, Braxton! Congrats on all your achievements! Way to run a 5K! Also, Happy Birthday to my big brothers, Sam and Thomas. I love you! :)

Hello all!

Dearest friends and family,

This week has been another wonderful week full of trials and growth. (What else is new?) :) The leaves are changing colors and it feels like fall! 

I don't have a lot of time, but I wanted to share an insight I came across this week. 2 Nephi 5: 15-16, 27

Nephi says:

15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.

 16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

So, Nephi teaches his people to build temples.

The result:

27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

Do you see it? When we go to the temple, when we make sacrifices to worship there, when we center our lives on Jesus Christ, we will live after the manner of happiness.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to hear counsel from the leaders of our women's organizations of the church this past Saturday evening. Many of the messages focused on the temple and the sacred covenants we make there. 

As I listened, I was overwhelmed by deep gratitude for the blessing of having a temple so close to where I live. I am looking forward when I will get to go to the temple with the other missionaries in a couple of weeks.

President Uchtdorf spoke Saturday night as well. To paraphrase, he said: " If you place selfish desires and unworthy ambitions on the altar (sacrifice them for something better), then you will discover yourself--your best self--your real self." 

I love that. God asks us to give of our money, our time, and our talents to further His work. His plan, His glory, is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". His whole goal is our eternal happiness. He asks us to give ourselves to Him. Everything He does is designed to helps us grow, to help us learn, ultimately, to help us become like Him. What a plan! :) What great love He has for us. :)

Well, I suppose that's all.

I love you all. I know Jesus Christ is the Way to happiness. If you want to learn more "ask the missionaries, they can help you."

-Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

939 W. Main Street

New Lebanon, OH 45345

Write me! :)

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!