B-b-bugs and Miracles

Howdy!

This week has been wonderful and weird at the same time. Definitely a memorable week--for many reasons.

Tuesday we has a wonderful zone conference and learned about the Restoration and the importance of the Book of Mormon in conversion. We learned some great things.

Wednesday we has a great time on exchanges with our sister training leaders in a neighboring city--while I was with Sister Fisher we found a family to teach. That's a story in itself!

Thursday after our morning study, I was walking past our bedroom, when I noticed a dark spot on one wall. I walked over to investigate. It was a bug. A bedbug. After flushing said bug to a watery grave, Sister Driesel and I turned our apartment upside down. We snagged someprometherin (anti-bug spray) and de-bugged the apartment. We're pretty sure that bug was our only one (it probably came in with us from our exchanges in the other sisters' area). Anyway, it gave us quite a scare. Eeek. *shudder*

On the very same day we received a media referral. His name is Giovanni and he's 15. He first heard about the church when someone on TV was mocking the Latter-day Saints, and he said to himself, "That's not right". He's noticed people around him seem to only bash other religions. He later came across a Mormon channel video, and the Church Facebook page. He liked it. In fact, after reading some on Mormon.org and lds.org, he said to his mom, "I'm thinking about becoming Mormon, would that be okay?" His mom said she was fine with that, since she allows her children to make their own religious choices. "Freedom of religion" she said. We visited with Giovanni for 20 minutes or so yesterday afternoon, and set up an appointment to come back. Finding Giovanni was such a tender mercy, he is just SO ready for the gospel. I am excited (beyond words) to teach him. I know that Heavenly Father is preparing people to accept the gospel! I love this work. I love this area. I'm so happy!

:) I love you all! Stay safe and happy!

Here's a video I saw and liked this week:Things As They Really Are

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

Have a Blessed Day!

Hello all!

This week I had the privilege of going to the Columbus Ohio Temple. What a blessing. It was much needed. I know that when we are weighed down by decisions or are burdened with "a load of care" we can go to the temple and receive personal direction from Heavenly Father. :)

Last night, we were able to visit with a member of the ward who has previously been very cool to the missionaries. We knocked on the door fully expecting them to tell us "we're not interested," but her husband let us in, and we were able to visit with her for a while. By the end of our visit we were laughing and talking like old friends. I shared a message with her about faith, (Alma 32:27) and we left. :) It was a miracle to see her heart softening. :) The Gospel changes people! I love it.

I love you all! 

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

I'll send pictures too.

I wasn't drinking the soda. there's a member here that gives us one every time we come. It's my destressor to open it and pour it down the sink. :) funny huh? :)

March 10. 2014

This week has been one of the best week's I've had since being on a mission! :) It began with a mission "funday" with President Porter and some of the missionaries in the surrounding two stakes. We played a few games and finished the afternoon by watching "17 Miracles". It was a perfect day. 

We had been praying and fasting that the weather would be favorable for Saturday's baptism, and that Brother Howard (age 84) would be healthy enough to be baptized.

Friday came, and Brother Howard was excited to be baptized. Saturday came. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. :) I have been so blessed to be a part of Brother Howard's journey. The baptism was one of the most spiritual I have ever been to. I had arranged for the missionaries to sing "Nearer My God to Thee". The Spirit was so strong! (I just love music!) It's a miracle to see how Brother Howard's desire to follow God has increased even in the few weeks that I've known him.

I know this work is God's work! I know it! I live it! I love it!

I know it I live it I love it!

I love you all! Have a great week! 

Be Happy!

The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up! 

Love,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

It was a miracle that Brother Howard's wife was able to come to the baptism. :) They are so sweet. True love right there.

Hello! Sorry So Quick!

Sarah and her new companion, SIster Driesel.

I have no time today--we're having a mission funday with President and Sister Porter.

This week after a teaching appointment with our investigator, Brenden, Sister Driesel said that during the lesson, while I was teaching, she though "Sister Lewis was sent here for Brenden." When she said that I knew that it was true. :) It's such a great feeling to know that I have been sent here to help specific people on their journey back to their Heavenly Father. :) I am so glad to have the opportunity to serve these Ohioans.

On Friday we had a Sisters-Only conference near Cincinnati. It was wonderful! :) I love being with all the sisters (there are 90 of us). We left uplifted and motivated. 

I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us individually. If you don't feel that he does, ask the missionaries. They can help you. Ask the Missionaries! :) And ask your Heavenly Father, because He knows and loves you. :)

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Lewis :) 

P.S. I'll send photos.

The Tuckers saying goodbye at transfer meeting.

Why Did the Speckled Gray Chickens Cross the Road?

Hello all!

I'm well on my way to seeing all three states within the boundaries of my mission! I'm in Middletown, Ohio! My companion's name is Sister Driesel, and she is a wonderful, hard-working missionary. The people here are great! ...Mind you, I still really miss Peru. But they say you'll always love your first area (especially if you spent almost 6 months there).

We're teaching a darling 84 year old man named Bill. He is so excited about his baptism on March 8th. He would have been baptized earlier if his daughter would have let him! (She wants the family to be here for it).

On my first afternoon here I met our investigator, Brenden. He's young (20's) and is so humble! He loves learning. At our last lesson with him we were talking about the Book of Mormon, and he told us that he's noticed that he's happier when he reads the Book of Mormon. He's been reading it every day. :) He's lived a pretty rough life--but it's amazing to me how quickly the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes people. There IS power in reading the Book of Mormon. If you want to experience that, give it a try--open it up every day and I PROMISE that like Brenden, you will feel happier. You'll have more strength to meet the challenges that come your way. :)

The first couple of days in Middletown were pretty rough (homesick for Peru, getting over a monster cold, etc.) So, my first night I knelt and asked my Heavenly Father to send me some help--so I could adjust more quickly and get to work.

The next day after our first teaching appointment, we were sitting in the car listening to "The Lower Lights" (awesome music, by the way) when Sister Driesel pointed out a group of speckled gray chickens crossing the street. Two or three cars were stopped so the chickens could cross the road. The sun was shining, the music was playing, and the chickens were crossing the road. I laughed. :) Then I turned to Sister Driesel and said 

"Why did the chickens cross the road?" 

"Why?" 

"To make the sister missionaries laugh!"

We laughed. :) To me, that moment was my Heavenly Father's way of brightening my day to help me adjust to an unfamiliar place. :) He knew what would make me laugh. Heavenly Father knows each of His children perfectly, and he loves to make them happy--even when it's something as little as chickens crossing the road.

I love you'ns! (That's one I've heard since being in Ohio)

Yours,

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

NEW ADDRESS:

218 D Bavarian Dr.

Middletown, OH 45044

P.S. Maybe when I get back I can pursue a career writing Laffy Taffy jokes. What do you think?

Adieu, Adieu, to You and You and You!

If you didn't read the title to this email to the tune from The Sound of Music, you read it wrong.

 

Well folks, I'm leaving Peru! We got the call this morning during our personal study. I can honestly say that I'm sad to go. Miami County has some pretty special people. I'll miss the Wabash River, camoflauge trucks, and the little kids that shout "Mom! The church ladies are here!!"

 

This week was pretty great. This week I only taught Relief Society--instead of teaching Sunday school AND Young Women's (last week). We had our interviews with the mission president on Wednesday in Fort Wayne. :) We spent all of Friday (Valentine's Day) delivering heart-shaped sugar cookies (thanks for sending the recipe, Mom!) and we did some teaching too, of course. Sunday's lesson went well, and our investigator, Jennifer, and her daughter came to church! :) I surely will miss these Hoosiers.

 

Recently I've been reflecting on how our Heavenly Father truly knows us individually. Being in Peru, meeting the people I've met, and learning the things I've learned has shown me how involved Heavenly Father is in our personal lives. I am grateful for the privelige of having the Holy Ghost to guide me to make decisions daily. I know that my Heavely Father cares about where I go and what I do. And I'm grateful that I can turn to Him to find my direction. Just as Nephi asked "Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?" we can ask our Heavenly Father where we should go, and what we should do to accomplish our purpose in life. When we ask, He will answer. We just have to listen. I know this because I have had my prayers answered. I have had paths illuminated for me, I have also been told when certain choices and decisions are not right for me.  I know Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers. Psalms 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

 

Have a great week!

 

Love,

 

Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

 

P.S. Be prayerful.

This Week from Peru

Hello!

This week was great! We had a zone meeting in Huntington, and a specialized training in Marion this week. We made new goals for the mission for 2014, and learned some teaching skills. :) The best part of it all: at the end of the meeting President Porter got up and said "Elders and Sisters, on Monday when you write to your parents, tell them to send you your temple clothes." We will be able to go to the temple every 6 months! What a miracle! :)

Yesterday we had dinner with a family in the ward. The dad of the family asked each of us to tell him about something we'd learned so far on our missions. For me my mission has taught me a lot of things, but recently I've come to recognize the role of grace in the work. When we get up and do our part, God makes up the rest. I particularly love Ether 12:27:

27 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.

When I replaced the word grace with enabling power, my perspective changed.

27 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 [enabling power] 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.

What a miracle the Atonement is! What a privelege we have to seek divine help from the Son of God! It is through Christ that we can do all things. I'll just finish with one of my favorite scriptures:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

I love you all! :)

-Sister Sarah Jane Lewis

P.S. If you were wondering... Transfers are on February 18th. I may be moving to a new area.

I attached a picture of me with Marge. She's one of the folks we do crafts with every thursday.

Sister Carlson and I visited our ward mission leader and his wife wanted us to take a picture with her "hobby tree." It's basically a Christmas tree that stays up all year round. She just changes the decorations according to the season. Sounds like a good excuse to not have to put it away every January. :)

Sarah and Sister Waite

Sister McDonald, Sarah, and Sister Leavenworth

Here's a picture of my desk. :) I thought you might like to see my little corner of the apartment. :)