Valentine's Day

Background:  Nothing special this week, except that the things she is not suppose to "look at" was the talk from the Eyers about raising families that I sent as the Valentines greeting...it's nothing more than that! - Val

For VALentines day (as dad put it:)) I taught a lesson with another sister because we were on exchanges, had homemade pizza and banana splits that a memeber gave us, bought a salad from Cafe Rio that I haven't ate yet, and gave a talk at the program we had at the Visitor Center last night. That was my V-day. The lesson we gave was about how the Bible and the BofM work together and both testify of Jesus Christ. The lady is a strong 7th day adventist so the bible is very important to her. The sisters who usually teach her have taught her everything pretty much and were thinking about "dropping" her since she is not progressing. I thought maybe that teaching about the BofM throught the eyes of the Bible was an option to try before they stop meeting with her. The lesson went well and the Spirit was so strong. She had a wall built up at the beginning and by the end she became more softened. I don't know what will happen with her but it was a nice lesson. We read the talk given by Tad Callister at the last General Conference and that helped a lot. I recommend that talk to give to people if they have questions about the BofM and why it is so essential. I love it. While I was on my exchange with this other sister, my companion taught a man that we came across as we taught at that church service at the retirement apartment complex. Last Sunday we went to the retirement complex and ate dinner with a memeber. We then went to the room where they hold Sunday service and we sang a couple of hymns...one of which was "He's got the whole world in His hands". Ha! It was so funny and awesome. They then had us get up and talk about what we do as missionaries and why we decided to serve missions. Sister Lawrence told them what we do as missionaries and then I got up and told them why we are serving as missionaries. I shared a scripture of what Christ taught from the Bible in Matthew. I then proceeded to teach about the Restoration of the gospel and the prophet. We told a little about the BofM and then we sang the hymn "I know that my Redeemer Lives". That is what really brought the Spirit. There were about 15-20 people that were there. After we ended this man came up to me and asked how he could get a copy of the BofM. I told him that we could bring one by the next evening. He agreed. My companion and Sister Liddiard went and taught him and extended a baptismal date! I was so proud of my companion! He accepted it and we are going over there tonight to teach him again. It sounds like he has been looking for truth for a long time since he has belonged to 3 different churches I guess. I hope that he reads and prays. I'll let you know how it goes next time I chat with you...hopefully I remember:)

Last night I gave a talk in our program that was about the Book of Mormon. Usually they have me sing but instead I was asked to speak about Jesus Christ. I was nervous with such a big responsibility to talk about the most important man ever, but I just used a LOT of scriptures that testified of Him and that seemed to work. I love my Savior. It was a really good program. (Sister Lawrence I guess videod it even though she wasn't supposed to but she didn't know. Maybe somehow I will try to get that to you...)

Well I'd better go. We have a lot to accomplish today. OH...by the way thank you SOOOO much for the pillowcase! It was such a nice surprise! Can I just wash it normally? It is a huge pillow case. I will have to find a pillow that fits it:) Sister Lawrence loved her socks and her dog card! She loves dogs. She might have to someday meet Nick and Tootsie. She would LOVE them.

I love you all so much. I cannot look at some of the things you send just so you know...I'm just not supposed to. But thank you for sending them anyway!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Lewis

I got your package and I loved it! I loved all the stuff that Dobbie made. Tell her that I had an idea of when I get home I want to have a missionary day with her where we get to be companions for a day and we can plan out a day to go help people in the ward. We will plan our meals and naps as well of course (my kind of mission) but other wise I want a missionary day with my companion Dobbie! It will be so great!

It sounds like everyone is doing good. Tell Marie that she should start reading Preach My Gospel and learning stuff now. I promise it will help her. Also tell Trent that everytime Baltimore Elders come to the VC I tell them that my nephew will be there in a few months...they are expecting him.  :)

This week has been busy. We got a call the other day from a lady who lives in a retirement apartment type thing and wants us to come talk at their Sunday service that they hold. We met her when we were visiting a lady from the ward and she ended up wanting us to come give the Sunday Service lesson. That will be this Sunday. I really hope that it goes well. It will be a cool experience I'm sure.

I love the idea of the 40 day fast. I will ask the ward council about it on Sunday. Maybe that is what we can try this transfer. The lady from the Philippines that we met with last week came to church on Sunday and she loved it. She will be coming again this Sunday. She is the sweetest lady. I hope that we can meet with her soon. 

Let's see. The work is good but slow. I was reading about patience this morning and read a good scripture about it in Alma 26:27. It was really good for me to read. The Book of Mormon is so true and it does help us solve all problems that we face.

I don't have a lot of time today to chat. I have to go soon. Thank you for all that you do for me. Just to let you know, my best friend here on the mish is going to send you some pics of us because she is awesome. Her name is Liddy (Sister Liddiard). I love her. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Please keep me updated on everything and I will try to do the same. Oh ya, mom I should tell you that one of the senior sisters just told me that she wants to set me up with her son. I guess you don't have to worry that people are still trying to look out for me here on the mission. So funny and weird all at the same time.

I love you and miss you all! Talk to you soon!

Me

Background:  Janell is laughing about a trip we took with Jodee to Las Vegas a week ago.  We had some funny mishaps with her new scooter as she drove around, especially in elevators.  Val 

HAHAHA! Ok. So I DIED laughing about your experiences in Las Vegas! Oh man, I so wish I would have been there for some of those. I was reading them and laughing out loud! My companion was asking what was so funny...oh good times. Just wish it would have been video taped.

Oh I was so happy to hear from you all and to know that you all had such a good time! I can't wait to get back and Dobes can take me around LV. That show sounds like it would be fun to go to:)

I love hearing that I have the smartest sister in the world! 100% on everything. Nice! I'll want updates on everything about that. I loved the pictures of her house. It looks like it is coming along. Tell her that I miss her and I say hello! Someday I want to be as smart as her!:)

Well I got the email about the 50th anniversary but I couldn't read it all because my computer was so slow last week. I think I read that I was on a committee? Is that right? Well...of course I have some ideas as far as the entertainment is concerned. I think a brass band would be fun to have playing some oldies that you two like. I think there should be a little dance at the end to close up the night that you two get to slow dance to a trumpet and strings playing a song like "The Way You Look Tonight" or something awesome like that. You'd like that I think. If I were there I would have people sing and tell stories about you two. Please make sure that you video tape all of it. Preferably have two cameras recording the night, one filming the entertainment and the other videoing you two watching it. I want to see it all when I get home. I can't lie that I cried when I thought about missing this event. Last week was a little hard but all is well now. You two are the most important people to me on this earth. I'm so grateful that you chose me to be in your family. I am so grateful for your examples to me. It has helped me so much here on the mission.

We just met with a lady this morning that has been in contact with one of the sisters from the VC. She and her family came into the VC during Christmas and come to find out that she is a member but doesn't remember anything about the church. Her and her husband are looking for a church to attend because they want something for their kids. She is such a wonderful person and I can tell the Spirit was there today when talking to her. It is so amazing to see how the Spirit works and testifies to people. What an amazing gift we have. What an amazing knowledge to know that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us and is so aware of us. He is always there. He has a plan for us. He gave us families to be with forever. There is so much hope and happiness we can find because of our Savior Jesus Christ. I love this gospel and I love how it changes lives for the better.

I have to check about the video camera idea. My mission President said that I could record my testimony and send it. I know that Diane wanted that a while ago and I am so sorry that it has taken so long. It just has never happened but I can do it now. I don't know if she needs it anymore though but I'll send it anyway. I think I will do that and send the camera back to you. Please take more video and send it back to me. It was such an awesome present to see everybody, even though you two didn't say anything on it:) I will also send some pictures that I printed out for you.

Oh, one more thing. Mom, there is a CD in my car of songs that Rob Moffat wrote. It is a Christmas CD. There is a song on it that I want to show a lady we teach. I told her that I would try to get the CD so she could hear the song.

The work here is good. We met a lady from the Philippines this week and we hope that she is coming to church on Sunday. She is so ready for the gospel. She is such an amazing person. Her name is Evelyn.  I'll let you know how that turns out.

I love you all so much. Keep me updated with everything!

Love,

Sister Lewis