New Messages Part 2

Family!

Great to hear from you as always. To answer some of your questions mom, my p-days have been on Thursdays but next week it will be on Wednesday. It just depends if we are scheduled to work at the VC on Wed which we have been. My schedule there changes every week. Sometimes we have a lot of shifts and other times we only have a couple. If people are coming out it is not guaranteed that they will see me but I guess that is ok since I'm not supposed to have people visit me. Which reminds me, Diane was talking about coming here after she picks up Mindy. As much as I would want to see them, I cannot arrange anything because I would be breaking rules and I would feel bad. If I run into them...I cannot control that:) But I probably won't be able to teach with Mindy. I would LOVE to have her come out with me to teach Russian people but I know that my President will say no...so there it is. I love seeing people that come out here and I just happen to be at the Visitor Center. I guess that is what will happen when one gets called to the capitol of the US AND serves at one of the biggest attraction spots in DC. It is awesome!
Tell Jacob and Jen congrats on the new one! He is so cute and Lizzy is HUGE! What the? She is old. Weird how that goes. Also thank you for sending the funeral program. I'm glad it was a nice program. I hope the kids are doing alright.
This week has been a busy one. I feel like this area is so busy. We are always on the go and i LOVE it! I love teaching people and seeing the happiness that it brings to them. So wonderful. We have a baptism next Sunday for Michelle. She is so awesome. I didn't teach her at all but I get to watch her be baptized and be so happy. That I guess is truly my favorite part anyway:) She is SO funny and I love being around her. We also had a couple of miracles last week and we are able to get a couple of people on date to be baptized. This is such a blessing to them! I love it! Cadie and her daughter Yvonne are set to be baptized in a few weeks. They are from Africa. Love them.
So funny thing happened last night at the VC. A guy called in and he told us that he wanted to propose to his fiance at the temple and wanted the sister missionaries to be there and be singing as he proposed. Well, us sisters thought that would be a little awkward but we wanted his night to be the best it could be. Ended up that he proposed by the temple and then brought her in to the VC and went into a theatre and there were sister missionaries singing, "Come thou Fount" as they walked in. It is what he wanted. After that song they sang "All Creatures of our God and King"...another song he wanted to be sung. I help arrange everything and assigned sisters to sing. I wasn't in the room of course because I was too embarrassed. I guess the fiancee was crying so it went well apparently. SO funny. They then watched a movie we have that is about families so that is good. I love the VC. You never know what you are going to get.
I love the mission. I love the VC. It is so fun to talk to people but also so fun to have so many sisters and elder couples serving to talk to and have fun with. I am convinced that this was the best mission for me and I would not survive any other mission.
Thank you for always sending me emails and keeping me updated. Dad, I'm so excited for your meeting with Steve and Brian. I will be praying for you. I really hope it goes well! I love fastball! Oh, I forgot to tell you. There is a senior couple serving that is in Rene's home ward in Orem and he was a pitching coach for BYU. Coach Knoll. He is a great guy and it is fun to talk baseball with him when I see him.
Anyway, I love you all so much!

LOVE,

Sister Lewis 

New Messages Part 1

Ok. There is so much to talk about.

The new area is GREAT! There are so many people to teach (well after DC "so many people" is more than one). And people are so nice. We don't get many dirty looks and that is a nice change. We have a continental breakfast at the apartment complex where we stay so we tried it out this morning and everyone knew who we were and all said hello to us. It was so awesome! I met John and Gabriel. They are super nice. Gabriel is a Jewish man that loves to talk to us. I guess he wants to find a mormon girl who will convert to Judaism. Ha. Funny guy:) Lets see, we are also teaching a lady and her 8 year old daughter. The mom is from Africa and she is just the sweetest person. Her daughter LOVES us and the Book of Mormon. She loves the Celestial Kingdom and said that she wants to go there. They came to church on Sunday and all of her kids loved it. We get to see them tonight. I love seeing them. They have special spirits about them.

There is another lady that we go see. Her husband is a member but she is not but she LOVES the missionaries. She feels like a second mom. When we go over she has us do crafts. She is so fun. We are going over there this Saturday for dinner. She is great!

To answer your question about my apartment, it is SUPER nice. Well for a missionary apartment anyway it is nice. I get my own bathroom which is awesome. My companions are great. I love teaching and having a full schedule. It is funny because I was talking to someone not too long ago that if I just could have a full calendar to do missionary work, I would love it. And...I have a pretty full calendar which is SO nice. I love meeting all of these people. We have a baptism coming up. Her name is Michelle and she is hilarious! When she found out how old I was she said that she trusts me. Funny because she tells everyone that she doesn't trust them. Ha. I guess my age is a blessing.

Today was the coolest because we went with the Cardall's (senior couple) to DC for the Cherry blossoms. The festival is next week but they say that the blossoms will be gone by then so we all went today. It was my companions and SIsters Liddiard, Bleazard, Joost, and Avelar. It was SOOOO fun! We went and walked around the Jefferson Monument. It was GORGEOUS! Oh my, so pretty. We took lots of pictures so I will try to get those printed off and sent to you soon. I have never been to that monument so it was really interesting. Elder Cardall told us that Thomas Jefferson believed in God but said that the church of Jesus Christ was not on the earth. He said that it would take a prophet of God to bring back the same church that Christ had when he was on the earth. Four years after he said that, Joseph Smith saw his vision. So cool huh? We learned a lot from Elder Cardall today. It was fun. They remind me of you two so needless to say I love them a whole lot! They are so fun. They took us out to pizza afterwards. It was such a good day. (Oh and also we recorded Elder Cardall doing a report on the cherry blossoms...it was so funny. He used to be a reporter for KSL in Utah so we had him give a stand up. So great! He also did many documentaries of the prophets of the church just fyi if you want to look them up)

So the most awesome thing happened two days ago. I was at the VC because my companion was performing that night and I was talking to people before it started. I was talking to Matty, a guy that was in my former area, when I looked behind them and I thought I saw my friend Meagan Downey. I stopped and did the biggest double take ever. And after about 10 seconds I realized it was HER!!! I was so surprised!!! I ran over and gave her the biggest hug. We walked around the VC and talked and went to the fireside together. It was SOOOOO fun. I introduced her to all of my friends at the VC. She had them laughing of course in no time. LaRene knew about it! I can't believe she didn't tell me. I guess that is good though cause it was a shock. She was in town visiting her other friends. I showed her kiosks with Marvin Payne and Lita. She knows a lot of the people on the kiosks. So fun. I also get to see Tasha again in a couple of weeks because they are going to be performing "The Garden" at the VC. Her sister Perla (also my friend:)) is directing it. It is going to be so amazing. They are both so incredibly talented it's ridiculous really. It will be so fun to watch!

Well as you can see it has been busy and fun lately. I have been very blessed. I'm happy to hear that you all are doing so good. I love you all so much! I think about you all the time and how much I love you all. Thank you for all that you do for me!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Lewis

Transferred

Hello my family!

Yes, I am now out of DC. I have been there my whole mission thus far. It is weird to be out of there. I got used to everything and how city life was. I feel like I'm in a regular town. I have been transferred to Laurel Maryland and I have 2 new companions, Sister Fehlam from Mesa, AZ and Sister Wankier from Brigham City, Utah. They are both pretty new and great sisters. Fehlman has been out 2 transfers and Wankier just finished her first. We are in a trio. That will be interesting and fun. Yesterday I got to sit in the back seat of the car and close my eyes! I didn't fall asleep but it was so great to close my eyes:) Ah the joy of not driving. I may have them drive the whole transfer:) haha

I was looking at a picture of all the sisters that are on the wall of the VC director's office. There are about 4 or 5 rows of our pictures with our names underneath. I was looking yesterday and my picture is on the second row! That means I'm one of the old ones...well I AM the old one but this just means old in the mission age. Kind of funny to see. I never thought I'd make it to the 2nd row (that is the row that the oldest sisters are and where they end their missions). I am far from ending the mission but it was weird to see.

Just to let you know since I am with lots of new things I am at a very ghetto computer in a library where the computer is about my age (no joke) and takes FOREVER! AND it only gives me 30 minutes to email. Needless to say, while I'm in Laurel the emails will probably be a lot shorter. I don't know the people yet here but the work will probably be a lot more fruitful than Chevy Chase. There are a lot more investigators that they are working with so that will be nice to teach again...I think I forgot. Ha, good thing there is the VC where I can teach people who come in. Hopefully we will be able to see some baptisms. That will be fun. I loved the people in the Chevy Chase ward and I will miss them but I'm excited to meet these new people. Our apartment is nice so that is a good thing. Oh and my new district leader is serving in the College Park ward so I am still connected with the Antoniaks in a way (that is my shout out to Tasha :))

It sounds like you are staying busy and Jodee is being such a good missionary! I can't wait to be her companion when I get home! I have seen many miracles in the past couple of weeks. The Lord loves us so much. He is so aware of all of us. This work is SO true. I love it. I just watched a documentary at the VC called "Journey of Faith". It is SOOOO good. I recommend it. It is all about the Book of Mormon and is so interesting. I sure do love the Book of Mormon.

Well, I have to go now. My time is running out. Thank you for all you do! Thank you for your prayers! I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister Lewis

Sorry, P-day was Thursday this week so that is why I am a day late. Next week it will be on Wed so don't delay your letter. Next week are transfers so that means that me and my baby will be parting. She is NOT happy about it. I'm not allowed to talk about it. I think it is so funny. She just doesn't like change. I know that she will be way better off with another sister so she will be happy in a couple of weeks I'm sure. Because of her newness I'm not sure if she will be transfered or if I will be. I have been in Chevy Chase ward for 3 transfers now and usually that is the limit even though some sisters have stayed in areas up to 4 transfers. Because she is new I may stay. I have been in DC my whole mission. There are only 2 sister areas that are located in DC, all the others are in Maryland. Most sisters never serve in the city...I have been here the entire time. Apparently I am the city girl. It's not the easiest area needless to say but I am having fun working with the less actives in this area. There are a LOT. If I get transferred that means that I will be moving apartments. I'm not a big fan of moving but I do like change. I don't know. I don't mind whatever happens. I have loved the DC area. Heavenly Father knows best so I will just go with it!

This past week has been a blur. It has gone by fast. Probably for one of the first times ever we have had appointments! I wish I could say that it has been with investigators but it has been with mostly less actives. You asked about the lesson last week at the visitor center. It went very well! I think it softened his heart for sure. We saw him again on Tuesday and he was a lot more calm and nice and he is coming to the Paul Cardall (a well known piano player in the church world and the son of one of my favorite senior couples at the vc, the Cardall's) "Why I Believe" program on Sunday. I really hope he comes and that the Spirit will witness of the truth to him. I know he has felt it but he is a little subborn at times. I love the VC because it always has the Spirit in abundance so people can just feel it! I love that I have these kinds of tools because I know I cannot do it alone. I have used so many videos, mormon messages, I AM Mormon profiles, in my teaching. They do the teaching. It is SO nice to have those resources. You should all check out those on lds.org or mormon.org or refer your friends to look at them. They are fantastic and very well done.

Mom, you talked about coming here. I know we will have more time to talk about it but I don't know if you want to spend the money to come out here. I would love to show you around and there is a lot to see. I would probably take you on a tour of the VC and show you awesome movies:) But I am scheduled to go home right before Thanksgiving so I know flights will be super expensive and the holiday wouldn't be with the family. Just something to noodle on.

I love this work. I love the Visitor Center and being able to give tours to people. Sometimes I get a little nervous not knowing what to say that will help them but the Spirit always testifies of the truth. I love the temple. It is the best place on this earth. I love to tell people about it and how it will bless their lives and their families. I love to see it when people "get it". When you know they feel it and they want to know the truth. It is the best thing to witness. I love to be able to testify everyday of what I know to be true. I was thinking long and hard about it this week and I am very sure that I would not serve a mission if I did not KNOW for a surety that this work is pure truth. I know that this gospel is true. I see miracles all the time. We will pray that a certain person will desire to meet with us again and low and behold the next day she called us and we went and met with her. There is so much power in prayer. I am so grateful for all your prayers in my behalf. I pray for all of you. I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had in my life that have prepared me to teach the gospel. I'm so grateful for my testimony. I'm so grateful for the scriptures and the power that they have. Read them. Read them even if you don't feel like reading them. I promise that they will make you feel better. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. He lives! I love all of you. Please keep me updated with life and all the miracles that you see!

Love you,

Sister Lewis

Half Way

Background:  No background to report.  She is officially half way through her mission.  - Val

FAMILY

Mom, you have no idea what that email meant to me. I pray everyday that my family will see miracles in their lives. I cried when I read it. I love that all of you are seeing miracles. Heavenly Father is so wonderful and...I have no words. You will all continue to be in my prayers.

I'm glad you got the card and pictures. I will try to send them more often. Good thing Sister Lawrence likes to take pictures.

So today we have a miracle because my companion made an appointment with a guy who didn't want to meet with us again. We are meeting him at the VC in about a half hour. Yes, it is our p-day and to be honest, that is a sacrifice for me (I know, I am silly) but it was exciting that he said he will come. I pray that he will feel the Spirit. We plan on talking a little about the plan of salvation. I hope that his heart is pricked because how can it not be? The plan of salvation is AWESOME! So, we'll see how it goes. We also had another little miracle the other day because we texted a less active member to see when we could come visit her (I was thinking for sure she wouldn't text back) and she texted back and we will see her tonight! Yay! Also, I texted that ballet lady that I met about 4 months ago and apparently she is in Sacramento doing something with the ballet company there. I guess you should all go see that performance. I know she is not in it but she is doing something with it. Her name is Elizabeth Gaither.

I love the people here. I love the people that I get to work with. I fall in love with everyone. I feel like they are all my best friends. It is so funny. I feel like sometimes I'm not the best missionary because I am too good of friends with everyone. I don't know if that makes me a bad or a good missionary. I am supposed to love the people but should I have so much fun with them? Maybe it is just the way that Sister Lewis does missionary work. I have been very blessed.

There is so much I want to tell you but alas there is not enough time. I think I told you that Rob Moffat will be performing here at the VC the weekend of Thanksgiving. I get released the 22nd but we will have to see how to get that figured out. There is still a lot of time to think about that so I am not worried.

I love that you are all doing so good. Please keep me updated with everything. I have pday next Thursday so I will be a day late in emailing so don't panic:)

LOVE YOU all so much!

Me

Background:  Sorry this is a week late.  You will get another one soon.  - Val

OH I love reading letters. It is the best time of week. Sounds like everyone is doing good. I love that little Riah! She is such a hoot with far too much personality for her little body. Tell JoAnn that I need more pictures of Rylee. I miss that little one. We went to a member's house last night who just had a baby and it reminded me of Rylee since that was who I saw right before I came out here. I miss holding babies so much! Tell JoAnn that I expect another baby by the time I get home. Today marks 9 months until I get home. That gives her just the right amount of time. Let her know. Also tell her happy birthday from me. I know I have missed so many birthdays so let everyone know that I'm sorry but I do wish them all a happy birthday! Mom, that goes for you and Amber here next week!

It is so hard to remember my weeks. We met with that investigator last Wednesday and he has read about 150 pages of the BofM. I don't think he quite understands the priesthood and apostacy very well. He said that he doesn't want to meet with us for a couple of weeks. He wants time to read. We called him yesterday and he agreed to meet with us next Monday to read with him. I thought that would be good. I love the Book of Mormon and the Spirit is always there when you read from it. It will be good to see him again. Otherwise, all of our investigators have disappeared. They don't contact us back or don't want to meet with us. That means that we have to do more finding but that is what I am the worst at. Probably because I don't like it. I love to teach but don't like to find. I pray that I will start to love it soon. Yesterday I feel like we had a miracle. It may be mini in some eyes but I see it as one. We were walking around town last night checking on people and we didn't have any luck. We walked far and I was thirsty. When we got on the main road I saw a Subway and felt like I should go get some water inside there. There was a CVS store really close by (that is like a Walgreens type of place) but I felt like I should go inside the Subway...so we did. I asked for a bottle of water and then paid for it. The guy who helped us looked at my tag and said, "lds huh?". I said yes, have you ever met a missionary before? He said that he had and they gave him a book and he liked it. It was when he was in South Africa. I told him that missionaries could come by and talk to him more about the book. He looked a little leary and I think it was because he had a co worker there with him. I told him that he should talk to missionaries again when he meets them. I then said that we would come say hi from time to time. And that was it. I know that Heavenly Father needed that guy to see missionaries again. I hope that maybe he will be thinking about it anyway and someday he will meet with them again and learn more of the most wonderful message in all the world. That was my mini miracle.

I love this work. I love my study time I get in the morning. I sometimes wish it was longer because I have so much to learn. I am addicited to the book Jesus The Christ. I love learning about His life. It is so amazing. He performed so many miracles and yet people would forget so fast. It is hard to comprehend His perfection. It is so wonderful and I recommend reading that book to all who haven't.

Well I have to go. We have to go shopping and other things. Our computer time has come to a close. I wish I could just talk to you about all my experiences because they really are cool. Some are random (like last week we decided to walk to our dinner appointment and on our way a guy stopped and wanted to hug us. I gave him a pass along card and told him that we were missionaires. He saw the picture of Jesus and said, "I love Jesus". I said, "Us too". Yep. Such funny stories).

Love you all. Keep me updated on everything!

Sister Lewis