11/30/20
Things are going well. Transfers are next week. I’m still in Brawley, but my time may be short here. It would be cool to go to another area, but I’m content here. Its nice having a native companion, my Spanish is getting ok now.
It's been freezing here! Like it gets in the 30's during the night! Burr and then biking in that! My hands get cold. Things are happening; we've been finding new people to teach.
Yesterday we had a miracle. We went out in the morning to work. To try and change things up, maybe catch people at home. That didn't work; almost no one was home, haha. But it was about 11:30 and we knocked on the door of a potential investigator. This potential had been street contacted about 2 weeks ago. We had gone by before to contact her. She said come by after the holidays (thanksgiving). We went by to see her, and an older man opened the door. We start talking he asks us from which church we're from, we responded and he said. Oh! I’m baptized in that church. Come in! We came in, and then waited in his living room all awkward for like 5 minutes. We had wondered where he went. Then he comes out with his baptismal certificates and his Aaronic priesthood certificate. Turns out he got baptized in Mexicali in 2006. The man is 81 years old, but super super healthy and strong. He's read the book of Mormon twice. He's lived here in Brawley for 4 years, but never been by the church. Anyways, he's coming back to church and it's a miracle, cause there are only 2 worthy priesthood holders here in Brawley :-0
The church is true, the Holy Spirit is real. God is waiting to bless us according to our obedience. If I’ve learned one thing on my mission. It's that wickedness isn't happiness!! The world is really messed up! Especially Brawley! haha, God loves them just as much as he loves us :)
Lover Elder Lewis
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Hey mom
Hey mom,
Yea I bet you guys are really busy. It's too bad I won't be there for the wedding. That's crazy. On what date are they getting married? Ummm, I looked on Google maps and stuff. I think I’d just like to go to Durham Tech when I get home. It's like 3.5 miles from the home right? I could just bike. Plus that'd save me a lot of money. Plus, I don't know if I want to go all the way out to BYU-I it's pretty far. And yea...idk, I don't really want to think about it that much either. But it does come to mind.
Wow, you wanna go back to school? cool :) you'd be real busy. did you ever get to see the dvd's from preach my gospel?
Ben
Yea I bet you guys are really busy. It's too bad I won't be there for the wedding. That's crazy. On what date are they getting married? Ummm, I looked on Google maps and stuff. I think I’d just like to go to Durham Tech when I get home. It's like 3.5 miles from the home right? I could just bike. Plus that'd save me a lot of money. Plus, I don't know if I want to go all the way out to BYU-I it's pretty far. And yea...idk, I don't really want to think about it that much either. But it does come to mind.
Wow, you wanna go back to school? cool :) you'd be real busy. did you ever get to see the dvd's from preach my gospel?
Ben
Temple Trip
11/16/20
It's nice here now. However it got kinda hot yesterday. It might have been in the 80's or 90's
it's getting really nice though. :)
I'm a stinker when it comes to writing people back nowadays. At first I was good. But not I’m kinda unorganized and don't remember where I put my letters and what not. I'm always busy. The missionary schedule takes up all of you time.
Saturday I got to go back to San Diego! whooo! We went to the temple with a recent convert, Gilbert Gonzalez. He's the man. He used to go to Victory Outreach church. Anyways he's on fire. We went and did baptisms for the dead. Also an active, but less involved family went to the temple for the first time with us. That's awesome; 'cause they hadn't been to the temple in the 6 years they have been members.
Anyways we went to the temple. It was way cool. Since I haven’t been to the temple since...ummm..March!! Yea long time. We could go to the celestial room and all. You just have to do an ordinance of any kind, and you can go to the celestial room. It's way cool.
Gilbert, after doing the baptisms was pretty emotional. He said to one of my companions in the locker-room: "I just saved 10 lives". Pretty cool
Then we went to the Mormon Battalion. We watched the Joseph Smith movie, Prophet of the Restoration. Awesome movie. Then we went through the tour there in the visitor’s center. That was an awesome day for us, but more for Gilbert. Our branch president, Pres. Raya took us and everything. He's awesome. He's a really good leader here, he does a lot for the people here.
They had "Cattle Call" here. I didn't really get to see any of it or anything. But it's a big deal here. Really big deal.
Love Elder Lewis
It's nice here now. However it got kinda hot yesterday. It might have been in the 80's or 90's
it's getting really nice though. :)
I'm a stinker when it comes to writing people back nowadays. At first I was good. But not I’m kinda unorganized and don't remember where I put my letters and what not. I'm always busy. The missionary schedule takes up all of you time.
Saturday I got to go back to San Diego! whooo! We went to the temple with a recent convert, Gilbert Gonzalez. He's the man. He used to go to Victory Outreach church. Anyways he's on fire. We went and did baptisms for the dead. Also an active, but less involved family went to the temple for the first time with us. That's awesome; 'cause they hadn't been to the temple in the 6 years they have been members.
Anyways we went to the temple. It was way cool. Since I haven’t been to the temple since...ummm..March!! Yea long time. We could go to the celestial room and all. You just have to do an ordinance of any kind, and you can go to the celestial room. It's way cool.
Gilbert, after doing the baptisms was pretty emotional. He said to one of my companions in the locker-room: "I just saved 10 lives". Pretty cool
Then we went to the Mormon Battalion. We watched the Joseph Smith movie, Prophet of the Restoration. Awesome movie. Then we went through the tour there in the visitor’s center. That was an awesome day for us, but more for Gilbert. Our branch president, Pres. Raya took us and everything. He's awesome. He's a really good leader here, he does a lot for the people here.
They had "Cattle Call" here. I didn't really get to see any of it or anything. But it's a big deal here. Really big deal.
Love Elder Lewis
Baptism
11/09/20
Hey
We had a baptism Sunday! :) His name is Jerry Trujillo. Really humbled guy We went to Glamis Sand Dunes today. Enjoy the pics.
Hey
We had a baptism Sunday! :) His name is Jerry Trujillo. Really humbled guy We went to Glamis Sand Dunes today. Enjoy the pics.
The mission in just flying by
11/2/20
Things are good in Brawley. The weather is beautiful. It's sooo nice out here. Yesterday was a little hot. Like 87ish. But as of late it's been really really nice. We've been teaching this guy named Jerry Trujillo. He's going to get baptized this week or the next. He's had a rough life, but has changed completely. He used to be all up on drugs. Especially meth. There's a lot of drugs here in Brawley. A lot crazy people haha. You see them on the streets a lot. We keep finding more and more people to teach. Which is awesome.
When I was here before we were having a hard time. It was hard work. Not a lot of stuff was happening. But now like idk... 3-5 months later...there's a ton of stuff happening. The missionaries who come in after us are going to have a ton of people to teach. Our teaching pool is like 15 people at least. It might be up in the 20's. Which is really good compared to what I’ve had in the past.
My Spanish keeps getting better. I'm still with Elder Araujo and Elder Yardley. We're getting along fine. This is my 3rd transfer with Elder Araujo. So who knows what’s going to happen after this transfer. 3 transfers is a long time together for a companionship. However, I think he'll stay and I’ll go. Because I’ve been in Brawley 3 transfers before. So now it's a total of 6. ----4 Transfers in Imperial Beach/ San Ysidro, 3 transfer in Brawley, 1 in El Cajon, 3 in Brawley.
The mission in just flying by. It's almost Christmas. :-0
Halloween was fun. We weren’t allowed to be out on the streets. We went to the Branch president’s house and watched some church movies. That was a nice little break and time to relax. It was nice.
Well. It's just the same ol' same ol' I guess. I'm having a great time here. Its soooo nice and soooo much easier to work now that it's not 115 degrees out. It's actually easy to go out and bike and such. I don't get thirsty. I'm not completely soaked from sweat and dying from the heat. It's really really good weather :)
I love you all and pray for you all every day.
btw. How’d the pmg videos go with the missionaries? Did you see me?
Lover Elder Lewis
Things are good in Brawley. The weather is beautiful. It's sooo nice out here. Yesterday was a little hot. Like 87ish. But as of late it's been really really nice. We've been teaching this guy named Jerry Trujillo. He's going to get baptized this week or the next. He's had a rough life, but has changed completely. He used to be all up on drugs. Especially meth. There's a lot of drugs here in Brawley. A lot crazy people haha. You see them on the streets a lot. We keep finding more and more people to teach. Which is awesome.
When I was here before we were having a hard time. It was hard work. Not a lot of stuff was happening. But now like idk... 3-5 months later...there's a ton of stuff happening. The missionaries who come in after us are going to have a ton of people to teach. Our teaching pool is like 15 people at least. It might be up in the 20's. Which is really good compared to what I’ve had in the past.
My Spanish keeps getting better. I'm still with Elder Araujo and Elder Yardley. We're getting along fine. This is my 3rd transfer with Elder Araujo. So who knows what’s going to happen after this transfer. 3 transfers is a long time together for a companionship. However, I think he'll stay and I’ll go. Because I’ve been in Brawley 3 transfers before. So now it's a total of 6. ----4 Transfers in Imperial Beach/ San Ysidro, 3 transfer in Brawley, 1 in El Cajon, 3 in Brawley.
The mission in just flying by. It's almost Christmas. :-0
Halloween was fun. We weren’t allowed to be out on the streets. We went to the Branch president’s house and watched some church movies. That was a nice little break and time to relax. It was nice.
Well. It's just the same ol' same ol' I guess. I'm having a great time here. Its soooo nice and soooo much easier to work now that it's not 115 degrees out. It's actually easy to go out and bike and such. I don't get thirsty. I'm not completely soaked from sweat and dying from the heat. It's really really good weather :)
I love you all and pray for you all every day.
btw. How’d the pmg videos go with the missionaries? Did you see me?
Lover Elder Lewis
I'm in the video, ha, ha!
10/19/20
Hey, that mountain place is called Salvation Mountain. It's in a little boonie spooky town called Niland. Out in literally the middle of the desert.
Thats sooo cool the missionaries are gonna come over and show you guys the videos (Preach My Gospel). I know everyone in the movies. All the missionaries. Elder Moreno and I are buds. Elder Christensen and Hepworth and Sister Voyles are all still here on their missions. I was in Sister Voyles district for like 6 months. I was in the "Districts" zone. So I'm friends with ‘em all. They're all awesome missionaries.
Yea, I'm in the movies in two parts. You can see the back of my head in one part. But before that, the cameras are on Sis. Voyles and Zaldivar in the church. And I'm in the doorway. You can see me pretty clearly. haha.
My stitches healed ok. Yea I have a scar. I don't grow hair there anymore :/ and it's kinda red still--the skin.
Everything is good
Love, Elder Lewis
Hey, that mountain place is called Salvation Mountain. It's in a little boonie spooky town called Niland. Out in literally the middle of the desert.
Thats sooo cool the missionaries are gonna come over and show you guys the videos (Preach My Gospel). I know everyone in the movies. All the missionaries. Elder Moreno and I are buds. Elder Christensen and Hepworth and Sister Voyles are all still here on their missions. I was in Sister Voyles district for like 6 months. I was in the "Districts" zone. So I'm friends with ‘em all. They're all awesome missionaries.
Yea, I'm in the movies in two parts. You can see the back of my head in one part. But before that, the cameras are on Sis. Voyles and Zaldivar in the church. And I'm in the doorway. You can see me pretty clearly. haha.
My stitches healed ok. Yea I have a scar. I don't grow hair there anymore :/ and it's kinda red still--the skin.
Everything is good
Love, Elder Lewis
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Baptisms
Tue, Sep 28, 2010
Everything is going well. There were the most people in the branch Sunday than ever. Wow! It’s growing. It wasn't before.
It's getting a little cooler. Yesterday it was 110 I heard. haha I’m not much for writing letters :-0 anymore.
We’re gonna go play laser tag. 2$ bucks a game! Whoo
Sept. 15, 2010
We had another baptism Sunday. Her name is Angie. The whole family has come back to church. Which is absolutely amazing! :)
Hey sorry, I didn't get to email yesterday.
Yesterday we found out transfers. Everything is staying the same out here. So that's good :)
Yea, I hadn’t had a baptism for a while. Things are just falling into place. I guess I really did need to go back to Brawley. :)
We're having another baptism this Sunday :)
Well...send lots of pictures of the wedding and send me an invitation :)
How's Evelyn doing?
The weather is getting better bit by bit. Even though it was a mild summer. It's going down every week. Biking here to the library though it was 112--and it didn't feel that bad :)
Everything is going great out here. Like I’ve always said, don't worry about me, like at all. I'm in really good hands. We get fed a lot! Almost every day we have a meal with members.
Also idk if I said it already, but we'll have another baptism this Sunday. It's a little girl named Angie. The family has been less active. But they all came to church last week and to the baptism. They were all dressed in white shirt and tie and dresses. :) They're probably the nicest family I’ve met on the mission. They've just had some problems they're overcoming.
The “Preach My Gospel” videos are out. Ask your missionaries if they've seen them. Maybe they'd let you watch them. Or have them come over for dinner and watch them, then talk about your mission plan. I'm in the movies for like 2 seconds. haha. 1st disc part 3.
Well I love you all very much,
Elder Lewis
Everything is going well. There were the most people in the branch Sunday than ever. Wow! It’s growing. It wasn't before.
It's getting a little cooler. Yesterday it was 110 I heard. haha I’m not much for writing letters :-0 anymore.
We’re gonna go play laser tag. 2$ bucks a game! Whoo
Sept. 15, 2010
We had another baptism Sunday. Her name is Angie. The whole family has come back to church. Which is absolutely amazing! :)
Hey sorry, I didn't get to email yesterday.
Yesterday we found out transfers. Everything is staying the same out here. So that's good :)
Yea, I hadn’t had a baptism for a while. Things are just falling into place. I guess I really did need to go back to Brawley. :)
We're having another baptism this Sunday :)
Well...send lots of pictures of the wedding and send me an invitation :)
How's Evelyn doing?
The weather is getting better bit by bit. Even though it was a mild summer. It's going down every week. Biking here to the library though it was 112--and it didn't feel that bad :)
Everything is going great out here. Like I’ve always said, don't worry about me, like at all. I'm in really good hands. We get fed a lot! Almost every day we have a meal with members.
Also idk if I said it already, but we'll have another baptism this Sunday. It's a little girl named Angie. The family has been less active. But they all came to church last week and to the baptism. They were all dressed in white shirt and tie and dresses. :) They're probably the nicest family I’ve met on the mission. They've just had some problems they're overcoming.
The “Preach My Gospel” videos are out. Ask your missionaries if they've seen them. Maybe they'd let you watch them. Or have them come over for dinner and watch them, then talk about your mission plan. I'm in the movies for like 2 seconds. haha. 1st disc part 3.
Well I love you all very much,
Elder Lewis
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Stitches
Wow!
Congrats Will to you both :) Lasted longer than I thought. Send me a picture of the ring sometime. Dec. huh? Cool I'm happy for you both :)
I joke around with the Elders here. I tell them how I went to the singles ward of Duke and UNC. And how my Home Teachees were Duke students and Bio-mechanical engineering majors. I joke how I'll meet some smart Dukee who's gonna be like a rocket scientist and I'll be a stay home dad! haha. Then we'll pay lots of money so I can have quintuplets. I'll be a soccer dad---and have my own basketball team. haha that'd be sweet.
The mission is going awesome right now. I have tons and tons of time left to work. It's hard to believe it's only a year gone I guess. If I can progress my Spanish in the year I have left as fast as I did the first year? dang.
Elder Araujo and I are working hard. 3 people came to church this last Sunday. Which is good. They're really progressing. We should have two baptisms this Sunday.
Times going fast. There are 6 people we're teaching with baptismal dates. It's cool to leave an area and go back!
BTW happy birthday Will! I didn't forget! I have a present and everything! I just haven't sent it. you know how that is. You'll really like it when you get it too.
Last week there was this humongous hail storm. Larger than golf balls. Not a joke.
Last night I was biking and bam! out of no where my bike does a front wheelie and I went flying over the handlebars. I land on my hands and my hands braced my fall a bit. But my chin hit the concrete kinda hard. I got right up, I was fine, but my chin got cut. I looked back to see what happened, and there was a huge pothole in the road! lol It was like 3 inches deep idk--but pretty wide. My bike hit the pothole then did a flip and landed on the it's back.
Anyways I had to get stitches. It was just 3. But it was a pretty wide cut. I really needed stitches.
I'm fine, I just got cut. Anyways yea, everything is going good out here. I love you all and congrats Will and Jamie :)
Say hi to Evelyn.
Love Elder Lewis
Congrats Will to you both :) Lasted longer than I thought. Send me a picture of the ring sometime. Dec. huh? Cool I'm happy for you both :)
I joke around with the Elders here. I tell them how I went to the singles ward of Duke and UNC. And how my Home Teachees were Duke students and Bio-mechanical engineering majors. I joke how I'll meet some smart Dukee who's gonna be like a rocket scientist and I'll be a stay home dad! haha. Then we'll pay lots of money so I can have quintuplets. I'll be a soccer dad---and have my own basketball team. haha that'd be sweet.
The mission is going awesome right now. I have tons and tons of time left to work. It's hard to believe it's only a year gone I guess. If I can progress my Spanish in the year I have left as fast as I did the first year? dang.
Elder Araujo and I are working hard. 3 people came to church this last Sunday. Which is good. They're really progressing. We should have two baptisms this Sunday.
Times going fast. There are 6 people we're teaching with baptismal dates. It's cool to leave an area and go back!
BTW happy birthday Will! I didn't forget! I have a present and everything! I just haven't sent it. you know how that is. You'll really like it when you get it too.
Last week there was this humongous hail storm. Larger than golf balls. Not a joke.
Last night I was biking and bam! out of no where my bike does a front wheelie and I went flying over the handlebars. I land on my hands and my hands braced my fall a bit. But my chin hit the concrete kinda hard. I got right up, I was fine, but my chin got cut. I looked back to see what happened, and there was a huge pothole in the road! lol It was like 3 inches deep idk--but pretty wide. My bike hit the pothole then did a flip and landed on the it's back.
Anyways I had to get stitches. It was just 3. But it was a pretty wide cut. I really needed stitches.
I'm fine, I just got cut. Anyways yea, everything is going good out here. I love you all and congrats Will and Jamie :)
Say hi to Evelyn.
Love Elder Lewis
Noche De Hogar
Hola Everybody,
Wow ha estado bien hot aqui. Asi habla la gente a veces aqui. Bien spanglish.
Actually this past week has been crazy in terms of weather. There was a big lighting storm one night. Then the next day a huge hail and rain storm! No joke---we found hail larger than golf balls. Lots of people had broken car windows. Then the next day was way nice out. Like 80's 90's---really cool weather for these parts.
We went and did laser tag today for p-day. It was pretty fun.
Elder Araujo and I taught a lesson for a branch-wide family home evening. We taught a quick lesson on the plan of salvation with a little emphasis on temples. We showed on move from Mormon Messages: Why do Mormons Build Temples? The Noche De Hogar was really good. We had two investigators there. It was great, you would've thought they were members if you didn't know they were investigators. Needless to say they had a really good time.
Well I gtg I need to let my companion email. Les quiero mucho,
bye, Elder Lewis
Wow ha estado bien hot aqui. Asi habla la gente a veces aqui. Bien spanglish.
Actually this past week has been crazy in terms of weather. There was a big lighting storm one night. Then the next day a huge hail and rain storm! No joke---we found hail larger than golf balls. Lots of people had broken car windows. Then the next day was way nice out. Like 80's 90's---really cool weather for these parts.
We went and did laser tag today for p-day. It was pretty fun.
Elder Araujo and I taught a lesson for a branch-wide family home evening. We taught a quick lesson on the plan of salvation with a little emphasis on temples. We showed on move from Mormon Messages: Why do Mormons Build Temples? The Noche De Hogar was really good. We had two investigators there. It was great, you would've thought they were members if you didn't know they were investigators. Needless to say they had a really good time.
Well I gtg I need to let my companion email. Les quiero mucho,
bye, Elder Lewis
We Must Do What the Lord Requires
Hi,
Things are going well here. We are teaching a lot. More than I have in a long time. Sometimes we're too busy to study. But now we're starting to get things under control and into a schedule and routine. There are 3 people with baptismal dates. Yesterday was really really hot. I freeze water, or sometimes Gatorade before we go out. After we lock up the bikes and go into a lesson..., well the bikes sit in the sun for a half hour or more, when we leave and unlock the bike we can't even touch some of the parts, because they burn us. Especially sometimes the helmet and the clip. I can't pull back the breaks because they burn my fingers. yesterday it was 115, today it will be 120. But, don't worry we're prepared and smart. The trick is to find shade! Bike towards the shade! find the shade! We sweat a lot. I change my shirt like twice a day sometimes.
Yea it's pretty brutal outside in the sun. Pero hay que hacer lo que el Senor requiere. Estamos trabajando duro. Porfavor tell Evelyn thank you so much for her package. I never got to tell her. :) Also happy late late birthday. I've been busy :/ and have procrastinated writing people. I haven't had time...I"m learning a lot of Spanish again. Since my companion doesn't speak much English
O yeah, the new Preach My Gospel movies are out and in every mission now I think! I'm in it for like 2 seconds! haha. I heard they're going to put it on BYU TV.
Love, Ben
Things are going well here. We are teaching a lot. More than I have in a long time. Sometimes we're too busy to study. But now we're starting to get things under control and into a schedule and routine. There are 3 people with baptismal dates. Yesterday was really really hot. I freeze water, or sometimes Gatorade before we go out. After we lock up the bikes and go into a lesson..., well the bikes sit in the sun for a half hour or more, when we leave and unlock the bike we can't even touch some of the parts, because they burn us. Especially sometimes the helmet and the clip. I can't pull back the breaks because they burn my fingers. yesterday it was 115, today it will be 120. But, don't worry we're prepared and smart. The trick is to find shade! Bike towards the shade! find the shade! We sweat a lot. I change my shirt like twice a day sometimes.
Yea it's pretty brutal outside in the sun. Pero hay que hacer lo que el Senor requiere. Estamos trabajando duro. Porfavor tell Evelyn thank you so much for her package. I never got to tell her. :) Also happy late late birthday. I've been busy :/ and have procrastinated writing people. I haven't had time...I"m learning a lot of Spanish again. Since my companion doesn't speak much English
O yeah, the new Preach My Gospel movies are out and in every mission now I think! I'm in it for like 2 seconds! haha. I heard they're going to put it on BYU TV.
Love, Ben
Back in Brawley!
Hey Everyone,
Yea I got sent back to my last area. Pretty cool huh? I'm training again. His name is Elder Araujo. He's from Culiacan,Sinaloa, Mexico. He doesn't speak much English at all. So it's pretty cool speaking Spanish all the time. And he understands everyone perfect. I'm learning lots of new words.
I hit my year mark a few days ago I think. Crazy huh? Now I'm more than half way through. It's all down hill from here. In terms of how fast it's gonna go. But things are only gonna get better.
It's hot. duh. But it's OK I guess. I'm on bike in the exact same area as before. The bike I bought is sweet. It cruises.
We taught a lot of lessons last week. More than I have in a while. It was bittersweet coming back. Well, the only bitter thing was heat. My 1st day it was like 115ish. It went down the next week a lot. But now it's going back up. They're having a mild summer this summer. So that's nice.
I have a feeling I'll be out here in the desert for a while. The work out here in harder, but the members are awesome. Even though there are few.
Last week was crazy. We were going to the "mud caves." We drove like a loong ways out in the desert. Then there was a border patrol stop. And they almost took my companion. 'Cause he's not a native. But everything turned out OK then. But we went to park the car to wait for the rest of the missionaries. Because there was a Mexican in every car. Except when we parked the car, it didn't start up again. To make a long story short, we waited there from 12-7ish waiting for a tow. We were lucky though. Cause it wasn't really hot that day. Plus it was windy.
So that's why I didn't get to email that week.
We are teaching a lot of people here. I'll tell you about them later. I'm gonna go play some soccer :)
Yea I got sent back to my last area. Pretty cool huh? I'm training again. His name is Elder Araujo. He's from Culiacan,Sinaloa, Mexico. He doesn't speak much English at all. So it's pretty cool speaking Spanish all the time. And he understands everyone perfect. I'm learning lots of new words.
I hit my year mark a few days ago I think. Crazy huh? Now I'm more than half way through. It's all down hill from here. In terms of how fast it's gonna go. But things are only gonna get better.
It's hot. duh. But it's OK I guess. I'm on bike in the exact same area as before. The bike I bought is sweet. It cruises.
We taught a lot of lessons last week. More than I have in a while. It was bittersweet coming back. Well, the only bitter thing was heat. My 1st day it was like 115ish. It went down the next week a lot. But now it's going back up. They're having a mild summer this summer. So that's nice.
I have a feeling I'll be out here in the desert for a while. The work out here in harder, but the members are awesome. Even though there are few.
Last week was crazy. We were going to the "mud caves." We drove like a loong ways out in the desert. Then there was a border patrol stop. And they almost took my companion. 'Cause he's not a native. But everything turned out OK then. But we went to park the car to wait for the rest of the missionaries. Because there was a Mexican in every car. Except when we parked the car, it didn't start up again. To make a long story short, we waited there from 12-7ish waiting for a tow. We were lucky though. Cause it wasn't really hot that day. Plus it was windy.
So that's why I didn't get to email that week.
We are teaching a lot of people here. I'll tell you about them later. I'm gonna go play some soccer :)
A Really Good Lesson
Monday we had a really good lesson with the Alvarez family. Manuel the dad has been inactive since he was 15. He's since married and has a 12 year old a 3 year old and one on the way. His wife, Lupe, isn't baptized but now has a baptismal date. Also the son Manuel Jr.
It was a miracle how we found them. They'll be getting baptized the 8th. I'm happy for them. Last night I wasn't feeling really good. My stomach was bothering me. So my companion went with Elder Simmonds. To make a long story short they taught an FHE (Family Home Evening) [lesson], played a game and the investigator now also has a baptismal date. The funny thing is, their neighbor exactly across from them in the apt complex is Manuel's family. Literally 5 ft away from each other. So we won't have to travel very far in between lessons. haha. So that was pretty neat.
I hope everything is going good out there. It's cooled off here :)
Transfers are not tomorrow, but next Wednesday.
I love you all and keep you in my prayers
Love Elder Lewis
It was a miracle how we found them. They'll be getting baptized the 8th. I'm happy for them. Last night I wasn't feeling really good. My stomach was bothering me. So my companion went with Elder Simmonds. To make a long story short they taught an FHE (Family Home Evening) [lesson], played a game and the investigator now also has a baptismal date. The funny thing is, their neighbor exactly across from them in the apt complex is Manuel's family. Literally 5 ft away from each other. So we won't have to travel very far in between lessons. haha. So that was pretty neat.
I hope everything is going good out there. It's cooled off here :)
Transfers are not tomorrow, but next Wednesday.
I love you all and keep you in my prayers
Love Elder Lewis
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Lord Really Did Lead Us
Things are going well. It's been hot here in El Cajon. Like 100's ugh, I thought I escaped, but nope! I'm getting tan. Last night we committed two people for baptism. It was a miracle how we found them.
We were leaving an appointment and walking in through the parking lot was a family. They came up and said hi and stuff. And it turned out he was a member. But left the church when he was 15. To make a long story short his 12 year old son wants to get baptized and go on a mission already. And his wife said she would be baptized too. Anyways they've really been prepared by the Lord. And to them, or vice versa. Because we're NEVER where we were. Never...and we just happened to be there when they got there. Nuts.
Anyways I gtg, I love you all. And don't worry about me I’m fine :)
I hope everything back home is going well.
I pray for all of you every day and night
Love Elder Lewis
We were leaving an appointment and walking in through the parking lot was a family. They came up and said hi and stuff. And it turned out he was a member. But left the church when he was 15. To make a long story short his 12 year old son wants to get baptized and go on a mission already. And his wife said she would be baptized too. Anyways they've really been prepared by the Lord. And to them, or vice versa. Because we're NEVER where we were. Never...and we just happened to be there when they got there. Nuts.
Anyways I gtg, I love you all. And don't worry about me I’m fine :)
I hope everything back home is going well.
I pray for all of you every day and night
Love Elder Lewis
We must carry forward
Bueno, voy a practicar mi español escrito. Sabe qué? Pienso a estudiar en el extranjero cuando me vuelvo. Tengo en realidad ser inmersiado en español si lo va a perfeccionar. Estoy hablando mucho mas español, ya que no trabajo en un barrio de ingles no mas. Puro español.
Tengo que aprender árabe, o caldean. Demasiados de ellos aquí. Todos son de Iraq. Se mudan aquí todos.
Bueno, si, la obra sigue yendo. Hay que llevar adelante. Me gusta la rama donde me encuentro. Hay muchas más personas en comparación de La Rama Brawley.
Anteayer tuve la oportunidad de cantar en una charla fogonera (fireside). Fue en la capilla donde empecé mi misión. Pude ver todos los miembros que extrañé y también unos conversos recientes. Fue bien suave y me agradó mucho.
Estoy agradecido que tengo un acento. Creo que es una mezcla entre Puertorriqueño, Peruano, y Mexicano. Pero yo no hablo mexicano mexicano. Hablamos "frontera" (border). Hay tantas palabras ingleses que se usan aquí en la frontera. "Empuchar" haha-- to push, raidte-(ride) haha "Yo te wacho" I'll watch you. Si no se la palabra en español, lo digo en ingles y casi siempre me entienden.
Hemos visitado a lo mejor, 70 investigadores antiguos. Quizá mas. Estamos agregando y ensenando mas que lo que habían hecho en el pasado, pero los investigadores no son de buena calidad. Vamos a empezar a trabajar más con los miembros aquí, porque hay muchos y todos son bien buenos.
Yo solamente recuerdo como un misionero de cuando vivimos en Nueva York. El único que me comprometió a hacer algo. A invitar un amigo a escuchar a ellos. Todos los miembros saben que es su deber de predicar el evangelio y a invitar. Es difícil porque muchos quieren, pero no saben cómo.
Bueno, voy a escribir mi carta al presidente Donaldson.
Les Quiero muchísimo, que se cuiden mucho
btw. Oye Will: hay misionero aquí de donde serviste. Bueno, Manila. Estaba hablando con el and called him ugly, cause that's all I know how to say. haha, I know pangit ka, salamat po, maganda ganda, guapo. tubig asin-----we were talkin and like there are tons of words in Spanish that are exactly the same. Like toons. It was funny. So we'll be able to communicate a little. lol
TRANSLATION
Well, I am going to practice my written Spanish. Guess what? I think I’d like to study abroad when I return. In fact I must be immersed in Spanish to be perfect. I'm speaking a lot more Spanish, since not working in an English district any more. Pure Spanish.
I have to learn Arabic, or broth. Too many of them here. All are from Iraq. They move everyone here.
Well, yes, the work is going. We must carry forward. I like the branch where I am. There are many more people in comparison to the Brawley Branch.
The day before yesterday I had the opportunity to sing for a fireside. It was in the chapel where I began my mission. I could see all the members whom I missed and also some recent converts. It went very smooth and I liked a lot.
I am grateful that I have an accent. I think it's a mix of Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and Mexican. But I do not speak Mexican Mexican. We talked “border”. There are so many English words used here at the border. "Empuchar" haha - to push, raidte-(ride) haha "I'll wacho" I'll watch you. If I don’t know the word in Spanish, I say it in English and they understand me almost always.
We have visited perhaps, 70 old investigators. Maybe more. We are adding and learning rather than what they had done in the past, but the investigators are not of good quality. We will start working more with the members here, because there are many and all are quite good.
I remember only one missionary when we live in New York. The only one I pledged to do something. To invite a friend to listen to them. All members know that it is their duty to share the gospel and invite. It is difficult because many want, but do not know how.
Well, I am going to write my letter to president Donaldson.
I love you so much, take care
btw. Hey Will: missionary here is where you served. Well, Manila. I was talking to him and call him ugly, cause that's all I know how to say. haha, I know pangit ka, salamat po, ganda Maganda, handsome. asin tubig ----- and like we where talkin There are tons of words in Spanish That are Exactly the same. Like toons. It was funny. So we'll be Able to communicate a little. Lol
Tengo que aprender árabe, o caldean. Demasiados de ellos aquí. Todos son de Iraq. Se mudan aquí todos.
Bueno, si, la obra sigue yendo. Hay que llevar adelante. Me gusta la rama donde me encuentro. Hay muchas más personas en comparación de La Rama Brawley.
Anteayer tuve la oportunidad de cantar en una charla fogonera (fireside). Fue en la capilla donde empecé mi misión. Pude ver todos los miembros que extrañé y también unos conversos recientes. Fue bien suave y me agradó mucho.
Estoy agradecido que tengo un acento. Creo que es una mezcla entre Puertorriqueño, Peruano, y Mexicano. Pero yo no hablo mexicano mexicano. Hablamos "frontera" (border). Hay tantas palabras ingleses que se usan aquí en la frontera. "Empuchar" haha-- to push, raidte-(ride) haha "Yo te wacho" I'll watch you. Si no se la palabra en español, lo digo en ingles y casi siempre me entienden.
Hemos visitado a lo mejor, 70 investigadores antiguos. Quizá mas. Estamos agregando y ensenando mas que lo que habían hecho en el pasado, pero los investigadores no son de buena calidad. Vamos a empezar a trabajar más con los miembros aquí, porque hay muchos y todos son bien buenos.
Yo solamente recuerdo como un misionero de cuando vivimos en Nueva York. El único que me comprometió a hacer algo. A invitar un amigo a escuchar a ellos. Todos los miembros saben que es su deber de predicar el evangelio y a invitar. Es difícil porque muchos quieren, pero no saben cómo.
Bueno, voy a escribir mi carta al presidente Donaldson.
Les Quiero muchísimo, que se cuiden mucho
btw. Oye Will: hay misionero aquí de donde serviste. Bueno, Manila. Estaba hablando con el and called him ugly, cause that's all I know how to say. haha, I know pangit ka, salamat po, maganda ganda, guapo. tubig asin-----we were talkin and like there are tons of words in Spanish that are exactly the same. Like toons. It was funny. So we'll be able to communicate a little. lol
TRANSLATION
Well, I am going to practice my written Spanish. Guess what? I think I’d like to study abroad when I return. In fact I must be immersed in Spanish to be perfect. I'm speaking a lot more Spanish, since not working in an English district any more. Pure Spanish.
I have to learn Arabic, or broth. Too many of them here. All are from Iraq. They move everyone here.
Well, yes, the work is going. We must carry forward. I like the branch where I am. There are many more people in comparison to the Brawley Branch.
The day before yesterday I had the opportunity to sing for a fireside. It was in the chapel where I began my mission. I could see all the members whom I missed and also some recent converts. It went very smooth and I liked a lot.
I am grateful that I have an accent. I think it's a mix of Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and Mexican. But I do not speak Mexican Mexican. We talked “border”. There are so many English words used here at the border. "Empuchar" haha - to push, raidte-(ride) haha "I'll wacho" I'll watch you. If I don’t know the word in Spanish, I say it in English and they understand me almost always.
We have visited perhaps, 70 old investigators. Maybe more. We are adding and learning rather than what they had done in the past, but the investigators are not of good quality. We will start working more with the members here, because there are many and all are quite good.
I remember only one missionary when we live in New York. The only one I pledged to do something. To invite a friend to listen to them. All members know that it is their duty to share the gospel and invite. It is difficult because many want, but do not know how.
Well, I am going to write my letter to president Donaldson.
I love you so much, take care
btw. Hey Will: missionary here is where you served. Well, Manila. I was talking to him and call him ugly, cause that's all I know how to say. haha, I know pangit ka, salamat po, ganda Maganda, handsome. asin tubig ----- and like we where talkin There are tons of words in Spanish That are Exactly the same. Like toons. It was funny. So we'll be Able to communicate a little. Lol
Friday, July 23, 2010
Email hacked
Please ignore any weird emails from lewiscd79 as my hotmail account was hacked into. It seems everyone on my contact list was sent an email asking for help. All is fine and I am not in London. That account has been frozen and I am working on fixing the problem. Sorry about that. I will be posting the newest email from Elder Lewis soon.
Cynthia
Cynthia
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Transfer
I did get transferred. :-/ I was in Brawely for 3 transfers. about 4 months. I liked it there, it's just that missionary work was a little harder. I didn't know it was harder until I got to my new area. Where I am now, it seems like...idk, easy. So many more people, so many more members who are just awesome. We're going to be teaching a lot more. Like a looot more.
btw I'm in El Cajon, CA---pretty cool so far, I like it. It's like all apts. But it's nice. There isn't really a ghetto part of town. Well nothing's really ghetto. For my standards I suppose.
Thanks for everything,
Elder Lewis
btw I'm in El Cajon, CA---pretty cool so far, I like it. It's like all apts. But it's nice. There isn't really a ghetto part of town. Well nothing's really ghetto. For my standards I suppose.
Thanks for everything,
Elder Lewis
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Mi cumpleaños fue muy bien
Si, mi cumpleaños fue muy bien gracias. I had kinda like a birthday/dinner at a members home. Familia Morales. They're awesome. Their daughter just returned home from serving a mission in Chicago south. She actually helped us out this morning with a lesson. To be honest the work has been hard and slow. It's taken diligence.
I haven't had any really cool experiences I guess. I mean, none pop out. I can say however, I know I've been lead by the spirit at times. I can see that very clearly and recognize that. There are wonderful people everywhere in the world. There really are people out there being prepared and looking for the gospel.
There is only one way to lasting happiness! It's through the gospel and obedience to the commandments. Laws make us free. What if everyone just did what they wanted to do? The world would be chaos. It's kinda funny too, how I can cross one street on my bike from a bunch of really nice houses, to the projects. The people are sooo different on either side too.
The mission is great. I have tons of work still to do. We're teaching a woman named Maria, a man named Kevin, and an 18 boy named Terrance. Pray for them and for us.
Love Elder Lewis
I haven't had any really cool experiences I guess. I mean, none pop out. I can say however, I know I've been lead by the spirit at times. I can see that very clearly and recognize that. There are wonderful people everywhere in the world. There really are people out there being prepared and looking for the gospel.
There is only one way to lasting happiness! It's through the gospel and obedience to the commandments. Laws make us free. What if everyone just did what they wanted to do? The world would be chaos. It's kinda funny too, how I can cross one street on my bike from a bunch of really nice houses, to the projects. The people are sooo different on either side too.
The mission is great. I have tons of work still to do. We're teaching a woman named Maria, a man named Kevin, and an 18 boy named Terrance. Pray for them and for us.
Love Elder Lewis
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Great, [now that my family has moved], when I get home, they're going to ask me to speak in the singles ward, the ward you used to be in, the Spanish ward, and then the one you're in now...haha.
That's awesome news, Will got into NC State. Longer drive now to go to school though. I haven’t gotten anything yet, because I’m in Brawley. Hopefully we'll get mail and stuff tomorrow. Because President is coming down for missionary training exchange. They bring mail with them. We only get mail every 3 or 4 weeks. It depends. Thanks for all that stuff in advance though! :) Can you believe I’m 21 years old now?! uck! That's old.
Yeah, it's getting hotter. It's in the 100's everyday now. But I was sick like all last week. It wasn't bad, it was like this cold virus that lasted a long time. I was just really tired and weak. But it's going away. It sucked, I just rested the whole time and read my Spanish textbook.
We have a man named Kevin Murrow with a baptismal date on the 20th. That should be real cool. He's an awesome guy.
Well I love you all very much thanks for the emails every week I really do appreciate it.
Love Elder Lewis
p.s. I can't believe I’ve been gone for like almost 10 months?! idk long time, it's flying by.
That's awesome news, Will got into NC State. Longer drive now to go to school though. I haven’t gotten anything yet, because I’m in Brawley. Hopefully we'll get mail and stuff tomorrow. Because President is coming down for missionary training exchange. They bring mail with them. We only get mail every 3 or 4 weeks. It depends. Thanks for all that stuff in advance though! :) Can you believe I’m 21 years old now?! uck! That's old.
Yeah, it's getting hotter. It's in the 100's everyday now. But I was sick like all last week. It wasn't bad, it was like this cold virus that lasted a long time. I was just really tired and weak. But it's going away. It sucked, I just rested the whole time and read my Spanish textbook.
We have a man named Kevin Murrow with a baptismal date on the 20th. That should be real cool. He's an awesome guy.
Well I love you all very much thanks for the emails every week I really do appreciate it.
Love Elder Lewis
p.s. I can't believe I’ve been gone for like almost 10 months?! idk long time, it's flying by.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Training
Yep, I'm training. He's a good kid. We get along fine. He's doing real well. I don't have to tell him to do stuff all the time, nor do I have to involve him in the lessons by myself. That's really good. I don't like "1 1/2" missionaries in a companionship. I'm glad he's my companion. He's learning a lot and really wants to be here and learn Spanish. P-days on Tuesdays are cool I guess. We taught a couple good lessons yesterday and committed one guy for baptism. He accepted. Pretty awesome.
Yea there was another earthquake. It was like 4 strong jerks then stopped. there were a couple other little ones I felt too.
Working hard...it's getting hotter, buy the past few days it was been unusually cool! like 70's!!! whooo! we have to take advantage of that, before it hits 100, then 110, then 120
O yeah, my b-day is coming up! I just bought 2 short sleeve white shirts. So I'm good on shirts. I have a lot of ties, but I could always go for a new tie. Hmm, I could use another pair of shoes. One pair is kinda falling apart, I need to glue it back. My other pair I've been wearing in the mean time. And they're getting worn. I could use a pair for when I go to church and stuff.
I don't have watch, I could use a nice modest watch. umm, sunglasses---but I'll get those, cause most don't fit my head , I have to buy some.
Well, yep
Love Elder Lewis
Yea there was another earthquake. It was like 4 strong jerks then stopped. there were a couple other little ones I felt too.
Working hard...it's getting hotter, buy the past few days it was been unusually cool! like 70's!!! whooo! we have to take advantage of that, before it hits 100, then 110, then 120
O yeah, my b-day is coming up! I just bought 2 short sleeve white shirts. So I'm good on shirts. I have a lot of ties, but I could always go for a new tie. Hmm, I could use another pair of shoes. One pair is kinda falling apart, I need to glue it back. My other pair I've been wearing in the mean time. And they're getting worn. I could use a pair for when I go to church and stuff.
I don't have watch, I could use a nice modest watch. umm, sunglasses---but I'll get those, cause most don't fit my head , I have to buy some.
Well, yep
Love Elder Lewis
Hi Everybody,
Yea it was really nice talking on the phone. I only get to call home 2 more times. yuck! I'm old already. (on the mission) Idk how long I've been out I think it's like 9 months. The time is just flying by.
Yea transfers happened Wednesday. I got a new companion. I was a little sad because my last companion and I got a long pretty well. We had a lot of fun too. I'm training now. My new companion is Elder Jones. From Kerns, Utah. somthin' like that. He's here straight from the MTC. It's nice though, because he's really excited and optimistic about his mission.
Having to train someone also keeps me at my best. 'Cause I have to do my best so he doesn't settle for anything less later on. It's going well though. It's a different experience. His Spanish is OK too. He was in the MTC for Spanish, and he seemed to study it a lot there, so he'll pick it up fast.
The work is going fine. We're adding new investigators now often. The branch has asked us to find "new blood" so that's what we're doing. It's cool though. I do magic to people and stuff. One time I got this big group of like 20 kids watching me do card magic.
It's starting to get hotter out. Poco a poquito. It's been windy the past couple days. Oh, and btw, P-days are now on Tuesdays...
Pretty soon, we'll have tv's in our apts. So we can watch the new Preach My Gospel Movies. I'm pretty sure I'll be in it somewhere. Hopefully it's not embarrassing. Also--we can't text. We'll be able to text soon, by the end of the summer. That would help out a ton! '
Everything is going just fine. We're working hard and seeing little miracles everyday. :)
Love Elder Lewis
Yea it was really nice talking on the phone. I only get to call home 2 more times. yuck! I'm old already. (on the mission) Idk how long I've been out I think it's like 9 months. The time is just flying by.
Yea transfers happened Wednesday. I got a new companion. I was a little sad because my last companion and I got a long pretty well. We had a lot of fun too. I'm training now. My new companion is Elder Jones. From Kerns, Utah. somthin' like that. He's here straight from the MTC. It's nice though, because he's really excited and optimistic about his mission.
Having to train someone also keeps me at my best. 'Cause I have to do my best so he doesn't settle for anything less later on. It's going well though. It's a different experience. His Spanish is OK too. He was in the MTC for Spanish, and he seemed to study it a lot there, so he'll pick it up fast.
The work is going fine. We're adding new investigators now often. The branch has asked us to find "new blood" so that's what we're doing. It's cool though. I do magic to people and stuff. One time I got this big group of like 20 kids watching me do card magic.
It's starting to get hotter out. Poco a poquito. It's been windy the past couple days. Oh, and btw, P-days are now on Tuesdays...
Pretty soon, we'll have tv's in our apts. So we can watch the new Preach My Gospel Movies. I'm pretty sure I'll be in it somewhere. Hopefully it's not embarrassing. Also--we can't text. We'll be able to text soon, by the end of the summer. That would help out a ton! '
Everything is going just fine. We're working hard and seeing little miracles everyday. :)
Love Elder Lewis
Hola
Hola,
It's starting to get hot. Yesterday it was 95 when we went by the bank. But it's not that hot yet. Like that isn't bad for out here. But pretty soon I'm going to buy a camel pack-backpack.
We're working hard. It's nice to go to bed knowing you've done a hard honest days work. I'm glad i do that. It's not that hard for me, but for others it is. anyways, I love you all very much.
Elder Lewis
It's starting to get hot. Yesterday it was 95 when we went by the bank. But it's not that hot yet. Like that isn't bad for out here. But pretty soon I'm going to buy a camel pack-backpack.
We're working hard. It's nice to go to bed knowing you've done a hard honest days work. I'm glad i do that. It's not that hard for me, but for others it is. anyways, I love you all very much.
Elder Lewis
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I'm Really Happy!
I'm really happy. And happy I’m serving a mission. It's changing my liiiife. I love Spanish now too. That alone will change my life.
And I’m using that to change lives here. And people’s lives really are changing! I'm happy to say that all 4 of my recent converts are active. I talk to them every once in a while. We're friends
-Love Elder Lewis
And I’m using that to change lives here. And people’s lives really are changing! I'm happy to say that all 4 of my recent converts are active. I talk to them every once in a while. We're friends
-Love Elder Lewis
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Earthquake and Conference
Hi,
Yea my 1st earthquake. Kinda cool. We had a good Easter. We watched conference, then started to drive home, almost home we hit a light and just everything started to shake. It was weird, like we were in the ocean. Pretty odd feeling. It emptied a ton of water from our pool. We got there and the pool had waves in it and splashing over the edge and stuff.
Some stuff well down in our apt. Our fridge got pushed to the middle of our kitchen.
I remember mom making us go to conference and stuff when I was young. I hated it, it was boring. But who knows. Maybe it's had a lasting effect on me. I don't know. I don't remember anything significant from those days.
But now I really do have a testimony of the leaders of our church. Especially Thomas S. Monson. I like the way he uses all the… I don't remember what it's called, when you use consonants and stuff right after each other in different words etc.[alliterations] Or what did he say "the snow cap of old age" idk something like that. Then Jeffrey Holland’s "blast a crater in your brain" they're pretty good public speakers. But they do it modestly and plainly, which is even more profound.
I listened to Priesthood session in Spanish. I could understand most everything. Every once in a while there was a word I didn't know.
Thanks mom for the email and the pictures. Sorry I didn't email last week. I was lazy and the computer wasn't working right, and then I played soccer ha-ha. I love you very much and thank you for the way you raised me. There were a lot of talks about mothers and how to raise kids, and the home etc.
Love Elder Lewis
Yea my 1st earthquake. Kinda cool. We had a good Easter. We watched conference, then started to drive home, almost home we hit a light and just everything started to shake. It was weird, like we were in the ocean. Pretty odd feeling. It emptied a ton of water from our pool. We got there and the pool had waves in it and splashing over the edge and stuff.
Some stuff well down in our apt. Our fridge got pushed to the middle of our kitchen.
I remember mom making us go to conference and stuff when I was young. I hated it, it was boring. But who knows. Maybe it's had a lasting effect on me. I don't know. I don't remember anything significant from those days.
But now I really do have a testimony of the leaders of our church. Especially Thomas S. Monson. I like the way he uses all the… I don't remember what it's called, when you use consonants and stuff right after each other in different words etc.[alliterations] Or what did he say "the snow cap of old age" idk something like that. Then Jeffrey Holland’s "blast a crater in your brain" they're pretty good public speakers. But they do it modestly and plainly, which is even more profound.
I listened to Priesthood session in Spanish. I could understand most everything. Every once in a while there was a word I didn't know.
Thanks mom for the email and the pictures. Sorry I didn't email last week. I was lazy and the computer wasn't working right, and then I played soccer ha-ha. I love you very much and thank you for the way you raised me. There were a lot of talks about mothers and how to raise kids, and the home etc.
Love Elder Lewis
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Everythings Going Fine
Everything is going just fine here. I have a bike I’m using. It's good. I bought a helmet. I need to get lights. It's a pretty small town out here though. Like streets a barren a lot. But we're working a lot. Yea I’m speaking a lot of Spanish again. Now that the branch is open. It's going good. Yesterday took a hit though. Because of day lights savings time. Not as many people there.
We're really working hard with all the less actives though. We've GOT to get them to church. They've got to make that commitment. Everyone is really nice here though. All the non-members here are really nice. People wave to us and honk their horns and say hi all the time.
It's gonna get hot soon though.
Love, Elder Lewis
There was a fair a week ago. We set up a missionary table thing outside it. I tried to do magic to people. I did. It had some success. But I think I just freaked people out more than anything ha-ha. Now they probably think we're some devil church. I was doing too good of tricks. Then is started to rain!! Ugh. We got soaked.
We're really working hard with all the less actives though. We've GOT to get them to church. They've got to make that commitment. Everyone is really nice here though. All the non-members here are really nice. People wave to us and honk their horns and say hi all the time.
It's gonna get hot soon though.
Love, Elder Lewis
There was a fair a week ago. We set up a missionary table thing outside it. I tried to do magic to people. I did. It had some success. But I think I just freaked people out more than anything ha-ha. Now they probably think we're some devil church. I was doing too good of tricks. Then is started to rain!! Ugh. We got soaked.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
More from Brawley
It’s not hot yet here in the desert. Pretty nice weather. It rained the whole day yesterday. Crazy! Yea summer is going to be rough. But eh, I’ll deal with it. Gonna have to buy a camel pack. People are really friendly out here though. And a lot better well off. Rich people are out here. Well---lots of nice houses. If these houses were in San Diego they'd be multi-million dollar houses. I remember staying in Palm Desert when we were moving from PR. Super hot. Will and I went swimming but, you couldn't walk on the pavement without burning your feet like crazy.
That's crazy that Jordan [Murray] was here. Dang! Missed him. O well.
North of Brawley is the Salton Sea--haven’t been there. But "new river" is like super super super nasty. If you go in it, you'll die. That's what I’m told. It's super contaminated 'cause it comes up from Mexico. And there's some factory that maybe their stuff is getting dumped into it? Anyways it's contaminated. Like poison river.
I'm really happy I decided to serve a mission. I'll never regret it. I'm having a blast. Spanish is going to change my life. Pres. Donaldson said,"I’m sorry, but you have to learn Spanish. You have to." He said "the Lord...has things, big plans for me." Hmm.
So yea, I’m practically fluent I guess. But I misunderstand a lot. Sometimes I guess. Lots of words I don't know. I'd learn it a lot better if I was in a foreign country. I bore my testimony in Spanish at church yesterday. I gave a talk in my last branch remember?!
Yea, estoy haciendo mi mejor esfuerzo. Es la única cosa que pueda hacer. El resto es en las manos de dios. Y también la gente. Cada uno tiene su propio albedrio. Me hace triste cuando nos rechacen. Pero, ya, tuvieron su oportunidad. Cada uno tiene su propio tiempo también. Pero, las bendiciones están aquí en la tierra. Todo está bien acá en Brawley. Vamos a ir al templo mañana. Voy a poder a recoger una bicicleta y mi correo también. Oh! y el paquete! yay! Oren por mí, mi compañero, y los miembros aquí. Saludos a todos. Adiós
Bye- Elder Lewis
That's crazy that Jordan [Murray] was here. Dang! Missed him. O well.
North of Brawley is the Salton Sea--haven’t been there. But "new river" is like super super super nasty. If you go in it, you'll die. That's what I’m told. It's super contaminated 'cause it comes up from Mexico. And there's some factory that maybe their stuff is getting dumped into it? Anyways it's contaminated. Like poison river.
I'm really happy I decided to serve a mission. I'll never regret it. I'm having a blast. Spanish is going to change my life. Pres. Donaldson said,"I’m sorry, but you have to learn Spanish. You have to." He said "the Lord...has things, big plans for me." Hmm.
So yea, I’m practically fluent I guess. But I misunderstand a lot. Sometimes I guess. Lots of words I don't know. I'd learn it a lot better if I was in a foreign country. I bore my testimony in Spanish at church yesterday. I gave a talk in my last branch remember?!
Yea, estoy haciendo mi mejor esfuerzo. Es la única cosa que pueda hacer. El resto es en las manos de dios. Y también la gente. Cada uno tiene su propio albedrio. Me hace triste cuando nos rechacen. Pero, ya, tuvieron su oportunidad. Cada uno tiene su propio tiempo también. Pero, las bendiciones están aquí en la tierra. Todo está bien acá en Brawley. Vamos a ir al templo mañana. Voy a poder a recoger una bicicleta y mi correo también. Oh! y el paquete! yay! Oren por mí, mi compañero, y los miembros aquí. Saludos a todos. Adiós
Bye- Elder Lewis
Friday, March 5, 2010
New Area
I'm getting used to me new area. It's a lot a lot different. It's a small town of 22, 000 people instead of like 3.1 million in San Diego. Or the 350,000 in Chula Vista.
It's really flat. My area is pretty small because I'm on bikes. Even though I don't have a bike yet. I'm not gonna buy one. I'm gonna use one that's been left in the mission. I'm not very picky. and this area is peeeerfect for bikes. Perfectly flat and nice paved roads. I don't need a nice bike. I'll get one next week, when we go back to San Diego and go to the temple. Then I’ll get the package too.
The branch is starting next week. It's gonna be great. Busy busy busy though. We're covering the English ward and the Spanish branch. It's gonna get really busy, really fast. It's a big responsibility to be able to have this opportunity to open a new branch. Again. haha. It's gonna be awesome though. There are tons of less actives. That's all we've been doing. Cause b4, the Spanish wore headphones and there was a translator. Then they had their own class and stuff. Now everything will be in Spanish. "puro español"
Bueno, te quiero mucha mama
Todo está bien aquí. Adiós
Elder Lewis
It's really flat. My area is pretty small because I'm on bikes. Even though I don't have a bike yet. I'm not gonna buy one. I'm gonna use one that's been left in the mission. I'm not very picky. and this area is peeeerfect for bikes. Perfectly flat and nice paved roads. I don't need a nice bike. I'll get one next week, when we go back to San Diego and go to the temple. Then I’ll get the package too.
The branch is starting next week. It's gonna be great. Busy busy busy though. We're covering the English ward and the Spanish branch. It's gonna get really busy, really fast. It's a big responsibility to be able to have this opportunity to open a new branch. Again. haha. It's gonna be awesome though. There are tons of less actives. That's all we've been doing. Cause b4, the Spanish wore headphones and there was a translator. Then they had their own class and stuff. Now everything will be in Spanish. "puro español"
Bueno, te quiero mucha mama
Todo está bien aquí. Adiós
Elder Lewis
I got transferred
I got transferred out to the Desert. ugh. It was super hard to leave my last area. Super hard. I was there for more than half a year.
I entered the mtc Aug. 12th. I'm scheduled to come home August 16th 2011. lol don't worry mom. Ordinary missionaries count time. Extraordinary missionaries make time count. Idk how long I’ve been out. Ik it's more than 6th months. This is my 5th transfer. 1 transfer is 6 weeks. so I was in La Rama Rio Otay for 24 weeks.
But yea I’m out in Brawley, CA
El Desierto!!! tan caliente aca. My Spanish is tight. I'm practically leading the area again. We're opening a new Spanish branch!!! Big responsibility. Cause they tried like 10 years ago and it failed. It's not going to fail this time. At least I’m gonna work my butt off to get as many people there as a can.
I left a lot of investigators back in my old area. I was really worried for them. Like 4 people who had the potential to be baptized. I'm going to try and keep in touch with them. There is a ton of work to do here. It was kinds disappointing when I got here. Cause some missionaries don't try hard, or work to their potential.
I really think a lot back to my coaches, teachers, and you and dad. I learned hard work. Lots of kids didn't. I know I complained and stuff like all the time. But I’m over that. I like what Evelyn says "you get out, what you put in." Also what Jack Reid said my crazy, insane bball coach haha. "Many people want to achieve excellence, but aren't willing to do what it takes to achieve it." Don't just be sayers of the word, be doers. Show faith BY your works. Sometimes we get too caught up in our dreams. That we never wake up from them, and do them lol.
Well, I don't really have much to say. I'm just really anxious right now. There's so much to do. I love it here on the mission. I love Spanish. I love Mexicans. I'm learning Mexican haha. It's gonna be great.
Bueno, gracias mama, por todo lo que has hecho por mí y la familia. Creo que tú eres la piedra clave de nuestra familia. Recuerdo cuando tenías cáncer. Todos dijeron que eras una mujer tan fuerte. Y que tú perseveraste en una manera asombroso. Gracias por siendo fiel en la iglesia. Y asegurando que yo fui también a la iglesia. Gracias por todas las cosas que me has ensenado. Ya estoy bendiciendo otros, de lo que me ensenaste. Saludos a todos. Todo está bien aquí, no te preocupes sobre yo. Todo, todo, está bien. Oren por los miembros aquí, también mis investigadores. Oren por mi compañero. Que él pueda aprender español.
Te amo mucho mama, adiós
I entered the mtc Aug. 12th. I'm scheduled to come home August 16th 2011. lol don't worry mom. Ordinary missionaries count time. Extraordinary missionaries make time count. Idk how long I’ve been out. Ik it's more than 6th months. This is my 5th transfer. 1 transfer is 6 weeks. so I was in La Rama Rio Otay for 24 weeks.
But yea I’m out in Brawley, CA
El Desierto!!! tan caliente aca. My Spanish is tight. I'm practically leading the area again. We're opening a new Spanish branch!!! Big responsibility. Cause they tried like 10 years ago and it failed. It's not going to fail this time. At least I’m gonna work my butt off to get as many people there as a can.
I left a lot of investigators back in my old area. I was really worried for them. Like 4 people who had the potential to be baptized. I'm going to try and keep in touch with them. There is a ton of work to do here. It was kinds disappointing when I got here. Cause some missionaries don't try hard, or work to their potential.
I really think a lot back to my coaches, teachers, and you and dad. I learned hard work. Lots of kids didn't. I know I complained and stuff like all the time. But I’m over that. I like what Evelyn says "you get out, what you put in." Also what Jack Reid said my crazy, insane bball coach haha. "Many people want to achieve excellence, but aren't willing to do what it takes to achieve it." Don't just be sayers of the word, be doers. Show faith BY your works. Sometimes we get too caught up in our dreams. That we never wake up from them, and do them lol.
Well, I don't really have much to say. I'm just really anxious right now. There's so much to do. I love it here on the mission. I love Spanish. I love Mexicans. I'm learning Mexican haha. It's gonna be great.
Bueno, gracias mama, por todo lo que has hecho por mí y la familia. Creo que tú eres la piedra clave de nuestra familia. Recuerdo cuando tenías cáncer. Todos dijeron que eras una mujer tan fuerte. Y que tú perseveraste en una manera asombroso. Gracias por siendo fiel en la iglesia. Y asegurando que yo fui también a la iglesia. Gracias por todas las cosas que me has ensenado. Ya estoy bendiciendo otros, de lo que me ensenaste. Saludos a todos. Todo está bien aquí, no te preocupes sobre yo. Todo, todo, está bien. Oren por los miembros aquí, también mis investigadores. Oren por mi compañero. Que él pueda aprender español.
Te amo mucho mama, adiós
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Jon Alan Brown has been called to the Carlsbad, CA mission!
OMG!!!
That's the mission right above us. They get to come to the temple sometimes!! We’re totally gonna meet up. It's gonna be sweet. Spanish! He’s gonna learn Spanish too! It's gonna change his liiiiife! I'm pretty sure he already loves Mexican food. It's gonna be perfect for him. I’m really happy for him.
I need to contact him somehow. I think I have his email. But idk if he uses it. I bet I was the closest huh! I guessed San Diego...he's one mission above. I'm pretty sure I win.
That's pretty crazy all the snow you guys got again. I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. There's something special about sitting at home all nice and warm on a snow day though. I have lots of good memories of that. Reminds me of the holidays and the coal stove and NY.
Cool pictures mom. Looks pretty cold.
The tide here at the beach has been extreeemely high. The waves were coming up over the rocks and flooding the yard and coming into the apt. complex. The people who've lived here a while said that it's never happened b4. Water was just pooouring in through the door and down the stairs into people’s closets and into the garage. It's not that bad now. But it was pretty neat. There's like no beach.
I'm doing pretty well. I was sick all last week. For the past like 6 days I was pretty sick. :-/
I didn't know what it was. I just had a fever for a few days. It would go up. Then go back down, then up, then down. Sat. I woke up at like 4 and checked my mouth. I had some white specs in the back of my mouth. I've had those b4...I got antibiotics and now I’m feeling a lot better. Just a little weak. I my fever peaked at 103.6 once. Then, I started to get a little scared. It went down though right then---to 98.6 in less than an hour. That's not good. But I was fine. I was super super super loopy though. But I’ve never had a fever so high.
So I wasn't able to get out at all last week :-/ I’m pretty eager to now.
Alex is getting baptized Sunday!
Love, Elder Lewis
That's the mission right above us. They get to come to the temple sometimes!! We’re totally gonna meet up. It's gonna be sweet. Spanish! He’s gonna learn Spanish too! It's gonna change his liiiiife! I'm pretty sure he already loves Mexican food. It's gonna be perfect for him. I’m really happy for him.
I need to contact him somehow. I think I have his email. But idk if he uses it. I bet I was the closest huh! I guessed San Diego...he's one mission above. I'm pretty sure I win.
That's pretty crazy all the snow you guys got again. I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. There's something special about sitting at home all nice and warm on a snow day though. I have lots of good memories of that. Reminds me of the holidays and the coal stove and NY.
Cool pictures mom. Looks pretty cold.
The tide here at the beach has been extreeemely high. The waves were coming up over the rocks and flooding the yard and coming into the apt. complex. The people who've lived here a while said that it's never happened b4. Water was just pooouring in through the door and down the stairs into people’s closets and into the garage. It's not that bad now. But it was pretty neat. There's like no beach.
I'm doing pretty well. I was sick all last week. For the past like 6 days I was pretty sick. :-/
I didn't know what it was. I just had a fever for a few days. It would go up. Then go back down, then up, then down. Sat. I woke up at like 4 and checked my mouth. I had some white specs in the back of my mouth. I've had those b4...I got antibiotics and now I’m feeling a lot better. Just a little weak. I my fever peaked at 103.6 once. Then, I started to get a little scared. It went down though right then---to 98.6 in less than an hour. That's not good. But I was fine. I was super super super loopy though. But I’ve never had a fever so high.
So I wasn't able to get out at all last week :-/ I’m pretty eager to now.
Alex is getting baptized Sunday!
Love, Elder Lewis
Sunday, January 31, 2010
1.25.10
Hi,
We got a ton a rain. A ton. There was a flood warning here on the beach. It didn't though, but I got some pretty cool videos of some massive waves. It's so cool living here. I think they're going to move us soon though :(
That's awesome that Will got the job. He'll move up quick. And BMW-dang. Good cars.
That's soo cool for Alan. This is my guess to where he's going. San Diego, California-Spanish!! That would be soo cool. Elder Packer said they'll be sending some of the best missionaries here. Alan is gonna be an awesome missionary. It's going to change his life. Sounds like Will's busy.
I'm a little under the weather. Pretty weak but it's all good.
Yea I’m leading the area now. But different companion. I have to teach him Spanish. He didn't know any. I can speak pretty ok. I mean I have to now. Sometimes I misunderstand. But it's all good. That translator thing Will got me is priceless. I can look up words, then I save them. Then I go home and write them down on flashcards. I have like 500 flashcards that I need to memorize. Thanks for the advice dad :)
Ha-ha, yea my magic comes in handy sometimes. My apartment-mates have gotten into it as of late too. They say they're my apprentices. ha-ha.
k gtg
I love you all very much, bye
Elder Lewis
We got a ton a rain. A ton. There was a flood warning here on the beach. It didn't though, but I got some pretty cool videos of some massive waves. It's so cool living here. I think they're going to move us soon though :(
That's awesome that Will got the job. He'll move up quick. And BMW-dang. Good cars.
That's soo cool for Alan. This is my guess to where he's going. San Diego, California-Spanish!! That would be soo cool. Elder Packer said they'll be sending some of the best missionaries here. Alan is gonna be an awesome missionary. It's going to change his life. Sounds like Will's busy.
I'm a little under the weather. Pretty weak but it's all good.
Yea I’m leading the area now. But different companion. I have to teach him Spanish. He didn't know any. I can speak pretty ok. I mean I have to now. Sometimes I misunderstand. But it's all good. That translator thing Will got me is priceless. I can look up words, then I save them. Then I go home and write them down on flashcards. I have like 500 flashcards that I need to memorize. Thanks for the advice dad :)
Ha-ha, yea my magic comes in handy sometimes. My apartment-mates have gotten into it as of late too. They say they're my apprentices. ha-ha.
k gtg
I love you all very much, bye
Elder Lewis
I'm Doing my Best
1.19.10
Hey all,
Yea, it's been a big change. I'm doing my best. Yea "companionship" definitely implies 2. Sometimes companionships are more like 1 1/2 persons. I'm trying to help him be more involved. It's hard though. Especially for him. Cause he can't, just can't really do much. Because he doesn’t know the language yet. He's learning though. He seems down a lot of the time.
All growing up especially through high school and stuff I was taught "constructive criticism". All my coaches would just like yell at you most the time. So much so, that I took it in stride after a while, and really did try to improve and believed their way of coaching was the way it's supposed to be.
But then I heard a quote from Pres.Monson. It went something like this "I know of no instance where criticism is constructive, only destructive" It went something like that. Then he said to praise before you fault. Then to strongly encourage. I'm not sure exactly how it went or if he said all of that. But I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I've really been trying to do that. But it's hard. ha-ha. It wasn't exactly the way I was raised, taught, or coached.
It's especially hard, because when you see something that might not be right. That's the only thing you are focused on. You don't think to say something nice. You just want to jump in and say "Hey! this and that is wrong, do it this and that way" I'm trying and gonna start trying harder to say "ok _____ was really good. But I'd also encourage you to do this, or not do that etc.
Wow so it warmed up there a little. It's in the low 60's right now. It rained yesterday and is really cloudy. It's supposed to rain all week.
Those are some really good schools Evelyn is applying to. My friend Niell Bower goes to Alfred. I told her that. He's the kid with the huuuge hair. Like he used to have an afro. Will probably remembers him and his brother.
That would be really awesome if Will got that job. That would be a good job. A real blessing.
Mmmm that sounded like a nice birthday mom :) Happy Birthday! Those kinds of restaurants are soo cool. They're fun and entertaining. I admire those chefs. They really have to practice what they do, because they actually have to deal with the customers.
Yea, since I’m practically training. My comp gets 1 hour and 30 min. of personal study, then 1 hour companionship study, then 1 hour and 30 min. language study. Ha-ha 4 hours of studying every morning. It's a long morning. 8-12 studying, then at noon, usually we just take lunch. So 8-1 in the house :-0. It's nice being on the beach though ha-ha.
Thanks for the letter. I didn't email yesterday because it was Martin Luther King Jr. day. The libraries were closed.
Bueno te amo mucha mama. Gracias por tus oraciones. Voy a seguir orando para cada uno de ustedes también.
Elder Lewis
Hey all,
Yea, it's been a big change. I'm doing my best. Yea "companionship" definitely implies 2. Sometimes companionships are more like 1 1/2 persons. I'm trying to help him be more involved. It's hard though. Especially for him. Cause he can't, just can't really do much. Because he doesn’t know the language yet. He's learning though. He seems down a lot of the time.
All growing up especially through high school and stuff I was taught "constructive criticism". All my coaches would just like yell at you most the time. So much so, that I took it in stride after a while, and really did try to improve and believed their way of coaching was the way it's supposed to be.
But then I heard a quote from Pres.Monson. It went something like this "I know of no instance where criticism is constructive, only destructive" It went something like that. Then he said to praise before you fault. Then to strongly encourage. I'm not sure exactly how it went or if he said all of that. But I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I've really been trying to do that. But it's hard. ha-ha. It wasn't exactly the way I was raised, taught, or coached.
It's especially hard, because when you see something that might not be right. That's the only thing you are focused on. You don't think to say something nice. You just want to jump in and say "Hey! this and that is wrong, do it this and that way" I'm trying and gonna start trying harder to say "ok _____ was really good. But I'd also encourage you to do this, or not do that etc.
Wow so it warmed up there a little. It's in the low 60's right now. It rained yesterday and is really cloudy. It's supposed to rain all week.
Those are some really good schools Evelyn is applying to. My friend Niell Bower goes to Alfred. I told her that. He's the kid with the huuuge hair. Like he used to have an afro. Will probably remembers him and his brother.
That would be really awesome if Will got that job. That would be a good job. A real blessing.
Mmmm that sounded like a nice birthday mom :) Happy Birthday! Those kinds of restaurants are soo cool. They're fun and entertaining. I admire those chefs. They really have to practice what they do, because they actually have to deal with the customers.
Yea, since I’m practically training. My comp gets 1 hour and 30 min. of personal study, then 1 hour companionship study, then 1 hour and 30 min. language study. Ha-ha 4 hours of studying every morning. It's a long morning. 8-12 studying, then at noon, usually we just take lunch. So 8-1 in the house :-0. It's nice being on the beach though ha-ha.
Thanks for the letter. I didn't email yesterday because it was Martin Luther King Jr. day. The libraries were closed.
Bueno te amo mucha mama. Gracias por tus oraciones. Voy a seguir orando para cada uno de ustedes también.
Elder Lewis
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Big News
It's been super warm here. Like 70's all this week. There were people even swimming in the ocean. There are always surfers. But they have wet suits. But yea, it's been real warm.
Big news. I didn't get transferred. But I feel pretty overwhelmed with what did happen. I'm leading the area I’m at now. But to boot...my companion just got switched over to Spanish speaking. I've been out 1 transfer longer than him. But he got switched from English to Spanish on Wednesday. So......yeah. I'm way way way out of my comfort zone. It's gonna be real hard. 'Cause I have to do everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Like he doesn’t speak a lick of Spanish. But he's learning. He's studying all the time. Pray for me. 'Cause I’m going to need it. I'm practically training. My Spanish is gonna get a lot better from this experience now though. Cause I HAVE to speak. It's hard right now, real hard. But---this is where I really get to show what I’m made of. Whether I’m gonna buckle and give up, or whether I’m gonna bite my lip and go forward. Ya know? I'm thankful for all my coaches through high school. Cause they were teaching me how to be successful in life too. When the goin’ gets tough, the tough get goin’. I'm trying to do that. But it's one thing to say it. A completely different thing to do it.
I gave a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday! I'm really just getting thrown out there in the middle of it all. Ha-ha. No but it went well I think. I made everyone laugh a few times. I introduced myself and stuff, then I was like "y NO soy de Utah" ha-ha, everyone laughed. It was good though I thought, everyone was impressed. But I think I was the most impressed. It was like 8 min. long or so idk.
That's fantastic that the laptop is working. I was so mad at myself and disappointed about that. That's really a blessing. I'm really happy it works :) The fan has always been noisy. That's really gonna help Will.
I love you and Dad and Will and Evelyn very much.
Keep praying for me as I pray for all of you,
'Cause I’m pretty stressed right now ha-ha---this is where I become fluent. Right now. :) Nothing good comes easy though.
Love,
Elder Ben Lewis
Big news. I didn't get transferred. But I feel pretty overwhelmed with what did happen. I'm leading the area I’m at now. But to boot...my companion just got switched over to Spanish speaking. I've been out 1 transfer longer than him. But he got switched from English to Spanish on Wednesday. So......yeah. I'm way way way out of my comfort zone. It's gonna be real hard. 'Cause I have to do everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Like he doesn’t speak a lick of Spanish. But he's learning. He's studying all the time. Pray for me. 'Cause I’m going to need it. I'm practically training. My Spanish is gonna get a lot better from this experience now though. Cause I HAVE to speak. It's hard right now, real hard. But---this is where I really get to show what I’m made of. Whether I’m gonna buckle and give up, or whether I’m gonna bite my lip and go forward. Ya know? I'm thankful for all my coaches through high school. Cause they were teaching me how to be successful in life too. When the goin’ gets tough, the tough get goin’. I'm trying to do that. But it's one thing to say it. A completely different thing to do it.
I gave a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday! I'm really just getting thrown out there in the middle of it all. Ha-ha. No but it went well I think. I made everyone laugh a few times. I introduced myself and stuff, then I was like "y NO soy de Utah" ha-ha, everyone laughed. It was good though I thought, everyone was impressed. But I think I was the most impressed. It was like 8 min. long or so idk.
That's fantastic that the laptop is working. I was so mad at myself and disappointed about that. That's really a blessing. I'm really happy it works :) The fan has always been noisy. That's really gonna help Will.
I love you and Dad and Will and Evelyn very much.
Keep praying for me as I pray for all of you,
'Cause I’m pretty stressed right now ha-ha---this is where I become fluent. Right now. :) Nothing good comes easy though.
Love,
Elder Ben Lewis
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!
Can you believe it's 2010?!? I remember year 2000. I was in 5th grade. That was a good year. I really liked my teacher. I don't remember her name though. She would ask me how to pronounce words every once in a while. Cause she was Puerto Rican. Like "data" people say it differently. Anyways.
I'm 2 decades old! gross.
Yeah--it's 70 degrees outside! haha. Paradise. It's cold, then warm, then cold then warm. But it's been real warm the past week.
We find out who's getting transferred tomorrow. I'm nervous. 'cause I've been here and with the same companion for 3 transfers. Yea time flies. But I have to remember, it's not about me. It's about them. It's hard sometimes to just forget yourself. But I'm getting better at it. The natural man is so selfish. lol --I'm recognizing it though sometimes and make the change.
I don't want to leave this apt., or area, or branch and church. I've made a lot of friends here. It'll be hard to leave.
I would welcome a change though. Things get old. Mixing things up is for the best. Pray for me and the people here that I come across. Especially that their hearts may be softened and that they'll make time for us the missionaries.
Love, Elder Lewis
Can you believe it's 2010?!? I remember year 2000. I was in 5th grade. That was a good year. I really liked my teacher. I don't remember her name though. She would ask me how to pronounce words every once in a while. Cause she was Puerto Rican. Like "data" people say it differently. Anyways.
I'm 2 decades old! gross.
Yeah--it's 70 degrees outside! haha. Paradise. It's cold, then warm, then cold then warm. But it's been real warm the past week.
We find out who's getting transferred tomorrow. I'm nervous. 'cause I've been here and with the same companion for 3 transfers. Yea time flies. But I have to remember, it's not about me. It's about them. It's hard sometimes to just forget yourself. But I'm getting better at it. The natural man is so selfish. lol --I'm recognizing it though sometimes and make the change.
I don't want to leave this apt., or area, or branch and church. I've made a lot of friends here. It'll be hard to leave.
I would welcome a change though. Things get old. Mixing things up is for the best. Pray for me and the people here that I come across. Especially that their hearts may be softened and that they'll make time for us the missionaries.
Love, Elder Lewis
Feliz Navidad!
Tiempo para compartir con nuestros familaries y amigos un momento agradable lleno de paz y alegria.
Feliz Navidad!
Como están? Hace frio acá en San Diego. Más o menos en los 50’s y 60’s. Jajá! Todavía estoy viviendo on la playa. Todavía estoy con el mismo compañero, en la misma área. Pero, estoy feliz con todo. Ha nevado allí en N.C.? Tenemos una chimenea en nuestro apartamento. Yo nunca jamás quería dejarme de mi apartamento. Abisme cuando van a cambiar casa.
Elder Benjamin Lewis
Rough translation:
Time to share with our family and friends a pleasant moment full of peace and joy.
Merry Christmas!
How are you? It's cold here in San Diego. More or less in the 50' s and 60' s. Oh yeah! Still I am living on the beach. Still I am with my companion, in the same area. But, I am still happy. Has it snowed there in N.C.? We have a chimney in our apartment. I never want to leave my apartment. I'll let you know when they are going to transfer me.
Elder Benjamin Lewis
Feliz Navidad!
Como están? Hace frio acá en San Diego. Más o menos en los 50’s y 60’s. Jajá! Todavía estoy viviendo on la playa. Todavía estoy con el mismo compañero, en la misma área. Pero, estoy feliz con todo. Ha nevado allí en N.C.? Tenemos una chimenea en nuestro apartamento. Yo nunca jamás quería dejarme de mi apartamento. Abisme cuando van a cambiar casa.
Elder Benjamin Lewis
Rough translation:
Time to share with our family and friends a pleasant moment full of peace and joy.
Merry Christmas!
How are you? It's cold here in San Diego. More or less in the 50' s and 60' s. Oh yeah! Still I am living on the beach. Still I am with my companion, in the same area. But, I am still happy. Has it snowed there in N.C.? We have a chimney in our apartment. I never want to leave my apartment. I'll let you know when they are going to transfer me.
Elder Benjamin Lewis
Dec. 21st
This morning we went biking up and down that estuary-marsh thing. It was way fun. I had a Santa Clause hat on. It was a little chilly this morning.. like...lower 60s haha :-p
It's been kinda warm the past 3 days. Like mid 70's. That's cool to get some more snow. Last year, they got a bunch too. Wow! 16 inches in DC? dang
It's been pretty good down here. A little slow. We're building up our teaching pool again. Which is bad, it should always be filling up. But anyways… We've found a couple families that are really interested. The holidays are crazy though. People are busy. :-/--don't they know it would only take like 15 min.?!?! We tell ‘em that, but ehh. idk
We sang in sacrament meeting yesterday. We sang La Primera Navidad and Noche de Luz--(The first Noel) and (Silent Night). 4 elders and 2 sisters. Yeah! We have 6 missionaries in the branch! But the song was good. Everyone said we sang real well. There were even a few people crying.
I'm excited to have Christmas on the beach. But also, I may be getting transferred soon. Who knows? But this is still my 1st area and my 1st companion. My Spanish isn't that great though. But it's gettin’ a lot better.
Thanks for the letter. We have a Christmas party the 23rd where we get all of our packages. Did you get mine?! It’s coming. You all should watch one of the movies on Christmas as a family. Watch the "A Special Witness" one. That one is good. Make everyone watch it mom. Maybe you should all watch it before opening presents.
K I love you all very much. P-days are too busy-trying to get everything done.
Love Elder Lewis
It's been kinda warm the past 3 days. Like mid 70's. That's cool to get some more snow. Last year, they got a bunch too. Wow! 16 inches in DC? dang
It's been pretty good down here. A little slow. We're building up our teaching pool again. Which is bad, it should always be filling up. But anyways… We've found a couple families that are really interested. The holidays are crazy though. People are busy. :-/--don't they know it would only take like 15 min.?!?! We tell ‘em that, but ehh. idk
We sang in sacrament meeting yesterday. We sang La Primera Navidad and Noche de Luz--(The first Noel) and (Silent Night). 4 elders and 2 sisters. Yeah! We have 6 missionaries in the branch! But the song was good. Everyone said we sang real well. There were even a few people crying.
I'm excited to have Christmas on the beach. But also, I may be getting transferred soon. Who knows? But this is still my 1st area and my 1st companion. My Spanish isn't that great though. But it's gettin’ a lot better.
Thanks for the letter. We have a Christmas party the 23rd where we get all of our packages. Did you get mine?! It’s coming. You all should watch one of the movies on Christmas as a family. Watch the "A Special Witness" one. That one is good. Make everyone watch it mom. Maybe you should all watch it before opening presents.
K I love you all very much. P-days are too busy-trying to get everything done.
Love Elder Lewis
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