Crazy huh!
I will be coming home on Tues. Aug. 9th!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
7/26/11
Things are going way cool here. Right now we have 6 practically 7 people with baptismal dates. Pretty awesome huh. In the past 4 weeks there have been 6 baptisms. Before that...there hadn't been any in a little over a year. :--0
Crazy huh?!
But yea, I’m in an area that was part of the Carlsbad mission before it got switched. So members were showing me some pictures of previous missionaries. I saw a picture of the companion of Elder Alan Brown. So that was neat. Also I saw a few pictures of Daniel Zarate. Thomas' little brother. And some of the members know him. Oh, and besides that I’m going over to The Zarates' grandmas/aunt and uncles house in like an hour. And Thomas is going to be there! Ha-ha cool huh? Well this will be a fun p-day. I think we might all go on a hike. That's what I’d like to do. We'd be able to talk and catch up on things too. He's getting married in like a couple weeks.
But yea, the work here has just multiplied. All the hard work the elders did before is finally paying off. There could be a ton of baptisms before I go home.
Things are going well. Elder Ballard is coming down Saturday. Sister Clayton, the wife of our Mission president is the daughter of Elder Ballard.
But Elder Ballard comes down here every year I think. Cause he has family and I think maybe a house on Coronado Island. Which is like one of the richest areas in the United States! So that's Saturday.
I love you all and keep praying for our investigators. I pray for all of you every day
Love, Elder Lewis
Crazy huh?!
But yea, I’m in an area that was part of the Carlsbad mission before it got switched. So members were showing me some pictures of previous missionaries. I saw a picture of the companion of Elder Alan Brown. So that was neat. Also I saw a few pictures of Daniel Zarate. Thomas' little brother. And some of the members know him. Oh, and besides that I’m going over to The Zarates' grandmas/aunt and uncles house in like an hour. And Thomas is going to be there! Ha-ha cool huh? Well this will be a fun p-day. I think we might all go on a hike. That's what I’d like to do. We'd be able to talk and catch up on things too. He's getting married in like a couple weeks.
But yea, the work here has just multiplied. All the hard work the elders did before is finally paying off. There could be a ton of baptisms before I go home.
Things are going well. Elder Ballard is coming down Saturday. Sister Clayton, the wife of our Mission president is the daughter of Elder Ballard.
But Elder Ballard comes down here every year I think. Cause he has family and I think maybe a house on Coronado Island. Which is like one of the richest areas in the United States! So that's Saturday.
I love you all and keep praying for our investigators. I pray for all of you every day
Love, Elder Lewis
Monday, July 25, 2011
I’m Running to the End!
7/19
Well---yep I got transferred. toooo Ramona, CA haha--it's a little town. But I’m def here for a reason. I was kinda disappointed when they transferred me for my last transfer...cause I’m pretty far from everything else :(--far from friends, far from recent converts and members :(
However...remember when I was going to byu-idaho?? Well during spring break Thomas and I came down here for it. And we stayed here...haha in Ramona, California ---with his grandma and aunt and uncle! And I saw them at church Sunday. It was way cool. I didn't know where we had stayed when we came down...but I recognized their faces. And started talking to me, and they recognized me! haha. Then Thomas' grandma played the piano at our baptism Sunday. And Thomas is going to be here next week and we’re going to hang out p-day and go over to their house to eat! haha awesome huh??
But don’t' think I’m trunky I’m not. I don't think. I got here and the elders had just had like 4 baptisms. A few weeks before. And those were the first baptisms that they'd had here in over a year! woooow long time.
Well I got here and we didn't have anyone with a baptismal date. Sunday we had a baptism!---7 people at church, 6 with baptismal dates and 8 progressing investigators! Crazy huh! From zeros to huge numbers. The Lord has really blessed us. This is going to be an awesome last transfer.
My companions name is Elder Hill. He's from Colorado. He's been out like 7 months. So still kinda new. But he's a really good elder. Hard working and really humble. He's says he's learning a ton. I'm his 2nd companion so I guess I’m following up training him.
Things are going awesome and that being able to see Thomas again is way cool. We'll actually be able to talk this time. He's gonna be living like 10 minutes away. haha.
Anyways I love you all and I’m way happy and enjoying my time here in the mission. Even though it's running short I’m running to the end!
Love,
Elder Lewis
Well---yep I got transferred. toooo Ramona, CA haha--it's a little town. But I’m def here for a reason. I was kinda disappointed when they transferred me for my last transfer...cause I’m pretty far from everything else :(--far from friends, far from recent converts and members :(
However...remember when I was going to byu-idaho?? Well during spring break Thomas and I came down here for it. And we stayed here...haha in Ramona, California ---with his grandma and aunt and uncle! And I saw them at church Sunday. It was way cool. I didn't know where we had stayed when we came down...but I recognized their faces. And started talking to me, and they recognized me! haha. Then Thomas' grandma played the piano at our baptism Sunday. And Thomas is going to be here next week and we’re going to hang out p-day and go over to their house to eat! haha awesome huh??
But don’t' think I’m trunky I’m not. I don't think. I got here and the elders had just had like 4 baptisms. A few weeks before. And those were the first baptisms that they'd had here in over a year! woooow long time.
Well I got here and we didn't have anyone with a baptismal date. Sunday we had a baptism!---7 people at church, 6 with baptismal dates and 8 progressing investigators! Crazy huh! From zeros to huge numbers. The Lord has really blessed us. This is going to be an awesome last transfer.
My companions name is Elder Hill. He's from Colorado. He's been out like 7 months. So still kinda new. But he's a really good elder. Hard working and really humble. He's says he's learning a ton. I'm his 2nd companion so I guess I’m following up training him.
Things are going awesome and that being able to see Thomas again is way cool. We'll actually be able to talk this time. He's gonna be living like 10 minutes away. haha.
Anyways I love you all and I’m way happy and enjoying my time here in the mission. Even though it's running short I’m running to the end!
Love,
Elder Lewis
Sunday, July 17, 2011
T-burg Connection
Elder Brown (from Trumansburg Branch), Elder Lewis (from Durham 3rd-formally Tburg Branch), Elder Zarate (from Ithaca ward)
"por si las moscas (dudas) se la mando otra vez"
Sunday, July 10, 2011
July 5
Hola
Como estas?
Bueno, si, todavía sigo como líder de distrito en el Barrio 20. Ahora llevo prácticamente 4 transferencias aquí. El presidente Donaldson y su esposa se van el miércoles de la mañana. :(
Les vamos a extrañar muchísimo. Ellos fueron buenísimos. El jueves vamos a conocer a los nuevos. La hna. y el presidente Clayton.
Todo va bien aquí. Te acuerdas cuando te dije que me iba a quedar y morir aquí? bueno...a menos que me trasferían para mi ultima área. Voy a terminar aquí.
Suceda lo que suceda--- la misión ha sido la cosa más importante que he hecho en mi vida. Realmente estoy agradecido por la decisión que hice de servir una misión.
Ahora tengo una perspectiva diferente de la vida y del mundo. Estoy agradecido por todas las personas que he podido conocer y ayudar.
Hello
What’s up?
Well, yes, I'm still district leader in the District 20. Now I have almost 4 transfers here. President Donaldson and his wife leave Wednesday morning. : ( We are going to miss him very much. They were a good influence. Thursday we are going to meet the new president. Sis. and President Clayton. All goes well here. Remember when I said I would stay and die here? well ... unless I transfer to my last area, I will end here.
Whatever happens --the mission has been the most important thing I've done in my life. I'm really grateful for the decision I made to serve a mission.
Now I have a different perspective on life and the world. I am grateful for all the people I have known and helped.
This last Sunday I translated for the stake president in our ward conference. lol It was kinda funny in a couple parts. I did pretty well though. My Spanish is alright. I’m definitely gonna keep studying it and using it. I’m gonna watch all the movies when I get home in Spanish and then in English. And I’ll read all the books in Spanish. I enjoy Spanish, but if I were ever to teach it. I will need to learn it a lot better.
Enjoy the new pictures!
Love, Elder Lewis
Como estas?
Bueno, si, todavía sigo como líder de distrito en el Barrio 20. Ahora llevo prácticamente 4 transferencias aquí. El presidente Donaldson y su esposa se van el miércoles de la mañana. :(
Les vamos a extrañar muchísimo. Ellos fueron buenísimos. El jueves vamos a conocer a los nuevos. La hna. y el presidente Clayton.
Todo va bien aquí. Te acuerdas cuando te dije que me iba a quedar y morir aquí? bueno...a menos que me trasferían para mi ultima área. Voy a terminar aquí.
Suceda lo que suceda--- la misión ha sido la cosa más importante que he hecho en mi vida. Realmente estoy agradecido por la decisión que hice de servir una misión.
Ahora tengo una perspectiva diferente de la vida y del mundo. Estoy agradecido por todas las personas que he podido conocer y ayudar.
Hello
What’s up?
Well, yes, I'm still district leader in the District 20. Now I have almost 4 transfers here. President Donaldson and his wife leave Wednesday morning. : ( We are going to miss him very much. They were a good influence. Thursday we are going to meet the new president. Sis. and President Clayton. All goes well here. Remember when I said I would stay and die here? well ... unless I transfer to my last area, I will end here.
Whatever happens --the mission has been the most important thing I've done in my life. I'm really grateful for the decision I made to serve a mission.
Now I have a different perspective on life and the world. I am grateful for all the people I have known and helped.
This last Sunday I translated for the stake president in our ward conference. lol It was kinda funny in a couple parts. I did pretty well though. My Spanish is alright. I’m definitely gonna keep studying it and using it. I’m gonna watch all the movies when I get home in Spanish and then in English. And I’ll read all the books in Spanish. I enjoy Spanish, but if I were ever to teach it. I will need to learn it a lot better.
Enjoy the new pictures!
Love, Elder Lewis
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Pres. Donaldson
MTE--stands for Missionary Training Exchange. We get together as a zone and Pres. Donaldson instructs us and teaches us. Then we go out with "coaches"-- other missionaries. Then we have another day of instruction. It was pretty cool. We didn’t' get to coach or be coached this time though.
Anyways we always learn cool stuff. Pres. Donaldson knows a lot of stuff, he's probably the best teacher I’ve ever know. Lots of really cool doctrine. Lots and lots of patterns. Really cool patterns. Like...divine patterns. Really interesting. Now since I’ve been on my mission and stuff, and through the temple even. I really read the scriptures differently.
Our mission has done a bunch of pilot programs. One was DVD players. We had DVD players in our apt. like the portable car ones. We’d watch the Preach My Gospel DVD’s on 'em. But now they're allowing all missions to have them I think. so that's kinda cool.
Things are going good. We did go to the zoo, but my camera adapter thing wasn’t working. So sorry no pics.
We’re going to go play soccer and have a little bbq. Woo hoo, sounds fun.
Missionary work is awesome. I just need to sprint to the end!
Love, Elder Lewis
Anyways we always learn cool stuff. Pres. Donaldson knows a lot of stuff, he's probably the best teacher I’ve ever know. Lots of really cool doctrine. Lots and lots of patterns. Really cool patterns. Like...divine patterns. Really interesting. Now since I’ve been on my mission and stuff, and through the temple even. I really read the scriptures differently.
Our mission has done a bunch of pilot programs. One was DVD players. We had DVD players in our apt. like the portable car ones. We’d watch the Preach My Gospel DVD’s on 'em. But now they're allowing all missions to have them I think. so that's kinda cool.
Things are going good. We did go to the zoo, but my camera adapter thing wasn’t working. So sorry no pics.
We’re going to go play soccer and have a little bbq. Woo hoo, sounds fun.
Missionary work is awesome. I just need to sprint to the end!
Love, Elder Lewis
Only One Transfer Left
Hey everyone,
Nah, I didn't get transferred. I only have one transfer left after this one. However, this transfer will be 7 weeks. Because President Donaldson is leaving, Idk exactly why, but they extend the transfer a week. But I think I’m going to finish my mission here. haha, that's what I said when I got here. I just have to survive one more transfer. I didn't get transferred but my companion did. My new comp is Elder Callejas. I've known him for a while. He's a good guy. He's from El Salvador. He speaks English, But not super good.
It's cool being with a native again though. I’m learning new words like every day. We are going to go to the zoo today. I'll take some more pics.
But yea, el tiempo vuela. Everything is going well. Tomorrow there's this leadership meeting of the mission. I think they are going to show us new footage from the filming that they've put together. I'm excited maybe I’ll appear in it haha.
Thanks for the emails. Everything is good here, missionary work is awesome.
Love Elder Lewis
Nah, I didn't get transferred. I only have one transfer left after this one. However, this transfer will be 7 weeks. Because President Donaldson is leaving, Idk exactly why, but they extend the transfer a week. But I think I’m going to finish my mission here. haha, that's what I said when I got here. I just have to survive one more transfer. I didn't get transferred but my companion did. My new comp is Elder Callejas. I've known him for a while. He's a good guy. He's from El Salvador. He speaks English, But not super good.
It's cool being with a native again though. I’m learning new words like every day. We are going to go to the zoo today. I'll take some more pics.
But yea, el tiempo vuela. Everything is going well. Tomorrow there's this leadership meeting of the mission. I think they are going to show us new footage from the filming that they've put together. I'm excited maybe I’ll appear in it haha.
Thanks for the emails. Everything is good here, missionary work is awesome.
Love Elder Lewis
I Testify of God’s Love
Elder Araujo and I get a referral from the El Centro elders. All the info they give us is a name and an address and that he's a member. Before we were able to contact him at his home, he came to church. He stayed for sacrament meeting in English and stayed all the way through for Spanish too. A total of 5 and a half hours probably. We were able to set up an appointment to go visit him. We went by Monday night. As we entered his apartment my heart sunk down to my feet. There was nothing...Nothing but a tiny kitchen table a one wooden chair, and a tiny old TV. I asked him where he slept, he pointed to the bedroom, and that he sleeps on the floor. Elder Araujo and I sat down on the floor and we had a prayer.
To listen to his story I was just astonished. This man was supposedly once a successful soccer player in Mexico. He was injured and that ended his career. Sometime after his mental health failed. He had no place to live. He would hop on trains and go wherever the trains would take him. Begging for food, a place to sleep for who knows how many years. Turns out this Hermano has schizophrenia.
After we left, Elder Araujo and I felt just horrible. This man had almost nothing. We went home and got a bunch of clothes we didn't use, food we weren't going to eat and some furniture that we didn't need and gave it to this Hermano.
Elder Fisher and I were on exchanges one day, and we went to teach this brother. We were notified of some problems that he's been having and we needed to teach him the Law of Chastity. We taught him clearly and simply. He understood everything. And we told him what he needed to try to stop doing. Then all of a sudden he just burst out crying. Amidst his sobbing he mumbled out how he's crazy. And that he KNOWS and recognizes that he's crazy. “Estoy loco, estoy loco" I remember him repeating.
Never had a felt the love of God so strongly in my life. The room was just thick and dense of the spirit. It was almost like...tangible. Here was this schizophrenic man. Who has serious mental problems. However he was striving to live the gospel and change his life. But can you imagine being crazy...and KNOWING you're crazy?! Despite all the problems this man faced and faces in life, God loves him more than I can ever comprehend. He's special! He's a son of God. He has mansions waiting for him in the next life.
I testify of God’s love. Especially for this Hermano. God loves me, God loves you. Nos vemos en el reino celestial.
Elder Lewis
To listen to his story I was just astonished. This man was supposedly once a successful soccer player in Mexico. He was injured and that ended his career. Sometime after his mental health failed. He had no place to live. He would hop on trains and go wherever the trains would take him. Begging for food, a place to sleep for who knows how many years. Turns out this Hermano has schizophrenia.
After we left, Elder Araujo and I felt just horrible. This man had almost nothing. We went home and got a bunch of clothes we didn't use, food we weren't going to eat and some furniture that we didn't need and gave it to this Hermano.
Elder Fisher and I were on exchanges one day, and we went to teach this brother. We were notified of some problems that he's been having and we needed to teach him the Law of Chastity. We taught him clearly and simply. He understood everything. And we told him what he needed to try to stop doing. Then all of a sudden he just burst out crying. Amidst his sobbing he mumbled out how he's crazy. And that he KNOWS and recognizes that he's crazy. “Estoy loco, estoy loco" I remember him repeating.
Never had a felt the love of God so strongly in my life. The room was just thick and dense of the spirit. It was almost like...tangible. Here was this schizophrenic man. Who has serious mental problems. However he was striving to live the gospel and change his life. But can you imagine being crazy...and KNOWING you're crazy?! Despite all the problems this man faced and faces in life, God loves him more than I can ever comprehend. He's special! He's a son of God. He has mansions waiting for him in the next life.
I testify of God’s love. Especially for this Hermano. God loves me, God loves you. Nos vemos en el reino celestial.
Elder Lewis
Sunday, June 5, 2011
How can I know that I’ve been a successful missionary?
This next month we're getting more movies. As in new Preach My Gospel movies from more footage that they filmed here. Maybe I’ll be in those ones. haha again. Also, they're going to do like a 12 episode series on BYU TV from all the footage. It's gonnna be sooo sweeet.
It's pretty crazy because a lot of people are going home. One sister from my district is on a plane right now. Its crazy how time flies. And you can't go back! This is it! so that's why it makes me sad seeing disobedient missionaries and stuff like that. Not that I’m perfect. I guess it mainly just all comes down to you. In preach my gospel it asks "' then it says by your commitment to your purpose. To invite others to come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, etc.
It all comes down to our effort. If we know we're doing the best we can...then great! nothing’s wrong. But to see others not do that it's kinda a bummer. At the end of the day we should ask ourselves if we fulfilled our purpose to the best we could've. Did we help these people grow their faith, desire to repent and make covenants? And after that we should ask ourselves the same thing. Did our faith grow? our desire to repent? did our diligence and honor to our covenants increase?
Good things are happening in our area, This is a good ward. Huuuuge burden and responsibility on the bishop. I really feel for him and I’m trying to help him.
The gospel is true! it's the only way to find lasting happiness in this life and eternal life in the life to come.
Love, Elder Lewis
It's pretty crazy because a lot of people are going home. One sister from my district is on a plane right now. Its crazy how time flies. And you can't go back! This is it! so that's why it makes me sad seeing disobedient missionaries and stuff like that. Not that I’m perfect. I guess it mainly just all comes down to you. In preach my gospel it asks "' then it says by your commitment to your purpose. To invite others to come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, etc.
It all comes down to our effort. If we know we're doing the best we can...then great! nothing’s wrong. But to see others not do that it's kinda a bummer. At the end of the day we should ask ourselves if we fulfilled our purpose to the best we could've. Did we help these people grow their faith, desire to repent and make covenants? And after that we should ask ourselves the same thing. Did our faith grow? our desire to repent? did our diligence and honor to our covenants increase?
Good things are happening in our area, This is a good ward. Huuuuge burden and responsibility on the bishop. I really feel for him and I’m trying to help him.
The gospel is true! it's the only way to find lasting happiness in this life and eternal life in the life to come.
Love, Elder Lewis
Hi Mom
Hi Mom,
I have a bible and triple combination in Spanish. I don't use my English scriptures anymore. Actually I haven’t used them for a long time. Probably like a year and a half. I've read the whole BOM in Spanish. It took me a while. I didn't know how to mark my scriptures. Then I found a book in the library of the Brawley chapel. It gives suggestions on how to mark your scriptures. One of them was to just pick a few different topics of interest. And give them a color. poor ejemplo: faith- yellow, repentance-purple- baptism-blue etc... but I did that with like 10 topics. La fe, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, la expiación, Jesucristo, los mandamientos, Satanás/maldad, el plan de salvación, la obra misional, y escrituras/registros.
So it's taken me a while to read, because I mark all those topics in their color. But I finished a while ago. Transfers are coming up in a week. We find out one week from today. Can you believe that?! It’s flown by. Then I’ll only have 2 left. Crazy! That’s no time at all. Nothing really changes though. Just gonna keep on keepin on. There's lots to do. I bet I’ll stay and finish my mission here. But who knows. Pres. and sister Donaldson finish their mission’s next transfer. I'm gonna have the new mission president for 1 transfer. haha. departure activities are goin to be lame! haha--he's gonna be like. uhh...I don’t really know you..but um...good job Elder. have a good life...O well.
Ben
I have a bible and triple combination in Spanish. I don't use my English scriptures anymore. Actually I haven’t used them for a long time. Probably like a year and a half. I've read the whole BOM in Spanish. It took me a while. I didn't know how to mark my scriptures. Then I found a book in the library of the Brawley chapel. It gives suggestions on how to mark your scriptures. One of them was to just pick a few different topics of interest. And give them a color. poor ejemplo: faith- yellow, repentance-purple- baptism-blue etc... but I did that with like 10 topics. La fe, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, la expiación, Jesucristo, los mandamientos, Satanás/maldad, el plan de salvación, la obra misional, y escrituras/registros.
So it's taken me a while to read, because I mark all those topics in their color. But I finished a while ago. Transfers are coming up in a week. We find out one week from today. Can you believe that?! It’s flown by. Then I’ll only have 2 left. Crazy! That’s no time at all. Nothing really changes though. Just gonna keep on keepin on. There's lots to do. I bet I’ll stay and finish my mission here. But who knows. Pres. and sister Donaldson finish their mission’s next transfer. I'm gonna have the new mission president for 1 transfer. haha. departure activities are goin to be lame! haha--he's gonna be like. uhh...I don’t really know you..but um...good job Elder. have a good life...O well.
Ben
Monday, May 16, 2011
May 3
Hello
Yeah so big changes yesterday. We just got 2 stakes into our mission. They gave two stakes from the Carlsbad mission to us. And gave one stake from the Riverside mission to Carlsbad. We had a lot less units and stakes then those missions. And a little bit more missionaries.
It was cool to see Elder Brown and Elder Zarate. I'm sorry I forgot my camera today. Or else I would've sent you some pictures. I've been sick for a few days. Ugh! I get sick too much! I’ve been taking vitamins consistently though! I had the worse headache I’ve ever had in my liiiiiiife! Every time my heart beat...my head throbbed....
In my dreams...I had headaches. It stunk. I've gotten a lot of medicine from the pharmacy though. I never had a fever so that was good. Well I got up to 100.3 though, but not any higher than that.
I'm kind of tired, but I should be better by tomorrow.
Love, Elder Lewis
Yeah so big changes yesterday. We just got 2 stakes into our mission. They gave two stakes from the Carlsbad mission to us. And gave one stake from the Riverside mission to Carlsbad. We had a lot less units and stakes then those missions. And a little bit more missionaries.
It was cool to see Elder Brown and Elder Zarate. I'm sorry I forgot my camera today. Or else I would've sent you some pictures. I've been sick for a few days. Ugh! I get sick too much! I’ve been taking vitamins consistently though! I had the worse headache I’ve ever had in my liiiiiiife! Every time my heart beat...my head throbbed....
In my dreams...I had headaches. It stunk. I've gotten a lot of medicine from the pharmacy though. I never had a fever so that was good. Well I got up to 100.3 though, but not any higher than that.
I'm kind of tired, but I should be better by tomorrow.
Love, Elder Lewis
April 19
Things are going well. I got a new companion. His name is Elder Taylor and he's from St. Augustine, Florida. I'm just 2 transfers older than him. He really wants to learn Spanish. My last companion learned Spanish quick! I hope I can help Elder Taylor learn too.
Our mission is getting bigger. We're getting 2 more stakes. It's going to require 18 I think more companionships. We'll be taking over Elder Alan's area!! ha-ha. He said he's like 5 min. from the temple. And the temple is in our mission. We'll see each other when we go up to this meeting. There's this multi-mission meeting the 26th. Elder Tom Perry is coming. I'll get to see Alan.
I got a little package from the young women from the wards up there in Durham. They sent me cookies and stationary! ha-ha it was coool. Plus I’m a stinker now at writing letters. I’m gonna go write them back and stuff.
Things are going well. I can't believe the time is going by so fast. I don't really wanna think about it.
Love, Elder Lewis
Our mission is getting bigger. We're getting 2 more stakes. It's going to require 18 I think more companionships. We'll be taking over Elder Alan's area!! ha-ha. He said he's like 5 min. from the temple. And the temple is in our mission. We'll see each other when we go up to this meeting. There's this multi-mission meeting the 26th. Elder Tom Perry is coming. I'll get to see Alan.
I got a little package from the young women from the wards up there in Durham. They sent me cookies and stationary! ha-ha it was coool. Plus I’m a stinker now at writing letters. I’m gonna go write them back and stuff.
Things are going well. I can't believe the time is going by so fast. I don't really wanna think about it.
Love, Elder Lewis
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Baptism, Zoo and Easter Preparations
Hello everyone
Well last week was a good week. We had a baptism. Eliot Garcia. Super uber prepared. All we had to do was teach him. He really wanted to be baptized. He was super super super prepared. It was awesome. I think he's going to be a leader in the church. He just needs to keep learning for himself. But wow. We would only teach him once a week. So...yeah. So that was good. I'll send pics later.
Sooo. I don't know if I’ve told you, but I’m gonna see Alan the 26th of April. When I say Alan I mean John Alan Brown..Elder Brown. From t-burg. He's in the Carlsbad mission.
Also Thomas Zarate's littler brother is in that mission too [from Ithaca Ward]. The mission is getting bigger. Elder Tom Perry is coming down. He's gonna talk to our mission, Carlsbad, and Riverside. So that's way cool.
We're planning these activities and stuff for Easter. For the ward that it. We're gonna have a fireside with special musical numbers and testimonies from recent converts. Then an Easter egg hunt followed by "The Prince of Egypt" and the Easter Sunday a "Missionary Sunday" and on Easter Sunday there is an activity at night.
People are gonna dress up as Peter, James and John, Nephi, Laman and Lemuel, Lehi and Joseph Smith and others. Well turns out I’m gonna be Joseph Smith. So that's cool
There should be lots of nonmembers and less actives at those activities!!
Well everything is going all right here. I pray for you guys every day. No need to worry about me I’m fine. I know that I’m doing a great work. It's very fulfilling to be a missionary. Time is just flying by though :-/
Things are going well. We're gonna play soccer today. So that'll be fun. I have a ton of pics that I’m gonna send you guys. I got a year pass to the zoo, so we're going to go there again. Probably a few times more b4 I go home. I'll save a ton of money. Plus we can take the guided tours on bus, also the gondola that takes us across the zoo. Cause the zoo is huuuuuuuge. We were there like 4 hours the last time. We walked a lot and probably saw less than half.
Gonna go play soccer :-0
Love Elder Lewis
Well last week was a good week. We had a baptism. Eliot Garcia. Super uber prepared. All we had to do was teach him. He really wanted to be baptized. He was super super super prepared. It was awesome. I think he's going to be a leader in the church. He just needs to keep learning for himself. But wow. We would only teach him once a week. So...yeah. So that was good. I'll send pics later.
Sooo. I don't know if I’ve told you, but I’m gonna see Alan the 26th of April. When I say Alan I mean John Alan Brown..Elder Brown. From t-burg. He's in the Carlsbad mission.
Also Thomas Zarate's littler brother is in that mission too [from Ithaca Ward]. The mission is getting bigger. Elder Tom Perry is coming down. He's gonna talk to our mission, Carlsbad, and Riverside. So that's way cool.
We're planning these activities and stuff for Easter. For the ward that it. We're gonna have a fireside with special musical numbers and testimonies from recent converts. Then an Easter egg hunt followed by "The Prince of Egypt" and the Easter Sunday a "Missionary Sunday" and on Easter Sunday there is an activity at night.
People are gonna dress up as Peter, James and John, Nephi, Laman and Lemuel, Lehi and Joseph Smith and others. Well turns out I’m gonna be Joseph Smith. So that's cool
There should be lots of nonmembers and less actives at those activities!!
Well everything is going all right here. I pray for you guys every day. No need to worry about me I’m fine. I know that I’m doing a great work. It's very fulfilling to be a missionary. Time is just flying by though :-/
Things are going well. We're gonna play soccer today. So that'll be fun. I have a ton of pics that I’m gonna send you guys. I got a year pass to the zoo, so we're going to go there again. Probably a few times more b4 I go home. I'll save a ton of money. Plus we can take the guided tours on bus, also the gondola that takes us across the zoo. Cause the zoo is huuuuuuuge. We were there like 4 hours the last time. We walked a lot and probably saw less than half.
Gonna go play soccer :-0
Love Elder Lewis
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Pues, este domingo pasado tuvimos una investigadora en la iglesia. Toda va bien ahorita. Tiene fecha bautismal para domingo. Hubo un mon ton de no miembros en la iglesia. Los miembros estan invitando a muchos de sus amigos. Es buenisimo. Alli en Brawley nosotros eramos una gran parte de la rama. Estuvimos involucrado en casi todo. Aqui, es como, estamos aqui no mas a ayudar. Y si eso es nuestro proposito. Pero eramos vas vital alla en la ramita de Brawley.
Este barrio es muy grande. Es bueno, hay mucho que hacer! Ya estamos mucho mas ocupados. Nunca se que escribir. A mi no me gusta escribir tanto :-/
Es mas facil tomar fotos. Pero no estoy haciendo eso tampoco. Bueno. Voy a fijar metas y hacer planes para...escribir a mas personas...quiza : /...y escribir en mi diaro.
Bueno espero que todo este bien alla en Carolina Del Norte. A mi me hace falta buena comida en casa. Pero, comemos mucho con miembros. Estoy muy agradecido por los miembros fieles de la iglesia.
Elder Lewis
This past Sunday we had an investigator at church. All is going well right now. He has a baptismal date for Sunday. There was a ton of non-members at church. Members are inviting many of their friends. It's great. In Brawley, we were a big part of the branch. We were involved in almost everything. Here, it's like, we are here just to help. And that is our purpose. But we were vital there in the little Brawley Branch.
This ward is really big. It's good, there is a lot to do! We're much more busy. I never know what to write. I do not like writing much: - /
It is easier to take pictures. But I'm not doing that either. Well. I will set goals and make plans to write to more people ... ... maybe: / ... and write in my journal.
Well I hope all is well there in North Carolina. I really miss good home cooked food. But we eat a lot with members. I am grateful for the faithful members of the church.
Elder Lewis
Este barrio es muy grande. Es bueno, hay mucho que hacer! Ya estamos mucho mas ocupados. Nunca se que escribir. A mi no me gusta escribir tanto :-/
Es mas facil tomar fotos. Pero no estoy haciendo eso tampoco. Bueno. Voy a fijar metas y hacer planes para...escribir a mas personas...quiza : /...y escribir en mi diaro.
Bueno espero que todo este bien alla en Carolina Del Norte. A mi me hace falta buena comida en casa. Pero, comemos mucho con miembros. Estoy muy agradecido por los miembros fieles de la iglesia.
Elder Lewis
This past Sunday we had an investigator at church. All is going well right now. He has a baptismal date for Sunday. There was a ton of non-members at church. Members are inviting many of their friends. It's great. In Brawley, we were a big part of the branch. We were involved in almost everything. Here, it's like, we are here just to help. And that is our purpose. But we were vital there in the little Brawley Branch.
This ward is really big. It's good, there is a lot to do! We're much more busy. I never know what to write. I do not like writing much: - /
It is easier to take pictures. But I'm not doing that either. Well. I will set goals and make plans to write to more people ... ... maybe: / ... and write in my journal.
Well I hope all is well there in North Carolina. I really miss good home cooked food. But we eat a lot with members. I am grateful for the faithful members of the church.
Elder Lewis
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
I love my bike. I'll use it a lot. I didn't have to worry about rain though over there in Brawley...And now I’m in car :-0. I Hope I stay in this area for the rest of my mission. That'd be nice. We're working hard. Right now we're really just trying to find new investigators. And I think we'll be adding a ton pretty soon here.
Elder Evans of the 70 came and toured the mission and spoke to us last week. It was pretty cool. Also there was a military fireside Sunday. Pretty intense. Two seventies came and talked. One was a 4 star general...I’ve seen them and heard them both in general conference before. That would've been something Dad would've liked. Cause they talked a lot about war. And shared war stories. It was pretty cool how boldly they testified of how important it is sometimes to go to war. And protect or country and our agency. IT was pretty cool; those were guys who are waay up there. I don't remember their names.
Everything is going good. Thanks for the emails every week.
I know that I’m doing a great work. Sometimes it isn't easy, but it's worth it. I've come to know and have grown a testimony of the doctrine of Christ. Everyone needs this gospel. If they don't, they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. If they don't follow the steps of the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism and the gift f the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. This is the only way to be happy in this life, and to gain eternal life in the life to come. It's simple, but sometimes sad. That so many people are going to reject. But it's worth it when they accept it!
Stay involved with the missionaries and missionary work.
Love Elder Lewis
Elder Evans of the 70 came and toured the mission and spoke to us last week. It was pretty cool. Also there was a military fireside Sunday. Pretty intense. Two seventies came and talked. One was a 4 star general...I’ve seen them and heard them both in general conference before. That would've been something Dad would've liked. Cause they talked a lot about war. And shared war stories. It was pretty cool how boldly they testified of how important it is sometimes to go to war. And protect or country and our agency. IT was pretty cool; those were guys who are waay up there. I don't remember their names.
Everything is going good. Thanks for the emails every week.
I know that I’m doing a great work. Sometimes it isn't easy, but it's worth it. I've come to know and have grown a testimony of the doctrine of Christ. Everyone needs this gospel. If they don't, they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. If they don't follow the steps of the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism and the gift f the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. This is the only way to be happy in this life, and to gain eternal life in the life to come. It's simple, but sometimes sad. That so many people are going to reject. But it's worth it when they accept it!
Stay involved with the missionaries and missionary work.
Love Elder Lewis
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
New Area
Me cambiaron a San Diego! Pues mi area se llama "Normal Heights" It's like all city. Lots and lots of houses ever, lots and lots of departamentos en todos lados. Pero, a mi asombro...yo tiene tanta chamba aqui ahorita. Nuestra teaching pool en el valle era bien grande. Como 20-30 personas. Era dificil de encontrar la mayoria de ellos a veces, pero les enseñabamos. Enseñabamos mucho. Ahorita tenemos quiza 5.
Mi nuevo compa es exactamente eso...nuevo...nuevecito.. Tiene este es su tercer translado en el campo. Cuatro si cuenta el CCM. El estuvo alli para español.
Ando en carro ya. Tengo suerte. Es difirente la obra en carro. Pero, lo que a mi me toca, lo acepto. Me habia gustado mi tiempo en bici. Casi un año en bici. Fue divertido. Es probable que esta sea mi ultima area. Me falta poquito tiempo en la mision. :-0. Pero me gusta esta area. Se llama el Barrio Veinte. Esta grande. Un gran cambio en comparasion a la ramita de Brawley. Tenemos un chorro de gente en nuestra area. Hay mucho que hacer.
Estoy cerca de down town, Balboa Park esta en el borde de nuestra area. Asi que por fin voy a poder visitar las cosas turisticas en San Diego.
I moved to San Diego! As my area is called "Normal Heights" It's like all city. Lots and lots of houses ever, lots and lots of departments everywhere. But, to my amazement ... I have so much chamba here right now. Our teaching pool in the valley was rather large. As 20-30 people. It was hard to find most of them at times, but we taught them. Taught them a lot. Right now we have maybe 5.
My new companion is just that ... new ... brand new .. This is his third Transfer in the field. Four if you count the MTC. He was there for Spanish.
I’m in a car now. I have luck. The work is different by car. But what touches me, I accept. I had loved my time on bike. Almost a year on a bike. It was fun. It is likely that this is my last area. I needed little time in the mission. : -0. But I like this area. It is called the Barrio Twenty. This big. A big change in Comparison to the branch of Brawley. We have a stream of people in our area. There is much to do.
I'm close to down town, Balboa Park is on the edge of our area. So I'll finally be able to visit the tourist things in San Diego.
Mi nuevo compa es exactamente eso...nuevo...nuevecito.. Tiene este es su tercer translado en el campo. Cuatro si cuenta el CCM. El estuvo alli para español.
Ando en carro ya. Tengo suerte. Es difirente la obra en carro. Pero, lo que a mi me toca, lo acepto. Me habia gustado mi tiempo en bici. Casi un año en bici. Fue divertido. Es probable que esta sea mi ultima area. Me falta poquito tiempo en la mision. :-0. Pero me gusta esta area. Se llama el Barrio Veinte. Esta grande. Un gran cambio en comparasion a la ramita de Brawley. Tenemos un chorro de gente en nuestra area. Hay mucho que hacer.
Estoy cerca de down town, Balboa Park esta en el borde de nuestra area. Asi que por fin voy a poder visitar las cosas turisticas en San Diego.
I moved to San Diego! As my area is called "Normal Heights" It's like all city. Lots and lots of houses ever, lots and lots of departments everywhere. But, to my amazement ... I have so much chamba here right now. Our teaching pool in the valley was rather large. As 20-30 people. It was hard to find most of them at times, but we taught them. Taught them a lot. Right now we have maybe 5.
My new companion is just that ... new ... brand new .. This is his third Transfer in the field. Four if you count the MTC. He was there for Spanish.
I’m in a car now. I have luck. The work is different by car. But what touches me, I accept. I had loved my time on bike. Almost a year on a bike. It was fun. It is likely that this is my last area. I needed little time in the mission. : -0. But I like this area. It is called the Barrio Twenty. This big. A big change in Comparison to the branch of Brawley. We have a stream of people in our area. There is much to do.
I'm close to down town, Balboa Park is on the edge of our area. So I'll finally be able to visit the tourist things in San Diego.
Ok, so I’ve had 2 companions since Oct. Well, Elder Yarldey, who was waiting for his visa, finally got shipped off. He was with us almost 3 months. He has to go to Idaho and have some kind of interview for his visa idk...then hopefully he'll be in Mexico tomorrow.
I'm still with Elder Araujo. We've been together 4 transfers and I trained him. So that's nuts. That almost never happens. 5 1/2 months. Chances are I’m getting transferred next transfer. It's the 19th.
A couple weeks ago this happened.
We were biking. Going east on b street. We had just crossed the tracks and this car pulls up and parks in front of us on the road. They open the door and I almost run into it. I swerve by and keep biking, cause we had somewhere to be. I turn the corner and keep going, and pretty fast. Then I here Elder Yarldey say "hey wait!" I see Elder Yarldey, but not Elder Araujo. I thought he might have fallen or something happened. I bike back quickly; he was fine, just on the other side of the corner. Turns out it was a women and she liked yelled for us. Elder Araujo waited for me to get there, cause he doesn’t speak good English and she was speaking English at the time. Also, he thought she just wanted to yell at him. I get there and it turns out she this woman... well to make a long story short she wants to be baptized.
She came to church this Sunday and I think she enjoyed it. She's going to get baptized on the 16th. Her name is Patricia Estrada.
Also, another recent convert. Gilbert Gonzalez. He's on fire!! He's so awesome. So prepared. He's progressing soo much in the gospel. However, someone busted his car window and sprayed a ton of oil, like car oil into his car and all over everything in his car. They didn't steal anything; it was just an act of hate pretty much. Messed Up. Who knows who did it?
But he used to go to a church called Victory Outreach. Pretty much just re-hab church. and ex-cons or w/e. Anyways, after he got baptized and also before...he got antied soooooooo much. Like crazy. It's so frustrating and annoying how much bad and evil lies people make down here about Mormons. Literally, church pastors have anti-Mormon class in their churches. I bet it's like that down south too. But it really gets on my nerves. They do it allllll behind the missionaries back too. I haven’t had a single person try and bash with me. Anyways, after his baptism they kept on giving him anti material. We've had to teach him about our potential to become gods....polygamy....the mountain meadow massacre....evvverything. He's seen it all! And they don't phase him now. He's heard everything, and gotten over it all. His testimony is soo strong now.
Anyways, take care. I got the pictures and the video and stuff in the mail. Thanks!!! I haven’t watched the video yet, but I saw the pictures. Awesome thank you! :)
Love Elder Lewis
I'm still with Elder Araujo. We've been together 4 transfers and I trained him. So that's nuts. That almost never happens. 5 1/2 months. Chances are I’m getting transferred next transfer. It's the 19th.
A couple weeks ago this happened.
We were biking. Going east on b street. We had just crossed the tracks and this car pulls up and parks in front of us on the road. They open the door and I almost run into it. I swerve by and keep biking, cause we had somewhere to be. I turn the corner and keep going, and pretty fast. Then I here Elder Yarldey say "hey wait!" I see Elder Yarldey, but not Elder Araujo. I thought he might have fallen or something happened. I bike back quickly; he was fine, just on the other side of the corner. Turns out it was a women and she liked yelled for us. Elder Araujo waited for me to get there, cause he doesn’t speak good English and she was speaking English at the time. Also, he thought she just wanted to yell at him. I get there and it turns out she this woman... well to make a long story short she wants to be baptized.
She came to church this Sunday and I think she enjoyed it. She's going to get baptized on the 16th. Her name is Patricia Estrada.
Also, another recent convert. Gilbert Gonzalez. He's on fire!! He's so awesome. So prepared. He's progressing soo much in the gospel. However, someone busted his car window and sprayed a ton of oil, like car oil into his car and all over everything in his car. They didn't steal anything; it was just an act of hate pretty much. Messed Up. Who knows who did it?
But he used to go to a church called Victory Outreach. Pretty much just re-hab church. and ex-cons or w/e. Anyways, after he got baptized and also before...he got antied soooooooo much. Like crazy. It's so frustrating and annoying how much bad and evil lies people make down here about Mormons. Literally, church pastors have anti-Mormon class in their churches. I bet it's like that down south too. But it really gets on my nerves. They do it allllll behind the missionaries back too. I haven’t had a single person try and bash with me. Anyways, after his baptism they kept on giving him anti material. We've had to teach him about our potential to become gods....polygamy....the mountain meadow massacre....evvverything. He's seen it all! And they don't phase him now. He's heard everything, and gotten over it all. His testimony is soo strong now.
Anyways, take care. I got the pictures and the video and stuff in the mail. Thanks!!! I haven’t watched the video yet, but I saw the pictures. Awesome thank you! :)
Love Elder Lewis
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Home Teaching is Important
12/14/20
I'm happy for Will and Jamie. Did he tell you their tithing miracle? Pretty cool. During the wedding, the house is going to be packed Mom! Then it's gonna be empty!! I remember when I was in college in Idaho. It was just you and Dad at home in NY right?! How was that? Bittersweet right ?! haha
That's a real good idea from those missionaries. Did you call one of the investigators?!?! Are the home teachers going by there mom? Are you doing your visiting teaching? It's really important. If the home teachers or visiting teachers aren't coming over. Make them. Tell them you want them to come over.
Home teaching here is so mediocre, that they're having us, the missionaries help with it...missionaries aren't supposed to do that. We have like 25 investigators, but it's been a little hard following up and all.
I've been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon, but in Spanish. I'm in Alma 31. There's just soo much stuff to learn from scriptures. Especially as a missionary, and also scriptures to use while you teach.
That's sad about Aunt Mabel. Was she the one we met in NC? Who gave me money for my mission?
Tell me when you want me to call home.
Love Elder Lewis
I'm happy for Will and Jamie. Did he tell you their tithing miracle? Pretty cool. During the wedding, the house is going to be packed Mom! Then it's gonna be empty!! I remember when I was in college in Idaho. It was just you and Dad at home in NY right?! How was that? Bittersweet right ?! haha
That's a real good idea from those missionaries. Did you call one of the investigators?!?! Are the home teachers going by there mom? Are you doing your visiting teaching? It's really important. If the home teachers or visiting teachers aren't coming over. Make them. Tell them you want them to come over.
Home teaching here is so mediocre, that they're having us, the missionaries help with it...missionaries aren't supposed to do that. We have like 25 investigators, but it's been a little hard following up and all.
I've been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon, but in Spanish. I'm in Alma 31. There's just soo much stuff to learn from scriptures. Especially as a missionary, and also scriptures to use while you teach.
That's sad about Aunt Mabel. Was she the one we met in NC? Who gave me money for my mission?
Tell me when you want me to call home.
Love Elder Lewis
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