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
Sunday, June 19, 2011
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
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