12-6-10
Hey everyone!
This week has just flown by it's crazy! It started out super rainy and cold, I was very grateful for the nice big jacket mom got for me, but unfortunately my bottom half was not so well protected from the elements and my slacks were soaked! We had to walk up to this big apartment complex for an appointment, but of course she wasn't there, so we started just knocking doors in the building since I was still soaking. It was probably a comic scene, I'd prop up all my wet coat and gloves and some papers in my backpack that had gotten wet, I'd put them out to dry on the banister, and then we'd knock on the three doors close by, then I'd take them all across the hall to the other side and prop them all up again. Slowly but surely(building was 6 floors) I got all my stuff dried out, and we found a woman who had been baptized back in the DR but hadn't been to church since, and her records weren't here or anything. Funny story: her next door neighbor had his door open and was playing outrageously loud, crazy, music. When he saw us walk by he came out and started burning sticks of incense and followed us around the whole time just waving it in the air as if he thought he could dispel us "demons". We've gone back three times since to visit another member in the building and every time but once he has seen us and came out and did it again. Crazy people are especially prevalent in this side of the world=)
The week was great though; really busy with Zone and District Conference and lots of exchanges, but it was a lot of fun. I feel especially edified after Zone Conference and I learned so much. I'm continually amazed by how amazing Pres. Nelson is. I know every missionary says this, but I really think I lucked out with the best Mission President=) It was fun getting to refocus on lots of basic things, being lead by the spirit, etc. I hope I can apply what I learn more and more into my every day actions. We also had some great lessons with our 2 main progressing investigators. Jordyn is this boy that we randomly fearlessed his sister and she invited us back, but she didn't seem super interested, and we have only been able to meet with her once more, but her 15 yr old brother we've met with several times. When we gave him an assignment to read the first chapter of 1 Nephi he read up to ch.3! He actually understood a lot. He has lots of great questions, and seems to have a true desire to learn, he even did the prayer at the end of the lesson perfectly, asking to know if the BoM is true, and he even asked how he can recognize the Spirit! I hope he keeps progressing and we can work around his baseball schedule to get him to church, he's so prepared. It reminded me of how in PMG it talks about how we need to talk to everyone, and teach everyone, even if on the outside we don't think they'll accept it. We can't see their hearts, and sometimes the lesson isn't meant for that person, but someone else in the family or a friend that is prepared. The Lord really does know what He's doing, we just have to try to be worthy to the promptings of the Spirit so he can guide us! Also Roxana the one investigator we were given who was kinda faltering when we got here,-- we had a couple of really great lessons with her these last two weeks and she's learning a lot, and really seems to want the gospel in her life. She says she has a lot of faith, but we've been working on getting her to show that by actually reading and praying and coming to church, and this Sunday she came! I was so grateful for a sister in the ward who Roxana recognized from the last time she came over 2 months ago, and the sweet sister came to the class with Roxana and answered her questions and helped her during the rest of the block of meetings. Members that notice new investigators and are friendly really make all the difference. It was the best meeting for Roxana since it was testimony meeting!
On Sat we had a mini-mission which I've never heard of, but an elder here said he did it back home. It's awesome!
1 The youth in the ward, or just anyone that wants to serve a mission comes and we did workshops in the morning about contacting, opening your mouth, the blessings of mission work, and the importance of the BoM. Then each missionary got paired with a youth and an adult then we took them out with us to our appointments to teach and knock doors. It was great seeing so many of the members come out and support it, including sweet sisters in the ward. One, Hne. Crz that always has us over for Sunday dinner was on fire and seriously talked to anyone and everyone even if they spoke English since she doesn't she'd go grab an English speaker and have them talk to the person=) At the end we had a zone wide street sweep again which was super fun. We got to sing Christmas carols over all the crazy noise from the train, busses etc, and we got lots of names. The next day so many of the youth expressed how much they learned and how they want to go on missions. It was a great success! I'd highly recommend it=)
Also, other fun things were a baby shower the Spanish Branch had. The Branch President’s wife is expecting and they threw this huge party at the church, with tons of food, lots of funny games involving lots of adults having contests; their kids feeding them baby food or other crazy stuff, it was hilarious, They had fun decorations with lots of balloons. It was the funnest baby shower ever!
I loved the Christmas Devotional. I've missed hearing the Mormon Tab choir. I took it for granted hearing it so much before, and it was especially wonderful to be inspired and reminded of the true meaning of Christmas by our dear prophet and the First Presidency. They made me want to make this a more serviceable Christmas and to really try to have the compassion that Christ would want me to have as I share his great message. How grateful I am for the birth of our Savior in that manger in Bethlehem. I love Christmas!! I was sad that this year I won't be able to read "A Christmas Carol" when Pres. Monson brought that up, but in 2 years I will=) What a wonderful time of year. I love the holidays. Today it started to snow! I'm getting slightly sick, probably from being out in the soaking rain, and our apt. is freezing cold all the time. For comp and personal study we bundle up in all our jackets, gloves etc. We probably look ridiculous, but there is no heating and the shower is still as cold as ever, but they're saying they'll get us a new apartment this next week so that's exciting.
Mission life is great I love it in spite of all the antagonistic elements=) Thank you everyone for your letters, prayers, and support. I love this work, I love this church, and I love all of you! Keep being a missionary and sharing the gospel with everyone!
Love,
Elder Lewis
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