New Trainer 3-14-11

3-14-11
Mi Quierida familia y amigos,
Como estan?! This week I've been focusing more on my Spanish and trying to think, read, pray, talk, everything in it so I'll be ready for next transfer because I have some big news.... I'm going to be a trainer! I'm still kind of freaking out in my mind when I think about it, and I'm not sure what the Lord or Pres. Nelson are thinking, but I know this is His work and if I do it His way we will be successful so I said yes. I'm going into my 4th transfer tomorrow and as of tomorrow I'll have been here in Far Rockaway for exactly 6 weeks, but I don't feel like I know anything. Not only as a missionary do I feel extremely young and inexperienced, not to mention my Spanish on some days is horrible (one lady in our branch gave me this little children's book, just like the one we'd read out of with you mom when you taught us how to read, but this one's in Spanish and supposed to help pronunciation since she said my Spanish was very crude and green), but then on Sunday randomly I had to translate for an auxiliaries leaders meeting and it all just flowed and I was able to say everything and everyone understood me, so go figure. Anyway I also am completely unfamiliar with the area since we're in cars and I haven't driven (literally I can't remember the last time I drove a car, maybe in August?) so I never know where we are at or where we are going. So these last few days I've been determinedly trying to memorize streets, writing down all the information I can and getting every scrap of info out of Elder Simkins' head before he leaves. So tomorrow I'm going to go get my "kid" and word on the street is that a bunch of the new greenies are natives from Mexico so hopefully I'll get my first native companion and my Spanish will skyrocket! I'm super nervous that I'm supposed to show him the ropes and thinking about how much I could influence the rest of his mission is really daunting, but we're both going to be so young we will just have to learn together!
This week was mainly filled with Simkins saying his farewells to everyone, he has been here for 3 transfers (almost 5 months, as much time as I've been in NYC!) and has gotten really close with a lot of people, so actual teaching hasn't been the priority, just a lot of picture taking and exchanging information, but also it's good that I'm getting to see all of them and I’m trying to set up apps. for next week! Another fun thing this week is the presence of Judaism here. In the middle of a lesson in the projects with this sweet 86 yr old frail little black women that looks just like I imagine you'll look in 30 years mom (she doesn't use a cane and can read fine without glasses and still sings in her Pentecostal churches' choir which we know requires a LOT of energy), while teaching her I don't think she really was understanding, she just likes talking about the Lord so we kept trying to get her to tell us what she was understanding to know where to go with it, and randomly she just turned to me and says, " You're Jewish aren't you? I love Jews, I love everyone!". In spite of my efforts to assure her that I wasn't Jewish by religion or ethnicity she wouldn't believe me. This whole peninsula is covered in Jewish communities, tons of schools, synagogues, stores, etc. with English and Hebrew writing, all the stores have signs saying they are Kosher, and walking in the streets are all the men in wide brimmed black hats and long beards, and little boys with yamachas (sp?) anyway, ever since I got here everyone has been asking me if I was Jewish, but this week especially we had several interesting times when people thought I literally was Jewish! They all wear Sunday clothes, have the same facial features as me (if you know what I mean.lol yeah Lewis family!), and have curly brown hair. If I put one of those caps on I could probably walk into a synagogue and no one would say a thing. Apparently I must have ancestors from the tribe of Judah because it's ‘minorly’ eerie how well I fit in with them. I've never lived in close proximity to large Jewish communities before so I always thought it was a funny joke, but now I get asked if I'm a Jew several times a day!
Back on a serious note; Yesterday was an especially good day since we got to fast (little Lewis Pease I hope is okay), and also Jason and Tonia were finally confirmed. The spirit is so strong when the Lord is using you as an instrument in His hands, just feeling the Spirit confirming what we were saying was from the Lord really stuck out to me. I love this gospel and this work!! Although it was interesting doing it in a little branch with such brand new leadership that doesn't really know much, but we're all learning together! I can't believe next transfer Elder Scott will be District Leader (he's only a transfer older than me), but he's an awesome missionary and we're super stoked for the growing enthusiasm by the branch leadership for missionary work! He is a great guy that will definitely help all of us to grow and reach our potential and I'm blessed to get to serve around him. His comp will be on his 7th transfer, he'll be on his 5th, I'll be on my 4th and my kid will be on his 1st, so this will REALLY be a baby district. Greenie fire all the way! We're pumped, although a little apprehensive, but it will all work out in the end. Just gotta have faith=) Yo tengo fe! Oh also last night we showed "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" to the Berrett girls (Sis. Randalls' granddaughters, only one is a member) and the Castillo girls (all recent converts that match up perfectly in age with the Berretts). I love that movie, it literally gives me chills it is so powerful. Man being on a mission is the best because we just get to do things that invite the Holy Ghost all day long! Nothing is better than that. It's still so cool seeing Joseph (Nathan Mitchell) and thinking how much he looks like his little brother my friend Andrew Mitchell from back home. Cool stuff!
Other than that, the week has been more or less the same. We had pupusas again on Sun which I absolutely love! This morning we had breakfast at Sister Randall's (this large and loud black woman). I haven't had waffles in forever, she also made amazing French toast with this hcallah bread and I got her to make that buttermilk syrup that you make mom that we put on that blueberry breakfast bread pudding thing, it was sooo good! Also sausages and bacon, fruit, the works! We felt like kings, it was awesome. I'm sure excited to get to work here for at least another 6 weeks, probably longer. I apparently am the clone of an Elder Harris that was here for 9 months so everyone thinks I'll be here until my year mark! Crazy I'm already past my 6 month mark. 1/4 of my mission over. It's just going to get faster!
Well I better go, but I can't wait to hear back from all of you. Thanks for the letters, e-mails, pictures, etc. I love you! I hope everything is okay with all the storms. The tsunami and earthquake in Japan have been on all the channels the last couple of days. I hope everything is safe in Oregon! I love and pray for you=)
Love, Elder Lewis