Pensacola brings Miracolas

Hi yall!!

So i have found that some weeks my email will be short, sometimes it will be long. But if you ever want to email me personally, I most likely will get back to you.

This past wednesday, we biked all over town, looking for some former investigators, and less actives. You see, since we are in a car share, we bike monday through wednesday, and have a car thursday through saturday. I really enjoy it, because it is keeping me in shape.

We have been able to find many potential investigators, as we bike and walk and talk to everyone. I am working on being super courageous so that I am able to talk to as many people as possible, and be able to testify to them on the spot. However, I am really good at giving them a Book of Mormon, and teaching them about how it works with the bible. 

Yesterday, us 2 sisters, and the elders that we share a car with, decided to do a fast for miracles, not just for the work, but for the ability to work with the members and to love those around us. As we did this fast yesterday, two members emphasized missionary work in their talk, and even encouraged people to sign up to feed us. while in relief society, they even talked more about missionary work. We had more people offer to come out with us for lessons than we have had in a while. We even had one member, who called us yesterday when it was pouring rain, and said she would be available to drive us to an appointment with someone. I was so grateful for her, because we would have had to walk or bike in the pouring rain, and been drenched by the time we got to our appointment. 

Because of this, I have a testimony, that fasting truly does bring miracles and blessings, no matter if we recognize it or not.

I love you all so much, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sister Lewis

this picture is of a kid in the ward wearing a future missionary tag.

another picture is of the stuff that a member gave me. She used coupons, which is the best thing ever!

Heavenly Father's Plan

I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one of us. I know that throughout His plan for us, He places different people in our paths to help us through this plan. This past week, I was able to reflect on all of the love that Heavenly Father has for me, and all of the people he has placed in my path along the way. I have made many great friends while being out on my mission and as I am in a new area, that is only 20 minutes from my last area, I have been able to see the wonderful friends/ family I have made throughout different points of time. Last Thursday, I went to Bishop Storehouse, and was able to see some of the members from Pace. As I talked with them, they gave me some warm welcomes. I was able to see that Heavenly Father does watch out for me. I was also able to see some of the lives I had touched as I followed Heavenly Father's plan. But I know that it isn't about how many lives I touch because really, it is how many lives Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ touched as they used me as an instrument in their hands. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the peace and comfort Heavenly Father gives me. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here in the Florida Tallahassee mission. I am also grateful for the kindness that the people have shown me here.

This week I asked, "Who is the one that has their hand in our lives daily?". and I thought about something I was told before my mission by an amazing missionary. He told me, as He pointed upwards, that it is Because of Him that we are who we are. Then I came upon this answer: The answer is our loving Heavenly Father. He is the source of all miracles. He is the source of light in times of darkness. He is the one who helps us to stay strong. When asked, "Why are you so awesome? or how do you do it?" Realize that it is because of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Because of His Atoning Sacrifice in the Garden of Eden, and on the cross; we can be forgiven, we can be healed, we can be comforted, and most importantly, we can be loved. 

It is because of Him, that we can do all things. It is because of Him that we can have strength.

" And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backss, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions"(Mosiah 24:14). It is because of our Heavenly Father's plan for us that we can have our burdens lightened, that we can have strength in all things.

I love you all so much!!

Love,

Sister Lewis

07/31/2017

This week has been super crazy! I tried Cincinnati spaghetti and eggplant for the first time this week. It was alright.

One of the stories from this week is we went to visit a referral who had ordered a bible. Her name is tonya. She invited us in straightaway and we talked with her for a little bit. We gave her a bible, and then asked if her kids would like one as well. She said yes. We then introduced the Book of Mormon to her as we got to know her a little bit, and taught her the beginning of the Restoration. It was exactly what she needed as she was going through some trials. I was able to tell her the story of Nephi and the trials he went through with his family, and related it to her. The spirit was so strong as Sister Renfro and I felt the need to testify to her, and help her relate to the stories in the Book of Mormon. In the end, we were able to get a return appointment, and say a prayer with her.

Today, we went to the beach with a member and her daughter. It was so much fun! we built sand castles, and played in the sand!!

One of the scriptures I encourage yall to read is John 14. It is a good chapter about the comfort this gospel brings. I know that it has helped me in my times of need.

I love you all!

-Sister Lewis

P.S. We went to Veteran's memorial park to take this homeless lady a bag of food and a book of Mormon with a member. Our mission president had contacted her while he was in Pensacola before our zone conference.

Singing in the rain

Hi yall!!!

Monday: We went to dinner at a member's house, and while we were eating dinner, the member told us about the days when he was a motorcycle policeman. He would say, "And another time..... He was right there( pointing to a space in the distance)!and I got 'em! And another time..."  It was the funniest stories i ever heard.

Tuesday: We went from district meeting, to volunteering at the Ronald Mcdonald house, to ARP, to Institute. It was a pretty packed day. While at Institute, I was able to see a few members from Pace, and talk with them for a little bit. It was a super fun day. In between these things, we were biking back to our apartment, and saw 2 guys trimming the bushes and blowing the leaves in front of our apartment, so we went and talked to them. The first guy spoke a little bit of english, but the 2nd guy spoke no english at all, only spanish. So what does my companion do? She starts speaking what little spanish she knows to the guy. It was so funny, because the guy didn't  understand very much. We gave him a pass along card. Then an hour later, we received a call from him, and then decided that we would refer him to the Spanish Elders to translate.

Wednesday: We went to dinner with a member. They took us and the elders to a hospital cafeteria for dinner. On the way, Sister Renfro and I were riding with the member, and I look over at Sister Renfro, and she is freaking out, brushing something off her leg. She then unbuckles her seat belt, and jumps to the middle seat, throwing my bag to the other side of the car. She puts her arm around me and starts to hyperventilate, and then squeezes my hand really hard. When I asked her what's wrong. She says, "Sorry, Sorry, there was a cockroach up my skirt." Then the members we were with started talking about cockroaches and how you can just flick them off of you and squish them. Then, they started talking about honey bees and killing honeybees. Mean while, Sister Renfro is still freaking out and on the verge of crying. It was so funny because the members didn't ask if we were okay or anything. They just kept talking. Then we got to the hospital and ate dinner with the members, and the Pensacola Elders. Only, the hospital food wasn't the greatest, and so we all tried to eat it, but i don't think any of us finished it. After dinner, the members were driving sister renfro and I home, and stopped at wendy's and bought us 5 small frosty's to take home and eat. Man it was such a crazy day!

Thursday: So i got asked to sing in zone conference, and i managed to rope in my companion so that I didn't have to sing alone. the only thing was, we could not find the sheet music for the song they wanted us to sing, and we didn't know the tune, so we ended up singing a rendition of "I am a Child of God", while an Elder played the guitar for us.  It went quite well. Then, we also had to teach for 20 minutes, and so we used a bunch of different scriptures, and conference talks to teach. It was a good zone conference.

Saturday: We had received 10 pounds of skittles, so we decided to decorate the inside of the car with skittles for the elders, since they were coming to pick up the car later that evening. It was so funny to watch them have to pull all of the skittles off of the steering wheel.

Sunday: We walked into the building 5 minutes before sacrament started, and a member of the bishopric approaches me, and asks if I could speak for 8-10 minutes, because one of the speakers cancelled. So what did I do? I scrambled to come up with a talk to give during the little time that I had. I ended up sharing some experiences from my mission, as well as my testimony which is always the best thing to do. It turned out really well, especially because I had the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Hope yall have a great week! Love you all!

Love, Sister Lewis

Pensacola here I am!

The cool part is, is that i get to see alot of the members that became my mission family while i am in Pensacola because of their callings in the church.

A really cool experience this week: we had to take our car into the Chevrolet dealership service, and get it checked out. While we were waiting, we decided we would go through the roster and the area book so i could become familiar with the people. Well this lady, Rebecca, sat next to us and started talking to us, and we were able to do "how to begin teaching" with her.  we shared our purpose, and were able to give her a pass along card and get her number to have a lesson with her. The next day, we had a member drop us off back at the car dealership, for us to pick up our car. After the member had already left, we found out that the car service shop was closed, and we would have to return monday. so we walked out and were in the middle of calling the member to come and get us, when this man, Mario came up to us and asked us what the problem was. We explained how we didn't know the shop was closed, and he told us to come into the dealership and he would go talk to his boss.He came back and talked with us while his boss was figuring things out, and began to ask us questions about our beliefs and what we do as missionaries. We were able to share with him a short message, and give him a pass along card and invite him to church. He was very kind, and open minded.

Double Trouble here we come!!!

Hi yall!!!

So transfer calls came!! I am getting transferred to Pensacola which is 20 minutes away from Pace, and I am getting Sister Renfro from the MTC as my companion!!!!!!!!!! It will be so much fun!!! I am so excited!!!

Monday: I went a little crazy and made no bake cookies, cheesecake strawberries, fruit dip, toffee, and corn on the cob.

Tuesday: I brought all the goodies I made Monday to district meeting for our 4th of July Potluck. We went to a member's house  for dinner and a 4th of July party. The whole ward was practically there. It was so much fun. We then went to an investigator's house to watch fireworks, and spend a little time with her.

Wednesday: We decided to call some of our former investigators in our area book that didn't have any address on their teaching record.  We then proceeded to our lunch time. As it was nearing the end of our 30 minutes, we received a call from a random number that we didn't know. When we answered, it was one of the former investigators we had called. She remembered an Elder that had taught her years ago and the Elders who had helped her when she was in need. She began to go on saying that she wanted to sponsor missionaries from the Mormon church, and if missionaries ever needed a place to stay, her home had room for 4 missionaries and they could stay there for free. She also mentioned how the Mormon beliefs fit what she believes more than the church she attends. She asked us when we first called, what was our intentions or purpose, so we explained our missionary purpose and asked if she would be interested, she was so excited and picked the day and time for us to come and gave us her address! It was so cool!

Saturday: We were playing volleyball with some of the members and the elders from Milton, and one of the elders spiked the volleyball over the net, smack into my face. He felt so bad. It was the funniest thing though, because it didn't even hurt. The other thing was, I had been prompted to wear contacts that day instead of my glasses, and to think that if I had worn my glasses, they probably would have been broken.

Sunday: I got told by a member that I have a really pretty voice and if me and my companion and the other missionaries in the area did a musical number, I would be the one carrying them along.😂 I don't think I am that good but I will take the compliment. haha.  

Love you all!

Love,

Sister Lewis

P.S. Read Moses chapter 6

4th of July

Living It up in the Pensacola/Miracola zone!

Hey yall!

 We have been able to find lots of different people to talk to, especially when people cancel appointments or reject us.  We had an experience this week, where we were both prompted to walk left out of a drive way. To confirm our prompting, we prayed at the end of the driveway to ask for guidance. Then we started walking left, we knocked on one door, but the parents weren't home, so we decided we would come back to that door later. Then we started walking, and this lady pulled up in her car (filled of like 5 other people) and asked us, "what is Jesus' name?" My companion responded, "Jehovah?" the lady said no. My companion asked, "Jesus Christ?" and the lady said no. Then I said, "The Messiah?" and she pointed her finger at me and said "Yes!" she then began to say how missionaries like us in a homeless shelter saved her life, and began to ask questions. Then the other lady in the car with her said she would like to chat with yall, but we are about to run out of gas. So we then asked if we could come by another time and visit with her. She told us where she lived and told us to come the next day at 2. It was such a cool experience, how as we prayed to confirm a prompting, someone was placed literally in our path.

This past friday, we went to the Jones' house who are members, and shared a message with them, we were just barely starting, when their daughter and son in law came in through the door. They had been in Alabama for the past few days, purchasing fireworks for the 4th of July.(you see, here in Florida, everyone crosses the border and goes to Alabama to get the big fireworks that are technically illegal in Florida, but the police here don't do anything about it.) The Jones family does a big firework show and dinner and pool party on the 4th of July. We are going to their house for dinner on the 4th and will probably get to watch the show they put on with these fireworks. haha.

On saturday, we woke up at 4:30 in the morning, and got ready and left at 5 to head into Pensacola to volunteer at the Ronald Mcdonald 5k they had going. We got free tshirts. One of the jobs we had to do was fill pitchers of water and take them outside of this pub to a cooler and fill the cooler with water for the cold towels for the runners. Then we also had to hand out tshirts to all of the runners that were registered. It was alot of fun! After a few hours at the 5k, we had to leave and go to a less active member's house for a service project we were doing with the members.

This service project was yard work. There was alot of trash and overgrown plants and mattresses in the yard, so me and my companion, and some of the priesthood bretheren, mowed this member's lawn, picked up alot of the trash and mattresses, and took it all to the dump. We also killed all of the weeds, and repaired a little bit of the fence. It was alot of work, but we got to know the members better.

In my studies this week, I studied Elder Holland's talk: "Songs Sung and Unsung". I liked how he said, "When we disparage our uniqueness or try to conform to fictitious stereotypes-stereotypes driven by an insatiable consumer culture and idealized beyond any possible realization by social media- we lose the richness of tone and timbre, that God intended when he created a world of diversity".

                 I have a testimony and I know that as we Become as He Is, and we learn of God's will for us, we can keep the richness of our personality and self that God intended for us to have. I know that as we are ourselves and we don't change for anybody but God, we can be happy and we can remember our purpose as a child of our loving Heavenly Father. Elder Holland said, "Come as you are,' a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, 'Don't plan to stay as you are." As I have been on a mission, I have learned that as I am myself, and I tell Heavenly Father that I am ready to do His will, and I show Him that I am ready, He will change me for the good.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Lewis

Ronald McDonald 5K

Working in a Bar (water)

5K

5K Beauties