E.T. Go Home

Lol! I've always wanted to say that! But alas, it is true. For those
of you who don't know,  I am being sent home to have surgery.
I have had troubles with my kidneys most of my life. While on my mission, I was able to see a doctor who 
figured out what was wrong. Fortunately it can be fixed, but will require surgery.
My Mission President decided I should come home and have the surgery.
 Long story short I will be flying home on Sepetember 5th. My surgery will be on September 7th. 
So I will be seeing y'all shortly!
Well, this week has been such an adventure! First off we did
FHE with the Hantlas and that was so much fun! We ended up playing
Farkle which is quite hard to do while small children keep trying to
climb on your lap, but  if you can't control it enjoy it - President
Turner. Anywho afterward we ended up making stove top smores which was
a good idea until I got distracted and caught mine on fire... several
times... you would think coming from Utah I would be able to make
s'mores by now but oh whale 🐳!
We had DDM with our Zone Leaders so we had a good 14
missionaries there which was fun until an elder decided it would be a
good idea to try and break open a water melon with his head...
Elders... which was funny because he not only did it once but did it 3
times to see if he could break it open. His only response after Ward
was "it didn't hurt, my vision just went blurry for a second" ...
again I say Elders... but don't worry all is well with his brain and
the watermelon!
We got a call from our Sister Training Leaders, Sister
Flinders and Sister Fowkes who ended up telling us that we
would become a 3- pack with Sister Davis! Who interestingly enough was
Sister Nordbys last companion... whoops... she also is from South
Jordan Utah and came out on the mission with me so we are all about 9
months out! She is so sweet and so amazing at singing so we decided
that we would do a musical number in church. After that crazy news we
ended up going to a dinner appointment with a little girl named Marly,
the elders have been helping her mom return to Activity and her
boyfriend join the church. But Christy (Marlys mom) wanted us to teach
Marly because boys are weird and gross. I don't disagree . Sorry
Elders. Anywho so we ended up teaching her the Plan of Salvation again
because I have cute little figure (shout out to Rachel) and the Elders
messed it up last time and confused Marly. After we ended the lesson
the Elders stopped by to teach Adam and Christy proceeded to make the
Elders and Adam sit down and have us reteach the Plan of Salvation to
them... I don't know maybe the Elders need help??? But that was really
fun. I love their family so much! 
We saw the kids, Trinity and Stephen who were so sad when I told them that I
would be leaving soon. But they are still doing so good with reading 
their scriptures and are still so excited to come to church! We were also able to see 
Brooks West who has actually finished reading
the Book of Mormon which was super cool! He ended up telling us before
he comes to church he wants to talk to someone who converted to our
church and had some words of wisdom problems so that he can create a
support system for when he starts to quit his bad habits which we are
more than excited for! He ended up telling us the whole story of why
he wants to join the church and I was able to get a picture with him
before I left which was awesome!
Then fast forward to when we did our musical number. We
ended up singing come unto Christ and Sister Nordby played the piano
and there was not a dry eye in the congregation. It was so amazing and
I truly felt our Saviors love so strongly in the chapel! We then were
invited over to a Sister in the wards home for lunch and she had
us sing it to her family and we were also asked if we could do it for Christys family. 
It was an amazing experience because I know
they felt the spirit from the words we sang! We also were able to
visit a couple members so that I can start saying goodbye to a ward
which I have truly grow to love. They have helped change me into the
missionary that I am now and more specifically the person I am. I know
with out a shadow of a doubt that I have been able to touch their
lives as well because of the things they tell me when I visit with
them and the love that they have shown me!
Anyway I love y'all and if you need anything just let me know! I will
see y'all soon (:
Love,
Sister Lewis

Solar Eclipse

Hello friends and family! 

So as you all know today is the solar eclipse, so the mission went out of its way to buy everyone some solar eclipse glasses... and it is currently pouring rain.... so no solar eclipse glasses needed! And all of y'all think Utah weather is bad (; 

Anyhow I hope y'all have had an amazing week! We have been seeing so many miracles this week and it is due to the hard work and dedication that we have as missionaries! This week we had a less active member, who the Elders are working with, tell us that she wanted us to teach her daughter Marly so that she can be baptized! Which I am super excited for! But I have been noticing a pattern... Heavenly Father must think that I am good with kids because they are pretty much the only people I've been teaching on my mission. But it has been the best thing! I am excited to teach her because she is smart and truly has a desire to learn, when Jesus Christ told his deciples to be as little children he wasn't kidding! I have loved every minute of teaching his children here in South Carolina! 

This week we were also able to teach Sister Cook who is our bestie. She just loves the missionaries but hasn't had a desire to attend the temple until just recently. We were able to teach her the restoration yesterday and we had her write down her testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it to her brother! 

Also I am just loving my new companion! We have decided that we are equally weird so we are going to stress eat lettuce (: 

We also had our second Zone Conference with our new mission President which was awesome. He really put a focus on how the Lord truly is hastening the work.  It's amazing all of the things that have been changing because we are preparing a way for the savior. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing work! It truly is a great time to be a missionary I love all of y'all! Keep up the good work! 

Love,

Sister Lewis

HELLO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

Hey friends and family!
I hope all is well! It's crazy to think that
some of y'all are going to be starting school here pretty fast! It's
so crazy how fast time flies!
Our week has been pretty hectic because Sister Allred got
transferred and I now have a new companion! Her name is Sister Nordby
and she is from Priest River Idaho! She likes to go shooting, show
animals and go for long rides in the woods! And I just love her
already! We have just had so much fun these past few days introducing
her to the area and everything.
Last Week, Sister Allred and I saw a whole bunch of members before she
left. One of them was our Bestie Sister Cook! She ended up telling
us that she is ready to go to the temple and that she needs our help
to be able to accomplish that! So Sister Nordby and I have decided that we are going to
come over every Monday so that we can teach her the lessons to help
her prepare! We are also going to help her in reading the whole Book
of Mormon!  I am so excited for her that she has the strong
desire to go to the temple! Not only to go to the temple, but also prepare for the
temple! 
I am so excited, this transfer is going to be so great!
After Sister Nordby got here we helped her settle in for a little bit. We had a great discussion, and 
set some companion goals to be exactly obedient, and work hard. We also want to have fun
as well.  I feel like I am starting fresh with this area and I
can't wait! So far we haven't found anybody too promising but
we have set some goals and are trying to get a fire started in this
area!
We were able to see Stephen and Trinity again! They are amazing! 
They just take a hold of the gospel and the things they have learned and they are 
continually progressing because they have a desire that is so strong. 
This week has been just a great week and I am so excited for this
fresh start. After you've been in an area for so long it gets hard but
I know that Sister Nordby and I are just going to do great things together and
I am so grateful for that!
I would ask that y'all keep Brooks West and Courtney in your prayers!
And to always think of others! We had such a spiritual experience the
other day in the home of a member who just had a miscarriage and we
talked about how even in our darkest hours, if we serve others our burdens
may become lighter! I am grateful for your love and support! If there
is anything I can do for you please let me know!
Love,
Sister Lewis

Staying in Summerville

Hello! Another great week in the mission field! Man am I grateful to be a missionary! I hope y'all have had a great week and summer! It's crazy how fast time goes out when you're on the Lords errand! We actually ended up having transfer calls this morning and Sister Allred is leaving Summerville! Which means I am staying for another 6 weeks! When we found out we started joking with the members of the ward that they are going to move my membership records into the ward! So that's been pretty funny! But I am excited to see what this next transfer brings me! I'm going to miss Sister Allred but I know she is going to have so much fun up in Simpsomville! 

This week we actually got to visit with Brooks West and he told us that since he has been meeting with us he has actually started praying again! Which is the best news ever! I love it when people tell me that because prayer is so important! We ended up being able to teach him about the restoration of the Gospel. I just love talking about Joseph Smith because his experience gave us so much truth! Especially that God is our Father in Heaven and that he loves us and knows us by name! We tried putting him on date but he told us that he wanted to pray about it and get back with us in a couple weeks for our appointment! He is actually going out of town so he pushed us out a couple of weeks which was super sad, but everything will work out in the right time.

We were also supposed to see Courtney, but she ended up cancelling our appointment last minute. We were sad, but she had just got back in town so it's all good.

We also went to see a couple members who had birthdays and brought them cupcakes and wore party hats! 

Anyway, I hope y'all have an amazing week and lift where you stand! I love y'all 

Love, 

Sister Lewis