So,
on Monday we spent dinner at a family's house who just lost their young
grandson. I was here when he first went into the hospital after choking
at the dinner table. It happened pretty fast and they lost him
unexpectedly. But, the part that I would like to share with you is not
how sad their story is, although it is, but how remarkable this family
is. They are still smiling and finding joy in their journey. It struck
me that they deeply cherished the time they had with him, and
because they kept memories (journals, photographs, etc.) they didn't
have any regrets. While their situation is tough, they have memories to
cherish and even more importantly they have the gospel to bring them
peace. Because they have been sealed to their family, they know that
they have not lost their grandson. We can all be with our families
forever. That is what makes the temple such a special place. I have been
filled with gratitude many times this week for the principle of eternal
families. I am grateful that my family is eternal and that I will
someday have the chance to be sealed.
On Monday
night we also met Linda and Cecelia. Linda is Cecelia's mom, Cecelia is
9. So, they were a referral from a less-active in our ward. They had
moved in a few houses down from the member and she told us about them
about two months ago. I'm not sure exactly why but we never
really attempted to get in contact with them. But, on Monday we finally
decided to head over there since they had come to our minds a few times
in the week preceding. We knocked on the door, told Linda that her
neighbor had mentioned her to us and set up a return appointment for the
next evening. When we went over on Tuesday, we asked why she let us
come back and she said, "Well, because of the chance that everything
happens for a reason and if my neighbor thought it would help me..."
Wow! Linda has been going through a rough time, I won't go into details,
but her heart is softened and prepared for this message! I know how
much it is going to bless her family. Moreover, to those members of the
church that receive my emails, I hope that you will consider the example
of this wonderful less active member of our ward. She honestly didn't
even know Linda that well and definitely not well enough to know that
she really needed this message right now. But, she reached out. The Lord
is preparing those we know to receive the message and we are part of the preparing! Don't
ever forget how blessed you are, and don't ever forget to share! At the
end of the appointment, we set up another appointment on Thursday.
Sister Sessions went on splits with Sister Altman and taught them about
the Restoration! It went so well and they said that if they find out
that it is true, the only logical thing to do is get baptized! Genius!
Haha they are amazing! I can't wait to see them tomorrow at our church
tour.
This week we also did service for a sweet
elderly woman in our ward. We planted flowers in her garden! I love
doing service and I love Sister Wright! She served a mission when she
was 19 and she is probably the most humble and meek woman I have ever
met. I have so much to learn from her and I am so blessed to know her!
Oo!
Another cool person that I met this week was a less active sister in
our ward! Sister White. She is so cool! We stopped by on Saturday and
she has a car full of stuff from yard sales! She is going to rebuild a
bunch of these amazing antiques she found for super cheap around Mt
Airy. Sister Sessions had to use the bathroom (I'm not sure if her
bathroom usage is inspired or if she just has to go a lot) and we went
inside where she showed us a room full of groceries because...SHE IS AN
EXTREME COUPONER! She said we could come back sometime to help her snip
some coupons from the newspaper and she is going to teach us about
couponing. I don't know if I'll pick it up for life, but it would be
super handy if I could use it for the mission. I'm excited to get to
know her more!
Yesterday was Mother's Day and
it was awesome to skype my family! Some of you may not know, but my
family had to put my dog to sleep this week, so it was hard not seeing
him there but the rest of the gang was all with me! It was a lot of fun
to see and hear everyone! I am so grateful for my mother! I love her!
I love you all! Thank you for your love, thoughts, and prayers.
Love,
Sister Lewis
PS
I put in a hole in the wall at the church during our weekly planning. I
mean if you've ever weekly planned, you understand. Haha, just kidding!
Here's a picture:
Also a picture of what happens when you walk away from your camera for 5 minutes:
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