This week....

Well, not every week is quite my favorite one, that's for sure! We saw miracles happen this week though, and we like to focus on those. Our French-speaking investigator Edith Veilleux* (the mother of Evangeline and Eustace) is on date for baptism on October 19. It's going to be a lot of work until that point, but we are excited.

Happy birthday to Ty Rosser, Ricky Larsen, and my big cousin Cameron!!! October is a big month for my family, eh?!

I know there have gotta be six 19-year-old girls left in Utah by now or something, but just in case, here's some advice for those who are preparing to serve missions:

Being a 19-year-old Sister missionary is hard. Not everyone's going to trust you and your insights because you are so young. Sometimes you'll feel a little lost in a mission full of Elders when not all of them like having Sister missionaries around. Not everything will be perfect--very few things are, and hardly anyone is. But this week I really learned my lesson that even though the adversary wants us to feel unneeded and useless at times, we can be powerful. The Lord qualifies those whom He calls.

A few days after we opened Riverview for Sisters, the Elders picked up a family of investigators--a single mom (Edith) with 5 children between the ages of 3 months and 15. The girls were baptized about two months later and the Elders continued to teach Edith, taking a third priesthood member with them every time they visited her. Edith is very shy, and has had an incredibly difficult life (and was part of a genocide in her home country). She has a hard time trusting people and opening up, so the Elders were finding it difficult to help her progress. One day, we picked up her good friend and neighbour, Violet*, as an investigator. Violet asked to be taught by us with Edith, and the Elders eventually gave us Edith as an investigator. We taught Violet, who is confident and talkative, with Edith and Elder Call. With all the people there, it was difficult to really understand Edith's perspective and to get her to open up. And so Sister Nelson and I this week decided we needed to make Edith a priority. On Thursday we had a lesson with her--just her. It was the first one we had with her alone. The first part of the lesson was rocky as she dealt with her children, but they eventually fell asleep and the Spirit was welcomed into the lesson. We, as Sisters, were able to reach Edith's heart, and she bore powerful testimony to us that she knows God is her Father and the she loves Him and Jesus Christ. She opened up so well that we were really able to reach her heart and assess her needs. We were able to commit her to baptism.

The Elders had done an amazing job of teaching her. They taught her all the lessons, they helped her get to church. Most importantly, they helped her develop her faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Elders are strong, talented missionaries, and sometimes God needs His Sister missionaries to come help others of His daughters come unto Christ fully. There are things Elders can do, and there are also things Sisters can do.

Anyway, back to my missionary life. This morning I studied the Plan of Salvation in my personal study--particularly Our Life on Earth. When I was reading about it from Preach My Gospel, it hit me that I have been developing a strong testimony of trials over the last 5 years or so. After going through a particularly difficult time in my first 2 years of middle school, I had an experience in my seminary class that showed me one of the reasons I had to go through such a hard trial, and I realized that part of my purpose in life was to help other people when they had to go through similar trials. And now on my mission, I find that I'm doing that even more--helping investigators through their trials and concerns because I went through the same ones.

Not only would I be a considerably less effective missionary without those trials, but I would not have been molded more into the type of person God wants me to become. In Jeremiah 18, we learn of the importance of being a refined vessel--or tool--of Heavenly Father's. The potter tries to mold the clay into a vessel that is not "marred," but rather "good." When we let our trials change us, refine us, and make us "[seem] good to the potter," that is when Heavenly Father can work miracles through us. When we are an unclean or a broken vessel (Isaiah 52:11), we are hindering God's work because He cannot work powerfully through broken vessels. In other words, if we are hard-hearted and stubborn, if we do not let our God remold us and change us, if we don't let our trials refine us, we are keeping miracles from being performed. When we call on the healing power of the Atonement of Christ, we can overcome our marred and our broken parts. God will change us into the vessels--the servants--He needs us to be.

I love you all. Be soft-hearted vessels. God is progressing His work through you.

Love,

Sister Lewis

FALL!

I have a good senior companion, because she always pushes me out of my comfort zone to do things I don't always want to do <3 talking to people, knocking doors, etc....

We got to go to the temple again!!! We went with a member who invited us, and we did everything to get permission to go. And then I left my tag in Riverview. So I borrowed Sister Nelson's. Hers was an Elders' tag that only clips on pockets. I was really sad.

At the temple!!! We did 2 sessions and it was incredible.

At a Thai restaurant in Halifax afterwards!

They change their candy to Halloween-y names. Aero bars are now scAero bars!

Awkward second picture that's pretty much exactly the same.

The drive home from Halifax. Right outside of Amherst. Guys, I live here.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Birthdays first. Because I'm a slacker!!! Jordan Campagna, Mary G, Derek "Dare Bear" Regehr, Kate the Grape, Nellie Bug Fogg, Karabeein Blodgett, and Seych, happy birthday!!!!! Man I'm horrible.

This week has been so crazy. The Elders got in a mini accident, the ward corn boil [like a Canadian BBQ] was on Saturday, all our investigators are sick of the Mormon missionaries (too bad for them:)), we dropped a couple investigators, Elder Waldie and the Calls will be gone fromThursday until Tuesday in Newfoundland, our district split and Amherst got kicked out, Elder Waldie became our district leader, and now the 8 missionaries in Moncton are being forced to become a French-speaking district! Which is great and horrible. At least it will push me even farther than I'm pushing myself already.

To top off this week, Sister Nelson and I took a trip to this wonderful Candian land called Bulk Barn this morning. Bulk Barn is "le plus important detaillant d'aliments en vrac au Canada." Do you understand my obsession? I've been eating caramels all day. But it's okay because I've been eating a lot of vegetables and doing real work-outs recently. That's okay right?

This week I finally broke into French in the middle of a lesson. Last night, we had a lesson with our two French investigators. We usually just teach in English (and Elder Call occasionally uses French) since they do speak English. But there is such a language barrier sometimes that I leave the lesson frustrated that I didn't have the guts to speak French. I just get so shy and embarrassed about it sometimes. But FINALLY I took a deep breath and testified in French during that lesson. And the Spirit was strong as I did it. I don't think it would have been so strong if I wasn't relying completely on faith to do it. There is something to be said for trusting completely in the Lord. I can do all things through Christ.

Transfer e-mails were sent Saturday night, so Sunday before church, we heard what's happening. There are LOTS of changes, and this week we get 5 new Sisters and an Elder! Still not as big as the group I came in. But it will be weird not being the youngest Sister in the mission anymore. Bittersweet! Anyway, I'll be staying in Riverview for my fourth transfer, and I feel very grateful. I love this area and want to give it all I can. The transfer ends a few days before Halloween. I want to make this count. I love God's children here.

And speaking of children.... I have this horrible problem where I love every kid I see to death. I get cuted out so easily and at the ward corn boil on Saturday, I spent a lot of time with the kids. There is something so special and refreshing about their innocence. Not to mention they're so adorable.

When I left home, I was really heartbroken that I'd have to leave the primary kids there and not get to see their primary program. And that's one of the reasons I was so blessed to have been asked to be the primary chorister here until they find someone new. I've been doing this for about 3 months now and I love it. And just a few days ago, we found out we get to put on a primary program. And I will be here for it. And I get to conduct them. You could say I am PUMPED!!! Someone go tell Keri Linford to come help me lead it over here in Canada:)

Sisters Conference is on September 20th and 21st in Halifax. We'll get to go to the temple! About 30 Sisters will be there. It will be our last Sisters Conference (my only one) because we're about to bump up the Sisters numbers to around 50, which will bring us to a total of 136 missionaries in the Canada Halifax mission--the most there have been here in over 25 years. The work is progressing!!

Well, it's been an edifying week. I keep thinking of 2 Nephi 31 and 32 which emphasize over and over again the importance of feasting upon the words of Christ. In fact, I really recommend the study of 2 Nephi 32 especially. It's so short, but powerful. It is directed especially to members of the Church--those who have already been baptized.

I love the peace that comes from knowing I am a part of Christ's church. I love the peace that comes from knowing that I will never fall away because I will never stop reading my scriptures. I will never stop praying. I will never stop going to church. Because if you do all those things, you've secured for yourself a spot in the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. D&C 4:4.

I love you all.

Soeur Lewis

Some Old Photos

FIRST FRENCH INVESTIGATORS SAY WHAT NOW?!

"Quoi maintenant?!"

Well it's been probably the weirdest week of my mission! Really great highs and really lame lows. But the work is progressing!

I don't even remember anyone's birthdays. The last one I remember is Aunt Katie's and Malcolm's. Which I mentioned a couple e-mails ago. So I'm sorry everyone, the only birthday I can remember anymore is Joseph Smith's!

Quote of the week:

Elder Waldie--while at the church yesterday: "Sister Lois... you look like.... Ahh, what's his name? Elder Thunot, who's that high hippie man?"

Sigh.

4 weeks ago, Sister Nelson and I were in a lesson with a recent convert who said, "Well now that it's August it'll be getting cold soon." And I laughed. Her. To. Scorn. Not really, but I thought it was ridiculous. And now it's been raining for like a week straight and it's freezing cold and this week I finally gave in and bought winter clothes today. My life is hard.

This week I taught two lessons partially en francais! Actually the French was only like 2 words per lesson.... But we have investigators who speak English as their third language, French as their second! Which is really awesome! Last night we had a lesson with them and I could NOT explain what I wanted to say in English. I could only think of it in French. So things are progressing, and I can actually bear my testimony in French now!

Gah, this is the shortest time ever. This is gonna have to be a short e-mail. But I love everyone!

Soeur Lewis

I! Love! Cake banana!

Well hey family!!!

 WE GOT A THIRD ELDER THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Thunot! We were in the MTC together. He is from Tahiti. He speaks French fluently. He doesn't speak a lot of English. He rolls his Rs (just like everyone else here). He's SO great, so funny. We get a fourth Elder in 2 weeks!!! 8 MISSIONARIES IN MONCTON! And by January, we should have 56 Sisters in the mission!!!!!!! Right now we have 21. BRING. IT. ON.

Quotes of the week:

 1. Sister Nelson: "Oh! The license plate on our car says FER! We should name our car 'Fern'."

Me: "Oh! Like Harry Potter?" (silence. she gives me a weird look) "Oh, wait, nevermind, that's the fawn."

Sister Nelson: "Ohhhhh. Oh yeah."

(I don't even know).

 2. Elder Thunot--after eating a slice of REALLY GOOD banana cake Sister Call makes us sometimes: "Sister Call! I! LOVE! CAKE BANANA!"

3. We, the Elders, and the Calls were discussing Matthew 16:18 together.

Me: "And if you look at the footnote, it's a play on words."

Elder Woodbury: "Ha! No way! One of the ways I'm a representative of Christ is using puns too!"

Sister Nelson: "And it also says that in Greek, petra is bedrock."

Sister Call: "Ah! So bedrock is actually a foundation. How neat."

Elder Call: "And Christ was actually teaching at a place called Petra here, which is carved into the rock face. So it's a pun of a pun of a pun."

Elder Waldie: "Ba! Dum! CCCHHOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It was a discouraging and gratifying week. Worked REALLY hard, and I'm exhausted. I definitely needed this P-day.

Apparenlty my updates aren't good enough for people! So I'll go in depth for a minute:)

Samantha* and Linda* are having a rough time making it to baptism. Whenever I talk to Samantha, I ask her how big her tree is--she loves the analogy of the mustard seed. It is slowly but surely getting bigger, it's just taking some time to grow into the tree she wants!

Let me explain to you what yesterday was like at church, and maybe you can get a good idea of what Sundays are like for me!!

 The Calls and Elder Waldie were in Fredericton for the concert. So there were only 4 missionaries in church. I was the only pianist in church. So before church, we got there early to set up French translation, then passed out translation equipment while trying to mingle with the members. We rushed into the chapel so I could start prelude music. I played the opening song. Sister Nelson gave the opening prayer. I played the sacrament hymn. Both Sister Nelson and Elder Thunot spoke. I played the rest hymn. I played the closing hymn. Elder Thunot gave the closing prayer. I played postlude music. Then we rushed to put away the translation equipment. Then made sure Samantha got to the right class. I rushed to gospel principles and played the piano in there (but at least I didn't have to teach this week!). Then I stayed to play the opening song in relief society, and played their article of faith song too, then ran over to primary to play their opening song and do singing time. Combine that with several investigators in church that we didn't get to talk to and inactives who haven't come to church in years showing up for the first time, plus a scary fall and a mishap in sacrament meeting, and it was a crazy week!

I'm actually really out of e-mail time this week but maybe I'll have a second to send a couple pictures. Have a great week everyone!!! Love you!!!!! It's a great day to be a missionary.

Love,

Sœur Lewis

We went to Magnetic Hill and the zoo with Elders last week!

Sister Nelson and I were talking one night and she started dying laughing because I looked like a sack of potatoes in bed, so she took this picture.

We went on exchanges in Fredericton with Sister Rust and Sister Sandberg this week, and they have a GORGEOUS church there. Not an LDS one, sadly enough:)

I ate a peach and no one even made peach jokes.

Ice cream with the Elders.

They also bought us 2L of chocolate ice cream because they knew we were a little discouraged.

I had poutine for the first time!!! And my stomach paid for it.

Je speak le bon Chiac.

Actually, I do not. I don't know how many ward members and missionaries have tried to teach it to me now! I can't make it make sense in my head!! I'm better at French than Frenglais!

Ahh! Birthdays! I know I should've done it last week, but happy birthday to Aunt Katie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooh! And I know I'm forgetting people's birthdays again so we'll see if I remember next week.

Quote of the week:

Elder Woodbury: "Elder Murdie! No! ..................................................................................................... AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SISTERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

.....Yeah. We were on the phone with the Elders one night when Elder Waldie (Murdie) got possessed and attacked Elder Woodbury. It was the weirdest thing I have ever heard in my life hahaha. Maybe I'll bribe them into letting me have the video of it so you can enjoy their complete and utter weirdness!

For everyone's reference, we have 4 (and possibly 5) baptisms coming up next month. They are VERY LIKELY going through, and we've been fasting and praying for this. This is huge. So send prayers on behalf of investigators world-wide that they can come to know of the truth and have a desire to come unto Christ through baptism!!

This week I fell deeply in love. He's always there for me. I can talk to him about everything and he gives me the best advice. He is so open--an open book. He uplifts me and helps me to become better. He tells amazing stories and makes me laugh sometimes. I get to spend hours everyday with him, and whenever we're together, I show him off and he makes other people happy too. His name is the Book of Mormon.

Hahahaaaaa my sense of humor is slowly going downhill.....

But seriously. The Book of Mormon. MAN.

Everyone, drop whatever you're doing and go watch Elder Holland's "Safety for the Soul". I've read parts of it lots of times before, and I've seen the little (and incredible) Mormon message about it tons of times, but go listen to the whole thing. It is amazing. And life-changing. And seriously, I have such a deeper love for the Book of Mormon after studying that talk throughout the week. Let me just quote my favorite parts:

"For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history.... and still it stands. Failed theories about its origins have been born and parroted and have died.... None of these frankly pathetic answers for this book has ever withstood examination because there is no other answer than the one Joseph gave as its young unlearned translator."

"Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared in crossing an ocean, settling in a new world. I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon. I did not proselyte with Alma and Amulek nor witness the fiery death of innocent believers. I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of an entire civilization. But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. Like them, 'I give my name unto the world, to witness unto the world that which I have seen.' And like then, 'I lie not, God bearing witness of it.'"

"I ask that my testimony of the Book of Mormon and all that it implies, given today under my own oath and office, be recorded by men on earth and angels in heaven. I hope I have a few years left in my 'last days,' but whether I do or do not, I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days."

You're going to have to listen to the entire thing, because it is even more incredible to hear from the mouth of a living prophet. But it is all true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. And I too "want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared" to my family and friends that it is true. My testimony is still growing, and I'm still becoming more converted, but I can't deny that it's true.

And I won't ever deny it's true, and I'll never fall away from it, because I won't stop reading it. To gain a testimony, read it. And then don't stop.

Love you all. The Church is true. And I'm a witness of it!!!

Sister Lewis

Us and the Elders last P-Day--our favorite ice cream spot!

Random picture of Elder Woodbury laughing really hard haha.

Weirdest Elders I've ever met....

 Ice cream with the Elders for Sister Nelfils's year mark! They put smiley faces on the top for us:)

SISTER NELSON'S YEAR MARK!!!

We change lives.

.....

....Well, it's almost normal:) Hahaha

LOVE THEM SO MUCH:)

Welcome to my home.

Excuse me while I die at the gorgeous sunset over Jones Lake.

Just doin' the usual, being a missionary. Ya know.

How we have supper every night. Light the candle, set the veggies and hummus in the middle, and open the DVD player so we can watch Mormon Messages and get the chills from the Spirit.

RIVERVIEW.

This photo was sent from one of the couple missionaries to us parents today!

(12 August 2013)

Hey everyone!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALCOLM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how old you're gettin, buddy!!! I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember when you were born, and I didn't think you would be cute. I WAS SO WRONG.

Quotes of the week:

1. We were in bed last night. We had turned out the lights and finished praying, then we were getting under the covers. Suddenly I heard this giant wrapper noise and heard Sister Nelson opening a bag of chips in the dark!

Me: "Sister Nelson, are you eating chips?!"

Sister Nelson: "Yes, I'm eating."

Me: (cracking up) "What the heck!!! You can't do that at 10:30!"

Sister Nelson: "I'm putting the wipes back! I'm not eating chips, you psycho!"

2. We had Elder Woodbury's backpack for some reason, so we met them at Superstore and passed it off to them in the parking lot. I leaned over to tell Sister Nelson something.

Elder Woodbury: "HEY! Sister Lewis! Secrets don't make friends. Gossiping Sisters go to HALifax."

This was an amazing week! Saturday night we had the concert, which had a HUGE turn-out! 152 people came total, and 60 of them were members! YES!!!!! It was amazing, and the ward is so inspired for missionary work. THE WORK IS PROGRESSING:)

Well the Elders are kicking us off the computers so I gotta go. Sorry it was such a lame e-mail this week.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love love love,

Sister Lewis

Really blurry picture of the two wackos in Riverview.

RUE LEWIS:) I've been wanting a picture in front of this since day 1!!!

I GOT THE PACKAGE!!!!! You guys are the best! I was so excited and love it all!! Christmas in August:)

..."Elder Icy Hot"? Funny, guys.....

Sigh. Your senses of humor have gone down the drain since I left.

This week the traveling music fireside came to the Moncton ward!!! It was an amazing turn-out. This is me and Sister Broadhead, who is in Halifax right now. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. We had a bonding, cuddling moment that morning in the grass in front of my apartment.

I LOVE THESE SISTERS. Sister Laxton (I was in the MTC with her! She's in Wolfville), Sister Broadhead (Halifax), me (sorry I happen to be wearing that outfit in every picture...), Sister Nelson (take a good look at how beautiful she is), Sister Drew (Halifax), Sister Echols (I was in the MTC with her too! She's in Cole Harbour), Sister Lee (Halifax), and Sister Leavey (Dartmouth). So yeah, you can imagine how great our slumber party in our 1-bedroom-1-bathroom apartment was the night before! But now picture how powerful our kneeling prayers were altogether. I love being a missionary.

Elder WOODbury and Elder Waldie (AKA Francy Bubbles. Don't ask). Givin some sass.

Older pics (when I was with Sister Hart).

Never got over my natural creepiness....

When we went to Bay of Fundy on Canada Day!

.......Sorry you even have to know me, everyone.

I LOVE HER.

Dieppe!!! Whenever they call, I say, "Dyup's callin'." Haha in case you wanted to know...

I'm sorry, ok?!

We were in a scary cave.

Candid.

Haha being observant....

I was trying to be a photographer I guess.

Got dared to eat fresh seaweed.... Mmmm.

My crab friend.

Elder Call teachin me about the seaweed!

:)

I still haven't even seen a real one, and it's like the biggest Canadian stereotype!

Don't remember what we were doing here....

The Elders, excited for their first baptism (June 29)!

The Veilleux girls' baptism! Evangeline (14) and Eustace (10). Sister Hart and I got to teach them several times. We love them SO MUCH. (And look how cute their little siblings are!)

Awkward.

These are from Elder Waldie's camera.

Stuck in a cave!

..........

Mmph.

MY TEMPLE!!!!!

It's a good thing I don't have to worry about dating for 14 more months.

:)