4-23-13
Querido Familia,
I cannot believe I have already come to my last week here at the mtc! The time has absolutely flown by faster than anything before in my life! I will be receiving my reassignment tomorrow and will call and let you know my new assignment either Thursday or Friday. One more Elder received his visa today in my district so we know they are coming slowly but surely, however I am actually really excited to get to serve a stateside mission for at least a couple weeks! They told us the calls go all the way back to the 12 and approval from Pres. Monson which is pretty cool to know how important this is and that it is what God wants for me at this time.
Highlight of the past week: Elder Richard G Scott came to speak to us and it was one of the best, if not the best, talk I have ever heard. My hand was cramping from notes and it seemed like the whole room was in tears much of the time. We talk a lot about learning to recognize the spirit, but it was so powerful coming from him! Two especially neat things about it: One, he paused at one point and said he felt impressed to leave his apostolic blessing that the Lord will bless us with the language. It will come if we are living worthily and doing our part! And secondly, he blessed us to learn, grow and love our companions. I wish I had the exact wording of what he said, but I guarantee a lot of missionaries felt prayers answered as we heard that promise from an apostle of God. The second thing that was a bit unique and really cool: After he finished we sang a closing song and just as a sister was about to give the closing prayer he stopped her and got up again and said I need to tell you one more thing: "Remember the Lord has called you to succeed not to fail!" He talked to us about how the Lord will fit the task to our capacity. I suppose I'm probably not the only missionary here who often feels young and under qualified to be here so it was very meaningful to hear that. He also told us that to reach new heights we must do things we've never before done, which might seem like common sense, but how often do we want to do great things but constantly hold ourselves back for fear of reaching out of our comfort zone? That is such a huge part of the mission and I know I have already been forced out of mine on several occasions and will continue to be, but I know that as we develop humility before God and learn to trust Him he will allow us to grow more than we could ever dream and do things we never imagined!
I have to admit this week I was starting to feel a bit nervous and uncomfortable and unprepared to be leaving the mtc next week. It seemed strange because I honestly wasn't nervous at all coming to the MTC, and for most missionaries it sounds like that was really hard. But I found myself several times feeling anxious and a bit scared [this week] about teaching real people and being out in the world next week (again it's never easy to jump out of my comfort zone). I had been praying often to feel prepared and receive some kind of assurance that I would be fine. I think perhaps I wanted someone to actually tell me I would be fine or something, I'm not sure, but I got the answer quite differently than I expected:
I was teaching our English investigator, Filho and invited him to baptism. He expressed concern about being prepared within 2 weeks. I felt strongly to reassure him that if it was the Lord's will for him to be baptized in 2 weeks then the Lord would make sure he was prepared in that 2 weeks. As I said that, it hit me that that was exactly what God was trying to tell me too! He sent me here for 6 weeks and if I am doing my part, he will make sure I am sufficiently prepared in that 6 weeks. It hit me how I have learned way more in the past 5 weeks than I ever could possibly have done on my own and that was His way of telling me that he can make miracles happen and he will have me prepared if I trust Him. Just like both Elder Scott and Elder Ringwood talked about, I ALWAYS need to trust in the Lord's timing. If He trusts I can be ready in 6 weeks, I need to trust in myself that I can be ready in that 6 weeks thru his help. His confirmation is the only one I need.
Another blessing I'm continually realizing is that I really am surrounded by the cream of the crop. The more I get to know the missionaries here, the more I am in absolute awe of what incredible people I have to learn from and how blessed I am to get to spend 24/7 with them. I was talking to Sister Trost (Branch Presidency wife) and she was telling me that the difference between the missionaries she and her husband were mission presidents for 10 years ago and the missionaries today is crazy. I believe it, because the testimonies I have heard and the insights and stories from 18-20 year old Elders and Sisters constantly astounds me. It is the most incredible thing to see the Lord's work hastening right in front of me! We're often reminded that that prophecy is truly being fulfilled here and now. As of last week, the MTC is 50% Elders and 50% sisters. It is leading to a lot of new changes all the time and we've had a lot of GA's and other leaders visiting as they try to work out the logistics for the "Tsunami" of missionaries who are on their way. We are just the first big ripple and a lot of us are going to be the ones training the huge wave of new missionaries coming in shortly after us, and I definitely believe the Lord has sent some of His finest right here. Such a blessing to be a part of and I already feel like so many of the Elders and Sisters I have gotten to know in the last 5 weeks are like brothers and sisters to me. It's amazing how the gospel does that! More times than ever before in my life I've been overwhelmed by how blessed I am. I don't think I could've asked for better friends and family members.
Thank you so much for your prayers and for your examples. It's the best getting to hear from you and hearing about your lives! Also if you ever are putting up pictures or printing some you should send them to me because honestly I think most missionaries would agree we love getting pictures more than chocolate (which is saying something as a member of the Lewis family) or treats or anything else! After we finish class we love showing each other any pictures we get from our families and talking about them. And mom you're basically a celebrity here, because every one of the missionaries who knows about our family wants to know how you've sent 13 children on missions :)
Love you all and I look forward to talking to mom, dad and Hunter for a few min this week and hopefully seeing Whitney again for lunch!
Com amor,
Sister Lewis
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