Saved Starving Souls 28 April 2014

4-28-14

Dear Family,

This week I was so blessed to be a part of seeing one of the most beautiful and dramatic changes of any family I have taught on my mission. As we visited Aranizio and his 2 sons Paulo (16) and Raul (12) it was literally a daily change seeing how the very atmosphere of the house was different each day: The house was cleaner, there was so much more love between each of them, and they were so much happier. The gospel is amazing! And then the most beautiful change was at the end of the week seeing each of them leave the water after making a covenant with the Lord. One of the most precious moments of my mission was being in that home when I invited them to be baptized and Raul was so ready and excited, but Paulo and Aranizio sat there for an eternity in silence thinking, and then finally Aranizio said, “Well I guess we´ve gotta do it then eh?’ Then Raul jumped on him and just hugged him and kissed him and it was so cute to see how happy he was to get baptized. Then in his closing prayer he talked about how grateful he is for the changes that are happening in his family and that he knows his situation is going to get better.

I also had one of the most heart breaking experiences this week. This family has had some major tragedies and was at the ultimate low these last 2 weeks and so they had hardly anything. When we were teaching them one day this week, Raul came in just weak and as frail as I´ve ever seen him. He sat down and then at one point turned to his dad and said "Dad, I´m hungry..." . All he could respond is "I know my boy. I know." I was ready to break out in tears right on the spot. But we were able to stop by that night and drop off some food and I´ve hardly ever seen anyone so grateful in my life. This definitely made me feel so grateful. After that lesson we
went to another investigator's house who had basically a banquet waiting for us (we are actually teaching a lot of wealthier families right now.) It was crazy for me to think how these 2 families can be here in the same city so close, but one has nothing to eat and the other has so many luxuries of life. It’s amazing how ALL of them regardless of their circumstance, need the gospel of Jesus Christ so much!

Other quick tender mercy: Mom sent me a while back some reliv and vitamins and the reliv was great. I had it everyday until it ran out, but when I started using the vitamins they made me really sick. I tried to take them in a lot of different ways, but I always threw up for some reason so I stopped. About a month ago my recent convert started facing some big health problems. She had a surgery that makes it really hard for her to eat so she hasn´t been getting any nutrients and it’s been making her health problems even worse, so I offered for her to try taking these vitamins if she wanted.  She decided it was worth a try and it has been helping her ton! I’m glad they were still able to do some good :)

Other highlight of the week: We went to the temple! Oh man, it’s the best place on earth! I literally could not stop smiling all day I was so happy!  After our session we were able to go get lunch at a restaurant of a member from my first area. She has always been one of my favorites and it was such a fun surprise for her and for me. I got to get to talk to her about the ward. Missions are great! Yesterday I was just sitting thinking, “Wow I´m so blessed I get to know so many different incredible people in my life! Life is so good!

I love y'all!

Sister Lewis