December 22, 2014

Like everyone else we are having a very busy holiday season.  I have been baking lots of pumpkin bread and cookies, but it has been fun and we have enjoyed delivering the goodies to our 
friends and neighbors.  

Friday night we had our branch Christmas party.   There were about a hundred people in attendance and we all had a wonderful time.  We had ham and turkey and everyone brought a side dish or dessert.  The program after dinner was very entertaining and fun.  Each auxiliary participated and it was called "Christmas Around the Branch."  

On Tuesday we enjoyed attending our zone training meeting.  Three elders gave instruction and it was very clever and funny. 

This is our zone.  They are the most amazing young people.  We always stand in awe of their maturity, knowledge, testimony and faith.  The gentleman to the left is the first counselor in the mission presidency.  He had just spoken to us and given a most inspiring and moving talk.  We were all uplifted and strengthened.

I have mentioned before, in another post, about our homeless friend Darrell.  Well, due to the kindness of the members of the Brooklyn Park Branch, and support from the missionaries, he is no longer homeless.  Darrell is now sharing a house with two other gentlemen and has his own room.  He has been given food and clothing, and Sunday he came to church looking very clean and dapper.  We are all very happy for him and hope for better days in his future.  He will also be given some counseling about how to manage his finances and his life better, so he can stay independent and happy.  It has been a very rewarding experience for all of us, and so wonderful to see the gospel of Jesus Christ in action.  

~~~

Below is the Christmas letter we sent out to 

family and friends this year.                                   

                                  

“What can I give Him poor as I am,

If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.  

If I were a wise man I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.”

~ In the Bleak Midwinter, by Christina Rossetti

We are celebrating our second Christmas in the mission field, and we’re still excited and happy to be serving in the Maryland, Baltimore Mission.

The amazing and wonderful experiences we have had this past year are too many to mention, but we can truly say that we have enjoyed every minute of it. We are so very grateful for the opportunity we have had to serve the members of the church here.  We had no idea that a mission would be so rewarding and so much fun.  The association with the people here and also with all the other missionaries, young and old, has given us a new and better understanding of faith, service and gratitude.

We have been blessed with good health and stamina, and for the most part, good weather.  Our car is still rolling and the GPS is very seldom used now.  Even with all the one-way streets here, we are finding our way around quite well, and have learned to dodge the potholes.  We now say “upacha?” instead of “how are you?” and also “youse” instead of “you ‘all.”  Also, did you know that it’s not “Maryland” but “Murreland?”

May this Christmas season find you healthy, happy and content,

and may the New Year bring you many wonderful blessings.

Love to all, Elder and Sister Lewis 

 (aka Mormor and Poppa)