August 25, 2014

We enjoyed our weekend trip to Cumberland last week but we were also happy to be back supporting the missionaries, members and leaders of the Brooklyn Park Branch.  There are always things to do and people to serve.  

During our regular weekly district meeting on Tuesday, we all tried to teach a lesson without saying "filler words" like um, uh, sweet, awesome etc.  I had no idea that I said "um" all the time. It was an eye opener.  

During the week we visited sixteen families and had many wonderful and spiritual experiences.  We tried to help some people understand that when we have problems or setbacks, the best place to be is at church where we gain strength from taking the sacrament and being among fellow saints.  Instead, so many stay away saying, "Some day when my life is better or I feel more worthy, I will come back."  One sister who has a problem with smoking said to us when we invited her to attend, "But I feel like a hypocrite!"  We were quick to teach her that we all have problems, that we all struggle and that none of us is perfect.  The main reason Christ established his Church is to heal sinners and lift up the broken hearted.  We were so excited to see her attend church yesterday.  She came in and sat with us and I know she loved being there, recognizing that familiar feeling of the Spirit.  During the talks she kept nodding her head and whispering yes.  

We wish so much that more members of the Church would go out and bring back all those people who are sad, lonely or struggling in some way, and are just waiting for someone to care enough to reach out to them.  In our Church this is called home teaching and visiting teaching.  I know that our chapels would be overflowing if we would all do that.  

We feel good about the small things we can do to help and support the people here.  This week we helped find some used furniture for a couple of families who have nothing to sit on other than mattresses on the floor.  It was heartwarming to see other members of the branch volunteer to give things away.  There are so many good people everywhere. 

We still have Family Fun Night every other Friday at church.  The kids and missionaries have lots of fun playing games and doing crafts.  Here they are playing Red Rover. 

I brought a bag of small rocks, some markers, fuzzies, 
     small rolling eyes and glue, and everyone made their very 
own "pet rock."  We have lots of amazing talent.  

Playing Yahtzee is always fun.

One of the highlights of our week was attending the
wedding reception of some good friends.
They are adorable and we're so happy for them.

August 19, 2014

Zone Conference time again.

Some of the amazing elders we serve with.

Our own Brooklyn Park elders. 

Lots of wonderful sisters in the two zones.

Me and my companion.

So excited to see our Elder White again.

We enjoyed the lunch.

More sisters

Love them all so much.

We took a week-end trip to Cumberland and had such a good time with our good friend.

Arriving and so excited to be there.

Nice house!

Cozy lunch

At the cemetery where Jeff is buried.

Beautiful landscape on the way.

The Maryland countryside

August 11, 2014

A week in the life of Elder and Sister Lewis, senior missionaries.

It has been a very busy week as usual.  Monday is our preparation day so we cleaned, did laundry, shopped, rested and relaxed. Tuesday we attended District Meeting, later made several Ruben sandwiches for friends, and visited some members.  Wednesday we went to the temple with many missionaries from our mission, and after that ate lunch at Hibachi buffet.   Thursday we visited lots of people and attended the Relief Society activity at night.  Friday we baked cookies, visited an investigator, and also prepared and set up for Family Fun Night.  Everyone had a good time throwing water balloons, coloring, playing ping-pong and eating pizza.  Saturday we attended our missionary coordination meeting, visited some members and attended a memorial service at another church for a friend who passed away a while back.  We met some very nice and interesting people there and ate a lot of good food.  The rest of Saturday we spent preparing lessons, talks, and many other church responsibilities.  Sunday we attended our regular Sunday meetings and enjoyed being with all the members of our branch.  Elder Lewis spoke in sacrament meeting about temple blessings and it was wonderful.  After Relief Society, we had a small shower for a sister in the branch.  It was lots of fun for her and for us.  We are now back to Monday and writing this blog is one of the things I do on Mondays.

Key indicators at District Meeting.

Elder Lewis and Brother K.

Selfie in the fog.

Enjoying lunch at the Hibachi buffet.

The most amazing sundown
on our way home one day.  We
could almost reach out and touch it.

Even big kids like to color.

At the luncheon after the memorial service.

 Subway for lunch.

August 4, 2014

We treasure every day of our mission.  We know we are where we are supposed to be at this time, and we have grown spiritually and emotionally.  We have had many small and some large miracles that have strengthened our faith and testimony.  We love the people here and we love all the young missionaries and other senior couples we have been blessed to serve with.  

Some of the sister missionaries in our zone.

Our district together for the last time (Sniff...)
Tomorrow we will meet our new district
and we will love them just as much.

Our sweet young friend came with us to transfer meeting on Wednesday. She also got to babysit for a few minutes. 

Handing out and collecting TIWI cards.  
It was a fun responsibility for her.

Some of the missionaries before the meeting started.

We met some new friends during our morning walk.  They were speaking that cute chicken language to us as they enjoyed finding good stuff in the grass.

The young elders eat here at times and they say it's good food.  We will probably not try it, but Elder Lewis says the name is  famous.  Anyone?  Hint, FSU.

Elder Lewis and our friend Barbara,
studying the side door to the temple.  

The temple grounds are beautiful as always.

Snack time.

A beautiful Saturday morning.

What a nice group of people.  We loved spending time with them in the temple as we accomplished some very important work for those who have passed on.