I'm liking Cerritos thus far. It's kind of hard switching wards out here. I went from a ward of strangers to a ward of friends, and now I'm starting over again. But thus is life. The work goes at a slightly slower pace than over in Buena Park, but nevertheless it's going just fine. One of our progressing investigators is named Sa' Lesateli. She's Polynesian. There's even more Polynesians in this ward than in my last ward. So I have a lot more fun names to memorize. I've stopped trying to make the distinction between Samoans and Tongans; now I just call them all Polynesians. Anyway, Sa' and her significant other Charles are going to be married next month and then Sa' will be baptized shortly thereafter. Charles is already a member. So we get to experience a marriage/baptism! I have to say I'm pretty excited about that.
There's this slightly less-active member named Bro. Swanson that I've been pretty acquainted with now. He's really friendly. He's a down-to-earth motorcycle and go-cart loving 50-something-year-old man who loves talking to us missionaries. He takes us out to lunch a lot. Yesterday we did some service for him (yard-work! finally!) and afterward he took us to Del Taco and Baskin Robbins. He went to church on Sunday, but he didn't go to our ward because the building has some sort of restraining order against him thanks to his ex-wife, but his daughter came to our ward.
We had Zone Conference last Friday and it was amazing as usual. President Sexton had a breakthrough that he's sure will help double the baptism rate here again (yes, again.) He read 2 Nephi 31 with us and also something from the Doctrine and Covenants which reads "open your mouths and spare not." President wants us to "spare not" or to not hold back. He wants us to be more bold and to commit people to baptism somewhere during our very first lesson together using this exact wording from Preach My Gospel- "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God? We will be having a baptismal service on (date.) Will you prepare yourself to be baptized on that date?" So far there have been signs that this will bring lots of success. We haven't had a good opportunity to practice this yet but we will soon I'm positive.
Elder Anderson's dad has been searching for new employment since he lost his job in January and today's e-mail announced that he'd accepted a job offer from SAN DIEGO. Elder Anderson doesn't really know what to think about that yet. He said "Well, I guess I'll have plenty of opportunities to visit my mission afterward."
Okay now to answer some questions:
-Nobody said anything about my mission blog it was just a realization I came to by myself
-Michael Carbajal did not get baptized. Elder Bliss called and said he confessed that he was on parole. Apparently the "military" wasn't what we thought it was. But he had an interview with President Sexton and passed so the First Presidency is in the process of deciding when he can be baptized.
-I don't know how David and Dixie or any of the other Buena Park investigators are doing but I'm sure all's well.
-I sifted through the "Not Your Mom" CDs and I found a bunch of songs that actually are missionary appropriate. It's just all the poppy stuff that isn't missionary gospel-related that I can't listen to like the Mindy songs on the third disc. I love Mindy but those songs are from what we call "her secular album." Sis. Chun lets us use her computer for the very very limited amount of stuff we are allowed to use it for (e-mail, baptismal programs, and burning CDs) so I'll take all those songs and burn them onto a disc. Thanks a bunch for all that music! We're in the car a lot (this area's even bigger than Buena Park) so we need some tunage to keep things lively.
-I actually bought a refill of pills before I got your package. The pharmacy people were confused and told me "you already ordered a refill" and I said "no I didn't. That must be for the first time I got the stuff" so I laughed when I saw the medicine in the package. So I'll be good with pills for quite a while.
Well I can't think of anything else. I hope Grandma Lewis starts feeling better soon. How's Grandpa Cox been doing lately? Is he still in pain? I'm excited for Hannah's letter and I'll talk to you all in a couple weeks!
I love you! Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
April 21, 2009 (Email)
A lot just happened.
I am now serving in Cerritos with Elder Anderson. I'm in some really nice library right next to my new church, sitting next to Elder Rodriguez. Yep! Elder Rodriguez is one of my Zone Leaders. My new area includes two of the most ghetto areas in the mission. There's Hawaiian Gardens, which in degrees of Ghettotude is 2nd only to Compton, and then there's "the One-Ways," which I don't know a whole lo about but apparently it's pretty fun too. I'm really really excited to be serving here now! My District Leader in Buena Park, Elder Thompson, just got transferred to Compton today. Compton is his Greenie Area, and now he gets to be a Zone Leader there. He was way excited.
I was pretty sad actually when I found out Saturday night that I was moving. But I'm all better now. Michael Carbajal didn't get baptized on Sunday because "something came up" or something like that. So his new goal is next Sunday. But he didn't come to church this Sunday so... we'll see if that happens. I hope so. I'll miss serving with Elder Bliss. I'll miss living in the calle cuatro apartment with Elder Salmon and Elder Huffaker. They're all really great Elders and we had a lot of fun. But I'm stoked about serving with Elder Anderson here in da hood. I can already tell he's a great Elder. He seems like a hard worker. We live with a member named Sister Chun in a really nice area. I'm going to be spoiled for the next few months it looks like. Sis Chun lives alone and it looks like she pretty much takes care of us. She gets some of our groceries, there's a washer and dryer in the house... Yeah, I can't complain. I'm really excited for this transfer.
I don't really know anything about the investigators over here yet... Hey parents I got that package last week! I had to hassle Fed-Ex about it. They were having a hard time getting through the gate so I got the code from the manager and gave it to them. Thanks for everything! I've listened to the CDs and they're great! I especially love Cherie Call. A lot of the songs on the "Not Your Mom's" CDs don't exactly fit the white handbook standard but some of them do so I think I'll sift through them and pick and choose what works. Josh Groban is great. Jenny Phillips is the master of Young Women themesongs and she's great. And thanks for the candy and random stuff and the hilarious card and thanks Hannah for the flower picture. Hey did the Pummells visit you? I hope so. I was pretty excited about that.
The Elders Quorum President, President Knecht, came with us for our appointment with [edited by Jon] and that lesson went well. [edited by Jon] didn't come to church on Sunday, but he called and explained and he still wants to meet with the Elders. I'll pray that Elders Bliss and Caldwell will be able to help him along back to the waters of baptism.
I read something really interesting in the Book of Mormon this morning. 1Nephi Chapter 2 contains a verse that reads: "And my father dwelt in a tent." Okay, first off here's what President Sexton told the Zone Leaders during their conference last week about Jacob. Jacob received a new name (Israel) when he went to a place called Bethel. If you take the word "Bethel" apart you get "Beth" and "el." In Hebrew or Greek, not sure but one or the other, Beth means "house" and el is short for "Elohim." Put them together and it means "House of Elohim" or in other words "House of God." So Jacob recieved the new name Israel in the temple. Now, go back to that verse "And my father dwelt in a tent" in 1Nephi chapter 2 and follow the very first cross-reference, which will take you somewhere in Genesis and you'll see something pretty amazing. Also keep in mind what the Bible Dictionary says about temples- in cases of extreme poverty or emergency (both being the case of Lehi and his family) temple ordinances may be performed on a mountaintop.
Alrighty that's all I've got for you today. I'm anxious to do my best here in Cerritos. I'm serving English speaking again and that's just dandy. Oh, Elder Kemp will be returning next transfer!
Talk to you all soon!
Remember, I love you!
Love,Elder Tyler Lewis
I am now serving in Cerritos with Elder Anderson. I'm in some really nice library right next to my new church, sitting next to Elder Rodriguez. Yep! Elder Rodriguez is one of my Zone Leaders. My new area includes two of the most ghetto areas in the mission. There's Hawaiian Gardens, which in degrees of Ghettotude is 2nd only to Compton, and then there's "the One-Ways," which I don't know a whole lo about but apparently it's pretty fun too. I'm really really excited to be serving here now! My District Leader in Buena Park, Elder Thompson, just got transferred to Compton today. Compton is his Greenie Area, and now he gets to be a Zone Leader there. He was way excited.
I was pretty sad actually when I found out Saturday night that I was moving. But I'm all better now. Michael Carbajal didn't get baptized on Sunday because "something came up" or something like that. So his new goal is next Sunday. But he didn't come to church this Sunday so... we'll see if that happens. I hope so. I'll miss serving with Elder Bliss. I'll miss living in the calle cuatro apartment with Elder Salmon and Elder Huffaker. They're all really great Elders and we had a lot of fun. But I'm stoked about serving with Elder Anderson here in da hood. I can already tell he's a great Elder. He seems like a hard worker. We live with a member named Sister Chun in a really nice area. I'm going to be spoiled for the next few months it looks like. Sis Chun lives alone and it looks like she pretty much takes care of us. She gets some of our groceries, there's a washer and dryer in the house... Yeah, I can't complain. I'm really excited for this transfer.
I don't really know anything about the investigators over here yet... Hey parents I got that package last week! I had to hassle Fed-Ex about it. They were having a hard time getting through the gate so I got the code from the manager and gave it to them. Thanks for everything! I've listened to the CDs and they're great! I especially love Cherie Call. A lot of the songs on the "Not Your Mom's" CDs don't exactly fit the white handbook standard but some of them do so I think I'll sift through them and pick and choose what works. Josh Groban is great. Jenny Phillips is the master of Young Women themesongs and she's great. And thanks for the candy and random stuff and the hilarious card and thanks Hannah for the flower picture. Hey did the Pummells visit you? I hope so. I was pretty excited about that.
The Elders Quorum President, President Knecht, came with us for our appointment with [edited by Jon] and that lesson went well. [edited by Jon] didn't come to church on Sunday, but he called and explained and he still wants to meet with the Elders. I'll pray that Elders Bliss and Caldwell will be able to help him along back to the waters of baptism.
I read something really interesting in the Book of Mormon this morning. 1Nephi Chapter 2 contains a verse that reads: "And my father dwelt in a tent." Okay, first off here's what President Sexton told the Zone Leaders during their conference last week about Jacob. Jacob received a new name (Israel) when he went to a place called Bethel. If you take the word "Bethel" apart you get "Beth" and "el." In Hebrew or Greek, not sure but one or the other, Beth means "house" and el is short for "Elohim." Put them together and it means "House of Elohim" or in other words "House of God." So Jacob recieved the new name Israel in the temple. Now, go back to that verse "And my father dwelt in a tent" in 1Nephi chapter 2 and follow the very first cross-reference, which will take you somewhere in Genesis and you'll see something pretty amazing. Also keep in mind what the Bible Dictionary says about temples- in cases of extreme poverty or emergency (both being the case of Lehi and his family) temple ordinances may be performed on a mountaintop.
Alrighty that's all I've got for you today. I'm anxious to do my best here in Cerritos. I'm serving English speaking again and that's just dandy. Oh, Elder Kemp will be returning next transfer!
Talk to you all soon!
Remember, I love you!
Love,Elder Tyler Lewis
April 14th, 2009 (Email)
Hello!
It's been a pretty eventful week. Suli 'Alungamalie Crank was baptized Thursday April 9th and she was confirmed Easter Sunday! I had the privilege to perform the baptismal ordinance. That was pretty neat. Elder Bliss performed the confirmation. She was a little nervous to go up in front of the congregation but she survived.
Also on Easter Sunday David Ramos received the Melchezidik Priesthood. He asked Elder Bliss to ordain him. David was so excited to become an Elder! He's preparing to go on a mission. He's pretty prepared already.
I had an interesting phone call last Thursday. Jason Patterson called and had something to tell me. He watched General Conference and the talk by Elder Holland impacted Jason so much that he decided he wanted to be baptized Easter Saturday! He said he's been going to church alone over there and after that talk he realized that he didn't have to feel alone so he wanted to just finally go through with it once and for all. He wanted to know if he could be baptized into the Buena Park Ward. I called the Assistants and asked if that's possible and they said he'd have to be baptized into his own ward since he's in the Riverside Mission. So I called Jason back and asked if the Elders over there had contacted him yet. He said no. That disappointed me a little but I told Jason the deal and then I called Sis. Rose at the Mission Office and told her the situation and advised that the missionaries over there visit Jason IMMEDIATELY (as they should have done anyway.) Then I waited until Sunday and called Jason later in the afternoon (not sure if I'm supposed to do that but since the Elders over there failed to contact Jason once I thought I'd follow up.) I asked Jason if he was baptized yet. He said the Elders over there DIDN'T contact him so he had to contact them himself through a member. Then the Elders told Jason that they didn't think they should baptize him this weekend because the Elders want a lot of people from the ward to be at the baptism and they didn't think they should baptize him next weekend either for the same reason due to pioneer trek. Now here's why I'm frustrated about this situation: 1. Baptisms should NOT be limited to weekends. You can't see miracles in the mission if you limit the day you do baptisms. 2. A baptism needs requires the following: A. the baptismal candidate B. someone that at least holds the office of priest C. two witnesses. It does NOT require a lot of people from the ward to be there. Jason even expressed some concern about the matter to me. He said "Well, I hope something doesn't come up to change my mind again by then." And he's right. He's more than aware of the opposition that has tried him these past several years- his wife still doesn't completely approve of his decision. But if Jason feels that he should be baptized then nothing else should get in the way of that decision. Jason has been taught ALL the lessons more than twice. He has been to church several times. He owns a copy of Preach My Gospel and has studied it. He could teach the Elders the lessons! He already passed one interview a few months ago. All the Elders over there have to do is interview Jason again. Then he should be baptized a.s.a.p. I told the Zone Leaders about this ridiculous circumstance and they advised I call President Sexton. So I did. Hopefully Jason will be baptized sooner than April 25th.
Well, that's that. I have another cool story for you. We got a referral from the Mission office to go visit an ex-communicated man living in Buena Park. After obtaining permission from Bishop Redding we went and visited the person. His name is [edited by Jon]. He was surprised to see us so that means he was referred by another person. He told us he'd served a mission in Alberta Canada. So of course I brought up that my Dad served there too. So he asked what Dad's name is. I told him Jon Lewis. Then he asked when Dad served. I told him the mid-'80s, somewhere around '85. Then the guy said "I know your Dad!" He went and got his mission yearbook and read one of the signatures and said "Jon Christopher Lewis?" and I said "That's my Dad!" So [edited by Jon] was a Greenie back when Dad was getting ready to go home. Not sure why [edited by Jon] was ex-communicated and it's none of my business, but all I know is that he's a nice guy and he wants to come back so he volunteered to take the lessons again. We're going to start teaching him on Thursday.
Family, I have something funny to tell you. There's this older British couple in my ward named the Pummells and they're going to Logan tomorrow. They talked to me at the baptism and asked if there was anything I needed to send home and then they said they'd be more than happy to go visit you because you're just along the way. I said sure! So they're going to be visiting you either Thursday or Friday. They'll give you a call. I'm sending home some stuff that I don't need here and I don't use here so it's just taking up space. I'll want it after the mission though. Anyway the Pummells are awesome.
They're somewhere in their 70s I think. Bro. Pummell isn't all there though so be aware. He's pretty lost most of the time. Sis. Pummell's all there though. She's Suli Crank's Primary Teacher. Take a picture with them when they visit and send it to me that'd be awesome! Well, those are my fun stories of the week. Hopefully I'll get that package today. Fed-Ex is being ridiculoso. They said they were going to try again yesterday but apparently they failed. It'll get here eventually. Well, I love you! Have a great week!
Love,Elder Tyler Lewis
It's been a pretty eventful week. Suli 'Alungamalie Crank was baptized Thursday April 9th and she was confirmed Easter Sunday! I had the privilege to perform the baptismal ordinance. That was pretty neat. Elder Bliss performed the confirmation. She was a little nervous to go up in front of the congregation but she survived.
Also on Easter Sunday David Ramos received the Melchezidik Priesthood. He asked Elder Bliss to ordain him. David was so excited to become an Elder! He's preparing to go on a mission. He's pretty prepared already.
I had an interesting phone call last Thursday. Jason Patterson called and had something to tell me. He watched General Conference and the talk by Elder Holland impacted Jason so much that he decided he wanted to be baptized Easter Saturday! He said he's been going to church alone over there and after that talk he realized that he didn't have to feel alone so he wanted to just finally go through with it once and for all. He wanted to know if he could be baptized into the Buena Park Ward. I called the Assistants and asked if that's possible and they said he'd have to be baptized into his own ward since he's in the Riverside Mission. So I called Jason back and asked if the Elders over there had contacted him yet. He said no. That disappointed me a little but I told Jason the deal and then I called Sis. Rose at the Mission Office and told her the situation and advised that the missionaries over there visit Jason IMMEDIATELY (as they should have done anyway.) Then I waited until Sunday and called Jason later in the afternoon (not sure if I'm supposed to do that but since the Elders over there failed to contact Jason once I thought I'd follow up.) I asked Jason if he was baptized yet. He said the Elders over there DIDN'T contact him so he had to contact them himself through a member. Then the Elders told Jason that they didn't think they should baptize him this weekend because the Elders want a lot of people from the ward to be at the baptism and they didn't think they should baptize him next weekend either for the same reason due to pioneer trek. Now here's why I'm frustrated about this situation: 1. Baptisms should NOT be limited to weekends. You can't see miracles in the mission if you limit the day you do baptisms. 2. A baptism needs requires the following: A. the baptismal candidate B. someone that at least holds the office of priest C. two witnesses. It does NOT require a lot of people from the ward to be there. Jason even expressed some concern about the matter to me. He said "Well, I hope something doesn't come up to change my mind again by then." And he's right. He's more than aware of the opposition that has tried him these past several years- his wife still doesn't completely approve of his decision. But if Jason feels that he should be baptized then nothing else should get in the way of that decision. Jason has been taught ALL the lessons more than twice. He has been to church several times. He owns a copy of Preach My Gospel and has studied it. He could teach the Elders the lessons! He already passed one interview a few months ago. All the Elders over there have to do is interview Jason again. Then he should be baptized a.s.a.p. I told the Zone Leaders about this ridiculous circumstance and they advised I call President Sexton. So I did. Hopefully Jason will be baptized sooner than April 25th.
Well, that's that. I have another cool story for you. We got a referral from the Mission office to go visit an ex-communicated man living in Buena Park. After obtaining permission from Bishop Redding we went and visited the person. His name is [edited by Jon]. He was surprised to see us so that means he was referred by another person. He told us he'd served a mission in Alberta Canada. So of course I brought up that my Dad served there too. So he asked what Dad's name is. I told him Jon Lewis. Then he asked when Dad served. I told him the mid-'80s, somewhere around '85. Then the guy said "I know your Dad!" He went and got his mission yearbook and read one of the signatures and said "Jon Christopher Lewis?" and I said "That's my Dad!" So [edited by Jon] was a Greenie back when Dad was getting ready to go home. Not sure why [edited by Jon] was ex-communicated and it's none of my business, but all I know is that he's a nice guy and he wants to come back so he volunteered to take the lessons again. We're going to start teaching him on Thursday.
Family, I have something funny to tell you. There's this older British couple in my ward named the Pummells and they're going to Logan tomorrow. They talked to me at the baptism and asked if there was anything I needed to send home and then they said they'd be more than happy to go visit you because you're just along the way. I said sure! So they're going to be visiting you either Thursday or Friday. They'll give you a call. I'm sending home some stuff that I don't need here and I don't use here so it's just taking up space. I'll want it after the mission though. Anyway the Pummells are awesome.
They're somewhere in their 70s I think. Bro. Pummell isn't all there though so be aware. He's pretty lost most of the time. Sis. Pummell's all there though. She's Suli Crank's Primary Teacher. Take a picture with them when they visit and send it to me that'd be awesome! Well, those are my fun stories of the week. Hopefully I'll get that package today. Fed-Ex is being ridiculoso. They said they were going to try again yesterday but apparently they failed. It'll get here eventually. Well, I love you! Have a great week!
Love,Elder Tyler Lewis
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April 7th, 2009 (Email)
Great news.
Sabrina Sanchez's husband, Michael Carbajal, wants to be baptized on April 18th! God of course gave the increase on this one. Teaching him has been a very sacred experience. We taught him the message of the Restoration and he had good questions about the nature of God the Father and Jesus Christ (he also asked us "who do you think baptized John the Baptist?" Good question...). A couple days later we stopped by just to check up on his reading and he came out of his room with a notepad and a pen, all ready to be taught the next lesson. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit revealed that the time was right to invite him to be baptized. He readily accepted. The Sanchez family is very excited, supportive and happy about Michael's decision.
Sabrina has been very active. She's faithful. Her and Michael are trying to work out some issues though. They're approaching it the right way though. They're going to see the bishop. Turns out I was wrong about Michael serving in Iraq. He just served on base somewhere. He's still a little lost now that he's out of military life.
In two days Suli 'Alungamalie Crank will be baptized. I get to baptize her with water this time. I'm excited. We don't get to see her that much because she's only with the Cranks on weekends but she always seems to enjoy church. Now we're trying to figure out the program. Sis. Ikahihifo works so she can't give a talk and Gaiuli says she'd be too nervous. So we called Sis. Guy, the Primary President, and left a message asking if she'd have any suggestions for people that could give talks. Denniray's baptism was easy to plan for- his family volunteered to give talks and prayers. I love it when the program takes care of itself. But that's a rare treat.
General Conference was AMAZING! Watched all ten hours. It was very uplifting. The whole "do not fear" and "be of good cheer" attitude is exactly what the world needs. I loved all the talks, particularly the First Presidency's, Elder Bednar's and Elder Holland's.
Yesterday I received a prompting about what I needed to study this morning during my personal study time. I followed through and I had a great sacred study. I wanted to find another way to approach Christians when inviting them to learn. Lots of people deny us simply by saying "I'm Christian so I'm already set" or "I already believe in Christ" or "I'm already saved" (my personal favorite) and usually we reply by saying "That's nice, we share this message with everybody" and we promise blessings and usually they just tell us to move on. Here's an idea that was revealed to me- First I'll do the usual approach. Then if the person answers with anything related to "I'm already Christian" I'll praise them by saying "That's great that you already have a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ!" or something to that effect and then I'll anxiously tell them I have a question for them. Then I'll ask them- "Have you ever considered those who have died without a knowledge of Christ and His gospel and wondered what may happen to them?" Then I will answer my own question by sharing one of three scriptures from the Book of Mormon- 2 Ne 9:26, Alma 18:32 or Alma 42: 15. Then I will tie each scripture to the fact that we have a consistently perfect, just and merciful God and explain that that's why I know God has a plan for each of us and he consistently calls prophets even in our day to reveal that plan. I'm going to try that next time we go tracting.
David Ramos is receiving the Higher Priesthood on Easter Sunday. He's so prepared. He's been working with us a lot. He's coming with us tonight to a couple appointments in fact. He's a great Ward Missionary. Yesterday he took me aside and looked me in the eyes and said that he'll be sad the day that I'm transferred. David Ramos was one of the many reasons I was called to the Long Beach California Mission. I don't think I've ever met a more sincere and spiritual young man.
Sounds like Elder Salmon's dad called Pres. Smedley and told him that I'm serving with Elder Salmon. Pres. Smedley said the Lewis fam's a great fam. Not those exact words but something like that.
Mom, Dad and Hannah, I want you to know that I love you and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and feel sincere thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with you. Thank you for preparing me for the greatest experience of my life. I miss you but I'm focused on the things that matter most (as Pres. Uchtdorf would say.) In fact I had a dream last week that I returned from my mission and it was awkward and confusing and I wanted nothing more than to go back. It was an "anti-trunky" dream. I'm sure it won't be like that when the right time comes to return if I use the time I have now the way the Lord expects me to.
Guess what David and Dixie want to feed us next?- COW BRAINS. NOT cool. I'll tell you how that goes if it really happens (I sure hope it doesn't). Hope you're not sick anymore Mom. Dad, I hope your foot gets better soon. Hannah, keep being you and loving life. I've had two dreams that you were sad. Don't be sad. Not that dreams are real or that I actually believe that you're sad because of my random dreams.... I remember once when Dad dreamed that I got into drugs and he woke up being a little disappointed and upset at me but he fully acknowledged the fact that his being mad at me because of a dream was absurd but he couldn't help it. So... whatever, you're probably happy as usual. Nevermind. You're awesome! :)
I'm excited for that package! My garments still fit me perfectly somehow. This morning I just opened one of the pairs you sent me last time. Thanks!
Remember how you told me never to say "haha" in any of my e-mails or letters? I think I've been doing good at that. I just read an e-mail from another missionary haha that said "haha" so many times that I just haha wanted to strangle something haha! I'm not sure if I'd have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out to me before but it's definitely true. Never say haha. And LOL is out of the question.
Again I love you! Have a happy happy Easter! This Easter I'm going to try extra hard to reverently remember the Savior's Atonement.
Adios!
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
Sabrina Sanchez's husband, Michael Carbajal, wants to be baptized on April 18th! God of course gave the increase on this one. Teaching him has been a very sacred experience. We taught him the message of the Restoration and he had good questions about the nature of God the Father and Jesus Christ (he also asked us "who do you think baptized John the Baptist?" Good question...). A couple days later we stopped by just to check up on his reading and he came out of his room with a notepad and a pen, all ready to be taught the next lesson. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit revealed that the time was right to invite him to be baptized. He readily accepted. The Sanchez family is very excited, supportive and happy about Michael's decision.
Sabrina has been very active. She's faithful. Her and Michael are trying to work out some issues though. They're approaching it the right way though. They're going to see the bishop. Turns out I was wrong about Michael serving in Iraq. He just served on base somewhere. He's still a little lost now that he's out of military life.
In two days Suli 'Alungamalie Crank will be baptized. I get to baptize her with water this time. I'm excited. We don't get to see her that much because she's only with the Cranks on weekends but she always seems to enjoy church. Now we're trying to figure out the program. Sis. Ikahihifo works so she can't give a talk and Gaiuli says she'd be too nervous. So we called Sis. Guy, the Primary President, and left a message asking if she'd have any suggestions for people that could give talks. Denniray's baptism was easy to plan for- his family volunteered to give talks and prayers. I love it when the program takes care of itself. But that's a rare treat.
General Conference was AMAZING! Watched all ten hours. It was very uplifting. The whole "do not fear" and "be of good cheer" attitude is exactly what the world needs. I loved all the talks, particularly the First Presidency's, Elder Bednar's and Elder Holland's.
Yesterday I received a prompting about what I needed to study this morning during my personal study time. I followed through and I had a great sacred study. I wanted to find another way to approach Christians when inviting them to learn. Lots of people deny us simply by saying "I'm Christian so I'm already set" or "I already believe in Christ" or "I'm already saved" (my personal favorite) and usually we reply by saying "That's nice, we share this message with everybody" and we promise blessings and usually they just tell us to move on. Here's an idea that was revealed to me- First I'll do the usual approach. Then if the person answers with anything related to "I'm already Christian" I'll praise them by saying "That's great that you already have a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ!" or something to that effect and then I'll anxiously tell them I have a question for them. Then I'll ask them- "Have you ever considered those who have died without a knowledge of Christ and His gospel and wondered what may happen to them?" Then I will answer my own question by sharing one of three scriptures from the Book of Mormon- 2 Ne 9:26, Alma 18:32 or Alma 42: 15. Then I will tie each scripture to the fact that we have a consistently perfect, just and merciful God and explain that that's why I know God has a plan for each of us and he consistently calls prophets even in our day to reveal that plan. I'm going to try that next time we go tracting.
David Ramos is receiving the Higher Priesthood on Easter Sunday. He's so prepared. He's been working with us a lot. He's coming with us tonight to a couple appointments in fact. He's a great Ward Missionary. Yesterday he took me aside and looked me in the eyes and said that he'll be sad the day that I'm transferred. David Ramos was one of the many reasons I was called to the Long Beach California Mission. I don't think I've ever met a more sincere and spiritual young man.
Sounds like Elder Salmon's dad called Pres. Smedley and told him that I'm serving with Elder Salmon. Pres. Smedley said the Lewis fam's a great fam. Not those exact words but something like that.
Mom, Dad and Hannah, I want you to know that I love you and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and feel sincere thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with you. Thank you for preparing me for the greatest experience of my life. I miss you but I'm focused on the things that matter most (as Pres. Uchtdorf would say.) In fact I had a dream last week that I returned from my mission and it was awkward and confusing and I wanted nothing more than to go back. It was an "anti-trunky" dream. I'm sure it won't be like that when the right time comes to return if I use the time I have now the way the Lord expects me to.
Guess what David and Dixie want to feed us next?- COW BRAINS. NOT cool. I'll tell you how that goes if it really happens (I sure hope it doesn't). Hope you're not sick anymore Mom. Dad, I hope your foot gets better soon. Hannah, keep being you and loving life. I've had two dreams that you were sad. Don't be sad. Not that dreams are real or that I actually believe that you're sad because of my random dreams.... I remember once when Dad dreamed that I got into drugs and he woke up being a little disappointed and upset at me but he fully acknowledged the fact that his being mad at me because of a dream was absurd but he couldn't help it. So... whatever, you're probably happy as usual. Nevermind. You're awesome! :)
I'm excited for that package! My garments still fit me perfectly somehow. This morning I just opened one of the pairs you sent me last time. Thanks!
Remember how you told me never to say "haha" in any of my e-mails or letters? I think I've been doing good at that. I just read an e-mail from another missionary haha that said "haha" so many times that I just haha wanted to strangle something haha! I'm not sure if I'd have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out to me before but it's definitely true. Never say haha. And LOL is out of the question.
Again I love you! Have a happy happy Easter! This Easter I'm going to try extra hard to reverently remember the Savior's Atonement.
Adios!
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
