March 16th, 2010 (Email)

Hello!

We had an earthquake last night at about 4:00 a.m. It woke us up. I heard the blinds rattling and my bed was moving a little. Elder Collier thought I was shaking his bed. It wasn't very strong and no damage happened. It was a 4.4. Some car alarms went off. Most people slept through it though. It wasn't nearly as jerky as the earthquake that happened last year while I was anointing a lady for a priesthood blessing.
Last week President Sexton gave me a really big project that he's been wanting to have done for a while. He had me look up every missionary that he has presided over for the past two and a half years and he had me make a list of their birthdays. I made it on excel and then organized it on microsoft word because excel frustrates me sometimes. But I finished that project yesterday.
The Lord has blessed us with many opportunities to teach. We hardly ever have to go knocking. Being in the office for most of the day really helps us stay busy in the evenings. I went on exchanges on Saturday with an elder from Mexico named Elder Serrano. He and his companion work in a very difficult area. We knocked doors all day and didn't teach any lessons. It made me really grateful that I've had the privilege to work in so many areas where I actually get to teach people and see some of the fruits of my labors.
I've decided that Preparation Day isn't my favorite day of the week, nor has it ever been. The only good part about it is e-mail. I've decided to call it Chore Day. Laundry, car wash, groceries, clean the apartment, write letters... blah blah blah blah blah
We had ward conference on Sunday and in Elders Quorum we were taught about home teaching. The Atherton Ward does amazing with their home teaching--- about 90% of their people get visited. So the stake person said that instead of giving us a "ra! ra!" motivation speech he was just going to talk about improving the quality of home teaching. Pretty much you just need to got he extra mile-- have lunch with those you teach, be there when they need you, be their friend. It sounds like you do great with your home teaching too. I'm excited for home teaching. That's really what missionaries are-- glorified home teachers.
Nick is still doing well. We're on good terms with his parents. His stepdad said he'd let Nick go to any of the church activites as long as he gets notice ahead of time. Nick didn't go to church on Sunday because of the time change. He didn't get enough sleep apparently. I didn't either but I was still there!
We haven't got to teach Paul Williams yet. And I don't know anything else about David Ramos going on a mission. I'm glad to know he's planning on it though. Here's what he said to me: "Hey Elder Lewis, Right now im preparing to go on a mission and I have started a lawn mowing business with omar to raise money for it. I miss you very much and I hope your doing well. Well Samantha Sakley says hi and hopes your doing well. Sorry I havent wrote you in such a long time. Hope all is well. Love, David." By the way, how did you find out he was going on a mission before I did?
So Hannah's developing huh? Weird. I wouldn't know anything about that though. I still haven't received any proof that my family still physically exists. ;) jk lol haha
Last week we had dinner at the Sexton home. The Blakes and the Assitants were there. President cooked up some mean juicy steaks. Sister Sexton was there along with their oldest daughter and their twin daughters. President had Elder Collier and I teach them a little lesson after dinner. Talk about being put on the spot. It was fine though. He told us to leave them a commitment so Elder Collier said "Will you all... continue to read the Book of Mormon?" What else could they do?
Here's something I studied today. A couple times yesterday I encouraged our investigators to ponder about God before they pray to Him. I've received an impression repeated times that it's a good idea to consider who I'm speaking to before I pray to God. Moroni counsels thus in Moroni 10:3. And in one of my favorite scriptures King Benjamin gives the same counsel before inviting his people to repent: Mosiah 4:9-10. And here's another good scripture to consider as well: Jacob 4:8-10. A good thing to remember is that we're the workmanship of the Lord's hands. He knows us far better than we know ourselves-- we were with Him for an infinite amount of time before this existence, so of course He knows what we need more than we could possibly comprehend.
Well have an extraordinarily pleasant week. Keep working hard, remember that I love you and that I'm thankful for what you've taught me.
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis