Forever Finding - September 7, 2015

Miracles...we had 9 new investigators this week!!! 
We literally talked to everyone we possibly could this week, wasting no time at all. It was so great! Although there were times where I was so tired or just simply didn't feel like talking to anyone. We saw the immediate blessings that came from just approaching people and inviting them to come unto Christ. Considering there's millions of people here, we got many rejections. But that was okay! We feel good knowing we did what we could and planted seeds. Lots and lots of planting. 

We have such great investigators! 

Viviana is such a miracle! I don't know if I wrote about her or not...but she just feels so right with everything that the Spirit is teaching her. She wants to investigate more before she makes any big decisions, but she feels that this is the right path for her. 

Leon was able to come to church and the RC fireside last night! That was really neat. He just wants to learn and learn so that he can feel his faith.

Sally has amazing questions and is so keen on figuring out what God wants for her. 

and many more....

With everyone, we've been able to see how much they can feel the Spirit in their lives. It's BEAUTIFUL. 

With Nora

Another miracle, Baberly and Rose went to the Temple on Saturday! I've learned that one of the most important things to help recent converts stay active is to get them to the Temple soon and then have them go as often as possible!

Sunday was really good. Very powerful testimonies, especially on the Atonement. I often find myself forgetting to utilize the Atonement in EVERY aspect of my life. Yes, I'm prideful. Yes, I'm self-centered. and yes, I sometimes forget to put Heavenly Father's will ahead of my own, but I know that the Atonement can help me overcome all of these weaknesses...even the ones that hold me back from using it! 

Hendersons and Aslpulnds... the senior couples..

Breaking the fast

We have had a really good week overall. I love being back in the city! and I love the sisters I serve with. We went on exchanges with the other city sisters, Sister Prabang and Sister Nelson. We have so much fun together. We're just one big family :) and we all like to eat. It's all about the food; and the Spirit of course. 

With Sister Prabang and Sister Nelson

Sister Prabang

Sister Prabang and I were able to see miracles with the appointments we had. It was a pretty full-on day, but a good one nonetheless. 

Sister Valdes and I are going to make the most of what we have during these next two weeks. It's really sad to see so many great missionaries going home soon, especially all the ones I'm super close with, but it's so cool to see their bright futures because of their dedication to the Lord's work. 

Stuffed French Toast with Sister Valdes

Went on "splits" with Sister Nelson
Today for P-day, we're going to Coogee beach as a zone for a sausage sizzle :) yayyyyy

I love you all, have a fabulous week!

Sister Lew

"Serve Him with all your mind" August 31, 2015

I think I should be tested for ADHD.

Focus has been one of my biggest struggles on the mission, however, I know that blessings do come when our minds are centered on the Lord's work. As our minds are centered on the work, we are able to receive revelation to know how to evermore effectively invite others to come unto Christ. 

This week has been so good! 

Highlights:

Rose was baptised on Saturday! We were also able to refer her sons to the missionaries in Malaysia! The service was very nice and peaceful. The spirit was definitely present and all in the world was right. 

We had MLC (Mission Leadership Council) at the mission home. It was fun to be with all the missionaries I know and love dearly. We discussed how we can become more effective leaders. I love that in the WHB it tells us that leaders set the example by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also talked a lot on becoming Preach My Gospel missionaries. PMG is the key to success as disciples of Jesus Christ, and especially as missionaries. I have learned so much from it and it has helped me so much in this work. I encourage you all to really study PMG when you're doing your scripture study!!!

We had a zone meeting. I love our zone! I'm grateful that we have very hardworking and faithful missionaries who set such great examples. Elder Orr and Elder Wilde are the zone leaders and they're so great. We all get along really well and it helps us work in unity to hasten the work in this part of the world. We had a really great training on learning and teaching by the spirit, where we were given a phrase or word from D&C 4 and had 1 minute to come up with a 1 minute lesson/testimony on that word. It was so powerful!! Of course mine was, 'serve with all your mind', which was super inspired because that is something I know I need to work on. 

On Thursday, we had a sisters conference with 4 other zones. That was really neat. I love President and Sister Checketts! They're so full of love! 

I went on trade-offs with Sister Bou-In from Thailand. We worked around the UNSW campus, which means we walk up and down ANZAC parade and talk to the students. The Elders wear non-pros when they have lessons on the uni, and we have to take our badges off.  We actually had a girl who asked if we had classes she could attend! It was super cool. Definitely golden.

We had 4 investigators come to church, which is more than I've had in a long time! It was really really neat to see them feel the spirit that comes at church. We had an amazing lesson with a referral named Sally. She's from Taiwan. at the end of our lesson, she said the closing prayer, and afterwards, she really felt Heavenly Father's love for her. It was beautiful. She's never felt anything like it before and she started bawling. She knows that God is her father and that he truly loves her. There's nothing more rewarding than to see others feel that love and recognise that God is real. 

Also, I found out that we have a Temple trip on the 15th of September. I have not been to the Temple since the beginning of December and it's been killing me!!!!! But lately, I've been doing a lot of preparation and studying to go to the Temple. I'm grateful that we have the House of the Lord here on the Earth so that we can come closer to Him, feel His love, and receive answers and revelation. I love the Temple!

Anyways...that's about it! Sydney is crowded and great. Spring is springing. :D

Love you all heaps,

Sister Lew 

Lead With Love

This week has been so amazing! We have had miracles and miracles!

Miracle #1: Rose is preparing to be baptised on the 29th of August (THIS SATURDAY!) 

She came to both sessions of Stake Conference and loved it, even though she couldn't understand quite a fair bit. She felt the spirit. As we talked about her baptismal date, she recognised that it was soon but KNEW with all of her heart that this is what Heavenly Father needs her to do at this time in her life. She is willing to do all that He asks of her. She told us she couldn't come to the Sunday session of conference, but we explained that as she puts God first in her life, everything else will work out and she will be blessed. She was still hesitant, but on Sunday morning she texted us saying that she'll see us at church! We had a great lesson with her this morning and feel that she is being prepared by the Spirit to receive the blessings God wants her to have. 

We are also hoping that her sons back in Malaysia will start meeting with the missionaries soon!

Miracle #2: Sister Metcalf e-mailed me saying that Jess from Newcastle will be baptised this Saturday as well!!!!! And her husband came to church, which is a HUGE step! I know that Heavenly Father prepares people in His own timing. 

Miracle #3: I went on trade offs with Sister Sindorff in Summer Hill and Sister Tian in South Harbour! I love the sisters SOOOOOO much! ❤They are so inspiring. Such great examples of our Saviour, who we have the great privilege of representing everyday for the rest of our lives. That's right, not just for 18 months, but our entire lives after we enter the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to get to know them and learn from them. Even more so, this assignment has allowed me to feel and express the love that Heavenly Father has for them. He really does love us all SO much. We have such great potential as His children. 

Tradeoffs have been really fun. We don't have a car, so we travel by train and bus with our suitcase. Yay for being homeless! 

Lately, I've been studying what it means to be a 'consecrated' missionary. To be consecrated is to understand and fulfill the potential we have been given, and rely on the Saviour to do His work. We need to exert ALL that we have to this great work. We need to lay everything on the Altar of Sacrifice and put our focus on the Lord. This is hard. Thank goodness we have the Atonement to help us overcome that and master self-control. 

I absolutely LOVE working with Sister Valdes! I learn so much from her every day. She is the epitome of a consecrated missionary and I'm always left in awe by the way she fulfills and magnifies her calling. I am so grateful to serve with her :) 

I love being a missionary. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm sad that I didn't realise that I had this calling before I had a name badge, however, I now know I can keep it with me for the rest of my life. 

I want to invite you to watch this video. Pay attention to the impressions you receive. Pray and think of someone you can share the Gospel with THIS week and how you can be a missionary everyday. I promise that as you do so, you will find the joy that comes from seeing someone accept the blessings that we have as members of the church. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-06-1031-ill-go-where-you-want-me-to-go?lang=eng

I love you all! Have a great week! 

Sister Lew

Fearless -- August 17th

"When we fear, we're just having an identity crisis"

The above statement is so incredibly true. We are children of our Heavenly Father. We have divine potential. As we completely rely on the Saviour and His Atonement, we can do ALL things. 

Being back in the city has reminded me that I have no need to fear. I have Christ by my side at all times as I continue to keep the commandments and do all I can to serve my Heavenly Father. 

I love how busy it is here! Miracles are everywhere. Literally. I've been reminded that everyone we see is a child of God, and as missionaries, we have the privilege of inviting them to come unto Christ. We are constantly talking to people on the streets and trains. We have a pretty solid teaching pool. Sister Valdes speaks Spanish and is able to bring  many many Spanish speaking people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We had a baptism on Saturday! Giulia from Italy! She is the epitome of "golden investigator". She met the elders on the street and from then on, she's been coming to every activity and to church every week. She just soaks in the Gospel and knows it's right. She shines and glows with the spirit. It was a beautiful service!!!

It's nice to be back in the YSA ward! It's even more transient than Vic1!! So many changes have occurred, but it's also nice to see the familiar faces. I love the missionaries I'm serving with. They're all fantastic and we get along really well. It's nice to work closely with missionaries and feel the unity that the City missionaries have. We just all love each other. :D We're one big family. 

What else has happened....

We attended the mission call opening of a sister, and she's going to Sweden! It reminded me of when I opened my call. The spirit was so strong and everything felt right and perfect. I can't believe that I'm a missionary! Although it wasn't an overly huge focus for me growing up, I've seen how the Lord has prepared me to be here at this time. I'm so grateful for my loving parents who have raised me in the Gospel and set an excellent example. I'm learning what it means to follow the path of Christ. 

I love seeing how Christ directs His work. It's truly beautiful. 

I love you all heaps! Have a great week!

Sister Lew

Give Me Mountains to Climb Letter from August 10, 2015

"You never quit and you never turn back when you're in the middle of a hill". 

This whole Gospel is about endurance. We chose to come to Earth to become like our Heavenly Father. We need to learn and grow from our experiences...both the good and hard and bad. 

G'day from SYDNEY!

We had transfers! This was a big one. There were 76 or so missionaries at the parking lot in Normanhurst where we met. Many of my very good friends are leaving, but so many are coming in and miracles are going to happen in the Australia Sydney North Mission. 

I got my transfer call on Thursday night, and President Checketts called me on Friday to extend the assignment of being a Sister Training Leader. Last night, I found out that I was coming BACK to the city!!! So now, I'm e-mailing from my birthplace. :D 

Harbour City district 2…all that's left of us.

My new companion is Sister Valdes and she is absolutely beautiful! She was companions with Sister Weiss and Sister Cluff, two of my favourites! (I love all the sisters). We are excited to work together and allow the Lord to smash the work and love the sisters that we will be working with!! 

This week has been full of miracles!!! I love and miss Sister Uitu dearly :( But she will smash Newcastle. I was sad to say bye to the members and those that we work with, but I know the Lord has great plans for them. 

With Jess at Time Out for Women

Janet and Evelyn Parkes

With June

Marlies and Chris Reed

Jess came with us to Time Out for Women down in Sydney! That was FANTASTIC! Sheri Dew wasn't able to attend, but she skyped in for her presentation. Sister Dalton, Sister Turley (Cosette on Broadway 10 years ago!!!), Sister Swenson (the author of Pres. Monson's biography), Brother Wilcox, and Brother Archuleta were all presenters. I reckon there were about 1,500 women there. The spirit was so strong and I was able to receive a lot of revelation, especially going into this new assignment and loving and serving the sisters. I got David Archuleta to sign my PMG ;) It was awesome how he shared experiences from his mission. I don't have my journal with me at the moment, so it's hard for me to share everything that I learned. God loves us. The healing and enabling power of the Atonement of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is SO real! We can overcome ALL that we face as we fully rely on the Lord for all things. I'm truly blessed for this sacred opportunity I have to help people discover and remember the Atonement for themselves. 

Meeting David Archuleta

The Fukofukas

Jenni

Nicci and Sister Metcalf

So, I didn't really get to say bye to anyone in Newcastle. Thankfully, many of the sisters went to TOFW. We drove down with members and Jess, and they dropped us off at Temple Accomodation. We stayed in Sydney for the weekend before transfers. We were with the Ryde sisters, so I got to go to the Mandarin speaking ward!!! It was great! 

Before the members dropped us off, we went to macca's and krispy kreme for a final hurrah! It was lovely. I also got fed heaps this past week. I can't wait to lose weight! 

I honestly can't remember all that happened last week. It was such a busy blur...and being back in the city makes Newcastle seem like a dream. But it was amazing. I'm so grateful for the privilege I had to see the Lord work miracles. 

Last night, we had a mission fireside with David Archuleta, the Daltons, and the Swensons. That was amazing. David sang a beautiful acapella version of Come, Come Ye Saints. One of the greatest things I learned from him was humility. We have this privilege to serve our Heavenly Father. Christ has called us to represent Him, and He is the one directing this work. Everything is so inspired in this work. I saw it today, especially, as we were going through transfers. We can't do anything in this life alone. We need to purely rely on the Lord to help us. 

So much has happened and words can't express what I'm feeling right now. I'm just trying to serve the Lord with all of my being and letting Him take control of it all. 

I would like to invite you to ask Heavenly Father to give you mountains to climb. Ask Him what He needs you to learn so that we can become more like Him. Ask him to show us our weakness (Ether 12:27) so that we can make them strengths. Write down your impressions. 

Have a great week! I love you all heaps! 

Love,

Sister Lew

Kristine

Sister Little

Nadia

Army of Helaman Letter from August 3, 2015

2 Timothy 2:3

 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

This has become one of my favourite scriptures in the past couple of weeks. We are soldiers of Christ and the fight is not easy. We need to endure. I feel like all I've been doing has been enduring for the past couple of transfers. Thank goodness for the Atonement to carry me the whole way. Sister Uitu and I have seen countless miracles since we started together. The miracles have been blessings from endurance because it definitely has not been an easy road. 

Our investigator, Jess, came to church yesterday!! She's been progressing really well! And she's coming with us to a women's conference in Sydney this weekend! And Sheri Dew, Brad Wilcox, and David Archuleta will be there!! So stoked! Jess is the sweetest lady. She's a couple years older than me. She knows that the Gospel will improve her life and help her overcome her trials. 

We meet so many people who experience so much pain and suffering and I can't imagine how they do it without the Atonement. 

Kirby is progressing well! I just love the initiative she's taking in implementing the Gospel into her family life. It's very inspiring. 

The weather has been BEAUTIFUL over here!!! It's nice, warm, and SUNNY! I'm wearing my spring time clothes! basically, the same thing i normally wear without stockings. 

Church was awesome! Great experiences and growth from fasting. Testimony meeting was sweet as. The primary kids all got up to bear their testimonies and were super excited about it. We loved it! The spirit was so strong! 

A YSA that we work with just got her mission call to Auckland, NZ, Tongan speaking.!! So that's exciting!!! We're helping her prepare to leave. 

Everything else in Newcastle is going well. It's the last week of the 8 week transfer. We're all excited to see what the Lord has in store for our zone. I'm so grateful for the leadership we have. President and Sister Checketts are so great!! Elder Watts and Elder Nielsen are the best zone leaders and Elder Ezra has so much patience with me. The revelation they receive is incredible..and when we've acted on it, we've seen MIRACLES throughout the whole zone. 

Food fun:

I finally got fed home cooked Chinese food by the one active Chinese member in the ward (she's been gone for a few months)

the Metcalf's made home made pizza and churros :) :) 

We had sisters date night and spoiled ourselves by getting a nice steak. 

#fat

Love you heaps,

Sister Lew

I'm still alive! Letter from July 27, 2015

Hello! 

This past week has been pretty standard. We've met with a lot of our new investigators that we've found in the past few weeks. Well, we attempted to. Many of them cancelled, didn't pick up, or weren't home when we dropped by. It was still nice. We did a lot of walking and finding. We also visited a lot of the elderly single women in our ward, so that was nice. Many of them are in hospital, so we spent a few hours there on Saturday. 

We had our first interviews with President and Sister Checketts, so that was great! I absolutely love them!! President and I went into the scriptures and just read and sought inspiration. It was great! 

We have a new WML! Brother Boeree is fantastic, and we're sad to see him be released, but we're excited to work with Brother Little. He's very enthusiastic about the work. We have 7 great missionaries in Newcastle (oh yeah, the ZL's got a new missionary!), so we're trying to figure out how we can most effectively help our ward. There's a lot of LA work to do. We're also struggling with retention of our RC's. So we're praying for inspiration and revelation.

Some insight I gained this week:

How we use our agency determines our destiny:

Celestial - Joy

Terrestrial - Happiness

Telestial - Fun

I love the pioneer history we have in our family!!! From both the Lee and Lew sides! Even though Mel was talking about her family, it reminded me of the sacrifices that were made for all of us to be where we are. 

https://www.lds.org/church/news/pioneers-in-every-land-lecture-addresses-churchs-global-historical-landscape?cid=HP_MO_7-13-2015_dCN_fCNWS_xLIDyC-3_&lang=eng

Anyways, that was about it. We're just really working on helping our current teaching pool progress altogether. 

Psalms 62:7-8

Have a great week! 

Love,

Sister Lew