My Soul Hungered

Enos is one of my FAVOURITE books in the Book of Mormon. My soul hungers as I plead with my Heavenly Father every night on my knees. Christ feeds our souls as we rely on Him and His Atonement. There is no mistake, sin, weakness, trial, or heartache we can't overcome. How great is that?! All of this sparked from Sister Munoa and Elder Bartlett's stunning musical number of 'My Soul Hungered'. It brought tears to my eyes....absolutely stunning!! 

We have been able to set 5 baptismal dates with our investigators for October 17th!  We are praying and hoping all will go well and that they can progress! 

That is probably one of the biggest struggles, helping our investigators keep their commitments. We by no means want to rush them, but this is salvation we're talking about. It's hard to help people see the urgency and importance of our message, even when we bear testimony with our whole hearts. 

But our investigators are so great! We had some very powerful lessons, including one with Viviana! We went over to the Asplunds for a yummy dinner and we brought her with us. We taught The Gospel of Jesus Christ and we had such a powerful lesson where it was so clear that the Spirit was teaching. 

Yan Lin and Nora are "my twins" baptized 1month and 2 days apart!!
They love dressing up the same! I'm so happy to be back in the city with them.

Cupcakes with Sister Derrick

We went on trade-offs in Summerhill with Sister Derrick from England and Sister Smith from Utah . I just love our sisters so much! They are such great examples; constantly working with all of their heart, might, mind, and strength…it definitely motivates me. We have SOOOO many new missionaries, so it really pumps us to work hard and be good examples. 

Our Zone before the last transfer

Also, 3 new apostles! I'm so stoked! Elder Rasband came to the mission in Feb with Elder Bednar. The Restored Gospel is true and I know that God has called prophets and apostles to represent Him on the earth to lead and guide us. I am SOOOO excited for General Conference. We got to watch the Woman's conference at the stake center. Definitely so inspired! It was all on hastening the work of Salvation, something we all play a huge role in. 

This week of studies was really good. As I was studying some of the commandments, I learned that God promises us very specific and beautiful blessings. Sometimes the commandments can seem like restrictions that prevent us from having fun, but it is the complete opposite. I know that living the commandments brings even greater joy into our lives. They liberate us from guilt and shame, feelings that hold us back more than any other feeling. When we keep the commandments, we are safe and protected. We avoid pain and heartache. We are filled with peace, joy, and love. It's such a great blessing to have commandments. Especially the simple ones like CPR (Church, Prayer, Read the Book of Mormon). These things help us have the spirit in our lives. When we don't have the spirit, we feel stuck....so keep the commandments! 

It's getting really hot over here. It's nice! My tan is coming back! #missionarytanlines

Anyways, I hope you all are doing well!! Have a great week! 

Love you heaps,

Sister Lew

Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le! (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)

A moon cake and a lantern

I wish this computer typed in Chinese...but Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!! One of the members gave me YueBing and I was suuuuuuper happy! :)

It was cold this week....but today was nice and warm! We did a personal safety class with one of the members! That was heaps fun! Then we walked part of the Harbour Bridge with some of the other missionaries! It was beautiful!! I feel so blessed to be in such a beautiful city! 

View from Harbour Bridge

I love being with Sister Luo!

This week has been great! I love being with Sister Luo! We had soooo many miracles! On Wednesday, we went soap boxing with our zone and the new arrival missionaries (who came straight from the airport). It was a very empowering spiritual experience. Standing on a crate and bearing testimony to people on the street sounds a little crazy...but I realised that I love this Gospel so much and I just want everyone to have the opportunity to learn and accept it so that they can have eternal life. It was nice hearing my testimony out loud, and truly feeling that I am here to serve the Lord. The spirit confirmed to me that this was all true and that I'm not wasting my time. 

As Elder Jordan (our new district leader) was soapboxing, a young Chinese girl stopped to watch and Sister Luo immediately went to her. Her name is Amelia and she is from China. She is so keen to learn and we were able to set a baptismal date with her for Oct 17! She came with us to Jin's baptism on Saturday and she just felt the spirit so strong. That was really neat. 

Soapboxing

We also met with a few other new investigators, including Julie from Korea! She reminds me a lot of Yan Lin since she is also young and is a free thinker. However, she really wants to know if the message of the Restoration is true. We had a very brief but powerful lesson with her and she also accepted the invitation to be baptised! 

Leon is still progressing. Everytime we meet with him, I learn so much from the way he understands the Gospel. It is so obvious that the spirit is teaching him and helping him understand, and he sees it in a way that helps us learn and grow. For example, we asked him why he thinks God gave us commandments. The answer I thought of was to protect us and keep us safe. His answer was to help us become perfect like God and help us know how to live our lives because we are not perfect. I thought that was so cool! 

I have no doubt that Heavenly Father is preparing His children all over to receive the Gospel. Everything really does happen for a reason, and it's all part of God's great plan for us. I'm grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and that everyone will have the opportunity to receive the blessings of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone has the chance to have eternal life with our Father in Heaven. How cool is that?!?!

Sister Luo, Sister Nelson, and I were together until Thursday, when Sister Munoa came! We know some of the same people, it's kind of crazy! We have 3 awesome new missionaries in our district. They are truly prepared to be here and miracles are already happening. They are great examples and are going to really bring miracles into this part of the Lord's vineyard. All 3 also went to BYU, so that makes them even cooler :P Also, my Chinese is slowly but surely growing and improving. Sister Luo is so patient with me. She's awesome! We have so much fun together and she's such a great example to me. 

This week is going to be great :) We're excited!!

Love you all heaps,

Sister Lew

Transfers!

Ice cream on a spring day in Manly

This week has been one of much learning. It has been a roller coaster of emotions. 

First off, MIRACLES! Leon has a baptismal date！It has been such a privilege to see how much he has grown. His faith is increasing every day and he has such a great desire to learn more truth. He hungers for that truth. We prayerfully invited him to be baptised, and he accepted (after many many invitations). He is preparing to be baptised on the 17th of October, so please pray for him! He's probably my first investigator that asks REALLY good questions....you can just tell he's prepared. 

We met with Viviana and she is awesome! We fasted with her and she had a great experience. She's keeping all of her commitments and she just feels the spirit so much more in her life as she's been living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We had 3 other Spanish speakers in the lesson...so everyone was speaking Spanish but me. It was pretty funny.

With Guilia

We went on trade-offs with the Manly sisters. Manly is soooo beautiful!! I was with Sister Toluta'u. She is amazing! Definitely on fire and I just loved how she was constantly bearing her testimony. 

With Sister Toluta'u

Sister Valdes and I saw so many miracles. As I keep mentioning, she is the most consecrated missionary I know. I'm so grateful for her diligence and obedience. It has definitely motivated me to do much much better and become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I can honestly say that we really did our best this past transfer. We gave it our all. Although we were always exhausted, we knew that we were doing what the Lord needed us to do. We always felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that we were able to assist in the work of salvation. 

She truly is such a great example and I am eternally blessed to have served with her. Not only were we companions, but we became best friends.

My last goodbye with Sister Valdes

Transfer calls came around and I am now with Sister Luo from Taiwan! She is so lovely! We are so excited to smash the city and learn Chinese. Yay! 

Sister Luo is my new companion!

There were quite a few changes in our district, but I am excited for this transfer! We have 3 missionaries coming into the city and our new Zone Leader is Elder Dean, who served in the city with me a year ago! Lots and lots of miracles are awaiting! :) 

Elders Wilde, Despain and Orr

We also had Zone Conference! That was really good! I LOVE LOVE LOVE President and Sister Checketts. We really focused on 'listening to the Spirit', which is something I am working hard to improve. The Spirit is the true teacher in this work. Without it, being a missionary is useless. I am so grateful for the knowledge and gift of the Holy Ghost. It has made all the difference in my life and I am striving to be worthy of it at all times. 

Lately, negativity has been creeping into my thoughts and emotions, to the point where I sometimes feel unable to feel the spirit. It is scary and it's dark...Yesterday, we had a lesson with a member and we read in Alma 52. We talked about how we have the power to overcome and conquer Satan and that through the Atonement, we can do all things. It's so incredibly true, and I felt a literal weight being lifted from my shoulders as the spirit testified to me that as long as I rely on my faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, everything will be okay. It was just amazing to feel the power of the Atonement. Christ truly did suffer, bleed, and die for us. Not just for our sins, but for our weaknesses, suffering, and trials. The Atonement is so beautiful. I am eternally grateful for my Saviour.

This ties into the theme of our sacrament meeting yesterday, which was the Restoration. We have the fullness of this knowledge of the Atonement because of the Restoration. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the Earth. I know that it has been restored to its former glory through the prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith did see God, the Father, and His son, Jesus Christ. I know that it is the same church that Christ established when He was on the Earth. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven". One of the elders was sharing how no sacrifice is too big or too much for the Lord's work. I reflected back on all of the sacrifices that were made so that we could have the Gospel. I also think of all the sacrifices that were made so that I can be here to represent Jesus Christ and preach His gospel. There truly is no sacrifice that is too great for this marvelous work. 

I know that the Priesthood power has been restored and that it is the power of God. It is so beautiful and I am so blessed to have the Priesthood in my home. I know that it truly does bless families. I pray that every priesthood holder is worthy of it and prepared to use it in time of need. 

The Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of God, and as we read it, we will come to know more of our Saviour. President Thomas Monson is the prophet today, and I am so grateful that we have the privilege of listening to him in just a few weeks! God is our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ truly is our Saviour and Redeemer. I am grateful for this opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father and preach His restored gospel to the people of Sydney. It is the greatest blessing and privilege. 

I love this Gospel and I love this work!

Have a great week! Love you all heaps!

Sister Lew

Letter from September 15, 2015

House of the Lord
Holiness to the Lord

I got to go to the Temple today for the first time since December 2014! It was so amazing and beautiful. I was soooooo happy! 

This past week has been full on! I definitely saw the adversary working HARD against me. Temptation, laziness, boredom, uni, family, friends, and more all started attacking me. It was so frustrating. I'm so grateful to be with Sister Valdes. I love having a companion I can love and trust. I can be open with her and she's helped me push through it and enjoy the work. She is a prime example of a 'consecrated missionary'. I hope to become like her within the next 3 months. Eye single to the glory of God and serving with all of my heart might mind and strength. There's nothing that takes her away from this work. It's quite impressive. 

With Sister Valdes at the Opera House

P-day fun with Sister Valdes

I got to serve with the Chinese sisters last week on trade-offs! I went to Ryde and Greenwich (they actually live in the same flat) and I was with Sister Yu and Sister Luo. Both are such amazing sisters!! They have such a great spirit about the work. It's really exciting! LOOOOVEEEE THEM!

I learned so much Chinese as well...I'm becoming more comfortable speaking it. I have the weirdest phobia of speaking Chinese with white people that speak it as well. I choke and can't speak. It's actually quite sad. But I'm perfectly fine when it comes to the natives. Weird…

With the Mandarin speaking sisters

We have some great investigators who are progressing really well! We had 6 at church on Sunday!!!

Although no one is quite ready to accept baptism yet, they all have a great desire and hunger to learn more. They're all keeping their commitments! Especially reading the Book of Mormon. We have an investigator who just loves the Book of Mormon. It's great to see how they're really trying to study and ponder it to know if it's true. 

With Michelle

I've been able to gain a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon this week as well. I've made more of an effort to study it with my PMG in my personal study. There was one day where I studied 'faith' in PMG and in Alma 32. Out of the many many times I've read that chapter, only then did it really mean something to me and I felt like I was truly learning. 

Being a missionary is so beautiful. The time really goes by so fast and every moment is so incredibly precious. Being with Sister Valdes has helped me see how important the Lord's time is and that there is not a second to waste. I'm so grateful for the privilege I have to serve my Heavenly Father. Despite the rejection (oh yeah...we got told to Go Away pretty harshly this week...), stress, aching bodies, and emotional roller coaster of it all, it is the best thing I can be doing right now. I love being in a ward where I can see people grow in the Gospel and support each other in every step of the way. 

This is my last week with Sister Valdes and Elder Despain! So we're going to make the most of it and see miracles :)

Love you all heaps!

Have a great week!

Sister Lew

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