the lord knows best...last week in the Hood [Midwood]

la familia pelaez

my sweet paloma <3

rosie!

Hello again!

Yep, I'm leaving midwood. Bitter sweet. :( I'll just start with the
"big news"...on Thursday night I got a call from the zone leaders and
it went a little like this--

Zl: hello is this sister lewis?
Me:yes..
Zl: ok, perfect!
Me: ahhh!
Zl: haha. You have an interview with president tomorrow at 10.
Me: is this for real?? Noooo!
Zl: yes it's for real.

And that's how I became STL. (Sister training leader, 2 sisters are
called to kind of 'watch over, lead, and teach the sisters in the
mission). Yeah was not expecting that one! Oh the thoughts that ran
through my head ALL night. But I immediately felt peace and kind of
like it's an answer to my prayers, not in the way I thought but The
Lord knows best. :) so I'm really excited for this experience!! I
think president could tell I was a little nervous/shocked haha. So,
it's been a stressful day, then it wouldn't be, ya know...the good ole
emotions. I'll try keep you updated on what it's like. Haha.

Besides that, this week was also good! I remember one day we were
talking to this old man who had just got kind of rejected by his
friends and just needed a friend to talk to. He told us we were
enchanting and thanked us for talking to him. One of the best
feelings...making others feel happy. We went to breakfast with the
stls because our exchanges didn't work out. That's always fun :)
We went over to the sisters apartment on Saturday night sat on the
floor and are cookies together to relieve some 'transfer anxiety'. :)
last night we had some random car trying to tell us they were a taxi
and to get in...I think. Not sure what language he was speaking.
Don't worry we didn't get in.

Yesterday the hymns struggled...Ohhh my haha. They either don't sing
or on one they started in the middle of me playing the introduction??
I look down at sister palu like what the?? And we just start laughing
haha. Oh I'm going to miss my Midwood. Missions are hard for this
reason...you meet and come to love the people so so much and then
have to leave them. That is why we MUST come back. Ahh so sad. :(
I will miss them a lot!! We met, of course, a golden investigator yesterday.
Seriously so prepared!! I'm so excited for her. I wish I could have taught her more!

Well, here's to the last 3 transfers! Dahhh. I can't believe it. Wish
me luck! Love you all to pieces.


Hermana Kelsey Karen

by small and simple things...

happy conference weekend!

Hello!!

This is the perfect saying for this week with everything that  happened. From my daily studies, to lessons, to the conference messages. This week I was studying in alma when Alma is talking to his
sons. As I was reading these chapters it made me think of how I want to teach, raise and nurture my children. It also brought to remembrance of my childhood days and how grateful and blessed I am
with the parents that I have, who, did the same things Alma did with his sons. I'm grateful for the "small" things mom and dad did with us and continue to do, even though it took me 20 years to get it, at least I can tell Ali and Payton and then try with my own some day. :) THANK YOU mom and dad for your constant love for us. Ali and Payton- just do what they say, I promise they aren't crazy. ;) it was touching also that my studies went hand in hand in conference as the family was talked about a lot. It's all about going back to the "basics" the "small and simple things". I see this all the time as a missionary as we try to help people come unto Christ. 'Just pray with real intent!!!' It's not that hard, right? I only say this out of pure love because what we share is what I love so much and I want those I come to love so much and so easily to have the same. As we left a lesson with these feelings I couldn't help but tear up and just wonder what I can do or what will change their mind. My only thought was, one day..they will get it and find the joy. Then there is the excuse makers. Gotta love em. Or the nice, sincere ones. Can't help but love em. I'm such a softy. They drive me insane sometimes but I love them with all my heart. :) small & simple...(S) got Sundays off, for always! Happiness. We met a less active family who are adorable and the nine year old wants to get baptized as soon as she can. We met a new investigator, (J). But unfortunately she is English so we gave
her to the other sisters. But we taught her once and gave her a Book of Mormon that she asked us to sign. Then gave us cake on the way out. Sweetest lady ever. Our stake is really focusing on family history and has challenged every member to bring family names to the stake temple trip in a couple months. I'm so excited to start helping them with it!! It's something I really want to do when I get home.

So some funniness for the week cause I just have to, we are always
laughing. We were doing a street sweep trying to invite people to
general conference and so we were standing on this corner and there is
an Asian man standing on the other side. He was on the phone talking
to someone and we hear, "his name is john. But in Spanish it's ja-wan.
Like john but ja-wan." Hahaha we all just lost it. (If you don't get
the funny part he was pronouncing Juan completely wrong) maybe you
just had to be there. Another one...I was leaving the bathroom at the
church and Hermana Jimenez was in there going too and as I was leaving
I turned off the light. Then right as the door was about to close I
realized what I did and just started laughing and saying I'm so
sorry!! So funny. I guess the habit dad got us into of turning off
lights hasn't worn off. ;) annnnd...our apartment is like a large weed
plant. Mmmm disgusting. All I can say is good thing we are
missionaries so it's not killing or making us high.

...overall it was another fantastic week in the hood!! I LOVED CONFERENCE so much. It's like Christmas times five. I know we have a living prophet and apostles that guide us directly from God. I know that by the small and simple things miracles happen, happiness is found and families are strengthened. I know personal revelation is real, I received it all weekend. I'm blessed and proud to be a member of Jesus Christs church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love each of you...aunt, cousin, nephew, sister, dad, mom, brother, grandparent, friend, neighbor, each of you. I pray that we will all be strengthen by the small and simple things, study what we just heard and apply it in our lives and share it with those we love. :)

This is he last week of the transfer!! Ahhhh!!! So don't send letters straight to my apartment, just in case I get transferred...



sometimes we just need frozen yogurt breaks. :)