2nd Weekly Update

I am two weeks into the home mtc and it feels like ive been punched in the face several times. That is very dramatic but this week certainly has been more difficult. Our three hour classes consist of mostly teaching the lessons, which doesnt sound too hard, but its is deceptively humbling. It certainly sucks at times but this is what I signed up for. For the most part, its very fun! (Big thanks to my very optimistic teachers). Big thanks to my gorgeous teacher😏 I must say, things are heating up. She noticed and asked about my blue eyes. That certainly made my week a little better!


Other than my cute teacher, we have been learning so much. Ive seen a huge increase in my faith and testimony! Its incredible to see how far ive come in only two weeks. I am on my way to becoming a true scriptorian!


What I failed to mention last week is that I most likely will not be going straight to Rome. My stake president called and reassigned me to Wichita Kansas! Rome sounds cool but its no Wichita😃


At the end of our last class on friday, my companion and I got put in a breakout room and decided to take a cute picture for our email today. We had our cameras right next to each other so we put our hands up to the edge and made a half heart, combining with both hands to make a full heart(I hope that makes sense, we just wanted to make a heart between us). Anyways, as soon as I was gonna take the picture, my teacher came into the breakout room. My companion and I looked at her like a deer in headlights. Its funny because the look on her face was even worse. It was funny because I got the bright idea to make a heart between the three of us. She was so awesome to join in (basically thats why I like her so much).


Reading and teaching the scriptures/gospel for ten hours a day has introduced me to some amazing scriptures. My favorite this week is about the resurrection of Christ. In Mosiah 16:9 it says "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death". He really is the light of the world. Him and his gospel are a light in my life. It makes me so happy and so comforted knowing that, because he atoned for our sins, we can be forgiven and return to our loving Heavenly Father again!


Weekly italian: Ti chiedo di benedire la mia mamma (I ask you to bless my mom). I think its fun to say so I add it to my italian prayers!


As my bishop once said, make a difference, be the difference.


Sincerely,
Anziano Lewis


Pictures
1. The heart that my companion, my teacher, and I made
2. The boys (missing my companion) at the italian consulate
3. Unit.
4. My companion and I having fun drawing in a breakout room as our teacher walked in

  My companion and I had a field trip today...

We drove to SLC so he could speak with the Italian Consolate 

He was excited for the change of scenery, the outing and mostly the opportunity to meet a few people from his District.

the Missionaries headed to Italy, they are split into two districts...

These are just the ones who live within an hour of SLC

The two boys on the left are from Kaysville, then we have Sandy (he's going to Milan) Then one sister from Cache Valley (not sure where the other one is from) and then the two Elders next to Carson are from Lehi and Lindon.

We hear there are about 40 missionaries, who have been reassigned earlier, waiting to get into Italy...

Italy is open, but they don't have the apartment space for all of them at once.

So, we will be patient, but it sounds like it will only be a transfer or two in Kansas, then he's off to ITALY

We have been sampling as many Italian restaurants in the area as we can.

This one was Brio Italian Grille in City Creek!

Good food, yummy warm chocolate cake at the end.

First weekly update...

First week of home mtc is in the books! This might come off as a surprise to most, but after 5 days, I absolutely love it! We will see how i am doing after 5 more weeks though. One thing that has made the experience great is the people. Anziano Mumford, my companion, is a great guy with a good understanding of gospel doctrine and a desire to learn more. Luckily he likes to have fun, too. My whole district likes to have fun together like we have known each other for years. They make 8 hours of zoom (each day) fun!


It's fun to see how far I've come in the gospel in just 5 days. Although it sucks, teaching what you know (and don't know) is one of the best ways to learn. We will be sent into breakout rooms with another missionary and you have a certain topic to teach. It is so hard for me because I will start talking about a scripture then completely forget what I was supposed to be relating it to... I just can't focus. 


It's pretty easy to lose focus when you've got the prettiest teacher in the world. I have no idea what to do with this new crush of mine but it certainly makes going to class easier! I am just excited for the eternal families discussion.


Being cooped up inside on the computer all day makes seeing other people exhilarating. Going to the football game with James put my social levels through the roof. Other than the people, it was incredible to see all the fireworks going off with Country Roads playing in the background as they honored Cal Harris. It's so comforting to know through the plan of salvation, we will be able to see Cal again. He is a great one.


We learn through the plan of salvation that we are judged by God according to what we chose during our time on Earth. In 2 Nephi 10:23 it says... "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves- to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." God gave us agency so we could choose how we live our lives. This is not a single choice, but millions of choices made as we live our lives. We will be blessed as we choose good over evil and happiness over sadness. I've seen it in my life and I've seen it in the lives of people around me. 


One last thing that my bishop said that stuck out to me was "make a difference, be the difference". As we set a good example, we can make a big difference with little gestures of kindness. 

Pictures:

1. Day one of hmtc (my sister and I reacting to the funny comments on the big group zoom)

2. The boys at paces before Ethan hit the road for Provo

3. James and I on cloud 9

Ciao,

Anziano Lewis

 

They say Kansas is the Italy of America! 

That’s what they say, isn’t it??!? 

Well. Thats where our guy Anziano Lewis will go for his temporary assignment. 

#aprestoanzianolewis #whenithinkofitalyialwayspicturekansas

End of October

 

MTC

(at home)

DAY UN

(1)

It all began at 6:30am

A nice run at the high school track with his buddy Ethan, one last run together.

Then home to get ready, 

and then....

ONWARD EVER ONWARD

Study.

Study study...

(and then nap time, not on the schedule)

So we ran to get a drink and lunch to wake him up...

It worked!

Then Jane came home for lunch, to visit her favorite missionary!

It was a LONG amazing day!

His spirits were HIGH, he seemed genuinely happy (and tired)

He likes his MTC companion, Elder Jordan Mumford from Idaho.

(he has been called to Milan, hopefully they will meet in person one day)

And here we are on day DUE

(2)

When I took this pic, he said,

"are you going to do this every day for the next six weeks?"

I don't have an answer for that right now...

but I will try to refrain.

He's just so cute!

Mr. Carson Richard Lewis 

was set apart today...

Elder Anziano Lewis is now a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

First, we went to cousin Adys homecoming...

Then we went home to have lunch as a family and then President Gibbons, Brother Bahr and Brother Lovoi came over...

(Our FAVORITE, Bishop Toone was out of town)

President Gibbons set Carson apart and gave him a BEAUTIFUL blessing.

This Elder is SURROUNDED by people who adore and support him.

He also has countless examples in his life of men who honor their priesthood.

After the night settled down, we went to play pickle ball!!!

And then Anziano Lewis joined some of his other Elder Boyz for scripture study...

some of the girls joined too.

He really does look good with that tag.

So proud of him!

 We had some fun with our photographer...

This boy, his mom and the Italian flag!

This handsome fella went through the temple today...

It was quite possibly my most spiritual, emotional temple trip.

I soaked in every second of it.

The older brothers couldn't be there, so Carson requested it just be the three of us.

Carson, mom and dad.

What a treat!

He said the celestial room was his favorite, so we spent some time in there together, what a special day.