Monday, June 28, 2010

Mhmmm...

Dear Family,

I was about to inform you of all the people here in this Area, the progress, the goals, and the obstacles to be overcome, as well as a 3 sentence biography on all the fun people i've met and we are teaching. Actually... i think it will be fun xD!

But i think I'll save that for next time...

Upon reading the emails, and also seeing as a new mission rule is to shorten the internet time (for a couple transfers... 30 mins only)
(commandment from President to deal with some issues... so we ought to support him. He said if we're good, it'll change soon. So...
easiest way to get something better is to obey, might as well obey! =P!)

I apologize, but the email won't be about me or my area. But rather...
I don't know...haha.

[...]

You know something thats interesting? Two examples...
One, scriptural. Everywhere, in the scriptures, we see the Lamanites and the Nephites, and we say to ourselves... come on, why are you doing that? Come on, dont you know history? Dont you remember? This just happened to you. Why can't you see and understand something so simple?

Second, in movies. We always see when someone should or shouldnt be doing something, because the whole story is made known to us. And we often think to ourselves, or shout at the TV, or etc...saying, no no no! or don't do that! or this is gonna happen... etc.

Amazingly... even though we can see this everywhere else... we often fail to see it when we ourselves, living our own lives, are the main characters. If only we had the power, and humility, to check ourselves.

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

I find it amazing... almost always... we are the prolongers of our own Happiness. Often times...we are the only obstacle, to being happy. Ain't it weird? But it's true. We hurt ourselves.

[...]

People think its impossible to be Happy, always. That's why in there lives, there is a great deal of misery... they've been taught its impossible. They believe its impossible.

I promise you... if ever theres a minute in our life we are not feeling this Ecstasy of Life... something could, and ought, to change.
It is NOT impossible, to live a life full of happiness. Yes... there is opposition. So what? That will never change. It's the world.
It's our choice... to be Happy, or to be Miserable.

[...]

Neverthless...suffer as many stripes [...] However long it takes, until finally we understand.

[...]

[...]

[...]

I love my Family.

--Elder Christopher A. Lewis

Monday, June 21, 2010

sorry its late!!

Late cuz havent been around BUSYY!!!

----------------



Dear Rebecca,

[...]

p.s. go to Trek. It's worth it. So worth it. and you'll have fun.... focus on people...on friends... have a good time
with good friends...make some new good friends!

It's worth it rebecca. No one else outside church ever gets these opportunities. And they are amazing. Trust me. As long as you go and are thinking "Hey, this'll be fun!" "I'm gonna have some fun"

Do it... hahaa... my first trek was kinda interestingg... xD
i'll tell ya the story about the whos and the whats and the "oooo!!" 's when i get hoooomeee. Basta i never forgot my trek xD for several reasonsss...being a teenage mormon is fun xDD!

GO! ...go happy! [...]
AND BE NICE AT CAMP!! with your lil sister. "play nice with the other kids!" (Mulan) Seriously. Imma whack you if you dont.
ooohhh you know i will, if i hear you werent. Just cause i got nicer on my mission doesnt mean im not still gonna whack ya. even if am across the globe ill find a way. You remember the spatula. i know u do.


hahahaha...ahhh rebeccaa =P thanks for all the stories. I love hearing them. I'd say more... but i have no time today... sorry! but i love readng bout your life. however...about the road trip. Sounds great! would be awesome! So much fun! [...]

[...]

SORRYYY!
spent the letter on becca... only have 20 min today because ysterdayy got WICKED busy!! sooo...info: im staying in Hinigaran this transfer, Elder Hernandez is leaving. I bought a new camera, a very nice one at that!
(and might i add...the BEST QUALITY low priced camera...cameras here are WAYYY expensive... and the cheap ones from 80-110 dollars usually are baddd... but i found one! a samsung something...ill write what it is next time!)

Mom... did you ever receive the letters for ethan and megan? and bro martin in the ward? and others? and give them out?
aaandd... let me know if you guys will send the pics or whatnot to me of all of you for me to give out to good investigators XD!!


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY POPEYE!!!
... i have no idea why i added popeye... basta its the first thing that came...but you DO have some big forearms. =P!!

Thanks Dad for raising me right! Sorry that it took so many complaints/grumbling on my part!
but thanks for stickin' it through!



Thats it for now! Byeeeee!! Sorry!

--Elder Christopher A. Lewis

Monday, June 14, 2010

Re: late again!

Dear Mother,

It is good to hear of the Inspiration you received to hold a Family Council Meeting. It sounds wonderful to me. And it sounds like it came at a very key time. I must say mother... I hope you never grow to weary because of our reluctance in these sorts of endeavors, for we do so need your consistency. It is this we will always remember. That our parents always prayed. Always taught us to remember who we are. Always attempted to gather us for family prayer. Always read the scriptures. Always taught us, through their examples, how people ought to live. How people ought to be treated. They taught us... through their consistency, how to be more than just another person, but how to be a Child of God. People always see this... they don't know how to describe it... only with words such as 'nice' or 'different'...or others, but always, words of praise.

We will remember... that our Parents, never. gave. up.

I know, and I remember... and were I there... I would most likely have fought you on it or found a way to avoid it or complain or not participate... even if forced, i would have given you little attention or feedback. I apologize. I can only hope my siblings will be of greater character than I. But I know... that it is this consistency... that will one day bridge the gap we place between our parents and ourselves... and tear down the wall... because one day, it will no more be awkward, but rather, in comfort... we will know whom we can trust.

I do hope my Sisters realize this. Even if they don't want to... and you may tell them this... even if they do not want to participate in the slightest... I ask their patience and their trust...
please, you two, Rebecca and Amanda... use this time... speak from your heart... give your real thoughts on the Family... but before spouting off bad things... and all the problems...think first of the good things that can come by overcoming the obstacles... think of how amazing we would be if we could remove these obstacles. Then... speak to Mother and Father, and with One Another, on how. What must we do... to achieve this. How can we do this thing. And together... it will be done. You are not alone. We are a Family... and all of us need each other, if we want to be Happy.

I am amazed by the missionary program. I am amazed how there can be avoided all forms of contention by simply communicating.

Every night... an opportunity to relate our feelings on the day, begun and ending with a prayer... finding the great things, and complimenting one another... and if we fell short... reestablishing that we shall overcome. Apologizing and overcoming. Every Thursday... an actual time set apart,.called Companionship Inventory, where the Companionship discusses the strengths of all that has come from one another, seeking to uplift and inspire. And then, in the Spirit of the Scripture, "reproves betimes with sharpness, but showing forth afterwards an increase in love" (D&C 121: 43) ; that's the key. Love needs to direct all things. Its not a time to point fingers or to blame. For such brings a spirit which can quickly burn wild and ruin all that might otherwise have been built. But rather... all things that are said concerning faults... are said in love with suggesting how they can be overcome, and the promises and blessings that would follow. Not that, "i don't like that you do this..." but rather "i think that if you tried this, instead of this... you would become..." always, always... the focus, is on them. That you want them to become a better person. If this is so... if they are the focus, and not our unruly emotions, but them, we would never dare say anything to offend. But only to edify and improve.

And this happens... every time. It's interesting... especially trying not to be offended when someone tells you a "fault" that you may be able to improve. But if we can get past the prideful thoughts and realize we are NOT perfect.... and if we can avoid the tendency to want to shoot some fault back at them... and realize they are doing their best to help US grow...then miracles can happen. It's all about being slow to anger. It's all about love.

And every week... the District leader takes each one of us aside... and simply asks... How are you? And hows the area? And then... you can speak of anything. And it is always so much better... when we know we will have these conversations... that we prepare beforehand... truly thinking on our thoughts, perhaps throughout the week... reviewing the night before... How IS everything? Find your real thoughts. And then... that interview actually will mean something. Not just a repetitive, same interview every week... but rather, a chance to speak your mind, and receive revelation and advice from another person.

Twice a transfer Zone Leader interviews...
And then... the monthly interviews with President.
Same focuses. Same opportunities. New Revelations.
If we see them as the Amazing Opportunities they are.
If not... of course, they wont mean much.

My Hope is that Rebecca, you, and Amanda, you...
will become excited and prepared for these interviews with Mom and Dad... these talks...that you will look forward and want to talk to them. And that... even daily... you start talking to our parents. They are Mom and Dad. Come on! Even their names imply they are our Best Friends! Please... get to know our parents. Let them in. It Changes everything.

And speak with one another... in all things... What are your Dreams? What do you want Your Life to Be? You All Decide... If You Are Willing to Speak with one another... I know your lives...can be EXACTLY all you dream them to be. You Decide.

Thank You, Mom and Dad. I Hope the Council Meetings continue. I Pray Rebecca and Amanda will speak to you often, daily... about any and all things. Even to the smallest... tiniest details. And I do pray... that the young children, will see everything of Rebecca and Amanda's examples... and will be bettered, because their older siblings were strong in the faith... and always were Good Examples. In all things. I know that it is upon Rebecca and Amanda... who those children become.

Love You, my Family.

--Elder Christopher A. Lewis

P.S.

Witnessed the Cebu Temple Dedication just the other day... Sunday.
Prophet, Apostles, Seventy... others.

I am so Happy... Ours is an Eternal Family. Thank You.

P.P.S.

Please... if ya'll can... take a Family Picture?
And send many many copies to me? With all of your signatures on the back?
Saying some small message about Families perhaps? About love? Or prayer?
Just a sentence or two?

I want to give them out to many many people... and let them know...
that My Family believes....

that this Church is True. And that Families can be Together Forever.
So please... if you can, take a picture of ALL of you, if you have one...
make many many copies (small preferably... but not too small.... maybe 3x6's?)
and write all your names. Thank you...

I really feel that these people... will benefit greatly, from our Family, if we do this thing.

Thank You Family!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Sorry, not quite what i expected!

Dear Family,

Hahaha... ahhh after writing Ethan a lil smething...
i lost that spiritual umph! i had when i woke up excited to write ya'll today.

Sorry! Maybe it will come back...

In any case... this for Amanda: Thanks for the write! Kadlawan Ka gid! (funny... you. Laughable. kinda thing =P)

Annddd... so far no new baptisms in this area. But a very very nice teaching pool. And a lot of soon to be reactivated people.
Annndd... everywhere... video-oake. Especially at night. Occasionally that drunk man in the morning or noon time??...but at night... everybody. And the thing is... everybody thinks they are the greatest!

Welll.... they're wrong. Very wrong. But at least they are a happy people =P!

I laugh... a lot... at night xD.


Annddd nowww...
OH! names and location of myra's relatives? where/who?

Annddd... haha! I meant to mention in the last email...
but only read it later... when i read dad's email at the house...

the Haircut thing and Megan. hahahahaha. Those Pansies! =P!! I just got my haircut...and decided... mmm... well... anyone in the house wanna give me a haircut. Elder Newman was like, yeah sure! Never done it before. Cool! Go for it!...about 10 minutes later... done! how's it look? oooo....ummm....and then a nice good hour of laughing and having fun. Fastest haircut i've ever had. Shortest haircut ive ever had. Most uneven.

interesting gid! hahaha. However, whatever! its hairrr xD!
i looked like a black hip hop singer, just didnt have the earrings. Chris Brown kinda thing...tiny bit of hair haha! but not enough to be "detracting" from missionary work. def. shorter than most missionaries though!

i looked like i needed a thug cap, from the slums of India. it was cool. Lotta laughs...you get kinda loose on your mission =P!

another chance next month for a haircut! AND i saved 40 pesos. (about a lil less than 1 dollar)
----

However... just to go to a different note... ay gali... Hahaha...
i totally dont got it right now...

i had some words to say... because there were some very strong spiritual events which happened to me this week...but i just dont got it right now =P!

Ill wrrite it handwritten. And send it... TOMORROW! With beccas letter!

... MAYBE!!!!!!!!!

hahaha... ohh man.. ambot sa akon ("i dont know about you" phrase... but directed toward myself)

we shall speak later!

But temple dedications coming up! Next Sunday! cant go to Cebu, but will go to a nearby stake center, Binalbagan. Excited xD! 2nd one in my life (Draper & Cebu).... (unless i attended another i dont remember... boston? but i dont think i did...) (open house, yes...)

Currently YM teacher Ako... because apparently the youth have gotten quite attached ta me. And actually... the entire ward...they like missionaries... and there are 3 of us... but it seems their favorite missionaries are the ones who are People Person's.

And i love a good laugh. While keeping the spirit of course. Just showing that we can have fun and care about each other and be spiritual as well. Uplifting Spiritual Experiences. Family. Friends. Fun. That's church. Learning, having fun, and thus wanting to learn. It's a good life right now.

(i think i kinda stole some of the other elder's ward members to me as well... they like them... but still... trying not to be prideful,
but ive just found ever since i got here my personality just FITS. AAAAND its not just fun and games...

this ward and its missionaries, in three weeks, has grown, a lot. Not in number just yet (because when the less actives come... the regular actives stay home... so we are at about 70 attendance as usual... they need to all come!)...but innerly... our Ward has become quite strong. And i am loving the Youth. Something I feel so strongly... i believe they are gaining now. The teacher, my first sunday, kinda asked right after class if i wanted to teach next time....

ever sincethen... its been great. Next sunday (no church next sunday because of dedication... so next next sunday) will be my last time teaching because i want it to return to the teacher. However... they are reading. and are excited for church. And i truly believe...
testimony has made all the difference. Not just verbal born testimony... but character.

I love my ward.

Segi! Next time na lang! Bye!!!


--Elder Christopher Lewis


(Sorryy... haha! I got nothing at the moment... im just blank... blame ethan! =P!)

P.S.

Dad... its You. And Brother Raymond. This is the Dream Team. I remember those days. Whatever the task is... however hard... you guys Got This. Its You Two!

yeaaa brody! (we going to byu! when i get back! =P!)

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