We are already half way through the cambio, and we are KILLING it here in Concepcion!

This was a great week with lots of work and fun new experiences. 

To start this letter off, I just wanted to brag for a bit and let you guys know that this guy has been LICENSED to drive in Conce! Lets just say that I've been taking advantage of the office to get to drive the huge van or the cars that we have here. We've been buying and delivering washing machines, fixing houses, delivering new bunk beds, the whole 9 yards. The van is FAST and I'm enjoying my time behind the wheel :)

We started off this week with a zone attack in the city plaza, with a huge activity to get the word out about the temple!! 

We went to the city plaza with a huge banner, booklets and invitations and went and talked with everybody that we could. We must have handed out thousands of invitations, with like 2 hours of work. 

We also had a great ward activity, a dessert night! 

We asked every organization to make a dessert and bring it to the chapel to share with everybody. We made some classic brownies, which were a huge hit. 

This Sunday, we made our way into Gleisner for a special stake conference. The Apostles gave a nice message about the temple, how blessed we are to have one, and that the people of Chile need to step up their game to get things rolling and get the word out to the people! It was awesome to hear Elder Christofferson speak in spanish, and the president of the Primary, Sister Franco, as well. 

I also got the change to meet an american family that live here in Chile, the Cambells. They lived in Boston about a year ago, and knew some good family friends of ours. They're living here to make the most of life and to expericne some other views of the world. 

I also had a classic chile missionary experience happen this week. I had my first dog bite! We were just passing by and some big old street dog gave me a nice chomp on the leg. 

It luckily wasn't too bad but it still hurts. 

After all, my comp and I have been working hard and we've been seeing some fruits from this weeks work. As you know, the mission isn't easy. It hasn't been easy for me, and it will never be easy. But when we have challenges in our lives, that's when we grow the most. Hard is a constant, the way we react to the constant is the variable. 

Our view is what changes everything! 

If you're passing through a tough time, make sure to make the attitude a good attitude, so that you can take advantage of the tough time and LEARN and GROW from it!

I love you guys and thank you for all that you do. I hope all goes well this week, I'll see ya in 7! 

Remember the variable!

much love, 

-Elder Lewis

Good morning to all!

Things are warming up every day here, and the work just keeps rolling!!

The office is good, I'm taking good care of the tea maker and caring for all the baptism records :)

This week we had our zone conference, which is always great. 

One of the sisters in my zone was one of the families in Mckays mission, Sister Furner! 

It's a small world here in the church.

This week I finally got to see the temple! 

It's amazing there, such an amazing place with an amazing spirit. 

We had the opportunity to go out and visit the neighborhood of the temple and hand out some special invitations. 

Even though lots of people didnt want anything to do with us, we had a good time handing out some invitations. 

This week we've been working hard in the office, and working hard in the streets. 

We've been doing everything possible to get the word out about the temple. Giving invitations, presenting photos of the temple on the busses, asking people to share photos on their social medias, anything possible to get people there!!

 We've been finding some really good people, hopefully well see some progress!

Not much more than that, but I hope you all have a great week and are staying safe! Love you all, see ya next week!!!

love,

-Elder Grant Lewis

*a view from our apartment*

Welcome to the Office!

We're not in Scranton anymore, we have made the office change to Concepcion, Chile!!

As you know, last week I got the call that I would be heading into the city to work in the office. I answered the call, and here we are! 

I'm working here with Elder Ranck, my new comp. 

I'm also here working with Elder Marchant, my old comp from Cauquenes, and my good pal Elder Gumm, one of my comps from the MTC! It's a lot of work but it's a good time. We live in a huge apartment in the city, top floor, with a nice view. 

Elder Ranck and I live with our zone leaders, so it's a good time. 

My role here in the office is, Comisario, which means Commissioner. 

Basically, I'm in charge of making maps for the sectors, making materials for the missionaries, entering batismal records into the church systems, and keeping track of the missions history. I'm basically real important. HA! 

We also have a full area to work in, Lorenzo Arenas. It's in the city, so its a little tough but we've made our way working and finding new poeple. 

I was a little sad to leave Valle Hermoso behind after just 2 transfers, but the office is a cool change. I'm learning new things and I have new opportunities. 

This week, we had the opportunity to talk with a member that was passing thru some problems with his family. He had just lost his job, and his mother had died unexpectedly 2 weeks ago. He expressed to us that he was, after all that had happened, angry with God. As we sat and listened to his story, I couldn't help but feel bad for this man. Even with living a full life in the church, with a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and Gods infinite love for every one of us, he still felt an anger with God for the troubles that he was passing thru. I decided to share a scripture with him from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 28. Verses 12-14 say,

12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.

13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.

14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.

I know that God gives each one of us challenges, and sometimes it may seem like its just too much to handle, or that God is giving us more than we deserve. In the case of this member that lost his mother, it's easy to see that when we follow the promises of the Lord, those kindred dead will be with God, in a state of never ending happiness. And for us, all we have to do is see the good in life, exult in the hope as it says, and follow Christ in all we do. 

We will always pass thru sorrow and pain, but thats when we most need the rejoicing in our lives, the light that Christ offers to every one of us. I know that Christ lives, and that the best way to find that light and rejoicing that we need, is thru following HIs example, and follow the commandments that He and the Father have given us.

I love you all and thank you for your love and support. This work aint easy, but your guys love and support helps that much more. Have a great week, we'll see ya next week on the Office!

much love,

-Elder Grant 

2 exchanges in Valle Hermoso, and me VOY! 

*voy=I go*

I'm heading out to the OFFICE! Wish me luck! 

This week we did some service with an old man from the work, ripping up grass and dirt so he can plant a garden! 

We worked hard this last week and had some good times. 

and look...

Go UTES!

Sorry for the short email, I'll write more next week, love you all!

-Elder Lewis