Paul and Mar Jean Lewis: December 6

This week we were inited to send a letter for the Ward Bulletin, so here it is.

Mele Kalikimaka, “Merry Christmas” River Ridge 9^th Ward

What a wonderful time of the year. Not quite like Utah but still pretty wonderful. The Visitor Center is decorated with beautiful trees the different Stakes have decorated. BYUH has some gorgeous lights up and many houses are decorated, along with our own. It’s fun to walk home from the temple and see our lights on.

Many people have taken President Nelson’s challenge to increase their time in the temple. We have been very busy and are now expecting over 30 weddings in the next two weeks. BYUH has graduation and many families will be in town.

A few weeks ago we had a special conference with Elder Cook, Elder Au’una, Elder Kearon and Elder Kliebengot. One of their messages to us and applies to everyone is “leave a trail of goodness and kindness wherever you go”. "God lives and loves us and knows each of us by name”. “Our first convert needs to be ourselves and then others”. “The Book of Mormon is true.” “If you partner with the Lord and don’t run away from your weaknesses, I will show you how to make them strengths. Do things that are not comfortable for you”. “Be warm, friendly and gracious.”

All of these can apply to each of us. This is such a wonderful work and we hope you are taking advantage of sharing the gospel with all you meet.

As we serve in the temple we better understand that this is where we will find peace and safety and where we will learn and receive the ordinances we need to return to Heavenly Father. Our prayer for the River Ridge 9^th Ward is that we will become a temple loving people. May our youth love the temple and find themselves there at least once a month and hopefully more often helping their ancestors receive the blessings they enjoy.

We love you all and appreciate your prayers. May you be blessed in your homes and family as you live the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day.

mahalo nui loa, which means "thank you very much."

Elder & Sister Lewis

Last Sunday evening we went to Karen and Dan Nichols home for dinner. They are so generous. We are invited any Sunday we would like to come. They belong to the Sunset Branch and also serve at the temple on Tuedays. The Freebarens, he also coordinates at the temple on Fridays, are always there along with another single friend. It is so fun. Last week she made Tai food for us and she had some wonderful hordvers (appetisers) for us.

Saturday night we attended their Christmas party. One of their members does all the food at the PCC and he provided all the meat. A delicious dinner, ate too much. I have also been busy making some English Toffee and fudge this week. Mom would be o proud. They both turned out really good and only because I gave them my undivided attention.

This week has been busy in the temple. Many weddings and own endowments because of graduation. Elder Uchdorf was here and Elder Pearson has been here for a mission tour. We unfortunately missed his meeting with the Senior missionaries because we were working late this week. We also covered for the Visitor Center couple while they went to a meeting with him on Thursday. So we were at the VC from 9-1 and then the temple 2-9. We have also been staying later at the temple because so many of the young people go home at 8 pm and that leaves a skeleton crew for the rest of the evening but it works.

I had a wonderful experience in the temple this week. Before going in one day I asked the Lord for a special opportunity to know that He knows me and is aware of me. In iniatory I had a sister who was returning after a long absence. We were both very touched by the spirit that what we were doing was so very good. Also at the veil I had a wonderful feeling of the spirit come overe me that this work is so necessary and needful. What a blessing to be a small part of it.

Riley turned 12 on the 6th and now because of the new announcement he will be able to move directly into the Deacons quorum and that means Josh, Brayden and Robbie will also be able to become priests.

"An announcement on Friday, December 14, from the First Presidency changes the timeline of when children and youth complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next, and attend the temple for the first time—and for when young men may be ordained to priesthood offices. These changes are effective in January 2019.

These announcements stem from a “desire to strengthen our beloved children and youth through increased faith in Jesus Christ, deeper understanding of His gospel, and greater unity with His Church and its members,” a letter from the First Presidency states.

Beginning in January 2019, children will complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and the Beehive class or deacons quorum as age-groups, not on their individual 12th birthdays as they have in the past.

In addition, young men will be eligible to be ordained to a priesthood office in January of the year they turn 12, 14, and 16, and youth will be eligible to obtain a limited-use temple recommend beginning in January of the year they turn 12—based on their “individual worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances.”

We were told we can expect many more changes as we move forward closer to the time of the Savior's Second Coming. We are excited to prepare to meet Him.

Today took us to church at 8 am, came home and read Luke 16, PMG and the introduction to "Come Follow Me for Individuals and Familie" which we received instruction on during RS/Priesthood/YM/YW. Had a bite to eat and Paul it taking a nap and I'm working on the Blog and then at 2:15 we will go do "Just Serve", stop to see Leslie and the Assisted Living Home and then this evening we will go to the VC to hear "The Tongan Sisters" in a fireside. A wonderful Sabbath for us. We love the Lord and are so happy to be here serving. The Broadbents spoke in Church today and we are blessed to serve with them.

Following is the 2018 First Presidency Christmas message, released Dec. 6 and signed by President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring:

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, offers to us four incomparable gifts — the capacity to love others, the ability to forgive, the blessing of repentance and the promise of life everlasting. These four unique gifts will bring us more and more joy as we accept and act upon them. They were made possible because Jehovah condescended to come to earth as the baby Jesus. He was born of an immortal Father and a mortal mother. He was born in Bethlehem under the most humble of circumstances. His was the holy birth foreseen by prophets since the days of Adam. Jesus Christ is God’s transcendent gift — the gift of the Father to all of His children. (SeeJohn 3:16.) We joyfully celebrate His birth this Christmas season.