The latest Comp photo
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Happy Easter !
Hola Familia!
To start, Im so thankful for the savior in my life and how he has been blessing me/us immesnsely out here in Riberas (northernmost part of the city of Chihuahua). Here, they have the "Santa Semana" (holy week), where they recognize the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and so all the schools have 2 weeks off to celebrate what we know as Easter-sure wish Alpine School District did the same haha...but with all sincerity, I know that the Savior lives, that he loves us, and that because of His atonement, we can be cleansed from sin and return back to the presence of our Heavenly Father, and live with him and our families for eternity. That is why we have the Gospel and the church-to help us accomplish that.
Thats just the basis of what we explain to people when we tell them who we are, introducing ourselves as missionaries, but more importantly who they are and who they can become. with that said, We had a great week and we ended up contacting 20 people in the streets/bus/etc! lots of work to do here in this part of the Lord's vineyard.
My health has improved a lot. We have been in this area for 3 weeks now, and practically the whole time i have had really bad allergies due to the air here. I had to rest 2 days, not in a row, but after 4 injections, 408 pesos worth of medicine, a visit to the hospital (dont freak out, its just the clinic part, but the doctors are better), and more medication, but most importantly a blessing from my companion, i feel back at 100% again and am ready to keep working.
Oh man, yesterday Elder Womack and I had quite the experience. Not sure if i have mentioned this family before, but his name is Josue and his wife is Alexi. we have been to their house 4 or 5 times since we started the teaching, but we havent quite progressed like we thought we would. why?-because we want to focus on his needs and doubts. They are both "Adventistas", or members of the church "septimo Dia", which means seventh day. the root of their religion is based on the 4th commandment. "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy". so we have been stuck for a while on what day the sabbath day really is. After showing him a few places in the bible that the apostles "broke Bread" on the first day of the week, he just didnt believe us. We have explained to him the book of mormon, and he basically accepts everything, up to a certain point.
We know that God is the same yesterday,today, and forever, and as a missionary I bear testimony of that. So he doesnt change, and neither does his love for us. but what can change is the instruction he gives us. The children of Israel were not obeying the law they had, so God gave them a new law. Through his Prophet Moses, he gave them the 10 commandments, along with a very strict law for them to follow, known as the "Law of Moses". part of that law was to worship on saturday, and in due time, the Jewish Christians began to worship it more than the Lord himself. We know that Christ came to the earth, and in my studies i read that basically the law of moses was preparatory anyway to that 1st coming of Christ, so when he came he established His Law, His church, and His gospel.
with all of that knowledge, we tried our best to help Josue, but he still hasnt really accepted it, but we know its because he hasnt read in the book of mormon. we got home last night after this particular visit, and at first we were a little frustrated, but i realized something, and this is my favorite part of the experience: that no matter what, noone can deny your testimony. I was strengthened because after this lesson, it made me want to teach better, be better, and it just strengthened the testimony i already had. Elder womack explained it like a fish trying to swim through a current: that constantly, there will be "forces" (the water) trying to push us backward, but we can keep "swimming" (enduring to the end, staying faithful) through the current. also, we cant stop swimming, cause if we do, we will just get puched back by the water.
I know that what we are teaching is true, and Im grateful for everyone who has helped me gain this testimony of these things that i know to be true. I love you all and I hope everyone has a good week this week!
Love,
Jason
--
**Elder Newman**
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
The work is hastening. Weekly report from Chihuahua.
Muy Buenas Dias a todos!
Haha you all are wonderful. This week was very good, and we are continuing to work hard and getting to know our area a lot better. I have been really trying to work on being more patient, as we are in this area which is still kind of new to us, and because as you who are or have been misionaries know, it can be hard sometimes. Also, The thing that i want to improve the most on is my weaknesses:not only recognizing what they are, but also letting Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father use those weakneses to shape me into the Missionary, and the man, that they want me to become.
In regards to my health, dont worry-im fine, but my allergies have been gettin greally bad, to the point where it was a little hard to breathe in the mornings. for that, we went to a clinic and the doctor told me that i would have to get shots. like were talking 3 days in a row. so i thought, "oh, shots in my arm? no problem!".....they weren't in my arm.....and it was definitely a new experience for me. haha-ouch.
We have now roughly about 6 steady investigators, but we are finding more and more every day! Lately, we have had leslie who is so ready for baptism but its a little hard because her family situation doesnt permit us to teach as much as wed like, but no worries-she will get baptized soon, im sure.
We found a new family this week! Carlos, Susana, and their 3 kids, one of which (and the only one that came to church) was Jacquelin. she is great and we were able to teach lesson one with them (the restoration).
also, i think the coolest experience for me this last week was getting to teach this other family, Josue, Alexi and their baby kasey, about the book of mormon. They are part of another religion, and everything we taught them they agree with because they said they believe the same things in their church. but when i testified of the truthfullness of the book of mormon, and how it is a record of Jesus Christ coming to the Americas, Josue was a little stumped and puzzled, but didnt deny it.
How Wonderful it is for all of us to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon, and how all members of the Church are missionaries. I love being here and doing the Lords work!
Love,
jason
--
**Elder Newman**
From the Mission President
Elders Newman and Womack studying in their new house.
Excelent elders, very hard workers.
Thanks for all you have taught them.
President Chavez
Monday, April 7, 2014
Weekly Email!
man, so much has happened in a week. To sum it up, all is going great, the church is true, the book is blue, and i love you!
For starters, Elder Womack and I have not changed companions, but we have changed areas and houses. we are now in an area called Riberas, and it is the most northern part of the city of Chihuahua. its so so far out in the boonies, but thats ok! the church is still true, and we will be getting to work. Actually, we have been and this week we have done our best to contact tons of people and we found 2 new families we are excited to get to teach. the house is small, like were talking a two room house, and though it is brand new, that still doesnt exclude the visit from a cricket or a cockroach every once and a while.
having 12 missionaries is so wild and crazy! i feel so sorry for Sister morales, the one in charge of coordinating the food appointments for us. haha it has been nuts but i know that all will be well, at least for the month of may. we have split it into 2 districts.
General conference was amazing! i will comment and share more insights i had in next weeks letter (so stay tuned!) but know that i loved it and really, know that this conference meant more to me than any other conference, and i think that has a lot to do with being here in the mission, that i am becoming a better and stronger disciple of christ, so in conference my eyes were opened up differently.
I testify that this Church is the only church on the planet with the authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, and that living the gospel is what helps build up the kingdom of god here on earth. Living the Gospel WILL bring greater happiness and blessings in our lives and families, and that every single principle and point of doctrine has been revealed to us one way or another by our master Jesus Christ, and it is through him that we will be able to achieve exhaltation and make it back to the presence of our HeavenlyFather someday.
I love you all and wish you a good week! take luck and good care :)
love,
jason
--
**Elder Newman**
Monday, March 31, 2014
Same ward, Same comp, new area- mmm mmm good :)
Tons of news.
First off, today is Exchanges. By pure miracle, the Lord has allowed me to continue working with elder Womack this cycle! so we will be working together again...so much fun. Oh, and he got called to be the District leader so it will be fun to help him and support him, as we continue to go forth and work.
Second, we will be recieving 2 more missionary companionships to the ward, (4 new sisters) to the district, thus making the count of missionaries in our ward to 12. Friends and family, this will be the first ward in all of latin america to have 12 missionaries. WOOHOO! with that being said though, we had to make 2 new areas, causing some of us to move around to different areas but still in the ward. hence the subject of the email, Elder womack and i will be moving areas. really really sad because we had so much success going on in our previous area, but its ok because we are excited to stay together so we know we will be successful still.
the area that we are moving to is in the colonia Riberas. it is the most northern part of the city of Chihuahua, so we will have to take the bus a lot more. i mean, its technically our of the city because we pass the "welcome to chihuahua/leaving Chihuahua" sin everytime we enter/exit the area.
in more simple words, our area is "out in the boonies" lol!
this also means we will be moving into a new house and we are excited because it is literaly only one room. i mean, there are barely 2 rooms but the one is just enough room for our beds so it will definitely be cozy.
But in general news, everything is pretty good! im really excited for General Conference! the Prophet and general authorities always know how to heal us, and im excited because it will be my first conference in the mission! the time has flew by so fast...i cant believe I already have 4 and a half months! loving every minute of it though.
Everyone, please take care and know that our Heavenly Father has an infinite love for each and every one of us, and that someday we can make it back to him. i love you all!
love,
Jason
--
**Elder Newman**
Photo Taken March 26, 2014
Elder womacks sister got married last week, so we made this for her. 4 of us from our district, 2 other sisters, and our raramuri teacher.
Monday, March 24, 2014
The Church is true and the book is blue.
We had 2 baptisms this week! KA-CHING!!!! Erasmo and Kevin. a father sand son, they are so cool and we are so happy for them. we even got to do the ordinance for them, and it was a very spiritual experience.
also, we got to have a meeting with our president and we learned how to teach a little bit better. it all has to start with the nature of god, and once people understand this, it will be easier for them to accept the gospel. so we are working very hard to help all of our lamanite brothers and sisters out here to see just how much our Heavenly Father loves them very much.
Also, we had 3 investigators in the chapel and 3 less active families! I love this ward and i will be so sad to leave it when i do...but, i hope thats not any time soon. oh and heres something cool-we will be getting 4 more missionaries, so 2 more companionships in the ward so there will be a whopping 12 missionaries in the ward!!!!!!! for that reason, they called a 3rd ward mission leader, and we also split up our areas a bit. We even looked for a new house to rent for us so that we could actually live in our area but it might not be available for a month or so...
I just cant express how happy i am being out here serving the Lord. One of my favorite things to is studying like i never have before. the scriptures are the best, and they literally tell us everything! 2 nephi chapter 29 was my favorite this week...it just proves how real and how valid/valuable the book of mormon really is. I know we have the Pearl of great price, but I think we can all agree that the Book of Mormon really is the pearl-shoot, the diamond for that matter, of everything. It is the "most correct of any book on earth, and that a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts" (joseph smith, intro to the Book of Mormon). I take great joy in trying to know My heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better, and I know the Book of Mormon is what helps me the most in doing that.
I pray that all is well with everyone and that we can all continue to have faith and keep going through the hard times! Hurrah for Israel!
loooooove,
Jason
--
**Elder Newman**
Photo taken March 23, 2014
Familia Chavira and I (the one in the white shirt is Hermano Chavira. He is blind and humble, and we LOVE him!
Photo taken March 20, 2014
Me in front of a graffiti painting (there is graffiti all over, especially on the litttle brick walls around the schools
Photo taken March 18, 2014
Me in front of the most authentic mexican-looking house/setting i have ever seen
Monday, March 17, 2014
Happy St Patricks Day
Another one of those remedial holidays that doesnt exist here :)
mis Queridos hermanos y hermanas, i love you all and wish you all the best in your lives right now. I had a really good week and am in love with this area, the ward, the district/zone, and just everything here! i really hope i dont, but im pretty sure i might change next exchanges. this area is and always will be my favorite though.
With the Work, we found a few new families and are so excited for our investigators Erasmo and Kevin, his son, who are getting baptized the 21st (this friday!). also, this weekend we had divisions. Elder Hernandez came to my area to see how things are and everything and he is from mexico city and doesnt speak english, so it was fun to teach him a bit. thats something i love especially is the prople here that I get to work with, and teach. and i mean, how awesome is it that the Lord has blessed me with a tongue loose enough to communicate with his Lamanite Children. I love it here and i am so grateful for this call, cause this mission is perfect for me.
Its getting warmer here, but man was it freezing sunday morning! it was seriously like 35 here...haha weird. just wanted to mention it because it made me feel at home what with the cold weather and all there in utah :)
Also, Pedro. Pedro found US about a month ago, and weve been really trying to bass by as much as we can, but its hard cause he is busy a lot. but he is our 21 yr old investigator that speaks english, so thanks to my mom sending me one, we gave him an english book of mormon. he has only read a little bit but we hope to get him to the font soon! haha, of course not when we want, but when the Lord wants. its His House, so we do things His way.
also, we have each sunday started to have training classes for all the ward leaders, and for the ward missionaries, to help them better magnify their callings. 4 missionaries teach the leaders, and the other 4 (including me and E Womack) teach the ward missionaries. its a lot of fun and the Lord is very much hastening his work through many various means. Oh, and can I just say we have the BEST ward mission leader!? we is so amazing and dedicated, and is extremely helpful. picture next week.
I hope you all like the pictures and once again, am, so grateful for all your support. i hope we can all have a good week, and I know that when we live the Plan that our Heavenly Father has set for us, that when we make the Gospel of Jesus Christ a way of life, it is only then that we can experience the type of happiness and joy that our Father in Heaven wants for us to experience: eternal. There really IS a way to make it back to him, and it is only found in the Lords church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love this Gospel!
Take care and have a good week, everyone!
Jason
--
**Elder Newman**
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