Jason May 25, 2015

new companionship: loading... ... ...

Hola familia!! 

haha how is everyone? so forewarning this letter may be cut very short due to the time i have, which is...i dont know how many minutes. let me explain: 

So, really funny, last night between 7 and 10:30 we were waiting for the transfers call, because today is the first day of the new cycle. Elder Mcgavin, my companion, was really nervous, but i was just fine. in fact, we were just sitting all quiet in our house, reading the scriptures, and in waiting, I fell asleep early and elder Mcgavin just kept on waiting. We end up getting a call at 12:21am from our zone leader, and he said that I have cambios (transfers), and that my companion was staying. i was really bummed, because this ward is my favorite so far in my whole mission. and we may have a baptism this saturday!! pero bueno, we got up early and I started to pack all my things. we get done, and we leave the house to eat breakfast at a members house, and it was so great, we get a call from our zone leader telling us that he made a mistake. My voice and Elder Mcgavins voices sound so similar, but really I was the one staying and Elder Mcgavin was the one who had transfers!! WHAT A TWIST!! we were both bummed, because we had a really really good companionshop. I love Elder Mcgavin and it will probably be him with whom i spend time with the most, in regards to my mission companions, after the mission. so, really funny, we go back to our house, and then after packing all of his stuff, we call hermano garcia, a member taxi driver, and he takes us over just in time for the meeting. to fast forward a bit, everyone finds out who their new companion is, all is well, but my name never popped up on the screen. so, due to small errors in the making transfers process, i just had to wait for a bit. Later, i was told that my new companions name is Elder Del Angel, but he hadnt arrived from another city yet. so, Since 2 pm and counting, i have been waiting for him to get here patiently, and actuallly have just been with Elder Hoopes, one of my best mission buddies, and his companion elder Navarro. 

Ill let you all know how things are about that next week. 

the only other exciting news is that we had 4 people at church!!!!!! Isaac, our miracle man, Monica, potential baptism this saturday, Janeth, and Jairo, another big tender mercy. I love them all and they are all progressing. this last week of Elder Mcgavin and Is companionship was by far the best, and though i am nervous to "take the reins" in regards to leading the area and what not, with only 5 weeks in the area, i will just do what i did in camargo with only 2 weeks in the area: trust in the Lord. 

I love this mission so much and I have such a burning testimony on how the harvest really is so great, and the laborers are few. we find people everyday that i say to myself at least once a day "wow, could you imagine if you wouldnt have opened your mouth on that one?". I love the Spirit of the Lord, and recently also I have been reading my book of Mormon, but everytime i find a scripture that talks about the atonement, I highlight it in red. so, by the end i will have a book of mormon full of marked scriptures on the greatest event to ever occur in history, from the beginning of creations to the endless ages of eternity. I love the Lord and will forever be in debt to him for letting me serve him and his children. 

have a great week everyone and will hopefully have a more exciting letter next week. blessings!!

love, 

Jason  

--

*Elder Newman*

Misión México Chihuahua

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie May 25, 2015

The best weekend of my entire life!

Hello!! So yesterday was one of the best days ever! Why? We had the incredible privelage of having Elder Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles come to our mission. As well as 3 other general authorites! It was probably the best conference I have ever been a part of. I say a part of because I was able to ask him a question and we conversed back and forth for a few minutes! He personally talked to me, Hermana Newman :)

And actually before the conference started, we took a photo with the entire mission, Mission President and his wife, Elder Bednar and Elder Christensen and oh it was just an amazing awesome experience! Everyone, had arrived fasting and with much prayer for the revelation or direction we would receive from the Spirit. 

I so testify that the Holy Spirit of God is real and He knows us and our needs. The Holy Spirit testifies of truth and righteousness and of the eternal Father, our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus the Christ, our savior whom we need if we want to find true and everlasting happiness in this life. I cannot describe my feelings sufficiently of how I so appreciate and am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that by it and through Him, I can repent of my sins and mistakes that I make. I can be made whole again and every week as I partake of the sacrament. 

I know He lives. I felt the Spirit testify to me and fill my heart and mind with many impressions, direction/revelation. And it is only possible if we humble ourselves, swallow our pride, and desire to be better. Please do all you can to feel is if you have not. It is the best thing you can do for your life and I challenge you to make it more meaningful. I love you all and wish you the best!

Hermana Newman

PS. Lets see if you can find me in the picture :)

Jason May 18, 2015

general authority weekend, and a milagrote! (huge miracle)

Wow, what a great week, and an inspirational weekend!!

within the week, we did a lot of work. we really tried our best to better establish a good teaching pool of investigators. And we did, and like every wek we had ups and downs. some of the ups were we had a lot of great lessons with the investigators we have. Monica still has a baptismal date for the 30th of this month, and we are going to help her understand better the atonement of Jesus Christ so that she can give up coffee. We also found some new investigators, of the which include Morena, Karen and Maria, and a man who i will never forget in my entire mortal life. he is a pure miracle. 

I thought i understood what the word miracle meant, and then Elder Mcgavin and I met Isaac Ojeda. We were on our way to a family home evening with a couple who were recently baptized a few months ago, named ana and oswaldo (dont wanna get sidetracked, but oswaldo is deaf and mute, so he speaks spanish sign language. long story short, i know how to say cucumber, blender, how are you?, drive, Jesus Christ, thank you, more, water, and please in sign language :) . anyway, we thought the family home evening was at 7, but she called us right at 7 and told us it started at 8. so right as we hung up the phone, a man started walking our way and we both felt that strong impression to contact him. He has a very long story, and a very special situation, but needless to say he has accepted a baptismal date for the 30th of this month. He said all the "golden investigator" phrases, such as "im looking for a church where i can know more about God and the Lord", or "God has told me to do things right", or "i have been praying for a sign from God for months and I know he sent you guys to me"....just a super prepared guy. his main interest in the church is that he feels that He owes everything to God, because after having fallen from the second floor of a building in a construction project, and having been in a coma for 3 weeks, he is alive and doing well. I love him so much and it gives me so much hope that Heavenly Father saw Elder Mcgavin and I worthy and humble enough to teach HIM in specific. he has sooo much interest in our message, and in fact, after having put so many plans of rides for 11 of our investigators coming to church, He was the only one that came. But he has told us that he is willing to go by himself every time now. I never have had an investigator like him before in my entire mission. I am loving this area, hands down. 

We had so much member help!! the members here are the best, and I love working with them. they are a big help and love Elder Mcgavin and I, seeing as how we are the only ones in the ward. 

ok, so last thing was that this weekend we were able to hear and learn from 3 general authorities: Elder Marcus B. Nash, of the seventy, on saturday, and then earlier this morning from Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela from the area presidency and President Craig C. Christensen from the presidency of the seventy. Their messages were very helpful and I think all of us as a mission are going to be doing a lot of refining and more emphasis on the atonement of Jesus Christ. Recently, we have been focusing on teaching from the heart and with the spirit more, and so they helped us understand that better. With Elder Nash, he taught us how if we incorporate the Plan of Salvation in every lesson, the Investigators will be more likely to keep their commitments. President Christensen Helped us understand, along with Elder Valenzuela, that there are 4 "pillars" of the atonement, of the which include the Resurrection, Forgiveness of sins, grace, and the enabling power. i am going to better study these 4 topics this week. also, if you want a more spiritual scripture study, study Preach my Gospel Chapter 2, study with a question in mind, and D and C section 8:2-3. 

I hope everyone has a really great week, and am really enjoying how i have been able to see my self change and be made clean through Jesus christ and hHis redeeming Blood, and how i can definitely say that I am not the same person I was 18 months ago, for Christ has helped me to become someone even better. 

I love you all and keep Praying!!

love, 

Jason 

--

*Elder Newman*

Misión México Chihuahua

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie May 18, 2015

Once again Natalie sends her love.  

Natalie May 11, 2015

Another week has come and gone.. ahh!

Hey everyone! So first things first, I failed to mention that the reason the number 9 was significant was because that's how many months I have left! Ah I can't believe I'm halfway, the time really did fly by.

Well a Happy late Mother's Day to all! It was so good to see family yesterday! I just want to share my gratitude for all of your much needed prayers but most of all the best way we can show gratitude for the many blessings we have been given is by actually living the gospel. This morning I read a discourse from Elder David A. Bednar that explains the difference between a testimony and conversion. It's SUPER good. I strongly advise you to read it and I've included it for you :)

I will send mainly photos this time because I owe ya lots lol thanks for your support and have a great Monday!

Hermana Newman

Jason May 11, 2015

The Book of Mormon is true, and i dont like pineapple anymore

Hey everyone!!

sorry, no pics this week ;P

the usual, work work and more work! Key points in this last week was how we both got sick from the water that a sister in the ward gave us (it was pineapple flavored...making it the second time ive gotten sick from pineapple in the mission). needless to say, i am making an excecutive decision that my favorite fruit is NOT pineapple! still trying to decide on what it is still...but anyway, all is well and we are healthy again. we didnt get to work too much this week (due to that), but the times we did work were really great! our two main investigators, adrian and monica, are progressing really well and we are anxious to see them get baptized the 30th of this month. Their situations are different, but its so neat to see the spirit guide us in the lessons with each of them to teach according to their needs. i love it!

So, this week I wanted to bear everyone a brief version of my testimony on the Book of Mormon. In more or less a form of a story, i will share it, and though i am not perfect, i know that what i know is true thanks to the book of Mormon. 

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

A testimony is gained by spiritual conformation from the Holy Ghost. Being a personage of Spirit, the Holy Ghost is able to literally enter into our souls, and enable us to feel an overwhelming joy and peace in regards to the truthfulness of an event or piece of information. So, while i knew this, and i had believed in the Book of mormon all of my life, i hadnt ever really really known it was true, rather I had just believed it. Same goes with the Church itself. Being a member my whole like, how could i doubt it or not think that it was true, for it had brought so much joy to my life previously. Well, one night on the mission, in october of 2014, I made the extremely firm decision that that "firm belief" just wasnt enough for me anymore. I needed to KNOW. I was in a city called Camargo, here in the Mexico Chihuahua Mission, and we werent having too much success that day. Our last appointment that day, the one in which we thought we might have had the most success, turned out to be the one lesson in my whole mission that caused me to have the most doubts. I walked home with my companion, Elder Perez, just so bugged. At first, the thing that frustrated me the most was how our investigator didnt want to accept the truthfulness of the book of mormon, nor anything else we taught....but i quickly realized that what had really bugged me was that I myself didnt even know with a surety that these things were true. Interestingly enough, I had just finished reading the book of Mormon, cover to cover, for the first time in my life about a week prior to this night. I had been following the steps of reading, pondering, and praying, just as Moroni exhorted me to do. so i had about a weeks worth of time to ponder the truthfulness of the book. After all the pondering and believing, this stressful night is whaty led me to the asking part. I remember kneeling down to pray, and to sincerely ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon was true, and by implication, the Church as well. I prayed in english, and after asking and remaining in prayer for about 5 minutes, i felt good, but not great. I felt happy, but not satisfied. So i waited. I waited i think for about 5 more minutes, and then i got the impression "well, you read the book in spanish, so maybe you should try asking in spanish". I had never though it would make the difference before, but i decided to give it a try. the moment the words of the question left my mouth, my body was taken over by a power that i know was beyond my own. I began to shake a little, and my body trembled as tears of joy and peace poured down my face. in my heart, i knew, and i knew that God knew, that what i was asking to know was his will, and he was answering me with the most potent YES that i had ever recieved. I cant describe fully the joy and happiness that came to my heart as I kneeled there that night, just crying tears of joy, as i had recieved my spiritual confirmation. I testify to all of you that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and it contais the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has restored his church, and the Book of mormon truly is the keystone of it, and as an authorized minister of his church, i promise all that if you read it, ponder its teachings, and ask God with all the faith, sincerity, and real intent that you can exhort, he WILL answer you, and you will recognize the answer when you recieve it. 

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

I love you all and hope you have a great week this week. Exito!!! (Success!!)

love, 

Jason 

--

*Elder Newman*

Misión México Chihuahua

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie Mothers Day Skype

Yay!  She looks so good.  I know she was sweating and it's really hot but she is happy. 

Jason - Mother's Day 2015 Skype

Skype with Dad and Josh first thing in the morning.   Yay!

Jason May 4, 2015

The fastest slowest week ever!

Wow, what a week full of surprises! I am so happy here on the mission and am doing great! i love my companion, our area is great and theres lots of work, I LOVE being here in the city again (chihuahua), and I was able to Skype call my brother to see him open his mission call!!!! im sure you all already know, but Brandon, my brother, has been called to serve in the Texas McAllen mission, spanish speaking. I know that he will be a great leader in the mission and am happy for him. Love you brandon!!

Anyway, this week we didnt get to work a whole ton in our area, because we had a lot of meetings and other surprise things. For example, thursday morning we went to a training meeting with President Chavez (oh how ive missed those), then friday morning we had a zone meeting, then all day saturday we went to our last areas (in the city of cuauhtemoc), and then yesterday we didnt work either because i got to call brandon on skype! 

that was the other big surpeise, was on saturday. so, when Elder Mcgavin and I left Cuauhtemoc, we didnt really get to say goodbye to anybody because it was something so all of a sudden, and we had some investigators that were really progressing and so close to baptism. but we left and they got sad and then became iffy about doing it. they knew it was true, they just really wanted us top baptize them. so the zone leaders over there pulled some strings, and were able to get permission, and us too, to go over there and baptise them! i was able to see my previous comp, Elder Johnson, and baptize our investigator, Jeimy, and Elder Mcgavin was able to see his old comp, Elder Morales, and baptize their investigator, Rosa. It was a great day as we were able to feel a bit nostalgic/dejavu-ish, and be in cuauhtemoc again. I love our investigator jeimy so much, and all of their family. i kind of look at her as a little sister :)  I am definitely going to stay in contact with them after the mission. they are some of my favorite people i have met here on the mission. 

and, in other news, we had 4 investigators in church, 2 of which are progressing very well. their names are Monica and Adrian. Monica is a 13 year old who lost her mom a few years back, and her main interest in the church is that families can be together. she was so nervous to go to church, but it turns out that she got to her young womens class and she already knew one or 2 of the girls there, so she is really excited. with adrian, he started going to a cristian church a few months ago and its kinda hard with him cause he has some cristian influences that confuse him with the true doctrine, but last time we saw him we bore powerful testimony of the boko of mormon, and he committed to reading it and praying to recieve an answer. the next day, we recieve a text from a member friend, telling us that he told her to tell us to pass by for him to take him to church. 

i know that the work is growing and moving forward at an evermore speedy pace, and we are continuing to do our best to build up zion here in chihuahua. I love you all and am grateful for your support. have a great week!!! 

love, 

Jason 

--

*Elder Newman*

Misión México Chihuahua

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie May 4, 2015

104! 9 to go...

WOW!! So this week was super crazy because well the number 104 is significant for two reasons. One, because the other day it was 44 degrees Celcius down here!!! That's104 degrees!!!! I went to José Maria Morelos for exchanges for the day. It's another town about an hour and a half from here. And the other missionary I was with took pictures so I'll have to get them from her and send them later. But holy cow we're getting into the hot months for sure haha. 

The second reason for why the number 104 is so significant is because that's the number of people we ''contacted'' this week! It's the highest number of people I have talked to in one week in the entire time of my mission. (In regards to contacting new people who haven't heard of the gospel. It's what we call Hablar Con Todos or Talk With Everyone) Anyway it's alot and we are seeing the fruits of it because we have found so many new investigators and we were able to extend so many baptism invitations, just from last week we have 15 new investigators. Ah so many miracles and blessings are occurring and I know that it's because we are doing the work of the Lord. I only hope this week we can continue to have this success and have the spirit literally guide us. There are so many times where He has literally whispered to us!

For example, the other day when we were teaching someone how to pray and the difference between praying and reciting (I think that's what it's called lol it's rezar in Spanish I can't remember exactly). So when we were teaching someone to pray my companion wanted to put the example of a child talking to her parent everyday and if hadn't talked in awhile it would be sad. Well we talked about how it's the same of praying. Our Father in Heaven wants to hear from us everyday and would be sad if we didn't talk to him in a long time.

Well when my companion asked the woman of about 24 years of age, something interesting happened. She said, ''Not praying to God in a long time is like if you hadn't talked to your mom in a really long time! How would you feel if you hadn't talked to your mom in a really long time?'' My companion expected her to say sad and give the obvious answer. But as I looked at this girl, waiting for her response it was like a thought from another source was telling me in that moment, she doesn't have a mom. As I looked at her I saw her mouth quiver as if she was about to cry and she said, ''Well I wouldn't know because I don't have one''. That was a very small yet powerful moment in which I knew the spirit was helping me discern. It is very real and I have felt many experiences like this and continue to all because the Lord loves us and wants to communicate to us. 

I hope you all have a great week and listen for the impressions of the Spirit! They will save your life.

With Love,

Hermana Newman

Jason April 27, 2015

 "he aqui, hemos obrado muchos grandes milagros en esta tierra..." 

(for behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land)

WOW, how is everyone!!! i had quite the week! 

last monday, after writing everyone, we went to the district meeting, then had a zone meeting after, where we got all excited for the 40 baptisms we have as a goal as a zone for may. and then interestingly enough, while in a trio with elder Johnson and one of my zone leaders, the zone leader gets a call and tells me i have cambios!! (transfers), and that i had to be in the offices the next day at 10:00 am.....what!? what a surprise!! it was cool though, because when i heard that there were 2 families, and suprisingly not more, that came to mind and that i was gonna miss a lot: Zobeida and her family, which i will never forget, and Isabel and her family (the big family in the baptism photo that i sent last week). i will miss them very much, as well as my son, elder johnson, but i know ill see all of them again. It was cool. though, cause another elder in the zone, Elder Mcgavin also had the same situation and had cambios! so we had to be up really early and ready, to be on the 7:00am bus from cuauhtemoc to chihuahua. 

GOODBYE CUAUHTEMOC :(

...at this point elder Mcgavin and i are on the bus and we still dont know where our next areas are gonna be, nor do we know who our companions are. but we are happy, and i had actually been on companion exchanges with elder Mcgavin a few times already so i know him a little bit. but we just talked on the bus ride. 

we get to the offices, and the assistants tell us that we are both gonna be companions, and that Elder Mcgavin and I are gonna be opening area!!! in a ward that was closed! (meaning, they had previously before taken out missionaries from that area, and it was without missionaries for a few weeks.)...can you imagine, a part of this word without authorized ministers of Jesus Christ?? sad... anyway, SWEET!!! we were both really excited and felt really happy to know that we were gonna both be  whats called "co senior companions".   (hence im not a district leader anymore but its all good :)

My new companion, then, is Elder Mcgavin. he is from Holladay, Utah, and is an awesome missionsry. (another gringo!) this makes him my 9th companion here in the field, and of those 9 only three have been with native Elders. but hey, its all by inspiration! actually, its really cool because we had no idea why they did this change at the start of week 2 of 6 (at the beginning of a cycle), but then i think wednesday night president called us and told us that it was pure revelation, meaning he had the impression to change us all of a sudden and knew that we would be the best companionship to open up the ward again. and, he told us that our mission is to basically do whatever the bishop of the ward says and to develop a good relationship with him. So, we are doing our best to do that, while at the same time doing our best to work hard and talk to EVERYONE! I love our area because i really feel like im camping. our house is small enough to be a large tent, our area has some areas in it that are dense in foliage, and when it rains, it pours! and oh my goodness, ill have to get pictures of this, but the streets areall so steep and hilly, its unbelieveable. i struggled for the first few days ut im good now :) 

i think sunday was the best day of the week, because we got to know all of the members and we also got to cheer them up and excite them to work with us by giving talks in sacrament meeting and singing a special musical number. (elder mcgavin can sing really well). 

I am grateful to be in the city again, and though its gonna be extremely hot these next few months, i know that the Lord has already blessed us with so many people and with lots of success. we had a great first week in working and now that we actually have materials (still dont have everything in our little house), we will be able to work and follow up better.

oh, and to close, today we hiked one of the "hills" (mountains, really) that there are here in the city, chihuahua. Its called cerro grande (big hill), and it was really fun. even though i dont know the zone too well, i feel that we all bonded great and had a fun time. it took a while, but we finally got to the top, as you can see in the photos. I loved taking pictures up there and am definitely gonna get a picture of the city printed and put up in my future house someday. i really love photography!

 well, i love everyone and am excited for us all to have a good week! i testify in the name of Jesus Christ that any and all problems and trials we have in our lives are made possible to bear through the atonement of Jesus Christ. whatever you are going through, remember to keep praying and keep going. "its not how many times we fall, rather its how many times we pick ourselves up and keep going that makes us champions" - Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

i love you all!!! 

love, 

Jason 

Elder Newman

-- 

*Elder Newman*

Misión

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie April 27, 2015

Just Pictures Today... Love you all!

Natalie April 20, 2015

The Search Goes On

Dearest friends and family,

Bachkauwalik? Haha that means how are you or what's goin on in Maya. I don't even know what the right spelling is but I write it like I hear it. I have discovered that I need to learn Maya! Here in Carrillo everyone speaks Spanish but, I will have the opportunity to, along the way, ask and learn the Mayan language. I am so excited I want to learn it because if I get sent to a place like Valladolid or Tizimin in Yucatan, I will need to somewhat know Maya. The majority of people speak Spanish everywhere but there are some places where it's pure Maya and it's so cool to hear! Who know I would learn a third language much less become fluent in Spanish? All my life I thought I wouldn't be able to learn the language of my family heritage and now I'm beginning Maya lol 

Well what can I say, this week was interesting we had many great lessons and many tender mercies and a few people who are hard-hearted and closed off the hearing the message of the Gospel and it's sad because they don't know, they have no idea that they can be even happier and feel the pure JOY that the Spirit brings. I know that this will happen wherever you go but I never really mentioned much about it until now. But I know, I have learned that the first step in feeling the Spirit and letting it touch our hearts is ''giving space for the seed to be planted and grow''. I once wrote from seminary in my scriptures the words, ''Faith is a choice.'' In my times of struggle I asked myself, how can it be a choice? How can I choose when I just don't feel it or just don't know? And that's the key, I wanted to KNOW and faith is NOT having a perfect knowledge. Often times I have wanted a personal manifestation that God is real, like Joseph Smith had. Who doesn't want that? 

But in the Book of Mormon we learn that if we were given ''signs'' than it would become a perfect knowledge and not faith. We recieve a witness AFTER the trial of our faith, not before. (Ether 12:6) And in the bible we learn that we ''walk by faith not by sight''. So we need to choose to believe first. In that aspect, that is why Faith is a choice. I then remembered that yes, faith is a choice. And we need to choose to believe something is true to then know it is true. And the promise comes, always of course in the time of the Lord. So we keep walking by faith until we recieve that personal ''manifestation'' or witness from the Spirit and in the meantime we give space for the seed to grow. (Alma 32:27-29) 

I will include two really great discourses about this wonderful subject because I love it. Because it's funny, you think you have learned all there is to learn about Faith but it's a battle everyday to stay on the ''strait and narrow'' path. It's so super easy to walk off but I know that we will always need to learn about faith because that is the first principle of the Gospel. It is centered in everything and more importantly, our faith needs to be in Jesus Christ. 

In other short, random news, we are preparing for a baptism this week, yay! and it's super hot here gah! Constantly sweating and our house is super tiny, it's like a studio but all is well and I love you all! 

Sister Newman<3

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/choose-to-believe?lang=eng

Jason April 20, 2015

2 confirmations and 2 new Zone leaders!!

Hoooolaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!! how is everyone!? we are doing well here in cuauhtemoc - happy and healthy! We had such a better week this week, and are going to continue to work extremely hard for next month. as a misión, the goal for converts in the month of May is 350, which divides out to 45 per zone. To accomplish this goal, we are going to be working harder, praying and fasting, and better more effective study on following the spirit. there are already a lot of people who are ready for baptism, and so we are working hard getting ourselves ready for this next month. we had 6 people in church!!! always a blessing to have people in church, blessings of the which we are always counting.

on monday we recieved 2 new zone leaders! their names are Elder Matute (former assistant), and Elder Larsen (new zone Leader). we have already had a lot of fun this week together, and we all get along really well!

I got sick this week, by getting a suprise rash on my chest, but with going to the doctor and getting medicine, then having to rest for a day, all is going well again. Mom, dont freak out, im still alive :)

as you saw in the photos, 2 of the investigators we had got baptized and confirmed!!! woohooo! we worked so hard with them and literally had taught them everything, as in all the lessons. Isabel is the mom, and Karen is the Daughter. I knew she would get baptized, and am glad that i was still able to be here when it happened. you know, theres just an unexplainable feeling when you enter into that wáter with another human being. its a holy experience everytime. I am grateful for the Priesthood, which God has given to me to use to save souls.

The work is going great here in the Mission. I know and am able to learn every single day that this work is so important, and that Christ is coming a lot sooner than we think. I know that the ONLY path that can prepare us fully to be ready for when he comes is that of the Doctrine of Christ (see 2 nephi 31:21). I am grateful to be here on the misión, and am happy to know that the Church has been restored. this is a talk that has helped me so much recently, and i know it will help all of us to be that much more on the path of discipleship. https://www.lds.org/new-era/2015/04/look-to-god-each-day?lang=eng

I love you all and am always grateful for your support. Have a happy week and kep on keepin on in the journey to become perfect in Christ. take care!!

love,

Jason 

-- 

*Elder Newman*

Misión

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie April 13, 2015

OTRA VEZ!... On the Road Again 

Buenas tardes queridos! 

I wish you all could understand Spanish so I could write in Spanish haha but that's okay, maybe someday :) So what do you think? Time for changes, or transfers came again and I arrived today in a new area! It's called Felipe Carrillo Puerto. I am now even further south than Cozumel! But I love it. Already I feel something really special here and beautiful. It's a pueblo or town of maybe around 10,000 I think is what someone told me? lol well anyway, already I feel something special, I don't know what it is but I'm excited! I wanted to stay in Cancún with Hermana Gaspar, I love her, especially because all of the boundaries and limits are going to change because we will have 4 stakes! And 3 general authorities are coming end of April for the changes but anyway well more on that later.

What's more important right now is that I have arrived in this new area and have new responsabilities and new opportunities to focus on strengthening and fortifying my testimony in the restored gospel AND I have the opportunity to learn and get to know a new companion. Her name is Hermana Iñiguez (in-yee-gez). She is super tall and very humble and sweet. We are going to work hard to find those who are searching for something more in their life and want to make changes for the better and discover or rediscover who they are and what purpose they have here on earth; because it's more than coming, living, and dying. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the teachings or the Gospel of Jesus Christ because, it is through him we can always be made whole, and can always overcome whatever comes our way. I believe it was the apostle Elder Perry or Elder Oaks although I may be completely wrong, as we learn from the apostles, "Come what may, and love it". I hope you all have a great week and I hope you remember what your purpose is, who you are, and who's life you can bless.

Love from Carrillo Puerto,

Hermana Newman<3

Jason April 13, 2015

good times, bad times...either way we are still humbled and happy :)

Hello everyone!

nombre, este semana fue muy interesante... (man, this week was very interesting).

so, first and foremost, we didnt have any investigators at church yesterday :(   its ok though, we are becoming more and more humble, and what i think it was is that the lord wanted to humble us. Yesterday, we were fasting and according to helaman 5:30, i think it is, when we fast the Lord causes our hearts to be more humbled, and though we didnt expect it, we realized that if this was the lords will, we would accept it.

But it was so hard to seee that no one came, because we went and had at least 10 committed. we went with the Familia Loya and watched the finding faith in christ video, in hopes that they would act on their faith and in search for the answer, go to church to partake of the sacrament and feel the Spirit. but, they didnt go...Sobeida on saturday really opened up her heart to us, and told us that she had been praying and praying for a manifestation from god that he exists, and that 2 days later we showed up to her door and testified to her that families can be together forever. This by far was my favorite thing that happened in the week...ive always wanted to be the answer to someones prayer like that! we felt the spirit so strongly, and we were sure that they were gonna go, but they didnt get to because they didnt have gas in their car, and didnt get ready in time. we taught Guillermo the Word of wisdom lesson, and were able to take out of his house the coffee and cigarrettes that he had. he accepted to go to church and we told him we would be there at 8:00am. sunday morning, we went to pick them up, yet noone came to the door.

Im grateful, though, for these types of humbling experiences on the misión, because it allows me to become the Disciple of Christ that he has intended for me to become. We are still happy, and even more happy because today there was transfers, and a ton of people in the zone had transfers, even our 2 zone leaders, yet Elder Johnson and I didnt :) we are excited to continue to keep working with the families that the lord has guided us to find.

also, on friday it was cool that we had a training meeting with our misión president. he taught us the significance of the Parable of the talents, and it has to do with us here on earth in the last days, and the Lord has blessed each and every one with certain gifts. its our job to use those gifts, for ourselves and for the benifit of others, in order to better establish his kingdom here upon the earth. once we master said gifts, we can then ask the Lord for more, so that we can do his will and help him in this marvelous work of salvation. It was a great training meeting - i invite all to review it and study it carefully (Matthew 25: 14-30), for it will help you understand better your purpose in life and the importance of using those gifts prior to the second coming of the Master, Jesus Christ.

I love you all and know that Elder Johnson and I are doing great! we are happy, humbled everyday, and learning so much. i always comment to him that time in the misión really doesnt mean anything because i complete 17 months today, and still feel like a new missionary. learning everyday! i pray that all may have a good week and that we can continue to depend on the savior in al that we think, in all that we do, and in all that we strive to become. Love you all!

With love, from Cuauhtémoc,

Elder Newman

Jason

-- 

*Elder Newman*

Misión

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Jason April 6, 2015

Happy easter everyone!!

what a great weekend everyone! I am grateful that this weekend, and in particular yesterday, we were all able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesús Christ, our Lord and Savior. I am so grateful that through him, all things are posible, and that because he rose again on the third day, we too shall rise again, and will be able to live forever. the catch is that we live his restored góspel in this mortal life, so that we can live forever with him and our families in the Celestial Kingdom.

This week was a Little similar to the last, in the sense that at forst we didnt get much time to be in our área, because we were in a trio, ELder Johnson and I, with one of our Zone Leaders, Elder Gallup, for a few days. so we were going back and forth from área to área, and so it was stressful because i was just worried all week about who was gonna come to conference. Which, for the record, was so refreshing, literally and spiritually, to be able to listen to in english, what a blessing. Anyway, so by friday, we were finally able to work in our área and  did the best we could with getting our investigators to committ out of desire to learn, instead of commiting to us, and bow did we see miracles. but more of that in a sec.

Ok, so monday thru wednesday, you know that we were in a trio and had a busy Schedule. but, on thursday, we got to relax a bit as we had a MISSION PARTY!! literally, our zone, the other zone in this city, and all the missionaries from the Sierra (mountain range in the state of Chihuahua), got together, along with the misión president, his counselors and secretaries and all their families. we had a great time! the main reason of why was because we worked super hard, and as a misión we achieved 230 confirmations this past month of march. The Lord is hastening his work! we played soccer, had a sweet Parrillada (grilled party), and had a great time overall.

then friday was the biggest day of work. we went with all the investigators that had been before, as many as we could, and our new family that we found last week. it was a battle, but a lot of people committed! we had a good lesson with The Familia Loya (see pictures), where we all watched the Joseph Smith movie. they have so many questions, but its good to have questions because then we know what we need to teach them. they committed to go too, ALL the members of the family (because before only the mom and daughter came).

and then it came. Saturday and sunday -- General Conference!! I was excited to be able to have it in spanish, but also i was so nervous for the investigators. In total, we had 11 investigators come to the conference, and they all loved it: Elman, Sobeida, Jamie, Maria Angelina, Isabel, Karen, Ramon, Adela, Daisy, Ramon jr. , and Lizeth. I am so grateful for the blessing and miracle we had to see them all come, and though there were technical difficulties, i was glad they were at least in the chapel, so that they could feel the spirit. i hope they progress so badly. I desire the eternal salvation of these people.

SO, we keep on keepin on here in the Misión Mexico Chihuahua. I am anxious too to find a lot of new people, as we dropped half the investigators on our lists to really narrow it down to the ones who are the most prepared. I love you all and am grateful for your support. Always.

Love,

Jason

Natalie April 6, 2015

 The key to our Happiness!

My dear friends and family,

I swear the weeks just fly by I am lost at where the time goes! This last week as most of you may know was General Conference. I just wanted to express my thoughts about this weekend which was truly an uplifting and envigorating experience for the soul, at least for my soul. I loved hearing the words or truth. There is a song we have on a CD that we play that mentions, ''The Spirit burns truth in my heart, it's in my heart'' something of that affect and it's so true. The Spirit speaks to us and confirms truth. I know that all of the words that were spoken by the Prophet, his apostles, other general authorities and auxilary leaders, were words of truth. 

The things of the world seem more and more enticing because the adversary is increasing his forces just the Lord is His, but I am so grateful that we have the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. 

Some people have lost sight of what is truly important and that Christ doesn't exist along with God. That simply we just appeared on the earth. That we are born, live a little, and die; ceasing to exist. How sad is that way of thinking. 

There is greater purpose for us. I know that we lived with God, our Father in Heaven, before this earth was created and that when we depart from it, we which be judged according to our actions and the desires of our heart. This time, is our time to do all we can to prove to the Lord that we want to obey His commandments, that we want to have faith, that we want to accept the Savior and His divine role in our salvation and our eternal, not solely earthly, happiness.

I urge you, along with the Prophet's voice and his apostles, to strengthen your testimony and if you don't have one or feel like you have lost it, again, as the chosen servants of Heavenly Father reminded us this past weekend: it is never too late to follow the Son of God, our Savior who KNOWS us and our spirits. I know he knows us personally. I have felt manifestations from the Holy Ghost in a variety of many different ways. All you have to do is believe.

I think that's even quoted in Peter Pan lol, all you have to do is believe. There are testimonies and manifestions of Christ and our Heavenly Father ALL around us. From experience I know, it's not worth it to listen to the whisperings of the adversary. Stay close to light and truth which can be found in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which brings true and everlasting peace and happiness. I share all of these thoughts and feelings of my heart in the name of my savior and redeemer Jesus the Christ, Amen. 

Remember to sincerely pray, He is there and if you would like this week, here are two of my favorite talks from General Conference.

Elder Whitney L. Clayton of the Saturday Morning session 

and

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Saturday Afternoon session enjoy! 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

Love from Cancun,

Hermana Newman

P.S. Attached is a picture of my house, random but just if you want to see where I'm at right now :) 

Natalie March 30, 2015

Buenas Tardes Queridos!

Hola hola hola! 

Well just a few words today, a short but sweet message. First I just want to say I love my companion Hermana Gaspar. We are doing so great! I know that she is such a big example to me. I am so grateful for her, she is teaching me so much and it is mainly because of that example. I know that I am becoming a better missionary because of her and I don't know what the Lord has in store for me with upcoming transfers but I know that I sure wouldn't mind another transfer with her again, she's amazing. She teaches with such love and one can truly feel her sincerity with everything she does. I feel like we work well together and we are learning so much together. I am so glad she can be there for me and I for her. We communicate, we talk, we share ideas, it's what I feel like the true meaning of companionship is. I know that we are going to do even better this week too because we can always improve. 

This weekend is Conference Weekend and I am SO excited! I don't know about you but I am in need of some personal revelation. My invitation to you is to please sincerely consider attending/watching conference because it can truly help us. And do so with a question or more if you like, in mind because when we pray and ask for help, Heavenly Father gives it but only if we act and do something. In this case, pray and ponder, meditate your concern(s) and when we listen- not only hear- the words of the Prophets, we can recieve answers. Maybe not in the way we would like but they are the answers the Lord wants us to have. As Isaiah states that the Lord says, ''For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways''. -Isaiah 55 I hope you enjoy the delicious spiritual feast! 

Oh and other random thoughts real quick.. I have lost a total of about 17 pounds since the MTC, I have eaten chicken's feet, cactus, pig brains, and of course other delicious meals. lol 

Jason March 30, 2015

Una obra maravillosa y un prodigio

Hey everyone!!

[REMINDER]: THIS WEEKEND IS GENERAL CONFERENCE--BE SURE TO GO WITH A QUESTION IN MIND! Mine is: "How can i serve the Lord with ALL of my heart, might, mind, and strength?"

man, what a rollercoaster type of week! i dont even know where to start...ok, well first off, i titally forget to mention previously that i spent 2 weeks with another Elder, Elder Blanchard, while my companion Elder Johnson went to Anahuac (other área in the zone) for the 2 weeks. it went well, and Elder Johnson came back with me last thursday. I am so proud of the huge change that I have seen in him. those 2 weeks turned him into a great missionary.

well, first with what happened yesterday. So, we had visited and called and comitted so many people to come to church, yet noone came to our services :(   as a missionary, i think this os the hardest thing for me to accept is the agency of others. It is such a beautiful gift, but sometimes we just wanna make the investigators do things, when we have to as missionaries take that step back and say "well, just here to invite". so we thought that noone was gona come....until our new family showed faith and devotion. We met Sobeida last tuesday, and she is AWESOME!!!!!!! its her, her husband Elman, her mom maria angelina, and her three kids Jamie, Elman, and Joshua (its his birthday on thursday and hes turnning 4). we met them and i personally knew that she has been prepared by our Heavenly Father, because she absolutely LOVES to pray. she hasnt ever been to a church before, but she committed to go easily. she got there a Little late, but her and her mom and the 3 kids loved it! they have a baptismal date for the 25th of april.

this week went up and down, because i felt good about our work some days, and then other days was hard and i felt like we were slowing down the Lords work. but i know that through the counsel of our zone leaders, we were able to improve and finish out the week well. We learned as a zone this week that cowardess is a sin. yep...so there is no time to be a coward in the misión. i know that a lot of us think that we are valiant, and deep inside we are, but from a missionary perspective, it shouldnt be hard to get contacts or talk to people, but sometimes we get nervous and it is really hard. but its so cool to think about it that we literally have NOTHING to lose, meaning that even if people reject us, we are still fulfilling our commandment to preach the góspel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

My favorite thing that i learned this week was even more about the truthfulness of the book of mormon. I had a sweet study on the book of mormon, and how thats what Isaiah was talking about when he said that "a marvelous work and a wonder". here is a chain of scriptures that i highly recommend looking up and studying. Its first in isaias words, then in nephis words, then in Joseph Smith/martin Harris s words:

Isaiah 29:9-14 --> 2 nephi 27:6-20, 23-26 --> Josheph Smith-history 1:30, 33-34, 46, 51, 53, 59, 61, 63-65 --> 2 Nephi 29 1, 6-13

I love the book of mormon and know that it is true. I know that if we all read it, ponder on it, and pray about the truthfulness of it, God WILL answer us by the power of the Holy Ghost, "against the which there is no law". (Galatians 5:22-23) i know that once we feel that spiritual confirmation, which i have experienced, there is noone in this world or any other forcé that can tell us that it is false. For me, i know that just as the book of mormon is true, you and I are alive today and that we are children of god.

I pray that everyone of us may be a Little bit more courageous and valiant in sharing what we know to be true, yea, even the Restored góspel of Jesús Christ. I love this work and am so happy to be a part of it. All of us need to be a part of it.

Thanks everyone, y que disfruten su semana!!

love,

Jason

-- 

*Elder Newman*

Misión

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Jason March 23, 2015

Jason sends his love.  He apologizes for not having enough time today to post a group letter.  He is doing great, happy and healthy. 

Natalie March 23, 2015

 ¡Saludos de Cancun!

Buenas tardes! Oh I am learning so much and know that it won't end soon. The journey of learning that is. I do know that specific prayers really work! I am always reminded of what everyone says, there are no coincidences. The coincidences we think happen are really tender mercies in our life. It is so hard to constantly push satan our of your mind and the negative thoughts that can come BUT it's not impossible. As Hermana Lopez always says, about whatever it would be.. es dificil pero no imposible. Well anyway I say all this because all though the though still comes to mind that it was a coincidence I try to remember it's not. So when I was with Hermana Calderon for exchanges on Tuesday, she talked to me about praying specifically for finding people. For example, she related the story to me about how one day her and Hermana Perez decided that since with they weren't having too much success with their HCT (contacting people) and (no one wanted to give their direction) they were going to be very specific in their prayer and Hermana Calderon said Heavenly Father, please help us find this person who is a woman and she will be wearing a white blouse and black pants who will also be willing to give her direction. Well the next day they didnt find her but the day after that they found her and it didn't even occur to her that the person fit the description until she was almost finished writing down the address. I tell you this story because then I said to her, so you're telling me I can just make it up, randomly and say Heavenly Father I want to find someone who is wearing a blue shirt, um glasses, and has gray hair! Like that? I was skeptical. But I tried it. The next day I kept thiking about this person in my mind, a man who wasn't too old but not so young either, with a blue sport type shirt, glasses and gray hair. Well as we were talking to people and got lead one way and another, I found him. This man who fit the description exactly. Minus the sport type shirt part but I mean I thought, no way, Heavenly Father why do you have to be so funny and we just so happened to find this person I had been thinking of all morning. 

I know that true, specific and sincere prayer works. These instances can't be coincidences. They can't. They are signs that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and He knows us and our desires. I know this to be true. And I share it with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hope you all have a great week and try this challenge of praying more specifically and having the faith that it works! 

Love,

Hermana Newman

Natalie March 16, 2015

What really matters

Hi everyone! Wow the weeks fly by so quick. I have already been with my companion for two weeks. She is so great. She only has four months left until she goes back to Mexico, Mexcio. That's where she's from :) One day this week, to repent for not talking with more people earlier on in the week lol, we contacted 28 people! Every week we have the goal to talk to 70 new people and we only had 20 or something really poor and then guess what happened.. on Saturday most of our plans fell through and there was so many people in our path that that's why we were able to contact so many in one day. Almost 3 days worth of the weekly goal we accomplished in one day and I know it's because Heavenly Father allowed our paths to cross with those people. We now have  many people we can go back and find. 

I want you to know that I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and we can literally feel relief if we submit to Him and rely wholly on Him. It's amazing what true and sincere prayer can do and study of the scriptures. I will always remember my parents teaching me, reminding me that if there are any two things we can do to stay close to the Lord it is reading the scriptures and prayer. And not just reading but actually studying. This past week an activity I did from PMG over two personal study sessions was about the Book of Mormon. The activity listed several pasages of scriptures of all of the reasons the prophets gave for why they wrote their records. They were 51 plus 4 others from DyC that I had discovered. As I sat there at my desk I had an excitement, a love to search for how many reasons there were for why the Book of Mormon was written. I couldn't believe how many I found. Still can't! And every single one was different or at least presented with an added piece of light. I love the Book of Mormon. It has the answers we need. Heavenly Father knows us and that when something is on our mind, we go to the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon and we find a chapter that answers exactly the thing we are preoccupied with. I have been thinking a lot lately how by the Book of Mormon we are able to testify and the Spirit too, for conversion to take place. This is something I am working on right now and I'm so excited, how to improve in this and truly as PMG says, use the Book of Mormon as our main tool and resource. 

I urge you to strengthen your testimony if you are not doing so and if you don't have a testimony, follow the words of the prophet Alma, in chapter 32 who said,

 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties,even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise aparticle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire tobelieve, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe ina manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, ifye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart,behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not castit out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of theLord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts;and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin tosay within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a goodseed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlargemy soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding,yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

The fruits of the gospel can be experienced and we can be filled with enlightenment and true joy from the Spirit. This is what truly matters and has ever lasting happiness, through the hard times and the good. Until next week!

Hermana Newman<3

Jason March 16, 2015

The learning continues...

Hola, familia y amigos!

this last week was great! i think its interesting that i always seem to comment on the week that had just happened, but this week i am more excited, nervous, and anxious for the upcoming week.

of the few things that I remember that happened this last week, cause really as a missionary you just get going and going and the memory span isnt too long, I do remember that we were able to see the movie "meet the mormons" projected in the chapel. Every misión president got one, and so we were able to see it for free :)  . wow, I loved it!!!!!!! For those who dont know, its a documentary style film that includes 6 stories of 6 different members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. It shows a bit about their lives, and really just a good message to the world to show that, contrary to popular belief, we are NORMAL! haha it was hard to , but i did manage to hold back tears in a few parts of the film. Highly recommend it for everyone.

Also, i thought it was really neat how we found a lot of new investigators and have increased our teaching pool of investigators. we had 6 in the chapel yesterday, 2 grandparents named maria and Claudio, and the familia castillo!!!! the goal is to get them baptized and confirmed this week. Their names are Isabel, Karen, Dariana, and Leslie. we are gonna do everything posible to help them get baptized this week, as their date is in fact this saturday.

So, with this upcoming week, there were mini transfers. Elder Johnson, my companion, went to a closeby town called anahuac (about the same as going from salt lake to Park City), and an Elder from anahuac came to serve with me in his place. his name is ELder Blanchard and he is from South Jordan. the idea is that he, having 7 months in the misión, and I will recieve a more intensified training in this next week in regards to leadership. even though its gonna be really hard and trying for me, im grateful and excited for just that reason, to see how i will be able to grow and become better and stronger this week. Im grateful for this oppportunity, because i never really got that training in regards to how to be a leader. If teres one thing i have learned, its that the definition of a leader is "someone who helps others become better disciples of Jesús Christ". so, thats gonna be my overall goal in this time.

I love you all and am doing well, having great experiences and really just learning, learning, learning. daily. I pray that you may all have a good week!

love,

Jason

p.s. it continues to be freezing and now with more rain. 

-- 

*Elder Newman*

Misión

November 2013 - 2015

Alma 26:12

Natalie March 9, 2015

A New Light named Francis :D I love her!!!

Hey everyone! Hope you had a great week. I had a good first week in Cancun. Well as far as the work goes, two days was super awesome and the next two weren't because people weren't home, appointments fell through, you know that stuff.

So Ah not sure if you're dying to know or with curiosity or didn't really mind waiting to hear about Francis! Francis is amazing. I hope you enjoyed the pictures last week. We had been working with her for a few month- since December. Well actually November for maybe two, three visits but something happened, I can't remember and we didn't go back for awhile. Well a month later, we saw her again in the street and she said to us, ''Hey, why haven't you come to visit me? It's been a month!'' lol oops well we started visiting her and little by little she started to progress. We taught her the Restoration and she accepted the Book of Mormon. She started to read it and she prays everyday. For awhile I thought she wasn't going to progress because she kept talking about the Catholic and what they did in the Catholic church. But that's the lesson of not giving up on people. Like I said little by little she progressed.  

Francis had difficulties with her family but they are so much better now. She told us, ''things have changed, and I have changed and I know it's because Heavenly Father sent you to my door. Since the day you came I knew it was because he answered my prayers.'' She told us that she had asked Heavenly Father for help and then two weeks later we showed up. 

When we taught the doctrine, she read, she prayed and accepted it. She was able to allow it to change her. And the result was magnificent. When we taught about the Law of Tithing and Fast Offerings she was once again willing and ready to accept it. She doesn't work but she has a little business of selling what are called Saborines (Sah-bor-een-es). They're pretty much like a type of Mexican popsicle is how I like to put it lol. One of these days I'll have to get a picture of them..

Well to continue the last part of the story, she was so excited that she could pay tithing even if it's with what little she makes from selling Saborines. Well the day of her baptism was going to be on a Sunday and it was Fast Sunday. The day before on Saturday night, there was a Young Women's activity that Francis and Ana her daughter, went to. When we arrived we saw that they were finishing preparations to put the food out and Francis with a worried voice motioned and beckoned to me saying, ''Hermana Newman, come here. Tengo una duda...''  

Tengo means I have and duda can me either doubt or concern. So me being worried that is was something about getting baptized or the church I go over and she says to me, ''Is that food for everyone?'' ''Yeah why?'' I say to her. ''Because I can't eat it.'' I laugh and ask why not. She doesn't answer but instead puts her hands on her hips and purses her lips looking at me like I should know the answer.

Well I didn't know for sure the answer but I asked.. ''Because you're fasting?'' She nodds her head as if saying mmhmm. Hahaha With a sigh of relief and happiness inside we talked about it and I said I know I'm bummed too because we also had begun our fast. But I mean she wasn't even baptized yet and already had decided to live that simple law. She touches my heart her strength, her self-esteem, her growth, her light, her testimony. She is now a part of my testimony. 

OKay well sorry that was so long but it made up for last week right? lol Thanks for listening, reading and I hope this week you go and find or discover what will be your own spiritual experience. Until next Monday,

Love from Cancun,

Hermana Newman