Behold, I am Hermana Newman

Luis Guillon - Argentina

¨Behold, I am Hermana Newman, a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare His word among his people in Maryland and Argentina, that they might have everlasting life.¨ (3 Nephi 5:13)

As you all know, I LOVE being a missionary... every aspect of it and I feel so privileged to be able to serve and represent my Savior Jesus Christ.  The time has flown and I can’t believe I am sitting here writing my last email in the mission field. I have worked hard and learned lots in these 18 months. I have changed you might say. And all of that is thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I remember when Brittany [Hermana Newman’s Sister] was writing her last letter in the mission she wrote a ¨top ten list¨ of things and lessons learned on her mission. I thought it would be fun to make one as well of the things I have learned. Of course there are more than ten things but to narrow it down a bit, mine would go something like this:

1.  The small things (the basics) really do matter. -Alma 37:6-7
2.  First we obey, then we understand. - Alma 57:21
3. Give your whole heart to the people (Christ like love) -3 Nephi 12:44
4. Ït doesn’t matter if your right, it doesn’t matter if you’re justified. If there is contention in your heart, you are in the wrong.¨ - 3 Nephi 11:29
5. The refiners fire is real. Consecrate yourself now!  -Zechariah 13:9
6. Get out of your comfort zone. Its good to be uncomfortable... then you can rely 100% on the Lord. – D&C 6:36
7. The Lord does not expect you to be perfect now, but He does expect your best. -Ether 12:2
8. Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. –D&C 1:23
9. Open your mouth and it will be filled. –D&C 84:85
10. Satan is the master of complexity; the Lord is the master of Simplicity. -Alma 5:40

This is a bittersweet moment for me. I love being here. I love serving. I love the culture and the people... I LOVE being a missionary! This truly has become my home. But ya know what? This is not the end of missionary work, it’s only the beginning.

Preach my Gospel Missionaries understand that the responsibility to represent the Savior and to bear testimony of Him never ends. When the day arrives for an honorable release as a full time missionary, you will depart from a field of labor and return to your family - but you will not cease being and becoming a missionary.  A release as a full time missionary is a call to serve as a lifelong missionary. And Preach my gospel missionaries honor, always, this sacred obligation.¨ -Elder Bednar

As I read that this week, I realized that it doesn’t need to be a bittersweet thing. I will keep working as hard as ever this last week and return home with a smile on my face. Because the Lord will help me! He always has and always will. I am ready for my new challenge... My new call... Watch out Utah, ready or not, here I come! 

I have seen miracles and lives changed because of the gospel, here in these short 18 months.  I have seen the atonement in action. I have seen faith grow and addictions stopped. I have been a small part of this great work of our Savior! I will miss my big Latino family for sure, but I know that missionaries here will do just as great and help these people too. That’s the great thing about  missionary work. We are a great big team! Fighting for the same cause! 

I want to leave you with my testimony. It is still so simple... but what I know, I KNOW to be true! I love this gospel. I know this church is true with all my heart. I know Jesus Christ died for us, but I too know that he lives and loves us. We have a loving Heavenly Father who gave us a plan so that we can return with him and be happy. The Book of Mormon is our Guide. We should treasure it and read it daily. The little things matter.  I can testify of that! Daily scripture study, prayer, church attendance, temple attendance and Family home evening makes the difference. It changes lives! I know that our prophet is a man of God inspired to help us today in this world. I know that missionary work is a vital part of the plan of God. If we use our time wisely and know what our priorities are, we can do anything. We can be Disciples of Christ and help spread the gospel in all sorts of ways. I know that this gospel is key for us returning back home with our Heavenly Father and that is why I am here in Argentina right now.

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! We are different and we stand out. I know these things are true and know that we can continually learn more and strengthen our testimony as well as other people. We need to pray and search for inspiration and He will always help us. He loves us and wants us to succeed! Put your trust in him!  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

¨Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to 

face, that our joy may be full. ¨(2 John 1:12) :) 

See ya in a few days family! Sure do love you! Tear it up and remember to smile! :)

Con mucho amor,

-Hermana Newman 

Short but Sweet

Happy Birthday Brookie!

More Happy Birthday Greetings

Me and some awesome Kids.

Luis Guillon, Argentina

Where did the time go? BAHHH! I just looked at the time and realized I have been sending too many pictures and there went my time to email ;) So sorry if this is a little short. I don’t have too much time left. But pictures are better anyway. Enjoy! :) 

It was a good week. Crazy busy with things to do but good. We are still struggling to find new investigators but I still have faith that they are here... just hiding ;) We will find them though... no worries!

I had a great weekend. I like to call it my weekend Celestial! haha I got to go to the Temple on Friday, then Conference on Saturday and Sunday! How lucky am I? :) It was amazing! I am sure you all loved conference as much as I did! I am still trying to decide which was my favorite but I really liked them all.  Wonderful messages and very true. I really like the messages of how we need to do the basics. I can testify of that. The basics are the essentials! I know that when we obey and do what the Lord has asked he will give us blessings and help us do the things we need. 

I love to See the Temple

I'm going there Today!

 We had exchanges this week again. And I got to be on bikes again. Wooo! It’s always an adventure. And even better I went with Hermana Kent my old companion. It was fun and crazy to be together yet again. Debora came to Conference and surprised me. It was awesome to see her. The family Velazquez also came for their first General Conference. I think they have lots of questions but they seemed to love it as well! :)  

Hermana Kent

I know this is really short. But time is up and its time for me to go back out and search for more people here who are ready to hear the message we have.  I am praying for you all. Have a great week and tear it up! 

Aubree Watko sent me this, this week and I want to share it with you all!

“Go let your light shine. Do what God needs of you now. Choose the RIght. Its never too late. Just keep moving forward and he will help you!.”

LOVE YOU

-Hermana Newman :) 

On a Bike again

At the Temple

My General Conference Surprise- Debora

Trying to be like girls... fail... we are not so femininas ;) But we try

P-Day

P-Day Activity

Yummy!

Four Minutes

Luis Guillon - Argentina

Hope this letter finds you with a big smile. Wanna know why? Because I LOVE YOU!!!! AND I have some great news. I already sent the picture.... but as you know the family Velazquez got baptized. Well Nancy has been having some trouble with her work and has not been assisting every week. Hermana Mills (now Abbi), Me and Hna Vargas have been working hard to help her find the faith to quit. We have been praying hard and working hard. We sent her a scripture this week rooting her on and helping her feel the need to just do it and trust in the Lord. We asked her if she would be coming this Sunday and she said no but the kids would be coming. To my suprise at 9:20 walks in the kids and a very Beautiful Hna Velazquez all ready to go for church. As I am sure you can imagine I had a big grin from ear to ear, jumped up and hugged her to death and silently (because we were in church) screamed! I am soooooo happy. This truly is my miracle of my week! So excited and happy for her. She has soooo much faith it is amazing. She is a little nervous that she quit her job but she is totally relying on the Lord to help her out, I am excited to see the miracles that come after :) 

 Victory pictures... Hermana Velazquez Finally quit her job! WAHOOOOOOO! :) Couldn't be happier!

I have to tell you a funny story that just happened this morning. Now that you had your smile I hope you are ready for the Laugh part..... We were walking to get to the train station to come and do emails this morning. We walk a lot of the same routes and have some friends along the way that we always say hello to. Today one of our friends that we talk to was outside is fruit/veggie stand. He put out his hand and told us to stop. So, of course we stopped to see what he needed or wanted to say. He with a big smile turned to his son and said, ¨The Norteamericana. Thats her.¨He then continued to say to me ¨This is my son. He is very good looking and can speak some English ...you should marry him.¨ Awkward as awkward can be right? The worse part is that he was Very good looking young Argentine man and all my companion and I could think to say was. No, we are missionaries thanks. ¨He said, well he can be a missionary too. I am about died laughing and am sure I was red from embarrassment, but we said our goodbyes and went on our ways. Don’t worry I will not be marrying this argentine. Still a good ol Missionary! WOO thank goodness for that.  hahahaha Oh dear. gotta love adventures in Buenos Aires.  :) 

America Baby! Grilled Cheese and Soup Yum.

A view in the country

What else? OH... Guess what? More exciting news. I am going to the temple this week! We usually go the last week before you go home but the temple will be closed so we get to go this week. This week is going to be crazy but I am sooo excited.

Eat Fresh! Yum, Subway

Let me give you an inside scoop of what is planned to happen. Tuesday we have district meeting and then have to travel far away to train the new mission nurse.  Wednesday we have leadership meeting. Thursday we have exchanges with the sisters. Friday I go to the temple. Saturday and Sunday is conference. Wow. Crazy week but a great week for sure! I am most excited for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am going to experience a little bit more of Heaven. Temple, and Conference all within three days? :) Cant wait! I will let you know how it goes. 

We are doing great here in Guillón. Still working hard to find new investigators. We have yet to find them but we are still searching and working with the Ward. The ward is awesome! They are very involved and love to help. They are the best and befriending the new people in the ward and helping them feel comfortable. Keep us in your prayers this week. I just KNOW there is someone waiting for us to find them and teach them. I am excited to find out who it is. 

Cheesy Grins!

Exchanges with Hermana Adama from Peru

I don’t have much more time. But I do want to end with another think I learned form the Liahona this week. 

-Noelle’s previous 2006 Olympic dreams were dashed when a terrible accident left her with a broken leg. In the 2010 Olympics her dreams fell short again when just over one-tenth of a second kept her from the medal stand. Can you imagine the anxiety she felt as she waited to begin her first run in the 2014 Olympics? Years of preparation would culminate in only a sliver of time. Four minutes total. She spent years preparing for those four minutes and would spend a lifetime afterward reflecting on them.

-It may seem unfair that Noelle’s entire Olympic dreams hinged on what she did during just four brief minutes. But she knew it, and that is why she prepared so diligently. She sensed the magnitude, the urgency of her four minutes, and what they would mean for the rest of her life.

Do you sense the urgency?

-My young friends, wherever you are in your “four-minute performance,” I urge you to ponder, “What do I need to do next to ensure my medal?” 

-Whatever it may be, do it now. Don’t wait. Your four minutes will pass quickly, and you’ll have eternity to think about what you did in this life.8

-Self-discipline is needed. Daily prayer, scripture study, and church attendance must be the foundation of your training. A consistent pattern of obeying the commandments, keeping the covenants you have made, and following the Lord’s standard found in For the Strength of Youth is required.

-The miracle of the Atonement can make up for imperfections in our performance. 

-“… It is never too late so long as the Master … says there is time. … Don’t delay.”

-This is your moment to perform. This is your four minutes! The time is now!

Now, these of course are the highlights of what I read I encourage you again to go read the talk yourselves. It is amazing! I know we are not Olympic medalist but we are in a race... a race for Eternity! The awesome thing about our race is that we have the Lords help and the Atonement on our side. Use it well! We need to use this wonderful gift we have. Like this Brother said It isnt too late. We just need to do it now. This week I want you to all pray about what you need to do to continue and do your best in this race. I promise you that as you pray and prepare that your answer will be in Conference this weekend. I am going to do it as well. We can do it together. I want to hear your miracles. Good luck! Have a great week and give it all you got. That is all He asks... The best that you can give!

Tear it up! Love ya like crazy!

-Hermana Newman :) 

Our other exchange with Hermana Ortiz. She is from Paraguay... she speaks Guarani