You are amazing sis! You are a nurse... with a job! :) Congrats. Such a big grown up girl you are. Graduating, getting married, and now have a job. ;) You rock sista friend! So proud of you!
I got your announcement this week. Can I first just say, wow, Steve? You are one lucky guy! You both look so happy. Sis, You are GORGEOUS, in case you haven’t looked in the mirror lately. And Steve doesn’t look too shabby either. ;)
Thanks for your weekly letters and updates everyone. I love
hearing how everyone is doing and what things are going on with the family,
friends and the ward. I am excited for all the Elders in our ward who have
their calls and are leaving soon. That is amazing! They are going to love it
and be such good missionaries, no doubt.
The Lord needs the best right now, that
is for sure! We don’t have time to mess around with the work. It needs to be
shared with everyone who is ready for it! And there are tons and tons of people
out there for sure.
Mom, I am so proud of you and your missionary work. That’s
awesome that you invited the neighbors to the activity! Way to be! What about
the rest of you... any stories or experiences? I would LOVE to hear!
Nick,
Juli, Chris, Hannah- How are you all? I haven’t heard about your new places, or
work or anything. Fill me in on the deets! :) I love you all and miss you. Hope
you are doing well in Ohio and Texas.
This week was packed with service opportunities. And, in
case you don’t realize this about me, I LOVE SERVICE! It is the best thing
ever! Well, not to brag, but Dad, you should be so proud of your little girl.
All those runs to Lowe’s with you, helping you do the basement and just little
projects here and there chatting your ear off, well they paid off for sure: I re-roofed a shed! Ahhh yeah! And built a slide
thingy. I am quite good with the tools ;)
Hermana Brown and me were the first
ones on the roof. We had just finished hauling things out of the shed and into
the van. Hermana Castro looked at the Elders and said, "Wow, I love
Hermanas, they can do anything!" Made me smile. And, when we were building
the slide thing, I taught my companion ALL about tools and how to use them.
Thanks for teaching me how to work hard, Mom and Dad! You are the best and such
good examples to me!
I learned in kind of a funny way this week, not to
complain. I am not a complainer and I never do it out here in the field, but
unfortunately, I had a weak moment. It was SO hot and humid outside; we
were walking forever and didn’t have water bottles. So I just mentioned to my
companion how thirsty I was. Then just jokingly shouted, "Yo necisito
agua!" Well, at that moment I felt a something wet drip down my face. I
looked up and it started pouring on us. Kind of a funny story to make you
smile. It taught me not to complain and be careful what you wish for! ;)
Miracles are all around us, like I have said before. But I
had one I wanted to share this week.
We got a referral from the DC Temple Visitors Center like 3 weeks ago. We tried contacting her so many times and
calling because she requested El Libro de Mormón. We went to her house every
other day and wrote her notes, etc. She never would answer her phone or the
door. It made me really sad, because obviously I have a life-changing message I
want to share with her. We stopped thinking about her for a few days and
focused on some other referrals. One afternoon, we were driving to an area
called Elkridge, when I had the impression to call Maria. So, I did. And.....
She actually answered!
My companion and I were shocked and so happy. Hermana
Brown was driving and had to concentrate but I talked to her and set an
appointment. I will never forget what she said, "Hermanas! Where have you
been? I have been waiting for you! I want to hear the message and learn about
that book." :) Oh my goodness! Long story short, it turns out that
she had given the Visitors Center the wrong address, so we were 3 apartments off
and visiting the wrong house. She was lost and we couldn't find her, but then
the Lord provided a way, she actually answered her phone and let us come by.
The appointment with her was awesome. She is very interested and is now one of
our new investigators. :) The Lord blesses you when you are obedient, listen
and are persistent. Never give up!
We had an amazing week with our progressing investigators.
The Rivera Family: Alma and her 4
daughters. My favorite lesson this week was The Plan of Salvation. That one is
a little scary for me to teach for some reason, but it went well because the Spirit did all the teaching.
Mom, thank you for the Plan of Salvation thingy,
the girls LOVED it! You should have seen the look in their eyes when I told
them that they could be with their families forever and live with God. It is
crazy to me to think how many people do not know that. What a blessing in our
lives. The Riveras were progressing so well and keeping all of their
commitments. They were on date to be baptized this weekend on my birthday. Best
thing I could ever ask for.
Alma got work off on Sunday to come to church and
everything. Sunday came around and we went to Sacrament meeting, we had 5 less
actives there which was sooo exciting. Life is good. I kept looking at the
clock waiting for the Riveras to walk into the chapel.
But they didn’t show
up.
I was crushed! They are so close but just don’t understand the importance
of coming to church. We are still working with them and trying to help them
come to church and have real growth: real conversion unto Christ!
Well, I better get off now. But family, I hope you know how
much I love you. You are all amazing and good examples to me. I love this Gospel with all my heart! It is true and will always stand firm. Keep helping
the work move forward, and I will do the same. Let's all work together to bring
back our Brothers and Sisters!
Con amor,
Hermana Newman :)
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