Chicken hearts and stalkers

COLUMBIA, Md. — Happy Tuesday everyone :) I hope your week is all doing great so far. I know mine is. This past week has been great as well and crazy, too. Lots of fun stories to tell. I sent a bunch of pictures home to Dad to share some of my 'lil adventures out here in Maryland.

I hope you all find these as funny as I do.  If not, smile anyways for me and pretend. ;)

Hermanas Crotzer y Newman at the Baltimore Aquarium

 First story:

Well, my Spanish is getting better for sure, but yes, we all still makes mistakes. Especially Hermana Newman. For some reason, I am known for my cookies here. I make cookies quite often for my investigators, less actives and active families in the branch. They LOVE them! One of the little ladies asked me for the recipe, so I was trying to think of the ingredients to tell her. I told her they were really simple and just like any other cookie, but she insisted I tell her what was in them.

I began to tell her, "Chocolate, huevos, azucar, mantequilla y orina." (Speaking with a silent h)

She looked at me with a face that I can’t even describe to you and began to smile and chuckle. That is when I knew I had said something wrong. Yes, I told her that in my cookies were chocolate chips, eggs, sugar, butter and... 

Drum roll... 

Pee. 

Oh dear me. Yep, I meant to say harina (flour) but instead said pee. Amazing what one letter difference can do to the word. She sure got a kick out of it though.

Next:

Hermana Crotzer and I had quite the adventure this week during exercise in the morning. Usually, we go out for a run and then come home to do sit-ups, pushups and stretching. Well, we were out for our run like usual, and were on the way home. On the way home, we walk for the last stretch to cool down. We were just talking and enjoying the crisp fall air when suddenly in the creepiest voice ever, we hear someone scream "Good Morning Suya!" 

Baltimore Harbor on a P-Day

No idea what the last word meant, but his voice really creeped me out and gave me a weird feeling. It was a man on a bike that had been circling the complex for a bit that morning. We just walked past and kept on our way. 

I couldn’t stop thinking about it and how weird it was, so I decided to look behind me. Much to my surprise, he was there as well. I looked to my companion, "Walk fast hermana, he is following us." 

We walked very briskly and he kept following. I don’t know who he is or what he was doing, but I looked back again, still there. I had this bad feeling and suddenly Hermana Crotzer and I looked at each other and had the same impression... RUN! SO we did. 

We ran and he started yelling after us. We didn’t want to show him where we lived to we ran to another apartment building and found somewhere to hide. Long story short: we lost him and everything was okay. We haven’t had any more problems since,  but it was quite an adrenaline rush. 

Makes me wonder what my Argentina experience is going to be like ;) The lesson I learned from the adventure is listen to the Spirit no matter what. Even if you don’t know why just do it. We were protected and able to hide. Matter of fact, quite the tender mercy — we chose the only apartment that happened to have an extra panel to hide behind. 

Coincidence? Nope. Thank you Holy Ghost! We will be helped and protected if we are willing to listen to the spirit. Testimony builder for me. And MOM, don’t worry, that doesn’t usually happen and we are doing great :) No more weirdies!

Last story for today:

This is also quite the adventure. On Sunday, we were invited over to a member’s house for dinner. We sat down with the family and started to eat. We were having soup and tacos. Yumm! I am so good with that. As I sat down I looked into my soup to see 5 very big chunks of brownish gray meat. "Oh no, its some sort of organ I thought, but what?" 

 

My fears were confirmed when I turned a piece of mystery meat over and was able to identify the 3 branches of the aortic stem (Oh the joys of being a nurse). Yep, 5 chicken hearts floating in my soup. Lucky hermana right here, not. But, ya gotta do what you gotta do so yes, I ate them! Just in case you are every curious and wondering, not my choice of meat! Very chewy and weird texture. Stick with beef, chicken and pork! Hermana Crotzer only had to eat one but she was scarred for life. You should have seen her poor little face when she realized what was in her soup. 

To make it even better, after dinner we found out that the tacos we ate were "Taco de lengua" Or in English... Tongue tacos! Hahahahahaha OH I love the adventures we have! Eating weird foods, meeting awesome people, crazy stories, spiritual experience... all part of being a missionary and I love every second of it.

This is already a really long email sorry and I don’t have much time, but I want to share with you a quick thought I read this morning in personal study. I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Helaman chapter 15. I love the whole chapter is fantastic but I especially loved verse 6.

 Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily.

Why were the Lamanites doing better than the Nephites? Because of their unwearied diligence and faith. They were converted to the Gospel and stuck with what they knew to be true. They knew the gospel was true and real and acted upon it. And they shared it! 

It says that they added to their numbers daily. That’s the part that hit me. Think about it....  80,000 missionaries out right now serving and preaching the gospel. How cool! That’s a lot of people being taught. But then add that number with the members of the church we have 15 million? Outstanding! 

The Ellicott City sisters with Sara and her companion

Imagine if everyone worked together like the Lamanites did and shared the Gospel with their friends. How amazing would that be? Our numbers are growing daily! This is the true church and I know it without a doubt! You do too, and if not, go pray about it and find out! And then, share with those who need it too! This work is all of our duty. We are disciples of Jesus Christ. Let's help with the work and bring it to the world! Have a wonderful week! I sure love you!

Give 'em Heaven!

Con Amor,

Hermana Newman :)

Gospel, gratitude and giggles

COLUMBIA, Md. — This week is the start of transfer #3 for me here in Maryland. President told me they shredded my visa and that I wasn’t allowed to go to Argentina anymore. So no visa, and I am staying here for the 18 months.

Just kidding!

I am sure I will make it to Buenos Aires, the question is when? But I am not worried about it, just doing my best and working hard here in Columbia, Maryland.

Well Fam Bam, what is new? Are you all thinking it's weird that summer is pretty much over? I cannot believe it! That flew by! Mom, how was your birthday? Labor Day is almost here. What are you all doing for Labor Day? For us, it is another P-day, but our branch is having a picnic as well so that should be fun.

Papusas... be very jealous!

I think I told you this last week but we got a Lider de Obra Misional (ward mission leader). He is awesome! And helping the missionary work so much. We are trying to get our little branch excited and more involved in the work. This transfer is going to be awesome with lots of miracles, I know it! We had a pretty awesome turnout at church on Sunday. Between the Spanish elders and us, we had 13 less actives at church and 1 investigator! :) WAHOOOO!

Usually, the weeks fly by here, but for some reason, this week has seemed pretty slow. Not bad at all, but I can't even remember what went on because there were so many things and my crazy mind keeps getting weeks confused.

We were able to get some investigators progressing and hopefully this next week we can get a few on date to be baptized.

Funny experience of my week: I swear it was Law of Chastity Week with everyone! Funny thing is I have never taught it before in English let alone in Spanish. But... it all went well... I think ;) Nothing is awkward unless you make it awkward, right?!? I read a scripture with one of our investigators, who has been living with his girlfriend for 8 years and has 2 kids. I was nervous to read the scripture but I did it anyway, because the Spirit told me to. He looked at me and told me that he knew he was sinning and needed to change. With a big Hermana Newman grin, I turned to him and his girlfriend smiled and said, "Si! Entonces, ustedes piensen es una buena idea ser casarse?" (Yes, so, do you think it’s a good idea to be married then?)

He busted up laughing and said, "Yes Sister Newman that would be a good idea."  Made me so happy. Now this week we have to work with them and get a date set.

I love every moment. Yes we have hard times, sad times, awkward, fun, happy ... all of the above! Every time is worthwhile. I am learning and growing a lot. And it is my hope that I am helping other people learn and grow as well.

Hermana Newman's district right before transfers

Nothing too big going on here this week. Just little miracles all around. I love seeing people learning about the Gospel and changing. To see the Gospel changing lives here as a missionary is pretty amazing. I love it! It is really hard to see people turn down the truth and walk away, but I know that with time, they will be ready for the truth as well. It’s all about timing. Who is ready and who needs a little more time.

I have learned so much here in Maryland and seen a lot of things that I never have before. It makes me really grateful for what we have. A lot of times we take things for granted. Every time we go to an apartment and there are 3 or 4 families crammed into a rundown apartment, my heart breaks.

We are so blessed to have the things we do. We are so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. We were chosen to have the Gospel and share it with others. I admire those who don’t have the Gospel for so long and then find it and are able and willing to make that change!  Heavenly Father's plan is perfect and He wants nothing more than to have us all choose the right path and be able to return to Him again.

Brittany always used to say this and it kind of made me chuckle but now I understand. "I am a little homesick for heaven." I can't wait until we all get to be together in Heaven and be with our Savior and Father in Heaven. What a great day that will be. For now... keep the work moving. Go out and find those who need to be found.

Love you! Have a great week! You are always in my prayers.

Con Amor,

Hermana Newman :)

Maryland for a reason

COLUMBIA, Md. — It sounds like you are all doing well. I haven’t heard from my family in Ohio or Texas. My prayers are being sent to you. I know you're busy with stuff, but if you get a chance, send me a quick email or letter so I know how you are doing. Love you all soo much!

Dad, the Burns' are doing an Argentina day, huh? Lucky! Are you going to try some food? Let me know how it is. Everyone tells me it is delicious and that I am gonna be a "gordita" or fatty when I come home.  My Relief Society president keeps saying if you don’t remember any Spanish just remember "yo quiero empenadas". Made me chuckle.

Wahoooo! Yay for Sister Missionaries! Sister Christensen, Sister Thompson, Sister Newman, Hermana Newman, Sister Yates, Sister Watko and Sister Rawlings. Wahoo for the 3rd Ward! And yeah for the Elders too! :) Happy day! AND Erianne got home?!? I love that girl! Best Missionary ever! Send her my love please :) I am sure her talk was great.

Holy smokes,  does time fly. I cannot believe I am done with my first transfer already. Has it already been 6 weeks? I guess so. I dropped my companion off this afternoon at the mission office, she is heading to Argentina. Bittersweet. We were a good companionship but I am happy for her!

Good bye to Hermana Brown

I will get my new companion on Wednesday, so for now, I am with the Sister Training Leaders in an English area.

I am sure most of you know, but for those of you who don’t:  I am training this transfer. BAHHHHH! What?!? Me training, in Spanish? Ha. Wow, Heavenly Father must be testing me or something. I know I can do it, but it still scares me half to death. I haven’t even completed my full training yet. Oh well. Guess we will both finish learning together, right?

This week has been great. Pretty busy, but awesome. We had 24 lessons, which is so good for our area, AND 3 investigators at church and 15 less actives! There sure are miracles happening in Columbia 3rd Spanish Branch! Gotta love it :)  Hermana Brown was speaking on Sunday, so lucky me, I got to coordinate all the other things and make sure everyone felt welcome and had someone to sit with, etc. Not too hard, right? Well, when your stress level goes up and you are nervous, turns out that your Spanish declines! I figured it all out, but man, it was funny trying to speak and help our investigators out during sacrament meeting. Good memory, for sure.

The Sanchez Family

It's crazy to think just 6 weeks ago, Hermana Brown and I opened up this area. It’s doing pretty well right now and hopefully it keeps progressing. I am the only missionary staying in the branch. We are getting new elders and sisters in the Spanish branch, so I am the one who has been in the area the longest, which is really funny.

Our Branch President told us something really neat today. He said he has been praying for Spanish sisters for this area for a long time, and now here we are. He said that he has never seen so many people excited and coming back to church before. Sometimes we don’t see the miracles but he reminded us that just because we don’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. It made me feel great and that I really am here for a reason. I know that I need to go to Argentina, but I also know people need me here in Maryland right now, so I am happy to be in this little branch!

We have had a lot of fun happy times this week, and of course, some bummer times as well. It is so hard for me to see people choose to not listen. We had to drop one investigator this week, and the Rivera Family that we have been working so hard with are on a decline right now. We are still working with them and hoping for the best, but for some reason they have stopped progressing. :( I have faith they can turn around but there is only so much we can do as missionaries, they have to use agency and choose for themselves.

The Rivera Family

 Can I just say Satan is ridiculous! He always seems to get in the way. I always know when something "randomly" goes wrong, I know who to blame. He is very sneaky. I have learned that just as real as Heavenly Father is, Satan is real, too, and he definitely is out to stop the work from progressing. But the cool thing is that he will not win, he will not conquer!

I love the happiness the Gospel brings to families. I love the light in people's eyes when we teach them lessons. This mission is changing many people’s lives, including my own. Not a day goes by that I don’t learn something new. It’s amazing what can happen when you devote your whole self to God and the Gospel. I wish I had done it more at home! Life is so much better when you have your priorities in line. :)

Soledad, their investigator

Well, family, my time is up again. I don’t know if my letters make sense or anything. Hopefully they can help someone, but if not, the most important part is I LOVE YOU! I am sooooo happy and grateful to be a missionary! I am very needed here in Maryland and I am grateful for your support.

Have an awesome week! Keep me updated. Do some missionary work.

Stay Classy ;)  Love ya!

-Hermana Newman :)

Good tears and funny missionary mess-ups

 PROVO MTC — I cannot believe it is preparation day again, but I am very happy it is. 

Thank you again for your letters. It is great to hear from you all! I miss you and love ya like crazy. 

Before I forget, shout out to my lovely mother. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM! I love you sooo much! I hope you got my silly card in the mail. I also hope Juli, Hannah, Grandma Morgan and Newman and the rest of you mothers have a wonderful day. Mothers are so great and such a great example to me in my life. I got your package Mom. Thanks so much :) 

Oh and NICK.... Holy cow bud, thank you! That was very thoughtful of you. I got another package in the mail this week. Nick sent me flowers. They made me very happy. Beautiful purple, pink and orange tulips. The card made me laugh: "I may not be Bobby but I wanted you to know I love you anyways." Thanks brother, You are the best! Love you. Sorry if you haven’t gotten a letter from me yet. Patience and you will get one for sure. I am trying to write them but don’t have tons and tons of time. 

Let me tell you a little bit about my week. Sunday was my first fast sunday in the MTC. It was great! Testimony meeting was fun because we all were expected to bear testimony in Spanish if we wanted to get up. I didn’t think I would, but as I sat in my seat, my heart would not stop pounding. I knew it was my turn to get up. I didn’t say anything super profound but I definitely could feel the Spirit with me so strong! I was the only one from my district to get up. In Spanish, I told everyone how grateful I was to be on a mission, that God loves us, he is watching out for us. Even though it is hard, he knows we can do it. 

Being out of our comfort zones is good, because then you rely on Heavenly Father! You all know I am a stone heart and don’t cry often. I could not contain myself. The Spirit coming from everyone bearing testimony in Spanish got to me. I, Sara Newman, could not stop crying! I love feeling the spirit so strongly. I hope we can all feel the Spirit with us so we can do God's work and know that he loves us.

A new thing we learned to do in Spanish this week was contacting. We learned how to do street contacts and door contacts. I was SOOO scared, but it was SO good. I loved it! That is what I will be doing in Argentina all the time is contacting my brothers and sisters, trying to give them a message about their Savior. 

We have two progressing investigators. Their names are Alexandra and Alberto. Alexandra is 11, which is a good experience. I have to teach differently with her. Got to go back to my beehive days. ;) 

Teaching is still scary, and every time I do teach a lesson, I mess up. But that’s the cool thing about the MTC: everyone messes up and it is good practice. 

Some of the funny things missionaries accidentally say during lessons: (don’t laugh too hard) "I know the gospel will kill your family." One of the sisters offered her teacher marijuana instead of a mint. Whoops. My whoops last week was that instead of testifying and saying I know the gospel is true, I reversed it and said I don’t know it is true. 

The point is its okay. We all mess up and have to learn. That is why we are here on earth (or for me in the MTC): to learn and practice and do what the Lord needs us to do. 

I don’t know what else to say. I am doing great. Still trying to learn the language of course but it is coming along. I am excited for the day when I can actually speak it fluently. It is much harder than I expected but I am sooo blessed to be able to be learning a language. Spanish will bless my life forever and I am excited to help my Spanish hermanos y hermanas in Argentina. 

Sorry I am not super good about giving details about the MTC. If you want to know something specifically just ask and I will let ya know. My head is full and yet I can't seem to type and express myself super well. 

Today I get to go to the temple again :) WAHOOOO! love the temple. Best part of p-day. 

Anyways, sorry this is a little random. Hopefully, as the weeks go by I will get better at being more organized with my thoughts. But guess what? I am almost half way done at the MTC. CRAZY. Time is flying. Only 3-ish weeks left on Wednesday. 

Love you all. You are in my prayers! Have fun, learn lots, make good friends, and serve others!

-Hermana Newman :)