Beware of Pride and Choose To Be Humble

LUIS GILLON, Argentina: This week was great! Argentina is throwing us for a loop and playing pranks with the weather! Seriously! All last week I was in skirts to my knees without tights. Today?!?!  Tights, long skirts, coat, scarf, boots.  It's

Carne Asada with the Savedera Family. I was in Heaven

winter again, folks! Never again will it be summer in the life of Hermana Newman ;)

How was your week? I hope fabulous! What missionary moments did you have? I had a lot of great experiences this week doing contacts. We have a few new investigators and some other potentials. I love sharing the Gospel, and there are lots of ways to share it, too! I love teaching lessons the most, of course, but this week Heavenly Father had other plans for us.

Ice Cream on P-day? Yummy

He (Heavenly Father) wanted us out on the streets, and not in the houses. Hermana Mills and I decided to set some goals to talk to people on the buses and trains and at the bus stops and stations. Usually, we talk to everyone, but sometimes it is hard because seriously the buses and trains get packed like a can of sardines.  I am not even exaggerating! However,  we set it as a goal and did it!
 

I was making some nursing phone calls waiting for the bus to come when my awesome companion sees Jesus on someone’s shirt and blurts out, "Is that Jesus?¨ I couldn’t help but laugh and look over to find my companion making a conversation with a complete stranger and sharing the Gospel. Well, then of course after, I am on the look out for my opportunity to share, and lo and behold the bus comes and here is my opportunity!

Missionaries like to be silly too.

There was one seat left and my companion let me take it. So I casually leaned over and started talking to the lady beside me. I think she was startled that this white girl was keeping up the conversation with her but she was happy to talk and wanted to learn more! Of  course, it was a quick thing because we were on the bus and had to get off, but we got her information and I am praying something comes of it in the next couple of the weeks. 

Moral of this silly story: EVERYONE can share the gospel.

You don’t have to be a full-time missionary to share the gospel. You can share it on the bus, at work, at the store, the gym... Everywhere! Just pray for your courage to get out of your bubble and go do it! Don’t just read this email and think,  "good idea". I DARE everyone reading this letter this week to go share the Gospel and if you did it... I expect an email with the story.:) I am excited to hear about the miracles we all have. 

Another story about less-actives. This one is a quickie... We are still working with the pilot plan here until December. It is being tested here and in 5 other missions in South America. Anyway, we are working with getting the less actives reactivated and them sharing the Gospel with their friends. We have seen some huge improvements. Every week I swear, I see someone new at church an it makes me just want to die of excitement. 

We had one this week tell us how she knew she needed a change and did what she knew would be best: coming back to church. She did, and she is loving every second of it.  She just got an assignment and is hanging in there strong.

If you have someone in your ward who did not come to church this week I invite you to go visit them this week! Take your time and tell them how much we need them and love them and miss them! It’s the truth and they need to hear it from a loving friend who cares! 

I read a talk this week I want to share with you and then I will let you go because I have written a lot. It is about Pride. Its called BEWARE OF PRIDE by Ezra Taft Benson. 

"Pride affects all of us at various times and in various degrees. Now you can see why the building in Lehi’s dream that represents the pride of the world was large and spacious and great was the multitude that did enter into it. (See 1 Ne. 8:26, 33; 1 Ne. 11:35–36.)

"Pride is the universal sin, the great vice. Yes, pride is the universal sin, the great vice.

"The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness. (See Alma 7:23.) It is the broken heart and contrite spirit." (See 3 Ne. 9:20; 3 Ne. 12:19; D&C 20:37; D&C 59:8; Ps. 34:18; Isa. 57:15; Isa. 66:2.) 

THIS PART IS MY FAVORITE....

"God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, 'Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.'"(Alma 32:16.)

Let us choose to be humble.

I hope that this week we can all be a little more humble. All be a little more Christ like and help those in need. I know you are all awesome, but we should always be striving for more, right? Let's do it together! Let's conquer this nasty poision of pride. Drop it and pick up the Christlike humility we all need to return with Him again. 

Love you with all my heart! Have a fabulous week! I know I sure will. Don’t take life too seriously. Remember to laugh, smile, and have fun! That’s what God wants for us: Happiness! 

Until next week!

Chau chau

-Hermana Newman :) 

 
 P.S. I Hope you enjoyed the pictures. 

Finding the lost sheep

TEMPERLEY, Argentina — Feliz 5 de Mayo!! That’s not a holiday here in Argentina, but hey, it is in Mexico so happy day to you all! ;) 

Well, I think I told you that today was transfers and we were waiting to hear what would happen with us all. Well I have some news.

Fall in Buenos Aires with Hermana Dias

... drum roll please...

I am staying here in Banfield 1 again and I will be training Hermana Kent. I think I wrote about her in my last letter. Yep, two Norte Americanas here in Temperley ;) Awesome. Good thing a lot of people think I am Latina or we might have some problems. All is well here in Banfield 1! 

The trio of Newman, Dias y Kent says goodbye

We have a new pilot program that we will be using from May until December that should be interesting. I think they are trying it out with 3 missions in South America, and we happen to be one of them. They really want to focus on the less-active members and bringing them back. So obviously we will be looking for and teaching investigadores, but we will also be putting more emphasis en the less actives as well, especially those who don't have the priesthood or who have been to the temple. 

I am excited because I LOVE less active work. It’s the best ever! I will let you know how it is going and if we are able to see a difference in the work and with retention of members here in South America. 

Hermanas Kent and Newman enjoy cooler temperatures

This week has been great! Working as hard as ever. Some days are easy to teach people, and some days are harder to find people, but we are working hard nonetheless. We just had stake conference, which really focused in missionary work, so I am hoping we can get the members a little excited in helping us. 

They gave a good example that I really liked. They said that we as missionaries need to work with the members, because we are new in the areas and a lot of missionaries are not even from Argentina. They said imagine yourself in a new place and not knowing anyone and having to preach the gospel. They said that is why we have members who know the area and the people, to help the missionaries who don’t. 

Hermana Newman with "Mis Hijas" — the girls she's trained

 I don’t know if I explained that very well, but I hope you can understand what I mean. I am excited to work with the members because really, that is the only way to do missionary work. TOGETHER. President has a phrase he always says CON MIEMBROS (with the members).

Let's get on the ball and help the work move forward together! :)

I had tons of pictures I wanted to send but I can't figure out how to send them on this computer :/ But I will try next week. Sorry so short but I gotta get going. Love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Newman

Jesus Christ, Holidays, and inactives

TEMPERLEY, Argentina — HAPPY MONDAY!! Craziness here, but everything’s all good. 

We had more ¨visitas¨ or guests come from the coast to stay with us, but this time for a whole week. That was interesting. One of the poor sisters is pretty sick and has to go home tomorrow. I have been with her in the house all day today but she said I need to get out to write my family so here I am. :) 

I sure love my family! You are the best! How was your week? How was Easter? I hope so good! 

Holidays here are so different than in the States, but my favorite thing is that no matter what day it is we get to teach people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. How cool is that? 4th of July... Halloween... Christmas... Easter... No importa! I love teaching my brothers and sisters here in South America! What a blessing.

Brittany said something to me that made me laugh and think about me pre-mission and now. I have always loved talking to people, but before my mission, I was pretty shy and made Brit take the lead with everything up at BYU.... Now? I don’t care if I have to chase people down the street to talk to them. ;)  Why? Because the message we have to share is SOOO important we gotta share it with the world! 

(Yes someone ran from us this week. No idea why but it was pretty funny)

Our week was great. We are still have some trouble getting our investigators come to church, but no worries — I have faith that it's gonna happen one of these days! :) 

Yet again, we are trying to work with less-active members. I think that is a huge part of my mission personally is to help the less-actives come back, because no matter where I am, South America or North America, I always find the less-actives and love helping them. All in the Lord's timing of course! My testimony of this has grown 100% in that. Everything truly is in the Lord's timing and we just have to learn how to wait.

We found a new less-active member this week. His name is Daniel. He has about 50 years mas o menos. He has been away from the Church for quite a long time, but the first thing he asked me was, "Do you have family home evenings still?" Why yes we do! His simple questions impacted me a lot. 

I love how everything in the church is so important. Doesn’t matter if its something small like FHE or something huge like baptism — all of it is important and matters to the Lord! :) All of it has a purpose, even if we don’t understand why. HE does! Nobody is perfect, but I sure know I can do a whole lot better when I get home!

We also have a new investigator named Debora. I am teaching her English. I asked her if I could also share a message with her about Jesus Christ, and she said yes. She said yes, but that she wasn’t really interested in religion. We continued to share with her, and right now she has lots of questions and hopefully is coming to church next week. It’s interesting because she wants some of the lessons in English, too. Bah!! I don’t know if I remember how to do that ;) I love how the Lord works. Throwing rocks at doors, playing basketball, teaching English.. what’s next? :) I love to see what the Lord has in store.

Well, I have talked your ears off yet again ;) I will let you get back to your day. I hope you have a wonderful week and find some way to help in the work of salvation! Seriously, it doesn’t matter what you do, but get down on your knees tonight and ask how you can be an instrument in the Lord's hands this week. He needs YOU... every single one. It’s that important :) Have a fabulous week! I love you!

Con Amor,

Hermana Newman

Running — and standing — alone

TEMPERLEY, Argentina — Hola Feliz Lunes para todos! :)

Random, but President asked us to copy and paste this note to our family this week:

Due to the constraints imposed by the government of Argentina for imports, we are having trouble receiving packages from other countries. Because of these constraints, we recommend that the next time missionaries communicate with their families via email, that they ask them to not send any more packages.

If packages are sent, they will probably remain in customs and never reach their destination.

We want to clarify that there is no malice in this, but removing these packages from customs is a costly process for the Church and can be avoided, if appropriate measures are taken.

So... yeah. Please don’t send packages to Argentina!

---------

This week was great again. Crazy, but great. We had interviews with President Thurgood again, which went well. He is awesome. It’s funny to think he was my Book of Mormon teacher at BYU-Idaho.

This week has turned into Fall for sure. I don’t know what the temperature is, but it’s getting chilly. Everyone keeps telling me it’s the winds from the south. For a moment I was so confused because always its the wind from the north that makes Utah so cold... oh wait... I am in the opposite side of the world ;) ha makes sense! How is the weather there? Do you still have snow or has it turned into spring yet? Okay, enough about the weather.

This week was a little crazy. We were running all over the place. Seriously running. Just imagine two young girls in dresses/skirts running down dirt roads as fast as they can. One of them saying ¨fly fly fly¨ over and over again. (I taught my companion how to say ¨we need to fly. ¨ but she prefers to just say fly!) Ha oh dear. 

Yes we are quite the sight to see. People were staring at us like, ¨Who the heck are these crazy girls?¨ Yep, we are the missionaries who need to get to our next appointment! I don’t know why, but we were running between appointments for two days straight. I can only imagine how funny we looked. And then, to top it off, silly Hermana Newman tripped and fell twice. I couldn’t stop laughing. I love my life! Oh, the things we do as missionaries. Anything to help the work move along, right? :)

We were visiting some of our investigators one night before it was time to go home: Familia Lera. We were getting ready to start the lesson, and the family asked me if I would be willing to offer the prayer. I started praying and felt like someone was standing next to me. (We were giving the lesson outside). As I ended the prayer and opened my eyes, sure enough there was an old woman standing next to me. I, of course, greeted her and asked her name. She replied and asked me who I was. I told her I am Hermana Newman, a missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She replied... ¨ahh... mormona! ¨ Yes, that is one of our nicknames. 

She seemed like the nicest sweet little lady, which I am sure she is. But I soon found out that she is the Pastor of the Church that our investigators are attending. Let the drama begin. 

She looked me in the eyes, and began to tell me that my church is a cult, that what we teach is wrong and that we need to stop confusing people. She told me that I need to invite people unto Christ, not turn them away. Then she told me that I was too young to know much about the gospel. 

It’s interesting to respond to people who are contrary to your church. My poor companion was trembling, and didn’t know what to say. To be honest ,I was sure what to say. But all I knew to do was to bear my testimony to her and tell her what my purpose was. I bore a short and sweet testimony of what I know to be true. I told her that I am young, and I may not know everything, but I do know that we are called of God in this time to help invite everyone to come unto Christ, and that our message is special and for everyone.

Sadly, she didn’t listen. She basically laughed in our faces and told us how silly we were. My poor companion looked like she was about to cry. But all I could do is smile. I am sad for this dear sister. I am sad she does not want to listen, but I am sooo grateful to have to truth in my life. And it’s true, a lot of people won't listen to us and often will TRY to tear down our faith, but if we can stand strong all is well. It’s like the Mormon Message: Dare to Stand Alone. Do people know who we are? If not, they should. We are different. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

¨Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!" (Elder Russell M. Nelson)

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I am excited for this next week to look for those who are waiting for this great message of hope. Thanks for your love and prayers. Go have some fun and smile big... Life is Good!

Con Mucho Amor,

Hermana Newman :)

"There's something special about you"

TEMPERLEY, Argentina — WOW!!! Conference was sooooo good!! :) What did you all think? What conference talks did you all like? What themes did you notice? 

I am excited for the Liahona to come out so I can re read all of the talks!!  How it works here in Argentina is the same as there in Utah. But different timing, obviously and we watch it in the stake center. The sessions here are 1-3 and 5-7 and the priesthood at 9 pm. Crazy, right?

Conference is a special time for everyone and I just love listening to the prophet, apostles and leaders of the church. I love to listen, but even more I love that my investigators can listen. 

We had 2 investigators come for the last session on Sunday, and they loved it! It is a little miracle. The husband is excited and wanting to learn more about the church, but the wife is angry with God and does not want to learn anything more. She told us not to come back to her house. But we had the idea to just stop by one day this week for a friendly visit and invite her to the conference.  Well Sunday, rolled around and she came to the church! I was so stinkin´ happy to see her and her husband. 

The first thing she did was give me a hug and a kiss and said, "I don’t want to be here but I am doing this for you, hermana, because I know there is something special about you."

Nope, nothing special about me. But the Gospel in my life? YEP!!! Absolutely special! :) 

Hermana Newman y Ruiz Diaz caught in the rain.

 She came to the church grumpy and with a frown and left after conference with a grin on her face and invited us back to teach her more. I LOVE THE GOSPEL. Yet another testimony to me of how powerful the Spirit is. It can soften and change people's hearts. I am sooo grateful for that.

I loved all of conference and honestly have a hard time deciding which talks were my favorite because all were good and had different messages. But as a missionary I really enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk and President Monson's. 

Elder Ballard spoke yet again about missionary work and how we ALL need to work together. How true that is! It made me think of when I am home and back in the states that I need to get it together and do missionary work there, too. Before my mission I had a testimony of missionary work and always wanted to serve, but never understood how much we need to work together. Elder Ballard is absolutely right. The missionaries can’t do it with out the members and the members can’t do it without missionaries... the solution? WORKING TOGETHER!

I know it can be hard, but the invitation is for us to pray to have a missionary experience. I invite us all to pray this week to help the work of salvation move forward. The way you help doesn’t matter... whether big or small... what matters is that we are involved. And the most important thing is LOVE. 

Happy to find "United States" Street

Like President Monson said, we need to love our brothers and sisters. We need to love them into the gospel of Jesus Christ! I believe that with all of my heart. 

I am excited to continue my missionary service here in Argentina and of course in Utah when I get back. What a blessing we have to be missionaries forever! :)

This week has been great. Hermana Ruiz Diaz and I are working hard and searching for those who are ready to teach and helping our less-actives feel the Spirit and come back. 

She is awesome. Only 18 years old,  but boy does she have a strong testimony! We definitely have our differences, but I am enjoying learning to work with her. God knows me well and knows that she has something to teach me, so I am excited to learn from her in the next couple of weeks we have together. She wants to serve next year, so this is great preparation for her! 

Learning to make empanadas

What’s new this week? hmm.. Not sure what else. The weather here is crazy and can't decide whether it is summer or fall. We have had some cold rainstorms and then smoldering hot humid days too. Gotta love it :) Keeps me on my toes! 

I hope all is well there in the States for you all! Hope you know how much I love you! Praying for you daily! Thanks for being so awesome and great examples to me! Keep it up! 

-Hermana Newman

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

TEMPERLEY, Agrentina — First week of the transfers down!

This week has been a little crazy, but good. My companion is awesome, but it is always an adjustment with new people. We have a lot of work to do, but we are ready to get it done. I have a feeling I will be here at least 1 or 2 more transfers after this. Obviously I don’t know, but I am thinking I will be here working for a while. 

I love this area. It is great. My ward is so awesome! But of course, as always, there is always room for improvement and so we are working on strengthening this area. 

I cannot believe that tomorrow is April. Wow! April already and I am so stinkin excited for General Conference! What a blessing. We haven’t seen the Women’s Conference but will get to see it on Saturday, so that will be good. I have loved inviting everyone this week to come to the church to hear our prophet and apostles speak.

Some people give me faces like, ¨What are you serious?¨ And others seem more interested. But I don’t care because I just feel grateful I get to spread the truth and invite people to come unto Christ. And especially this next weekend come listen to a prophet’s voice. 

This week we have been really trying to find people who are ready and going to progress and dropping investigadores who are not progressing. Its a hard process but, Heavenly Father knows who is ready and who isn’t so all we have to do is get to work and rely on him 100%. :)

Well guess what... MIRACLES HAPPEN :) Wahoooo we found 6 new investigators this week. I am most excited because we found a family and  I love teaching families! 

Well, I know it’s short and sweet again this week but that’s all I got :) I hope you all know how much I love being a missionary. Seriously, has changed my life. 

Yes, I am still the same silly ol´ Sara Newman but I will never be the same in the Gospel. I am sooo excited to always be a missionary! I know it will be hard, but I am willing to do hard things because that’s what God expects of us. We are His children and He is more than willing to show us the way. 

Thanks for your great examples and for your love, support and prayers! You are the best! Go out there and find your part in the work of salvation. Invite all your friends to Conference this week. I am excited to hear your thoughts about conference :) Have a great week!

Love ya,

-Hermana Newman 

Tracting at the Basketball Court

TEMPERLEY, Argentina — Hola familia!!

Feliz Dia de San Patricio para todos... especialmente a mi Hermano Cris!!! Happy Birthday!! 

I cannot believe that we are halfway through March already. Transfers are next week on Monday. Hermana Calderon and I are thinking she will being leaving, because she has been here for quite sometime, but you never know. She is awesome!! Love that little Argentine! But bring on the new adventures, I am ready! How was your week?  I hope it was great! Mine was wonderful!!!! Miracles galore. I don’t have time to write about them all, but I do want to tell you about two :)

First, my companion was sick last Monday night and we had visitors from the coast. We needed to go out and work after preparation day, so I took my companion home and switched her with another Hermana and we went out to make our visits. I am getting the hang of my area, but sometimes it is still a little crazy, especially at night when you can’t see where you are. But no worries;  I was determined to get to our appointments.

Long story short, all of our appointments fell through. We only had 15 minutes left until we needed to head back to the pension so we decided to do some contacting. We ended up on a road that was pretty dark and sketchy, so I felt like we needed to find somewhere else to be. I was walking with this other Hermana when I felt a prompting to quickly cross the street. I had no idea why. But I did it. 

The next street: same feeling — cross again. So I did it. Ha I look behind me and there is a man following us. I was getting a little nervous but knew that Heavenly Father would help us know what to do with the Spirit. Just at that moment, I hear someone yell ¨HERMANAS... HERMANAS!!¨ I don’t know which part is the miracle... the fact that this man saw us in the pitch black or the next part that I am about to tell you. 

I had no idea who the voice was that yelled "Hermanas," but I quickly followed it and crossed the street. There was a tall man there waiting for us. He said hello and introduced himself. He said that he had heard of Mormons before and wanted to learn more. I love it! Miracle that he could see us and that he even knew who we are. His name is Cristian and he is one of our new investigators who is pretty stellar. I am excited to watch him change and progress. It’s funny how the Spirit works to keep us missionaries safe and give us new people to teach :) I love it! 

Two. This one is shorter to explain. Ready? drum roll...... we had 2 investigators and 3 less active families at church on Sunday!!! Wahooo! Tender mercy from the Lord seriously. We have been fasting and praying to get some investigators to come to church and progressing. I am a happy camper to say the least :) 

One more fun story and then I will let you go. I had the funnest ¨street contact¨ this week. We were at the church doing English classes and were about ready to leave when I saw a man playing on the basketball court by himself. I asked my companion and the 2nd counselor to the bishop who he was. Nobody knew, so I decided that I would go find out. So yes, Hermana Newman, skirt and all, walked out on the court to shoot some hoops with him. Basketball street contact?!? Best thing ever!! 

Sadly he is not in our area, but the elders are now teaching him and he is solid! It was fun to talk with him a bit and share more about our beliefs and invite him to church all while shooting hoops with him. Good times. I love being a missionary. Always something new! :) 

I think that is plenty of stories for this week. Sorry! :) I have lots going on in my mind but I sure love you all! Have a fabulous week and give it all you got...

PS. I didn’t get any pictures from anyone this week. I will be waiting for them next week! ;)

haha 

LOVE YOU!

Que tengan una buena semana!

Chau,

-Hermana Newman