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!

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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 

Week one in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES -- I cannot believe another week has gone by. CRAZY! 

I  am doing great here in Argentina. I really love it! I am soooo blessed to serve here.  Only 3 things I could do without: the heat, the mosquitos and cockroaches.  ;) but we get a long just fine. No worries. 

All is well here in our area. Me and Hermana Calderon are working hard to get this area into shape. It is weird because we both are in different points of our mission so we both have different focus. She knows the area really well and I am clueless, but I have brought some fresh ideas from Baltimore to try in this ward. Should be interesting. 

Hermanas Newman y Calderon with an Argentine family

Yes, we are a ward here! It's great, I love the people. Dad asked me some questions so I will answer those real quick.

My companion is the best ever. So cute! Last night I taught her how to pray in English... SUCCESS. She is shy with her English, but such a smartie pants. 

The weather is REALLY HOT and HUMID! A little crazy, but nothing I can't handle. I just will return black and a red head, no worries. 

The food is great, my favorite so far is empenadas and milanesa. They love mayo here, which cracks me up. Not a huge fan, but I am a missionary so guess what... I eat everything, and I like it!

For water we have a filter in our house and then filtered water bottles for the streets. (they gave us them in the mtc) The water is never cold, but hey it's water. 

When it's 95 F on Christmas, you have yourself a merry little picnic

My Spanish is just great. I spent so much time in Maryland, that I have picked it up. The only trouble here is the accent and different words. But I am sure I will get those down quick (I hope). I can understand people almost all of the time, but sometimes they get confused with my Mexican/Honduran accent.

We had a great Christmas and I can't believe the New Year iis almost here. 2014?!? What? Since when? 

For Holidays like that, we can proselyte during the day and then once it hits 6 p.m., we have to be in the pension or with members and the members have to drive us home. I keep learning new things every day and am amazed with the people here. They are soo poor, but so happy. Life is good! We are blessed! Especially in the gospel! 

Today in my studies, I was reading from the Liahona. A talk from the General Conference. It's called ¨Be Meek and Lowly of Heart". What a powerful talk. I don't know why I hadn't read it again until today, but it was definitely an answer to my prayers. If you haven't read it, go read it! 

"It is our duty to try to be perfect... To improve each day and look upon our course last week and do things better this week. do things better today than we did them yesterday. So the first step to becoming meek is to improve day by day." - Elder Ulisses Soares. 

I know this to be true! It is a process. Day by day! We can do it, though! It is possible, all is possible with God's help. He expects us to follow Him and become like him (3 Nephi 27:21 and 27) 

Sara's tree in Argentina

¨God's promise to the humble is that He will lead them by the hand.¨ 

What a great promise. Hand in hand we can persevere to the end! I love you all, hope you have a great week! 

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Con Amor,

Hermana Newman ;) 

The Miracle of Mutual and ward involvement

COLUMBIA, Md. — Well Hello. It is another great Monday here Maryland. I hope you all are doing well wherever you may be today :) I am thinking of you and love you lots!

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:  Let me first start off by saying I love Mutual (A weekly gathering or activity for Mormon teens during the week)! Always have, always will! :) Thank you to all my leaders for making mutual a wonderful experience. I know it is not easy. BUT it is powerful and definitely brings blessings and miracles. 

Hermanas Crotzer y Newman with a recent convert who moved from Texas

We have been working with the Rivera family for a very long time. They are doing well, but need to be putting in a little more effort. They are a part-member family. The mom is a less active and the girls are our investigators. We have been struggling knowing how to help them progress. Well, Mutual was the Key. 

We invited them to Mutual and wanted them to get involved. The first week, we invited they didn’t come. Second week, same thing. The third week... they came. And as a result, they went to the Young Women’s campout this weekend and came to church on Sunday! One of the girls was telling me all about church and what she learned and how much she loved it. She is excited to come to Mutual tomorrow and start volleyball with the branch this weekend. MIRACLE right there. 

This helped my testimony grow of ward support. When the branch/wards are involved, that’s when things happen, that’s when the work moves forward and people can progress. Don’t know how to do missionary work? Invite a friend to church or an activity! Easy as that. They will feel something just from being in the church or being around members. It works! I promise. People have agency and can and will say no sometimes, but it never hurts to try and more often than not, people are willing to come to do something fun or learn something new.

 Challenge: Give it a try this week! Invite someone to church or an activity. Let me know how it goes :) I am excited to hear your miracles.

Hermana Newman ready to pull some weeds!

I have been asking a lot of people about General Conference lately and what themes they noticed, which talks were their favorites, etc. Conference is amazing and everyone likes different talks by different people, which is good because we all have different questions and need different things in our lives. But I noticed a lot of people mentioning how much they liked Elder Dube's talk. That talk was really hard for me to understand because of the interpreter in Spanish and the dubbing was not done super well for his. I decided this week I would go back and reread his talk. And yes, it was pretty great! :) The message in all was great but a few things stuck out to me that I would like to share with you all.

 "In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but, much more where we are willing to go."

"In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve, but how."

"The past is to be learned from but not lived in."

"Our common goal is building the Kingdom of God.

I wrote these quotes down and really have been thinking about them a lot this week. Where am I willing to go and do?  Am always looking forward or dwelling on the past? Am I learning form the past? How am I building up the Kingdom of God? These are just a few of the questions I have been asking myself, and I invite you to ask yourself as well and evaluate accordingly.

Time is up so I better go. Remember I love you and am praying for you! Thanks for your love and support :) Have a wonderful week. Smile and laugh lots!

Con Amor,

Hermana Newman :)