Coming Home

The End of the Line

Wow, I can't believe it. I go home this week.

Honestly, it still doesn't feel real to me. I don't really have words to describe it, the only things that come to my mind are all of the cliches that RM's always say, like, "the best 2 years", and "my mission was the best experience of my life" and "I am going to miss this so much.." I wish I had better words to describe how I feel right now, but I can't put this feeling into words.. I guess I'll try.

The mission has been the biggest growing experience of my life. There have been challenges and trials, but I can truly say that I have seen the hand of the Lord in all that I have been doing as a missionary here, in both the good times and the bad. I have come to know the Lord personally here in the mission. He loves me; He loves each and every one of us. He gave His life for us. He will sustain us in our trials and tribulations, He wants us to be happy. I've learned more about His perfect life by reading the scriptures, and wearing a name tag with His name on it has been the biggest blessing of my life. I have loved my two years of missionary service, and I am going to miss this dearly.

I'm going to miss the people of Bolivia so, so much. They have been so kind, so loving, so accepting. They are willing to sacrifice everything for us, even if it is almost nothing at all. They are so humble and meek. I have learned so much from them.

To any who are trying to decide if they should serve a mission, I invite you to pray and ask our Heavenly Father if this is what you should do. But I add my testimony that there is nothing more important than missionary work. The gospel message is something that everybody needs, and the Lord blesses His messengers like you can't even imagine.

God lives! This is the church of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is another testament of His divinity, and we will draw nearer unto Him by following its precepts. Joseph Smith, as the divinely inspired translators of that marvelous book was a prophet of God, and I know that Russell M. Nelson is God's chosen prophet today. This is a church of joy! Let us be happy in all that what we do, for that is what the Lord wants.

Thank you so much for all of your love and support these past 2 years! I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Love, Elder Christian Duvall Newman.

Dad, you are so right. The mission has been the biggest growing experience ever. Hope you are feeling better from your sinus infection! Love you so much Dad, can't wait to see you!!!

Mom, I'm excited to take the boat out and see that new Spiderman! I can't wait to see you too. You are so right, it's time for our family to be together again. Love you Mom, see you soon!! And yes, you get the first hug in the airport.

Callie, I am so excited to see you too! That's so fun that you got to do a sleep over with the cousins, and go on fun hikes! Love you tons Callie!!!!

Emma, LAST LETTER YEET!!! That's fun that you work with one of your drill girls, THANK YOU FOR WAITING TO SEE SPIDEY WITH ME!! Love you Emma, see you soon!!!

Sarah, I can't week to play 9 square with you too!! Nice job in your sports. Can't wait to talk to you too! Love you Bear!!

Jackson, nice job at work and on getting out with the missionaries!! Sounds like you had a super fun week! Concerts, mission reunions, and church! SEE YA SOON!!! Love you bro!!

Mom’s Questions:

1. What is your schedule for your last week? When do you go to the mission home and what do you do with the mission president and other missionaries going home in the time before going to the airport? 

I will be visiting converts with Elder Mortensen until Wednesday, then I have a training, my final interview, a testimony meeting that day, and Thursday morning I head off!

2. What food are you going to miss most from Bolivia? 

Picante de Pollo

3. What stands out as your most memorable experience from your time on your mission? 

That is a very tough question, I will consult my journal and answer it back home. ;)

Leonardo's Baptism, The Lord's Hands.

Hey Friends and Family!!

Sorry this is going to be a pretty quick letter. Today we had a multi-zone conference with our new mission president, President Stanford, and then I had an interview with him right after the conference, so I won't have much time to write today! It was a great conference. The mission is going to be in great hands. He has an excitement and energy for the work that is going to bless lots of members and missionaries.

This week, we visited a less active family. The mom isn't a member, but her two daughters were baptized a while back. We asked one of the daughters to tell us about her experience of being baptized, and she began to tell us about her conversion, and began to tell us of her trials and challenges that she has faced in her life. We could tell she needed to vent, so we just listened to her as she told us how the church has blessed her life, and how much she wants to come back to full activity in the church. This week, she came to church for the first time in several years! I felt a strong impression that she needed someone to come, and that we were an answer to her prayers.. I love that thought, that we can be the Lord's hands in delivering answers to prayers.

This past week, Leonardo Mollo got baptized! It was such a fulfilling moment, even though he went through some tough challenges that made him unable to get baptized a couple weeks back when we had originally planned, he was able to overcome them and we were able to help him to be baptized and confirmed this past weekend. He was so happy, especially after his confirmation. It brought a smile to my face when he grabbed his hymnbook, there in his white shirt and tie, and began to sing the hymns as if he had been a member of the church his whole life.

I am officially in my last full week as a full-time missionary. I am feeling a giant mix of emotions right now. It honestly hasn't fully hit me that I will be home in just 10 days, it still feels like its super far away even though it really isn't! I feel so happy that I am going to see my family and friends again after so long, but so sad to be leaving all the people I have been teaching, the members, and the missionaries. But I feel content. Content with what I have been able to do during these two years. I have been able to help and serve and love lots of amazing people, and I feel like I have grown and changed a lot.

Well, I love you all so much!! I will try to write one last final group email next week, but if not, I would love to see you all at my homecoming July 21st, at 9:00 am at the chapel on 500 N. 700 E., Pleasant Grove. Have a great week!!

Love, Elder Newman

Dad, that's so cool that Emma and Jackson sang together! Tell Sydney and Kyle that I say congratulations! I am excited to try your slalom idea! Love you tons Dad!!

Mom, sounds like you guys had a fun-filled week! Weddings, basketball games, and farewells, lots of good stuff happening!! Love you Mom!!

Jackson, I like it. Betty it is. WE GOT SOME WHEELS!!! We will be sure to coordinate. That's cool that you got a new phone as well!! Well done on the musical number with Emma! Love you Jackson!!

Emma, NICE JOB ON THE DUET!!! That's so awesome, Emma!! Nice job in your new job, sounds like you are all grown up! Love you so much sis!!

Sarah, nicely done in your basketball tourney! Way to shut up those parents with your deep three! Looking forward to playing ball with you soon. Love you Bear!!

Callie, what a fun time at dance camp!!! Wow, that's so cool that you learned how to ride a bike! Sounds like you and Reese are best friends now! Love you so much Callie!!

Mom’s Questions:

1. How is Leonardo? Was he able to get baptized on Saturday? 

He was, it was a great experience for him, and it made me super happy.

2. Callie wants to know how you feel about your last full week in your area? It seems exciting. 

It is exciting! I can't really believe it. We are going to have a great week!

3. Lots of kids leaving right now on their missions, what is one bit of advice you would give them that you wish someone would have given you at the beginning of your mission?

The mission is full of ups and downs. Control what you can, trust in the Lord, and He will bless you more than you can imagine. This is the work of the Lord, and  He labors with us in His vineyard.