Hamburgers, Devotionals, Soccer with the Latinos

 Some pictures around the MTC

 P-day adventures

Tag pic at night

Hello hello!!

To clear up any confusion, my pday will be on Wednesday for the remainder of my time here in the mtc, last weeks pday on Friday was a one time thing.

What a jam packed couple of days!!! It’s only been five days since last pday, but man, we have been getting after it here in the MTC! We just sent off one of the biggest groups in the MTC, only to receive 170 new missionaries yesterday!! It’s a little bit crowded right now, but having too many missionaries is a pretty good problem to have!

We had two awesome evening devotionals these past couple days, hearing from Elder Ballard talk to the missionaries about staying focused on the work, and locking our hearts for the next two years, and Elder Neil L. Anderson talk to us about the importance of faith in missionary work! Two members of the twelve talking to us (via satelite broadcast) in the past three days!

Yesterday was a monumental day here in the MTC... We had hamburgers for the first time. After three straight weeks of eating Mexican food, it was a relief and a joy that nearly brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know that I have ever seen the MTC so happy!!

Our District has really been turning up the heat on our goals. We have been working really hard, including me and another Elder in our distract learning 600 words in two days!! Our goal is to learn 2000 words in a week, and I think we can do it!! The gift of tongues is real, as we put in the work to learn the language, and open our mouths to speak, the Lord will fill us with the words that we need to say!

Exercise here has taken a swift turn. We went from playing basketball everyday, which has been fun because I can play really well against pretty good competition, to now playing soccer with the Latinos to practice our Spanish and help them with their English. I went from one of the best athletes on the court, to probably the hands down worst, haha. It’s been super fun though! The Latinos are super nice and cool, and they get a lot of laughs at my expense, so it’s really fun! It helps my Spanish a ton too!

One spiritual thought I want to share with you all is the concept of the light of Christ. We watched a talk by David A. Bednar, and he said that the light of Christ is in every person on the Earth. As we do Christ like things, and serve our fellow man, we feel really good, and that light increases. Its a visible transformation, we can see it on peoples faces! But the same goes in the opposite too. So go and serve and share the gospel, share that light of Christ!

With Love, Elder Newman

Callie, Yay for seven peaks! Youll have to tell me which of the slides are your favorite! I am glad you enjoyed the Wedding! Te Amo Hermanita!!

Sarah, So cool that you got to see Jace and Mitch at the Provo MTC openhouse!! They are awesome!! You are going to love sixth grade! Keep the faith! Te Amo!

Emma, I was just talking to a couple of the guys in the district about how much i miss football! The team looks like they are going to be pretty good this year!! So excited for Isaiah, and for Cam! Glad drill is going well, sounds like you guys have a good bond! Te Amo hermana!

Mom's questions

1. What things do you and your district like to do in your free time?

Our district likes to swap stories from home, play some games as a district, and sing! We love to sing especially, and our teachers seem to enjoy it too!

2. How’s the laundry going? Did you figure out ironing a shirt? How are the pants?

Laundry has been going great!! Yes, I do know how to iron a shirt, but I will only have an iron for about three more weeks, so won’t get to use that skill a whole lot longer. And Golf pants might be the most comfortable pants ever. It’s like sweats for church.

3. How are you sleeping at night?

I am sleeping great!! Part of the benefit of working really hard throughout the day, is that when my head hits the pillow at night, I am so tired I sleep all the way till the alarm in the morning!

4. Have you been reading Jesus the Christ or any of the other books you were required to bring to the MTC? What insights have you gained?

Unfortunately not a ton. Our day is scheduled really tight, and most of the time, when its free study time, we are so busy with language study we don't really have a ton of time! But I am going to try to incorporate those books into my personal study.

5. What new things have you learned about Elder Hansen?

Not only was Elder Hansen a stud football player, but he was in his high school show choir, and he has a voice like an angel!!