Intercambios, Clase de Ingles, Our Search for Happiness

 District Baptism

 P-Day District Hike to a Waterfall

Hello Friends and Family!!

Before we get started with this week's letter and update, I want to give a HUGE BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT to two of the most important people in my life, My beautiful Mother (October 29th), and Elder Jackson Newman (October 30th)!! I hope you both had an amazing day, and everyone (and I mean everyone who receives this email) send your love their way, because they deserve it!!

Ok, now for the update on this week!! We had Intercambios this week! Which wouldn’t be anything special to report, except this time, I stayed in our area, and our District Leader's companion came to our area. His brand new companion, from Columbia, Elder Roa. I was directing the area for a day! It was super fun, and kind of a fun experience, because when I got here, I didn’t know the area at all... And I was still struggling in the language.. But I was able to do everything I needed to do, find our investigators houses, talk with everyone, all that kind of stuff!! So it was a great experience to see just how far I have come from when I first got here!!

Clase de Ingles: So we have started something kind of cool here in our ward. We have an English class every Wednesday! The members are super interested in learning English, and having someone who speaks both English, and (enough) Spanish, presents a good opportunity to learn! And also they bring friends, so a great opportunity to meet people to teach the gospel too!! I have absolutely loved teaching English for the members.

Ok, I really love the opportunity to study the gospel here in the mission! This week, I finished the whole missionary library, and wow, those books are amazing! I highly suggest everyone reads the book, Our Search For Happiness, By M. Russell Ballard. He explains our faith to people, with the intent of helping them to understand why we do the things we do. There is a part of the book, right at the end that absolutely struck me. When Elder Ballard was a mission president, he had the opportunity to be a guest on a radio show. The Host asked him, "What is the difference between your faith and other Christian faiths?" Elder Ballard answered him,  "Let me answer that with another question, if Moses were on the Earth today, would you be interested in what he had to say?"  The Host answered him, "Of course, everyone would be interested!" Elder Ballard then responded, "That’s our message to the world. That we have a prophet who holds the same authority and receives revelation just as Moses did."

Remember, just how amazing it is, that we have apostles and prophets that truly receive revelation for us.. Remember to listen close to their words, they are truly inspired.

Well, friends and family, that’s all for this week, but thank you all for your prayers, and thank you for your thoughtful emails every week!! I love you all dearly, and hope you all have a great week!!

Con amor, Elder Christian Duvall Newman

Callie! Glad you had a great trip, and great job kneeboarding!!! Love you tons!!

Emma, oh Mr. Newman, he is absolutely hilarious!!! He was a bright spot all throughout my senior year! Way to Go PG!!! Awesome for them to get the football win! I definitely know how those Kearns players feel, on every side of the state playoffs, there is huge joy on one side, and absolute heartbreak on the other.. Keep up the great work! Love you Sister!

Sarah, Keep up the good work in soccer! Grandpa Newman was very impressed with you! Exciting news with Bantam! Keep me posted on your basketball highlights! Love you bear!!

Madre, Hope you had a great birthday, and glad you had a great trip!!! Can’t wait to do a trip like that with all of us again! You’ll be able to do one with Jackson before you know it!! Love you Mom!!

Dad, A tower fell??? dang!! And wow!! What a play!! I know that football play like the back of my hand! We ran that a ton in practice last year!!! Love you Dad!!

Mom’s Questions:

1. What song did you and Elder Lopez sing for Paula’s baptism?

We sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

2. Were you able to upload your Disney music onto your mp3 player?

yes and i have been loving it!!

3. What are some different habits or traditions of the Bolivian people?

So here in Bolivia, specifically in Tarija, there is a word that you say after every single meal, when a person is leaving the table. They say, gracias a todos, and everyone at the table says, probecho!

4. Have you tried using your cards in Bolivia? Just wondering if everything is working ok because I haven’t seen any transactions on them yet.

Haven’t needed to use them yet. Might go pull out some money just to make sure they are working

5. What is your favorite hymn in Spanish? Is it different than your favorite hymn in English and why?

Ok, I love the hymns in Spanish, but there’s nothing like the hymns in English, there’s just a special spirit to them! But my Favorite in Spanish right now is, Màs cerca Dios de ti (Nearer my God to Thee)