Happy 4th of July!!

Hello Friends and Family!!

I hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July week!!! Not going to lie, being away from the USA at this time makes me appreciate the freedoms we have. Never forget to thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings we have, because I have seen people who have almost nothing. It’s kind of sad sometimes, but it reminds me of just how blessed I have been. Enjoy the barbecues and fireworks for me!

This week we were very blessed to have the baptism of Sebastian. Unfortunately, his brother Gean was in Santa Cruz taking a test, so he wasn’t able to perform the baptism, but Sebastian was too dang excited, and when we asked him if he wanted to wait for Gean to get back, he said, "NO, one of you guys can do it instead!". We laughed and told him that we could do that if he wanted. This Friday, we had the service, and he was just so dang excited!! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to see his face since I was baptizing him, but my companion told me that he was smiling super big during the whole ordinance. I am so grateful for Sebastian. I never thought I could learn so much from an eight year old kid, but I have learned a lot from his enthusiasm and love for learning about the Savior.

We were very blessed to be guided to some fantastic new investigators this past week, one of them being Carla. Her family is almost completely member, she is actually the only one that isn’t baptized! She is 24, and has a son named Patrick that is 6 years old. Carla's father recently passed away, and he and her mother always had the goal of going to Cochabamba to the temple to be sealed as a family. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to complete that goal yet. Carla has recently opened up to the gospel, and wants to be able to go with her family to do the temple work for her father and be sealed to her family! We are working with her so that she can be baptized this month, on the 21st so her family from Tarija can come and see the service!

Hope you all have a fantastic week!! Stay safe! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Con mucho Amor, Elder Christian Duvall Newman

Mom, Sounds like an awesome week for you guys!! That’s so crazy that its fourth of july this wednesday, pretty much my celebration is the drawing of the American flag in my planner haha. Have a fantastic week!!! Love you Mom!!

Dad, I love hearing about the Bear's sports!! Sounds like she is balling up!! So cool that the filming business is getting up and running! Love me the Star Spangled Banner, I’ll be sure to sing it with our Zone Leaders this Wednesday! Love you tons dad!

Emma, Looks like a super fun activity with your team! Crazy that Coleman is home!!!! I am looking forward to sleeping in a real bed! Love you sis!!

Sarah, Well done in your games!! I love hearing about your games from you and Dad!! Love you tons Sarah!!

Callie, I love your American dress!!! Sounds like you had fun at dance camp and tumbling! Enjoy your summer break! So excited to hear about your Baptism on December 1st! Love you Callie!!


Mom’s Questions:
1. How was the baptism of Sabastian this weekend? 

It was amazing :)

2. Since you get another transfer with Elder Tovar, what is your favorite thing about him? 

His enthusiasm and his ability to relate to the people we teach.

3. What is your favorite p-day activity in Villamontes? 

We go and play racquetball and basketball :)

4. Do you work at all on retention in Villamontes and how much support do you have from the ward members in this regard? 

We have great support from the relief society, and primary. We are trying to strengthen the priesthood of the branch, we don’t have many active melchizedek priesthood holders right now.