Conferencias y Cambios

Hello Friends and Family!!

Well, I don’t have a ton to say this week, because pretty much the whole week we were traveling back and forth for conference!!! Here in Villamontes, we are about 8 hours from the mission offices, so each time we have to go in to Santa Cruz when we have conferences, we lose Tuesday traveling, Wednesday in conference, and Thursday traveling again. But our district is super fun so it’s a blast traveling to Santa Cruz.

In our Conference, we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in the conversion of our investigators. Our mission President always says, "The Book of Mormon is the best missionary in the mission." President, before starting his message, asked his son Moises who just returned from his mission in Montevideo, Uruguay (sound familiar?) who he thought was the best missionary in the mission. Moises answered, "Well, I don’t know many of the missionaries... ummmm, Elder Newman. I think Elder Newman is the best missionary in the mission. I knew his brother in the mission, and he was a machine." All of the missionaries started laughing and I turned bright red and just started laughing. President laughed too, and then said, "well, Elder Newman is pretty good, but we have a missionary that is even better. The Book of Mormon is the best missionary we have in this mission."

How true that is!! As missionaries, we come and go, and if the testimony of our investigators is based in the missionaries that taught them, when we leave, so will they. If our investigators are truly converted to the Book of Mormon, and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, that convert will stay even when the winds of life and temptation come.

We had cambios this week, and I will have a new companion! His name is Elder Davila, he is from Peru, and I’m really excited to meet him! Here’s to the next six weeks!!!

Lucas 18:27

Con mucho Amor, Elder Newman

Mom, sounds like the family reunion was tons of fun!!! That’s crazy that summer is almost over, and school will be starting up all over again! Crazy how the time flies! Love you tons Mom!!

Dad, Glad to hear that you arrived safe and sound on your trip!! Excited to hear about the replay system and how things go this season!! To answer your question, in our mission we have a goal of 1100 baptisms this year. Our mission achieved the goal of 1000 last year, so we upped our game this year! Love you dad!!!

Emma, Hope you enjoyed your senior retreat!!! Hope the pictures turned out good, even though y’all wrecked the stage doing water shots, lol. Work hard, enjoy this last season!!!! Love you Emma!!

Jackson, Work hard, play hard is right!! So fun that you got to enjoy some hamburgers, temples sessions, and a date!! love you Bro, enjoy these next couple weeks before starting up at BYU!

Callie, WOOOHOOO basketball! That’s so fun that you are going to play this year, I’m sure Sarah will be a great coach for you! Good job as a goalie!! hope you had fun at the family reunion!! Love you Callie!!

Sarah, Jackson sent me the video of the sky coaster, that was pretty awesome!! That’s so crazy that you will be starting JR High!! Have so much fun and enjoy it tons!! Love you Bear!!

Mom’s Questions:

1. With transfers tomorrow, have you heard if you or Elder Tovar are staying and going? 

Elder Tovar is heading to Santa Cruz, I’ll be staying here.

2. How are Sebastian’s parents, Jimena and Familia Ochoa doing this week? 

We weren’t able to meet with Jimena or Familia Ochoa this week, but Sebastian’s parents are doing really well.

3. Any new investigators?

Sebastian’s Aunt. The little guy is always giving us referrals, I love him so dang much!!

4. What is your favorite hymn in Spanish? 

Jesus es mi luz :)

5. What is your favorite thing about your current area?

The members. Our relief society president is the best!!