Book of Mormon, Familia Ochoa, Miracles of Fasting.

Hello Friends and Family!!!

For starters, I wanted to start off my weekly letter wishing a very happy birthday to my sister, Emma this Thursday!!! HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!!!!!!

This week was full of ups and downs, so we are just going to get right to it!

Sooooo, Jimena decided to not be baptized this week... She told her family about her desires to be baptized, and they did not react well. Her whole family is Catholic, and did not respond well to her desire to leave their catholic traditions, and chewed her out for it. That kind of discouraged her, and made her doubt the answer she had received to her prayers. Kind of a bummer, but we are still visiting her, helping her to recognize the answers God has given to her prayers, and to help her develop the faith to take that step towards the baptismal font! She'll get there, I just hope I get to be here in Villamontes to see it.

This Wednesday, as part of my goal to read all of the standard works (Old and New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) during the second half of my mission, I had the blessing of finishing the Book of Mormon. Something I usually do finishing the Book of Mormon so I don’t rush to the finish is I read the last 4 chapters out loud. Those last chapters of the Book of Mormon are so powerful. Full of warnings, blessings, and invitations. I’m so grateful for the Book of Mormon in my life, I don’t know where I would be without the guidance and peace that it brings to my life. I’m grateful for the wonderful blessing I have to share it with the people of Bolivia.

We had our companionship fast this week, and we fasted for our investigators, specifically the Familia Ochoa, Jimena, and the Familia Tejerina. We were extremely blessed to have all of them come with us to church this Sunday! The Familia Ochoa is all good to go for there baptism this coming Saturday! This week we will be doing the final preparations and baptismal interview, and this Saturday is the service! I’m really excited for them. It’s been really amazing to see their progress since the first time we talked with them and their turkey pooped on me. They have an enthusiasm about the Gospel that I admire a lot. Lots of answered prayers this week, and as always, Fasting was a powerful tool to bring miracles to our area.

Scriptures that I really liked this week!
Helaman 5:47
Mormon 5:21
Moroni 10:27
Luke 9:62

Love you all tons!! Have a great week, keep the faith!!!!

Love, Elder Newman

Dad, That’s awesome to hear about the PG boys getting the W! That’s awesome that you got to meet President Porter, and to hear 2 Newman testimonies during the sacrament meeting! Love you tons Dad!!

Mom, Back into the swing of things! Sounds like an eventful week, full of fun activities, and that’s a great analogy about snickerdoodles!!! Love you Mom!!!

Jackson, Sounds like you are getting back into the groove of things with the Math course haha. That’s so crazy that you are getting all moved in to your apartment!!! Sounds like a super fun date! Love you Bro!!

Emma, That’s awesome!!! Back into the game with studies, early morning drill, and late night movies with Sarah! Have a great Birthday this week!! Love you Emma!!

Sarah, Sounds like a great week! Viking win, sleeping in, burgers, and a long weekend!! Love you Bear!!!!

Callie, I’m sure you guys will get to go shooting soon :). It’s ok, don’t be sad that Jackson is moving. He'll still be close to you guys and you will see him tons!! Love you Callie (My twin)!!!!