Drop Everything and Go

Hello friends and family!

I hope you are all doing well and getting into the Christmas spirit! This was kind of interesting week, but with lots of really good things happening here in Cortez.

So this week, on Thursday, there was something called "Paro Civico". It’s basically a giant nationwide work strike due to the political issues happening here in Bolivia, and all public transport gets shut down, all businesses get closed down, and there’s a bunch of public protests, and sometimes things get kind of crazy.. So, we weren’t allowed to leave on Thursday. Kind of a looooong and boring day, but it gave us the chance to get some super studies in!

We received some great news this past week, we found out that our convert Nathan Alvarado got to go to the temple with the youth of our ward this weekend! When we talked to him about it in Church, he told that he LOVED it! Super exciting for him to enter into the house of the Lord!!

On Friday, we got a call from our Elders quorum president, and he told us that he needed our help getting his moving truck unloaded, and if we didn’t have any citas, that he could really use our help. I looked at our agenda, and we did have citas, and I was about to say that we were busy, when I received the prompting, "Drop everything and Go." I was confused, because we had what seemed like pretty important citas that day, but I told him, "Don’t worry, we will be there". We went and found him, his wife, and his two small girls there alone. Nobody else was there. We got to work helping unload the truck, and then loading it and unloading it once more. I know that they needed us really badly in that very moment, and I’m very grateful I didn’t ignore the prompting we received in that moment.

We had our Light the World activity, which turned out pretty well!! We had a church movie, treats, and LOTS of contacting cards and pamphlets! It was a big success, lots of members made it out to the activity as well!!

Hope you all are enjoying the Christmas Season! Remember the reason for the season!

Love Elder Christian Duvall Newman

Dad, Wow, the pictures did turn out really well!! That's crazy to hear that Cougar is home! Love you dad, can’t wait to talk to you soon!!

Mom, well, puppy training will help out Reese a lot! Sounds like things are still staying interesting! Love you tons mom, thanks for sharing your studies!!

Jackson, Good luck on your final projects and exams, and very well done in the weight room!! That’s so awesome that you got to go up to Temple Square! Love you dude!!

Emma, Well, I’m sure you will be back into shape before you know it! Sounds like Preference was a blast! Love you Sister!!

Sarah, Well done in Soccer and Basketball! I bet you were really tired after all of those games!!! Love you Bear

Callie, Good luck in your Christmas dance recital!! I’m glad you are having fun with the puppy and holding it like a baby! I will be staying in my area again with Elder Yucra, so no changes :) Love you Callie!!

Mom’s Questions:

1. What have you heard about transfers this week? Are you staying and do you get to keep your same companion? 

I will be staying here in Cortez with the same companion. The only change is that now I will be serving as the district leader.

2. What investigators do you have right now? How is the work? 

Work is going good. Not a lot of people progressing right now, lots of new people. I think there are a couple in Spanish.

3. What is your favorite Christmas hymn in Spanish? 

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

4. How many missionaries are in your district? In your zone? How big geographically is your district? What about your zone? 

Our district has 8 missionaries. Our Zone has 26 missionaries, 18 elders, 8 sisters. on terms of geographical area, I have no idea.