We had a really full week, so we are just going to get straight to the update for the week!!!
We spent a fair portion of the week in exchanges. I went to work with Elder Santander in his area, which was really fun! They are doing some great work out there, and I got to do a baptismal interview. Like I’ve said before, baptismal interviews are some of my favorites. :) All in all, a very successful exchange!!
We then went to our District Meeting, where we were able to learn together about the importance of the Book of Mormon in the teaching of our investigators. It truly is essential in any lasting conversion to the Savior and His restored gospel. It all goes through the Book of Mormon, and we missionaries have to center our teaching on the Book of Mormon! Im 100% on my goal of sharing scriptures from the Book of Mormon in every lesson so far, and its made a visible difference!
Right after finishing our District Meeting, I began another exchange with our zone leaders. Elder Farnsworth, from Lehi, Utah, came and worked with me in Cortez, and we had a great time! Really productive exchange, we found some good new investigators in a pretty creative way. You see, Elder Farnsworth is 6'5, and loves basketball as well. We were able to grab the attention of a family playing some basketball at a local court in our area by teaching them how to shoot a ball. We then each threw down a dunk in our proselyting clothes, and taught them about the Restoration!
We had a great lesson with a guy named Rufino Mamani, the non member husband of one of the members in our ward. He previously had desires to be baptized, but after some time, lost those desires. We went to begin teaching him again, and after teaching for a moment, I felt strongly impressed that we should kneel together in that very moment and pray together (something I’ve only felt impressed to do a few times in my mission). I think the Lord prompted us to do so because He was thinking, "Do it, pray now. I’m going to answer him." We kneeled down, and the peace felt after praying was an unmistakable answer from the Spirit. Rufino told us, "I’ve made my decision. I will be baptized, I will tell you soon when it will be." One of the coolest things about the mission is that each time the Spirit testifies of the truth, we as missionaries don’t have to wonder if the Spirit was there. We feel it testify to us of the truth as well. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for yet another witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and that Rufino could feel of its truthfulness as well.
Now, to explain the subject line of "The Heroes of the Gospel". I absolutely loved two hour church this week, beginning with our Fast and Testimony Sacrament meeting. Let me explain why. An extremely valiant sister from our ward, with a squirmy child in her arms trying to grab the microphone, and two more kids pulling at her dress, bore her simple and sincere testimony. What an example! There really is no excuse for us to not share our testimonies, and that valiant sister was a shining example of the women of this gospel.
Love you all so much! I pray for each of you and your New Year’s Resolutions, I hope that 2019 can be a year of spiritual growth for us all!
Love, Elder Newman
Dad, awesome to hear about a great start to 2019 and a great Fast and Testimony meeting! Things went great here! Truly inspired changes, the Lord is strengthening us all! Love you Dad!!
Mom, as difficult as changes are, sometimes they are exactly what we need to keep progressing (I hope karma doesn’t bite me in the butt and give me a transfer for saying that.) Sounds like a great week mom! Love you so much!!
Jackson, well done, sounds like a great way to finish 2018, and start to the New Year, by being in the temple! Love you dude, have a great week!!
Emma, it’s so true, true strength is found in holding fast to faith rather then giving in to doubt. Sounds like your schedule is awesome! Well done in your Drill competition! Love you Emma!!
Sarah, well done in your games!!! Sounds like you have quite the team! I’m sure you and Tess were killing it! Good job finding all your classes, have a great week! Love you Bear!!
Callie, sounds like you have had lots of fun with Reese! I love that story of Jesus being resurrected. My next transfer will be in 2 weeks, but we don’t know if I’ll be leaving or not. Guess we will see! Love you Callie!!!
Mom’s Questions:
1. How was your first Sunday of the two hour block? How do members in Bolivia feel about it? How is the new Come Follow Me curriculum being accepted by the families there?
It was awesome!! Great from a missionary perspective, lots of investigators stayed for the class and loved it!!
2. Did Eber come to church again? How is he progressing? Does he have a baptismal date?
He wasn’t able to come, but is progressing well. He has a date for the 19th.
3. Who are your other investigators right now?
Rufino Mamani, and the familia Alvarez
4. What experience strengthened your testimony this week?
Our kneeling prayer with Rufino.
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