Power of RM's

Hello friends and family!!

I hope you all had a great week!! This week was pretty normal, but definitely a great week here in the service of the Lord.

This past week, we have had the blessing of the company of some of the returned missionaries here in the branch. One of which being Juan Miguel Ichuro, who actually served in Elder Pántano's home ward in Columbia about 2 years ago, which has been good for Elder Pántano! They get to talk a little about his family and ward, and a lot about the food from Columbia. He also is a powerful teacher, and has an incredible testimony.

But the real miracle came from Kevin Abasto, a returned missionary of about 2 weeks. He told us of a referral that he had for us, and invited us to come to his home for a family home evening. He presented us to a Partial member family, with Alex Polanco as the center. Alex is 9 years old, and his parents are members. His dad is inactive, but his mom is still active, but due to the inactivity of his dad, Alex hasn’t been baptized yet. Alex told us that he wanted to be baptized during the Family home evening! We set goals with him, and Kevin is going to help us out with the lessons. Alex will be getting baptized on April 13th. It was a big miracle that I know we received because of our diligence.

Well, kind of a funny story from this past week. A member here asked me to help him with a promotion on a TV interview for his english institute. We had just finished our English class in the chapel, and he kind of asked me out of nowhere, and I had no idea if it was allowed or not haha. I asked my district leader who was right next to me if I could do it, and he looked at me and shrugged, and said, "call President, I don’t know either." So, I called President, asked for permission, and he said that I couldn’t go on TV dressed as a missionary with a tag to promote the business. He told me that as a representative of the church, I couldn’t go and promote a business... and then... He said, "but if you go and change and take off your nametag, you can go. Just look like a gringo tourist and you can go."

Honestly, I was floored, mostly because my Mission President gave me permission to go on TV dressed as a totally normal person. But then I arrived to the news station, and saw a camera that looked like it was from the 80's, and a news station that probably has less followers than my Twitter after nearly 2 years of silence, so I guess President was inspired to know that nobody was going to see one of his missionaries on TV anyways.

Well, I’d like to share something I really like from my personal study. It’s found in Moses 6:31-34. Enoch, upon his call to be a prophet, felt extremely, extremely underqualified for his call. I think we all have moments in which we feel so lost and so incapable to complete what the Lord calls us to do. The Lord's words to Enoch are so so comforting and so uplifting for us all. The words, "walk with me" just inspire me so much.

I hope you all have the best week!!

Love, Elder Newman

Dad, that focus on temple and family history work is awesome! Missionary work is happening on both sides of the veil. That’s so cool that you got to see the Taeoalii's! Love you Dad!!

Mom, finally done with the Glow play!!! Congrats Mom, you did it, only had to do it 5 times, but you made it. I keep telling people to shut it when they try to tell me about Captain Marvel, but I’m staying strong, sounds like its super good though!!! Way to be an example on going to the temple! Love you Mom!!

Jackson, dude thats crazy that Oliver's friends are going to Uruguay and Bolivia! Nicely done on the workouts too! Get some sleep my friend. Love you Jackson!!

Emma, you broke the streak, man. Come on. Oh well. I liked your prom answer, well played! Atta girl staying on the down low at dixie rock. Love you sis!

Sarah, Nicely done on the scrimmage! Good luck in your games this week! I will be sure to pray for you. Love you bear!!

 Callie, looks like you had a great time in your Glow play! I love your costume!! My favorite food here in a plate called Pique Macho. I am having lots of fun, and I miss you lots too. Love you Callie!

Mom’s Questions:

1. How are your investigators progressing?

They are doing well, some have some problems with some issues, but they’ll get there.

2. Is the weather starting to cool down at all?

Yes, the rainy season hit.

3. How do you decide what to teach your investigators each time you meet with them? Do you take the lead or is Elder Pantano starting to lead out?

Elder Pantano is starting to direct the lessons :)

4. Since Elder Pantano is so musical, do you ever use his talents in missionary work?

Not yet, but we are planning on doing so :)