Restarting, Service to Service.

Hello Friends and Family!

Well, this was an interesting week!

Every once in a while, I have seen that in each area I've been in, we go through what a I call a restart phase. Pretty much it's when the people that we are currently visiting lose their interest, stop keeping commitments, or move and are unable to keep moving forward, and it usually turns into lots of finding as we show up to appointments where nobody is home. We were blessed for our diligence because it allowed us to find several families that seem to have lots of potential to continue progressing. We are going to continue teaching and finding all that we can to see miracles!

In our District Meeting (I don't know if I mentioned this last week, but once again I am serving as District Leader) we talked about the Atonement. We talked about the Atonement, the Resurrection, and the balance between Mercy and Justice. As I studied the scriptures to give out some assignments to the Elders of our district, I felt deep gratitude for the Savior and His atonement. How lost I would be if it weren't for the Savior, and for the Sacrifice that He freely made for me, and for each and every single one of us!! It was extremely touching as the normally reserved and timid Elder Miller choked up as he spoke of his love and appreciation for the Savior. What a blessing it is to be a missionary of the restored Church.

Last Sunday our Elder's quorum president Walter Guzman (who I admire deeply!) asked us to visit a recent convert and minister to him, and invite him to church. Well, we found the recent convert while he was working. We helped him to unload his truck, and talked to him for a moment, we let him know how much we love him, and invited him to church this Sunday (and he came).  We were near the home of Walter Guzman later that day, and I felt impressed to visit him and let him know that we were able to complete with that which he had asked of us. We went, and spoke with him, and he expressed his gratitude for our help. He then said, "Elders, I need your help in something else. I have been unable to do my family history work for two weeks because my internet hasn't been working. Can you help me?" We smiled and said yes. We helped him get his internet up and running, and he joyfully sent to work again on his Family History work. I felt grateful for the opportunity to serve our Elder's Quorum President, and for following the impressions of the spirit which carried us from one service to another.

A couple of scriptures that I liked from my personal study.

Jacob 2:8, The pleasing word of God healeth the wounded soul
Mosiah 26:24, If we know the Savior, we will go forth.
Luke 24:5-7, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Love you all so much! Have a great week!!!

Elder Newman

Dad, wow, that's so awesome that Ammon Bliss is heading off to the mission field! I'm so proud of his decision to serve! What a fun opportunity to go to Wisconsin and Chicago with Steve. Love you Dad!

Mom, what a fun week with 45 high school girls in the basement! Grovecreek hikes, Jazz games, and celebrating Easter. What a great week! Love you Mom!

Callie, what a fun Easter! And how fun to go to Penney's Birthday party and stay up late! We mostly just proselyted all day, but church was super awesome with great talks. Love you Callie!!

Emma, sounds like a baller week with AP reviews, Prom, Drill sleepovers, and Easter! Good luck on the test! It was a pretty normal day on Easter, but church was really edifying! Love you too sis!!

Bear, nicely done on the 4 by 4 race, and on keeper training! Good job on the scrimmage in basketball against the boys team, well done on the defense! Love you Bear!!!

Jackson, ITS RAINING SIDEWAYS!!!!! Nice job on the ted talk and New Testament project, I fasted for you, so glad to see that the Lord helped you! That's so awesome that Elder Sidwell is home! What a blessing to hear his talk, let him know I say Hi!! Love you Bro!!!

Mom's Questions:

1. How was Easter? Were you able to spend the day with any members? 

Not really, it was a normal day of proselyting.

2. How did you serve your companion this week? 

I have been taking time in the night time to help him find answers to his doctrinal questions in the scriptures. I don't want to just simply answer the questions, I want to help him find his own answers.

3. Any funny stories to share? 

This week not really, maybe for this coming week.

4. With two transfers left, what is your number one goal you would like to accomplish before you finish your mission?

Well, my goal is to marry and baptized a family. Its something I've never done because all the families that I have baptized were already married. I would like to achieve that before finishing. Also, in general, it's to keep the same rhythm and pace and not slow down in these last weeks.