More Moments of Divine Design

 Zone Activity

Hello Friends and Family!!

This week was a blur so I am just going to hop right into the update!

So, on Monday, a lady from our branch invited us to come to her Family Home Evening to share a message. We arrived, and we ended up sharing the FHE with several of the young men and young women of the branch as well. We shared about the story in Jacob 7 about an anti-christ named Sherem. We talked with the youth about how today, there are many people that will attack us for our beliefs, even seek us out as Sherem sought out Jacob. What was his defense? It was the spiritual experiences he had. We invited them each to develop a habit of daily scripture study and prayer in order to have spiritual experiences to combat the adversary.

One of the challenges we face here in our area is that there are many people that have jobs that have a grueling schedule. 21 days inside the factory or work site, many living on the job site, and then 7 days of rest. It makes it hard to do a lot of followup with those people, but we try to plant seeds where we can. One of the seeds we planted this week was Sergio. We taught him about the Restoration, and we gave him a Book of Mormon. He told us he was going back to work the next day, but he thanked us. He said, "Thank you for the Book, and for reminding me that Christ loves me before I go to work again. I will be sure to read in my free time."

We went to visit the Familia Monasterio a couple days ago after they had to cancel our appointment because Helen was in the hospital. We knocked on the door, and not 2 minutes later, she arrived in a taxi. She welcomed us even though she was still a little sick. We explained to her what Priesthood blessings were, and she accepted a blessing. After finishing, we testified of the Priesthood authority that was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Talk about Devine Design!!!

We had a lesson with one of our investigators, Yolanda Vargas. We invited her to be baptized, and she declined saying that she "didn't want to be the black sheep of the flock.." I felt the Spirit so strongly as I told her as we read Alma 5:33 and 38, "There is someone that will always want you as a part of His flock, and as part of His team, that's the Savior. He will always want you to be with Him." She teared up as she expressed some of her challenges, and we promised to help her. I am grateful for a Savior that will always want even the black sheep as part of his flock.

Here are a few of the scriptures I liked from my study this week!

John 9:38, FAITH IS A CHOICE
Mormon 9:27, Work out your own salvation through the Savior.

Love you all! Have a great week!!!

Elder Newman

Dad, well, I'm sure you enjoyed being home for a week and enjoying some time with the girls! Have a fun and productive week before another week of travel! Love you Dad!!

Mom, whoa, that's weird seeing my class schedule! Thanks for helping me out with that! That's awesome that you got to see Nat for a bit, and that's awesome that Maika is heading to the mish! What an exciting week! Love you Mom!!

Jackson, lots of movies for sure!! That video of Sarah with Reese is absolutely priceless!!! Lots of work and play, sounds like a productive week my friend! Love you tons dude! Have a great week!!

Emma, whoa that's lots of girls! Enjoy the permanent retainer mayne, that's lit! Have a good time at your girls camp, but not in the tents, hahaha. Love you Emma, looking forward to going to UVU with you! :)

Sarah, well done in your games! Dad sent me some videos, looks like you had a good time going shooting too! Love you Bear!

Callie, how fun to go to the retention basin with Reese! That's so fun that you got to go to Penney's baptism! That's fun you got to see Nat Tebbs! Interesting facts about river otters! I am sure you did a great job on your report! Love you Callie!!


Mom’s Questions:

1. How are the Familia Monasterio and Paola Soliz doing this week? Any other investigators? 

They are doing well! Elder Pantano has really stepped up his game this week, and we are really getting into a powerful rhythm. It helps all the investigators lots.

2. When were you able to bear your testimony this week? 

During the lesson with Yolanda

3. When did you feel the Spirit the most this week? 

The lesson with Yolanda as well, hahaha.

4. What mission habits would you suggest would be beneficial for us at home to incorporate into our lives? 

I think its being ready to share about our beliefs in any moment, and a habit of gospel study. :)