The pictures he sent didn't come through. So hopefully next week he'll have it figured out!
Hey hey hey! It´s finally P-day! Sorry it took so long; I didn´t know that by Friday they didn´t mean last Friday. Oh well! Sooooo good to talk with y'all; I have SOO much to share! And I will send pictures in another email, so stay tuned!
The first few days for me at the MTC seemed to hit me like a freight train! There was so much to do each day in so little time, and we had to prepare to teach an investigator on our second full day (Thursday)! And the first time we taught Lindon (actually a teacher named Hermano Hernandez that just started to be our evening teacher), it was soo rough and raw, for our Spanish was soo bad and he did not make it easy; he acted about as disengaged as possible and gave extremely short, vague answers. xD There were soo many times we paused for almost a minute trying to find the word to say; but when we testified, the Spirit truly was there. The next day, we were able to do much better, and even answer a question he had that completely caught us off guard. Each time we have taught him, our Spanish has gotten better, the Spirit has been there stronger, and he has acted more and more engaged and interested. We even got him to commit to be baptized! On our own we are nothing, but with the Spirit, we can achieve and work miracles. Now we will begin with two new investigators.
We have had to memorize various scriptures en Español, including our Missionary Objective, the Baptismal Invitation, the First Vision, Moroni 10:4-5, Mark 9:23, and D&C 6:36. It has been soo hard for me, but with hard work and the help of the SPirit, I´ve been able to do it, and quickly to the amazement of my fellow peers. Elder Cheney and I seem to be possible the most respected companionship in the district, which is incredible, because they're all rockstars. In fact, Elder Cheney and I even once made Hermana Masina cry with a scenario we were practicing on how to help someone accept the baptismal invitation after rejecting it. The Spirit and the gift of tongues are very powerful.
The first few days for me at the MTC seemed to hit me like a freight train! There was so much to do each day in so little time, and we had to prepare to teach an investigator on our second full day (Thursday)! And the first time we taught Lindon (actually a teacher named Hermano Hernandez that just started to be our evening teacher), it was soo rough and raw, for our Spanish was soo bad and he did not make it easy; he acted about as disengaged as possible and gave extremely short, vague answers. xD There were soo many times we paused for almost a minute trying to find the word to say; but when we testified, the Spirit truly was there. The next day, we were able to do much better, and even answer a question he had that completely caught us off guard. Each time we have taught him, our Spanish has gotten better, the Spirit has been there stronger, and he has acted more and more engaged and interested. We even got him to commit to be baptized! On our own we are nothing, but with the Spirit, we can achieve and work miracles. Now we will begin with two new investigators.
We have had to memorize various scriptures en Español, including our Missionary Objective, the Baptismal Invitation, the First Vision, Moroni 10:4-5, Mark 9:23, and D&C 6:36. It has been soo hard for me, but with hard work and the help of the SPirit, I´ve been able to do it, and quickly to the amazement of my fellow peers. Elder Cheney and I seem to be possible the most respected companionship in the district, which is incredible, because they're all rockstars. In fact, Elder Cheney and I even once made Hermana Masina cry with a scenario we were practicing on how to help someone accept the baptismal invitation after rejecting it. The Spirit and the gift of tongues are very powerful.
Gym time has been such a blast! The first day we did foosball with 10 pushups or 30 situps for allowing a goal and 50 pushups/100 situps for losing! So much fun! Then the second day we started our tradition of playing Speed (don´t worry, I have someone rebound and I never run) and I actually won the last game that day! I have been averaging top 4 in our district each time and iced a few people in ridiculous ways, but its always fun no matter what happens. Yesterday we got some work in in the weight room (which is tiny, BTW) and decided to switch off each day on lifting and Speed. It really helps me focus throughout the day!
Our district is sooo close together; we are quite possibly one of the funniest, goofiest districts here, but when it´s time to buckle down and feel the Spirit, we feel it in abundance. It´s incredible to read the scriptures in Spanish together and bear testimony together in Spanish. When you understand something in Spanish, you understand it better than in English and feel the Spirit stronger, in my experience here. When we read 3rd Nephi 17 together, we almost cried; I might never have felt the Spirit so strongly. I recommend you guys read it slowly and try to imagine the scene potently. The love of Jesus Christ is so sweet, so tender, and so incredibly powerful.
I would exhort you guys to read two books if you can; Our Search for Happiness (M. Russell Ballard) and Jesus the Christ (James E. Talmage). I finished Our Search this week and it is one of the most amazing books I´ve ever read; so simply written, and totally more of a conversation then a lecture. When combined with the Holy Scriptures, this book will help you feel the Spirit and understand the gospel unbelievably well. Jesus the Christ is not for the faint of heart; the language used in that book is so sophisticated that you have to buckle your mental seat belt and pull it out to lock into position. However, if you are prepared, it will truly enlighten you in inconceivable ways. I´m only 1/5 through the book and my mind has already been blown countless times.
Sundays here are nothing short of incredible. We have sacrament, district, and priesthood meetings in the morning, and they are truly special. I actually got to bless the sacrament this past week, and it was weird going from having it memorized in English to reading it in Doctrina y Convenios en Español. Then in the evenings, you have a lot of personal study time and interviews with the branch president. (We haves three districts in our branch; we are 14A) You often have two videos/devotionals, and its always incredible. Imagine the strongest Spirit you´ve ever felt; you feel that all day here each Sunday. In addition, I have now joined the MTC Choir, so that will be fun!
Our district is sooo close together; we are quite possibly one of the funniest, goofiest districts here, but when it´s time to buckle down and feel the Spirit, we feel it in abundance. It´s incredible to read the scriptures in Spanish together and bear testimony together in Spanish. When you understand something in Spanish, you understand it better than in English and feel the Spirit stronger, in my experience here. When we read 3rd Nephi 17 together, we almost cried; I might never have felt the Spirit so strongly. I recommend you guys read it slowly and try to imagine the scene potently. The love of Jesus Christ is so sweet, so tender, and so incredibly powerful.
I would exhort you guys to read two books if you can; Our Search for Happiness (M. Russell Ballard) and Jesus the Christ (James E. Talmage). I finished Our Search this week and it is one of the most amazing books I´ve ever read; so simply written, and totally more of a conversation then a lecture. When combined with the Holy Scriptures, this book will help you feel the Spirit and understand the gospel unbelievably well. Jesus the Christ is not for the faint of heart; the language used in that book is so sophisticated that you have to buckle your mental seat belt and pull it out to lock into position. However, if you are prepared, it will truly enlighten you in inconceivable ways. I´m only 1/5 through the book and my mind has already been blown countless times.
Sundays here are nothing short of incredible. We have sacrament, district, and priesthood meetings in the morning, and they are truly special. I actually got to bless the sacrament this past week, and it was weird going from having it memorized in English to reading it in Doctrina y Convenios en Español. Then in the evenings, you have a lot of personal study time and interviews with the branch president. (We haves three districts in our branch; we are 14A) You often have two videos/devotionals, and its always incredible. Imagine the strongest Spirit you´ve ever felt; you feel that all day here each Sunday. In addition, I have now joined the MTC Choir, so that will be fun!
Funny experiences:
°Lindon once tried to use Google Translate to tell us he went to a disco (because once again, I had no clue what he was talking about) and he accidentally got the word ''joint.'' Me and Elder Cheney panicked before he realized he made a mistake. xD
°Lindon once tried to use Google Translate to tell us he went to a disco (because once again, I had no clue what he was talking about) and he accidentally got the word ''joint.'' Me and Elder Cheney panicked before he realized he made a mistake. xD
°One day while prepping for Lindon, this guy came in asking where Hermana Garff was. Then he asked to see our planners. When I showed him, he said ''this won't do'', and committed us to learn 30 new words each day and report to our companion and the Lord each night, and that we would be able to be fluent in Spanish in 5 weeks. Turns out he was Elder Castañanzas (or something like that) of the 70!
Well, I´m out of time, but I love y'all so much and can´t wait to tell you more next week!
Well, I´m out of time, but I love y'all so much and can´t wait to tell you more next week!
Con amor,
Elder Newman
Elder Newman
Here are some questions that were asked:
Mom's questions:
1. What is your companion's name? Elder Andrew Cheney2. Where is he from? Orem! He went to Timp High
3. Is he also going to Uruguay? If not, where is he going? Yes, he is.
4. What is he like? Soo awesome. Even though i speak a littler bit better Spanish than he does, he understands what other people are saying 500x better, so we compliment each other perfectly. He also sang in Chamber Choir, so we bonded well in that regard
5. How many missionaries are in your district? 12 (including me and Elder Cheney) 10 elders, 2 hermanas
6. What are their names and what are they like? Elder Nadauld - Looks like Coleman Edwards and is soo funny yet spiritual. Zone leader. Elder Denham - other zone leader, baller, bears great testimony. Elder Knudsen - loves sports, great down-to-earth guy. Most frequent champion of Speed. Elder Cocheran - really quiet, but truly spiritual, and really funny when he does talk. Elder Ogborn - literally one of the funniest dudes I have ever met. We call him El Salvaje (the Savage); however, truly in tune with the Spirit. Elder Martin - true baller, little more quiet but totally real. Elder Adams - District leader. Such a happy, funny, upbeat guy with awesome Spanish. Loves to give abrazos (hugs). Elder Truman - Played offensive guard in high school as the only Mormon on the team; from Vegas. Such a funny guy; he does this voice when he brings you mail notices (because the district leaders have to do that) that could become famous in cartoons; its epic. Hermana Masina - cousin of Osa Masina who played soccer at Murray High (for you, Mom) ;). She is so funny and happy all the time. Hermana Garff - such a humble and hardworking girl who never gives up on her Spanish. Loves choir and singing alto, and unreal pianist.
7. Are you sleeping and eating well? Yes and YES.
8. What is the food like at the MTC? All sorts of varieties. Every Tuesday we get Costco Pizza (life made) and we get stuff throughout the week like steak, carne asada, pollo, and all sorts of stuff. And I always get a bowl of Melvin´s Chocolate Krispies for each meal
9. What is your daily schedule like? wake up at 6:30, study on own at 7, breakfast at 7:45, gym from 8:25-9:15 (our district lifts weights or plays speed depending on the day), class from 9.45-12.45, lunch at 12:45, personal study from 1.30-2.30, language study 2.30-3.15, companionship study/teaching investigator 3.15-6.15, cena (dinner) 6.15, study from 7.00-8.00, TALL language lab from 8.00-9.00, planning from 9.00-9.30, and bed at 10.30. Except now we´ll be teaching investigators in the morning and evening
10. How many missionaries are there at the MTC? under 800. will surpass 800 soon
Dad's questions:
1. Are you happy? Happiest I´ve ever been
2. How is the foot doing? Very well. No complaints
3. What PG boys have you seen? Elders Jordan Kirby, Will Livingston, Kegan Coon, Ben Anderson (arrived this week), Josh Lee, Stockton Hunsaker, Kegan Coon, Jaxon King, etc.
4. Did you get the packages that we sent? (donuts, letters and breakfast stuff) Yup! However, I didn´t get the first one until Monday, so everything was a little old xD donuts were still good, however! The packages are awesome, thanks! and i did get the letter!
5. Your brother just followed in your footsteps. We found out this morning that he was made a captain!! Congrats dude!!!! Nobody better for the job in my mind. Who are the others? Also, you know the Sky Bison from Sky View (tall receiver)? He´s here at the MTC, Elder Mortenson. And another Sky View kid (cross country) is in my casa room.
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