Well, changes week is pretty ridiculous as far as workload goes.
A new area got opened and to free up a house in the Zone (since it's a Sister companionship and there are no other Sisters that live nearby) I moved our storehouse of house materials (beds, fridges, etc) to our house and then moved over 120 boxes of proselyting material to the Change Meeting, all on Tuesday. Props of being a Secretary is having contacts with guys with trucks.
We're still in trio. Elder Hilton left but Elder Frazier came in (Elder Barwick is training him to be the next Migration Secretary). We've been pretty busy, but we're getting along. I created and updated reports, generated the Mission directory, taught the Zone Leaders about the Referral Manager system and caring for materials, President and I decided not to update the changes board since he does that online anyway, I have a birth certificate that I am trying really hard to get to the West Mission but it's not getting there, and President started doing interviews yesterday. I actually started writing yesterday but that got interrupted by said interviews. I cleaned out my desk, filed some reports, and stuff. The weird thing is that I still haven't talked with President in the interview setting, I just talked with Hermana Vásquez and as soon as I left the interview I found out everyone had decided to leave the Office right then and I had 30 seconds to wrap up for the Weekend. And that's why I'm writing Saturday. I will write next Wednesday as normal.
Ponderizing: Matthew 9:36-38
Well, that's the week. We haven't had as much time as I'd like in the area, but we have been able to help the positive investigators we have to progress.
It's time to get back to work soon. It's really uncomfortable writing on Saturday and in an Internet café (I'm already used to writing in the Office).
Follow the Gospel. Take in the words of life. Love God and do what He asks because it will be satisfying, happy, and meaningful. If you aren't being taught by Him actively, search out His Spirit. A week wasn't worth it if the heavens did not open and pour out knowledge on your soul.
De Sión,
Elder Newman
San Salvador Skyline
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
SALUTATIONS
This week was pretty spiffy.
Ponderizing: Isaiah 1:16-19. I realized that this verse is just an exposition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in reverse order (baptism, repentance, and faith by prayer). Another good thing: what justice can a man do if he is alone?
Monday was FAMILY HISTORY DAY. Because the 1nd and 2nd were Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Dead), President arranged with the cemeteries so that we could put up stands and teach about family history. I was expecting a kind of memorial day experience, but it was a lot like a festival. I also half-attended Mass for the first time, since they did it about 10m from the stand. And the traditional food is giant corn flakes, like 1 foot in diameter. You put some kind of syrup on them.
We got called to Office due to an Insurance Card problem and since we had nothing else to do in the Office besides wait for the Insurance Company to respond to us, I learned how to do family history! I found the three names that were missing in my 6 generations chart. I found Ellen Weaver´s parents and Mary Ann Davis´ mother. Ellen Weaver now can get sealed to her parents! Mary Ann already was. So I know all my ancestors for six generations. It's super cool. And I saw some of Uncle Roland'
s research on there. That was the first time I've looked for my own family names.
Final request: If you could, please send me your testimonies! I want to send them to converts.
And next week is changes! That means a ton of work! And I will probably write home on Friday since Wednesday is Change Meeting and we will be very busy! Elder Hilton assumedly has changes.
A good article in the Liahona that Sister Hoagland reminded me of:
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/04/the-power-of-faith?lang=eng
God has provided us with approx. one really prepared or willing family every week this transfer cycle. They're not ready to be baptized, but seeing their repentance process begin is wonderful.
There is no joy so sweet as seeing the Works of the Holy Ghost in people. After all, a traditional name for the Book of Acts is "The Acts of the Holy Ghost through the Apostles." When they begin to do works, when they leave evil behind, when they keep commandments, and when you start to see the light of Christ enter into them...
pues, no hay nada mejor.
Elder Newman
Ponderizing: Isaiah 1:16-19. I realized that this verse is just an exposition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in reverse order (baptism, repentance, and faith by prayer). Another good thing: what justice can a man do if he is alone?
Monday was FAMILY HISTORY DAY. Because the 1nd and 2nd were Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Dead), President arranged with the cemeteries so that we could put up stands and teach about family history. I was expecting a kind of memorial day experience, but it was a lot like a festival. I also half-attended Mass for the first time, since they did it about 10m from the stand. And the traditional food is giant corn flakes, like 1 foot in diameter. You put some kind of syrup on them.
s research on there. That was the first time I've looked for my own family names.
Final request: If you could, please send me your testimonies! I want to send them to converts.
And next week is changes! That means a ton of work! And I will probably write home on Friday since Wednesday is Change Meeting and we will be very busy! Elder Hilton assumedly has changes.
A good article in the Liahona that Sister Hoagland reminded me of:
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/04/the-power-of-faith?lang=eng
God has provided us with approx. one really prepared or willing family every week this transfer cycle. They're not ready to be baptized, but seeing their repentance process begin is wonderful.
There is no joy so sweet as seeing the Works of the Holy Ghost in people. After all, a traditional name for the Book of Acts is "The Acts of the Holy Ghost through the Apostles." When they begin to do works, when they leave evil behind, when they keep commandments, and when you start to see the light of Christ enter into them...
pues, no hay nada mejor.
Elder Newman
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The Church in El Salvador Salutes Thee
So, this was a good week. Just to specify, it was indeed a cold day in the Office when I last wrote, but I also had a fever which supplied most of the discomfort. The three of us in my companionship got amoebas! Assumedly an investigator gave us an insufficiently cooked soup. But we've all gotten over it, pretty much. And I learned about amoeba infection development cycles, since my amoebas were immature and caused less harm than they did to Elder Barwick, who had a mature infection.
I am ponderizing: D&C 67:13-14 (10-14).
The Relief Society President's son is moving to the States. It is a sad thing, although he'll probably be happier there, being fluent in English and the youth culture there probably being safer.
The doctrine of covenants is wonderful and clear and precious. We should probably focus on it more, since the corruption of the ordinances was, after all, one of the chief causes of apostasy (1 Nephi 1:27-28, verses 24-26 suggest that materialism and pride were the other significant cause).
It is well after my birthday, but a nifty gift would be sending me all-time favorites from General Conferences and Scriptures. I love scriptures and talks and have free access to them right now.
It's fun being in the Office after having spent so much time near San Salvador. I usually see a member from one of my old Wards about once a week.
I blessed the Sacrament on Sunday, for the first time since the MTC, over a year ago. It was wonderful, passing the cloth and meditating on the Sacramental Prayer with all the delicacy and meditation I could muster. Two of the talks were from members whom I believe are members of the Temple Presidency. It was good.
We're changing a lot in the weekly reports in the Office. We're also trying to run some inventories and we're thinking about creating materials to teach about the Sabbath Day, as the Church has not produced any pamphlets or stuff like that. Pass-along cards and pamphlets about the Sabbath Day would be wonderful!
Enduring to the End, Rejoicing to the End:
Making, Keeping, Renewing Covenants.
Let us live as the Lord's Covenant People!
Elder Jacob Thomas Newman
It was Elder Hilton's birthday yesterday. We bought a bunch of crepes.
A sheet I made for teaching about the ordinances of the Gospel.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Annual Cold Week in El Salvador
El Salvador chose this week as the one week in the year that is cold. I don't know why, but the administration of the building the Office is in has us freezing. Or at least me, because my corner is the coldest part for some reason. :<
It's rained a lot. I went to Church in suit and sweater. That felt really good. It feels more powerful.
The last week we lost contact with almost all of our new investigators and couldn't find any more, but yesterday we found a really good family that a recent convert brought to Church on Sunday.
Elder Hilton is sick, as is Elder Gomez (Migration Secretary).
There isn't a ton to report, more so because my brain is frozen. I'm working on some sheets to explain the progression of ordinances and then we're going to work on Sabbath Day materials next week. We're starting to get things ready for changes.
So, have a good day and week and life!
And I'm meditizando [meditating]Juan 14:12-13. I found more Teachings of the Prophets books so I'm reading those. And I want to be better at using the Scriptures and Inspired Questions in teaching.
Elder Newman
It's rained a lot. I went to Church in suit and sweater. That felt really good. It feels more powerful.
The last week we lost contact with almost all of our new investigators and couldn't find any more, but yesterday we found a really good family that a recent convert brought to Church on Sunday.
Elder Hilton is sick, as is Elder Gomez (Migration Secretary).
There isn't a ton to report, more so because my brain is frozen. I'm working on some sheets to explain the progression of ordinances and then we're going to work on Sabbath Day materials next week. We're starting to get things ready for changes.
So, have a good day and week and life!
And I'm meditizando [meditating]Juan 14:12-13. I found more Teachings of the Prophets books so I'm reading those. And I want to be better at using the Scriptures and Inspired Questions in teaching.
Elder Newman
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Hello World
Today is Wednesday, the normal, common weekday used for Preparation Day by missionaries.
Well, this week is going along. I've learned how to handle telephone robberies, made pupusas, started an inventory of fire alarms in the mission houses, started prepping some proselyting materials, bought stuff for the mission, got my driver's license, drove, and modified the numbers reports.
We also did divisions with the Young Men and their leaders Sunday. That was cool, even if we didn't find anyone to teach.
We're working a lot with converts and less-actives. We have 3 who are working on being reactivated, and a convert who we're prepping to receive his Patriarchal Blessing and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Even though we're opening the area, we have a lot of appointments, which makes it pretty hard to find new investigators, but we'll figure it out.
Ponderizing: Moses 7:62
Elder Newman
Well, this week is going along. I've learned how to handle telephone robberies, made pupusas, started an inventory of fire alarms in the mission houses, started prepping some proselyting materials, bought stuff for the mission, got my driver's license, drove, and modified the numbers reports.
We also did divisions with the Young Men and their leaders Sunday. That was cool, even if we didn't find anyone to teach.
We're working a lot with converts and less-actives. We have 3 who are working on being reactivated, and a convert who we're prepping to receive his Patriarchal Blessing and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Even though we're opening the area, we have a lot of appointments, which makes it pretty hard to find new investigators, but we'll figure it out.
Ponderizing: Moses 7:62
Elder Newman
Friday, October 9, 2015
No Subject
First: the funny thing about having you all write on Friday is that President gave us a PDay on Wednesday so this is the 2nd and last time I expect to write on Friday. Assumedly, I'll write next Wednesday. (It's a good change, given that last PDay on Monday we didn't leave the Office until 7 PM).
We have had General Conference, a Multizone Conference, and a pretty busy week. I'm fairly in the swing of things in the Office. I am working on D&C 20:37 for my ponderization. I loved something that was said in one of the prayers: Let us not only endure to the end, but enjoy to the end.
It seems to me that 3 significant themes were:
1. Women
2. Sabbath Day Observance
(after all, the Sabbath Day is the only day of the week where we are limited to the things we will do in the Celestial Kingdom. If we cannot enjoy them now or make them a priority, how will we be able to enjoy the Celestial Kingdom? God will not be so cruel as to assign us to the highest joy if we are not prepared or willing to understand it.)
3. Renewing Spiritual Happiness
The nice thing about being in the Office is that I know that a lot of my investigators in Villa Mariona went to Church :>
In our area, we've had some difficulties in finding a lot of positive people, but we do have a few good families. We taught a brief English class to 3 niñas yesterday. We've also moved houses (since we're opening a new area), moved a bunch of supplies (since we're trying to compact our material storage because we like to save money).
In theory, I should get my Salvadoreño Driver's License today. ¡Que chafa! I don't want to drive- I haven't driven for almost 2 years :y
It's really cool being in my old Ward, although 2/3 converts are inactive. But the members are all pretty great and it's great to see them again.
And to any missionaries or RMs interested, you could send me your baptism photos for a thing I'm doing. And photos in general are also appreciated.
And I felt a strong impulse a few days ago to extend my mission. I want your take on the idea, because I'm not sure yet.
We proselyte generally from 4 to 9, though we've gotten back 3 times at 8 PM, since this last week was beyond busy.
Conference was great, although there were some hiccups. A lot of my investigators from Villa Mariona went.
Elder Newman
We have had General Conference, a Multizone Conference, and a pretty busy week. I'm fairly in the swing of things in the Office. I am working on D&C 20:37 for my ponderization. I loved something that was said in one of the prayers: Let us not only endure to the end, but enjoy to the end.
It seems to me that 3 significant themes were:
1. Women
2. Sabbath Day Observance
(after all, the Sabbath Day is the only day of the week where we are limited to the things we will do in the Celestial Kingdom. If we cannot enjoy them now or make them a priority, how will we be able to enjoy the Celestial Kingdom? God will not be so cruel as to assign us to the highest joy if we are not prepared or willing to understand it.)
3. Renewing Spiritual Happiness
The nice thing about being in the Office is that I know that a lot of my investigators in Villa Mariona went to Church :>
In our area, we've had some difficulties in finding a lot of positive people, but we do have a few good families. We taught a brief English class to 3 niñas yesterday. We've also moved houses (since we're opening a new area), moved a bunch of supplies (since we're trying to compact our material storage because we like to save money).
In theory, I should get my Salvadoreño Driver's License today. ¡Que chafa! I don't want to drive- I haven't driven for almost 2 years :y
It's really cool being in my old Ward, although 2/3 converts are inactive. But the members are all pretty great and it's great to see them again.
And to any missionaries or RMs interested, you could send me your baptism photos for a thing I'm doing. And photos in general are also appreciated.
And I felt a strong impulse a few days ago to extend my mission. I want your take on the idea, because I'm not sure yet.
We proselyte generally from 4 to 9, though we've gotten back 3 times at 8 PM, since this last week was beyond busy.
Conference was great, although there were some hiccups. A lot of my investigators from Villa Mariona went.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Hello. I have an abundance of time to write you all and nothing to say.
Hello, everyone! I now write on Fridays! Isn't that wonderful?
Well, changes came and the long-anticipated suprise-to-no-one event occured: I am now in the Mission Office. I will be the new General Secretary, which means I do everything nobody else does (materials, references, numbers, reports). It's kind of weird doing a desk job, especially since I was feeling pretty good about the work, but así que se vaya. El Señor doesn't change things up if there is no potential to increase your happiness.
The most surprising part about that is that I already have a lot of time in the mission. The General Secretary who's leaving the Office is Elder Hilton, who came with me to the mission. One is usually in the Office for 4+ transfer cycles, and I only have 5 left. I'll probably spend 4 changes here and leave to work hard my last change. That means if you happened to be planning to send me something, right now would be quite opportune, as I am the one who processes mail.
The other surprise is that they closed the old area of my group of secretaries. That means I am simultaneously opening area, learning secretary work, and doing said work. We also have the luck that it is the beginning of both the month and the transfer, which means all the monthly reports are due and all the transfer specific reports have to be updated and issued. To this point, we have left the Office no earlier than 6 PM. I have: copy-pasted a bajillion times, remembered how to use Excel, checked a mission vehicle, organized a bunch of packets, answered a ton of calls to a business called Manpower who used to have our number, and yeah.
The third sorpresita is that the new area we're opening happens to be the other area of my 2nd Ward! I'm back in Los Alpes, San Marcos, just on the other side. I still haven't seen too many people, because, well, we've only gotten back to the area at 7 and have had to leave at 8 given that we have no house, but I've seen Bishop and a few more people. And we've found 1 investigator. Yeah!
A picture on LDS.org (of President Nelson meeting with the mission presidents of the area). If the camera were angled 20° or so to the right, I'd be there.
In the photos: some photos from Villa Mariona (I really liked that area) and my trio, Elder B (the migration secretary), Elder H, and myself.
I suppose that's everything. It's weird having a desk job, using a computer, and all that, but at least it means I'll be more prepped for coming home. :/ I just don't like the prospect of having to drive a car again, which assumedly I'll do soon.
Elder Newman
Remember, Fridays are the day!
Well, changes came and the long-anticipated suprise-to-no-one event occured: I am now in the Mission Office. I will be the new General Secretary, which means I do everything nobody else does (materials, references, numbers, reports). It's kind of weird doing a desk job, especially since I was feeling pretty good about the work, but así que se vaya. El Señor doesn't change things up if there is no potential to increase your happiness.
The most surprising part about that is that I already have a lot of time in the mission. The General Secretary who's leaving the Office is Elder Hilton, who came with me to the mission. One is usually in the Office for 4+ transfer cycles, and I only have 5 left. I'll probably spend 4 changes here and leave to work hard my last change. That means if you happened to be planning to send me something, right now would be quite opportune, as I am the one who processes mail.
The other surprise is that they closed the old area of my group of secretaries. That means I am simultaneously opening area, learning secretary work, and doing said work. We also have the luck that it is the beginning of both the month and the transfer, which means all the monthly reports are due and all the transfer specific reports have to be updated and issued. To this point, we have left the Office no earlier than 6 PM. I have: copy-pasted a bajillion times, remembered how to use Excel, checked a mission vehicle, organized a bunch of packets, answered a ton of calls to a business called Manpower who used to have our number, and yeah.
The third sorpresita is that the new area we're opening happens to be the other area of my 2nd Ward! I'm back in Los Alpes, San Marcos, just on the other side. I still haven't seen too many people, because, well, we've only gotten back to the area at 7 and have had to leave at 8 given that we have no house, but I've seen Bishop and a few more people. And we've found 1 investigator. Yeah!
A picture on LDS.org (of President Nelson meeting with the mission presidents of the area). If the camera were angled 20° or so to the right, I'd be there.
In the photos: some photos from Villa Mariona (I really liked that area) and my trio, Elder B (the migration secretary), Elder H, and myself.
I suppose that's everything. It's weird having a desk job, using a computer, and all that, but at least it means I'll be more prepped for coming home. :/ I just don't like the prospect of having to drive a car again, which assumedly I'll do soon.
Elder Newman
Remember, Fridays are the day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)