First: Happy Thanksgiving!
Second: I found this just like 2 hours ago! I didn't know there was a fine art culture in the Church like this. It's so fantastically cool: https://history.lds.org/exhibit/iac-2015-tell-me-the-stories-of-jesus?lang=eng
Art is marvelous.
Third: the Mission is great and we found a ton of very good people! The only problem is that we barely have time to visit them all! We're trying to work more with members so as to be able to cover everything. Last weekend was miraculous. We hadn't found any new investigators all week, but Saturday we found 6 and 10 on Sunday, including some super positive people!
My special thanks right now is for the Mission because it is a very great thing finding the Lord's escogidos (elect). I have met a bajillion people in the last year and some undetermined amount of time, and most of them were dormant children of God, but when you start finding the princes of the Kingdom of God, it's marvelous marvelous marvelous (it's worth at least 2 more marvelouses than fine Gospel art).
Have a great week! Work hard! Choose not what is good, not what is better, but that which is best!
Como decimos aquí,
¡saluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuú!
Elder Newman
Fotos: people I worked with in other areas who got baptized last month :>
(Office perk 1: seeing baptismal photos of old investigators after you have changes)
San Salvador Skyline
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Piedra Angular
Well, it hasn't been exactly what you would call a ton of time since my last letter. But I am happy to report that Saturday and Sunday we found some people very likely to be baptized. We found 5 old investigators who already know that they should be members of the Church and a little girl who has attended Church a ton.
Also, an investigator named Lidia está con todo. She told us that she hald felt really really happy while getting ready for Church and is now just waiting for her baptismal date on Dec. 4. We've been teaching everyone the Word of Wisdom right quick to make sure they don't have problems. It's pretty exciting. I'm also processing a metric metaphorical ton of referrals from the previously mentioned cemetery activity. I wish Google Earth had just slightly better coverage of Eastern El Salvador.
:>
Be happy!
Ponderizing: Helaman 5:6-7
Since this transfer is only four weeks long, it'll be a bit hectic, but ni modo. We'll just have to be happier for it.
How Firm a Foundation is a wonderful hymn and my appreciation for it has soared since I sung it for President Nelson.
I hope you all keep well and receive a healthier portion of the Spirit. Let's work hard in the best of causes, because the better the cause and the harder the work, the more fruitful our future.
Elder Newman
Fare thee well, Saints in Zion. :>
Also, an investigator named Lidia está con todo. She told us that she hald felt really really happy while getting ready for Church and is now just waiting for her baptismal date on Dec. 4. We've been teaching everyone the Word of Wisdom right quick to make sure they don't have problems. It's pretty exciting. I'm also processing a metric metaphorical ton of referrals from the previously mentioned cemetery activity. I wish Google Earth had just slightly better coverage of Eastern El Salvador.
:>
Be happy!
Ponderizing: Helaman 5:6-7
Since this transfer is only four weeks long, it'll be a bit hectic, but ni modo. We'll just have to be happier for it.
How Firm a Foundation is a wonderful hymn and my appreciation for it has soared since I sung it for President Nelson.
I hope you all keep well and receive a healthier portion of the Spirit. Let's work hard in the best of causes, because the better the cause and the harder the work, the more fruitful our future.
Elder Newman
Fare thee well, Saints in Zion. :>
Saturday, November 14, 2015
I like life
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
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
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
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