December 7, 2015

Hello everyone!

So I know that it has been some time now that I have written about my experiences and time here.  The honest truth is just that some other things have been in the way to where I dont feel as joyful or excited to write lately.  Dont worry!!  I feel great now though!  just wearing my santa hat writing you all. We have been having some experiences as a district to unify ourselves and to up our Animo here.  Really all in order to help ourselves be more committed to what were doing out here.  To most, everyone knows what a missionary is and going on a mission.  I feel impressed to tell you that it so, so much more.  This is a great test for anyone who decides to serve.  You come to know who sent you to serve.  You come to realize and treasure who it is that the Lord has asked you to find and rescue from that spiritual darkness or absence.  Every single member of the Church is a missionary.  It is them who carry that light that is shone forth when they made that promise to God to stand for Him.  

Matt 22
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 38 This is the first and greatcommandment.

 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Everything we do depends on whether we really love God, and we choose to follow His Son, Jesus Christ in all things, to keep His commandments.

In all our efforts to live each day the best we can to the example of Christ, there are forces that attempt to have us break these commandments that God gives us to have happiness and guidance in our lives.  Obviously I have not mentioned all , but just 2 very important ones.  I love the Lord, and all He has done for me in my life with my family.  By loving the Lord, I want to obey His commandments.  They aren't from my church leaders, nor my mission president, nor the apostles or the prophet's (though they ARE revealed to us through them) but they are God's.  As I have said before, probably 4 weeks ago, again Im sorry to everyone, they..will..never..change.  They are eternal, and it is by and ONLY through Jesus Christ by following His gospel, that we might receive eternal life.  I love how it says "might" meaning it is possible, NOT guaranteed.  This is the way to come to know our Heavenly Father again, and to be sealed with our families for eternity.  

I really do love the mission.  For the past couple of weeks I have been contemplating on what my thoughts are about being here.  Not about leaving or anything!  I just mean reflecting on the time here Ive had so far.  The realization that these are souls that dont have the light or complete light for that matter in their lives.  Christ calls imperfect people to perform His great work.  What an immense amount of trust He places in us, and oh, how much more we must do all we can to Keep His Commandments and Love God in ALL that we do.  I know He lives, and that our Father in Heaven will give us all the help we ask for because He loves us.  We have a choice always to be happy.  It really is a choice from us.  And only God can give that happiness to us, for no thing on this earth that has been created by man can do such a thing for eternity, but only the Son of God and His words, our families and the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation are we able to have everlasting happiness.  

I love you all and will send pictures next week.  A ton too.  I forgot my camera cord today.  bummer!   but I love you all.  Follow the Savior!  After all, following God and His ways is really the only intelligent thing to do and much easier, rather than fight and be stubborn and miss out on the blessings only He can give.  Mucho amor por ustedes! 

Elder Newman