January 3, 2017

​Hello everyone!

 

So just in case anyone missed it, and now that I have more information after being in my new area for a week, I am now living in Los Fresnos, TX which is just about 25 min north of Brownsville.  I love it here. Very similar to my first area in Donna where it is very spaced out compared to Laredo.  More in the country and very quiet and peaceful here.  Church was awesome this week as I got to meet all the members here and do my best to get myself up to speed with everything that I need to know.  As well, Brownsville is the most coveted zone to be in in the mission.  I cant wait to see why, but I already feel comfortable and excited here.  But the fun part is the same thing I have been doing for the last 18 months: that is to preach the gospel.  That is to teach everyone that they can have something better than what the have right now. To teach them that if they put forth a little faith and a little work on their part, then God will fulfill the things that we always ask Him for. 

 

I have a new companion whose name is Elder Porter.  He was companions with my last comp, mijo, Elder Volcanes.  So I am still training, but now I am a stepfather too.  haha  We have already had fun adventures together as we are both learning the area, as he has only been here for 7 weeks in the mission.  

 

I hope that everyone had a great New Year and a safe one too.  I am aware that most of the world had a "fun" New Year, as if people needed an excuse to engage in the world, when I think it is interesting that they do it anyways every day of the year.  Of course, nothing will stop us from choosing what we want to do.  My words are not directed to those that are trapped in the vices of the world that try to get away, but rather to those that purposely choose to ignore, and seek after their own desires. The thing that still baffles me is why they would choose the world and its master, who is Satan vs. God, who is our Master and Maker.  Why?  Why do people not follow our Heavenly Father and our shepherd, who is the Lord Christ.  And I came to remember counsel given from a general authority of the Church which in essence says that they who love to be of the world, drinking, partying unrighteously, having children outside of marriage, ignoring God and His commandments, and as the scriptures say that "they set at naught the counsels of God...that they trample under their feet, who is the Holy One of Israel.."  these children of God who love to do these things serve sin and love sin, more than they love God.  It is a very sad and unfortunate choice they are making to "waste the days of their probation"  and they "willingly" choose "captivity and death" rather than freeing themselves from these evils and choosing life. 

 

I want to share a favorite story of mine from the Book of Mormon, it is very simple and I wont comment on it much, but Ill let you discern the message for yourselves ..

 

"8 Now it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom.

 9 And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas.

 10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.

 11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.

 12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.

 13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.

 14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.

 15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they pled with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired.

 16 And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king.

 17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader.

 18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died."

 Oops.  Because Lehonti stepped off the mountain, he allowed evil to get him and take him down.  In our days, Satan sneaks up to us, with his chains ready to lash on us, just as an alligator in the water, waiting carefully.   He will snatch you, and take you down to hell, preventing you from being able to be blessed by your Heavenly Father.

 

I know that these same kinds of words come all the time but they are important.  As I have said before, the way to escape the world and its master is through your Savior, Jesus Christ.  And not only to confess Him, but you need to repent, change and come unto Him, follow Him, follow what He commands.  Please,  come to Him, He will literally save you from falling off the deep end forever.  I beg all of you to stay close to the Savior, both in your mind AND in your heart.  And I know that deep down, you want to live forever, with your family.  This is the only way that you can have that.  There is no other, no matter what opinions are.  Do not allow yourselves to be acted upon in any way.  Remain agents unto yourselves before Satan takes it away from you.  I love you all to keep inviting you to make those changes in your lives and awake to the reality that is around you.  

Elder Newman

 

 

December 27, 2016

Hello everyone, 

Christmas was awesome!!    Had the best time, meeting up with all my old friends I met in the mission when I first came in.  All the missionaries met up together and we had our Christmas Conference with our President on Tuesday.  Whats more is that we had some Christmas dinner parties in the branches that we serve in.  But the best is being able to help everyone stay true and faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ by remembering His birth into  the world and remembering and understanding why He came to do it.  My two favorite scriptures with a strong invitation to come unto Him say

 26 "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."   Omni 1:26

32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."    Moroni 10:32-33

I know that while these are the invitations, we have the choice ALWAYS to accept and follow it or not.  But everyone is able to receive that divine help and healing IF they want it.  Just as any parent gives the blessing promised as well as any consequence should a child choose the other way, so does our Heavenly Father lovingly warn us of what will come as a result of our choices.  I love how clear and simple the gospel is to know that the Savior is the Shepherd to lead us through the darkness, that we wont fall.  

I hope that everyone had an awesome Christmas with their families and friends and remember who it is that created us and our home, this earth.  He should be first and foremost in our lives more than any of our possessions or material things or our jobs.  The reason being that you can go back to your home, your heavenly home, where we once lived, and we can live in His presence.  Living the Gospel of Christ is the way to do this and no other way.  Absolutely no other way exists.  

Last thing is that I am being transferred!  Im leaving to a place called Los Fresnos, close to Brownsville TX   way on the other side of the mission and close to the gulf of Mexico.  Will be very humid.  uh oh. =/  Have a good week everyone.  Love you 

Elder Newman

December 19, 2016

Merry Christmas everyone!1  This week, remember to always think of the Savior, Jesus Christ!  He above all else should be the focus of your attention, not just for during this month, but always.!!  Have a good week with your families and again, Merry Christmas!

Elder Newman

December 12, 2016

Hello everyone!

4 "And after they had been received unto baptism, and wer wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ, and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

5 "And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

6 "And the meet together oft to partake of bread and wine(water), in rememberance of the Lord Jesus"

Moroni 6:5-6

In these three verses is how God performs His work and His glory.  Nothing will ever be forced upon us. But I ask you, if there is anyone it applies to, I just wonder this as we go about teaching everyone we can find in any area, why would one not want this?  Why would no one want to be numbered with Christ, and gathering with one another in love and unity, to increase our soul's well being and remembering Him?  I cant fathom a guess, but I love to be here to help those that dont have that, that they may find that happiness.  I love you all and hope you are doing great furthering your learning in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Merry Christmas!

Elder Newman

December 5, 2016

Hello everyone!!

It has been a great week this week.  Went and did service for someone down in Zapata, which is about an hour south of Laredo.  It was pretty great , being able to resemble the Lord and serve others as He served.  I have a testimony that thinking about others first relieves alot of worries and stress.  For this I leave everyone 3 Nephi 13 to read in the Book of Mormon, particularly at the end of the chapter.  Im sorry I dont have much time but I try my best to keep you all in the loop with pictures!  I hope everyone is doing well.  Have a good week everyone!  Miss you all.  

Elder Newman

November 28, 2016

Hello everyone!!  

sorry dont have much time today but I am very grateful for this time that I have been able to have with serving this mission for the Savior Jesus Christ, becoming the man that he wants and needs me to by but moreso through finding, teaching, and inviting those other children of His that are waiting to hear the restored gospel.  Im always so happy when I hear someone in need of help just because it means that the power of God can manifest itself to them.  It is a humbling and holy priviledge and opportunity to represent Him to everyone in search of them.  I love you all.  Thanksgiving was awesome.  We of course ate a ton of food.  but I remembered the things that I am thankful for as I do every day.  I do know that we offend 
God if we dont thank Him or recognize His hand in all things that He gives us.  Always every single day, thank your Heavenly Father for the new day that you have to live and excersise your faith in Him.  Thank Him for your families and their wel being  Thank Him for all that you are.  He is your God and King, but moreso  your Father in Heaven, and He loves you so much.  I know this is true.  Until next week!

Elder Newman

November 14, 2016

Hello everyone!

Transfers again are here and many changes are happening.  Half our zone is going elsewhere but that means we will have new faces around up here in Laredo.  I learned that I am staying again to become a total of 6 months at least BUT as well I will apparently be a Trainer!! I have no idea what I feel right now but what a great opportunity to be humble to depend on the Lord right now even moreso as its Greenie time!  haha   I dont know who he is yet but tomorrow I will meet him down in McAllen, so next week you can all know.

More changes are slowly progressing and happening within the mission but all due to revelation received from President Torres.  We will be teaching in both languages again rather than being assigned to an english area or spanish area.  It will be a great experience since Ive never had English investigators.  

What else is new?  Im not sure but Heavenly Father is very aware of us, His children always.  He always puts certain tests and trials in our path so that we may learn and grow from them, gaining experience that will benefit us greatly in the future and all the while, learning how to have faith and enduring well through them.