Week 77: Placentero Nos Es Trabajar

Buenas!

The reunion we all hoped to dream for ❤️ (Editor’s note: This is Luna from Baúl and not the dog that bit Hermana Newton)

This old man was selling these plants in front of the supermarket, and I figured I might as well help him out while I have Guatemalan money to spend

I know it’s been pointed out time and time again, but endings are really hard. I haven’t ever particularly liked them. It was hard to leave Monticello†, it was hard to leave Granger‡, and it was so hard to leave my first year at Utah State§.

A final zone conference selfie

My mission has made me a bit of an expert in leaving. I had to leave Utah for Tennessee, Tennessee for Kentucky**, and Kentucky for Guatemala. I’ve been in three of my six areas for only one transfer. You’d think at this point I would find it easier, but it still breaks my heart, and I’m still definitely a crier.

The power went out for part of the building while we were watching General Conference! But! We English-speakers were in the family history center in the part where the transmission was seamlessly broadcasting

By and large, it was another beautiful, eventful, happy week. So many fun street contacts, lessons, and noches de hogar happened. I saw the smallest of miracles that reminded me just how well Heavenly Father sees and knows us. And we got to have Zone and General Conference! Everything taught made me so jealous of the people who still get to be missionaries, because there is so much work to do, and it brings so much joy! That’s a truth that deserves to be universally acknowledged.

Hermana Gladis is a baker, and she gave us two cupcakes each!!!

If you know, you know 😏

This is literally the best feeling, I cannot emphasize this enough

I kept the best scripture for last. Some of the verses are on my missionary plaque hanging in my meetinghouse at home. It’s in Moses 6, and it reads:

32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.

34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.

I remember the first time I read these verses, walking around my kitchen at 10 p.m. my freshman year of high school. I was just trying to get half of the chapter finished for seminary, but I stayed up later than I planned and read the other 34 verses that make up this chapter. Because I just couldn’t get enough.

This experience formed so much of my love for the scriptures, but it also founded something equally important within me. It was the message of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and what it means to me. It has never been about approval, or brownie points, or social pressure. It has always been about me wanting more than anything else to serve the Lord God who made me. His Spirit was upon me almost six years ago in what started out as a hasty scripture study, and it’s upon me now. He has justified my words, and even if they haven’t changed the physical world around me, they have changed my nature. He has been so patient, and so selfless, and so loving, to abide with me all of this time. I’ll continue walking with him, for as long as that road goes. And that feeling doesn’t have to leave. John 17:3 says:

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

—Nos vemos§§,

Hermana Newton

* The title of this week’s email comes from a hymn in the Spanish-language edition of the Latter-day Saint hymnal.

† Monticello Academy, where Hermana Newton attended grades 1–8.

‡ Granger High School.

§ Hermana Newton unexpectedly had to finish her first year of college at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

** Because of travel restrictions associated with the pandemic, Hermana Newton began her mission on temporary reassignment to the Tennessee Nashville Mission, which includes parts of Kentucky. She was in Columbia, Tenn., for about six months and in Bowling Green, Ky., for seven weeks.

§§ Hermana Newton will speak in our worship service on April 24, and we’ll have a little open house the evening before. Please contact her mother if you would like details and/or a Zoom link. Thanks for your support of Hermana Newton!

Week 76: The Penultimate P-Day

Pleasantries!

I would be everyone’s favorite aardvark if I had a yellow sweater :(

Sadly I couldn’t come up with any other greeting that started with P. If someone happens to think one up, clue me in!

Hermana Jacky’s cat is literally named Garfield, and it’s so funny.

El Prado is still a beautiful, gorgeous, fantastic area. I’m so lucky to serve here, and to have my companion, and to be a missionary. Time is going by too fast, and it is not fair at all.

It’s my final Four Week!

This week (as you'll be able to tell from the photos) was so fun! We were busy, which is the best thing a missionary can be. We started off with the ground running, because Tuesday was Four Week (where you test the news missionaries #skillz four weeks into the transfer), and Hermana Nelson did amazingly! It was weird to hear the nurses give the presentation without me being up there, but I seriously love being around other missionaries so much, and Hermana Nelson is such a good missionary. I’m so proud of her and everything she’s accomplishing. It’s also such a beautiful thing to spend all your time with someone you love. I am super grateful for her patience with me!

The sister part of the Sistrito vibing during the service project

We had some great lessons and family home evenings, met new people, got a new ward mission leader, and we even got to do a service project on Saturday! I say “we” very generously because the farmer lady saw me with the hoe for five seconds and kept on taking it from me to try and show me the proper technique. I eventually just sat down and supervised, but at least I put forth an effort!

Showing off the dress I altered with an artistically placed sash

For those of you who aren’t aware, the last half of 2 Nephi 26 is absolutely fire. I’ll just share a few of these verses as an example:

23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.

…

28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

Something I’ve learned a lot on my mission is how often people blame injustice on God and how inherently unfair that judgment is. God is the source of good. His entire purpose is to bring about our happiness (Moses 1:39). Like any good parent, everything he does has the aim of achieving that goal. All that he does is focused on helping us “partake of his goodness.” The scripture is exactly right. None are forbidden. Alma 42 describes it perfectly:

27 … whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.

The truth of the matter is that we keep God out, not the other way around. But the truth that’s probably more important is that he will always be there to meet us. We just have to open the door.

—Peace out (girl scout),

Hermana Newton

Week 75: Bewared

Good morning, New York!

At the Colina/Las Rosas baptismal service

Or anywhere else you might be. Is anyone actually reading this from New York? The chances are pretty low, but still.

Keep your voice down low! (Only true “High School Musical” fans will understand this reference)

Since March 15th happened this week*, I wanted to order a Little Caesar’s pizza to keep up with the family tradition. I guess I should have given more serious thought into the occasion we were celebrating, because that day, our Uber Eats app stopped working. We asked a member if they knew if Little Caesar’s could do delivery in Guatemala, which it can’t. But! Members can! And so la familia Merida brought the pizza, and and was an Ides of March miracle.

We took some pix with a missionary hopeful!

On Friday, we had a ton of stuff scheduled, but, in typical missionary fashion, it all kept falling through. Even lunch! And lunch never falls through, so that was devastating. One of these appointments was a photo shoot of us teaching members (it’s part of a mission project), but when the office elders finally got there,  we had a silly time, because the members ended up inviting all their extended family to be in the photo, so it was around 20 people on a couch and four chairs. I don’t know how we made it work, but we did. I think Guatemalans are just masters at human Tetris.

Yes, I did order hot chocolate with marshmallows at the ward council/fancy dinner.

I was reading in the beginning of the Book of Mormon, and I thought that the comparison in 2 Nephi 2 and 4 was so interesting! In 2 Nephi 4, Nephi says:

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

I think we’ve all felt this, one way or another. Our imperfections and mistakes are a heavy load to carry. But when we have the perspective offered to us by Lehi in 2 Nephi 2:

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so … righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. …

...

22 … if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. …

23 … wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

It is so easy for us to get down on ourselves for not getting right every time. Even when you’re a prophet! But all of the knowledge and experience we get to have in this life is for our gain! As we learn, we get to choose to be better! It’s a part of the opportunity we have to become. And as we do, we’ll be shocked by where we end up.

—XOXO,

Hermana Newton

* Hermana Newton’s mother is very tardy in updating the blog this week.

Week 74: ¡Chale! A Chucho Tried to Chomp Mi Atrás!

Happy Pi Day!

That’s right, Hermana Nelson and I are on the selfie train now (we normally just take pictures of food)

I can probably say this about every week I’ve ever been in Xela, but wow! This was such a good week! Being a missionary is so fun, especially when you’re being a missionary with Hermana Nelson. This woman is such an icon, and I love her so much. Are we sure I can’t finish her training? Just for kicks and giggles.

You’ve got to love a selfie with a cityscape

Honestly, the thing making me most excited to go home right now is hearing the alarm clock every morning and knowing that soon I’ll be able to put it on snooze. Other than that, I really feel like I could convert to an elder’s length of service. Which is something I never thought I’d say. But I think the universe is trying to see me out the door. Let me explain what happened yesterday.

The distrito having a night on the town …

So we stopped by the Boj Family Sunday Lunch, and when we entered their house, their villain of a dog bit me in the butt! Looks like someone misunderstood a common idiom. Anyway, he didn’t actually bite me hard enough so that he ruined my dress or shed blood. But it still hurt!

… to celebrate Elder Alvarado’s birthday …

Besides being harassed by a chihuahua, we taught some great lessons, and we had one of the coolest finding experiences of my life. Basically, before lunch on Saturday, we were talking to people on the street, and we got to this one older guy just sitting on the curb. Pretty prime street contacting material, if you ask me. So we started a conversation, explained that we were missionaries, and said that if he wasn’t able to talk, we could schedule another time to share something. And then he said, “Oh, my ride’s not coming for a while. I’ve got time.” So we shared the first part of the message of the restoration, expecting him to need to leave after that, but he told us to keep going, and we just taught lesson one on the side of the road and got someone reading from the Book of Mormon before walking down the street to lunch.

… complete with party hats

I’m pretty sure most of you know Doctrine and Covenants 18, where it says:

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

But the next verse is also an absolute treasure:

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

When I first read these verses on my mission, I thought that souls could only be brought unto God when they were baptized. But that is completely untrue! Baptism is just one of many ways a soul is brought unto God, and the truth is that I have barely scratched the surface of those millions of acts we can do to achieve that result. And it has brought me great joy! Nothing will ever come close to the feeling you get from sharing the gospel with someone else and seeing how happy it makes them. Even if it’s only for a moment. Because the joy I receive from that is so eternal. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’d even let a dog bite me in the butt (but only barely). Because it’s worth it.

—Beware the Ides of March!

Hermana Newton

Week 73: The Edge of Seventeen

Hello, hello, hello!

No matter how “city” an area, there will always be hills to climb.

Another dime, another P-Day, as some have been known to say. I can’t believe that we’ve made it to Monday again, and I also can’t believe that I’ve hit my *whispers* 17-month mark. I feel like I’m going to cry, because I seriously can’t believe it.

That’s right folks, a real missionary walking the streets of Xela

But anyway, on to the week as it occurred! It started off a little silly because on Wednesday, I had to go to the capital! That’s right, folks. I should be getting my ID any day. Probably the same day I get on the plane to go home. Seriously, I really hope that I can have that ID as a recuerdo, because I did three two-day trips for it.

Hermana Nelson’s burrito was on a plate that had this Mondrian design!

The week after the capital trip was filled with us meeting practically all of the members with the Relief Society president, Hermana Karina, as well as a fair share of investigators! There is so much work to do here in El Prado, and I’m seriously so excited about it every day.

Who’s this pro gamer?

Of course, all weeks have to include a wild card, and mine came on Saturday, when my mom messaged me saying that the family had permission to call me because they had “good news, not bad.” This left much room for interpretation. I was starting to wonder if I was getting married or something. But it turned out that my dad had gotten called as the bishop of the Jordan North 6th Ward! Unfortunately, this means I know someone will be checking up on My Plan with me now.

The moon is the best thing about Xela and I love it

At this point, it should come as no surprise that I absolutely love the Pearl of Great Price, especially the Book of Moses. Here’s a part of Chapter 1.

4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.
…
6 And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son.

God’s works are infinite, and to a degree of glory beyond our imagination. But the beautiful part of that is that not only are we his children, but that he has made room for us in his plan! As I’ve been learning to envision what my life is going to be like a month from now, something that’s really touched my heart is 1) how badly Heavenly Father wants me to be happy, and 2) that he’s already figured it out. I don’t know all the streets and landmarks I’ll pass, but I do know the final destination. And what a beautiful place that is.

A lil Easter egg we found at Ta’ConVos

—As Always,

Hermana Newton

Week 72: Boomerang!

You’re not gonna believe this.

We’re the smallest zone in the mission, but obviously the most powerful.

This has been one of the craziest weeks of my entire mission. Which is saying a lot, because I’ve seen my fair share of appendicitis cases and had to move to a foreign country, but transfers sort of always feel like that.

We loved hanging out with the elders in Chiquilajá who were also waiting for their trainees!

Let me call you back to Wednesday morning. We arrived at the chapel dark and early at the hour of 5 a.m. We then proceeded to wait until 5:40 for the bus to get to us so we could load everything, and by 6 we were finally on our way to Xela!

At the transfer meeting, they announced the trainers! Which included yours truly. I was not surprised, but when they announced my area I sure was. And that area is …

Our whole district was already at the training meeting!

EL PRADO IN XELA!!!

When President Roden sent me to Huehue, he basically said that I had a lot more of the mission to experience and he didn’t want me “stuck in Xela.” So I thought he would never send me back. I cannot emphasize how far my jaw dropped from underneath my mask. Prado is literally a bordering area with Baúl. I'm in my old district again with Hermana Noyola! It is such a party. The first time I saw Hermana Noyola in person again, I cried because I was so happy. But now it’s becoming normal and I’m not as much of an emotional wreck.

The gang’s all here.

Our companions didn’t fly in until Friday afternoon, and we didn’t get to meet them until Saturday morning, so for half of the week I was in a trio in Prado with two other trainers—Hermana Hid and Hermana Aragon! Those ladies are such a vibe. We got to do a service project with my new-old district, contact some people, and order food from Uber Eats again! The joys of modern living.

Our most prized possession.

My trainee is Hermana Nelson! She is the cutest cinnamon roll on the planet, and I will literally protect her at all costs. She’s from Brigham City, which means she is my one and only Utah companion! And seriously, I cannot emphasize how pure she is.

Psalm 29 says:

11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

I wasn’t necessarily nervous about training. I’ve been asking to do it for the last two transfers. But I have felt the Lord give me and my companion strength, and I have felt the peace that I’m promised bless me. Even when I won’t have all the answers, God will.

We love helping people move. Just call us the Elders Quorum 😎 

It is such a miracle to be a missionary. Even when you don’t get a crazy amount of contacts, or find a family of 20, or have any other sensational, storytelling situation happen. Every day, you get to become a little more like the person Heavenly Father has been able to see this entire time. And that’s completely true, wherever you are.

—From Home,

Hermana Newton

Week 71: One and Done

Happy Last P-Day of the Transfer!

A picture Elder Lemus finally remembered to send me from the Christmas zone conference that I just think is pretty neat

What? That isn’t a holiday? My bad. But today really is the last P-Day of the transfer, and boy, do I have some news.

Oh Huehue Central/Calvario, how I have loved thee

But on to talking about the week! In a word, it was hard. I have to be honest, it is not a good idea to put a missionary in quarantine in her penultimate transfer. Her motivation drops drastically, whether she likes it or not. But, if anything, that meant that zone conference could not have come at a more perfect time for me. I felt like every single training was made to remind me of my purpose and the true joy that comes from sharing the gospel! Seriously, this zone conference was so special. And even though I’m not the Perfect Missionary™️ after attending, all I want to do is implement everything I’ve learned now, and in this next transfer and area.

I’m happy to report that the zone from time to time knows how to behave like normal missionaries

Wait, did I just say next area? As in, a new one?

That’s right, ladies! (Sorry if gents and otherwise felt left out by that.) Hermana Herrera is staying here in Cerrito/Viña, and I'm being shipped off to Who-Knows-Where?, Guatemala. There was so little suspense with transfers as the mission nurse, and now that I'm on the warehouse floor, I cannot emphasize the stress! But we’re packing these suitcases one more time. Faith is such a remarkable thing, because I really should be more freaked out than I am, knowing me, but I feel incredibly at peace.

Elder Ruano is literally my fave, what will I do without his baby face? :'(

2 Corinthians 5 says:

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

What an absolute diamond to hide in those parentheses!!! But it’s true. My confidence—or, more accurately, my assurance—does not come by any measure from things I can see. It’s because I believe in God, and I trust in His plan for me. Even when it seems like more than I can manage. Especially then. After all, how do we know which path we’ll follow if we never get the opportunity to do so?

—TTFN (Ta-ta for now),

Hermana Newton