Week 32: Cross My Heart

Hello to all!

This week’s definitely one for the books! First off, it’s Hermana Aguilera’s birthday! She's a whole 22 years of age! Those of you who still have access to Taylor Swift songs, please listen to her title of the same name and enjoy by way of celebration. Additionally, this means that my birthday is in two weeks (and one day). Any suggestions as to how to commemorate my last days of true teenagedom? Is the idea to share the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If so, the Bowling Green sisters are on the case! But on to what we actually did.

This was before our lesson with Liam, the coolest guy ever, whom we have to pass off because he lives in the other mission, but it’s OK.

First off, I love the people! They are seriously the best! The missionaries, the members, the people we’re teaching. It’s been awesome. We got to attend the baptism of the youngest kid in a member family that was so tender. Their daughter who’s 15 gave a talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost that was super powerful. Shoutout to Moira. Also, the opportunity to attend a baptism is one of the sweetest experiences to have ever, especially as a missionary.

The Primary children decorated copies of the Book of Mormon for us and wrote their testimonies inside. It’s so tender.

Our friends have been progressing so well! I’m excited about Angel and Liz in particular, who are two of the sweetest women on the planet! They have such awesome member friends in the ward who are starting to strengthen their involvement in the gospel, and I’m so happy just seeing them progress and become happier with what they’re learning.

A couple of cuties on a walk

Even though this week has been beautiful, there are hard parts to it. We’ve been rejected, frustrated, and grown physically, spiritually and emotionally tired. It’s part of missionary work. Something that was especially difficult is that we had to cancel the baptism for someone we were teaching because they aren’t ready for various reasons. They had chosen this Saturday before Hermana Aguilera and I even came to Bowling Green. It’s definitely not fun to see someone's actions not align with their desires. But the day we put this person off date, someone who was previously taught reached out to us. He’s been having a hard time, but he told us that he opened his Book of Mormon and turned to this scripture in Helaman 3:

28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

He then wrote:

“I’m glad Heavenly Father reminded me the gate of heaven is open. 

It isn’t closed. 

His blessing, grace, peace are open to me. Not closed.”

It reminded me of a scripture in Alma 37 that I really love:

17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.

Heavenly Father loves us. I say that to people all the time. But it’s real. It’s eternal. It’s personal. And it applies to you.

— I promise,

Hermana Newton

Week 31: So Much to Do, So Much to See

Hey now!

Here’s my greenie the day I got her! Hermana Aguilera is from Fresno, California. She’s a native speaker and is so pure and bubbly and lovely (:

I’m coming to you, for the first time in the history of these weekly emails, from the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky! It’s such a happening town that we have at least two of everything, as well as one precious Target. What a blessing to live near a typical middle-class department store. I will surely cherish it during the months I am here.

Bowling Green is radically different from Columbia, and I absolutely love it here. I miss many things from the equivalent of my hometown during my mission, but I’m also happy to see and experience new things. If anything, BG reminds me a lot more of West Valley than Columbia. It’s not really famous for anything*, but the people are kind and amazing, and by and large, I feel extremely loved.

New quad! L-R: Hermana Reddish, yours truly, Hermana Aguilera, Hermana Reidhead

The process of starting the work here has been an equal extreme in terms of stress. For those of you who aren’t caught up! I am whitewashing in this area, which means that my companion and I are both new to the area. And I’m training her, which is a lot of responsibility that intimidates me way too much if I think about it too hard. Oh, and I forgot to get the SIM card for the area, which meant we had to rely on the other companionship if we wanted to call anybody, and then Hermana Aguilera’s Facebook wasn’t working on her phone, so in a word, the first week has been hard.

Goodbye to Franklin South and some of my favorite people ever.

I think what I’ve been learning this week is that I really have to give everything to Heavenly Father. Which is something I’ve learned and relearned the entirety of the seven months I’ve been doing this. 

In Alma 17, the sons of Mosiah and other Nephites are about to start missions serving among the Lamanites, who are their generations-old enemies. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of anxiety for them in this moment. They’re unsure about their future, whether their message will be accepted, whether they’ll be safe and well. Not much is certain as they begin their journey. But it goes on to say:

10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

…

12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.

I think if my experience in adulthood has taught me anything, it is that there is a lot to have fear over. But that gives us the opportunity to have courage. And I hope that all of us will be able to be brave going forward, whatever challenges we're facing. Because, dear reader, I know that you have it in you.

A fan favorite, Cathy Newton, cheering all of us on!

— You’re an All-Star,

Hermana Newton

* To be fair, Bowling Green is the home of the National Corvette Museum.

Week 30: Bare Bones

This is being written a day in advance.

Now, this isn’t a big deal on its own. Most people try to write their weekly emails ahead of time, so it’s not exactly strange. But I always write my weekly day of, which raises the question: What’s caused me to change my ways?

All of us hugging Hermana Likes while I cry

But before we get into that crazy news, let’s address the saddest fact, which is that we had to drop Hermana Likes off at the mission office, and it was so hard, and I’ll be crying about the whole endeavor for a while. She’s somebody I’m so grateful I came to Tennessee to meet. She has helped me to become more of the person I want to be, and I’ll love her forever.

Me hugging Hermana Likes and crying

Because Hermana Likes is leaving, the quad is a temporary trio (for only a day), and because of that, Hermana Stevenson planned with Hermana Fellars this morning while Hermana Likes finished packing. As we sat in the STLs room talking about our day, one of the office elders called Hermana Stevenson. We were little confused, and it turned out he was asking her if she’d be willing to train! That’s such happy news because it’s something Hermana Stevenson has wanted so badly, and this transfer will be her last one. As we were congratulating Hermana Stevenson, the elder called back, and we assumed it was because had forgotten some information, but then he asked to talk to me, and it turns out that I’m training too! In an entirely new area called Bowling Green, which is in Kentucky. So that will be an absolute trip. I need many, many prayers. So does this hermana I’ll be training!

This moment of us just laughing at each other was 87% of our time together

But, something stressful: Normally, transfers happen the morning after P-Day, or Thursday. That way, there’s time to pack. But for some reason, transfers are happening ON P-Day at 3:00. I’ll have half the time people normally do to pack. Suffice it to say I’m more than a little bit terrified. I won’t know the members, our teaching pool, the most effective finding methods for the area. I'm going into this area with only the Lord to rely on. Which might be what I'm supposed to learn.

In Doctrine and Covenants Section 11, it says:

12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

How true this is, especially about missionary work! There is little that I can do on my own. It's pretty embarrassing. But if I'm accomplishing anything out here, it is only through God. And it takes being stripped down to the most bare of bones to accomplish that.

My bones might be bare. They feel battered and broken and buried under centuries of sedimentary deposits. But I know that Heavenly Father will make something useful out of them. And He will do that with you, too. He is our Maker.

We watched “Coco” en español with the people we’re teaching!

— In the making,

Hermana Newton

Week 29: Work This Out

April’s almost over already?

I feel like I often marvel at the passage of time in these emails, and I’m sure everyone is sitting here reading this and just nodding, because of course that’s how it works. But all the moments, good and bad, feel so short-lived while serving a mission.

Franklin South bowling and squad goals

Anyway, this week, Wendy, the daughter of one of our members who just moved here a month ago, was able to be baptized on Saturday! It was such a gift to be able to see her make that promise we talk about with other people all of the time. She’s such a sweet spirit, and we’re so happy that she’s the newest member of the Columbia Ward!

Playing soccer with some people we’re teaching. Nothing builds trust like playing soccer.

We’ve also been busy at work! There are so many people to teach who are willing to listen, and it’s such a blessing. We were able to put our friend Jasmine on date yesterday, and it was amazing. We were having a lesson about how God loves her, and we briefly mentioned baptism, and as soon as it came up, she told us very excitedly that she had never been baptized and she had been thinking she needed to do it. We set her on date, and immediately she put it in her phone. We arranged to have a lesson with her today, so please pray for Jasmine! I’m so excited for her.

This was the word of the day from SpanishDict on Shakespeare’s birthday! Beautiful : )

This week, we read from Ether 12 with someone we’re teaching named Tia’Yana. The chapter has a lot of great lessons about faith and putting your trust in God. I have a lot of parts that I appreciate and love in this chapter, but I especially love this verse:

9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.

Sometimes we feel like blessings are barred from us, and we aren’t able to achieve that which we want to. A few weeks back, I definitely felt as though I was somehow being kept from seeing success in missionary work. And while I haven’t taught someone who’s been baptized (yet!), I have definitely seen success. There are people who are progressing, there are those who are changing for the better, and I am becoming a person who I want to be. And the trick to it isn’t crazy at all. It’s applying the advice of Moroni, and it’s having hope.

Me and Mom during the Newton family call. (It might look like Mom is eating a potato chip, but it’s a cucumber with hummus)

And I have hope for a lot of things! For the world, for the people we teach, and for you reading this. If things are bad, they will get better, and if things are good, you can always treasure and be thankful for it! I know I’m grateful for the joy that I’ve found.

— The sun will shine,

Hermana Newton

Week 28: Breaking Free

What a wild week! I can’t believe everything that happened was only condensed into seven days. Like I said, wild.

I’ve already taken so many pictures in front of the square but here’s yet another one.

I got my fingerprints for my visa application, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation sent me a very official-looking envelope, and within it was another official-looking piece of paper that says I’m not a criminal! We’ll see what the fingerprints conclude.

We passed the cutest random smoothie place after zone conference! I got the peanut butter and jelly one. I’m a woman of taste, what can I say?

We had so many good lessons this week! Our friend Wesley is reading from the Book of Mormon and asking questions, as well as receiving answers and comfort to help him with the challenges going on in his actual life. Another friend, Jason, is absolutely loving going to church these last few weeks and is excited to continue being part of the Columbia Ward family! We got back into contact with José, who has just been so busy with work but is so ready for the gospel.

I got my KAVU BAG!!!

Just me in front of the Columbia building because I love it here. (:

I was so worried about being a page admin, but I’ve found that being busy with one thing has resulted in me being busy overall! And being a busy missionary is definitely being a happy missionary! This calling has been such a blessing, and I’m very grateful to see that from my Heavenly Father.

In my personal study this morning, I was reading Mosiah 4 in preparation for a lesson, and I loved this verse:

3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come. …

I read this, and I was immediately reminded of the story we read during a Family Home Evening lesson with a recent convert family. We read the story of Enos together, and in it, it says:

5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.

7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?

8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

We need to have faith in order to have repentance. I teach that constantly. But what these verses from this week have taught me is that being forgiven and changing is largely dependent on our ability to believe that we can. It’s hard to have faith, because it’s hard to let go of the control that we think that we have. But at the end of the day, it’s liberating.

I’m so thankful to be freed through Jesus Christ. It blesses me every day, and it can bless you, too! If you only have the faith to see it.

— Soaring, flying,

Hermana Newton

Week 27: Plenty Good Room

How’s it hanging?

I don’t even know where to start this week. Partly because I feel like everything happened, but there is no way to adequately summarize it at all! Oh well. Here’s to trying.

Our district is so cute! Sad that two weeks of our transfer were taken away.

As time goes by, I really come to appreciate just how great this district is. The hermanas I live with are absolutely wonderful, and the elders we have are the best. Don’t tell anyone, but Elder Gerken and Elder Hamilton are probably my top two haha. The other elders who came in have also been a treat!

I love the sisters and hermanas here in Franklin so much! They’re the best.

Since I’m page admin for the Franklin page now (go like it if you haven’t already), I actually get to talk with all of the companionships in the zone, which has been really nice! I know most of the missionaries serving here, seeing as this is my fourth transfer in Columbia, but I feel like I really get to be their friend this way! Even though it will be sad when I move over zones and won’t be able to reach out to any of the elders on P-Days. Unless I move missions. Speaking of…

Just a couple of people appreciating a Columbia mural.

I’m starting my visa application for Guatemala! This doesn’t guarantee when or if I’ll even go at all, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that sometime this summer I’ll be on my way to Central America and able to speak Spanish adequately.

We’ve seen so many miracles this week. The people we’re teaching are progressing, and we were actually able to invite someone to be baptized and put her on date yesterday! Her name’s Elizabeth, and she’s the sweetest. She was actually found by the Centerville elders, but since she lives in Columbia, we’re more than happy to take care of her.

Here I am with one of the best comps ever.

It’s interesting, because a lot of things were overwhelming me this week: the responsibility that I have to the page, to my people, and to getting myself to Guatemala. I felt weak, helpless, and lost. It seemed impossible for me to accomplish anything at all. I was truly taken aback by how much I related to the sentiment in Moses 1, where the aforementioned prophet says:

10 … Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.

This idea is easy to dwell on, and to become discouraged by. Which is why I’m grateful that we have Ether 12. It reads:

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Yes, we’re weak. Yes, we’re imperfect. It’s going to be hard for us to accomplish all of the things that we hope and dream to, and to help all those around us, and to meet all of the expectations that have been made, from others or ourselves. It’s so hard that we literally can’t do it. At least, if we’re on our own. And that’s why we need a Savior. That’s why we need Jesus Christ. Even though so many things about this week have been hard, they have been rewarding, and fulfilling, and joyful. Because even though I’m not perfect, I have been able to give Him room to make me strong. And in exchange, He gives me room to grow even more.

— All my love,

Hermana Newton

Week 26: A Social Media Influencer

Howdily Doodily!

I’m sure people are sort of over me announcing how long I’ve been a missionary, but today is literally my six-month mark, which I would categorize as a big deal. Twelve more to go! There are so many emails that we have to fit into that time frame!

In other news, the transfer finally happened on Monday morning. Which means that the last one lasted seven and a half weeks! Unsurprisingly, nothing changed in my companionship. Hermana Likes’ temporary companion, Sister Miller, is now in Hendersonville! For context, Sister Miller’s companion went home the same day as Hermana Dabb, so she and Hermana Likes killed it together until transfers caught up with them. She was here for less than a week, but she had been in Spring Hill for five transfers! The Franklin Zone (and especially me) will miss her awesome questions and sweet prayers.

There is only photographic evidence that district council occurred this week. IDK how we forgot to take a picture with Sister Miller : ( or document anything else. Franklin South Hermanas, left to right: Newton, Stevenson, Likes, Fellars. Elders, left to right: Ekins, Hamilton, Gerken, Ward.

But now we have Hermana Fellars! She was just 40 minutes away in Franklin before moving down to Columbia, and we are so excited to have her with us! I’m mainly focused on me being excited to have her here, but also everyone else. Elder Myers and Elder Herrick are gone, but now we have Elder Gerken and Elder Ekins! Fun times are ahead.

Also, Hermana Stevenson and I are the page admins for the Facebook page now! That means we’re in charge of scheduling posts, assigning people to make content, getting stats, and overall being stressed. This will be a time when I definitely need the Lord, but let’s just say I’m glad this transfer only has four weeks left.

Since you’re on my weekly list, the statistical probability that you’re also on another missionary’s list is very high, so you’ve probably already heard that General Conference was amazing, and it looks like you get to hear that again, because it was so unbelievably good! I took 16 pages of notes! It was the perfect way to celebrate Easter.

I would hate to pick a favorite talk, because so many things were so amazing and exciting and great, but I loved Elder Renlund’s talk so much. I also really enjoyed when Elder Walker (who served in the TNM!) used the Joseph Smith quote that prefaces every volume of Saints! “No unhallowed hand” indeed, Elder Walker. Another highlight was when President Nelson announced 20 new temples! I couldn’t stop smiling as I quickly jotted down all the locations. I’m especially excited about the Farmington, New Mexico, temple, because that’s where my dear friend Brooklyn is serving. And of course the Singapore temple for Elder Parkin!

There were a lot of themes and ideas that I picked up from this conference. One I particularly enjoyed was the personal nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He will place your burdens on His shoulders so that you can carry on. It’s direct, it’s specific, and it’s real. I’m not sure if you noticed, but there were also a few scriptures that showed up often this time around. One was Matthew 11:28-30, and another was 2 Nephi 31:20, both of which I’ve already featured in my weekly emails! But another was Helaman 5:12, which I’d be more than happy to share:

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

There’s an amazing address given by Elder Bednar (when he was still President Bednar for BYU-Idaho) called “In the Strength of the Lord.” In it, there’s a quote about the Savior’s Atonement that I especially love:

“There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, ‘No one understands. No one knows.’ No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands. … He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, and succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying only upon our own power.”

Throughout my life, I’ve often tricked myself into thinking I have to do everything on my own. I still do that. But I’m learning, more than ever, how important it is to be built upon the foundation of our Savior. To rely on and trust in Him. Because I could not be a page admin, or message a random person on Facebook, or be out here on a mission at all if it weren’t for Him. I am not perfect, but I know how firm my foundation is, and that is what I’ll trust in.

— Remembering all of you,

Hermana Newton