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

Week 25: Following Up

Happy last day of March!

So there was a tornado warning, and Hermana Stevenson and I took shelter in a bathtub. Bibble didn’t have a helmet. #prayforbibble

I already know nothing’s going to top last week’s … anything, so I’m not going to even try. Except for the fact that we literally had a tornado warning the day after P-Day. Which is when a tornado has touched the ground, so you have to go into the bathroom and sit around in anticipation that a tornado will come and wreck everything in your immediate vicinity. A tornado did not end up doing that to the Columbia Hermanas, but the entire zone was also freaking out right alongside me and Hermana Stevenson! Linden did actually did get a tornado, but the Linden Elders were all good and safe. No need to worry! The universe just knew I needed something to spice up this letter to you all, because if there wasn’t tornado warning drama, there wouldn’t be terribly much to talk about.

Just some of the district showing love to each other. You know how it is. <3

Good news! Hermana Dabb had to stay here a full week just to be safe, but she just got another negative test, so she flew home today! I sure will miss her, but she definitely needs to be back with her family. It’s literally a week overdue. I thank her and Hermana Likes for delivering food to us this entire week so that we could physically survive.

Since the whole district was on quarantine, we had an unofficial Official meme contest to lift our spirits. Sister Hess, who was supposed to leave the day we got quarantined, made this one. Truly S-tier. (Btw, Sister Hess got to fly home today, too!)

In way of news regarding physical survival: I am completely fine! As in, I do not feel sick anymore!!! It’s been that way for a few days, but still. One of our weekly goals as a companionship was to not be sick, so it looks like we’re hitting the mark.

Another district pic so Elder Myers and Elder Ward can shine in the spotlight too.

Now, I do love outside, but I’m sure this will surprise no one when I say that I’m perfectly fine staying indoors for a large portion of time. But something I learned is that having to stay in one room that you have to share with another person is a lot. Especially when you have to keep on being a missionary and lying around all day reading Saints isn’t an option (I wish!).

I realized that the best thing I could do was pray. And so I did. A lot. Alma 37 reads:

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

I used to operate under the assumption that prayer only existed mornings, evenings and before meals. And it is important to have those times. My most powerful prayer this week was my personal evening prayer! But prayer is so much more constant than that. It is a persistent, consistent effort to turn your thoughts toward Heavenly Father. When I pray, I’m not demanding miracles or my will to be done. I’m seeking and gaining strength. I’m becoming better. I’m relying on Him and recognizing Him in a much bigger way that I wish I could sufficiently explain, but I’m not nearly accomplished enough of a writer to express that.

I got a surprise letter from Sister Gibson* slid under my door, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets-style. We love quarantine.
* One of Hermana Newton’s college roommates, serving a mission in Minnesota.

I encourage you, in moments when you think that something is too depressing, or too annoying, or in any way too hard — pray! If anything, because there’s always someone out there who’s willing to listen to you, even if you can’t see them face-to-face.

— All my love!,

Hermana Newton

Week 24: 2319!

I have COVID.

Live footage of me calling my parents to tell them I have COVID. This was after I broke the news and Dad cracked some jokes to make me feel better.

I know I normally have some witty preamble, but I figured this time around I’d just start out with the most important news and let everyone decide whether they want to read on. I honestly don’t have many cards to play that are much more dramatic than this.

To answer the general questions you might be having:

Two hermanas who have just been exposed to COVID and don’t know it yet!

1) Hermana Stevenson has it as well. The other hermanas in the apartment don’t. Both companionships are quarantining, but Hermana Stevenson and I are confined to our bedroom.

2) We most likely were exposed on Thursday at the shooting of an Easter video (which will be awesome!).

3) Not sure if anyone remembers this, but yeah, Hermana Dabb was scheduled to be home today. She has to wait until the end of this week to return to Colorado.

4) Since Hermana Dabb was supposed to be coming home, that means that this week was the end of the transfer, but because so many missionaries are sick (a portion of my zone [Franklin] and Nashville 1), those are being postponed indefinitely. #eightweektransfer?

5) Oh yeah, I’m fine.

^This is probably the one everyone was worrying about. (At least, I hope that’s the thing everyone was worrying about.)

Anyway, my symptoms are pretty mild. I have a sore throat, a slight fever, and a nose that’s a little stuffy. For the most part, standard cough medicine, lots of water, and sleep are helping me to feel just dandy. I really am so grateful for that. I’m also grateful that all the in-person contacts we had since getting exposed were socially distanced and masked,* and the only one that wasn’t distanced was when an old lady in our ward went up to Hermana Stevenson and hugged her. Thankfully, she’s vaccinated, but those old ladies. You never know when they’ll swoop in. I also wasn’t 6 feet away, but I was masked while talking to a youth about Saints. You’ve always got to plug Saints. Taking these precautions has helped me know that I kept the people I cared about safe, even when I was feeling perfectly fine! I cannot stress how much of a relief that is.

If any of you are still worrying about me, thank you so much, and know that I love you all deeply and dearly. Also keep in perspective that death is most definitely not imminent. Unless Hermana Stevenson gets tired of me reading Saints and slaps me across the head with Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand. But I think she would have already done that at this point.

Some solid advice in the streets (while I was still on the streets).

But even though I’m OK, I think I’m stating the obvious when I say that being confined to your bedroom isn’t the most fun ordeal. Even with both volumes of Saints, a sudoku book, and friendship bracelet supplies. With this challenge, it’s important for any missionary to reflect on why they’re here, doing this work. I have so many scriptures to capture that, but I love what it says in Doctrine and Covenants 6:

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

Don’t be afraid to go on just because things are hard. I often trick myself into believing I need to rely on my own strength. If I did, I most definitely wouldn’t accomplish anything. But when we build upon the rock of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, nothing can stop us, because nothing can stop Him. As another scripture says, “With God, all things are possible.” And it’s possible that these next couple of weeks are going to be hard, but it’s also more than possible that I will get through this! And you will too, wherever you are and whatever you’re dealing with.

— Checking out,

Hermana Newton

* There is no mask mandate in the county where Hermana Newton is serving, although missionaries are required to wear masks and observe other health protocols.

Week 23: Springing Forward

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

This week has really been the start of spring. I was happy to celebrate Pi Day and the Ides of March as well! Unfortunately, there must be opposition in all things, and Daylight Saving Time also occurred, which was news I had to break to Hermana Stevenson, an Arizona native. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. #unfortunate #stopdaylightsaving

A lovely tree!

In spite of that, the days have been beautiful in Columbia! I set foot outside and am in wonder of all the beauty around me! It’s such a happy time, but again, opposition, because the bugs have noticed this.

I’d like to state on the record that I’m not anti-bug by any means. I definitely don’t want them in my home, but I also understand that their brains are incapable of grasping the concept of trespassing private property, so I won’t punish them for that. I’m definitely a use-a-cup-to-show-them-out kind of person. But this week, there was some sort of huge winged insect that found its way into our home. I seriously have no clue what it was. I’m willing to give a report so someone can research all possible suspects so that the mystery can be solved. But regardless of what it was, it was inside instead of out. Hermana Stevenson is resolutely team anti-bug, so she was begging me to kill it, but she also wouldn’t go anywhere near it. I tried to just lure it into the cup, but it kept crawling away. Unfortunately, I had to use some bug spray to get it moving at the very least so that I could release it. I still feel guilty.

Fun fact: Bradford pears are an invasive species (editor’s note: And they smell like rotting flesh), but they’re pretty right now when they’re all white and look like … is that popcorn popping?

In the TNM, we have weekly Sunday devotionals that the entire mission gets on, and they’re always such spiritual powerhouses. This week was focused on overcoming adversity. If you haven’t tuned in to my weekly emails for a while, I’ve kind of been having a rough time, so everything discussed seemed specifically geared toward me. One thought that I loved that was shared revolved around the story of Abraham and Isaac. Quick rundown: Abraham is this prophet who’s commanded by God to sacrifice his son as a sign of obedience, and right before Abraham kills Isaac, God commands him to stop because his demonstration of obedience was sufficient.

Now, the Lord has a perfect knowledge. He would know if Abraham was willing to make such a big sacrifice without asking him to. Why would He make Abraham go through that? And the answer isn’t that God needed to learn something about Abraham. Abraham needed to learn something about himself.

How can we know the extent of our strength—the fullness of what we’re able to do—without putting it to the test? Obviously it’s going to be hard, but if we’re ever going to see our potential, we have to demonstrate it.

In 1 Peter 4, it says:

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Don’t be surprised if things aren’t easy. If they are, you’re not growing, and that’s what we’re meant to be doing right now. And that can be super hard. But we always have a reason to rejoice. Remember, someone is on your side. Look at 2 Nephi 22:

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Elder Myers asked me to hold his hat while he had his picture taken next to a mural last P-day, so I had a photo op of my own.

— Beyond lucky,

Hermana Newton