Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Thank you for the update about Grandpa. It is hard to hear that he is struggling so much, but it is good to hear about him. Let him and grammy know that I love them both very much and that I pray for them and love their prayers for me and for this mission. I am also very grateful that you put money in my account because I really needed it. Emergency. This place is so expensive and I am trying to be thrifty, but it is very difficult when you have to travel everywhere because places are too far to walk.
I am glad to hear that your career is starting to prosper now. You are a super hero so forgive me for having no doubts. I have always known you are amazing.
I want to be part of a traveling touring choir! You all must be so great! Jealous na ako. I loved the pictures you sent. they were so sweet. Forgive me if this is really short but I don't have the patience to deal with this broken keyboard for much longer. I got your winters greeting package. Thanks for everything. You know me pretty well. The fruitsnacks were a hit with my district leader. The little thief! Just kidding I let him have some. He is a great little filipino guy who is younger in the mission than all of us except his companion who he is training. Things here are going well. Our numbers are so low this week because no one has worked with us and sister Noriega got sick on two days. But things will get better I know they will. This transfer has gone by so fast. I can't believe that this week starts the month of March. Soon it will be April and your sweet sister will have a birthday and then you will realize that I have been gone for an entire year.
The thing I wrote in my planner that I knew I needed to tell you that may bring a smile to your face or it may even annoy you is, "You would not believe how much fish I have eaten. I am almost sick of it. I have learned that I can eat it, but it will never be my favorite."
Sorry it has been so long since I sent pictures home, but the thing is that I don't trust this shop and I don't get to take many pictures because my camera wastes batteries so I am sick of buying them. I bought rechargable ones and they are not good too. But we go on. That is what we do.
AND!!!! I am reading the bible and it does get better. Not much but my understanding is deepening.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN
NNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SARAH IS GOING TO BE UTAH WHEN I GET HOME SO WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HANG OUT ON WEEKENDS!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! AND SHE IS HAVING FAITH THAT EVEN THOUGH DOCTOR WHO IS WEIRD IT WILL GET BETTER!!!! and because this happens to be the case I need a birthday shout out for Sarah 
Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!!
I can't think of much else to say so I want to tell you that I love you so much and pray for you and I want the very best for you. (We had Zone Conference and it was exactly what I needed. Sister Sperry shared about tender mercies and I cried. Then during the testimony I part I got up and bore my testimony of Gods love and His plans for us. I don't like bearing testimony in big groups but I couldn't help it.) Keep working hard and all of you stay safe!!!!
Love,
Sister Newman

Willie Wonka taught a marvelous lesson: Tell the truth even when it is hard!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Thanks mommy for making sure I got an email. I realize it is very late right now and I am sorry that I didn't come earlier, but we had other things that we did today. It has been a fairly good week except where work is concerned. Our branch missionaries kept bailing on us or were really late.
P-day fun at the zoo playground.

Philippine temple

Pretty blossoms


I am glad Julie Yates enjoyed the letter. I was very grateful for their Christmas card. It came late, but that didn't matter, I felt so special and I really needed the message inside. They must be a great family. I am excited to meet them. Do you two travel together to choir practice? How many kids are in their family? Where is their son serving his mission?
Mommy, I have a very serious question to ask you and I need you to be completely honest with me and answer it in your next email. Don't forget to answer because I need to know. How bad is the stuff going on with Grandpa Newman? Somehow I don't think he will be there when I get home and that kills me. That really kills me, but I also had that feeling the last time I saw him before I left. And while I was in the MTC. I just need to know what is most likely going to happen. And whatever it is please tell him I love him so much and I can feel that he is praying for me. And tell Grammie I love her very much as well and I love her shining example of courage.
Keep working hard mom. It sounds like things are really working out, just keep going. I love you so much and I know that everything is going to work out the way that God needs it to work out. He has a plan and sometimes we don't quite understand that plan, or sometimes it doesn't fit with the plans we have. But I know it is always the best plan and I am grateful for it. I really like the scripture that Sister Klein shared at the MRC and that is Doctrine and Covenants 3: 1-3....I think...It talks about how only the plans of men are frustrated, but God's plans never are. He knows, and He cares. I know He does because I have seen it. I have seen it in my own life and in the lives of those we teach. He loves us so much. So much. And He will give us the very best if we will just let Him.
I love you all and wish you a happy happy HAPPY! week.
Love,
Sister Newman

PS. I already told Kristina this, but I am so excited to be able to cook for you when I get home. I am going to make you some stinking awesome food. You are all going to just die! So Good!!!!
PSS. I hope a certain someone knows that Pikachu is a pretty electric little fella and anyone who thinks he is cool is pretty cool in my book, and that I would never give this person up as a friend because it would be no fun to laugh alone...
I LOVE YOU!!!