Missionary work is hard sometimes but the show must go on!
 

HEY WE FINALLY HAVE SOME PHOTOS!!!!
 

 

I got the package and I am so grateful for every bit of it! I almost cried I was so happy, but one thing you need to include again is ibuprofen. I need lots of it and I don't want to risk running out. I got the package yesterday and the best part about it was all the letters inside. They made me feel so good and so very happy! I love you all so much and I am grateful that you thought of me and took time to do that. I have a favor to ask. There is one Elder in my Zone, he is from China(he was converted in Hong Kong) He doesn't ever get much mail at all so I was wondering it maybe you could send him a letter or something to cheer his spirits. Maybe you could ask Garrett to as well. His name is Elder Wu, and just a note saying that he is doing an excellent job and the Lord is proud of his work and that you as members are grateful too. I don't know, just a quick something. If you want. I know you are way busy so don't feel obligated, I just thought it would help lift a burden. So if you find time that would be great.

The Roque family was baptized! It was so incredible and the spirit was so strong.

 

 I am so grateful that I got to see their conversion and be part of it. Their testimonies blow me away. I also got to sing How Great Thou Art. I told them it was my testimony in a song and I DIDN"T EVEN SOUND LIKE A GOAT!!! I just put all my heart into it, because it truly has become my testimony. I am so happy that I am a missionary. Honestly it is so hard! So hard! And sometimes I almost want to give up, but then we have moments with people like this and the hard times don't seem so hard anymore. It makes it all worth it. And the spirit we felt when they were confirmed was beyond description.

We have another baptism this Saturday. Her name is Melanie and it has taken her a long time to get to this point, but she is fully converted. You can hear it in her testimony and see it in her countenance. She has asked me to sing at her baptism too but I don't know what to sing. Probably How Firm a Foundation. That would be a good one and it is so special to me as well. I love music and I am glad people enjoy it when I sing. It makes me feel really good.

We went to the temple today, which, as always, was incredible and I enjoyed every minute of it.

We didn't make it to the first session, but it worked out just fine. I am having an enjoyable day with my companion. We are going to go shopping after this and then make a dessert to take to our first FHE with the Roque family.

Sister de la Cruz was sick most of last week so our work was not fantastic, but it was still enjoyable for the most part. It really picked up this week with us working better as a team. Our leaders are really pushing us to open our mouths and talk to everyone. Last week and on several other occasions sister de la cruz has just picked someone and said ok you go talk to them. This really frustrates me because if I don't do it the way she thinks it should be done she gets angry and won't talk to me. Well, I told her that and she didn't even realize that she did that. And these past two days I have just initiated conversations with people. I feel so uncomfortable doing it, but we made a goal and I need to do my part or I can't blame her for being upset with me. AND DON"T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY! Don't think she is awful. She is really great. I am just stubborn and still learning. I would get frustrated being my companion.

I will have you all know I gave another talk on Sunday. This was about unity in the branch and the need for home and visiting teachers.

To end I just want to tell you all how grateful I am for eternal families. I am glad that the sealing power is on the earth again, and I am glad we get to have our families with us forever if we remain worthy. I am grateful to know that to start a family right you start it by being a forever couple. And if you don't start that way you can make it that way. I hope everyone will think about the infinite love and goodness our Heavenly Father has shown for us and that each of us will remain worthy of His blessings.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Sister Brittany Nichole Newman

I felt so spiritually uplifted by conference on Saturday and Sunday. It was truly inspiring and I really enjoyed every minute. That first announcement that made all the boys mouths drop in awe was pretty fantastic. I laughed to myself. I also laughed when Fiddler on the Roof was quoted. "If riches are a curse may I be smitten and never recover." And Elder Holland. Owi! At first I thought he was changing his teaching tactics for this one, that he was going to be calm and not so in the face. Boy, was I wrong! Even thinking about him saying, "Do you love me?" It pierces my heart and soul every time. Every bit of Conference was incredible.

And the Roque family is being baptized this Saturday. They are so ready it isn't even funny. Oh man, this family is so legit. And I know that they are converted to the Savior and His gospel, not to us as missionaries. They are great. They are fun and happy, and the best part is that they are a family and will be able to be sealed in a year after this! I love this! Missionary work is so blasted hard but there is no reward like this. I have never felt so good about something that I helped with, it wasn't even me, it was the spirit and the truth. And this family has just been ready. Their hearts were open and they were able to remember what we were all taught before by our Father in Heaven.

On Saturday I let myself get offended by something my companion had said about me. And she kept saying rude things and it hurt me. So I told myself that I was not going to be the one to make it right. She needed to learn how to fix it first. I was sick of being the one to take the fist step. I let my pride get in the way. I let it puff me up. That was very wrong. We could not be unified because I was choosing not to rise above and be Christlike instead of snot-nosed-booger-butt-like. And it wasn't fixed until we both came together and admitted our faults. It took humility and love. Sometimes there are people who really offend us or hurt our feelings, but we need to do what we promised to do at baptism. We said we would be like Christ. Rise above. I know we can do it.

I want to share one scripture before I go because this computer shop too is just about as hot as Draco Malfoy.

3Nephi 9: 13. O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

14. Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

15. Behold, I am Jesus Christ...

I shared that with a recent convert the other day who thought he had no more chances. That his case was hopeless and he could not be saved. Satan really wants us to believe that we can't be saved, but I am here to tell you we can. No matter what we have done, His Atonement reaches there and we need to go to Him (repent) and be healed. I love you all and hope your week is brilliant!

Sister Brittany Nichole Newman

Sorry everyone if this email is short but I don't have much time and it is about as hot as Draco Malfoy in this computer shop, man, I tell you what.  So my apologies.   We had tons of people at church yesterday it was so amazing it is nice to see people acting on their faith.  The baptism for the Roque family is still on for the 20th they have made their decision and they are sticking to it.  They are such a great family and they love the gospel.  It is fun to share with them because they actually listen and they read their assignments and pray.  We both love them very much.  This week I will be sending my family pictures in the mail and my mom can put them up when she receives them....there are not pics of the family but someday there will be.
   I sang for one of our RC mom because my companion said I have a good voice.  Sister  Dori loved it and her compliments really boosted my confidence.  Even though this week has been really hard and I have been really sick I have seen so many miracles and tender mercies from heaven.  There has not been a day when we had to stay home.  There almost was on 3 occasions but prayers and blessings prevailed.  I know that Heavenly Father looks out for and takes care of his missionaries.
   On October 3rd I woke up with no voice and on the 6th I sang at a funeral in our branch.  That was a cool experience and I was nervous but it went very well and I was grateful to be able to serve their family that way.
   October 2nd was an amazing day full of miracles and laughs.  We taught tons of lessons and we just worked very well together.  I was grateful for it.  I really love all the people here.  My Grandma is right when she says the more people you have to love the greater your capacity to love.  That is so true.  I can see it everyday.
   My companion is looking out for me.  We bought balot the other day and we were going to both eat it but then Sister said with the way my stomach was that I probably shouldn't.  That she had a really bad feeling about it.  So she ate hers and I opened mine and fed it to the neighbors dog.  We call him our dog because he is so cute and he guards our house but we can't have pets so we just claim him.
   Well this really is short, but I have to go.  We have lots more to get done.  But remember to read the Book of Mormon.  Make it a part of who you are.
    I love you all very much.  Thank you to all those who wrote emails.  I loved them and I am so grateful for them.  Keep working hard everyone.
Sister Brittany Nichole Newman

Dear Daddy,

I just wanted to tell you that we had an emergency meeting where Elder Brent H Nielson came and interviewed missionaries and took those who didn't want to be exactly obedient home. It was an excellent meeting. I learned so much from this meeting. That we give up our free agency when we decide to follow Satan. When we cross that line we are in his power and it is very difficult to get out. Someday I want to share with you my notes from that meeting. We could have an awesome discussion about it. But right now I don't have much time.
If the family is going to be amazing and send me a package for my birthday and Christmas I ask that you include fruitsnacks and natureplex musclerub from walmart. That stuff is so AMAZING!!! You could send 3 tubes and I wouldn't mind. I tried quail eggs the other day. They are actually very tasty...like regular eggs.
Can you take a picture of the family and send it through email. I really just want to see you all. Is it bad that I still miss you all so much. I am trying really hard to not think of you but it is a very difficult task sometimes. You just tell me what helped you.
LOVE YOU DADDY!!!
Sister Brittany Nichole Newman 

Well Brittany,
The best thing that I can tell you is get into the work. Work hard, focus on the work you are doing, don’t think about home things except on P-day then you can write letters and do other work to prepare for the following week. We love you and always will love you, we will send letters which we have and emails and care packages, relish these things when you get them but don’t make it your main focus. The time you have left out in the Philippines is short compared to how long your life has been and the time you will be able to spend with us when you get home. Strictly obey all the mission rules, obey the commandments, love the people as much as you love your family here on earth. I know it is hard to not get mail and email every day, but your mission is not about the communication with us; it is about communicating the truth and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. I know you have a testimony of this, share it as best you can. Remember when you have disappointments like investigators that decide not to be baptized, it is ultimately their choice and we need to respect that, but never stop praying for them. You are planting seeds of truth whenever you teach or bear testimony, and while you may not always see them come to fruit the seed is planted and will someday come to fruit for those who are prepared.
Your new companion sounds wonderful; do you get along well? Do you have flooding in this new area? Do you have a ward or branch? How far are you away from the temple? Well there are a few questions for you, now about what else is going on here. Grammie decided not to have the ramp built for Grandpa. We may be going up there for conference, we will see how it all goes. I think moving will be good for our family so we've decided to do it. Lilly is watching Annette’s boys before she starts school on the 15^th of Oct. McKayla is doing pretty good in school and will be having Christmas concerts soon. Nathan is doing good in school, he loves science, but it is still difficult to get him to do his math. Kristina is having a tuff time with her accounting class but her test scores are still real good.

 Mom got into the Timpanogos Coral and is enjoying it a lot. We are busy with work, mom finished her real-estate license last week and has already shown a house with Brad. Christmas this year will be quite different from past years because, we are getting a house and increasing our rent, so close to it. We will probably buy paint for the kids rooms, in the colors they want of course. Also we will need to paint the front room with an accent wall probably red or brown. We will need to clean the kitchen and bathrooms real good too. The first place that needs to be real clean is the house we are in now. I got a cortisone shot in my knee today, it is Wednesday now by the way. It is seeming to help so far. J Well we got our membership to the Fitness Center and we have been every day since. I have already lost about 10 pounds. J I think this will be very good for our family. I love you tons be good ttyl.

Love Daddy

Family and Friends,
    The baptism that was suppose to happen this coming Saturday is not going to happen.  The young man who felt the spirit so strongly and was so ready to take this step decided that he doesn't want to risk having his allowance taken away so he just wants to have bible study with us.  But the reason I used that subject title is because the first thing he told us was that he prayed to have a dream and remember it in the morning and it didn't happen so this must not be true.  But he already had his answer, he told us he did before.  Elder Jeffery R Holland advises us not to doubt the answers we have received from heaven when life gets hard.  I hope that each of you will always remember that.  Sometimes our memories act like a shrinky dink when sitting in the oven to long.  They shrink and contort.  And sometimes they begin to mean less and less as time goes by.  Like in 3 nephi when the people forgot the signs, or they decided they couldn't really mean what they thought they meant.  Don't be fooled by that trickster.  That father of ALL lies.  You make sure to remember and write down those answers and impressions you receive.  The more you write them down the more you will recognize and receive them.  Be watchful.
    Now that I have gotten the sad issue out of the way let me tell you about the Roque family.  They are so amazing and very excited for their baptism on the 20th.  We are excited for them too.  We have seen how they are changing and love watching them gain these beautiful new testimonies.  It is incredible!  I believe this is a family of finishers, and that is what God needs.  "Finishers Wanted"  (Look it up.  It is by President Monson and it kept me moving this week.  You can bet your little Christmas cookies I am going to be a finisher.)
    We missed being tour guides at the temple because I got sick.  I have been sick my whole stay, but sometimes it is worse than others.  It was sad because I love temple tour and we were going to be at the temple recommend station and I firmly believe that worthily holding a temple recommend is one way of knowing you are on the right path.
     Yesterday I wore my red dress and got my happy birthday wishes again, but the best part was when we were walking to catch a jeep and this kid on a bike speed up really fast and as he road past he slowed down and yelled, "SEXY LAAAAAAAADDDDDDDAY!"  I laugh so hard, but I had to include this, number one, because it was so funny and, number two, let it be known that I got called sexy....me or Sister de la Cruz.  She is pretty cute.  Maybe he has a huge crush on her.  oh well, a girl can hope.
      TAPOS!  On one of our visits this week we met the brother to one of our less actives and he has downs syndrome.  And he keep touching my hair during the lesson, but I was trying so hard to focus.  Then he would start talking to me so I did what Sister de la Cruz did ,"Shhhh. mamaya."  Just fine right?  WRONG!  Turning out he was asking me if I would go on a date with him to SM(mall) and I told him to shhh and later.  And I was only told after we left.  Oh dear.  Then on Sunday when they made me sit on the stand and bear my testimony he came up and started playing with my hair.  I told him to stop and go sit down, but he wouldn't listen to me, the 2nd counselor had to help me.  This boy is a sweetheart, but it interrupted the meeting and I felt bad.
      I implore you all to read the talk "The Purifying Power of the Atonement"  Even if you have read it before.  Read it again.  Study it.  Soak in its goodness.  You will be glad you did.
     Have a great week and everybody work hard!
Sister Brittany Nichole Newman  

Hello dearest family and friends,
I will have you know I have transferred to the furthest area in our mission.  Baliwag...AND I LOVE IT!!!!!  Oh it is so beautiful here.  Going to some of the places is like being in a fairytale with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.  It is so beautiful, and you would know just how beautiful if I had a card reader and could put pictures on but I don't so you will just have to wait yet again.  I am so sorry.
   And before I go any further I must say before I forget that this morning I was reading in Alma 61 and 62 where Pahoran answers Moroni's epistle and then when the fighting is finished and they have Zarahemla back and they have met up with Lehi and Teancum with all the Lamanites surrounded in the land of Moroni.  I just have to point out that Teancum was an excellent man.  A good person and an amazing friend, but he let his anger get the best of him and he was killed because of it.  And Moroni went home after the war and was able to be with his family again, because he didn't let his anger control him.  That is why I like Captain Moroni better than Teancum.  (And I hope the person I wrote this to knows I wrote it for them and that when I read it this morning I yelled in horror, "TEANCUM!  NOOO!!!!"  I truly was devastated.  No matter how many times I read it I am affected.)
   Now I need to give a shout out to my Sister, Kristina, she is 20 today. Congratulations Kristina!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 
    Now I will tell you about this week.  As I said before, I now live in Baliwag and I have a new companion.(we were totally late to transfers because the DL had the jeepnee go the long way so I didn't know who my companion was until the end.)  Her name is Sister De la Cruz and she is so CUTE!!!  I love her and her personality already.  She is so fun to be around and it has been very easy to open up to her.  In fact I have already cried in front of her on several occasions and laughed too.  And here is the real shocker, she actually knows how much I love to sing...not only sing but sing hymns...really loud.  And she asks me to sing!  Loud!  A LOT!!!  It is weird, but I love it.  We are the only two in our apartment so I only have to worry about bothering the neighbors and they don't seem to mind.  Hey, even if they started yelling at me it wouldn't bother me because I would have no idea what they were saying.  I would probably just smile and wave saying, "Magandang umaga po!" 
   She is just fun and she loves the gospel.  She goes home in April so she has plenty of time.  We are very excited to be a companionship and we are obedient.  We did weekly planning on Friday for the first time.  It took FIVE hours!  Oh my word!  But it was so good.  It was what was needed and we are going to have a great week because of it and we are going to have an excellent companionship because of it.
   Sunday was District Conference.  It was so cool to get to hear from our leaders and President and Sister Sperry.  I love them so much!  I just wanted to share a few of my notes with everyone because they were all really good talks.
   First off, are we professors or are we disciples?  Meaning, do we just profess to be members devout and strong, but when trial and heartache come our foundation is not strong and we fall away.  Or are we disciples through and through?  No matter what happens we will devote our whole selves to Him for His purposes. 
   Next, "holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting that other person to die.  Anger only hurts you."
   SOS
Saving       Service            Save
Of             Obedience       Our 
Souls        Sacrifice          Souls
   Through our obedient sacrifice of service we are blessing others and Heavenly Father can then bless us in return.  And through having this as our lifestyle we can be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Current                               You can know you are choosing the right
Temple                            when you are worthy to hold a current temple         
Recommend                                             recommend

And one quote that kept coming to my mind was one given by Elder Jeffery R Holland and I hope you all pay special attention to this because I think if people would remember this they wouldn't complain nearly as much and they would stay on the right path more easily.  He said, "  ...Why should it be easy for us when it wasn't easy for Him?  The road to salvation goes through Gethsemane."  No one ever said it would be easy, but they said it would sure be worth it.

   Those are the things I learned from the conference and what I learned from Sister De la Cruz this morning was this quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith.
                  "...No member of this church can stand in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon."
   That is true.  So are you going to take up the challenge and read carefully the Book of Mormon?  The Book that holds everything together?  Are you going to find out if it is true for yourself and be able to stand in the presence of God!?  Or are you going to trample upon Him by putting things of little importance on your priority list?  It is up to you.

  I love you all very much.  Life is difficult, but ALL challenges are for our good.  We just have to figure out what we are supposed to learn from them.  You are all in my prayers.  You are all special children of our Heavenly Father and he is calling to you, beckoning you to come to Him, "Come back.  Come up.  Come in. Come home.  Come unto me."  I promise you He loves you and that it is not too late to change.  Have a great week!  Smile GREAT BIG!!!

Sister Brittany Nichole Newman    

A card from our girl.

Dear Aunt Rachel, Uncle Brian, Cameron, & Thomas,

 Oh, she is so cute! I love her already!!!

Love,

Brittany

Dear mom,

  Don't worry mom, I got the shoes. I am telling you it just takes forever for things to get here but it is the only way because I can't pay 4,000 pisos for a package set speedy delivery. Anyway. Hopefully I will get some pictures up this time. I love the pictures you sent me of that cute girl. Cameron looks like the perfect big brother. They are both going to have so much fun with a baby sister and she has two very awesome parents that is for sure. Our new investigator had her baby on Saturday. A cute little boy. He is just darling and she has lots of sisters to help with him. Her husband feels a bit overwhelmed by it, but he loves his son so much and wants to be the best dad he can be.
Please send me as much snail mail as possible. I need them desperately. I am transferring to a new area tomorrow and I fear I am going to need some uplifts sometimes. You know me and change...and some of you know me and drinking fountains. Be assured that those will not be a problem for me here. What is a problem is that this week our drain in the shower...area... was spitting up nasty sewer junk and ...rice...we hardly ever eat rice, and when we do we don't dump it down the drain! Needless to say the three sisters who are staying in this area are going to be moving fairly soon after I do.
We had a lesson with the Pascual family. I wanted to cry. They sang I am a Child of God so loud and with their whole hearts. They really are children of God and I have never been so grateful for my circumstances ever before in my entire life. Then we walked out of Look2 and oh my heavens why didn't we do that before? It was absolutely breath taking. If any of my family came here I would take them to walk down that road. That was incredible.
I watched the O holy night dvd that I had mom send to me. I encourage each of you who have it to watch it as a family and remember your Savior. Not just on Christmas and Easter, but remember Him everyday. Be like the stripling warriors and be quick and strict in the remembrance of the Lord your God. And if you need a reminder of that story you should read Alma 53 and 56-58. Amazing sila!
Speaking of the Book of Mormon and being in Alma I just want to admit that I am really crushing on Captain Moroni. I think it is a righteous crush, but Sister Bird laughs at me whenever I mention something about him. But he is so INCREDIBLE! I love his example and that is the type of person I want to become and whoever I marry needs to have those qualities. Don't worry! I am not thinking about getting married right now. I am a missionary right now, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't getting ready for who I want to become. That is a very righteous desire. And he is just so amazing.
Ok I have tried several times to put pics on but the computer won't let me so I am sorry that it is being silly. Another week without pictures.
I went on exchanges to Sister Wingers area. It was so fun. I felt like I knew the people and it was so fun to get to know them and teach them. I was tongue tied a lot but that happens to me a lot so it wasn't a big deal. But it was just so cool. It kinda showed me what it would be like in a new area.
Church this week made me want to cry. It was so sad how few people were there. It hurt my heart. We worked so hard! People have free agency and that is part of Heavenly Fathers plan, but sometimes the things they choose really hurts other people. I can promise you with assurity that your actions never effect just you. Never.
So, we were talking the other night and Sister Bird asked what I thought when I first saw her. Before I knew she was my trainer. I told her, "I saw all these filipina's and I was so scared. Then I saw this big brown curly hair on this American, and I thought she was someone I would need to know. And I wanted her to be my trainer. My prayer was answered." I asked her what she thought when she saw me. I was the only new sister and she knew she was training me. She got red in the cheeks and said, "Truthfully? I am embarrassed....I thought. 'Oh great, how are we going to ride in trycs?!" I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to wet myself. She told me to stop and said she wished she hadn't told me. She said, "I was really worried! We were opening an area and I didn't know how we would fit!" That just made me laugh more. It might not make you laugh, but we have had some pretty memorable experiences on trycs.
I think that is pretty much all I have to say. You will know who my new companion is next Monday. I love you all and want you to smile and put your whole trust in the arm of the Lord. He is the only way. Trusting in people will only bring you heartbreak and where will you go when they are gone? No where. Trust your Heavenly Father and your Savior. They will never fail you. I testify that God fulfills ALL His promises.
Have a good week my friends.

Sister Brittany Nichole Newman

Sarah Jo, this is for you:

I thought of you while writing about my righteous crush on Captain Moroni and thought to myself, he could never write a book about how to offend women in 5 syllables or less.  He wouldn't know how.  Then I thought that would sound a little too intense and then I thought who cares so I had my mom add it anyway.  Go figure.

This card came with a really nice personal letter. Brittany is doing well. She should have her 1st transfer over now. I'm hoping to hear where she is soon. I will let you all know when I get any news.

 

email to her daddy:

 DADDY!!!!! I was totally serious about doing those things with you! Thank you for this long email. I love it! You are amazing. I will so go with you to work out in the morning, it will be hard but so good for us. Don't you worry I got the shoes, in fact I am going to send pictures of them. They are great and it is so nice to not have to worry about buying a new pair every week. I look frumpy but I look frumpie everyday. So what ever. I didn't know Lilly was going to do CNA school. That will be good for her. Is she wanting to do nursing stuff?
Tell Grammie and Grandpa I love them and I hope that the ramp you build them works out nicely. It will be good for Gpa to be able to get out and get fresh air. And they could maybe go on walks together to get exercise and to just talk with each other. It would be good dating time.
Sorry you aren't moving, but when it is time it will work out. Sorry that my car is ridiculous. I am pretty sure she might not make it to when I get home. But we will work with what we have to work with. She has been a great car, and as long as she is still good keep using her.
I am glad you sent me Kristina's address. I will send her letters eventually. I am excited to get the next package, but it might be awhile because I am transferring to a new area tomorrow and I don't know where. I don't know if they will have mail run this coming week or in October. But whatever happens I know it will work out just fine. Man! I sound like a Philippina. They don't worry about how it will happen they just go with it when it comes, which can be both good and bad.
Sorry this email is going to be so short but I have others to write and I still have to pack my bags. Could this day get anymore rushed? I love you daddy. I am glad you are healthy and I am excited to see you again soon. I almost have only a year left. That is so weird. I will serve my very best because I have a dad who taught me how to give my all and to love with my whole heart.

I LOVE YOU!!!! Sister Brittany Nichole Newman