Week 88 - Professional Barber

Well this week was just like last week except we were able to visit some people this week. On Friday we were able to get into a part members home and teach a little bit. And then the mom mentioned something about needing to get her son a haircut, and I volunteered. I, of course, let her know that I was no professional and she still said yes and let me cut her kids hair, which was pretty hard because he was moving around heaps. But while I was cutting his hair, we were able to talk to the family more and get to know them heaps better. Our relationship with that family grew heaps that day, and not just because the haircut was the professional grade.

We also had interviews this past week on Friday as well. It was my last interview with President [and Sister] Back. I’m going to miss them. They go home next transfer.

My companion (Elder Leal) and I have been just smashing the doors ever since he has been here. He says it’s a curse that everywhere he goes the investigators drop off. That has happened to this area, but I don't think it’s a curse. I think that it is the Lord just testing him to see if he will still be obedient even when all you have to do is tract. And that has been what we have been doing for ages. It’s starting to get fun! Haha. We have a busier week this upcoming week, so I should have more to report on. But that's all from my end. I love you all, and have a great week!

Elder Newman

Week 87 - Knockin Doors

This week was just heaps of knocking doors. We have tracted out heaps of streets. We need to build our investigator pool, and that is the only method that seems to have the best chance of success in the area.

[Elder Leal and Elder Newman]

We got to go to the temple this week, so that is why I am emailing so late. We were able to go through this morning, and while we were there I saw some old members that I had served around, so that was good to catch up with them.

[This is Elder Derieg from the mission.]

But other than that nothing really noteworthy happened this week. I love you all. Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Newman

[When I asked about the dinger derby they had last Monday after the Skype calls, this is what he said:]

Didn't hit one over, but got close heaps. We were so sore. It was good to swing again, but the bat that we were using sucked. It rang your hands every hit even if it was good.

Week 86

[We got to Skype on Elder Newman's P-day this week, so he didn't have time for an email. He has a little bit of a cold right now, but he still sounded great and he loves his mission. He and his companion are currently teaching six investigators. They both love baseball and had plans for a member to pitch some softballs to them after Elder Leal had his Skype call. He said they were going to go hit some "dingers." Elder Newman hasn't played any baseball since he left, so he was pretty excited. Hopefully he will tell us how it went in next week's email.:)]

Week 85

This week not a whole lot happened, just normal everyday occurrences, nothing out of the ordinary. But this upcoming week we are going to be trying some new things. And we have come up with some new goals that we have for this area, so we will see if we can help this area progress.

Next week is Mother's Day, and on that Sunday is our invite Sunday, so we will be going around this week trying to get people to come to that. Our goal as a ward is to get 250 in attendance. We will see how that goes.

Other than that, nothing new this week. I love you all. Sorry for the short email. I will find something new to talk about next week. Have a great week everyone!

Elder Newman

My old comp, Elder Cook

Our District.. back, left to right: Elder Derieg, Elder Leal, Elder Newman, Elder McGregor, Elder Foa'i
Front left to right: Elder Scofield, Sister Oswald, Sister Afatasi

Week 84 - Transfers!

This week was good. We were able to get some solid lessons and set some baptismal dates with people. We are going to be very busy very soon. It’s going to be a lot of fun with my new companion, Elder Leal. He is a great missionary and knows how to teach simply for everyone to understand. That is something that I can learn from him because that is something that I have struggled with. So there is going to be a lot going on this transfer, and with an awesome ward behind us it’s going to get done.

Elder Leal is from Shelley, Idaho (he is a spud), and he entered the MTC the same day as me. In fact, we were roommates in the MTC. He loves baseball as well, so we can talk a lot about that. But I am still getting to know him, so I will let you all know more about him when I can.

I hope you all have a great week because I know that I will! It’s going to be a great transfer!

Love,
Elder Newman

[Elder Iino was Elder Newman's trainer when he first got to Australia. They have been serving in the same zone, so Elder Iino was able to visit and tell Elder Newman goodbye before he goes home to Japan tomorrow.]