Week 52

This week was pretty busy with appointments. The biggest thing that stood out to me this week was our investigator, Daniel, is wanting to serve a mission, and he is asking all kinds of questions about it and the process. We finished the lessons with him Sunday and are going to review the interview questions with him today. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him learn and grow this transfer, and I hope that after he is baptized that he continues to progress. He has a great friend in the Gospel (Josh S.) that will help guide him on his way and answer any questions he has. It has been a real blessing having Josh teach alongside us because Daniel knows and trusts him, and Josh can explain principles in a way that is heaps easier for him to understand. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for Daniel. Thank you to everyone that has been praying for him. Hopefully now we can get a baptismal suit big enough to fit him because he is super tall!

We are almost finished with the outside of the workout room. I predict we will be done with that in about two weeks.

The weird thing was this week we didn't have to go to Canberra which was nice. We were able to focus on our area.

Update on the status in the Branch:
N. Wright, President Wright’s son was baptized on Sunday and became the newest member of our branch. The water looked freezing cold. President Wright got in and acted like dad does when we go boating at the beginning of the year. It was also raining, but it was a quick service and I am sure that Noah will never forget it. Something I remember about my own baptism was how warm the water was. I guess he will never forget how cold it was, haha. But overall it was a very spiritual Sunday, and I am glad that we could end it with Noah’s Baptism.

That was the highlight of my week. I really enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to this week. I will update you next Monday.

I love you all, have a great week!
Elder Newman

This is a wallaby...

 Ben Boyd tower- in Edrom - near Eden. It was built to be a lighthouse but was never approved - they turned it into a whale spotting tower for the whalers. It is solid sandstone imported from Sydney - you can see it from most of the coast.

Week 51

This week we finished up the lessons with Daniel. We are just going to check his retention of the information that we have been giving him and prepare him for his Baptismal interview, which is going to be easy for him. He is the man! The baptismal date is a ways away, so we have heaps of time to prepare. It is scheduled for the 15th of October. It’s going to be fun. It might be happening in the ocean, which will be so cool and a great experience for Daniel!

Our week this week was pretty average, just a lot of service, a total of 5 lessons and yet another drive up to Canberra. I am still safe, and I am still loving this area even though the work is hard. This upcoming week that we have planned is going to have more teaching involved than previous, which I am excited about. And it is all in preparation for the Meet the Mormons movie and presentation that we are doing as a branch. Hopefully that goes well.

That’s all I have for the week. I hope you all enjoy yours as well. I will talk to yous next week.

Elder Newman

Can you see the whale?

 

 On the drive to Canberra..

This is our flat...

Playing squash with Elder Stott..

Week 50

This week was pretty good. We had to drive up to Canberra again, but it’s a lot easier now that both of us can drive. I am still surprised that we haven't hit a Kangaroo yet (Knock on wood).

Monday we went on another hike with the Shoobridges and had a lesson at their place with Daniel. We watched The Restoration video and had to leave before it was over. Apparently Daniel stayed until 10:30. They had a great discussion with Daniel after the video.

Tuesday we did service as usual. Wednesday we did some family history, and then we were invited to play squash so we played for a bit and then went to game night with one of our investigators. It’s really weird. Missionary work is heaps different in a branch, but this branch does a good job at helping us missionaries out.

Thursday we worked on the Shed at the Shoobridges and then drove to Canberra. Friday we had DTM. It was raining all day, and then we came back to Merimbula and did some member visits and did weekly planning.

Saturday was windy as and I got the worst time ever on my 5k run. I got 27 minutes. And then later that night we had dinner with the Smiths. And then Sunday was church.

We will be going on another hike today and probably repeat something similar to last week. Thursday we have got to go back to Canberra for Zone Conference, so I am looking forward to that.

Everyday I keep learning more and more from Elder Stott. He is just so great at the whole missionary thing. He makes it look easy putting thoughts into words and remembering all the principles that we need to teach. He is always serving me, and we are always having a good time. He is the man!

That’s all for this week. Have a good one!

Elder Newman

Popcorn and a thank you card from Grace P., Sam’s little girl.

Week 49

This week was the busiest I have been for the last two transfers. Monday of course was transfers, and Tuesday was Pday. Wednesday we dug out a tree stump and dug some holes for some shrubs, then we helped Debbie out with a burn pile.

Thursday we helped prep a boat for storage and also kept working on the weight room that we had started for the Shoobridges. While working on the shed I smashed my finger with the hammer so it’s a little hard to type today but all goods.

Friday was DTM and service at Mandeni park, and we baked cookies (they were delicious). Haha, I am now a baker. We gave some of the cookies to a potential named Tom. He is a funny guy. He gives everyone a nickname. Then Saturday we did the 5k run and helped cut firewood and then cleaned the chapel.

Sunday was pretty normal. Daniel showed up again [to church], and we had a great lesson with him and he accepted the invitation to be baptized. We got talking to him after the lesson, and what it sounded like was he was planning on being baptized after our first lesson with him. He wants to be baptized on October 1st, the same day that Wendy gets back from her trip in England, so we are going to be inviting her to that as well.

I am still getting along great with Elder Stott. He is the man. He is awesome at teaching the gospel simply and clearly so that anyone can understand. He is awesome. He has been a blessing to this area, and he is a great example for me as a missionary.

That is all for this week. I love you all.

Love, Elder Newman

 

 
Kangaroo tracks on the beach.

This is my finger before it started bleeding after I hit it with a hammer.

DT Meeting.. because we are so far from the others, we listen in on a conference call from the church.

Sister Shoobridge taught us to make these cookies, and they are delicious!

Week 48

This week was transfers, and I found out that I am going to be in Merimbula with my new companion, Elder Stott. He is from Smithfield, Utah, so not too far. He is an amazing missionary. He is such a great example to me. He has already helped me grow heaps and continues to be that example for me and makes me want to be a better missionary, and I have only spent 2 days with him so far.

Our first night back we taught a ILMH (Investigator Lesson in Member Home), my first in the mission. Elder Stott is a great listener and even better at teaching the gospel. I am excited to see how this transfer will play out.

We got a new investigator Sunday as well (it’s been a good week). Our new investigator’s name is Daniel. He is friends with Josh Shoobridge, and he just showed up at church on Sunday out of the blue and wanted to learn more. We then set a follow up appointment with him and the Shoobridges, and the lesson went great, thanks to Elder Stott. We now have another appointment with him next Monday and we are looking forward to seeing him at church this week.

I am looking forward to this transfer with Elder Stott. It has already begun with a great start. I hope you all had a great week. I love you all, talk to you next week.

Love, Elder Newman

Doing some service for a member with Elder Plata...

My new companion, Elder Stott...