Week Three

Hello all!

Third P-day in the MTC and it has been really great. They gave us these stretchy bands when we first came (resistance bands...i guess you would call them) we tried working out with them this morning but it just turned into us laughing and talking and NOT working out. haha the best laid plans. speaking of working out though- the gym here is so great. not like the actual place is really great but it's one of my favorite parts of the day when i can just go there and burn off some stress. mother- thank you for being my workout guru. you inspire me. the funny thing is- at the gym, all the girls come and ask me what work outs to do. apparently i look like i know what i am doing (they are easily fooled haha) so i do cardio and then work with the weights and it's so great. all the girls in my zone are complaining to me how sore they are. and my companion keeps showing off her "muscles" haha she's a twig. but it's so fun. i'm wondering if there is something i can do when i get home to get certified as a personal trainer or something. that would be really fun. anyway- mom all my girls think youre wonder woman. i told them- youre my workout idol :) i love you.

 

this week has been incredible. we had TRC last saturday. that's where volunteers (mostly RMs) come in and we speak to them and teach them in chinese. it is AMAZING. the spirit was so strong. we had two lessons on saturday. the first one was with a returned elder and a convert from GuiLin. She was amazing. we just shared our favorite scriptures and testified to them. the spirit was so strong. and the woman (lucy) just started telling us how excited she was for the Chinese people to recieve the gospel. she quoted the scripture that says the last shall be first and the first shall be last. The chinese people may be the last ones to hear the gospel but they will be the first ones to accept it. they are so ready and when they hear the truth, they recognize it. What a blessing for our family to be so heavily involved in the Lord's work in asia. I have never been more excited in my life than when i found out i was going to be preaching God's word in mandarin. like dad said- it's in my blood.

 

the language is coming along. I LOVE IT. there are hard days and days when i get frustrated. but on those days, God sends me comfort and peace. i was able to almost teach the first vision memorized. the spirit was so strong as i used Joseph Smith's own words to teach of that sacred event. Learning this language is such a blessing for me. It just feels so right as i speak and testify. we have a goal to testify in chinese once a day and that has brought the spirit into my life so much. even though they cant understand it, those who hear it can feel the spirit of our words. i feel like it might be the same when i get to taiwan. they wont understand my chinese (haha) but they will be able to understand my love for them and feel God's love for them. we taught a lesson to a progressing 'investigator' yesterday. wow. she had many questions and as we struggled to teach her, we found that we had the answers. they weren't complex answers because we lack the vocabulary. but they were the answers that she needed. she prayed with us there and it was a sacred experience as she asked if God was there. it reminded me of king lamoni's father. we were kneeling and the spirit was so strong. She could not deny that God knew her and was sending her His love. we committed her to baptism. We may not know everything but we know enough. God will take us as we are and use what we have. and help us become more. through small and simple things (i would say that describes me) great things are brought to pass. this is the Lord's work. He is the Master and I get to watch as He touches lives.

 

it's moments when i'm teaching that i feel God's hand in my life. He urges me to speak or act and I am learning how to listen. God is there. He is always there and He is helping us IF we will let Him.

i had a realization the other day. i was studying the cycle of apostasy and dispensations. we were preparing for a lesson that day. i realized, or more, it really sank in that this is the fulness of times. God has taken His gospel off the earth before but not again. we are living in a time prepatory to the Savior's second coming. we don't need to fear the future. we will ALWAYS have a prophet who holds the keys. we will ALWAYS be able to attend the temple and learn. We can be safe knowing that God has revealed His gospel and given us the ability/means to gain eternal life. this gospel will go forth as long as the earth shall stand. HOW AMAZING IS THAT. i feel so blessed to be a part  of this work. i am learning how to be a life long disciple of Christ. My parents have been great examples of that to me.

 

one last note. remember to use the power of prayer. in the bible dictionary it talks about prayer being the way to secure for ourselves blessings the Lord is already willing to give us. if we just ASK. i know that i am living below my potential. in enos it says that God promised Enos that their writings would be preserved because of his faith. because he asked. i wonder how much the Lord is willing to give us if we ask, with faith. i know as a missionary, i am in constant need of His gifts. they are ours if we will ask and seek and knock. my companion and i pray for the gift of tongues and that has helped us so much. we are blessed to know what to teach, study, and say at the moment we need it. i have also been praying that God will soften my tongue and my heart. i can be harsh sometimes and through Christ, and His gift of charity, i know i can change. whatever you are seeking, i know the Lord can provide.

 

family- i am praying for you as you are getting ready to move. i understand the feelings you're all having. but more importantly, Christ understands them. There is a reason we're destined to be asian (luke is the only one who actually looks the part) God is leading us all back to China and there is a reason. As we follow Him, He will reveal that reason. i love you all more than words can say and i am so glad our familiy can be together forever.

all my love and prayers,

Sister Newman (paigey)