Happy New Year!! i almost wrote Happy Newman......haha. muscle memory. it is a happy new year and i am a happy newman :) New years eve was probably the coldest night ever and we spent it comfortably asleep in our 9th floor apartment. i love the new year. its a time to make goals! and plans!! which i feel like is what missionary work is all about :) it's weird making goals this year- just thinking that i have over 365 days still on my mission. i love this work and i'm so excited for this next year. it's amazing how much i feel like i learn and experience every day....and then relearn the next day. Heavenly Father is so patient with me as i strive to improve. i'll get it one day :) that is the wonderful hope of this gospel- that all our work and effort is not in vain. we CAN progress and change and improve and i'm so grateful for that. the Atonement and the power of Christ over the natural man is infinite.
yesterday, i was fasting and seeking guidance. i had the talk "anxiously engaged" from general conference come to my mind and stick there. i just had a feeling that i should read it. i am so grateful for modern revelation and the ability our leaders have to know God's will for us. as i read that talk this morning, i felt such a peace and i learned so much. I think that the greatest thing i can learn on my mission is to recognize and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. He will guide me to know what i need to do daily to bless those around me. by seeking the spirit to know who and how to serve every day, we can make a difference. light comes into our lives because we are not seeking the things of this world. we won't be focused on ourselves. when we become tools in the Lord's hands to bless others, that is when we are truly happy. no greater happiness comes than through service. i have realized how focused i've been on myself and what i want out of this mission. elder ballards talk has helped me start to change my perspective. i love these people so much. i love serving them and that is what this mission is about
we're really focusing on rescuing and improving our teaching. so many of the less actives that we are working with i feel are just as new to the gospel as an investigator. we call them 'lambs' and we were singing dear to heart of the shepherd this week :) i love the feeling that comes from teaching others about the Atonement. i am so grateful for this chance to serve and do some little thing to establish Zion in this little area. This work is eternal and the message that we have as members of this church is ever lasting. i want to invite everyone to read anxiously engaged from last general conference (www.lds.org) and really seek to serve others. i know that it will change the world and change your life.
Happy new year to everyone! i love you all.
sister newman
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