Howdy there my lovely family! It's again so great to hear from you and know you guys are all doing well. I hope that always stays the same! It's been a pretty busy last week getting to know the rest of the area and the members houses/names. So we've got some investigators now that we're teaching and I'm happy to be here, like always! Yesterday's attendance in Sacrament Mtg was around 70, which is awesome. Only about 5-6 of those were investigators. We've gone around and found out where more members live who didn't know that the meeting place is now at Kwamo instead of at the university ward. There's plenty of things to be done here. My companion and I finally moved into our own room also. Before, we were just temporarily in a side room with only mattresses on the floor for beds. Now we actually have beds and desks... they're still working on getting us dressers for our clothes. Hopefully that'll happen within the coming days cause we just have our stuff all over the room at the moment with our baggage on the floor.
We taught investigators class again but this time I taught on baptism and took up all the time. So next Sunday my companion will teach and I'll sit. It's cool to have the opportunity to teach the class and I always ask them if they can understand me okay. If someone can't speak English, then we get help with a translator. So the members are helping and I'm happy for that. Kwamo group is looking like it could become a branch or ward very soon. There are some things that the Stake President needs to clear and papers that need to be filled out so I hope they can work hard to get those things taken care of. We're honestly not sure how long we'll stay in the building where we're living. As soon as we get more people coming, the missionaries(us) will move out to a different place. I'm not sure if I'll get to see that happen but I have already seen the increase of people coming to church and I'm grateful for that.
Kumasi is an interesting place and it's definitely the most busy city I've been in throughout my mission. There's always too much traffic and the cars here drive crazy anyway... so it's a continuous adventure where ever we go here. From our apartment we take a trotro, or van to a station that's about 20 mins away. Then we take a different trotro for another 30 mins to finally get to the Bantama chapel where we have our P-day activity. So there's a lot more traveling involved too compared to other zones I've been in. But overall I'm glad I have the chance to be here. I thought I'd never get to come to Kumasi cause I'd been in all the other areas of our mission, but I guess the Lord has a better plan than me, which is usually the case with things. So I'll continue to rely on Him and I'm sure everything will be great. Even though the other missionaries may remind me of the remaining time, it's a good reminder to let me know I need to work harder and finish strong. So in a way I can view it as a blessing. Dad, thanks for your comments and thoughts on your own last month. I hope I can do everything possible to work hard and help the area to grow and flourish. I'm sure we all have regrets throughout our lives but we need to look at them as learning experiences and not bad experiences where we failed. Regrets are there to help us move forward and know that we can improve. I think at times I and probably everyone have had regrets throughout our lives that hold us back because we take so much time thinking about the bad thing we did or the error we made but we need to see it as a chance to be better. I hope all of us can remember that we shouldn't wallow in our sins or weaknesses but we should always come unto Christ and know that it's only through Him that we can be better and repent of our sins. We should all be very thankful to our Father in Heaven for His wonderful plan and His loving sacrifice to give His Only Begotten Son to suffer and die for us so we can be made clean from our sins. I'm very grateful for the Atonement and the knowledge that the Restoration has brought concerning it. Not many people apart from the Church understand that Jesus didn't just die for us but that He truly suffered even before He was crucified. The Gospel is such a blessing to us all.
I don't have much else to say but I want all of you to know that I love you. You're all in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you're all doing great, staying safe and enjoying life's wonderful blessings. God loves us so much and we need to recognize all the blessings He has given to us. Again I love you all and I'll talk with you guys next week! Take care!
- Elder Newbold
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
July 11th
Hey Fam!
I'm here in the cafe waiting for transfer news and it hasn't yet come, but when it does I'll add it to the email or send another later. So to begin with, Happy Birthday Jude! It's a little late but it's the best I could do right now, haha. I can't believe he's 2 already! Where did the time go?
Yesterday we were somehow rained out during the time we were supposed to have church. So the attendance there in sacrament meeting wasn't the best. Few members came and no investigators came, once again. Whenever it rains here we really can't expect many people to come. Sadly that's just the fact that we face here in Ghana. But we'll shoot for a better outcome next week and do our best for now and in the upcoming week. We're hoping to have a baptism in the upcoming weeks on either the 27th or 31st of this month. So we'll finalize that and talk with the bishopric about it. Hopefully everything will be good.
Say hi to Taylor and Taylor for me when they get home. It'll be only a short time before I can say it for myself, but until then, I hope the best for them in adjusting to conditions being back home. Also best of luck to Jacob Wheeler and Nate Read, I'm excited for them and I know they'll have great experiences.
I'll be instructing tomorrow in the combined District Meeting and from what I've thought and planned out already, I think I'll be talking about Gratitude. I've realized the past couple of days especially that we take things for granted and we need to be thankful for all that we have. The Lord is truly gracious and loving towards all His children and we need to open our eyes more often and recognize all that He has done for us. So, I'll finalize my thoughts hopefully by tonight and I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.
As for a birthday package, I'm wondering if we can just wait and celebrate my birthday when I get back... is that an option? I'd rather have a banana cream pie than a birthday package, honestly, haha. I'm always grateful for packages, don't get me wrong, but I'd much rather get to be with my family and friends and get to eat a very delicious pie, haha. Let me know if that's a possibility or not. If it's not, I'd still be happy with a package.
I'm glad to hear that Dan's home and safe. I wonder if I could grow a beard when I get home... is that allowed? All the men in the family should grow beards and then we can take a picture, that'd be cool... anyway, I hope Dan had a great time and I'll be expecting to hear about his experiences sometime soon.
As for the money in my account, again I'm fine. I shouldn't need anymore til I go home, thanks. I'm still trying to find things to buy for family or friends.
Well, I hope everyone's doing well back home. I hope you're all healthy and keeping up the hard work. Thanks for the emails and the prayers and the support... the list goes on and on of the things you all have done for me. I'm eternally grateful to you all! And I hope you all know that you're also in my prayers constantly. I love you all and I'll talk to you all soon!
- Elder Newbold
I'm here in the cafe waiting for transfer news and it hasn't yet come, but when it does I'll add it to the email or send another later. So to begin with, Happy Birthday Jude! It's a little late but it's the best I could do right now, haha. I can't believe he's 2 already! Where did the time go?
Yesterday we were somehow rained out during the time we were supposed to have church. So the attendance there in sacrament meeting wasn't the best. Few members came and no investigators came, once again. Whenever it rains here we really can't expect many people to come. Sadly that's just the fact that we face here in Ghana. But we'll shoot for a better outcome next week and do our best for now and in the upcoming week. We're hoping to have a baptism in the upcoming weeks on either the 27th or 31st of this month. So we'll finalize that and talk with the bishopric about it. Hopefully everything will be good.
Say hi to Taylor and Taylor for me when they get home. It'll be only a short time before I can say it for myself, but until then, I hope the best for them in adjusting to conditions being back home. Also best of luck to Jacob Wheeler and Nate Read, I'm excited for them and I know they'll have great experiences.
I'll be instructing tomorrow in the combined District Meeting and from what I've thought and planned out already, I think I'll be talking about Gratitude. I've realized the past couple of days especially that we take things for granted and we need to be thankful for all that we have. The Lord is truly gracious and loving towards all His children and we need to open our eyes more often and recognize all that He has done for us. So, I'll finalize my thoughts hopefully by tonight and I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.
As for a birthday package, I'm wondering if we can just wait and celebrate my birthday when I get back... is that an option? I'd rather have a banana cream pie than a birthday package, honestly, haha. I'm always grateful for packages, don't get me wrong, but I'd much rather get to be with my family and friends and get to eat a very delicious pie, haha. Let me know if that's a possibility or not. If it's not, I'd still be happy with a package.
I'm glad to hear that Dan's home and safe. I wonder if I could grow a beard when I get home... is that allowed? All the men in the family should grow beards and then we can take a picture, that'd be cool... anyway, I hope Dan had a great time and I'll be expecting to hear about his experiences sometime soon.
As for the money in my account, again I'm fine. I shouldn't need anymore til I go home, thanks. I'm still trying to find things to buy for family or friends.
Well, I hope everyone's doing well back home. I hope you're all healthy and keeping up the hard work. Thanks for the emails and the prayers and the support... the list goes on and on of the things you all have done for me. I'm eternally grateful to you all! And I hope you all know that you're also in my prayers constantly. I love you all and I'll talk to you all soon!
- Elder Newbold
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Fourth of July Letter
Hey my awesome family!
Happy to hear of your amazing experiences and to witness the love of our Father in Heaven. Dad, I'm glad to hear your healthy and doing better with signs of improvement. I wish you would've told me of this sooner so that I could also join in the fasting. I'm glad the power of the priesthood has once again blessed our family's lives.
I have a quick question before I start off, just so that I don't forget to ask it. You said that Nate Read will go into the MTC Aug 10th or around there. Will he be going to the MTC here in Ghana? I'm wondering if his mission is attached to the West African area. If it is, let me know cause there could be a possibility that I could see him here. But if not, then I guess it'll be another 2 yrs. I can't believe Tay's getting home this next week... crazy how time's gone so fast with that...
So, this past week I had the chance to go to Cape Coast again, again for the purpose of going to the dentist for my companion. It ended up that the dentist's office was open but he never showed up so we just waited there for almost an hour until the receptionist guy told us he wasn't in... So we went over to the mission home and helped Sister Sabey with some things as they finished up their preparations before going to Accra to pick up the new mission president and his wife. Luckily we had the chance to see the Sabeys before they went so we could say a final good-bye. By now they'll be back at their home and here we've got a new mission president who we'll meet with on Wednesday. We'll have interviews with him and we'll get to know him a little. Today for our pday/ July 4th celebration, since we normally have a pool party, a BBQ and then fireworks, we had to at least have some sort of one. Don't worry we didn't have a pool party but we did go to a restaurant and order either pizza or a hamburger. I had a pizza and it was again amazing, haha. The restaurant here in Takoradi is called North Sea and it's about 15-20 cedi for an either medium or large pizza. We don't get the chance too often to go and celebrate like that so it's fun when we do make the time to go.
The past week hasn't been very hot here luckily and even today it's been pretty overcast with not so hot weather. So, anything besides hot, sunny weather is good weather. My health has improved and all I've got now is just a little stuffy nose which definitely beats having Malaria. So I'm thankful for that. Saturday I went on splits with Elder Thompson, one of my zone leaders, so that makes it about the 5th or 6th time I've been to their area. This past Sunday we surprisingly didn't have any investigators come to church which hasn't happened to us in quite a while! It was pretty strange to not have anyone show up but I guess it helped us to see how blessed we normally are to have someone come ever Sunday. Tomorrow we'll have district meeting and then we'll go around and see those of our investigators who were supposed to come but didn't. Sunday it was raining quite a bit after church so it didn't really allow us to go out. Normally here when it rains it somehow shuts everything down and you won't see anyone outside. It rained a little today but just for a short time.
Dad, as for my schedule when I get home, I really don't mind what we do as a family. I'll just be happy to be with you guys and it won't really make a difference to me. I'll try to look for a job somewhat close to home and then I plan on going back to school come Spring time. That's just what I'd plan on right now. This is the first time in my mission where I can say that I'll be home next month... strange. You said I'll be speaking the 28th? I'll plan for that then and see what comes to my mind to speak about. I'll be bearing my testimony in Fante, at least the little Fante that I know. Even though Twi is easier to speak, I'm in an area where Fante is spoken more and not Twi. Luckily I've got a member that helps me out so we'll see how it goes. I've got time to practice, haha.
We receive transfer news next Monday to see if I'm staying here for the rest of my time or if I'm going somewhere else. I honestly just want to stay here and finish off but it has been difficult in a few different aspects. But, hopefully things will be better and the Lord will continue to lead us in His work. I'm happy to be here and grateful for the experiences I've had here! I love you all and I guess I'll think about what I need for my bday package, haha. I don't even think about my bday coming up. Well, we'll talk more next week! Until then, take care and have a great week, all of you.
- Elder Newbold
Happy to hear of your amazing experiences and to witness the love of our Father in Heaven. Dad, I'm glad to hear your healthy and doing better with signs of improvement. I wish you would've told me of this sooner so that I could also join in the fasting. I'm glad the power of the priesthood has once again blessed our family's lives.
I have a quick question before I start off, just so that I don't forget to ask it. You said that Nate Read will go into the MTC Aug 10th or around there. Will he be going to the MTC here in Ghana? I'm wondering if his mission is attached to the West African area. If it is, let me know cause there could be a possibility that I could see him here. But if not, then I guess it'll be another 2 yrs. I can't believe Tay's getting home this next week... crazy how time's gone so fast with that...
So, this past week I had the chance to go to Cape Coast again, again for the purpose of going to the dentist for my companion. It ended up that the dentist's office was open but he never showed up so we just waited there for almost an hour until the receptionist guy told us he wasn't in... So we went over to the mission home and helped Sister Sabey with some things as they finished up their preparations before going to Accra to pick up the new mission president and his wife. Luckily we had the chance to see the Sabeys before they went so we could say a final good-bye. By now they'll be back at their home and here we've got a new mission president who we'll meet with on Wednesday. We'll have interviews with him and we'll get to know him a little. Today for our pday/ July 4th celebration, since we normally have a pool party, a BBQ and then fireworks, we had to at least have some sort of one. Don't worry we didn't have a pool party but we did go to a restaurant and order either pizza or a hamburger. I had a pizza and it was again amazing, haha. The restaurant here in Takoradi is called North Sea and it's about 15-20 cedi for an either medium or large pizza. We don't get the chance too often to go and celebrate like that so it's fun when we do make the time to go.
The past week hasn't been very hot here luckily and even today it's been pretty overcast with not so hot weather. So, anything besides hot, sunny weather is good weather. My health has improved and all I've got now is just a little stuffy nose which definitely beats having Malaria. So I'm thankful for that. Saturday I went on splits with Elder Thompson, one of my zone leaders, so that makes it about the 5th or 6th time I've been to their area. This past Sunday we surprisingly didn't have any investigators come to church which hasn't happened to us in quite a while! It was pretty strange to not have anyone show up but I guess it helped us to see how blessed we normally are to have someone come ever Sunday. Tomorrow we'll have district meeting and then we'll go around and see those of our investigators who were supposed to come but didn't. Sunday it was raining quite a bit after church so it didn't really allow us to go out. Normally here when it rains it somehow shuts everything down and you won't see anyone outside. It rained a little today but just for a short time.
Dad, as for my schedule when I get home, I really don't mind what we do as a family. I'll just be happy to be with you guys and it won't really make a difference to me. I'll try to look for a job somewhat close to home and then I plan on going back to school come Spring time. That's just what I'd plan on right now. This is the first time in my mission where I can say that I'll be home next month... strange. You said I'll be speaking the 28th? I'll plan for that then and see what comes to my mind to speak about. I'll be bearing my testimony in Fante, at least the little Fante that I know. Even though Twi is easier to speak, I'm in an area where Fante is spoken more and not Twi. Luckily I've got a member that helps me out so we'll see how it goes. I've got time to practice, haha.
We receive transfer news next Monday to see if I'm staying here for the rest of my time or if I'm going somewhere else. I honestly just want to stay here and finish off but it has been difficult in a few different aspects. But, hopefully things will be better and the Lord will continue to lead us in His work. I'm happy to be here and grateful for the experiences I've had here! I love you all and I guess I'll think about what I need for my bday package, haha. I don't even think about my bday coming up. Well, we'll talk more next week! Until then, take care and have a great week, all of you.
- Elder Newbold
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hey Family
Hey family!
Sorry I'm emailing a day late, but yesterday we were gone the whole day to Cape Coast and didn't get back until about 7:30 in the evening. So, we've got time to spare right now and I'm able to send a quick email. This past week's gone well despite the malaria I had... at least we think it was malaria. It only stayed around for a day or two but now it's turned into a cold and the sore throat as of Sunday has greatly improved. I'm happy to be back to somewhat normal. I'm grateful for my health like I said last week, but right when I said that, it was the next day that the malaria came. So, maybe I should hold off saying it everytime and just mentally know that I'm doing well, haha. Like I said, yesterday we traveled to Cape Coast for a zone conference/ farewell gathering for Pres and Sister Sabey. They'll pick up the new mission president and his wife Wednesday evening and then the Sabeys will go home Thursday. So, within the week we'll have a new leader at the head. That'll be a new experience for all of us and I'm sorta curious as to how things will go. At the same time I'm sure things will go as normal and the Lord will continue to direct His work here in this part of Ghana. We played a soccer tournament yesterday with the other 4 zones that were there with us and we had a good time. I saw a lot of old friends that I haven't seen for about 9 months.
As for the testimony in Fante, I'll work on it and I'll even make the promise that I'll be sure to do it at the pulpit there in Layton for you guys to hear and probably not understand anything I say, haha. But it'll be a good challenge for me to complete and I'd be happy to do it. It's actually been the thing on my mind throughout my whole mission... to wonder what I'd say or do at my homecoming talk, but I'm sure the Spirit will help me with things. For money in the account, I've been fine so far and I'll let you know if I need anymore, but as for now I'm doing okay. Thanks so much. I also received the package, Mom, that you sent a while back. Thanks for that too. Honestly, I hadn't heard any news about my flight itinerary and it was news to me that I'll be arriving on the 24th instead of the 23rd. Maybe they'll send it to me within the next few weeks. From what I've heard now, as of asking around since I read that, is that we'll fly out at night on the 23rd. Is that what the papers say? Anyway, that time will come when it comes. I'm doing my best to keep up the work and I feel like the Lord's helping me now more than ever to stay working and strong to the finish. All of your emails and testimonies help so much and I can always feel you love and concern for me. Thanks for that.
I've been reading the Doctrine and Covenants lately and I only have about 54 sections left. I've tried to read it also while reading the Book of Mormon and a few other things, haha. I'm at about Alma 61 or so in the Book of Mormon, so I'm not too far ahead of you guys back home. Captain Moroni is truly a great person and figure for us to emulate. I've always been amazed by that scripture that describes him and I wonder at it sometimes. I hope we can all be like him, the men at least. The women, I don't fear for them. They're always wonderful and pure. We, men, have to do some trying to be perfect and even then it's only through God's love that it's possible, haha.
Well, I'm doing great here and I'm happy to be here. Though the time's going by quickly, I feel like it's a great time to be out working in the service of my fellow beings and in the service of my God. We truly are eternally indebted to Him as King Benjamin talks about at the beginning of Mosiah, in the Book of Mormon. The truths and principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ always keep me in awe. God's plan is so perfect, even as He is. God has chosen us out of our weaknesses to go and preach His gospel to the living among the earth. I see it as a great opportunity and I wish that the other missionaries around the world would see that too. I've tried to help those in my zone to see that and I've really been impressed to talk about reverence and respect for the gospel and I'll probably be talking about something similar to that in the upcoming weeks. I know I'm not perfect so I'm really not in a place to judge, but I am in a place to help my district and others in my zone. So if I see something that we can improve upon, I'll bring it up.
God lives and loves each and everyone of us. His Son lives also and has a body of flesh and bones even as our Father does. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the gospel and I know it's by the power of the Holy Ghost that it's been possible for me to learn so much throughout the time on my mission. Though I may think I know much about the topics of the gospel, I know deep inside that my mind is seriously nothing compared to God's and He has all power. The Church has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the authority has been brought back with it. I feel very privileged to hold that authority, at least a part of it, and I hope that I can further use it to bless the lives of those around me. I'm grateful for your thoughts and prayers in my behalf. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for the safety of your prayers. I pray that God will continue to watch over and protect all of you and that we'll always recognize His hand in our lives. We are a very blessed people on the earth to have the gospel and leaders who receive revelation for us. To have temples throughout the world where we can do work for the living and the dead is also a blessing beyond our comprehension. I can't wait to go back to the temple and experience the love of my Heavenly Father so strongly, though I know He is watching over me every minute of the day. The temple is such a wonderful place and I miss going there. We should all take advantage of having temples so close to us back home.
I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you guys in a week! Have a safe and fun week. Keep up the great work all of you!
- Elder Newbold
Sorry I'm emailing a day late, but yesterday we were gone the whole day to Cape Coast and didn't get back until about 7:30 in the evening. So, we've got time to spare right now and I'm able to send a quick email. This past week's gone well despite the malaria I had... at least we think it was malaria. It only stayed around for a day or two but now it's turned into a cold and the sore throat as of Sunday has greatly improved. I'm happy to be back to somewhat normal. I'm grateful for my health like I said last week, but right when I said that, it was the next day that the malaria came. So, maybe I should hold off saying it everytime and just mentally know that I'm doing well, haha. Like I said, yesterday we traveled to Cape Coast for a zone conference/ farewell gathering for Pres and Sister Sabey. They'll pick up the new mission president and his wife Wednesday evening and then the Sabeys will go home Thursday. So, within the week we'll have a new leader at the head. That'll be a new experience for all of us and I'm sorta curious as to how things will go. At the same time I'm sure things will go as normal and the Lord will continue to direct His work here in this part of Ghana. We played a soccer tournament yesterday with the other 4 zones that were there with us and we had a good time. I saw a lot of old friends that I haven't seen for about 9 months.
As for the testimony in Fante, I'll work on it and I'll even make the promise that I'll be sure to do it at the pulpit there in Layton for you guys to hear and probably not understand anything I say, haha. But it'll be a good challenge for me to complete and I'd be happy to do it. It's actually been the thing on my mind throughout my whole mission... to wonder what I'd say or do at my homecoming talk, but I'm sure the Spirit will help me with things. For money in the account, I've been fine so far and I'll let you know if I need anymore, but as for now I'm doing okay. Thanks so much. I also received the package, Mom, that you sent a while back. Thanks for that too. Honestly, I hadn't heard any news about my flight itinerary and it was news to me that I'll be arriving on the 24th instead of the 23rd. Maybe they'll send it to me within the next few weeks. From what I've heard now, as of asking around since I read that, is that we'll fly out at night on the 23rd. Is that what the papers say? Anyway, that time will come when it comes. I'm doing my best to keep up the work and I feel like the Lord's helping me now more than ever to stay working and strong to the finish. All of your emails and testimonies help so much and I can always feel you love and concern for me. Thanks for that.
I've been reading the Doctrine and Covenants lately and I only have about 54 sections left. I've tried to read it also while reading the Book of Mormon and a few other things, haha. I'm at about Alma 61 or so in the Book of Mormon, so I'm not too far ahead of you guys back home. Captain Moroni is truly a great person and figure for us to emulate. I've always been amazed by that scripture that describes him and I wonder at it sometimes. I hope we can all be like him, the men at least. The women, I don't fear for them. They're always wonderful and pure. We, men, have to do some trying to be perfect and even then it's only through God's love that it's possible, haha.
Well, I'm doing great here and I'm happy to be here. Though the time's going by quickly, I feel like it's a great time to be out working in the service of my fellow beings and in the service of my God. We truly are eternally indebted to Him as King Benjamin talks about at the beginning of Mosiah, in the Book of Mormon. The truths and principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ always keep me in awe. God's plan is so perfect, even as He is. God has chosen us out of our weaknesses to go and preach His gospel to the living among the earth. I see it as a great opportunity and I wish that the other missionaries around the world would see that too. I've tried to help those in my zone to see that and I've really been impressed to talk about reverence and respect for the gospel and I'll probably be talking about something similar to that in the upcoming weeks. I know I'm not perfect so I'm really not in a place to judge, but I am in a place to help my district and others in my zone. So if I see something that we can improve upon, I'll bring it up.
God lives and loves each and everyone of us. His Son lives also and has a body of flesh and bones even as our Father does. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the gospel and I know it's by the power of the Holy Ghost that it's been possible for me to learn so much throughout the time on my mission. Though I may think I know much about the topics of the gospel, I know deep inside that my mind is seriously nothing compared to God's and He has all power. The Church has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the authority has been brought back with it. I feel very privileged to hold that authority, at least a part of it, and I hope that I can further use it to bless the lives of those around me. I'm grateful for your thoughts and prayers in my behalf. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for the safety of your prayers. I pray that God will continue to watch over and protect all of you and that we'll always recognize His hand in our lives. We are a very blessed people on the earth to have the gospel and leaders who receive revelation for us. To have temples throughout the world where we can do work for the living and the dead is also a blessing beyond our comprehension. I can't wait to go back to the temple and experience the love of my Heavenly Father so strongly, though I know He is watching over me every minute of the day. The temple is such a wonderful place and I miss going there. We should all take advantage of having temples so close to us back home.
I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you guys in a week! Have a safe and fun week. Keep up the great work all of you!
- Elder Newbold
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hey family!
Another week's gone by! Dad and Mom, thanks for your experiences and testimonies all the time. It's hard to picture the house being so empty but that'll change soon. Tmrw is my 22 month mark of being in Ghana. So, 22 months ago today, I flew to Ghana and you guys drove me to the airport that morning, haha. Crazy to think about.
Yesterday we had our baptism and it went well. Bro John Forson was baptized and hopefully within the next few weeks his family will join him. We need to continue to teach them and prepare them also. This past week we saw Kofi again a few times and he's still interested in what we're teaching. We finally got him to pray and it was cool to see that experience. I know he'll progress and if we can get him to come to church, he can be baptized soon. This will be the last week that we're able to meet with the two British girls as they'll be leaving next week back home. So, tomorrow we'll see them for one final time and hopefully we can leave a lasting impression that will help them investigate the Church back in England. We had the chance to give someone a blessing last night, as she's been having difficulties lately with several different things in her life. She's a less-active and hasn't been to church in about 2 yrs and recently lost a baby to a miscarriage. She was in the hospital last week for 3 or 4 days and now she's recovered but is still not knowing if the Church is true. She's had several things bothering her and she asked us to give a blessing of comfort. So it was a good experience and I'm glad to have the Priesthood in my life.
I really don't have much to say today. Maybe also the fact that I'm freezing here in this internet cafe... ya you heard right, freezing. The people here must like to live in a refrigerator or something. I'm also sitting right in front of it, which was good to begin with, but after an hour I'm now a popsicle, haha. So, please know that I'm doing well. I have good health and lots to be grateful for. I haven't gotten the package yet but I'll let you guys know when it comes. Thanks for everything. So, everyone, keep up the great work. Have a great week and savor it, cause it goes by too fast! I'll talk to you soon!
Love you all!
- Elder Newbold
Another week's gone by! Dad and Mom, thanks for your experiences and testimonies all the time. It's hard to picture the house being so empty but that'll change soon. Tmrw is my 22 month mark of being in Ghana. So, 22 months ago today, I flew to Ghana and you guys drove me to the airport that morning, haha. Crazy to think about.
Yesterday we had our baptism and it went well. Bro John Forson was baptized and hopefully within the next few weeks his family will join him. We need to continue to teach them and prepare them also. This past week we saw Kofi again a few times and he's still interested in what we're teaching. We finally got him to pray and it was cool to see that experience. I know he'll progress and if we can get him to come to church, he can be baptized soon. This will be the last week that we're able to meet with the two British girls as they'll be leaving next week back home. So, tomorrow we'll see them for one final time and hopefully we can leave a lasting impression that will help them investigate the Church back in England. We had the chance to give someone a blessing last night, as she's been having difficulties lately with several different things in her life. She's a less-active and hasn't been to church in about 2 yrs and recently lost a baby to a miscarriage. She was in the hospital last week for 3 or 4 days and now she's recovered but is still not knowing if the Church is true. She's had several things bothering her and she asked us to give a blessing of comfort. So it was a good experience and I'm glad to have the Priesthood in my life.
I really don't have much to say today. Maybe also the fact that I'm freezing here in this internet cafe... ya you heard right, freezing. The people here must like to live in a refrigerator or something. I'm also sitting right in front of it, which was good to begin with, but after an hour I'm now a popsicle, haha. So, please know that I'm doing well. I have good health and lots to be grateful for. I haven't gotten the package yet but I'll let you guys know when it comes. Thanks for everything. So, everyone, keep up the great work. Have a great week and savor it, cause it goes by too fast! I'll talk to you soon!
Love you all!
- Elder Newbold
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Latest from Elder Newbold
Hey there my family and friends! Another MOnday has come and I guess it's time to write somethings down if I can remember everything. It's good to hear of your Sabbath experiences and testimony building moments. Yesterday was Fast & Testimony Mtg for us also, and the new elders here with us bore their testimonies and introduced themselves. So for the past few days I and my companion have shown them certain portions of our area as well as the different members too. Last Wednesday we attended PEC Mtg and told the bishopric of our upcoming baptismal date of June 19th, a Sunday. In my own opinion and the other elders who I've talked to, obviously it's a wonderful thing when members show up to the baptism and support the new convert in that way, so we decided to place the date on a Sunday after church. The last baptism we had was also on a Sunday and the member attendance was amazing. We'd like it to be again a great experience like that. Again we're facing opposition with the decision to place it on a Sunday, mainly for the fact that Bishop says he'll be too busy and won't be able to attend. I believe that, yes, he'll be busy, but even on another day he'll make excuses of why we should postpone the date to another day. So, it's a little less opposition than last time, but we talked to him and we're continuing to pray that he'll understand the importance of a baptism. I don't want to blame the Bishop only and make it sound like he's not trying because I know he's a very busy man and he's serving the Lord as best he can. The members also need to be realizing that we're bringing souls unto Christ and His Church and it's not just the missionaries that are in the work of the Lord... they're included. Us as missionaries are doing our best and I guess that's what the Lord expects of us. If we need to plant seeds for future success, that's fine with me.
The best part and the one that counts is that I know for myself that, truly, we are in the work of our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to be here and I'm continually learning. I am definitely not perfect and it's probably not even my place to be complaining about the bishop. I love him and I pray that the members will also. Being here though for 7 months I can definitely tell that the ward isn't as perfect as ours back home. Bishop Egan does a great job and it's even more than we expect. I do realize his service and I'm grateful to know him and feel his love. One of the things I remember most as something he told me before I left to come to Ghana was this, "I don't want to see you until your two years is up..." I can't say those are the exact words but it's as close as it needs to be. We all have a great example to follow when we look at Bishop Egan and I'm grateful to the things he does for us as a ward and individuals. He and the rest of the bishopric work hard and love the ward and if we can't recognize that, then we must be hiding in a corner and staring at the wall... and even then, it's difficult not to feel their love and concern. I thank them and even all the others throughout the world that are giving their lives to serving the Lord. I know the Lord will bless them if He has not already.
Yesterday we had the chance to teach for the first time, a man named Kofi (ko-fee not coffee, haha). He, we met two days earlier, on Thursday, and gave him a Restoration pamphlet. He was over at a members work place, kinda the hang out zone for drunk people, haha. So as we all can guess, I'm sure he's been drunk at some point. At least at the time he wasn't and so we were able to talk with him. He was interested and he complained that he always see people like us but they never talk to him but just walk by. So he asked why we don't talk to him. I said that if he would've shown an interest by at least greeting us or trying to talk to us then we would talk to him back. But there are many people on the street and to talk to everyone we see would take quite awhile. So we scheduled a time yesterday after church and we started teaching him about promises and the doctrine of Christ. He said he didn't have any questions but was ready to listen. He also remarked that he hadn't attended church in about 15 yrs, being a Catholic previously. When we asked him to pray after the lesson to close, he also said that he doesn't remember the last time he prayed. We taught him that it doesn't matter what we say but that God will be happy to listen to His children as they try to speak to Him. We'll be meeting again with him in the coming days and we pray that he can improve and change his life. He wasn't like the typical drunkard that we usually meet on the street who's just plastered beyond their imagination, but he showed interest and was sober.
Today for Pday we played football (soccer) at the stake center. Tomorrow we'll have district mtg and I'll be instructing together with the other district leader. It'll be a combined mtg over in Kojokrom, which is about a 10 min drive in a car. We'll be talking about service and reminding the other elders that we're here to always serve those we come in contact with. It's the first time that I've instructed together with another person, so we'll see how it goes. I'm sure things will go just fine.
Fun to hear about Brad, Chels and the kids coming to visit. Weren't they just there a few weeks ago? or has it just gone by really fast? I can't wait to see them and hear Jude talk. It won't be long til they'll have another baby in the fam, haha.... wonderful. I miss you guys, but it won't be too long until we see eachother. I'm afraid the time will go by too fast though, as it has already. Just another reason why I need to keep working hard right now while there's time remaining and just do my best. I'm again thankful for your support, prayers and love. I couldn't ask for anything more then what you all have given and shown to me.
I love you all so much, and I hope the best for you all. Stay safe, and have a great week! We'll talk soon, too soon.
- Elder Newbold
Monday, April 18, 2011
From Nate the Missionary
Hey there family of mine! Good to hear from you again as usual and know how things are going. It also rained here a little last night and it tried to rain again today, but it was mostly just overcast. The weather is still hot, but it seems to be cooling down at night recently.
Hopefully the rainy season will be coming as planned and we can be experiencing the cooler temperatures. I'd love to feel a bit colder than normal.
Good news for this week is that we had a successful baptism despite the opposition from the Bishop... I wish he would support us more, as his 1st councillor does. But he just doesn't quite have the same vision as us yet I guess. This time, as we had planned the baptism to be right after the Church services, he said that we shouldn't ever have it on another Sunday cause he's too busy to attend. We told him that we put the baptism date on Sunday so that we could have better attendance than 5-10 people, like in the past. This time, though the Bishop didn't attend, we had about 50 people there and I was amazed at how united the ward seemed as they witnessed the baptism of 3 new converts. Felix was me and my companion's investigator to be baptized and the other elders had two people, a mother and her son. So it was a wonderful experience. Our other candidate, Sophia, was baptized in Accra by the missionaries there. We spoke with them over the phone and they told us they also had a great experience on Saturday.
Today we received transfer news and my companion will be going. I'm remaining here and will be getting a new companion named Elder Kebbie, from Sierra Leone. I'm always nervous to see how new companions are, but I'm anxious to get going and continue the work here in Kweikuma, Sekondi. I'm happy to remain here and I wonder if I'll finish my mission here. This past Thursday I had the chance to do my first baptismal interviews as a District Leader. It was a humbling experience of course and I was a little unsure how to do it at first, but it was a cool learning time and my testimony was definitely strengthened as I spoke with Agatha, the mother, and her son Rockson. Agatha is probably in her 40's and her son is probably 12 or 13. They're great people and I'm happy to have been able to meet with them. As I finished the first interview, which was with Agatha, I asked her to give the closing prayer and as she did, it was apparent that she had had opposition and persecution since she started to attend the Church. In her prayer, she spoke of certain friends and people who told her the Church was not good and that she shouldn't attend, but she told God that she's tested it and found it to be His true and only church. It was an interesting experience and I could tell that she already had a strong witness that the Church is true.
This past Tuesday I instructed again. This time it was in a combined District Mtg. and I tried something different. Usually when I instruct, I like to use a lot of sources and even quote from the words of Latter-day Prophets, but this time I decided to only use the Book of Mormon and see how it went. I was surprised to see how easy it was to just talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the word of God, as represented by the iron rod in Lehi's dream and vision of the tree of life. I talked a little bit on how we need to be those people who are constantly clinging to the iron rod and once we taste of the fruit, we can't allow other people, those in the great and spacious building, to make us fall and be ashamed. We need to stand strong and continue to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As missionaries and members of the Church, we have tasted of that fruit which is joyous above all other fruits and we know our responsibility to spread the word and help our fellow brothers and sisters. I was glad that the Spirit helped me and it went smoothly.
Dad, thanks for sharing your experience. We all have to keep doing our best as children of God and especially as priesthood bearers. We have such great blessings in store for us if we but hold true to our covenants we've made to God. He is willing to give us all that He has, if we will follow His commandments and the example of His Beloved Son. I'm always amazed at how much He truly loves each one of us, to trust us with a part of His power, to trust us with His work here on earth, to trust us in many other things. It truly is His work and His glory, to bring to pass our immortality and our eternal life. I'm so happy to be a part of His work and to be a part of His Church. He has blessed me and each one of us so much and we will always be indebted to Him. He is our Creator, Master, Father, and God. He is our perfect example to follow and emulate. He will always be there for us to come unto and trust in. His love for us is perfect and when we keep His commandments and constantly do what's right, we will have the wonderful feelings of His love and compassion for us. I'm grateful to be a member of His Church and a full-time missionary. I know my time is short here and I need to always do my best. People are relying on my here. My Father in Heaven is relying on me here, to continue in His work and find those of His children who are lost and looking for the truth.
I love you all so much and can't wait to talk on the phone with you all. Easter is coming and I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and celebration as we remember the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We should all be so grateful for all the He did for us and we should always keep in mind His sacrifice for us all.
I'll talk to you all soon! Have a wonderful week. Thanks for your prayers and loving support!
- Elder Newbold
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