Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Hi family and friends.
Time seriously has been going by quickly and again I'm emailing on Monday. Today it's been rainy, which is good, except for the fact that we were stuck in the chapel for our Pday activity and couldn't go out unless we wanted to get soaked. We've been wanting it to rain for quite a while now and finally at the most inopportune time, it comes. But we're grateful for the moisture, even though it's always humid. The past few months have been really dusty and it hasn't rained in about a month now. So the rain kinda put us behind schedule on things and we are just barely getting the chance to sit down and email. So here goes...
Things are continuing to improve as we keep up the hard work here in our area. This past week we had 6 new investigators and we had 5 investigators come to church. So we can see the difference between now and about 4 months ago, when we didn't really have anyone to teach and bring to church. Now our teaching pool is increased and we're happy to be helping those who will allow us to. Our baptism was supposed to take place on April 10th, but like usual there is opposition and for some reason with this ward, that opposition always comes from the Bishop, surprisingly. He mentioned to us before church yesterday that they would be having Ward Council Mtg right after the church service on the 10th, as they always have Ward Council Mtg every 2nd week of the month. Though they've never mentioned that to us as long as we've been here in the ward and they just chose to finally tell us. We've planned the baptism and told the Bishop about it about 3 weeks ago and he just barely is telling us we'll have to reschedule the baptism. So, enough complaining, but we've had to move the baptism to the 17th now. We'd still like to have it right after church to try to get more members to join us during the baptismal service. So we'll see what happens. Our hopes and prayers are that we'll have two candidates that day and also that the other elders will have two of their investigators join us too. It's been difficult to get any investigator to agree to be baptized around here, as this will be my first baptism in the almost 6 months I've been here in Sekondi. Having less baptisms is mainly particular to Kweikuma Ward and I wish the members would realize that, but throughout the whole rest of our mission, it continues to progress and the Lord's kingdom is surely being built-up. The missionaries who are serving in the northern part of our mission, a city called Sunyani, have also been facing adversity in the work, so we had a mission fast to help them. The Lord's work will continue and overcome all opposition, but in the mean time, there will be difficulties and they will be for our experience and gain.
Last Saturday we had an interesting experience as we attended a portion of a funeral service, held in a Catholic cathedral. The father of a less-active member died some weeks ago and they had his funeral and burial service that day. We only attended the funeral service and we just didn't have a good feeling there in the cathedral, at all. I haven't quite experienced anything like it before, but there was just a sort of emptiness there as we watched and listened the presiding priest there speak to the people present. I definitely didn't feel that it was an environment where the Spirit would reside and I don't think I'll ever want to go back into that specific building again. The contrast was obviously present as I compared our church service or funeral service to the one that we were attending. It made me even more grateful for the Restoration and all the blessings that came with it, because of the love of our Father in Heaven. Especially to know the feelings of attending the temple of the Lord, anywhere throughout the world where there has been one erected to Him, the feelings of peace, joy and love. The feeling that we, as imperfect beings, have the opportunity to enter again into God's presence and to have the great knowledge of His love for us. To remember those feelings and to remember that testimony and compare it to the emptiness and almost despair that was in the building we went to, it was amazing to me. The Church is seriously a wonderful place to learn of God and feel His infinite love. The temple in particular is such a perfect place to gain that witness and knowledge and also to feel the glory of God.
I forgot last week to tell Katie happy birthday and I know it's a little late now. But, even though I'm a few days late, I still want to say it and let you know, Katie, that I hope you had a great day and celebration. My companion's birthday was actually the same day, so we had a celebration for him. I think he's turned 25 now, so he's a little older than me, no problem though.
I hope Nick's teeth are doing well... try not to eat the ground again. I remember a quote that Carol told me and it goes something like this, "If you're not good to your teeth, you'll lose 'em." So, in your situation Nick, be careful and be nicer to your teeth or you'll lose 'em, haha. Congrats of making a part in the musical that you auditioned for. I've also had the chance to be a pirate and it's quite a fun thing to do.
Dan, Brad, and Chels, I'm still wondering how you guys are doing. Know that I'm thinking of you guys, especially the little kids named Emma and Jude. I can't wait to actually get to know them and hopefully, at least Emma, will remember who I am when I get back.
I wish I could've been there with all of you to watch General Conference, but hopefully, if we're lucky here, we'll get it on DVD from the Area Office within the next month or so. I'll be happy to finally watch it and hear it for myself. I already know that what they've said is true, but I want to feel the Spirit bear that witness to me. It's always enjoyable to hear from the leaders of the Church and learn the main messages that the Lord wants us to learn or remember. Most of the time we've already learned it and just need to be reminded that we knew it in the past. Tomorrow for District Mtg I and my companion will be instructing. I'll be instructing on foreordination and our agency, how God has foreordained us each to be here in His work and to play our own part in building His kingdom and because of His foreknowledge, He's trusting us to do our best and follow His commandments. It's all part of His perfect plan and though we have the choice to do either right or wrong, He's relying on us and is even ready to bless us, when we do what He asks, that is to choose the right. We know what we need to do and when we use our agency wisely we have a promise of His blessing. So, I'll expound on that a little bit, unless I feel otherwise within the next 12 hrs or so. I pray that the Spirit will help me teach the elders in my district something new, or at least, like I said, to remind them and refresh their memories.
I'm so thankful for you all and your support. Carol and Mom, thanks for the packages and I'll let you know when I receive them. I'm seriously so blessed to be related and know you guys and I'm so blessed to have the chance to serve here in Ghana. I'm happy to hear that we have over 52,000 missionaries in the world! Let the numbers continue to rise. The Lord is always in need of more servants and workers in His vineyard. We just need to always stay worthy and live according to His will and that's when we can be chosen to do a great work. All He asks of us is to follow the example of His Only Begotten Son, and do our very best to live as He did. The Lord is so gracious to all His children and will always want the best for them. He's always eager for us to repent and come again unto Him. I love you all so much and hope you all have a wonderful week. Stay safe and keep up the good work. I'll talk to you very soon!
- Elder Newbold
Time seriously has been going by quickly and again I'm emailing on Monday. Today it's been rainy, which is good, except for the fact that we were stuck in the chapel for our Pday activity and couldn't go out unless we wanted to get soaked. We've been wanting it to rain for quite a while now and finally at the most inopportune time, it comes. But we're grateful for the moisture, even though it's always humid. The past few months have been really dusty and it hasn't rained in about a month now. So the rain kinda put us behind schedule on things and we are just barely getting the chance to sit down and email. So here goes...
Things are continuing to improve as we keep up the hard work here in our area. This past week we had 6 new investigators and we had 5 investigators come to church. So we can see the difference between now and about 4 months ago, when we didn't really have anyone to teach and bring to church. Now our teaching pool is increased and we're happy to be helping those who will allow us to. Our baptism was supposed to take place on April 10th, but like usual there is opposition and for some reason with this ward, that opposition always comes from the Bishop, surprisingly. He mentioned to us before church yesterday that they would be having Ward Council Mtg right after the church service on the 10th, as they always have Ward Council Mtg every 2nd week of the month. Though they've never mentioned that to us as long as we've been here in the ward and they just chose to finally tell us. We've planned the baptism and told the Bishop about it about 3 weeks ago and he just barely is telling us we'll have to reschedule the baptism. So, enough complaining, but we've had to move the baptism to the 17th now. We'd still like to have it right after church to try to get more members to join us during the baptismal service. So we'll see what happens. Our hopes and prayers are that we'll have two candidates that day and also that the other elders will have two of their investigators join us too. It's been difficult to get any investigator to agree to be baptized around here, as this will be my first baptism in the almost 6 months I've been here in Sekondi. Having less baptisms is mainly particular to Kweikuma Ward and I wish the members would realize that, but throughout the whole rest of our mission, it continues to progress and the Lord's kingdom is surely being built-up. The missionaries who are serving in the northern part of our mission, a city called Sunyani, have also been facing adversity in the work, so we had a mission fast to help them. The Lord's work will continue and overcome all opposition, but in the mean time, there will be difficulties and they will be for our experience and gain.
Last Saturday we had an interesting experience as we attended a portion of a funeral service, held in a Catholic cathedral. The father of a less-active member died some weeks ago and they had his funeral and burial service that day. We only attended the funeral service and we just didn't have a good feeling there in the cathedral, at all. I haven't quite experienced anything like it before, but there was just a sort of emptiness there as we watched and listened the presiding priest there speak to the people present. I definitely didn't feel that it was an environment where the Spirit would reside and I don't think I'll ever want to go back into that specific building again. The contrast was obviously present as I compared our church service or funeral service to the one that we were attending. It made me even more grateful for the Restoration and all the blessings that came with it, because of the love of our Father in Heaven. Especially to know the feelings of attending the temple of the Lord, anywhere throughout the world where there has been one erected to Him, the feelings of peace, joy and love. The feeling that we, as imperfect beings, have the opportunity to enter again into God's presence and to have the great knowledge of His love for us. To remember those feelings and to remember that testimony and compare it to the emptiness and almost despair that was in the building we went to, it was amazing to me. The Church is seriously a wonderful place to learn of God and feel His infinite love. The temple in particular is such a perfect place to gain that witness and knowledge and also to feel the glory of God.
I forgot last week to tell Katie happy birthday and I know it's a little late now. But, even though I'm a few days late, I still want to say it and let you know, Katie, that I hope you had a great day and celebration. My companion's birthday was actually the same day, so we had a celebration for him. I think he's turned 25 now, so he's a little older than me, no problem though.
I hope Nick's teeth are doing well... try not to eat the ground again. I remember a quote that Carol told me and it goes something like this, "If you're not good to your teeth, you'll lose 'em." So, in your situation Nick, be careful and be nicer to your teeth or you'll lose 'em, haha. Congrats of making a part in the musical that you auditioned for. I've also had the chance to be a pirate and it's quite a fun thing to do.
Dan, Brad, and Chels, I'm still wondering how you guys are doing. Know that I'm thinking of you guys, especially the little kids named Emma and Jude. I can't wait to actually get to know them and hopefully, at least Emma, will remember who I am when I get back.
I wish I could've been there with all of you to watch General Conference, but hopefully, if we're lucky here, we'll get it on DVD from the Area Office within the next month or so. I'll be happy to finally watch it and hear it for myself. I already know that what they've said is true, but I want to feel the Spirit bear that witness to me. It's always enjoyable to hear from the leaders of the Church and learn the main messages that the Lord wants us to learn or remember. Most of the time we've already learned it and just need to be reminded that we knew it in the past. Tomorrow for District Mtg I and my companion will be instructing. I'll be instructing on foreordination and our agency, how God has foreordained us each to be here in His work and to play our own part in building His kingdom and because of His foreknowledge, He's trusting us to do our best and follow His commandments. It's all part of His perfect plan and though we have the choice to do either right or wrong, He's relying on us and is even ready to bless us, when we do what He asks, that is to choose the right. We know what we need to do and when we use our agency wisely we have a promise of His blessing. So, I'll expound on that a little bit, unless I feel otherwise within the next 12 hrs or so. I pray that the Spirit will help me teach the elders in my district something new, or at least, like I said, to remind them and refresh their memories.
I'm so thankful for you all and your support. Carol and Mom, thanks for the packages and I'll let you know when I receive them. I'm seriously so blessed to be related and know you guys and I'm so blessed to have the chance to serve here in Ghana. I'm happy to hear that we have over 52,000 missionaries in the world! Let the numbers continue to rise. The Lord is always in need of more servants and workers in His vineyard. We just need to always stay worthy and live according to His will and that's when we can be chosen to do a great work. All He asks of us is to follow the example of His Only Begotten Son, and do our very best to live as He did. The Lord is so gracious to all His children and will always want the best for them. He's always eager for us to repent and come again unto Him. I love you all so much and hope you all have a wonderful week. Stay safe and keep up the good work. I'll talk to you very soon!
- Elder Newbold
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hi my loving family!
Once again I'm so happy to see an email in the inbox and feel your love and spirit as I read through the past week's events and adventures. Sounds like you guys have had a wonderful time hearing from Elder Porter. I wish I could've been there to hear it, but I'm also having wonderful experiences where I'm at.
Today for Pday we had fried rice with chicken, as a zone. We were also supposed to play soccer but that didn't quite turn out according to plan. It's okay though cause the food still tasted amazing. Today we also received transfer news and one of the elders in our apartment is leaving. Elder Thacker, who was my last companion, will be taking his place, so he'll be in my apartment again, which is pretty sweet. I'll still be with my companion, Elder Eke. So by the end of this transfer we'll have been together for 6 months or 4 transfers. Time goes fast. Pres Sabey called me and asked if I'd be willing to accept the leadership position of district leader. I said I'd try my best and do everything I can. So I'll truly be relying on the Lord more than ever now and we'll see how I do. I'll need to be really setting a good example to the rest of my district and even zone. I'm excited but at the same time I definitely don't feel qualified to be in such a position. There's lots of other missionaries who would be better to fill the position but I'll trust that this is where my Father in Heaven wants me to be.
It sounds like Nick is really doing a fantastic job in school. Congrats on being student of the month in math. I had Mrs. Smith as my math teacher in 8th grade. She's the reason I had to retake Algebra, haha, but no hard feelings. I had fun in her class and she's a good teacher. Keep up the good work Nick. I'm excited for you to go into high school at Davis. Good luck with the upcoming years there but I think also that I'll be around before you have your first day there. I'll be home for a few days before you go back to school. I know you'll have a great experience there.
What's with the NuSkin work? Maybe I'm not understanding fully what you guys are doing. Explain it a little more to me cause it sounds like you guys are really excited over it. I'm interested.
I'm happy for Scott Barney and his mission call. The boys from the ward do a great job of changing their lives and preparing, with the loving help of Bishop Egan and parents, for missions throughout the world, wherever the Lord calls them to serve. I'm anxious to hear from them and know how they're all doing in their various missions.
Dad, good luck with the taping session with KJZZ. That's awesome that they want to hear about your book. I can't wait to come home and read it cover to cover. I'll give my own opinion about the book, but my expectations are already so high. I still have yet to get the chance to hear the radio dramas. I still need to give the web link to the office couple or to Pres Sabey so they could have the chance to hear them.
Katie, thanks for the email and loving support. I hope you're doing well with work and school, staying busy and healthy at the same time!
This past week we've been focusing on some of the youth that have recently been going less-active. We're working with the YW's president and receiving names from her to know what families we need to go and see. We also met one man named Felix, who stopped us and said he had received the teachings from the missionaries a long time ago and wanted us to begin teaching him again. So we told him to come to church on Sunday and we were surprised to see him show up! It was good to see him though, and we'll begin teaching him tomorrow afternoon. He says he'd like to be baptized so hopefully we can get his family to join in on the discussions also. It was a blessing to have some random man stop us and now we've picked up another investigator to teach. We're always looking for more people to teach and share the Gospel with and we were very grateful to meet this man.
Well, I hope you all are doing well. The Lord is always watching over and blessing our family and ward. I'm so blessed to be a part of the Newbold and Lindsay family and to have been taught these principles of salvation at an early age. I know the Church is true and I'm so happy to be a part of it, to have the chance of serving God's children and my brothers and sisters here in Ghana. It's been such an awesome adventure and experience during the time I've spent here. Time just keeps going without slowing down. Okay, well have a great week and be safe.
I love you all!
- Elder Newbold
Once again I'm so happy to see an email in the inbox and feel your love and spirit as I read through the past week's events and adventures. Sounds like you guys have had a wonderful time hearing from Elder Porter. I wish I could've been there to hear it, but I'm also having wonderful experiences where I'm at.
Today for Pday we had fried rice with chicken, as a zone. We were also supposed to play soccer but that didn't quite turn out according to plan. It's okay though cause the food still tasted amazing. Today we also received transfer news and one of the elders in our apartment is leaving. Elder Thacker, who was my last companion, will be taking his place, so he'll be in my apartment again, which is pretty sweet. I'll still be with my companion, Elder Eke. So by the end of this transfer we'll have been together for 6 months or 4 transfers. Time goes fast. Pres Sabey called me and asked if I'd be willing to accept the leadership position of district leader. I said I'd try my best and do everything I can. So I'll truly be relying on the Lord more than ever now and we'll see how I do. I'll need to be really setting a good example to the rest of my district and even zone. I'm excited but at the same time I definitely don't feel qualified to be in such a position. There's lots of other missionaries who would be better to fill the position but I'll trust that this is where my Father in Heaven wants me to be.
It sounds like Nick is really doing a fantastic job in school. Congrats on being student of the month in math. I had Mrs. Smith as my math teacher in 8th grade. She's the reason I had to retake Algebra, haha, but no hard feelings. I had fun in her class and she's a good teacher. Keep up the good work Nick. I'm excited for you to go into high school at Davis. Good luck with the upcoming years there but I think also that I'll be around before you have your first day there. I'll be home for a few days before you go back to school. I know you'll have a great experience there.
What's with the NuSkin work? Maybe I'm not understanding fully what you guys are doing. Explain it a little more to me cause it sounds like you guys are really excited over it. I'm interested.
I'm happy for Scott Barney and his mission call. The boys from the ward do a great job of changing their lives and preparing, with the loving help of Bishop Egan and parents, for missions throughout the world, wherever the Lord calls them to serve. I'm anxious to hear from them and know how they're all doing in their various missions.
Dad, good luck with the taping session with KJZZ. That's awesome that they want to hear about your book. I can't wait to come home and read it cover to cover. I'll give my own opinion about the book, but my expectations are already so high. I still have yet to get the chance to hear the radio dramas. I still need to give the web link to the office couple or to Pres Sabey so they could have the chance to hear them.
Katie, thanks for the email and loving support. I hope you're doing well with work and school, staying busy and healthy at the same time!
This past week we've been focusing on some of the youth that have recently been going less-active. We're working with the YW's president and receiving names from her to know what families we need to go and see. We also met one man named Felix, who stopped us and said he had received the teachings from the missionaries a long time ago and wanted us to begin teaching him again. So we told him to come to church on Sunday and we were surprised to see him show up! It was good to see him though, and we'll begin teaching him tomorrow afternoon. He says he'd like to be baptized so hopefully we can get his family to join in on the discussions also. It was a blessing to have some random man stop us and now we've picked up another investigator to teach. We're always looking for more people to teach and share the Gospel with and we were very grateful to meet this man.
Well, I hope you all are doing well. The Lord is always watching over and blessing our family and ward. I'm so blessed to be a part of the Newbold and Lindsay family and to have been taught these principles of salvation at an early age. I know the Church is true and I'm so happy to be a part of it, to have the chance of serving God's children and my brothers and sisters here in Ghana. It's been such an awesome adventure and experience during the time I've spent here. Time just keeps going without slowing down. Okay, well have a great week and be safe.
I love you all!
- Elder Newbold
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hi Family!
Thanks for the update with this past week. I still can't think of 30 degrees being warm though because I've just been in a humid climate for quite some time. But I wish I could experience it a little around here. The hamatan (I'm not really sure how to spell it, but it's the dry season for Ghana) has hit and so the past few weeks have been really dusty and dirty, basically to the point where you can feel yourself breathing in dirt. Luckily it's been pretty clear lately and we can see our area from on top of the hill where our apartment is. I don't really remember the hamatan (hawm-uh-tawn) last year at this time when I was in Swedru, but we're definitely experiencing it here.
This past week went pretty good. We had a few good discussions and spiritual experiences that I'll share. First of all, a few weeks back, I believe it was on the 9th, there was sort of an argument and disagreement in elder's quorum meeting on that Sunday and one man, who's been a member for 25 yrs, was pretty offended. His name is Bro Nunu and he's a retired fire officer. One of the problems in our ward is, I'd say, pride. Some of the members believe that they are better than others and so in this circumstance the argument resulted in hard feelings and no sincere apology. Since then, Bro Nunu has been on my mind and I had recognized that he hadn't been to Church since then. He's 65 yrs old and his whole family are members. On Saturday, we were supposed to go and meet a referral from a member, but he ended up not being around at that time. On our way back, I guess we were sort of directed to go and see Bro Nunu. At the time I had kinda spaced the event that occurred a few weeks back and we were just going to go see the family, but as we got their he told us that his prayers had been answered. He had decided that he wouldn't be coming back to Church because of that disagreement and so when me and my companion arrived there he explained everything to us and we talked to him for awhile. We helped him understand that the Lord wants him to come back to Church and loves him very much. Bro Nunu told of his conversion story 25 yrs ago and bore his testimony that he still knows the Church is true. He mentioned also that the Lord was well aware of what was happening because He lead his servants to his house. We were glad that we could help out. Bro Nunu said he still needs some time to think, but he agreed to come back to Church the first week of February. Coming the first week in February is a lot better than never coming again.
Later that day we met with our main investigator, Lydia. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and helped her understand more about it. One of the main problems and misunderstandings here about the Book of Mormon is the confusion between the words Mormon and mammon. Because of the accent of people here, they'll hear the word Mormon and think of mammon. So many people believe that we worship money or mammon, or that we worship the book. We cleared up any confusions that she had and gave her the brief description of the story and contents of the Book of Mormon. I always enjoy teaching about the Book of Mormon, more than any other thing probably, just because it's the main witness of the Restoration of the gospel. If someone knows that the Book of Mormon is true, they're going to know for sure that the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, chosen by God to perform the work. I could feel the Spirit very strongly as I talked about the Book of Mormon and it's origins. As our mission goal, like I mentioned in the last few emails, is to read the Book of Mormon by Feb.28th and underline any reference to Christ. So, now we're into Alma and all those great stories. If we stay on track and read 9 pages a day, we'll have it finished. Already, though, we can see the numerous amount of times that Christ is referred to, in the parts that we've already read. The Book of Mormon is wonderful and there is so much to learn from its pages.
Yesterday for Pday we watched "On the Lord's Errand", the story about President Monson's life. The night before I had asked Father in Heaven to strengthen my testimony that he is the Lord's chosen leader of the Church today and definitely my prayers were answered. I don't remember the last time I was so emotional and I just loved the movie so much. It really was such an awesome experience.
Throughout the day, my stomach was giving me problems and I was in the bathroom multiple times. As I was sitting in bed, probably around 10, I felt like I needed to throw-up. So I ran to the lovely toilet, but nothing happened. At that point I felt like I was ready to pass out. I was dizzy and everything started to go black. My whole body went ice cold and I couldn't move at all. I called to my companion in the other room that I needed a blessing right then and he grabbed a chair and brought it into the bathroom. He helped me onto the chair and I still was about to pass out. My body was still ice cold and I couldn't really hear very well, but as they anointed and sealed a blessing upon me, at that moment I was able to hear clearly. Warmth came back through my body to the point where I started sweating and I received feeling in my limbs. Honestly, a few minutes earlier I thought I was going to die and I couldn't stop praying to God to help me... The Priesthood is amazing. We called Sister Sabey and told her the situation and she said it's most likely Malaria. Luckily the Zone Leaders live close and had the medicine necessary so I could start the dosage. It was quite a night and I'm glad to still be alive. I've never had an experience like that, that I can recall, and I don't remember a time when I prayed harder. The Lord blessed me and helped me through the sickness to the point where I'm at now. Last night it was difficult to even stand and now I can walk around basically back to normal. That's the reason why I was not able to email yesterday.
I'm amazed at what the Lord can do for His children. I wonder what other things are in store for me during my time here. By the way, the package came last week and I was able to cut my hair for the first time in about 3 months. It was getting pretty long, but I knew the charger was coming. Thanks for sending that and also the letter and power bars inside. I also received Newbold News from Gma and Gpa Newbold. The letter came in only a week which surprised me.
Transfer news also came yesterday evening and my apartment is staying the same. There's some changes throughout the zone, but I'm not being transferred anywhere and I don't think I will be any time soon. The mission is expanding and a few new areas have been opened. So, that means more people to have the opportunity to accept the restored gospel and come unto Christ.
Well, I love you guys so much and I hope you have a great week. I hope school and work and play and all other things go well. Maybe it'll continue to warm up, as you guys call it, haha. I'd love for the weather here to cool down, even if it's just a little. Okay, I'll talk to you all soon!
- Elder Newbold
Thanks for the update with this past week. I still can't think of 30 degrees being warm though because I've just been in a humid climate for quite some time. But I wish I could experience it a little around here. The hamatan (I'm not really sure how to spell it, but it's the dry season for Ghana) has hit and so the past few weeks have been really dusty and dirty, basically to the point where you can feel yourself breathing in dirt. Luckily it's been pretty clear lately and we can see our area from on top of the hill where our apartment is. I don't really remember the hamatan (hawm-uh-tawn) last year at this time when I was in Swedru, but we're definitely experiencing it here.
This past week went pretty good. We had a few good discussions and spiritual experiences that I'll share. First of all, a few weeks back, I believe it was on the 9th, there was sort of an argument and disagreement in elder's quorum meeting on that Sunday and one man, who's been a member for 25 yrs, was pretty offended. His name is Bro Nunu and he's a retired fire officer. One of the problems in our ward is, I'd say, pride. Some of the members believe that they are better than others and so in this circumstance the argument resulted in hard feelings and no sincere apology. Since then, Bro Nunu has been on my mind and I had recognized that he hadn't been to Church since then. He's 65 yrs old and his whole family are members. On Saturday, we were supposed to go and meet a referral from a member, but he ended up not being around at that time. On our way back, I guess we were sort of directed to go and see Bro Nunu. At the time I had kinda spaced the event that occurred a few weeks back and we were just going to go see the family, but as we got their he told us that his prayers had been answered. He had decided that he wouldn't be coming back to Church because of that disagreement and so when me and my companion arrived there he explained everything to us and we talked to him for awhile. We helped him understand that the Lord wants him to come back to Church and loves him very much. Bro Nunu told of his conversion story 25 yrs ago and bore his testimony that he still knows the Church is true. He mentioned also that the Lord was well aware of what was happening because He lead his servants to his house. We were glad that we could help out. Bro Nunu said he still needs some time to think, but he agreed to come back to Church the first week of February. Coming the first week in February is a lot better than never coming again.
Later that day we met with our main investigator, Lydia. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and helped her understand more about it. One of the main problems and misunderstandings here about the Book of Mormon is the confusion between the words Mormon and mammon. Because of the accent of people here, they'll hear the word Mormon and think of mammon. So many people believe that we worship money or mammon, or that we worship the book. We cleared up any confusions that she had and gave her the brief description of the story and contents of the Book of Mormon. I always enjoy teaching about the Book of Mormon, more than any other thing probably, just because it's the main witness of the Restoration of the gospel. If someone knows that the Book of Mormon is true, they're going to know for sure that the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, chosen by God to perform the work. I could feel the Spirit very strongly as I talked about the Book of Mormon and it's origins. As our mission goal, like I mentioned in the last few emails, is to read the Book of Mormon by Feb.28th and underline any reference to Christ. So, now we're into Alma and all those great stories. If we stay on track and read 9 pages a day, we'll have it finished. Already, though, we can see the numerous amount of times that Christ is referred to, in the parts that we've already read. The Book of Mormon is wonderful and there is so much to learn from its pages.
Yesterday for Pday we watched "On the Lord's Errand", the story about President Monson's life. The night before I had asked Father in Heaven to strengthen my testimony that he is the Lord's chosen leader of the Church today and definitely my prayers were answered. I don't remember the last time I was so emotional and I just loved the movie so much. It really was such an awesome experience.
Throughout the day, my stomach was giving me problems and I was in the bathroom multiple times. As I was sitting in bed, probably around 10, I felt like I needed to throw-up. So I ran to the lovely toilet, but nothing happened. At that point I felt like I was ready to pass out. I was dizzy and everything started to go black. My whole body went ice cold and I couldn't move at all. I called to my companion in the other room that I needed a blessing right then and he grabbed a chair and brought it into the bathroom. He helped me onto the chair and I still was about to pass out. My body was still ice cold and I couldn't really hear very well, but as they anointed and sealed a blessing upon me, at that moment I was able to hear clearly. Warmth came back through my body to the point where I started sweating and I received feeling in my limbs. Honestly, a few minutes earlier I thought I was going to die and I couldn't stop praying to God to help me... The Priesthood is amazing. We called Sister Sabey and told her the situation and she said it's most likely Malaria. Luckily the Zone Leaders live close and had the medicine necessary so I could start the dosage. It was quite a night and I'm glad to still be alive. I've never had an experience like that, that I can recall, and I don't remember a time when I prayed harder. The Lord blessed me and helped me through the sickness to the point where I'm at now. Last night it was difficult to even stand and now I can walk around basically back to normal. That's the reason why I was not able to email yesterday.
I'm amazed at what the Lord can do for His children. I wonder what other things are in store for me during my time here. By the way, the package came last week and I was able to cut my hair for the first time in about 3 months. It was getting pretty long, but I knew the charger was coming. Thanks for sending that and also the letter and power bars inside. I also received Newbold News from Gma and Gpa Newbold. The letter came in only a week which surprised me.
Transfer news also came yesterday evening and my apartment is staying the same. There's some changes throughout the zone, but I'm not being transferred anywhere and I don't think I will be any time soon. The mission is expanding and a few new areas have been opened. So, that means more people to have the opportunity to accept the restored gospel and come unto Christ.
Well, I love you guys so much and I hope you have a great week. I hope school and work and play and all other things go well. Maybe it'll continue to warm up, as you guys call it, haha. I'd love for the weather here to cool down, even if it's just a little. Okay, I'll talk to you all soon!
- Elder Newbold
Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 5, 2010
hey there family,
i'm jealous that you guys got to watch conference. i'm sure i'll see some of it, but it'll be within the next few months. as for the ensign, we'll get that probably the same time period of the next few months. it's sad, but its just the way things work around here, so we work with it. so i'd love it if you could send me an ensign, that'd be great, thanks. it was an interesting Easter sunday. not much of a celebration here, sadly, and i'm not sure why. the people here are always so religious, so i was kinda surprised when we didn't have a big Easter sunday type lesson on sunday. it was fast sunday for us here, so there was the testimony meeting, but not too many people bore their testimonies on Christ and His atonement. so maybe next year it'll be different. obviously i wasn't expecting the easter bunny to come and visit us during the night, but it woulda been nice to have some candy to eat haha. i'd buy jelly beans, if they had them here, to hide around the apartment, but everything gets so dusty here just over night, so that wouldn't be a good idea to try.
hopefully Izzy's okay. how'd she get into dan and nick's chocolate? jeez guys you're gonna let her die before i get to see her again haha. oh well, Izzy's eaten pop rock-chocolate before and survived, so i think she'll be okay.
this passed week was kinda hard for me. i had some kinda hernia pain, but it wasn't a hernia. for about 2 or 3 days i didn't go out, but then on friday i told Heavenly Father that i was gonna go out and proselyte, and luckily things were okay that day. i'm really not sure whats the cause of the pain, but i've talked with Sis Sabey, the presidents wife and she's spoken with the mission doctor, so he's having me buy some medicine today to take for a week and see how things go after that. everything will be okay, i'm sure. so don't be worrying, please haha.
on saturday morning i had the chance to go to a traditional engagement for a member. it was really interesting and i didn't really understand everything, partially cause it was all in Twi. the funny part was that they wanted us to bless the ring... us. so we explained to them that it wasn't our job to do that. luckily a member of the branch presidency was there so he was the one that blessed it... that woulda been an interesting experience if i had to bless a ring... haha. maybe next time.
we had a great experience yestday afternoon, to finally have one of our investigators read from the Book of Mormon and keep her promise. we've wanted her to read just the introduction and the page that says The Hand of Mormon. so she kept her promise this time, after about 4 months of not doing it. she could seriously see how happy she was and it was apparent to her that when she reads and keeps her promise, that we can teach her more and she can learn a lot more. before, we would teach her many different things, but she would forget that we taught her certain things. her name is Beatrice and she's the SDA, that i told you guys about a long time ago. i think it was back in Jan. that we got her to come to church. but she usually has to work on sundays and then she'll go to church on satudays. which i don't understand, cause the things we've been teaching her, she knows it's true. but she won't admit it yet. so hopefully things will continue to progress with her.
transfer news will come this afternoon some time, so i'll let you know what happens here with us in Swedru. things might change for us.
i'm jealous that you guys got to watch conference. i'm sure i'll see some of it, but it'll be within the next few months. as for the ensign, we'll get that probably the same time period of the next few months. it's sad, but its just the way things work around here, so we work with it. so i'd love it if you could send me an ensign, that'd be great, thanks. it was an interesting Easter sunday. not much of a celebration here, sadly, and i'm not sure why. the people here are always so religious, so i was kinda surprised when we didn't have a big Easter sunday type lesson on sunday. it was fast sunday for us here, so there was the testimony meeting, but not too many people bore their testimonies on Christ and His atonement. so maybe next year it'll be different. obviously i wasn't expecting the easter bunny to come and visit us during the night, but it woulda been nice to have some candy to eat haha. i'd buy jelly beans, if they had them here, to hide around the apartment, but everything gets so dusty here just over night, so that wouldn't be a good idea to try.
hopefully Izzy's okay. how'd she get into dan and nick's chocolate? jeez guys you're gonna let her die before i get to see her again haha. oh well, Izzy's eaten pop rock-chocolate before and survived, so i think she'll be okay.
this passed week was kinda hard for me. i had some kinda hernia pain, but it wasn't a hernia. for about 2 or 3 days i didn't go out, but then on friday i told Heavenly Father that i was gonna go out and proselyte, and luckily things were okay that day. i'm really not sure whats the cause of the pain, but i've talked with Sis Sabey, the presidents wife and she's spoken with the mission doctor, so he's having me buy some medicine today to take for a week and see how things go after that. everything will be okay, i'm sure. so don't be worrying, please haha.
on saturday morning i had the chance to go to a traditional engagement for a member. it was really interesting and i didn't really understand everything, partially cause it was all in Twi. the funny part was that they wanted us to bless the ring... us. so we explained to them that it wasn't our job to do that. luckily a member of the branch presidency was there so he was the one that blessed it... that woulda been an interesting experience if i had to bless a ring... haha. maybe next time.
we had a great experience yestday afternoon, to finally have one of our investigators read from the Book of Mormon and keep her promise. we've wanted her to read just the introduction and the page that says The Hand of Mormon. so she kept her promise this time, after about 4 months of not doing it. she could seriously see how happy she was and it was apparent to her that when she reads and keeps her promise, that we can teach her more and she can learn a lot more. before, we would teach her many different things, but she would forget that we taught her certain things. her name is Beatrice and she's the SDA, that i told you guys about a long time ago. i think it was back in Jan. that we got her to come to church. but she usually has to work on sundays and then she'll go to church on satudays. which i don't understand, cause the things we've been teaching her, she knows it's true. but she won't admit it yet. so hopefully things will continue to progress with her.
transfer news will come this afternoon some time, so i'll let you know what happens here with us in Swedru. things might change for us.
yesterday i saw a bearded woman.... for real. she had more facial hair than i've ever been able to grow. so i guess she's got talent or something. i also got chased by a bee that was the size of a humming bird. that was an adventure and i probably looked pretty stupid in front of everyone, but i don't care haha.
well, times going by fast here and i better rap it up. hopefully our dog doesn't die and hopefully this week i won't have any pain while i'm out walking around. i'm not sure what the medicine with do for me, but i need to go and buy it today, so we'll see.
okay well i love you guys so much and once again thanks for your testimonies and prayers and support and love and everything else that you're doing for me. thanks so so much. i'll talk with you all soon! take care.
- Elder Newbold
well, times going by fast here and i better rap it up. hopefully our dog doesn't die and hopefully this week i won't have any pain while i'm out walking around. i'm not sure what the medicine with do for me, but i need to go and buy it today, so we'll see.
okay well i love you guys so much and once again thanks for your testimonies and prayers and support and love and everything else that you're doing for me. thanks so so much. i'll talk with you all soon! take care.
- Elder Newbold
More March 22, 2010
things here are going well still and i haven't been transferred yet to a new area. i'm still with the same companion that i trained and we've been together for three transfers. today is kinda overcast but still hot and humid like usual. you said you'd like to know about the kids here... haha i'm glad you like kids. if you were to come here where i am, you'd definitely be the center of attention to the children and other people. the children don't ever shut up and they love to talk... too much. where ever you go here, besides church, you'll here little kids yelling Obroni at you, if you're white. so for me, it's not something that i can get used to. the first few weeks that i spent here in Ghana, i thought it was cute, but now it's something that i get very tired of hearing. the kids when they see you will always wanna touch you or ask what your name is and won't leave you alone until you look at them or say something to them. man they're crazy. but it just adds to the experience and adventures here.
More March 22, 2010
hey there loved ones! i happy to hear from you guys again and get to picture all the great things you're all doing. this week was a good experience as we got to hear from Elder Dickson, who's the 2nd counselor from the west africa area presidency. he kinda jumped around to many different topics and didn't quite talk on one subject, but it was still good to get some notes. sad thing is that i left those notes back at the apt. so next week i'll be sure to include those in my email. that same day, me and my companion had the chance to go and give one of our investigators a blessing. it was a new experience seeing that i haven't been able to give a blessing since back home. i just haven't been given the opportunity to do it, but it went well. my companion anointed and i sealed the anointing and pronounced the blessing. the thing is, is that my companion couldn't do it in english, so i had him just do it in french. God understands french, right, so nothing to worry about. i was very happy to have the opportunity to help our investigator Gloria. i guess she had gotten sick that day and so she called us to come over. the next day she was doing fine, so i'm happy that God would allow that to happen.
we have interviews this week with our mission president and then transfers will be coming again soon... it's just going by too fast. sometimes it's a good feeling to see how fast the time is going, but seriously it's scary to realize it as well. it definitely helps us, here, see how valuable the time is that we have. the time that the Lord has set apart for us to go out and work hard. this past week we also had the wonderful chance to meet with one of my recent converts who had some questions about certain things pertaining to the church. she had also commented on some of the persecution she's experienced with some people she's been around. they were saying some things about the church that wasn't true, so she had to stand up to the man. i was glad to hear that she has a strong enough testimony to stand up to the man and let him know that what he was saying, wasn't true.
the branch that i'm still serving in has its difficulties and struggles... that's for sure, but it's still good to see them progress slowly towards becoming, if not a ward yet, at least a stronger branch. they have trouble with their relationships between different members, but i know that they can improve and get to doing their home teaching and visiting teaching. they just don't realize right now how important it is to have that included in a branch or ward. so i hope and pray that they'll do better with that.
thanks mom for sending the package and i can't wait to get it. those three items are for 2 elders that asked me to buy those things for them. it's just way too expensive to purchase those kinds of things here in the smaller cities or villages. we'd have to travel out of our mission boundaries to go and purchase those things near the same price, in some bigger city. so thanks again so much and i love ya!
congrats again with the temple work dad and keep up the sellings with your book. best of luck with that. nick, keep working hard in school and whatever other activities you're doing. work hard with scouts and other outdoor adventures. love the mountains while you still can, cause you might go to your mission in some country like this where you don't see mountains, just little hills.
i love you guys so much and i'll be sure to write a longer email next week. thanks for the continued support, love and prayers. i've been so blessed with health and strength to keep going in the work. God's truly been gracious to me while i've been here and i'm eternally indebted to Him. i'm reading the Book of Mormon again and i'm in Alma 35 about. i love reading about Alma, Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni. what great examples of missionaries for me to look up to and follow. what happened with them and the Lamanites being converted is truly amazing and it's exciting to think about. the Book of Mormon seriously is true and the teachings in it can help us so much in our lives. share your testimony with everyone you can. i'm not saying just go up to some random person in Walmart and start bearing your testimony, but share it whenever possible. the more you bear your testimony to others, the more it will grow and become stronger. we can learn as members of the true church, that if we're persecuted, it's only because satan knows we're part of God's church. he's jealous of us and we need to make it a point to never let him over come us. he only has power over us if we allow him to. if we pray always and be believing, all things are possible and God will help us in tough situations. when we put ourselves in good environments, the Spirit can lead us and guide us. when we will do what is right, the Lord will bless us, and that's His promise to us. i'm so grateful to be here and thankful to be a part of this family in the gospel. i love you all so much and i owe my life to you. thanks for being such great examples.
- elder newbold
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