Week 14

January 10, 2016
Sunday, Day 89
Day 76 in NY

Wonderful Sabbath day!
CHURCH:
As usual we walk over to Ricky's and pick him up. Then we walk to church. We sent Aida a text letting her know we were on our way to church and 10 minutes later she responded that she was already there. SHES SO AWESOME! So we called the Sister missionaries and asked if they were at church, that way they could introduce themselves to Aida and keep her company till we get there with Ricky.
When we got ahold of the Sisters they told us that they were already talking to her!! So that was awesome! When Elder Tabor and I got to the church with Ricky, we gave her a tour of the church. (Ricky took a seat in the foyer). We started up stairs where all the classrooms are. She thought it was so cool that we get the kids all involved in learning the gospel. Then we took her back down stairs, on our way down the hall we passed Ricky and we were talking about showing her the baptismal font. Ricky heard us talking about baptism and Aida asked, "How does it feel to be baptized?" when Ricky heard her say that he began describing the feelings he had when he was baptized. (It was so sweet!!! Ricky's a missionary!) He described how when we stand in the water we are, who we are at that moment, but when we go under we are cleaned, and when we come out of the water we are clean, we are born again. He said when I was baptized I had a permanent smile on my face for weeks! Aida just melted from the experience that Ricky shared with her. She is so excited to be baptized! After that conversation, we walked her to the baptismal font, she stood back, and Elder Tabor and I opened the doors to the font. She then came forward and just stood there, just in love with the vision she was drawing in her mind as we explained the process of baptism. After we let her soak in the experience, we continued on. We took her over to the chapel. We came in through the side doors and she walked
up and sat down in the front row staring up at the pulpit. We explained to her the sacrament and the things that take place in the chapel during the meeting. She had this glowing smile on her face all throughout church. She can't wait to be baptized!

AFTER CHURCH:
After church we went home and ate, we had some appointments scheduled and we went by each home to teach these people and each appointment fell through... So after dinner we went on over to Ricky's and visited with him. We talked about faith and invited him to continue reading the Book of Mormon.


January 11, 2016
Monday, Day 90
Day 77 in NY

GOOD MORNING:
We got up and went about our Monday morning schedule. Headed over to the church for District meeting. It was windy this morning, which made the chill weather even more chill. District meeting was great as always! Elder Tabor always teaches a great lesson by the spirit. After our meeting we needed to go home. We had boxes of Book of Mormons to carry, so we asked Michael (our ward mission leader if he would drive us home). So Michael drove us home. It's so nice being in a car... It's a luxury to be in a car. After lunch at home, we headed out for our lessons. We had 3 lessons planned...All fell through, once again. We then felt impressed to go visit Elder Hughes and Nalaza.

SICK & AFFLICTED:
It was later in the night, about 7:30. It took us a while to get over to their apartment because they live in Co-op city, which is about 30 minutes by transit. When we got there we just talked with them, to see how they were doing. We had an uplifting conversation and we kept telling them how much we love them and how awesome they are! Because they are awesome! Then we felt impressed to have a quick lesson. We started off with a song, and then we had an opening prayer. After we prayed, I shared a few scriptures, 1Nephi 17. It talks about traveling to the land bountiful. Nephi makes an account of their journey. He shares the trials and obstacles, but he points out that they murmured
not. They went on with their journey with no complaints. I related this story to them and their trials, telling them that although you’re sick, you’re hurting, you feel useless because you aren't doing much
work that you need to focus not on the trial itself but the blessings you’re receiving from this trial. It was awesome!
[1 Nephi 17:1-6]
"1 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness;
and our women did bear children in the wilderness.

2 And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.

3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing, which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.

5 And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.

6 And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful, because of its much fruit."

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED:
So we ended up staying at the Elders apartment later then we hoped but as expected to. But because of our promoting to do so, we didn't feel as bad coming home late. For a little bit of background, we were texting President about us visiting the Elders so he knew about the situation. Anyway! We are on the train heading home it's 9:32 PM (2 minutes passed our extended time limit to be out late) and the phone rings...
"President Smith" appears on the caller ID, nervously Elder Tabor answers the phone. Elder Tabor after just a couple seconds of being on the phone hands the phone to me and says it’s for you. "Hey President!" "Elder Newbold! How's it going?" "It's going well President, how are you?" "I'm well, how's your mission been?" "Ahh, President, it's been the best experience of my life." "That's so good! Glad to hear it. Elder Newbold, you've been out just about 3 months now right?" "Just about, 3 days until 3 months" "Wow, time goes by so quick doesn't it?" "It does President, it's crazy." "Well Elder Newbold, the Lord has called you to be a trainer!" "Ahh man, no way! That's so awesome!" "So Elder Newbold, will you accept this calling?" "Absolutely, President. Thank you!" "That’s great, thank you for your service Elder Newbold."

I wasn't supposed to receive this phone call till Friday. So how cool, President must have been very inspired to tell me. He usually doesn't know who trainers or leaders will be until, sometimes the night
before.


January 12, 2016
Tuesday, Day 91
Day 78 in NY

PASS OFF:
This morning we met up with the Spanish missionaries, Elder Guerra and Elder Hilton? We had a pass off lesson, which is a lesson where a set of missionaries passes an investigator over to another set of missionaries. So Elder Tabor and I met this Spanish lady who wants to learn more so we went with the Spanish Elders and introduced her to them. Well she wasn't home but her mother was so they taught her mom a lesson and invited her to schedule another appointment.

LOOK UP:
We looked up a guy after 2 of our appointments fell through and we gave him a Book of Mormon.

LESSONS:
Then we went over to Jermaine’s and taught him, after Jermaine’s we went and visited/taught Brother Ford.

FINDING FAITH IN CHRIST:
After our lessons we went home and had dinner. Then we went to Uncle Ricky’s and watched finding faith in Christ. Then we broke the news to Ricky that Elder Tabor would be leaving and that I know I would be training. (The sad news is that Elder Tabor is being transferred)


January 13, 2016
Wednesday, Day 92
Day 79 in NY

Last PDAY with Elder Tabor ...

SHOTS:
Started off doing laundry and grocery shopping. Last week we started a tradition, we bought Danimals yogurt and while waiting for our clothes to dry we would take "yogurt shots"

Due to being in a hurry to just get home and unload and be ready for our last game of gator ball, we skipped the yogurt shots and went straight home.

And of course played a wonderful game of gator ball!!

LESSONS:
Then went home, picked up a large print Book of Mormon and took it to Aida. Then taught the Nation Family.

BLESSINGS:
When we came home, I just felt overwhelmed with the exciting/nervous feeling of being a trainer and having the possibility of becoming the District Leader, so I asked Elder Tabor if he would give me a
blessing. We invited the ASL Elders to join and after they gave me the blessing, everyone wanted one lol so we went around the room giving each other blessings.


January 14, 2016
Thursday, Day 93
Day 80 in NY

Today didn't seem like much happened, we looked up some referrals and had some lessons. Taught 3 lessons. One was with David Urbina, he's super cool. It's always a great lesson with him.


January 15, 2016
Friday, Day 94
Day 81 in NY

EARLY DAY:
Woke up early, took off to the training for trainers meeting. Elder Tabor went on a split with another Elder because he's not training anymore so he doesn't need to be there. The training meeting was super awesome, it made me feel so much better about training.

NEW ZL:
Elder Tabor has been called to be a ZL (Zone Leader). Won't find out where he will be serving till tomorrow..

SPLIT:
Came home and got ready to split. I again took over the area.


January 16, 2016
Saturday, Day 95
Day 82 in NY

We had a well planned day, but not much seemed to be happening. The first thing we did was look up Jermaine, but his shop was closed. So we went across the street, tried to get wifi. Then this guy came out of nowhere and we talked to him, he said we could come over. So we scheduled to see him next in a couple weeks.

THREATS:
Today was very interesting. We were waiting at a station for a train and we were looking at the schedule to see where this person lives. And we looked up because we heard some guy rapping. He was super into his rap, he was jumping around and throwing his arms around and we looked at each other and just kind of laughed and went back to looking for the address… When all of a sudden he started "rapping" about really deep threats and super bad things. So we looked up again and he
was looking at us this time, walking towards us at the same time... Turns out he wasn't rapping. He was threatening us… Shortly after, he apologized and told us he was just expressing his feelings.

PEOPLE IN NY:
We were heading back to the castle hill stop on the train to unsplit and this man who was like 60 came out of nowhere, looked at my name tag, looked me in the eyes and said "Elder Newbold, you are gay." And walked away, I said, "I’m gay??" He said "yep" as he walked away. Elder Sorensen and I just couldn't help but die laughing in confusion.


Behind in my journal a little bit, you'll understand why next week. (This transfer has been crazy, I have no companion... I'm now in a trio companionship, yo soy en la programa de español. Its super cool but I've had to pack and go to another apartment for next 2 weeks).

Love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Patience. Love. Faith

Much love,
Elder Newbold

District Meeting

District Meeting

Elder Newbold with his Spanish Trio

Week 13

December 31, 2015

Thursday, Day 79

Day 66 in NY

It's January 12, and I'm trying to catch up in my journal that I haven't been able to write in since December 31st... So, just a quick over view of this day. From the little notes I took of this day it looks like we found some investigators.

LESSON:

Then we had a lesson with Ricky, we shared the scripture Ether 5:5. "5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God." We all need to strive to be like Jesus, and this is how we can be like him. Humble our selves to repentance

January 1, 2016

Friday, Day 80

Day 67 in NY

CONFERENCE CALL:

Received a message that we would be having a conference call this morning. So we got on the call after studies. President Smith made the announcement that Elder Holland has decided to come to the New York New York North Mission to speak to us. Usually when an Apostle comes to speak to a mission, he usually does because he's got some other business or meeting he's taking care of in the area. This trip that Elder Holland was making for us, was inspiration. He had no other reason to come to New York than to speak to us. So we are all so stoked!!

LESSONS:

We went by and taught Jermaine and His buddy Kenneth in his shop. (I don't remember much of these lessons since I'm way behind in my writing) but after Jermaine and Kenneth we went down a few blocks to see Brother Ford.

After Brother Ford, we went home, and had lunch. When we finished lunch we went to look up a referral. Then we had a lesson with Aida.

AIDA:

This lady is so awesome! She really understands everything we teach her. She asks questions and she studies on her own after each appointment we have with her. She even set her own baptism date! February 13, 2016.

BLESSING:

Elder Nalaza has been really sick and just down in dumps from it... As much as he wants to go out and work his companion keeps him inside, because he throws up a lot. On top of his sickness, he hasn't been getting any sleep… With all of this happening, we received a call asking if we could come over and give Elder Nalaza a blessing. So after Aida's lesson, we left and went straight over to the Elder’s apartment. When we got to the apartment, they let us in and we talked about what was going on, then Elder Nalaza asked if I would give the blessing.

After the blessing he thanked us and he walked on into his room, into the dark, and laid in bed.

DIAZ'S:

Leaving the apartment hungry, we stopped by a near by 7-11 and grabbed a pizza. We ate on the way to the bus stop, and began waiting for a bus. Finally a bus came, we got on, and headed over to Sister Diaz's. The lady who's apartment caught fire. They still needed help. So of course Elder Tabor and I went and helped out. Sister Diaz's family is inactive. And her son gave us a ride home, which was super awesome. (It's been a while since I've been in a car, and didn't have to walk home). On the way home we talked to him and got to know him a little. We talked about our lives and being missionaries, we shared a little about our stories as to why we came out on a mission. His name is Gio and he's 21. He told us that he wanted to serve a mission and that he still would love to serve a mission. He was explaining how, his family just hadn't gone to church in a while, and this girlfriend of his isn't a member and he just doesn't think he'd be able to serve a mission still. (This guy is super awesome!) Elder Tabor and I, having similar insights and experience, we explained to him that he could still serve a mission. We talked him up about how cool and fun it is! He got super hyped about the idea and all the stories we told him. By the time we got home it was about 9:30. So we didn't have time to finish talking but we hopefully will see him again sometime.

MYSTERY NOTE:

While cleaning out the Diaz's home, I found some cassette tapes (if that's how you spell it) they were being thrown out so I took one. When we got home Elder Tabor and I wrote a note on it. "When found... Facebook us, Jordan Tabor & Tyler Newbold January 1, 2016" then I tapped it to the top of the doorframe inside the closet. Now I just have to wait till I leave the area and see how long it takes for someone to find it.

January 2, 2016

Saturday, Day 81

Day 68 in NY

WEEKLY PLANNING:

It usually takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, if you do it right haha. So sitting around planning for that long drains you! We can't wait to get out and do work! We have a really quick meal and take off to our appointments.

INVESTIGATORS:

Had some good work planned and found success! We met some people who became new investigators!

RED BULL

It's been 2 months! Finally got one! And yes, it was good! Elder Tabor and I celebrated for a good day.

RICKY:

After a long day we went on over to Uncle Ricky's. Ricky was going through the Mormon channel on his tv and came across Two Brothers Two. (I remember watching this movie years ago as a family) and I explained a little bit about it and he was interested. So we started watching a few episodes and it was super cool, Ricky liked it and it reminded me of my brothers and I. Ricky told us he was coming to church, he said "I can't miss the 1^st Sunday of the month, testimony meeting is my favorite part."

January 3, 2016

Sunday, Day 82

Day 69 in NY

Woke up this morning, worked out, got ready. Started our studies. And just after we finished personal studies we got a text. It said, "I'm not coming to church, I'll see you next Monday." ...guess who, Elder Tabor said. Ricky. I said no! Hurry up lets go, we will show up to his apartment and get him. We called him, he didn't answer. So we finished getting ready and took off over to his apartment. Then Ricky called us and said, "where are you?! I'm at the train station!" Haha He changed his mind, he told us he was laying in bed and God wouldn't let him lay there so he got up and got ready. We hurried over to the station and walked with Ricky to church.

TESTIMONY MEETING:

People one by one began testifying about how the devil is at work and all these evil things and it was super weird. Then all of a sudden Ruby, one of the recent converts in the ward, got up to the stand and began preaching to everyone about her testimony of Jesus. She called out everyone talking about the devil and said they needed to start testifying of Christ. It was so great!

JESUS IS THE WAY:

We were standing out side the chapel waiting for someone to come out of a meeting and this little Spanish girl was being a little irreverent and she wasn't listening to her mom. The little girl came my way and was making some noise and making weird faces, so I pulled out a picture of Jesus and handed it to her she stopped everything she was doing and held onto the picture. While she was staring at picture I asked her "who is that?" She responded "Jesu Cristo". It's so amazing to me, the impact that Jesus Christ has on us all. For a little girl she stopped the things she was doing and just stood in silence looking at Jesus.

January 4, 2016

Monday, Day 83

Day 70 in NY

DISTRICT MEETING:

Monday morning routines, get up, work out, get ready, and have studies. After studies then we head over to the church for district meeting. That's where Elder Tabor (the District Leader) would give a lesson or some kind of instruction to our district. When our meeting is over we then would go home and eat lunch.

CLEAN:

Sometime during the previous week, we received a phone call from one of the AP's (Assistant to the President) AP Leashman called and told us that we would be having 2 ASL missionaries moving into our apartment. They would be moving in on Tuesday. So we took Monday, today, off to prepare to house these 2 missionaries. (One of the missionaries would be a brand new missionary and the other is his trainer from the ASL program.) We didn't understand why this was happening but we just needed to accept it with out question. We finished up lunch and began tackling the apartment. We started in the living room and just threw out everything that we didn't need or use or that was left from previous missionaries. We vacuumed and arranged the furniture so that we could bring our bunk bed into the living room. Then we rearranged what was our room, and turned it into the new missionaries room/study room. It sounds easy but it literally

took all day... We had to take apart furniture and reassemble and etc. Finally we finished and then realized we planned a split on this day, so we rushed over to the train station and switched companionship switch the ZL's (Zone Leaders). Elder Tabor and I were exhausted... Completely drained, once again. And guess who was taking over the area... Me! So Elder Tabor was happy about that haha. It was a well planned day, but it was a busy one, so I wasn't too excited for the

morning.

January 5, 2016

Tuesday, Day 84

Day 71 in NY

SPLIT:

The split begins... Our first appointment was with Jermaine... 1. I love Jermaine, but he loves to talk, and he loves to talk about history of religion. 2. I don't understand 90% of the things he says because he studies so much about these religions. 3. Jermaine has a buddy named Kenneth and Kenneth is also knowledgeable in other religions and likes to add his input, which then get carried too far off subject. So I was hoping that Kenneth wouldn't be there this morning. (The last time we met with him, he told us he wasn't interested in baptism anymore).

JERMAINE:

So we get over to Jermaine’s shop and Kenneth wasn't there. So we got right into it. We answered some questions that he had. Then about half way into the lesson, Kenneth walks in. Now I'm just praying Kenneth is just hear to listen, because if he said anything we wouldn't finish our lesson. (Kenneth walked right in and sat right down without saying a word). When he came in I caught a hint of a lil something something. Towards the end of the lesson Kenneth finally looked up and made one comment. Right then, we knew. Kenneth was baked! Haha he was just chill’in. No questions asked, haha it was a good lesson!

MAIL:

Right after Jermaine we went over to the church and picked up mail and grabbed some more Book of Mormons.

NEW COMPANIONSHIP:

Around lunchtime we received a phone call while inside the apartment. It was the Mission office Elders, they called to see if we were home, and we were. They asked if we could come outside and help them because one of the ASL Elders was here. So we went outside helped him bring in his stuff. I guess only one came, because the NEW missionary was needing to be picked up from the airport, so they left to go get him and came back later on in the day.

NEXT APPOINTMENTS:

Nelson and Ricky were our next appointments; Elder Buckley and I showed them the New Years video. They both really liked it; it talks about how it's a new year and we need to forget about the past, forgive ourselves and move on, and try to be better. Then we went to go look up Grace, a referral who we've tried getting in contact with but hasn't been home. She was finally home and we were able to give her a bible. On our way to our next appointment we came across this pier. It was a beautiful view!

Sister Smith, the member we see each week for FHE (Family Home Evening) was our next appointment. We taught her and her kids about choosing the right.

That concluded our day, so we headed back to the station and split again back to our companions. When Elder Tabor and I got home that's when we met both the Elders. Elder Bell (the trainer) and Elder West (the trainee).

January 6, 2016

Wednesday, Day 85

Day 72 in NY

PDAY!

1 bathroom... 4 Guys...

We skipped the math and began our experiment. One companionship started the morning off in the bathroom, one in the shower and the other shaving at the sink, while the other companionship worked out. Then we switched. It worked out pretty well.

We then went on with the day, laundry, grocery shopping. Came home and had to reorganize the whole kitchen to accommodate for the division of our companionships. Then we went out and had to make a copy of our apartment key for the other Elders. It was so fast and cheap! It took maybe about 45 seconds after handing the key to man on the other end of the desk and it only cost $1.25 for the key.

1LESSON DAY:

This week has been rough; we only had one lesson today because we've just been so busy getting the apartment ready for the ASL Elders. After our only lesson, we headed home, and stopped at C-Town to see Carlito.

January 7, 2016

Thursday, Day 86

Day 73 in NY

Today also was a long day, we started off as usual, then had weekly planning which takes up most of the day after lunch. But it was a good day; we had 5 lessons after weekly planning. Long day, and not much to say about it.

January 8, 2016

Friday, Day 87

Day 74 in NY

STUDIES:

We have changed up our studies in a very effective way; I guess personal study isn't really supposed to be for yourself. Lol we started studying for our investigators and our lessons have been really good lately. We planned an awesome lesson about faith for Jermaine. Planned to ask some really great inspired questions and gave some really good insight.

LUNCH:

We had lunch, which is always great. Missionary work gets me hungry!

After lunch we took some time to finish up our weekly planning from yesterday.

After lunch we received a call from President, which was very uplifting! He was talking about how he picked up Elder Holland and that it was so cool to be in the car with him and talk to him! An Apostle of God! How cool! We get to hear from Elder Holland but President had the opportunity to talk to him!

January 9, 2016

Saturday, Day 88

Day 75 in NY

Oh man!!! Today was the best!!! We got up and went straight over too the Manhattan Temple! My first time ever seeing this temple! Oh it was soo awesome!! There's a chapel inside one top story of the temple. So we went in and sat down and waited for Elder Holland to show up.

I'm running out of time, but I hope I'll have an opportunity to share more about the experience. Here are my notes from this wonderful experience.

[Having the privilege to sit in the presence of an Apostle of God, I felt learned by the inspired words that were drawn from the lips of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The items he spoke on; he spoke in such a way, sharing an abundance of passion, with heavy boldness, he touched my heart and allowed me to understand so much more of my calling.]

(We aren't just dedicating two years to BE a missionary, we are dedicating two years to BECOME a missionary, because once we become a missionary, you shouldn't want to go back to the life previous to your mission.)

My goal: to always be a missionary

Plan: Continue the habits I have formed. NEVER GO BACK to the life before.

Elder Holland’s words:

You do not have the right to damage the image of a missionary! Not now on your mission, not ever! Not even when you get home! You can never go back, you shouldn't want to! No matter how good you thought it was. You have to do it for those nieces and nephews, little brothers and sisters... They think you're superman and Wonder Woman out here.

My own:

We are all examples. To the children; we are superheroes, to the youth; we are role models, to adults and our parents; we are what they dreamed we would be.

We are where we need to be. We are doing what we need to be doing. Because of the example we have set up to this point. Why? Why, would we want to change that? We should only strive to perfect the examples that we are.

I hope you were able to get something from what I have shared; I took notes by pen and paper. So I haven't transferred all my notes to my iPad yet.

Love you all so much!! I'll again continue to try and make my journals better.

PS.

I received a call from President, the other day. He said, "Elder Newbold! How’s your mission?!" I said, "President, it's been the best experience of my life!" He then said, "oh good! Elder Newbold, you've been out about 3 months correct?" I said, "Yea, on the 14th it will be 3 months" President said, "Awesome, it's, amazing how time flies, well, Elder Newbold, the Lord is calling you to be a leader. You’re going to, be training!" I exclaimed, "Oh man! Really President?! That's so awesome!!" He said, "Isn't it?! Elder Newbold, will you accept this calling?" I responded, "Absolutely! Thank you President!" He then told me "Love you Elder, have a great night!"

That was the best phone call from him! It was so awesome! Next week I'll let you know about it! I go to training on Friday and find out more about it!

Enjoy your week! Can't wait till next week!

Patience. Love. Faith

Much love,

Elder Newbold

Sent from my iPad

Week 12

December 25, 2015
Friday, Day 73
Day 60 in NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

After the face time call….

AIDA:
We were looking up referrals and found this lady named Aida. We taught her the Restoration and she was hooked! It was a great lesson, so I invited her to be baptized right then and she said yes! Then she explained with a little confusion but willingness, saying "I've already been baptized, but if I need to be baptized again. I've heard that it's okay, so I will." We explained to her that we would explain more about baptism in another visit. She was satisfied with that and we moved on.

SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING:
On our way out of the apartment, after our lesson with Aida, we opened the door and right then and there it began raining. After we started walking, the sky began dumping rain! So we took off running. When we found our selves approaching a streetlight we began to slow down. When all of a sudden, to the left of us, a car pulled off and yelled to us; looking over to see who it was, not hearing what the person had yelled. I see a young girl with her hand out the window of the car; she was reaching out an umbrella to Elder Tabor. With her father in the driver seat, he yelled out "sorry we only have one! We saw you guys running, so here!" Elder Tabor and I exclaimed back our gratitude for their charity. The man flipped his car around and began driving the opposite way. We then continued on our way, under the same small umbrella, talking about how nice it was that he and his daughter turned around because they saw us running through the rain with no jackets. Just about 20 seconds later, we came across a man walking slow in the rain, as if he had nowhere to go. With no judgment, but considering that he may have been homeless, Elder Tabor holding the umbrella quickly passes it over to this man, "would you like an umbrella?" With a smile on the man’s face he reached forward and grabbed the umbrella and began to thank us. We then proceeded to walk with haste to our next referral.

DINNER:
For dinner we went to our ward mission leaders apartment, we had dinner with his family and Elder Hughes and Nalaza. It was a good Christmas night in NY!



December 26, 2015
Saturday, Day 74
Day 61 in NY

Today we went to go see if this lady named Akoua was home, we have tried to see her a few times and we just keep meeting her son.. (His name is Emmanuel) So we went to her apartment and her son comes out again, he said she had just left and went to work. We asked if he had time, he said he did. We asked him if he was interested and would like to see a video, he agreed and so we showed him the video A Savior Is Born. He said he really liked it. So we asked if we could come back and teach him again and hopefully his mom, he said we could.

LAKEIA:
Then we looked up this referral we had and she has a son who's 16. So we talked with her for a while, she is super cool and interested in what we do. We told her about the mission life and our daily schedule. She said she loved the idea of being a missionary. She told us she wishes that she had the opportunity to be one. We taught her a little bit of a lesson and invited her to church, she seemed really excited and said she'd come.


December 27, 2015
Sunday, Day 75
Day 62 in NY

Sunday!
Got up, got ready, studied, and Went to church!

RICKY:
After church we went and visited with Ricky, we showed him one of my favorite videos. "The coat" it's s true story of Heber J. Grant. The story teaches us about service and being selfless. Ricky said, "I love that. I try to give all that I can. But sometimes the only thing we can give to those who are suffering or less fortunate, is the gospel."

DINNER:
After an awesome lesson with Ricky we headed out to Sister Gabin’s home for dinner. She had made some good pork and rice and beans. Her son Nicholas also made a cake again so we ate that too, then she took all the left overs and sent them home with us… She's too nice! We definitely left satisfied. The lesson we shared with them before we left, was similar to what we talked about with Ricky, we watched "The lesson I learned" by Gordon B. Hinckley, another one of my favorite videos. We related it back to being selfless and serving others.


December 28, 2015
Monday, Day 76
Day 63 in NY

Monday morning routine! Then we took off to district meeting. After we left the church from district meeting, we had received a call from someone, asking us if we could help out at a members home.

SERVICE:
Turns out Sister Diaz's apartment caught fire a few days ago and destroyed her son’s room. He lost just about everything. So we dropped all of our appointments and went straight over to her home. The house was just torn apart with them moving so much stuff! We went into the back room, (a bedroom next to the one that caught fire) and we began taking out dressers and things, then they wanted to get rid of a bunch of stuff. We were helping them lift things and move things out. So she asked us to take care of the bunk bed. She wanted us to throw it out. We had asked her sons if they had any tools, they
said they'd look, so after them being gone for a few minutes too long, (for me that's about 4 minutes) Elder Tabor and I began to fold the metal bed in half and just shove it out the bedroom door. By the time they came back to tell us they didn't have any tools to use, we had already folded the bed frame into a sandwich and carried out. Then we moved to the front room where the entertainment center was. They had so many cords hooked up to who knows what. And it was hard to figure out what belonged where, but because they wanted to keep most of the stuff, the tv, speakers, etc. I couldn't just rip’em all out of the wall, it was like a pair of headphones getting tangled x1000, so for quite some time after handing speakers and the tv to other people… around I went through all the cords trying to find the ends so we could get them all out of the way. By the time we had done all that, we were there for about 2 hours… But it was totally awesome, because I have been looking for more service opportunities.



December 29, 2015
Tuesday, Day 77
Day 64 in NY

EARLY MORNING SERVICE:
We got up and just got ready to leave to Carlito’s. It was nice to get up and put regular work clothes on, jeans, an old shirt, and my work boots. Earlier in the week we had scheduled to go to Carlito’s because he had a project he wanted our help with. He wanted to repaint his apartment walls and take apart the hideous crown molding above one of his doorways in his apartment. When we were over at his apartment earlier in the week, he had asked me if I knew how to put up sheet rock. I told him I had experience, working some construction back home. So we got to his apartment, and began moving furniture into other rooms to make space, then Elder Tabor and I started painting. After we got one wall finished. We helped Carlito rip out the crown molding, and then went back to painting. After a little while he sent us to the hardware store downstairs and up the block 2 buildings to get some stuff. We came back and we started putting up the sheetrock. We only had about 4 hours to give him. So when we were done with time, all he really needed to do was put up the new framing that he wanted.

MORE SERVICE:
After Carlito’s we received another phone call, this time being from Sister Diaz's son. He asked us if we could come back today and help them out. So we went over there and continued to help out. I swear even with our help it was still a weeklong project! I love love love service!


December 30, 2015
Wednesday, Day 78
Day 65 in NY

Pday!!!

Nothing much today, just laundry shopping, gator ball, and then we went to dinner at a member’s house. Brother and Sister Bonilla. Another awesome meal! We talked about their conversion stories and taught them about sharing the gospel. So we prepared them to be able to give someone a Book of Mormon.



Another short week! I'm working on my goal setting and trying to catch up, pray that I'll be able to catch up next week!

Love you all!

Patience. Love. Faith

Much love,
Elder Newbold

Work they did at Carlito's.  They helped install this tile.

The doorway they did at Carlito's house

Week 11

December 22, 2015
Tuesday, Day 70
Day 57 in NY

Last week I wrote about the night before, Elder Tabor and I went on a split. So Elder Hughes and I woke up this morning, he likes to cook, so while I was in the bathroom getting ready he was making eggs. That was super sweet! After I was ready we ate breakfast then he got ready.

JERMAINE:
Went by the shop to see Jermaine, he was helping some customers and so we waited for a bit. When he was done he brought up a couple of chairs for us to sit on. Before we started our lesson he got a call from one of his buddies telling him they needed to meet up. So hearing his conversation, we told him we just need a couple minutes. So we gave him the Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet. He read the first page and we very briefly talked about each point. Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. When we got to baptism, he immediately said "ahh ya, that's what I'm missing, I need to get baptized, huh?" I had planned to give him a baptism date during this lesson, but before I even opened my mouth he said "when are y'all having a baptism, when can I do that?" Totally caught off guard, but responded with "we are going to help prepare you for baptism on January 23." He said awesome and looks forward to it. Since he was in a bit of a hurry having to leave to meet his friend, we asked him to pray, and he did. It was so awesome! Jermaine Is prepared. Heavenly Father has prepared this man for us.

BROTHER FORD:
We went and visited Brother Ford just had a quick spiritual thought with him we read proverbs 17:17 and just talked about it. Short and sweet.

POST OFFICE:
After Brother Fords, we went to the post office so I could send off some Christmas cards I wrote to less active members in the ward.

NELSON:
We left the post office and went straight over to Nelson’s shop to see him. He wasn't busy so we sat down and taught him The Gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved it and was really into it. He was answering and asking questions, it was a really great lesson.

GRACE:
Grace is a Media Referral. Which means she went online to one of the church websites and ordered something. We then get an email because she's in our area. So we went over to her apartment. Hit the call button, she answered and came down to meet us at the door. We told her that we got an email that she had ordered something from the website but it doesn't show us what she ordered. She replied that she ordered a Bible. We didn't have any on us, so we asked when we could come by next to give that to her. She said next week same day and time. Then we left.

DINNER:
We came home and had dinner. I told Elder Hughes we could make whatever he wanted. He said how about Mac N Cheese. I said sure! Then just in time yelled to him… wait! No Mac N Cheese! We don't have any butter.... So sadly we didn't have butter so instead he made Turkey Stuffing and that's all we are for dinner, lol! (He's allergic to chicken so we didn't make chicken…) it was hilarious, to look down on your plate and see a pile of stuffing.

UNSPLIT:
After dinner we walked over to Ricky's, talked with Ricky for a little while and then left to the train. We went over to the church to meet up with the Elders to switch back.


December 23, 2015
Wednesday, Day 71
Day 58 in NY

PDAY:
Same old same old PDAY! Studies, then rush around the apartment to get what we need to go do laundry. Quickly load our clothes, and then write emails. After we switch our clothes to dry we go shopping get what we need, come back and then unload our clothes and fold them. After laundry and grocery shopping we take off to the apartment, we unload our pushcart, unload groceries and put our clothes away. Then we eat and take off to the church for some gator ball!

REFERRALS:
Looked up a referral and she opened up the door. Turns out she had just had a chemo treatment, she's been tired and so we told her it'd only be a couple of minutes, we showed her the Christmas
video and she loved it. She said we made her day! Also, that she'd like us to one back.

SCOUTING:
We went to the church and helped Sister Salinas with the scouts. The kids are crazy and never sit still so we tame them. She appreciates our assistance ha ha.


December 24, 2015
Thursday, Day 72
Day 59 in NY

Christmas Eve!

Woke up, had our studies, left the apartment, went to the church, had ward correlation, talked about our investigators, (all good things). After correlation we came home and had lunch! I LOVE EATING... Ha ha I'm always hungry. I'm not going hungry, but I'm hungry.

NATIONS:
Stopped by the Nations, it's Christmas Eve, so we didn't want to take much time from their games night so we just said hi, talked for a little. Tiwanca offered us some food. We had just had dinner so we
were okay, but to be nice I said sure. She came out with a tin foil tray of just fish heads and tails! Ha ha yes! The whole fish! I don't remember what fish it was, but they were big, like the sergeant fish we ate in Hawaii. Super good! The eyes were staring right back at me, which I don't mind, but Elder Tabor couldn't take it so I gave him the tail.

CARLITO:
We stopped by Carlito’s shop, every time I walk in I do my bird whistle and everyone looks around for "the bird" ha ha once I told them it was me, they all asked how I could do that. I told them I grew up on a farm. Ha ha they thought that was cool and asked what else I could do, so did my pig noise, my chicken, my bird whistle, and my dog bark. It's hilarious. Every day after, I walk into the store and Rafael stands at the door and barks so that I bark back ha ha it's great!


December 25, 2015
Friday, Day 73
Day 60 in NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Woke up this morning, 4:45am. Got up and took off to the church for some morning exercise. We played gator ball. Elder Tabor’s mom sent us a package and it had mini Bows and arrows in it. So we brought them to the church and shot at missionaries as they came in.

HOME:
After gator ball we came home, got ready, had studies, opened gifts and had lunch! *Thank you all for the letters and packages this last week! My apartment room is filled with boxes! Ha ha the gifts are awesome and have tasted good! Thanks again for the treats, and of course for thinking of me! You’re all in my prayers!

FACETIME:
After we ate at home we came to the church... I don't know why, but the last couple days I've felt strangely nervous for this day. So this morning I was feeling off. I was excited but totally nervous to see my family... I wasn't sure what I'd stay, or what. It was just weird. Then I'd think to my self, it's my family for crying out loud why am I nervous?! I guess after your used to not seeing your family for so
long, you just don't know what to do or how to feel when you see them. Well, we went up stairs and picked separate rooms to FaceTime in. (This is the only other time besides going to the bathroom that we can separate our companionship.) I was so mixed with emotions and weird feelings, I went into the room I chose to FaceTime in, got down on my knees and prayed. I asked to be nothing but excited to see my family, I didn't want the weird nervous stomach feeling. I wanted it to be a good experience. After I prayed, I got up from my knees, sat in the chair turned on my iPad went to the FaceTime app and clicked on dad’s email. When the iPad started ringing... I was excited! A little box in the corner of the screen appeared with my face and the big screen filled with the face of my mother and my father. And immediately I heard the voice of my mother, "there he is!! Awww" (sniffling to catch her breath, from fighting back the tears), my mother again exclaimed, “there he is!" I can definitely say that out of the 18 years of my life, I've never before been filled with such joy to hear my mother’s voice… (Of
course, after calling home before leaving to NY). After she explained my appearance the screen filled with members of my family. Smiles all around. My eyes filled with tears and my throat choked up, with excitement to see my family. It's definitely been the best Christmas.

IT’S A GIRL: (not sure who knows)
During this exciting FaceTime experience, I had the opportunity to open a gift from my sister Courtney and my brother (in law) Dillon. This gift would be the answer to my question. Boy or girl? After cutting open one side of the box and pulling open the flap inside, was filled with pink confetti and a pink tie!
It was awesome! I'm an uncle!

This is what Elder Newbold looks like when he has to walk from the church to his apartment with lots of packages.

Elder Newbold and Elder Tabor

Our family Christmas photo

The tie that the Telford family sent Elder Newbold

Sadly I only had time to finish writing about these past few days. But I'm making the goal to give you a better weekly journal next week!


Love you all and I am so grateful for everyone, you all are so wonderful to me. Thank you for your prayers, letters, emails, and gifts!

Love you all so much!! Till next week!

Patience. Love. Faith

Much love,
Elder Newbold