Hey Dad!
Things out here are going great! Now we have some baptismal dates and
some solid investigators. Tracey and Alicia are doing awesome. When
we met with Tracey the other night she said she was watching the ball
drop when she decided she wanted to start the new year right. so she
turned off the TV about 10 to 12 and started reading from the Book of
Mormon. I'm very excited for her, she is very close to baptism.
Alicia is teaching her son the gospel, and they are both nearing
baptism.
My New Years Eve was spent in Youngstown, President wanted us to have
our district meetings that night so that we won't be wasting time.
The district meeting was really good, and I learned a few things that
are going to help the work here. After the meeting was over we broke
out a bottle of grape sparkling cider a member had given us as well as
a lot of Christmas cookies.
President Sorenson just gave us all a small copy in
which we are to mark all the times Christ is referenced, as well as to
mark and then write down all of His attributes in my study journal.
He has the goal to finish in 90 days and gave us all a calendar.
(In response to dad's question about how to encourage his priests to prepare for missions)
Another good thing is the most recent message in the Ensign by
President Monson about Attitude, Belief and Courage. Those along with
Charity make for a much better day. Something really good is the
Christlike Attribute activity at the very end of chapter 6, that
really helps make sure you are on the right track.
Sounds like the Lord is taking care of everyone pretty well for me.
(Also...In response to dad's question about how to encourage his priests to prepare for missions)
The biggest thing is desire, to desire as Ammon and his brethren did
in Mosiah 28:3. If they can develop that love for all men, they will
be ready to go out and invite all to come unto Christ.
I love you so much, thank you for all your support and prayers, they
bear me up and keep me going.
Elder Tanner Newey
1/20/2012
12/27/11
Hey!
The work is going good, more dinners this week, new investigators, and
the week is actually pretty full with appointments already. Some of
the less actives are starting to work towards a temple recommend and
investigators are making it to church. Hopefully we will get to teach
three investigators today. The work is great, I love it. I just went
on exchanges with one of the zone leaders and he showed me a few more
things I can do better, so I'm all ready to go. Great things are
coming this week.
Elder Newey
The work is going good, more dinners this week, new investigators, and
the week is actually pretty full with appointments already. Some of
the less actives are starting to work towards a temple recommend and
investigators are making it to church. Hopefully we will get to teach
three investigators today. The work is great, I love it. I just went
on exchanges with one of the zone leaders and he showed me a few more
things I can do better, so I'm all ready to go. Great things are
coming this week.
Elder Newey
12/19/11
Hey Mom!
So the Christmas conference is tomorrow up in Kirtland, I should get
your letters then. I'm excited, it'll be fun to be back. I got a
package from Grandma and Grandpa Newey this week full of all sorts of
great stuff, and all the letters from Thanksgiving. It was nice to
see all the pictures of everyone. sounds like you are all having fun.
Enjoy Arizona, you will be a little warmer than me. Although I did
rake the leaves and mow the lawn today. There was snow yesterday.
For a bit. Our truck looks good too, we finally washed all the dirt
off. Oh, I got all the Christmas cards from the ward too. Kinda
weird, I don't recognize many names from before, although it's not too
hard to tell who Jacob's friends are.
The Relief Society here gave us stockings full of all sorts of good
stuff. We have a lot of junk food in our apartment. It feels a lot
more like Christmas with all the candy everywhere, Elder H even got
a Charlie Brown tree, complete with ornament. We found some
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD's in the branch library, and have
just about burned them out.
Other than that the work has been kind of slow. H and T
decided that the Church is not for them, and so won't be preparing for
baptism anymore. All the other investigators we invited to church
were sick yesterday. So the gospel principles class we taught
consisted of one less active, everyone else had bolted. This week
will be full of Christmas preparation and tracting, will be fun. I've
got to start warming up my caroling voice, it hasn't been used before,
hate to scare people away.
The branch presidents daughter was baptized yesterday, that was cool
to see. Now I just have to figure out how to get someone older than
eight into the water. Oh, we attended a Messianic Jewish synagogue
Friday night, very interesting. The first half hour was full of
songs, a little different than our hymns. It almost felt like a
concert. There was a lot of standing. They had a Torah though, and
said the lambskin was from the 1300's or somewhere around there. It
was cool because the scroll was all in Hebrew, and they even let us
come and look at it. They had New Testament Bibles with English on
one side and Hebrew on the other. Sadly Andrew was not very interested in
what we had to say, so we probably won't be meeting with them much
anymore. Learned a lot of cool stuff from them though.
That is about exciting as its been. We ate a place called Hugger
Mugger, they had really good subs.
Have a great week, merry Christmas, and I will see you soon!
Love, Elder Tanner Newey
So the Christmas conference is tomorrow up in Kirtland, I should get
your letters then. I'm excited, it'll be fun to be back. I got a
package from Grandma and Grandpa Newey this week full of all sorts of
great stuff, and all the letters from Thanksgiving. It was nice to
see all the pictures of everyone. sounds like you are all having fun.
Enjoy Arizona, you will be a little warmer than me. Although I did
rake the leaves and mow the lawn today. There was snow yesterday.
For a bit. Our truck looks good too, we finally washed all the dirt
off. Oh, I got all the Christmas cards from the ward too. Kinda
weird, I don't recognize many names from before, although it's not too
hard to tell who Jacob's friends are.
The Relief Society here gave us stockings full of all sorts of good
stuff. We have a lot of junk food in our apartment. It feels a lot
more like Christmas with all the candy everywhere, Elder H even got
a Charlie Brown tree, complete with ornament. We found some
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD's in the branch library, and have
just about burned them out.
Other than that the work has been kind of slow. H and T
decided that the Church is not for them, and so won't be preparing for
baptism anymore. All the other investigators we invited to church
were sick yesterday. So the gospel principles class we taught
consisted of one less active, everyone else had bolted. This week
will be full of Christmas preparation and tracting, will be fun. I've
got to start warming up my caroling voice, it hasn't been used before,
hate to scare people away.
The branch presidents daughter was baptized yesterday, that was cool
to see. Now I just have to figure out how to get someone older than
eight into the water. Oh, we attended a Messianic Jewish synagogue
Friday night, very interesting. The first half hour was full of
songs, a little different than our hymns. It almost felt like a
concert. There was a lot of standing. They had a Torah though, and
said the lambskin was from the 1300's or somewhere around there. It
was cool because the scroll was all in Hebrew, and they even let us
come and look at it. They had New Testament Bibles with English on
one side and Hebrew on the other. Sadly Andrew was not very interested in
what we had to say, so we probably won't be meeting with them much
anymore. Learned a lot of cool stuff from them though.
That is about exciting as its been. We ate a place called Hugger
Mugger, they had really good subs.
Have a great week, merry Christmas, and I will see you soon!
Love, Elder Tanner Newey
12/12/2011
12/12/2011
This week has been a little hectic, with Elder P leaving, and
Elder H coming in. He's a lot of fun, it's a little weird
serving with someone who has actually served elsewhere. I got your
package a couple days ago, Saturday I think. Thanks! I'm excited to
start opening them. So yeah, just the two of us. Kirtland was
awesome. How did you know we were going? I didn't even really. Some
members in the branch took us, H, T, and another sister up.
Sadly we got there after dark and weren't able to take the tour. We
did watch the Kirtland movie, and that's when it hit H and T
that they were right where the Prophet Joseph Smith lived. After the
movie they weren't as interested in the nativities anymore. They
still had fun though, and H was able to talk to the sister
missionaries about serving.
The branch Christmas party was this week, it was a lot of fun. We had
quite a few people show up who we haven't seen for a while. Each
auxiliary did a skit or sang. The young men pulled the young mens
president around in a wheelchair. He was dressed up as Santa and they
were all tied up like reindeer. Think Dad would do that? Maybe not.
So I am now serving with Elder H, he's from Sacramento,
California. He is my first companion to be taller than me. He's
great, we work together well, you would be proud of all the cleaning
we did today, we could easily fill a dumpster with the junk.
The work has been going well, we have been teaching a family of
Messianic Jews. It's really interesting because they have all the
roots, and I've learned a few words in Hebrew. He has a prayer
covering thing and cap, not the kind like most orthodox Jews. They
are very nice and we've been able to meet a few times.
It has finally cooled off a bit, it was 17 when when were headed to
church. Today was close to 50 though.
There are great things coming, we are trying to focus more now on
> building up the branch members themselves, that is where we are really
> struggling. Hopefully we will have some baptisms at the end of the
> month guess we'll see.
Elder H coming in. He's a lot of fun, it's a little weird
serving with someone who has actually served elsewhere. I got your
package a couple days ago, Saturday I think. Thanks! I'm excited to
start opening them. So yeah, just the two of us. Kirtland was
awesome. How did you know we were going? I didn't even really. Some
members in the branch took us, H, T, and another sister up.
Sadly we got there after dark and weren't able to take the tour. We
did watch the Kirtland movie, and that's when it hit H and T
that they were right where the Prophet Joseph Smith lived. After the
movie they weren't as interested in the nativities anymore. They
still had fun though, and H was able to talk to the sister
missionaries about serving.
The branch Christmas party was this week, it was a lot of fun. We had
quite a few people show up who we haven't seen for a while. Each
auxiliary did a skit or sang. The young men pulled the young mens
president around in a wheelchair. He was dressed up as Santa and they
were all tied up like reindeer. Think Dad would do that? Maybe not.
So I am now serving with Elder H, he's from Sacramento,
California. He is my first companion to be taller than me. He's
great, we work together well, you would be proud of all the cleaning
we did today, we could easily fill a dumpster with the junk.
The work has been going well, we have been teaching a family of
Messianic Jews. It's really interesting because they have all the
roots, and I've learned a few words in Hebrew. He has a prayer
covering thing and cap, not the kind like most orthodox Jews. They
are very nice and we've been able to meet a few times.
It has finally cooled off a bit, it was 17 when when were headed to
church. Today was close to 50 though.
There are great things coming, we are trying to focus more now on
> building up the branch members themselves, that is where we are really
> struggling. Hopefully we will have some baptisms at the end of the
> month guess we'll see.
12/09/2011
Post from mom
I came across this poem, made me cry, I tend to do that a lot lately when I think of Tanner. I am so proud of him. He's so happy and loving what he is doing, but I miss him still. I do feel the Christmas spirit more this year, unlike the poem. I think it's one of the blessings of having a missionary out. I am reminded often of the wonderful gift of the knowledge of the gospel and our Savior the missionaries help bring to others .
A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)
This year for Christmas
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn’t there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus.
My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
Two suits and socks…no fun.
I’ve bought him all white clothes because…
This year I’m giving Christ my son.
I’ve spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from his words.
I’ve reread November’s Ensign,
And my testimony stirred.
Our family prays more frequently.
My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I’m giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers
Gave their sons to war,
Or how the pioneers chose Zion,
Their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence.
I’ll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him.
I’m giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he’s not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He’s always hungered for the part of him
That makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard.
His choice and mine are one.
I’ll put my faith in God’s hand.
This year, I’m giving him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter.
I think I finally understand.
Christ’s birth should be celebrated
By giving Him a hand.
It’s because I know Christ lived and reigns
That all his packing is done.
My gift has taken years to make.
This year…I’m giving Christ my son.
A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)
This year for Christmas
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn’t there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus.
My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
Two suits and socks…no fun.
I’ve bought him all white clothes because…
This year I’m giving Christ my son.
I’ve spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from his words.
I’ve reread November’s Ensign,
And my testimony stirred.
Our family prays more frequently.
My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I’m giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers
Gave their sons to war,
Or how the pioneers chose Zion,
Their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence.
I’ll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him.
I’m giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he’s not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He’s always hungered for the part of him
That makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard.
His choice and mine are one.
I’ll put my faith in God’s hand.
This year, I’m giving him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter.
I think I finally understand.
Christ’s birth should be celebrated
By giving Him a hand.
It’s because I know Christ lived and reigns
That all his packing is done.
My gift has taken years to make.
This year…I’m giving Christ my son.
12/6/11
Hey Dad!
Unfortunately I've only got a quick minute today, transfers are
tomorrow, Elder P is leaving, and there were some things poorly
planned, namely this computer time. So I will try to cram as much in
here as I can.
I'm doing great, the work still moves on. I will see if I can't come
back, I will be in New Castle, glad to hear from you.
Love you and I will write soon.
Elder Tanner Newey
Unfortunately I've only got a quick minute today, transfers are
tomorrow, Elder P is leaving, and there were some things poorly
planned, namely this computer time. So I will try to cram as much in
here as I can.
I'm doing great, the work still moves on. I will see if I can't come
back, I will be in New Castle, glad to hear from you.
Love you and I will write soon.
Elder Tanner Newey
12/03/2011
11/14/11 oops, out of order
Oh man, where to start. J has been an interesting case. Last time
we taught him we were telling a bunch of the stories from the Book of
Mormon, trying to get him interested in it more. When we came to the
Tree of Life chapter, I pulled out a picture of Lehi's Dream. He saw
the tree and started freaking out. Apparently his mom was a Jehovah's
Witness and there are all sorts of messed up thoughts in his head, one
of them being that the tree is evil and to even think about it will
let the devil get you. He hasn't been real keen on meeting since
then, but we've been working on him. After that he went and tried to
do everything that he knew he wasn't supposed to. He got new tattoos
and harrasses T and H with cigarettes and coffee. He's
actually knelt down with us twice now though, and is actually friendly
and joking around these last couple days. Eventually he'll come
around again.
As far as T and H go, T got fed up and dumped all the
tobacco in the house down the sink. She was tired of it all and made
the rule that there would be no more smoking in the house. H has
been real good through this, giving her mom support, and even quitting
herself. When T broke down and bought a box of cigarettes last
week, H took them and hid them. T made it to church again on
Sunday, but H had a fever and wasn't able to make it. Pretty soon
I'll be able to visit Kirtland with them.
And... we have another great investigator, P . His wife and son are
members, and they've been married about a year or so. She was less
active, but wanted to get back in to church. So she invited us over
and we met with them yesterday. It was the perfect lesson, I don't
know that they get much better. Their home teacher was there with us,
building up and teaching at just the right time. We taught the
Message of the Restoration, as he wanted to know what the difference
is between our church and all the others. Elder P and I
testified the whole time and just built off each other. At times I
thought I could see tears in P's eyes. The Spirit filled the room,
and P committed to be baptized on December 10. When we asked what
he would ask God if he saw Him, he said he would ask how he could be a
better person, in Christ. Then he prayed, the most sincere prayer I
have heard. He prayed fervently, and paused for a minute at the end.
I started praying for him, and the story of Ammon and King Lamoni came
to mind. P was so happy afterwards he came and gave us a hug.
While we were walking out their home teacher turned to us and said
"that was awesome." Oh, it was. We were so excited. That is this
great work, that's why I love it so much. Seeing this change in
people, as they gain a hope in Christ. Purely amazing.
Other fun things this week: not nearly as much tracting as I thought,
keeping in control a fire, exchanges with Zone Leader Elder H , a
few more less actives at church (there was actually a whole side
full!)
Well, I better go get a haircut, I've waited way too long. Have a
great week, thank you for the letter, its great to hear how you are
all doing. The computers yelling at me, so I better go.
Love you lots! Talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Tanner Newey
we taught him we were telling a bunch of the stories from the Book of
Mormon, trying to get him interested in it more. When we came to the
Tree of Life chapter, I pulled out a picture of Lehi's Dream. He saw
the tree and started freaking out. Apparently his mom was a Jehovah's
Witness and there are all sorts of messed up thoughts in his head, one
of them being that the tree is evil and to even think about it will
let the devil get you. He hasn't been real keen on meeting since
then, but we've been working on him. After that he went and tried to
do everything that he knew he wasn't supposed to. He got new tattoos
and harrasses T and H with cigarettes and coffee. He's
actually knelt down with us twice now though, and is actually friendly
and joking around these last couple days. Eventually he'll come
around again.
As far as T and H go, T got fed up and dumped all the
tobacco in the house down the sink. She was tired of it all and made
the rule that there would be no more smoking in the house. H has
been real good through this, giving her mom support, and even quitting
herself. When T broke down and bought a box of cigarettes last
week, H took them and hid them. T made it to church again on
Sunday, but H had a fever and wasn't able to make it. Pretty soon
I'll be able to visit Kirtland with them.
And... we have another great investigator, P . His wife and son are
members, and they've been married about a year or so. She was less
active, but wanted to get back in to church. So she invited us over
and we met with them yesterday. It was the perfect lesson, I don't
know that they get much better. Their home teacher was there with us,
building up and teaching at just the right time. We taught the
Message of the Restoration, as he wanted to know what the difference
is between our church and all the others. Elder P and I
testified the whole time and just built off each other. At times I
thought I could see tears in P's eyes. The Spirit filled the room,
and P committed to be baptized on December 10. When we asked what
he would ask God if he saw Him, he said he would ask how he could be a
better person, in Christ. Then he prayed, the most sincere prayer I
have heard. He prayed fervently, and paused for a minute at the end.
I started praying for him, and the story of Ammon and King Lamoni came
to mind. P was so happy afterwards he came and gave us a hug.
While we were walking out their home teacher turned to us and said
"that was awesome." Oh, it was. We were so excited. That is this
great work, that's why I love it so much. Seeing this change in
people, as they gain a hope in Christ. Purely amazing.
Other fun things this week: not nearly as much tracting as I thought,
keeping in control a fire, exchanges with Zone Leader Elder H , a
few more less actives at church (there was actually a whole side
full!)
Well, I better go get a haircut, I've waited way too long. Have a
great week, thank you for the letter, its great to hear how you are
all doing. The computers yelling at me, so I better go.
Love you lots! Talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Tanner Newey
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