Have miracles ceased?

SAN DIEGO — Thank you so much for your letters I got last week. I hope I have gotten a thank you out to all of you. It is hard to remember everyone to thank when I get your letters, after we get to email.

You have no idea how much you help me just by telling me you love me! You know what a softy I am, just looking at your names on the envelope gets me teary eyed! No worries though, of course I am focused on the work, but that doesn't mean I don't love you all any less!

Shoutouts:

Grandma: Love you! Hope you got my letter!

Juli: Thank you for the letters and package, you didn't have to do that, but thank you so much!

Hannah: Thank you for writing, so glad you are doing well!

Natassja: I got your package, THANK YOU! I have already worn the hair bow lots this week. It is a perfect reminder of you! I hope your first week of school is awesome! Tell the girls hello for me:) I will write you all a letter soon, promise!

Sister: How was your trip? I'm sure you will tell me all about it. The sisters told me they saw you and Bobby at the temple, hope you had a good time!

Pops: I just have to say, you are a LIFESAVER sending that GPS. Can you imagine me, Brittany — who can barely get around Utah without getting lost — try to drive around California?! There are like four freeways I can take just to get to my area alone! I call the GPS Jack, because that's the name of the voice- Jack and I are becoming really great friends.

I was thinking about what I wanted to write you this week, I have been praying so hard to Heavenly Father to help me see the miracles he sends my way, and this week he has definitely opened my eyes to them. Mormon 9:19-21, I promise you Miracles have not ceased! Here are some of my thoughts from my journal this week and the miracles I have seen....

Wednesday- "Before our member lesson this morning, we decided to pray about a place we could street contact for a few minutes before our appointment. We decided on the street and started walking... The thing about street contacting, is it is helpful when there are actually people on the street!

Not so on this lovely Wednesday afternoon!:( Sadly, I have already learned far too many lessons of not paying attention to the Spirit, or being too nervous to go up to someone and talk to them, so I was determined NOT going to do that again. As we passed each house, I asked Heavenly Father if we were needed there. We were only one house away from the members home and I was starting to feel like we had just wasted 20 minutes of Heavenly Father's time, when I felt the Spirit tell me that that house needed to hear His message. Jesus answered the door and we set up a return appointment....."

Thursday- "Ryan Low, the member we visited yesterday, gave us a name of his friend, Mike who is a less-active member. He told us that he had no idea why he felt like we needed to visit him. In fact, he said that Mike is never home and was almost positive we wouldn't be able to reach him. We decided to make plans to meet him today and to have the faith that Heavenly Father would help it all work out. We pulled up to Mike's house tonight just as he was walking up to his house... He was home! And we were able to remind him of why he was baptized...."

Friday- "Tai, one of our investigators, who we haven't been able to contact or get a hold of in a long time actually called us and set up an appointment.....!"

Sunday- "We have been having a hard time with finding people to teach. Even our investigators weren't answering our calls. I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on my knees in prayer, begging Heavenly Father to help me find the people He has prepared for us to teach. It is so hard being a missionary, with the most precious news to share to the world and not have anyone to teach it to. Today, we taught non-stop for nine hours straight! In fact, we had to go on splits for our last lessons. We taught Robert and Michael, who are the two friends that worked doing pest control with some Mormon guys. It was a bit nerve-racking to teach by myself with a member who has not had that much experience at teaching, either. It was a good reminder that it doesn't matter how weak we are, Heavenly Father makes up what we lack, and the lesson went just fine. Robert is getting baptized in the next few weeks!"

I just wanted to share with you the miracles I have seen in my life this week. There are miracles all around us, it just takes the right kind of lens to see them. Take a breather in the busy and crazy lives I know we all have and notice the miracles you have in your life every single day. I know they are there!

I love you all so much! Each day I get to give tours about the 500 men in the Mormon Battalion that left such a legacy of service, sacrifice and faith. Each day, I also get to go out into the world and see the people of today's time and the legacies they are leaving for their own friends and families. Each of you are leaving your own legacy and it is not anything small or menial. You make a difference, don't even think otherwise for even a second! You have all made a difference in at least one persons life and that is mine.

An accidental Brittany sighting and a miracle

Editors Note: Brittany's Dad, Mom and little sister, Sara, were in San Diego last week for a variety of reasons, and went to the Mormon Battalion Historic Site as part of the vacation. They had arranged to visit the site when Brittany was not around (it's just easier that way, especially for the missionary, who isn't supposed to see family for 18 months to 2 years, and only hear them on the phone for Christmas and Mother's Day). Unfortunately, things failed to happen as planned. Here's the story of what happened, from Sara's point of view, on Friday, August 19.

I 100% PROMISE we did not go to the Mormon Battalion Site to see Sister Newman. We arranged it so we went while she was out proselyting and we wouldn't see her. Funny story though: that didn't exactly happen. OOPS.

My parents and I were just getting ready to head into the site, but decided to take a little picture in front of the Battalion sign before heading in. While my dad was taking a picture of my mom, I randomly thought to turn around and low and behold is my little big sister!

I didn't know what to do! I was shocked and was not expecting to see her! Obviously, I squealed out loud with excitement as she waved at me and then both my parents turned around to see what happened. My mom was grinning ear to ear and my dad said "oh no... is that Brittany?" He started to run away! Classic!

She was already across the street coming our way. I stopped to see what she did. She was my cutest sister ever and ran towards me so I picked her right up and gave her the biggest hug ever! Apparently, she got a last-minute transfer and that's how it all happened with the timing being off and us seeing her and everything.

I LOVE HER SOOOOOO MUCH! You can tell she is sooo happy and such a great missionary. We all got a hug and got to say, "hi" for a quick second and then she was off and back to teach and spread the Gospel!

It truly was an accident but I am so glad it happened!

And now, Brittany's letter:

SAN DIEGO — First of all, Sara, Mom, and Dad, stop worrying about seeing me on Friday! Heavenly Father must have needed us to see each other, and it was really good to be able to give you all a hug! No worries, I am still focused and working hard! Thank you for being so awesome.

All the sisters kept coming up to me and telling me how amazing you are. They all think I am a cut out of you mom, what a compliment! Sister Christensen said, "Why can't all our member families that come through be like the Newmans?" Thank you for thinking of referrals and just being such great member missionaries! I am so proud of you, I keep telling everyone how lucky I am to have you all. I know I couldn't do this without all the love and support you give me.

Like I told you last week, we had transfers! I got transferred to a young single adult ward in Ranchos Penasquitos (Mira Mesa). My companion's name is Sister Nelson, she is from Utah. She is awesome. We are trying to figure out how to teach together and everything, it is hard sometimes, but somehow, Heavenly Father helps it all work out.

I want to share a miracle that happened this week, It wasn't anything Sister Nelson or I did, it was because of members just like you, shared the gospel by being examples, friends, and having true charity and love for God's children.

We started teaching Michael and Robert, two guys from Utah who are here for the summer working for a pest control company. They were roomed with five guys also from Utah who are members of the Church. We call them the "bug boys". We taught Michael and Robert on Thursday (they have a date to be baptized on September 3rd). Michael came up to us on Sunday and told us he wanted to be baptized this coming Thursday! I thought, how can you want to be baptized? We haven't hardly had the chance to teach you anything yet!

I learned two things from that experience. First, you have no idea how much of an impact you make in peoples lives. I was talking to Michael and he said, Shawn (one of the bug boys) was just my friend, he told me about The Book of Mormon, how it would change my life and then he left it on the table in case I wanted to read it, but other than that, he just cared."

The second thing I was reminded of is how powerful the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. It touches the soul so deeply and sparks a remembering in people of who they are and where they came from. I don't know if that made sense. I just see as I teach people about where they came from, and how they can live with their families forever light up inside. I know it is because their spirits remember. Of course, a daughter or son of God, who was created by a Heavenly King — no matter if they can't see or remember where they came from — will never forget it. It is part of who they are, and when they read The Book of Mormon or hear about Christ's church, somewhere deep inside, they remember who they are. Oh, it is so AWESOME!

I don't have much time this week, but I wanted to tell you all how much I love you. There are so many miracles around us! You are part of those miracles!

Nick, I have been praying for you, I hope your job interviewing goes well! Love you so much! Tell the girls hello!

Chris- Congrats on Graduation! Love you!

Sara- Can't wait to hear how San Diego went! I will write you next week, this week we are going to the temple, so I wont have much time to write.

Sister Garritson- I met President Peterson at the Mormon Batallion. He was Jordan's mission president. He couldn't stop talking about what a good missionary he is!

Jessica and Natassja- I saw Ken and Devin at the Mormon Battalion. It made me think of you. Hope you have an amazing start at school! Let me know what your address is in Provo!

Grandma Newman- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Grammy and Gramps Morgan- LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Mom- HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sure do love ya!

I have a joke before I go. Some guy told it to me at the Battalion.

How many Elders (from the Elders Quorum, not missionary elders) does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

....

one, but you have to wait till the end of the month!

Well, I thought it was funny.

Alzheimer's, ancestors, and a Mormon Bible

Well,

I can't believe it, but transfers are tomorrow! I actually am so SO happy i don't have to be the new sister anymore! We are getting two new Spanish-speaking sisters at the Battalion, which we need desperately.

Looking back on these past six weeks, I cannot believe all that has happened. Honestly, I have seen miracles every single day.

This week, Martha's husband came back from being in Washington for three weeks. If you remember, Martha is the woman we met walking home from the swimming pool. She and her husband are both listening to the lessons. We taught Martha about the Restoration and taught Jacob the Restoration for the first time. It is so amazing watching how teaching the Gospel sparks a reminder in people's souls of who they are and where they came from. It is humbling to know that we are not teaching them this for the first time, it is just that we are reminding them about the whole reason they are here — I love it! They are going to come to church on Sunday and Jacob is going to go play basketball with the Young Single Adult Ward (Martha and Jacob are only 19 and 20).

Well, missions come with miracles, hard times and lots of funnies, too. This week, I did a really good funny. We went to visit a lady that Sister Tardiff met while I was gone in another area with one of the other sisters. Her name is Betty and she is like 82 years old. We knocked on the door, and she let us in. The lesson was so hard in the first place. She couldn't hear a single thing, so we were practically yelling so she could hear and neither one of us knew what to say. As we kept talking to her, I realized that she had no idea that we had met her previously. In fact, I am almost positive she has either dementia or Alzheimer's. The funny thing is, I still set up a return appointment with her! I don't know what I was thinking, asking a woman who won't even remember who I am by the time I leave if we could come back and teach her. Sister Tardiff had a good laugh at me, that is for sure!

I was reading my scriptures at the laundry mat today in 3 Nephi. This was during one of the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites. Verse 15 it says,

"And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites did return again to their place of security..."

I was thinking about that, during all the commotion of war and fighting, they returned to their place of security. Harold B. Lee said,

"The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home."

That is more true than I ever knew before. The home is so important, and I realize more and more while being out here how much trust God has given us to make our homes the most sacred place on earth. Everyone out there that have been reading my letters, I hope you are taking my challenge to invite a non-member over to your homes for dinner. Everyone in this world deserves to see how sacred the home is. I promise you that as they feel the sacredness of your homes, even if all you are doing is enjoying dinner together as friends, that spirit will touch their hearts. Please, all of you take that challenge and let me know how it goes. You are all so amazing and I know you can do this. You are all missionaries!

"There is neither man or woman in this church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life." -President Brigham Young

You can do this challenge, I have so much faith in you, I will be praying for you all! Remember, ALL of us are missionaries in this work!

No shout outs this week, because I haven't been able to pick up my mail. So sorry, but know I love you all!

I thought I would leave you with a part of my journal from this week:

August 12, 2011

The Battalion was so busy today. I took four tours and got 5 referrals from nonmembers. We passed our goal of 10 referrals by a lot- we had 23 referrals by the end of the night. Heavenly Father is using this site so much to touch the lives of so many people. I took a family through, the Javans, who had twin daughters who go to school with an LDS girl. He wanted so badly to get a copy of "the Mormon Bible." I was not expecting him to be interested, but once again, Heavenly Father has reminded me that He has people ready for the Gospel and He knows better than me who they are.

As I was saying my prayers tonight, the thought and feeling came into my heart that my great-grandma Dinah is watching me from heaven. I want to live up to the amazing woman I was named after. I am not doing things perfectly, in fact, i know that i have messed up a lot, but already I can see that Heavenly Father is helping me become the daughter He wants me to be..."

I know I say this so much, but i hope you know who Heavenly Father wants you to be. You have the potential to become kings and queens in the kingdom of God. This life is such an amazing time to become who we are meant to be and to show Heavenly Father how much we love Him by following the commandments He has given us.

Have a wonderful week everyone! I love you all so much!

Another Tourist Picture

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — On Thursday, Brittany's dad got a call from a man in Riverton, Utah named Brad Markus. He was visiting the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. He said he was impressed with how wonderful Sister Newman was, and just had to call Utah and tell Dad how well she was doing. He also sent a picture.

After the phone call, Dad said, "This is kind of fun. I might need to hire a secretary to take my Sister Newman calls."

Strangers and pictures

On August 4, Brittany's dad got an e-mail from a lady named Jill Cheshire, who wrote an e-mail called, "Missionary pictures". She wrote:

I took my kids to the Mormon Battalion visitor center and we were thrilled to be assigned to your daughter’s tour group! She is so sweet and did such a good job. Honestly, I would have thought that she was the senior companion and had been doing these tours for months… She is such a good girl and she is doing an awesome job as a missionary! Sorry that these pictures are not the best, but it is always good to see the ones that you love even in blurry pictures. :)



The photos are below. I would like to comment on how interesting this is that Dad got an e-mail like this. He's usually the one who, if he happens to run into missionaries ANYWHERE on vacation or business trips, asks for the missionary's mother's e-mail or phone number, and calls the parents up to "report" on how the missionary is doing, which usually calms a worrying mom's fears. And now, finally, the service was returned.

Enjoy the photos below. They're the first ones of Brittany at the Battalion in her full gear.

Tears

Well Hello Family!

I am writing you with tears dripping down my face. I hope you know how much I love you! I am such a leaky faucet sometimes — I just read your names on the envelope and I start crying! I think being away from home was a good way Heavenly Father wanted to remind me how much you all mean to me. All of you: friends, family, roommates, you all mean the world to me. Thank you for your inspiration in my life! Thank you for all the love you send my way. I won't have time to answer everyone's letters this week because our P-day is cut short, but I want you to know I love you!

I'm trying to think of things that have happened this week. Honestly, it has been a long, hard week of trying to find people to teach. We got stopped by an atheist this week. It is so hard to talk to people that just want to argue. Mostly because I can feel how much Heavenly Father wants to wrap them in His arms, and they don't even see it. For some reason, every time someone is angry, they never look at Sister Tardiff: they always stare me down. It is actually pretty funny, because Sister Tardiff just laughs at me, I just don't get why they can't look at and ask questions to both of us.

Sister Burden (one of the sisters that works at the Mormon Battalion) her dad visited this week. I introduced myself to him and he stopped and stared at me for a second and then said, "I used to know a girl who looks just like you and her last name was Newman. Do you know a Dona Newman Staples?" I, of course, said yes! His name is John Burden, He said he used to date Aunt Dona. If she doesn't read this, you will have to ask her about it.

I think I told you about Martha, the woman we met on the street a few weeks ago. She is really interested in the Gospel. Sister Tardiff and I have been praying to find a family to teach and I know this is an answer to our prayers. I can't describe how amazing it is to see how the Gospel changes people's lives. I will keep you up-to-date on her.

To answer some of your questions:

When are transfers?

Transfers are next Tuesday. Can you believe I have been out six weeks?

How do you get the people you teach?

Some of the people we teach come from ward members and investigators who give us names of people they want us to teach. Other people we find on the street, and others Heavenly Father has sent us straight into our hands.

What was it like for you to go through the temple?
Going through the temple was one of the best experiences of my life. Making those promises with God that will bring me closer to Him and allow me to one day live with my family and God forever, with more joy than I could ever imagine, is the best thing anyone could ever ask for. As I sat in the temple with my family all dressed in white, I have never felt closer to heaven in my life. I love the temple with all my heart. Who wouldn't want to go to a place that almost touches heaven, right? I am so lucky that I get to visit the San Diego temple every other transfer. This next transfer is my turn. I can't wait!

Okay, time is almost up, so let me share an entry from my journal this week:

August 4 2011

This morning as I was walking around Old Town Square for exercise, I was talking to Sister Lewis and she was telling me about a story she heard. ( I don't know where she read it, but if someone wants to look it up, feel free) Spencer W. Kimball, who was serving as a Seventy to Harold B. Lee at the time felt so inadequate. President Lee noticed his feelings of inadequacy and said, "Spencer, you need to try to be the best version of Spencer and not a bad version of Harold!" I realize that I have been letting feelings of inadequacy cloud my faith, especially as I have fallen prey to Satan's trap of having me compare myself to others. I went to the bathroom to pray for Heavenly Father's help. I can't explain the feelings of love He helped me feel.

Shout-outs:

Sister Mears: Thank you for sending that letter and the essay. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I am so excited! I am glad to hear Tyson is doing well, I have no doubt he is such an amazing missionary.

Sister Thompson: Thank you for your letter, especially that quote. I really needed to hear that today. I can't believe Jessica has started school. Wow, that is so crazy. It is good for us to have that experience though. I think college is one of the places that really helped me rely more on my Heavenly Father.

Juli: Thank you for the letter. You know it is KILLING ME not to know what happens with Bones and Booth. That is okay though, I have so many things to think about here, but I feel a Bones marathon coming when I get back:) Me and you girl, Mom's house, candy, and the boys can babysit.

Annalie: Thank you princess for that beautiful picture. I am going to hang it on my fridge once I get home. You are such an artist!

Marianne: I got your card. THANK YOU so much for that. You are such a lifesaver, and such an example to me. I really do look up to you more than you know. Tell Lucy and your parents hello for me!

Karen and the girls: Hello Ladies! Hope you are doing well. I love you all!

Grammy: Thanks for writing me so often. I love you so much. I think of you and Gramps all the time. I was playing UNO for P-day last week, and thought of all the hours you spent with me and Sara playing games. Thank you so much for those memories!

I want you all out there to know that you are NEVER inadequate in the eyes of God. He created you. He wants you to be the best YOU you can be. Satan is the one who wants you to think less of yourself than you are. Don't let him win! You are daughters and sons of God! You are perfect, because He is perfect and He made you.

The excitement and frustration of missionary work

Hello Family!

Thank you so much for all the letters! I do get them by Tuesday (i know you were wondering). The hard thing is we don't get our mail until after I email you, so i am always a week behind what you have written. Sorry! Just keep that in mind with my emails each week:)

I just want you all to know how much I truly love you with all my heart. Families are amazing! Friends are amazing! God's children are AMAZING! I can't describe the blessing Heavenly Father has been helping me with. I have been asking Him to help me see his children the way He sees them. Each time I think of you, or I talk to someone on the street, or I am teaching a lesson, my heart gets so full with the love i know he has for each of us. He KNOWS you! He loves you so much — the kind of love that you and I don't even understand. What a comfort that is to know in this busy and crazy world, that Father loves you more than you can imagine.

I am slowly but surely working on writing more letters. Love you all, be patient, I promise they are coming!

Answers to questions:

How many people are you teaching?

Right now, we are teaching four progressing investigators: Martha, Michael, Vernell and Frederico. One is an expecting mother whose husband is deployed. One is a recently divorced man with a daughter to raise, who considers himself half Mormon but does not want to change. Another is a woman who lived a super rough life in drugs and alcohol and who does not want to be alive.

They are all so different with their own unique stories. It is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father wants all of his children to have the gospel. No matter who they are in the world, God sees his children on the inside and not the outside. President Monson is such a good teacher about the individual worth of a soul. EVERY soul is worth rescuing.

How much time do you spend at the Battalion vs missionary work?

My day is split between six hours at the Battalion and six hours of proselyting. It is amazing how Heavenly Father can stretch time for us. I love serving at both. The Mormon Battalion site is the second-busiest church site in the world besides Temple Square, so we definitely have lots to do!

How many LDS/Non LDS people visit?

We have visitors from all over the world since old Town San Diego is a tourist attraction. For every three members we have about one non member visit the site.

Have you been yelled at yet?

Yes. Actually a few times, but you learn to not take it personally.

What is your P-day schedule?

We get up, study while we are at the laundromat, then go to the family history center to e-mail, then go shopping, go home and wash the car, write letters and we usually go play sports for a little bit. I never realized how truly precious p-day is: time goes by WAY too fast!

I think I may have missed a few questions this time. If there is something you want to know or more details about something, you could write me again and remind me that would be awesome.

Brittany's army crawl through San Diego

Journal from this week:

July 28th, 2011

Today we had our Mormon Battalion devotional. Sisters Christensen and Lewis talked about how powerful simple and short testimony is. Each of us went around the room and said one sentence of our testimony. It was amazing how strong the spirit came when we each spoke simple truths. Elder Evans shared Doctrine and Covenants 115: 5 with us.

"Arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard to the nations."

I love being a standard to the nations. I can't describe how I feel being a missionary but I definitely feel Jesus Christ's love for me. We sang, "I Believe in Christ" and I started to cry.

"I believe in Christ, He stands supreme! From Him I'll gain my fondest dream. And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard, "Ye shall obtain." I believe in Christ, so come what may. With Him I'll stand in that great day. When on the earth He comes again to rule among the Sons of men."

I believe in Christ! I know He is my Savior! I started singing that song and the spirit overwhelmed me with the realization of how much my brother Jesus Christ loves me. It is a love I cannot describe. I want the whole world to feel that love!

It frustrates me that so many people in this world are content with where they are in life and don't want to change. If they only knew. If they even had the tiniest of ideas how much the Savior loves them or what they could have with their families, people would be running up to us, begging us to teach them.

Something I realized being out here on a mission is how much I wish i would have been better at being a "member missionary". Elder Ballard came to talk to us this week and we were allowed to ask questions. Every single question a missionary would ask, Elder Ballard would ask them, Are you involving the members? He said that the Church needs its' members to stop just staying with each other, but reaching out and inviting non-members to dinner, activities and such.

As a missionary, I can see now how important you all are in this work. Really, you have no idea how much you mean to missionary work. It is just as much your responsibility as mine. I know you can do this! God is on your side.

I have a challenge for you this week: Will you invite a nonmember family to your homes for dinner one time during the month of August? And if possible, have the missionaries over as well. I promise you that just that act alone will change your life and spark a desire in your soul to bring others unto Christ.

Lesson I learned: I learned how to trust in God and not be afraid this week. There was a woman, Martha (our investigator) who was walking down the street from the pool the other day. In my mind, I thought, "Oh no she is pregnant, tired and busy," and honestly did not look very happy so I didn't want to go up and talk to her. But at that moment, Sis. Tardiff and I both looked at each other and knew we needed to talk to her.

She was so excited to talk to us. She said she was lost, didn't know what religion to join, and would love us to talk with her. We have now been teaching her for a week now and I know she will be baptized. God knows His children. We cannot be afraid in sharing the gospel. He knows who is ready — I don't. I know that as we trust in Him, and have faith that He is with us always, then God will send down the angels of Heaven and miracles will follow.

Shout outs:

Natassja: Girl, you are a native Londoner! I knew you would fit right in! That was so funny to hear that people are asking you for directions now. When you get time you will have to send me pictures:)

Jenna: Yay! I'm so glad you like work:) I know life is so crazy sometimes, but it always works out. This fall is going to be so great, I'm so excited for BYU to start!

Alex: Thank you so much for the mail. I can't believe you are starting medical school! Thanks for sharing those experiences!

Nick: I got your post card-thank you! I have been and will be praying for you to get a job. My companion and I both agree you are AMAZING at what you do. Dad sent pics of the blog- it looks fantastic!

Hannah: Thank you for the letter. I hope you get feeling better. You are amazing sis. You are a daughter of God. I know that because I have asked Him. You are special in His eyes, I hope you know that.

Chris: I heard you graduate from BYU soon. You are a STUD brother! So proud of you! Have you conquered that mountain you little sister beat you at yet? (I get to tease you about that until you climb it you know;))

Andy: Congrats on almost being married. That is SOOOOO great! I am so happy for you!

Well, time is up again, I love you all. You are amazing. Remember, God doesn't count the "number of times we fall in life, He counts the number of times we dust ourselves off and keep on going."