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.
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!
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!
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
Brittany just sent a "roll" of digital pictures back home the other day, so we felt like we should show you some. Unfortunately, there weren't a lot of them, so we'll post periodically. Hope you enjoy this picture of Brittany in her Battalion dress.
Thank you so much for writing me! I got all of your letters from last week late because my zone leaders forgot to give them to me! Thank you all so much for all of your support!
I am going to try and write a personal letter to you all, but I don’t know if I will run out of time this p-day. Just know how much I love you all. You have no idea how much it means to me to get your letters. I didn’t realize it until being on a mission myself, but what a difference a few words on a piece of paper can make. You lift my spirits — THANK YOU!.
Well, I got a lot of questions this time around, so let me try to answer some of them:
Where should we send letters?: I am not allowed to email anyone but mom and dad. I can read your emails but I can only write you back. I might be slow at getting back to you, but I promise I will try to write. The mission home address is the place you write letters to. We can’t get mail to our apartment.
How many girls are in your apartment? Is it church-owned? No, our apt isn’t church owned, there are other people living on the same floors as us. We only have two of us in one apartment though.
Where is the mission home from where you live? The mission home is 20 minutes away. The Mormon Battalion is in Old Town San Diego. Chula Vista is seven minutes away from the Mexican border. We have a car, because our area is the furthest away from where we live.
Do you cook for yourself? Yes. Except for we usually only have 15 minutes for meals as Battalion sisters, so even cooking is hard to squeeze in (don’t worry mom, I am eating my fruits and vegetables)!
What kind of music can you listen to? We go by the mission handbook so any music that is uplifting and brings our minds closer to Christ. Nick, that would be wonderful if you could send me a CD. I didn’t bring any and they are awesome when we are driving in the car.
---
So a little about what is happening with me in San Diego. I love being a missionary! It is so hard sometimes, but so great! Actually, I think if you could catch a sneak peek of my time here so far, you would get a few good laughs.
Every p-day, Sister Tardiff wants to play sports with the elders at an outside basketball court near our apt. Those of you that know me know that Sister Newman and a basketball = DISASTER!
Another funny is driving. I HATE DRIVING! Mix that with California traffic, and you have one stressed out Sister Newman. Not as stressed out as when I was driving in England with you though dad!;-)
Sara, you would like this, actually I thought of Bobby when we went to a members house and she has a huge garden so we got to pick avocados from her tree. (Don't worry though, Bobby: I used my hands and not a rock, so no black eyes;) She also has a mango tree, a banana tree and a tangelo tree. The fruit here is SO DELICIOUS!
We have been so blessed to be able to teach a lot of people this week. Sister Tardiff is such a great teacher. She teaches by the Spirit and really helps them feel that for themselves. I am trying my hardest as well to tell these people what Heavenly Father needs them to hear. The hard part is when Heavenly Father tells me to tell them something they don't want to hear. It is kind of scary sometimes because I have had a few investigators get really upset at me, but thankfully, they must think I am too sweet to get too mad at. It is amazing though, Heavenly Father really knows what needs to be said and miracles happen when we listen to him.
Well time is almost up, but I want to leave you with a excerpt from my journal from this week. (and mom, this will answer the question about us working at the temple)
Entry 1:Today was another day of miracles. I don't know why it surprises me when a miracle comes my way- there are so many surrounding me! I think Heavenly Father has just given me a tender mercy of opening my eyes to notice all the miracles around me.
We started out at the temple this morning. Once a week, we have our turn being the "walking visitor center" and talking to people on the temple grounds and showing them pictures of the inside of the temple. Our goal was to get 2 referrals each. We were so blessed to have received 11 referrals. The most amazing thing was that most of the referrals came from the little children. One little girl started singing, "I love to see the temple" to us. Another little kid referred 4 of his friends. They have so much love, so much courage and so much honesty and purity. It was a great reminder of why Heavenly Father asks us to be as little children.
Entry 2:It was extra special working at the Mormon Battalion on Pioneer Day. No matter how many times I have taken tours or watched one of the pioneer movies, my heart is touched with the faith they had in Jesus Christ and the sacrifices they made. There is a quote from the tour that Zemira, one of the characters says:
"God gave us what we wanted most where we least expected it."
I don't think the Mormon Battalion realized the extent of what they were doing would bless the Saints for hundreds of years to come. I don't think the pioneers realized that their faith and courage would be an example to the nations, to families all over the world of what true Faith in Jesus Christ really means. I was thinking today that I think we all forget the effect every individual has in life. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith, for the pioneers and for every individual that has touched my life for the better. I hope to live up to their names an follow their example they set to go forward with faith never doubting never fearing in following the example of Jesus Christ.
Shout outs:
Natassja: thank you for the post card! You are the best. I hope you are having a wonderful time in London you lucky lucky girl!
Jessica: Thank you for the letter, I was so excited to hear how you are doing. I love you girl!
Grammy: You are the best, I love you so much and am so glad you and gramps are having a good time this summer with all of your adventures.
Hannah: Thank you for the letter and sharing your experiences with me. You are amazing sis and I know Heavenly Father is watching out for you.
Nick: Thank you for the email. I am keeping you in my prayers about applying for jobs. You are amazing at what you do. Dad showed me a clip of the blog- THANK YOU so much for doing that. It looks AMAZING!
Mom and Pops: As always thank you for your supporting words and guidance. You make me cry every time! I love you both. Thank you so much for the example that you give me! Mom, I know your lesson will be wonderful. I can’t tell you how much prayer means to me especially on this mission. He loves me and he loves you and I know that there is not one prayer that will ever go unanswered.
Sara and Chris: Did you ever get past that overhang we climbed before I left? You know, you can’t let your sis beat you like that! Let me know if you got it:) Hope you are having a wonderful summer.
Sara: How are you feeling about your next semester? You conquered the hardest part. You totally got this girl!
SAN DIEGO — Well, I made it a week in San Diego!!! I can't believe how fast the time is going already! Thank you for keeping me updated on everyone, I am so glad you are all doing well.
Mom, I can't believe you start school already, that is so crazy! I guess life just never seems to slow down! Are you empty-nesters now or is Sara back in town? How are my siblings? I haven't heard from them for a bit. Is Chris still doing school? When does Nick get to come home? How was Juli's trip? Is Hannah still working this summer? Thanks for letting me know about Brenton. I always knew he would be a rockin' missionary!
A little about me:
Things in San Diego are great. I got off the plane last week and got to spend the day at the mission home and then it was off to the Mormon Battalion.
My new companion's name is Sister Tardiff. She is from Boston. She is so great. We are both about the same size and everyone teases us that we look like we are 14. We serve with 22 other sisters — they are all so nice, it feels like a great big girls camp some days!
We live right next to the Battalion, so it is like 30-second walk: so nice! Our area is a place called Chula Vista — It is one of the more wealthier places in San Diego. I already love the people so much.
I got to the Mormon Battalion on Wednesday and there was no time to catch my breath. I took five tours my first day and by my third day, I started taking tours by myself. The Mormon Battalion is so inspiring — these 500 men and women who walked 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego all because of their faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to what their prophet asked them is so inspiring to me. If they could do the hard things they did, I know that I definitely can do anything Heavenly Father asks me to do.
You are probably wondering how being a visitor center sister works — despite what everyone says about visitor center sisters, we have the least time of anyone! It is okay though, Heavenly Father somehow stretches time for us. We work at the Mormon Battalion for half of the day and then the other half we proselyte in our area. Then one day a week we work on the temple grounds and street contact people.
My first day in the field, we had a lesson with Vernell, who is one of our progressing investigators. Sister Tardiff didn't waste time getting me started teaching. Part way through the lesson, she just stopped and looked at me waiting for me to say something. Honestly, I was so scared, but thankfully Heavenly Father gives us His spirit to guide us, and I was able to say what He needed me to say to her.
Then on Thursday, Sister Tardiff had us army climb under a fence so we could get into the trailer park and help a lady named Blanca paint her trailer home. She accepted a copy of The Book of Mormon and wants us to come back to teach her. It has been a bumpy week, full of ups and downs, but I am humbled and excited to be preaching the gospel!
I want you all to know how much Heavenly Father loves you. Don't forget who you are — you are sons and daughters of a King! You can do hard things! Be bold in representing Jesus Christ. Don't hold back — we are all missionaries, we all have a duty to share the gospel, even if it is through a helping hand, a kind word or a warm smile. Share that love with others and I promise you that you will have more joy than you can imagine.
Let me know how going to church with a question in mind helped you receive revelation!? IF you haven't already, it is never to late, Try for this Sunday! ( I haven't forgotten I challenged you to that, now its time to follow up! You an do it!)
Shout outs:
Mom and Dad: Thank you for the letters, especially the ones I got at the mission home. I really appreciate all the support you give me — THANK YOU! You are the greatest parents ever, I am so glad I have you. Mom, thanks for the bedding and the Starbursts and the notes and everything — you are so great.
Kim and Ray: Thanks for updating me on you and your family. I am so glad they are doing well. I hope Miki had a good time at Oakcrest. I know that was one of the places that really helped strengthen my testimony. Thank you for writing me, really I appreciate it so much. Love you all.
Sister: How the heck are you? Tell me how school went and all your fun summer plans!:) You are such an amazing sister, thank you for inspiring me to be a better person — you are awesome!
Oh and please if you have any questions, Just ask. Sometimes I don't realize what you might like to know.
Yes, this is supposed to be Brittany's blog, but I (Nick, Brittany's older brother) saw an amazing video from the OnFaith writers at the Washington Post. They got permission to do a seven-minute video tracking missionaries from the Washington DC South mission.
While this isn't Brittany in the video, I think it'll give those of you who don't know what missions are like some pretty good insight into what she will be doing when she isn't at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. It will also give you an idea of what kind of things she will be teaching about.
So watch it, and tell me what you think in the comments. Hope you enjoy it, but eve if you didn't, I'd like to hear what y'all think about it.
SAN DIEGO — Dear Mom and Dad, I made it to the mission home this morning. It feels so surreal to be in San Diego! It is so true what they say about the weather here — it is warm, sunny and just the right humidity. It reminds me a lot of Hawaii.
After I got of the phone with you, I tried to do what my Branch President at the MTC challenged us to do. He told us to be bold — to be "Preach My Gospel" missionaries, and to talk to people, especially at the airport.
My Visitor Center teacher told me that something that she loved about her mission was that each transfer, she got to "reinvent" herself. If she wanted to be bold, she was bold. If she felt she needed more faith, she worked on that. Whatever it was, she got to start new because her companion didn't know who she was before, but who she was now. I made a promise to myself that this transfer, I would be bold in talking to people. I sat down in the airport and talked to a lady from Hawaii, another family from Colorado and a woman form Montana. It was a good experience for me and got me really excited to talk to people at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.
Well, President Clayton met us at the airport and six elders and two of us sisters get to stay at the mission home tonight. There is a lady in the ward here that makes lunch for the incoming missionaries every week — her daughter actually did it this week She is a cake maker. She went to school in France and has been on a lot of the TLC cake shows. Her name is Charity. (Mom, I thought you would appreciate that :D)
They let us take a two-hour nap since we were up so early and then the zone leaders went over some things and we each got an interview with President Clayton. Tomorrow everyone gets to go to the Mormon Battalion Historic Site (so the other missionaries know what it's about) and then we each get assigned our new companions and it's off to work!
Something that I know even more being here in San Diego is that I am meant to be here at this time and this place for a reason. I can't wait to get to work!
I just want you to know I love you and thank you for supporting me on this decision to serve a mission. It is already the best decision I ever made. Just so you know, P-day is Tuesday. I think I am only allowed to receive e-mails from parents, grandparents and siblings.
WASHINGTON — It's true: Sister Newman arrived in San Diego on Tuesday. Luckily, her mission president allowed her to send a few pictures back home to make sure we all knew she was safe and sound.
Here's a picture of her with the missionaries that came in with her:
Brittany also was very excited at the MTC about her name tag, the one she referenced in past posts about having her name next to the Savior's.
I find it very ironic what the scripture, the name tag and the book all say about each other, and really, about Brittany. She's going to be a great servant of the Lord.
Here's one last picture for you. We're all awaiting her first letter from San Diego. Please keep your support of Brittany up by writing her an e-mail (good) or a tangible snail mail letter (better?best?) Instructions on this page. -Nick
Friday, July 9, 2011 Missionary Training Center Provo, Utah
Dear family, Because I am in my visitor center training, my P-day got changed to today! I am not sure what day my P-day is in San Diego, so I guess you will just have to wait and see for my next letter to come! I hope you are all doing well, and I hope you know how much I love you. I wanted to thank you for all of the prayers on my behalf, they are definitely being answered. The MTC is amazing, I am learning so much!
Joke of the day: Why do they not have fish at the MTC? Because it is the empty (MT) Sea (C)! My teacher made that up when he was like four. I thought it was pretty cute.
So, it sounds like you are all doing well:
Chris, I am so glad you got to go fishing with gramps, that sounds so much fun!
Sara, thanks for telling me about the cabin, I am glad you all had a blast. I hope you had a wonderful birthday too! I just sent you a letter and then I got your letter, so I am a little bit behind in things you asked me. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience about prayer. You strengthened my testimony so much today reading your letter. You are such a strong chica! Thanks for teaching me what it means to have Faith in Heavenly Father. You have always been such a great example of that. Oh, P.S.-When they get the new scripture mastery done, you should send them to me!
Dad - Thanks for the package; you are a lifesaver! The labels are saving my life and thanks for the envelopes.
Mom – Thank you for sending my stuff to the mission home. I’m glad you are having a great time with the kiddos, you are such a great grandma! I love you so much! I can’t wait until my kids get to play with the two most amazing people I know!:)
Think these two are excited to leave the MTC?
Question and Answer:
Visitor Center training is like a week of learning how to use pictures, the Christus, kiosks, pamphlets and everything in aiding us to testify of Christ. It is pretty fun. It is just three of us in a class, so kind of small, but I love it. I can’t wait to get to the Mormon Battalion site. I actually am not learning anything specific to that site, so hopefully i get some training when I get there.
I don’t know what my schedule is like in San Diego yet, but I will let you know as soon as I can. I get to wear three pioneer dresses. The lady picked the colors- 2 pink and 1 green. They are pretty fun. But Sara, you will appreciate this: I HATE wearing the skirts half way up my belly button, it drives me CRAZY! I will send pictures soon:)
Let me know if you get tired of my Journal thing. Its the best thing I can think of to tell you about what is going on here. IF it is too long and boring or if you want something else, someone just tell me, I don’t mind at all.
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Journal July 7, 2011
It is funny how the Lord teaches us lessons in places we least expect it. For the past three weeks, I have been learning more about what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, about what a truly amazing gift Heavenly Father has given us to be able to return to him again, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ indeed appeared to Joseph Smith.
I have always had a strong testimony of these things, but there is something about teaching and testifying of the Gospel that has rooted my testimony deep within my soul. I guess I didn’t expect to learn the lesson I did today because my whole focus is supposed to be on other people this next year and a half. I promised God I would give my whole self to Him in furthering His work, so I have been trying to "forget myself and get to work!".
I think, however, I need a reminder of who I am. Part of Visitor Center training is that we practice how to use the media, pictures, pamphlets, the Christus, kiosks and other things to aid us in testifying of Jesus Christ. There are volunteers that come in and we practice teaching as if we were in a real visitor center. After we finished tonight, Sister Maxfield (my teacher) sat us down and told us we had some things she felt like we needed to hear. She opened up the Young women personal progress booklet and read us the first paragraph.
"You are a beloved daughter (or son) of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have a noble responsibility to use your strength and influence for good. Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission."
Sis. Maxfield shared a story with us from a book that Sheri Dew wrote, I think it is called: No One Can Take Your Place. Sister Dew was going to BYU and she described herself at the time as being "skinny and wussy looking" She walked up to the gym, looked inside and got too scared to go in, so she told herself she would walk around and go back in ten minutes. Over and over she went up to the door and got too scared until it was too late and tryouts were over. She said that not trying out was one of the biggest regrets she has. Later, she got to speak to the athletes at BYU and she related the previous story. Afterwards, the women’s basketball coach came up to her and told her that she was the coach during that time and that that year was the only year she could not fill the roster, and they had to play a person short all season. Sister Dew’s spot could not be filled.
I know my spot on earth cannot be filled either. I know sometimes it seems like we are insignificant in this world, but then I realize what a difference one person can make. I think of this fight against Satan as a stream of water eroding a crevice into the earth. (We being the stream and Satan the earth). Every individual drop of water makes a huge difference at cutting deeper and deeper and eroding away the hard, craggy rocks. I know I have a place in this fight and I am so grateful for it. I truly have a testimony that no one can take our place. An amazing gift that Heavenly Father gives his missionaries is the ability to see His children through heaven’s eyes. I have seen and felt the way He loves and cares individually about his sons and daughters. We are his creations — princes and princesses in His kingdom. We each have a spot in this world and NO ONE can take our place.
I wanted to share this part of my journal with you all because I know with all my heart that each of you, have a part in this plan — Go forward with faith. Ask Heavenly Father what it is, and I promise He will answer. We fought to come here to earth, now fight your hardest to show Heavenly Father how hard you will fight to return to Him.
I love you all so much. You each have individual worth, and though you are all spread out and I cannot individually talk with you, I have felt the love Heavenly Father has for you. Don’t doubt yourself for one second. You are God’s creations — It hurts him so much when you put yourselves down, or tell yourselves you can do this or that: He made you. He knows what you are capable of and the potential you have. Don’t get tricked by Satan in letting him tell you that you are less than you are. Turn to Heavenly Father. Ask him. What a better person to ask than the Father that created you?
K, My timer is blinking, I only have a few seconds to send this off. Love you all to the moon and back!
Love,
P.S. Mom and dad- we get to call from the SLC airport, so I think I will get to call you Tuesday morning between 7-9 I think. Mom I will call your phone so have it on! Sorry, I don’t know the exact time!
Missionary Training Center Provo, Utah Monday, July 4, 2011
Hello Moms, Pops and everyone else!
What a week it has been! I love the MTC so much, I can’t believe I will be starting Visitor Center training this week! On Saturday, we get to go to the Salt Lake Temple [Square] to practice. I’m so excited! I got my departure date for San Diego — I leave Tuesday, July 12, FYI. So mom, if you could send my bedding to the Mission Home this week, that would be great! Mom, Thank you so much for the package, my whole district loved the treats! I am so happy that school is out for you; I bet that’s a relief! What are your plans for summer? I’m sorry I won't be there to help you with the garden. Just remember when the rototiller doesn’t work in the fall, make dad pray: prayer works! I've lost so many things here, every time I pray, Heavenly Father helps me out. Dad would be laughing at me so bad with all the things I have had to pray to find! Dad, Thanks for the Jimmer update. You saved my elders from escaping the MTC to find out where he was drafted! How was trek? I loved your BYU alumni letter. Great job! Did you get the camera card I sent? Let me know so I can stop worrying about it:)
Sara, Happy Birthday in 2 days! I sent you a card, but forgot that the 4th of July there is no mail, so you might get it late, sorry! I can’t believe you are almost halfway done with school. CONGRATS SIS! You rock my world! I want to hear more stories from your psych rotation! How is it? What's it like? Tell me everything!
Nick- Congrats on getting your story on MSNBC! You are such a great writer-thank you for writing me so much. Your letter was the first I got at the MTC and I needed it so much. And thanks for the letter on June 27. I cried reading about Joseph Smith I almost forgot that that day was the day of his Martyrdom. Good luck with school, keep telling me how things are going if you have time — sure do love you brother! Chris. Thank you so much for your letter!!! I loved hearing from you so much. I needed that letter! I wrote you back, but you didn’t put an apt number on your address so I don’t know if it got to you? Let me know!
Grammy Morgan, Thank you so much for all of your love support and all the letters you send. You are such a great sister to Aunt Lori, I hope you had a great time! You are an even greater grandma, I don’t know what I did to deserve you! Will you tell grandpa happy birthday on Wednesday and that I love him to the moon and back? I forgot to get a birthday card to send him, so I guess this will have to do. Maureen- Congratulations! I'm so excited for you to be a mommy; you are going to be so fantastic! I was jumping up and down when I found out! YAY!!!!!!
Kim and Ray- Hope you are having a great time in Hawaii!
Well, I thought for today, I would write you another page of my journal and then answer some questions you all have been sending. If you want me to write something else, or you have other questions, just let me know. As a missionary, it's hard to remember what I write and how detailed I am. I’m so used to how things go here that I don’t even think about the things you may wonder about.
Journal June 27, 2011
Wow, what a day.
You know, as hard as I try not to be homesick or miss my family, it is so hard when my whole message, what I am learning to teach, is based on how families can be happy and live together forever. It’s not a bad homesick — I am grateful for it, for being away from home has reminded me once again what an amazing family I have, and it has helped me to rely on my Heavenly Father one hundred percent.
It was funny, tonight I got some "dear elders"(Letters sent through DearElder.com) from family and just started crying. I wasn’t even sad at all, but I feel so much love all around me, it leaks out of my eyes sometimes. I feel love from my family, from my teachers and leaders and especially from my Heavenly Father.
I used to think I knew what love meant, but I realize I have barely skimmed the surface. I don’t think my heart can even understand how much love my brother, Jesus Christ, and Father in Heaven have for me. After I got out of the temple this morning, I was standing up and looked across into the mirror and the reflection of Jesus Christ with His arms stretched out towards me was right there — right in front of me! I felt his loving arms around me and the comfort of His spirit telling me that He was proud of me. I really needed to be reminded of that today.
My thoughts have also been thinking about Joseph Smith today, as this is the anniversary of his martyrdom. What an amazing man he was: to have enough faith, courage, diligence, long suffering and love for Christ and His church that he would endure trial after trial, heartache after heartache, and still lay down his life for the building up of Zion.
I know that Heavenly Father is not asking me to die for His gospel, but I want Him and anyone else to know that I will give my all to live everyday for it. I am a servant in His kingdom. I wear His Son's name literally everyday on my shirt, and I have promised to serve Him with all my might, mind, heart and strength. Being on a mission has helped me realize what a great work this is. There are God's children all around us hungering and thirsting for something they cannot remember. Helping God’s children remember who they are and where they are meant to be brings me a joy I cannot describe in words.It fills my heart and my soul with happiness.
If Adam could bear facing a lone and dreary world; if Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni would leave their lands to serve a people who hated and despised them; if the pioneers could face trials and hardship to find a place they could worship in peace, I know that I, Sister Newman, can be a warrior in this wicked world to fight Satan with the truth. I know that just as Adam, the sons of Mosiah and the pioneers did what they did, I too can do this. Because they had just as I do, my Savior walking by me every step of the way. What a comfort that is and something I know to be true with all my heart — that with my Savior walking right beside me, I CAN DO ALL THINGS!
Okay, Just for some random questions and answers:
I play volleyball with the San Diego Elders- Sis, you would be so proud, I actually served and made it over the net three times in row!
My favorite foods here at the MTC would have to be the tortilla wraps and the oatmeal raisin cookies-yum:)
Sister Brandley and I got our investigator (not real) to commit to baptism! It was our teacher acting as his dad and he told us we were the only missionaries he has had get his dad to commit to baptism in three weeks. I’m so grateful for Sister Brandley and for the guidance of the spirit!
We had an awesome Fourth of July celebration, and the MTC president, President Brown, let us all go outside and watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks —IT was a blast!
I got my pioneer clothes fitted today. They are so cool! I’ll have to send pictures soon:)
Something I learned today:
We talked about making church worthwhile. We talked about how we teach our investigators the importance of getting revelation at church. Our teacher asked us how we did that, and I honestly could not tell him. I think I have been lazy in that category. So this week, I tried it. I prepared with prayer and wrote down two questions that I was wondering about. Heavenly Father answered those prayers through the speakers and testimonies shared. I love these principles. If you don’t already, here is a challenge for the week. Prepare to receive revelation at church next Sunday. Prepare with prayer, and ask Heavenly father to answer some questions you might have. I promise he will answer! Let me know how it goes!
Well, my two-minute timer is going off. I just want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. You are all such an inspiration in my life. Keep being amazing and sharing your light with the world.
I don’t know the next time I will get to write or anything, but I promise I will once my new P-day comes!
I am a representative for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a follower of Christ. I listen to and follow the counsel of President Thomas S. Monson. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am an aunt. I am a friend. I am Sister Brittany D. Newman, missionary.