Mother's Day Call Home

We got this letter one week before our phone call. 

Hey what’s up everybody??? I’m doing great! Just so you all know! I have been super busy all week and I’m going to be super busy this week too!

Since I got my new awesome companion, Elder Kirk, the work has been going great! :) We have 1 investigator on date for baptism in May and a few more to come. I have been seeing the blessing that come from trying your hardest and doing your best to be obedient and trying to talk to everyone! I have noticed the longer I have been on my mission, the more I don’t really worry or think about home as much and, my attention and focus is more and more on the work, and that’s a good thing! :)

So we had a great Easter. Elder Kirk's mom sent him some eggs and stuff and we gave them out to our investigators.  They had scriptures on the inside of the eggs along with some candy so that was kind of cool! I’m glad that you all wrote me and that you are all doing well! :) I am in a little bit of a hurry because an investigator that we have just called and we are going to be meeting with him in like 35 min so I don’t have allot of time. But I want you all to know that I love you and you are in my prayers!

I just want to close with my testimony that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church that has been restored and established here on the earth today.  I also know that it's only through Joseph Smith that we could have this wonderful gospel here today. But, if it weren’t for Jesus Christ and his entire life; including the sacrifice that He made for us, then we wouldn’t be able to make it back to our Father in Heaven.  Because Jesus gave his entire life and suffered and died for our sins then we can make it back to heaven and live into the eternities in happiness :)  I also know that as we (each of us in our lives) continue to do all that we can and keep the commandments of God then we can reap happiness while we are on the Earth!

I love you all and hope that you have a great week! I continue to pray for you all and wish you the best :)

Love Elder Justin Charles McNew!

Our phone call was really neat.  He told us more about his companion and about the people he is teaching.  He told us about the area he has been serving in and how much he has learned on his mission so far.  He is really enjoying the work even though it is hard and is feeling the blessings which have come into his life because of obedience. 

We were able to talk to him via Skype and Grandma and Grandpa Clegg were there too so they also got to speak with him and see him on the computer.  That was really a nice treat for all of us. 

On a side note, Elder McNew and I (Jen) have had a really hard time passing digital photographs back and forth.  We have tried sending them via SD card and have had quite a bit of trouble with that method.  Each time we pass them the card gets ruined.  We've tried writing "Hand Cancel" on the envelope but it still gets ruined.  He mailed me a USB drive but it didn't arrive in the letter.  I am not sure if data stored on a USB device will survive snail mail or not.  He isn't given enough time on the computer to email the pictures so we're wondering if any of you have any good ideas or methods of sending home digital photos. 

Thanks all for your love, support, and prayers on his behalf. 

Farewell

Elder McNew spoke in sacrament meeting in his family's Bluffdale ward on Sunday, November 14th. He did a gave a great talk about Captain Mornoni. There were a lot of friends and family in attendance at church to watch him give his talk. We had close to 100 guests come to our home and share in the Mexican taco bar and lots of yummy deserts. . There were so many visitors there to say farewell to Justin and wish him luck on his mission. He is so thankful to everyone that came and gave him cards and donations for his mission fund. It could not have been better. It was a perfect gathering with so many friends and family. Thanks to all. We love you and appreciate your support.
Justin was set apart as an Elder on Tuesday evening and entered the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday afternoon, posts and pictures to come soon!

You are hereby called to serve in the...

This evening we gathered at the McNew home to join in Justin's ordination to the office of an Elder. It was an awesome meeting where the spirit was so strong.

There were several people in attendance. We passed his call around the room and made our guesses as to where we thought Justin would serve.
Here were our guesses, and the people present.

Mom- Tahiti
Dad- Alabama, Birmingham
Jess- Oregon, Portland
Jen- Tennessee
Justin- Canada
Bishop- no guess
Garrett- Brazil
Coy- Spain
McKay- Samoa
Spencer- Italy
Janna- Tonga
Daryl- California
Jeff- Australia
Wayne- Louisiana
Jade- Missouri

The High Councilmen talked about the process of filing your papers for a mission. This process is done pretty much paper-less now-a-days. He talked about how it used to be done as well as how it is done today. The neatest thing that he told us is that they have two data bases which work side by side for choosing a mission call. One has a list of prospective missionaries and the other has a list of areas which have need for more missionaries to serve. He said they pull up an Elder's name and the spirit tells where the Elder should serve based on the needs in the Church. Then we said a prayer, read a scripture and Dad ordained Justin to the office of an Elder. After that, he read his call and found out he'll be serving.... (you'll have to watch the video of him reading the call to find out).

on it's way

While I've been doing this...

The first presidency has been working on my call.  My leaders have let me know that the call has officially been SENT!  Now, we just have to wait for it to ARRIVE!  We're hoping it will be here by this Wednesday.  Come on now, submit those guesses. 

Papers

I sent in my mission papers August 3, 2010.  Now, I'm waiting for my call. 
Where do you think I'll be asked to serve?