The Last One!!

HOLA FAMILIA Well......you are right....that has to have been the shortest email you've sent in my entire mission. Its all good though, we can catch up on Friday! I honestly don't have too much to say. I just want to express my gratitude to all those who have impacted and changed my life. Through many family members, friends, leaders, and companions I reached a greater height, became a better person, and most of all a true disciple of Christ. I know that my Heavenly Father has blessed me beyond measure and I am eternally grateful and eternally indebted to Him. I know that these two years have been some of the greatest in my life. The things I have felt, seen, experienced, etc. cannot be expressed with words. I know that my Savior lives and I love Him. He gave His life for me and all those who are willing to repent and follow Him. I know that this is not the end but only another beginning. I know that I have many more years of selfless, dedicated service to my Creator and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. I am not going to lie.....this feels really weird and I have a lot of crazy things on my mind but I pray that I will still be able to help all those who cross my path. I know that we will see each other on Friday and again be together but that is not my only wish. I only desire that every member of our family sincerely looks to do Gods will and not our will and to keep the commandments. I know that if we do and we are faithful to the end we be be eternally blessed and live together forever. Tonight we will be working here until 7:30pm and then its off to Durazno. Then tomorrow we head to Montevideo. On Wednesday we go to the temple with President Armstrong and then have an FHE. Then Thursday we have to day to visit converts or go site seeing. We will be doing both! I can't believe its coming to an end, it really is a bitter, sweet feeling. I hope everyone is ready to meat the new, improved, and spirtiual Elder Bowden....please be patient. I am fine with being set apart on Saturday...no biggy....it will give me more time to be a missionary and wear the badge! :) I love you all and we will be seeing each other on Friday. Today is the worst part...packing. Thanks so much! I guess I'll finish up with a few scriptures! For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. UN ABRAZO Y TODO MI AMOR Elder Matthew Braun Bowden -Life long servant of my Savior-

Only 11 more days!! :)

HEY FAM! Well.........I honestly dont have a lot to say.....I feel really wierd. This is my second to last time I will be writing so....I guess I better write something. Today we are in Durazno. Elder Bennett and I are going to buy some souvenirs today. PS- I took out a good chunk of money from my account. We had what felt like a really good week. We recieved lots of references, contacted them, and found some new invesitgators. The only thing bad is that no one came to church! We had 7 of our 12 recent converts come and 7 members less active but as far as investigators go it was rough. It's not exactly the way I wanted things to happen but I guess I have to do my best and let the Lord do the rest. Its very frustrating when the only thing you desire for people is their happiness and eternal salvation and they just dont follow up. I want more than anything just for them to understand in the same way I do that this things are true and will bless their lives tremendously! I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying the weather! Im not going to lie I am pretty excited to have snow again! Thanks for the talk be Elder Anderson....I feel the same way. I know that the Lord has molded me into a different but more dedicated person to the Savior. I can honestly say that these have been the best two years for my life. It hasn't been easy but I wouldn't trade them for anything else. I love being a missionary and if I could do it again (after seeing my family) I totally would! I know that I have so much more to change and so much more to do to become like the Savior but it is a life long journey and I am grateful for the opportunity to travel it. My packages came and we are definetely going to enjoy them! Thanks a ton! Elder Chumpitaz also says thanks for the Book of Mormon and hymn book! I love you lots and miss you too. I honestly can't believe that it is all coming to an end...its sad to have to leave Uruguay....and all the great people. I am going to miss the place where I have grown so much and become truely converted. I know that this is the only true church on the earth. I know that we are called of God to do His work and that He qualifies us. I know that the Savior lives and died for us and I will never be able to repay Him for the sacrifice He made to give His life for me. I am so grateful to be able to call myself one of His disciples and to show the world by the way I act. I know that families can be together forever. I know that God knows and loves us. I love you all...Until next week....the last week! CON AMOR UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden PS- I dont think I need anything at home. Just insurance, job, basics for life, etc. Oh and LOTS OF PATIENCE because its going to take a long time before I can adapt!

Mission Extension?!?

HOLA FAMILIA First off I have some very important news! Mom please sit down and prepare yourself. It may not be too exciting to you guys but it is definetely good news for me. I was wondering about the date I would finish the mission and I didnt know for a long time but I found out that the delay of time is becase they have extended my mission! That's right....I will be staying here in Guay for a little bit longer so Ill let you know when Ill be getting home! Anyways......this week went great! As you can see in the photos, Felipe got baptized! He was so excited and you could definetely see the happiness beaming from his smile! His grandparents and mom were also very happy and proud of the decision he has made. We were going to eat lunch with them this week but they said they would let us know what day because they want Laura to be there (the daughter and mom of Felipe). She said a prayer at the baptism and got pretty emotional...I can tell that the spirit touched her. The only bad thing is she had to take some tests in Montevideo cause she is a police officer and couldnt be here for the comfirmation but is was a great Sunday anyways. We are excited for this upcoming week and everything that is going to happen. We can see that many people are being prepared and now we have to work our hardest to help them make convenents with Heavenly Father. We only found one new investigator this week which is kind of a bummer but it is one of our goals to do better this week! I feel now more than ever that there is oppostion in all things and the harder I work the more Satan does as well. I know that God will always win and the only thing I can do is work my hardest and give it my all. Our baptism goal for January is 4 and we now have one so 3 more and we will have it. It is going to take a lot of faith and diligence to be able to find this people and place the fechas this week but I know we can do it. The district is doing very well and after a small period that tried their faith they are seeing results. We had 10 investigators in church as a district this week and many less actives and recent converts. I am very excited to see what we will be able to accomplish this week. I am seeing a few changes here in the mission and they are all for the better! I can tell that President Armstrong is being lead by revelation to help all of us become more converted disciples and more powerful teachers. Yesterday we had a great fast and testimony meeting! Our church meetings for this year start at 5:30pm and we end at 8:30pm! Usually we have to be home by eight on Sunday but we have permission to at least be at our meetings. It makes it hard to verify with all the investigators and the district members(missionaries) but I think its a good change. We had 48 people in sacrament meeting which is a few more than usual. Ya....I dont know why but our ward is pretty trunky as well. The bishop (Obispo Tito) thanked me for all that I have done in the area and said that it has been a pleasure to work together. There have also been members praying that I finish fast so that I will be able to go home and be reunited with my family! WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS! haha JK! Oh ya I almost forgot to tell you about my extension. Because of all the changes with the new missionaries (they can come younger now) the dates from the MTC missionaries has also changed. They will be arriving earlier to the mission field but will have to change the time here in our mission by a week! They will also be training the new missionaries for an extra day and the means for us who are going home there will be a delay. Its not anything you dont know.....since mom just cant wait for anything and doesnt like surpries (sounds like someone I know?) she already found out. I was origanlly coming home on the 24th but now its the 25th! They means I get another day! It will be like two years and one week of full time service to the Lord! Sorry about the joke but because you are all so trunky you deserve it! :) Thanks for the football update! Its good to know that Ill be home to see that superbowl! Denver vs ??? I also havent recieved my packages yet but I think they may have taking a little bit longer cause of the holidays! I am going to call the offices today and Ill let you know next week! I know that this church is true and it has changed my life! The restored gospel has make me the person that I am and I am eternally grateful for it! I know that Christ lives and he died for us. I know that we can recieve so many more blessings if we truely strive to understand and apply the atonement in our lives! I love you all and miss you! I hope that you continue to do well in everything and I know that my prayers are answered and you are blessed! LES QUIERO MUCHISIMO UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden

Happy New Year!

HOLA FAMILIA Well.....this week went pretty good. We didnt end up having the baptism of Felipe but he is going to be baptized by his grandpa this Saturday! I guess it will be a very good B-Day present! He has progressed really well and knows almost everything. We can tell that he is very excited and has even said that someday he would like to serve a mission. We have also seen how the experience has helped his grandparents progress who are recent converts. We had a great week meditating about Christmas and the birth of the Savior. I am eternally grateful for Him and our Father in Heaven who was willing to send Him. On Christmas day we got together with the other elders and sang carols or chirstmas hymns. It was a productive use of our time and I hope that we will be able to return to some of the families. If not I feel like we shared tidings of great joy and reminded everyone about the true meaning of Christmas. We are having a difficult time finding new investigators and with the ones who do find helping them to progress, but we are setting goals and we are going to follow the spirit to know what they need. We also saw how the use of technology can help as we invited a young woman to check out the church website....she said she liked it! We are going to follow up on Tuesday. My comp and I are excited as the new year comes rolling in to make goals and reach our potential as servants of the Lord. We know that our goal of 4 baptisms in the month of January is very possible if we are commited and do all we can. The district is doing good. We are having a hard time getting people to come to church but no one is letting it discourage them. They told me that they are doing all they can and are going to patiently wait for the blessings to come. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to work with such great missionaries, starting with my comp and moving up to my leaders. They teach me so much that I feel as if they are the leaders. I am definetely very blessed. This week I will be having an intercambio with the elders in Centro and then we will have to have an interview with the zone leaders for the baptism. I havent recieved my packages yet but the zone leaders are going to Deo on Wednesday and I think that theyll pick them up then. Ill let you know! WOW! Youre all so lucky to have recieved snow! I guess Ill get my time but for now its heat(its good for the weight loss program)! I hope that everyone also has a good new year and that you yet those goals and resolutions to do better. I have very excited to make and reach my goals and to see myself and other progress. I hope youre not too trunky because it brings with it consequences. I am trying my best to help as many people as I can and to stay focused. My comp is a stud and helps me a ton. I also have my Heavenly Father who is always willing to help. I am definetely prepared to have the best month of my mission and I sure hope it slows down a little if not I wont be able to enjoy it! I love you all and miss you too. I hope that you are all spiritually preparing for my return as well as the return of some one much greater, the Savior. I know that He lives and loves us. I know that He died for us and His atoning sacrifice is the only way to be purified, prepared, and happy! I know that this is His chruch and that He leads us through a living prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it has changed my life and can change the life of anyone who has sincere desires to follow Christ, read, and apply it. Thanks for everything! UN ABRAZO Y CON AMOR Elder Bowden

2nd Christmas in Uruguay!

HOLA FAMILIA Well this week went pretty good. We did quite a few things and are excited for tomorrow and this following week! I will let you know tomorrow for Skype! Love you all and thank you for everything! Elder Bowden

It's Almost Here!!

HOLA FAMILIA This week went very well. We had a lot of things happen this week that helped me to realize I need to be more grateful and focus on what I can do to help others! On Monday we worked for only an hour and a half cause we had to go to Durazno to go to changes on Tues. We passed by a less active family and helped them with a small service before a rain storm hit. We also did a few contacts and then headed out. On Tues we did nothing in our area cause we weren't here. I said goodbye to Elder Hudson and Elder Denny who were in the CCM with me this week. It feels really wierd to see them leaving! We had a good leadership meeting and I learned how to be a better steward (stewardship) with my responsibility as a leader and missionary. Wednesday we had some pretty good charlas. We talked to one of our investigators (Daisy) who commited to being baptized after she gets married(we are working with the family as well but the baptism will be later). On Thursday we did our weekly planning that went well and we are excited to see what will happen next week. We also started a fast that day as a zone. The objective was to help us to find a family and prepare them and to help the ones we already had to commit to a date and progress to be baptized. I have to be honest....fasting as a missionary (walking a ton) in 85-90 degree weather wasnt something I was enjoying. I felt I lacked energy and a good attitiude. My comp helped me to realize I needer to do better and ask for additional strength. The rest of the day went well and on Friday we had zone meeting. It was really good...we talked about doing the work in the Lords way and not ours and how we needed to become more like Him. I felt lots of inspiration of what I can do better. We returned to our area and went to work and the miracles from our fast played out. We were able to place two baptismal dates and find two new invesitagators as well. It was a testimony to me of the power in fasting. So we finished the week yesterday with an alright Sunday...could have been better but it went well. Felipe came to church and will be getting baptized on the 29th of this month. He is very excited and played a big part with the primary this week as they put on their program. They talked about how they learn how to choose the right this year and sang quite a few songs. We also had a pretty windy day yesterday which brought rain today. Good thing its P-Day and we dont have to leave in the rain! Elder Chumpitaz said yesterday he laughed harder than he had in his whole mission so far(and I wasn't even trying to be fuuny!). As we were doing contacts and heading to a charla the wind picked up.....I raised my arms and began to sing ``I believe I can fly.`` Then a bunch of sand flew into my mouth! I turned around to spit it out and had my eyes closed at the same time(so the dust didnt get in my eyes). Supposedly a car drove by with an older couple and the lady had a facial expression that can't be described. I dont know cause I didn't see but he laughed for a good 10 mins straight. We talked to our dueños or home owners today and they said everything is ready for Skype! They are also preparing some yummy food and we have to take the drinks! It should be a good time to pass Christmas (I mean besides working to find all the people we can who want to come unto Christ). They have a daughter who lives in Ogden and they talk to her often. So thanks for the invitation and news letter from the ward...I'll have to look up the scriptures. We are going to do our best to focus on the real meaning of Christmas this week and share it with everyone. We might even be singing carols with the other elders as we go from door to door and hang out in the plaza(park). I know that Chirst lives and that He was sent to earth to die for us. He made possible the atonement and the opportunity to repent. I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice. I know that this is the true and restored gospel and our lives are extremely blessed as we abide by its precepts. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and testifies of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that families can be together forever(it was our Sunday school lesson yesterday). I know that in life we have struggles, trials, and temptations but we can overcome them with the help of our loving and ever-willing Heavenly Father. It comes through constant, fervent, and sincere prayer. I know He hears us and he answers our prayers. I hope that everyone continues to do well and will have Christ in the hearts and minds as you go about this week with the many things to do! I love you all! Until next week! UN ABRAZO Y CON AMOR Elder Bowden

He's Coming Home!

The time has come...Elder Matthew Braun Bowden is due to arrive home on January 25th at 2:05 pm to the Salt Lake City International Airport!