The "Bowden Tree"

HOLA FAMILIA Well.........this week went well. Our day at the temple was great but the rest of the week was kind of ahi. I went to the temple waiting to feel what I should do and reiceved the answer that I have to finish my mission strong and not to worry about the other stuff now. I dont worry about the future and I know that if I rely on the Lord and I am obedient to Him I will we blessed. I told that we were going to have a couple of baptisms this week but do to the oppistion and a few other things we didnt. On of the girls said that she just didnt feel the same as before but what we think really happen is her parents said something. They used to go to another church and told her that she cant go changing religions all the time or she is playing with God. We went to talk to them one day but didnt talk to us, they only yelled from inside the house that theyre not from our church. We hope that she will still be able to be baptized cause some ward members are going to talk to them. Camila is the other girl and she is progressing well and will be baptized on the 25th. She is very excited knows almost everything but is waiting for her mom to come back from Montevideo so she can she her baptism. It should go well and we are happy for her. We had an intercambio with the zone leaders this week and it went well. I learned new things and realized that we can never stop learning. I realized that there are many ways that we can ask for references and that we must be persistant. I know that if we are we will be blessed with results. We had a ward activity on Friday and it went really well. We had 5 investiagators come and we are now seeing more unity in our ward as far as helping the new people who come to church (recent converts and investigators). The district is doing well.....everyone has their challanges but I am doing my best to recieve the revelation necessary to help them. We are excited for this up coming week and are going to strive to be more worthy of the blessings and miracles that Heavenly Father has in store for us. Sounds like things on the home front are normal. I know that its not always easy but everything happens for I reason. Tell dad he needs to be more careful(I am not suggesting he switches to four wheels but be careful) and I hope that his foot gets better soon. I will be praying for the young boys who need help in as many ways possible. I know exactly how the curiosity of fire is but in my case I dont believe anything too bad every happened. I know Heavenly Father will watch over them. Well dad....I dont think its too early but you sure seem trunky....but yes I can do Skype for Christmas. The only problem is that on the 12th of December we have changes. If I stay here than I already have a place to do it but if I go some where else I am not for sure? I will let you know what happens. It seems like everyone is good and ANXIOUSLY waiting the famous return. I can't believe that this week is Thanksgiving already! Time has flown by and it feels like just a couple weeks ago I was in Carmen having Thanksgiving. Oh I heard from the elders in Carmen that the Hermana Ester named one of her trees after me. She now has in her garden the ´´Bowden tree.´´ She is definetely one of my grandmas away from home. Im sorry about my email last week I was kind of bumbed and didn't feel like writing too much but I'll try to do better....after all we only have like 10 emails left! I love you all, I love the mission, and I love my Savior. I desire to serve Him and do all that is in my power to purify myself and others to return to His presence. I know that it is only possible because of His atoning sacrifice. I know that His church and gospel has been restored on the earth today. I know that times can be hard but I also know they help us to rely more on Him and less on ourselves or the world. I know that obedience to the gospel, commandment, and covenents brings true and lasting happiness. I know that we must take advantage of every minute of everyday to help those around us and prepare us for judgement day. I love you all and miss you too! Until next week! CON AMOR Elder Bowden

Going to the Temple!

HOLA FAMILIA Well......this week went alright. Our two investagators that are going to be baptized didnt come to church....actually no one came to church. We announced the baptism anyways because they have been going to church for like a month now. We are excited to continue working diligenty and to go to the temple this week. I am grateful for my family that always writes and inspires me. Thanks for your love, support, and testimony; you are great examples. I hope that everything continues to go well. Its kind of a bummer Romney isnt president but hey I guess its not what Heavenly Father wanted. Thanks for the poem dad....thats cool that Ryan or Elder Erwin shared it and you heard it. It is definetly true, we are changed in the hands of the Savior as we travel through lives journey. I know this church is true and I always will. I know that we are blessed as we are obedient. I know that God loves us and guides us daily. I know that nothing can stop His work from going forth. You are in my prayers as always. Until next week, UN ABRAZO Y CON AMOR Elder Bowden

This week was AWESOME baby...with a capital A!

HOLA FAMILIA Well.....this week went.....AWESOME! We are being extremely blessed for our efforts to be more obedient and diligent. It was a little bit shorter because Monday we didn't work in our area and on Tuesday we were at changes all day! I enjoyed the leadership meeting and I am excited to continue to put into practice what we have learned from Elder Oaks. We have seen a difference in our area as we have invited all to repent and to CHANGE. We also studied about the Book of Mormon this week in the 12 week program and applied this powerful tool to many of the new investigators we found last week. Because we didn't have the two days we got behind on our contacts and I fell into the mistake of just doing contacts and not giving everyone the best opportunity to accept this glorious message. I have to repent and do better this week to find more new investigators. The news that we found last week have shown good results. There are only a few that we haven't been able to find and teach again. We had an amazing day at church! Silvina and Camila our two progressing investigators with a baptism date came! They are very excited and are making true progress. They will actually be baptized on the 17th instead of this Saturday cause we have to teach a few more things and plan the baptismal service. We also had another girl come, her name is Melany. She is only 8 years old but loved the primary and says she will continue coming. We will do our best to teach her all she needs to know and hopefully place a fecha this week. Most likely she will be baptized on the 24th. We doing great and I couldn't ask for a better area, companion, members, or investigators! I can honestly say that I am in love....with the mission and striving to give it all that I can for the short time that remains. If you would have asked me at the beginning how I thought time would pass, I think I would have said slow but I have learned now that is doesn't slow down for anyone! Elder Chumpitaz is doing great! I hope that he continues to grow as much as he has in this first change and I know that he will continue to be a hard working missionary for his entire time here. He has helped me to have patience, charity, and to help everyone I can. The district is doing well and working hard. We also heard this week that we will be going to the temple on the 14th! We are so excited to go to the temple next week and are going to work hard before to be able show our gratitude for this great blessing! I will also be going to Montevideo AGAIN this week for another leadership meeting but it should be great. I hope that I can be the best example to my comp, district, and all who are around me. More than anything I hope to be an example of the Savior so all will want to follow Him and be even as He is. I love my Savior and don't know how to express in words my gratitude for Him. I am eternally in debt to Him for His atoning sacrifice and the opportunity I have to repent and be cleansed. I am not any where near perfection and I need to repent of even more things but I want to get there some day and I know that it is only possible through Christ. It looks like everyone back home had a good week.....I hope that they teeth had a good week as well and didn't eat too much candy! I LOVE the costumes and those are some dang good looking missionaries! Good thing they only have a few more years and they will be where I am now. Its all good though cause we will forever be in the service of our Heavenly Father in one way or another! Congrats to Tal for making to the choice to follow Christ and be baptized and to the Chappells with the new tike....Daxton. Hey is that a birthmark on his arm? Whats up with that? I remember you told me that he was fine but had something....I don't remember but maybe that's it? I am definitely grateful for all I have been given.....my blessings are uncountable! I hope to continue to be even more grateful and to express that gratitude as well as Christ like love! I am also excited for Thanksgiving and I told my comp that we are going to be eating an American meal as we celebrate. I hope that you worked out the deal with the paper route and my future, mysterious job. Thanks for the pizza crust recipe...I think we will be making today. UMMMM.....Pizza. I don't actually have to many desires to eat hot foods now cause it is stinkin' hot. I am not for sure if its the same as last year, worse, or I just don't remember but for real I am bakin'. Its alright though cause its helping with my diet and keeping those extra pounds off. I am super happy and I know that it is cause I am in the service of our Heavenly Father and helping others. Even though we are not all full time missionaries we can feel this same joy as we actively live and apply the gospel in our lives. I know that it is true and we have it because God has restored His church in this last days. I know we have a living prophet we guides us be revelation. I know that the scriptures are true especially the Book of Mormon. I know that families can be together forever through obedience to our covenants and gospel principles. I know that our Savior lives and He loves us. I LOVE being so happy and desire that all can do what is necessary to have the same happiness. Until next week. UN ABRAZO Y MUCHO AMOR Elder Bowden