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