Still Hard at Work!

¡Hola Familia, Greetings from Uruguay!

Wow! This week was so short, It seems like it was only yesterday that I was emailing you guys. I still dont know if the other packages have come or if I have any mail because the caja (box) from the mission home hasnt arrived this week. I guess I will have to let you know next week. I am sure everything is ok, it is just taking them a little bit longer because there is more to send. This week was definetly better. We had investagators to visit and they actually talked with us when we went to visit them. I cant believe how many people say they don't have time to talk to us, but the only other thing they have to do is watch tv. I wish there was some way we could help them see what they are missing in their lives. I guess for now we will continue to look for those whom Heavenly Father is preparing and are ready to make the necessary changes in their lives. It continued to rain this week, not three days in a row, but it sure isn't pleasant. I remember saying before my mission that I wasn't going to be cold, but I was wrong. It's crazy how much the wind blows here. I stay dry for the most part, but it isn't always warm when the rain is falling sideways and the wind is blowing branches off trees. Good thing my mom told me I should bring a coat just in case, now I am using it everyday! My comp is a pretty good missionary, he has been out about 18 months in the mission. He also has desires to work hard and to do everything we can to find people to teach and baptize. The hard part is adapting to each others methods of working. Some times he thinks we should do some thing one way and I think another way. We are definetly working better together now and with faith our investagators will progress to thier baptisms. It sounds like you are all doing well and are all busy this summer as usual. I really wish that I was home to see the construction of the beautiful temple only 5 min from our house! It sounds like everyone is preparing to make the temple a part of their daily lives and are learning more of the incredible blessings we can recieve their. I have exciting news about the temple too! I will have the oppturnity to go to the temple with Pedro (one of my recient converts) when he gets sealed to his wife in a year! I cant wait to see them progress to become a forever family. It was also a great day at church yesterday, because Pedro blessed the sacrament for his first time and Diana (other convert) gave a talk! I could really see the differences that the gospel has made in their lives. I am so grateful that I could be a part of this magnificent blessing that they are recieving in their lives! The joy you feel when you see others testimonies grow is amazing! I don't think I can describe how good it feels to invite others to come unto Christ, repent, and be baptized. I have a firm testimony that the Savior lives. That he once walked to earth and did the same exact work that I have the privledge to do now. I know that He suffered and died so that He could know how to help us and provide the way to return to our Heavnly Father one day! I know that when we are obedient to the commandments and standards that the Lord has given us we will be blessed beyond our comprehention. I am grateful for the many people in my life that have done so much to help my testimony grow and to be where I am today. I love serving the Lord and doing all in my power to make Him proud. I love you all and look forward to hearing about the blessings you are recieving everyday!
Love
Elder Bowden