WOW! What a week! It sure is great to hear from you and be able to tell you how things are going. I included a few pictures again this week. The first one is of my new comp from Chile (I know he looks kind of like an American). He says he has other missionaries talk to him in English all the time and he has to tell them that he doesn't know English. The other is of Elder Stilwell and I in our Peñarol jerseys! Its pretty much the best team in Uruguay! I believe that they are playing against a Brazil team this week. The other is of the power I know have...keys! The keys to the house, even more the keys to the church, and even more consecrated oil! What a blessing it is to have and hold the authority/power from Heavenly Father to perform miracles! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the package. I only received one of them, but I am sure that the other is coming soon. It was perfect timing cause I got the package with the music the same day that Elder Stilwell left with his. I love having all the hymns and other music filled with the spirit. It was really good to come home that night and to see a US postal box on my desk after a semi hard day of work. It made my day! The newspaper was also a great idea. It is really nice to have some stuff to hear about what is going on at home, the same things that I kind of took for granted before. This week was actually pretty hard, I feel much better now. Getting a new comp and having to say good bye to my trainer was really hard. Especially cause of the different nationalities, not that I have anything against latino comps. I am actually grateful to have one now, it was just hard to transfer. The Spanish is definitely better now, considering that I can ONLY speak Spanish now. Oh well, I guess this is what I am here for and this is what the Lord wants for me now. I can speak all the English I want when I get home. Then almost all of the appointments that we had to go to fell through. It was really hard because I practically had all the responsibility because my comp didn't know the area or the people. Then on top of everything else it rained for three and a half days strait, and no one ever talks to us when its raining. Really this week helped me realize how much I have to rely on the Savior and how much He helps me EVERY DAY. He is always there when we need Him and he knows exactly how we feel. I know for a fact that He lives. I have no doubt in my mind that He is aware of our necessities and will comfort us in our times of need. I feel so much closer to the Savior after this week and hope that I can continue to grow closer to Him. I think my journal entries are going to increase in size and frequency because its the only place that I have to express myself in English, I guess that's not a bad thing. I did have another confidence boaster this week with Elder Avalos. He told me that he thought that I had been in the mission for little over a year. I don't know why he thought this, but I hope its a good sign that I am working hard and doing everything I am suppose to. Church this Sunday was good as usual, just something a little weird. We sang the national anthem of Uruguay. I didn't have a clue of what the words were and didn't really want to give up my American fidelity. I love Uruguay and all, I mean its probably my second most favorite country now. I know that the Lord called me to serve here for a reason and I am committed to finding every one that He is preparing to receive His gospel. It was just a little weird realizing I wasn't at home anymore. Speaking of not being at home any more I had another funny and eye opening experience yesterday that made me grateful for all I had back home. We were walking through the plaza in the center of town and I saw a police truck stop and drop off some officers. One had no shoes on and his pants rolled up like he was going to wade in some water and the other had a stick in his hand. I really thought nothing of it and kept walking. Then all of a sudden they started running towards a guy who was waiting on his bike in the plaza. He saw them coming and immediately started to ride away. The officer with the stick hit him a couple of times, but it did nothing. If it were not for the civilians in the street who tackled him as he was riding away, they never would have caught him. I am grateful to be a missionary and to have the Lord protecting me 24 hours a day! I hope all is well at home. I hope Fathers day was good and that all the birthdays are great. Did you guys sent my visa and drivers license yet? It wasn't in this package so I was just wondering. Sorry I have to go now. Love you all and thanks for all your prayers and support! I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords kingdom here on earth. I know the Book Of Mormon is true and we can grow closer to the Lord by reading it daily!
Love
Elder Bowden
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