Elder Bowden is extra Spoiled!

HOLA FAMILIA
WOW! Every week I am amazed by how fast it seems time is going! I remember when I started the mission and it felt as if the days went fast. Now I don't know what happens to the days and the weeks go by fast! This week went really well. It wasn't the best in the whole world but I learned lot of new things and had many great experiences. I said last week that I was on a two week letter famine...well that wasn't exactly true. The secretaries were sending my letters to another district that's all, so I got my letters from Grandma Bowden and Ashlee. I also received my FIVE STINKIN packages! That was fun..... :) We had our zone conference on Thursday which was really good! Pres Da Silva talked to us about using the scriptures and the Holy Ghost as our guide or liahona in missionary work. I ``re``learned the importance of following the spirit, relying on the Lord, and leaning not unto our own understanding. It is easier for me to speak Spanish now and sometimes I have the tendency to just talk instead of following what the spirit tells me to say. I`ll keep working on it and I know just as the scripture in Ether says, that my weaknesses will become strong. Oh ya....back to the zone conference and packages. Well after we had been spiritually uplifted, edified, and fed, we got fed physically. We all sat done to eat lunch (the whole zone of Durazno and Florida, about 30 missionaries) which was really tasty. Just when we were finishing up, Pres Da Silva and the ZL`s hawled in a bunch of boxes and put them on my table. I assumed that they were for me and to avoid making everyone else feel....like their parents don't love them, I didn't say anything. Then all the missionaries came over to see if they had received a package. After about 2 minutes of searching they all realized that they were for me and couldn't believe it. Their comments included...HOLY COW, Do your parents know how much that costs?, WHAT?, Did they forget about Christmas?, etc. In all it was kind of embarrassing but I love you all and sure hope I can fit all that stuff in my suitcases! Nice joke by the way...well I don't know if you meant it to be a joke. The box that had my shoes in it was opened and it only had one shoe. The other missionaries told me that it had most likely been robbed. I thought...great! I told mom and dad it wouldn't be stolen and look what happened! I was kind of freakin out. Then Pres Da Silva (the father figure in this case) in all his knowledge and wisdom said...Elder the Guayans didn't take you shoes cause when the box came it had USPS tape on it which means it was done in America. He also said that if they were to take your shoes they would take them both not just one! This calmed me done a bit and then I realized it was probably in another box. That you arrived at the Post Office with both shoes in the box and the guy said...don't send them together in a box to South America or they will get stolen and you had to take one out. I later opened the one that contained the other shoe! THANKS SO MUCH! You guys are great and I loved all the gifts and birthday wishes! We also had a good day on Friday. The assistants to president came and had an intercambio with us to see how that area is doing. They said they didn't come to see if they needed to close it but what we could do to make it better and get the work rolling. We had some pretty good success and they were really positive about the future. They helped me to realize that we have to have faith and cannot doubt. If we doubt then that is when God ceases to work miracles. I know the Heavenly Father has much in store for me and this area, all I have to do is work hard and forget my doubts. On the other not so spiritual updates...I ate some pretty good stuff this past week. I asked Hna Ester if she could prepare mulita for us and she said no. She said she doesn't like cooking it and that there aren't too many around at this time of year. Then just that night after we left, a man came by her house selling them, so she decided to buy one and cook it for us. Just so you know it is in the pictures and is known to you guys as armadillo? I also had a lunch meat for my sandwich on P-Day, that was make from horse! YUMMY! I am excited for this upcoming week and know that we will have a great one! I am not for sure what is going to happen but we do have changes this week and we receive the calls on Sunday. Ill let you know if I stay or go and to where. That is about all I have to tell you this week. I enjoyed all the letters that came with the packages and also heard from Elder Durrans and my trainer this week...good stuff! I love you all and you mean more to me than anyone else in the world! You are the greatest family anyone could every ask for....even though you send packages and I tell you to wait. I hope that you are all doing well and have no doubt that Heavenly Father is watching over you! I know that this church is true. I know that Joesph Smith saw God the Father and His Son. I know that because of this experience we have the true and restored church on the earth today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and contains all the answers to what ever questions we could possibly have. I know this because I have read it, felt the spirit, and received these answers myself. I know the only way to be truly happy is live the gospel. I know that some times when we have trials it is hard to see the light and be happy, but as we keep striving it will come and having a positive attitude only makes it that much better! I love you all and know that families can be together forever, for this I am very grateful. I am thankful for all the great people who have been amazing influences in my life, including those who don't even realize it! I know that the Savior lives and loves us. He personally knows how we feel at all times in our life because He once experienced it. I know that as we turn to Him and apply His atonement in our lives we can enjoy the cleansing, purifying, and healing power it has. Until next week!
CON AMOR
Elder Bowden (I only have the powerful title for short two years...I have to take advantage!)