Another week in paradise!

HOLA FAMILIA!

Wow! Thanks for all the crazy news.....most of which I had no idea. Ashlee is having another baby! AAAAHHHH! I wont even be home yet....not cool cause I am feeling left out. No its all good I know we will all be blessed for the short time of sacrifice. You dont know if its a boy or a girl yet right? I better know as soon as they know! You are getting an exchange student like right now? Is he going to go to school? That's super cool! I hope everything goes well with Sharlee and I hope she gets the letter that I sent last week. Sounds like you are all excited for spring and are enjoying March Maddness! I hope to hear who is winning and how the schools from Utah do...thanks! Ouch! I cant believe that Jay broke her arm! Yeah I know how that feels and it must be even worse for someone that's only 4 years old! Tell her that I sent a kiss to make it better and that she should be more careful. Tell all the brothers and sisters that I love them and good luck with all they are doing whether it be science fair, choir, or sports! This week went pretty well, a lot better than last week as far as what we got accomplished but not so well as far as my comp. We taught quite a bit this week and are anxiously waiting for the people to keep their commitments so they can get baptized! We found another lady yesterday...taught her the restoration and invited her to get baptized on the 13 of April and she said she would if she gets an answer that it is true! I love that fact that we can teach by the spirit and help people to feel that this is true and then have confidence that if they pray about it they will receive an answer. I realized at the beginning of my mission that we are they only ones who have that promise...ask God and He will answer....hmmmm...it must be true! We are still doing all that we can to have a baptism but the Lord definitely requires all from us. I hope that I will be able to give it my all and leave it all on the field these last two weeks of the change. I don't know if Ill be staying or leaving but know that I will be where the Lord needs me! I am so flipin pumped for general conference! Besides Christmas, Mothers Day, and baptisms it is by far some of the best days in the mission. It was kind of a weird week cause my comp says he wants to go home. He called Pres Da Silva and asked for an interview but Pres said that he should wait until next change. I am going to do all I can to show lots of charity for him and help him realize that this is the best place for him to be. He says that no one is going to change his mind but I know that he is here for at least two more weeks for some thing. We are having a branch activity this Saturday and I hope that we can help the members see their vitally important role in missionary work, feel the spirit, and have fun at the same time. Our ward missionary leader is really working hard, despite all the trials he has personally and I know that the work will start to move very soon here in Carmen. I am loving the assignment as a district leader but its not easy. It gives me lots to do and more to help me work harder. I have to talk on the phone for at least a half hour every night but ya....its fun! I am looking forward to all that the Lord has in store for me and the rest of my mission! I cant believe that I have been out for 14 flippin months! CRAZY! I love you all and am grateful for all that you do! I know that this church is true and that we are children of our Heavenly Father. I know He loves us, knows us, and wants the very best for us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it contains counsel for us in these last days. I know that the Savior lives and that He suffered beyond our understanding so that we can repent and be cleansed from sin. I know that it is a life long journey to become like our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ but that as we strive daily we are making progress. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to true and lasting happiness in this life and in eternity! I love you all and cant wait to hear from you in what is literally seven days but feels like only hours! Oh and a few other questions? Box Elder wrestling? Grandma Bywater...when is her B-Day? And has anyone else left on missions or got their calls? Thanks for everything....your are awesome and I am so glad that I can call you my family!
CON MUCHO AMOR
Elder Bowden