Last Changes! Only 6 more weeks! EEK!

HOLA FAMILIA Well....this week went pretty well. Yesterday we got the change calls.....are you all anxious? Are you currently on the edge of your seats to know what is going to happen? Do you want me to tell you? Okay....I am staying here! I will be finishing my mission here in Paso de los Toros and with my oro(Elder Chumpitaz). He is my first and last comp that I have been with for more than 3 months! I am still district leader so I'll be going to Deo on Tomorrow to have a small leadership meeting. Elder Bennett who was my zone leader and is from my origanal group that came to the mission is training his last change and he is in my district! The hermanas or sister missionaries are no longer here, so the district is all elders. It looks like all is well on the homefront. Everyone seems to have built a nice gingerbread house....I hope you made them earthquake proof cause the end of the world will be here soon and I dont know if they will survive the trembling!?! I have to tell Ash thanks for doing my job....I wasn't there to eat the frosting so I guess someone had to do it! This week we had our ward Christmas party or dinner (la cena). It was a really successful activity and lots of people showed up(less active and active members). The only bad thing is that they started it at 9:00pm so we were only there for enough time to grab some food, say hi, and then bounce! But we did have 7 people come that aren't members. We hope that we will be able to make contact with all of them this week and make them new investigators. On the flipside...we only had one investigastor come to church on Sunday. His name is Felipe and his is the grandson of two recent converts. He is really excited and is loving the church. We are planning on inviting him to be baptized for the 29th of december even though he has already come to church twice cause we´ll need to time to teach him everything. Our other investiagtors are doing well....reading and praying...for some reason they just couldnt make it to church on Sunday. My comp and I are very excited to continue working together here in Charrua. I honestly feel as if we are doing many great things and we have seen many miracles. We have not found a family to invite and be baptized yet but we are constantly looking and asking as we contact and ask for references. I know that as we repent and strive to do better, and do all that we can the Lord will guide us to the people that are prepared. I am going to all that I can to be the most powerful teacher I have been in my entire mission. We have set many goals and are working to have the spirit with us at all times to testifiy to the people of the truthfulness of our message and the restored gospel. I think it will be good to have elders here in Paso with us and it should have a large impact on the other ward. The elders in Centro also seem to be excited to continue working with the investigators they have found and Elder Phillips will work very well with Elder Chavez. Elder Walker who was here before is going to Toledo...the area where I started my mission! So I told him he has to say hello to all who are there. So...you are going to temple square on the 21st? Are you sure that the world is going to end? haha I am not for sure what will happen but it think things will be a little crazy. At least I think so...there won't be any problems here cause we will all be at our mission Christmas conference! Oh speaking of Christmas.....I will be calling on Tuesday the 25th from our neighbors house. I am pretty sure I'll be calling at 8:00pm here which means it will be 3:00pm there! It will be by Skype again so if there are any problems let me know. Thanks for the packages.....even though I said not to send them! I'll will be waiting to see if they arrive on time! I am ready to give it all I have and leave it all on the field! I have set a lot of goals and Im going to do the very best I can to do all that our Heavenly Father wants me to do and become. This is going to be the best six weeks of my mission! I am not excited to leave Guay....a large portion of my heart belongs to this country and the people here. I am sure going home will feel similar to when I left. Have you heard anything about my flight? I mean you should know by now...I am have one more fast Sunday left in the field! Anyways....I love you all and I am very grateful for you love and support. I have learned so much from everyone of you and you are all example in one way or another. I couldn't ask for better parents who have taught me the gospel and helped me to obtain a testimony and become truely converted. I know that the gospel is the only thing that will bring us true happiness and in the end its all the really matters. Often times I believe what Pres Uchtdorf says...we waste our time and talents in things that don't even have significane in the eternal perspective. I have seen this on my mission as I have strived to do good continually and work in the most efficant way to help others come unto Chirst. I know that He lives and I love Him! I have no greater hero or idle than Jesus Christ himself. I want to be exactly like Him. I know that it isnt easy and that it will probably take me a very long time but it is done, day by day, and decision by decision. I know that it is only by His infinite, eternal, and atoning sacrifice that is is possible. I have grown so close to my Savior in these two years and I know that I will continue to grow closer after as long as I am obedient and diligent. I know that anyone who desires to improve their relationship with the Savior can also do it and it starts with a simple desire and prayer. I love the mission and being involved in the service of God. I am going to serve Him for my entire life cause thats what makes me happy and I know thats what really matters. My mission is the greatest blessing that I have been given next to the atonement itself. I am grateful for this time of season to meditate a little more on the Savior and what He has done for me. I know that we should remember Him always but I feel that many at this time of the year need to know even more that Christ was born, came to the earth, died for us, resurected, and that He lives today. I love you all, miss you too, but its all worth it! UN ABRAZO Y CON MUCHO AMOR Elder Bowden