Going to the Temple for his first family sealing!

HOLA FAMILIA! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe how HAPPY I feel right now!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a personal testimony I have that God helps us in the times we are down. That He will always lift us up, give us blessings, and help us endure to the end whenever we do our part. It sounds that you are all doing amazing as well as I am. Its sad to hear that the neighbors are having some trials but it will all work out the way our Heavenly Father wants and will always be for our benefit. I have amazing news to had to the great stuff you have already mentioned. I am so glad Shane is going on his mission and it makes me super happy to know all he will do while he is out. Too bad I wont see him for almost four years! Thanks so much for all that you do. I have the most incredible family in the world lead by the greatest parents. I don't know about souvenirs yet...but I'll be thinking and let you know. I know that everyone at home is in need just as much as I am....just cause I am on a mission doesn't make me an exception! Oh sorry that you just barely received this email today...yesterday the internet was down in our area and we couldn't email. But nevertheless....I AM GOING TO THE TEMPLE TODAY! I received news from my ZLs that Pres Da Silva gave me permission to go to the temple with Pedro! He is one of my converts that I had when I was with my trainer in my first area! I can honestly say that this is one of if not the happiest moment of my whole mission! To know that someone I helped receive the gospel is now going to have an eternal family is indescribable! We have the sealing at 6:00pm and he even asked if I would be one of the witnesses! I am so excited and can hardly even wait! We just barely finished our last district meeting of the change. I cant believe that another six weeks has already gone by! So on Sunday we are going to receive change calls...I don't know if anything will change (probably not) but I will let you know! This week was good as usual and we had another investigator (Luiz) come to church on Sunday! I hope and pray that he will continue to progress and can eventually be baptized. We are still planning on the baptism of Carlos on the 14th. (I guess I will have to send some more B-Day cards, July is a big month) I know that there is no other work greater than this. At times I become discouraged and feel down but I know this is what Satan wants. I know that as we strive to be happy and give it our best, that Lord will always bless us with spiritual, edifying experiences that testify to us of His divinity! I know that Heavenly Father lives and that His son Jesus Christ gave His life so that we can be cleansed of sins and mistakes to return to their presence. I know that true repentance brings us to a higher level, closer to our Heavenly Father and as we repent daily, keep and renew our covenants, it is as if we take small steps up towards the Celestial Kingdom. We have to remember that we don't want to go downstairs and hold tight to the railing(the gospel). I love you all and miss you tons! I am not trunky but waiting for the day the I get to see you all again. As the time comes closer I honestly feel nervous and don't want to give up my calling as a full time servant of the Lord. I love doing His work and being an instrument in His hands and have grown an even greater to serve Him the rest of my life. I hope that all of the kids are doing well, working hard, enjoying the summer, and strengthening their testimonies. I guess that goes for the adults as well! I don't have to much more to say and kind of have to go. Ill try to make up for the short email next week but just know that I am doing great and always will be not matter what happens. I know that this is the only true church on the face of the earth. I know that keeping the commandments is essential to our person conversion and happiness here and in the eternities. I hope you have a great week as well and I am always praying for you too! Until next week! CON MUCHISIMO AMOR UN ABRAZO GRANDE Elder Bowden

HOOOLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAA! WOW! I have so much to tell you and so little time...so Ill try to do my best and not leave anything out! Sounds like you are all doing well and continue to receive the many blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for you! This week was great and not so great. Great cause we had zone conference and I am now really inspired to continue working! Not so great cause it was the last one with had with Pres Da Silva. I have really come to love and respect him and his wife they have truly changed so many things in their short three years. You will have to let me know what it said in that letter(hopefully he told you that I behave well, haha). We also had a lot of other things go well....like Carlos came to church again. The only problem is that his uncle is coming to baptize him and cant be here until the 14th of July. He is already prepared so when his uncle can come he will be baptized. I know that the numbers and baptisms aren't everything but I also know that the best way to help some one is to show them the restored gospel and how they can follow Jesus Christ by being baptized. We had another person at church also...(a miracle) but we didn't talk to him to see if we could go by his house. We had to leave church early cause my comp was sick and had been throwing up that night. He made some french fries the other day and I don't think the oil was hot enough before he put them in. He basically got food poisoning. Then everyone at church was freaking out and telling us we HAD TO go to the doctor and Elder Jenkins was like "I'm fine" and they kept saying no. I guess its cause the members want to take care of us and make sure we are able to work. We went home and he rested for a while and then we went to lunch! It was so yummy and he couldn't eat anything so I got double! I know its not really a good diet and I need to start slimming down (but that's the last six months). It was kind of hard cause we had stuff to do and people to visit but I couldn't go out by myself and he wanted to stay home? I guess that's what happens in the mission. Thankfully I have never been sick and have always been able to go out and serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I can also do better at always doing my best and giving it my all. I need to do what Elder Holland said and "leave it all on the field." It was pretty cold this week but they say it should be warming up again. One of the mornings we went out to work and there was frost on the ground! Not quite snow but almost. Hey a couple quick questions.....I still haven't decided what to do with the whole study or work situation but I'm going to talk to the new mission President and see what he says. I hope I can finish the mission and maybe work full time. Oh I am also registered to vote so you should send me the ballet so I can vote for the first Mormon president! I LOVED BK and it tasted exactly the same as it does at home! The only disappointing thing is that the drink machine said the had Mountain Dew but it ended up being another Uruguayan drink ( I was kind of bummed cause it doesn't exist down here). Other good news...I got my suit dry cleaned! The first time in my mission so it should be smelling nice when I go to pick it up today! Then its back to the house to relax, write letters, and eat PB and honey sandwiches! I know that this church is true and I LOVE being a member/missionary of it! It brings me so much happiness to know for myself all the principles of the gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is the keystone of our religion. I know that we are lead by living prophet and I am enjoying the conference talks in the Ensign (that I finally got last week!). I know that families can be together forever! I love and miss you all! Tell everyone to have fun at their camps and to get all the can out of them. That they are amazing spiritual experiences that they'll never forget. Happy B-Day mom! I didn't forget but I was just a little busy and didn't get the card sent, but it will be coming! Until next week! CON MUCHO AMOR Elder Bowden

Elder Bowden is getting a new mission President!

Dear Bowden Family; Sorry for my English! We thank you, very, very much for your love, support and all you did and do, for helping us in the Lords Work!. Your prayer, and specially for preparing so a great young man, willing and being worthy to serve a Mission! They all, are miracles!!! It was for us a privilege to serve among so great young man and women, and so supportive families!!! Thanks to all you! May God bless you and us, continuing serving in His Work!!! Un gran abrazo, Presidente & Hermana Da Silva Uruguay Montevideo

Thank goodness for Cinnamon Rolls

SALUDOS A LA MEJOR FAMILIA WOW! It was great to hear from you again....after another short week. It went pretty good and we actually have a progressing investi gator that came to church on Sunday! His name is Carlos and he is the 12 year old I told you about that is from the part member and less active family. He really wants to get baptized and promised his dad that he would do it before his dad passed away. He pretty much knows almost everything already and is close to being ready. The only problem that we have now is that his grandma wants to come to the baptism which we have planned for the 16th of June, but shes lives far away and wont be able to come until July. I guess the most important thing is that he is baptized but I sure hope that we can do it for the planned date to help us with our goals for the month. As you can see in the pictures.....I made cinnamon rolls! They were or are so yummy! I still have about 12 of them at home waiting for after lunch. Speaking of lunch I have good news....we are going to Burger King today! I am so excited cause there are only three of them in Uruguay and it has been almost 17 months since I have eaten BK! Tell Ash that I got her letters and pics and that I appreciate the love and support(the same to you also). I only have one question? It seems as if someone....one who claims he isn't a bronco fan is wearing a some what familiar jersey to me? Tell him that if he likes it then he can definitely borrow it cause it looks good on him, haha! I cant believe that school just got out and you all running around for the summer. It honestly feels like it is going to be Christmas down here soon cause it just keeps getting cooler and cooler. I don't know why cause I know that it is June but my body tells me that its the holiday season(I guess that happens after having the same seasons your whole life and then changing). I will not be playing soccer today which means that I wont have big blood blisters on my feet and that Ill have time to write. So to all those that have written they should receive responses in about 2 weeks. I am doing pretty good right now. My comp and I are getting along pretty well...we just need to strive to be more obedient and always work our hardest. I know that if I give it all that I have then it doesn't matter what happens. People have their own agency and after all I have done, its really up to them. I want to keep improving so that I can finish my two years without any regrets. We are kind of having a hard time finding new investigators now but I know that if we follow the spirit that Heavenly Father will leads us to those whom He is preparing. I love you all and pray for you daily. I know that Heavenly Father is always watching over you and I also have no doubts that you are fine. I miss you lots and as the time that we are been apart grows bigger I feel a love even stronger. I know that families can be together forever. I know that they are an eternal principal and we need to strive daily to make our relationships even stronger. I know that God and Jesus Christ live and that they love us. I know that because of their love for us they have restored their church on the earth today. It is the only true one that has authority from them and is led by a prophet. I know that in doing the small things (prayers, scriptures, service, church, etc) we are greatly blessed! Until next week! CON MUCHISIMO AMOR Elder Bowden

The Church is True and the Work Continues!

HOLA MEJOR FAMILIA DEL MUNDO! Well.......well......well.....uh? Something to say.....Thanks for the cinnamon roll recipe! I am super duper excited to make them even though it will probably be next P-Day cause today we are going to play fùtbol or soccer. It reminds me of the lunch that we had yesterday after church. It was really yummy cause the member that cooked for us, cooks for her actual job. It had to be the best bread I have ever had here in Guay and it was homemade! This week went pretty good...almost normal. We found a new family that was entirely by the spirit. We had a charla with a lady one day at her door and she wasn't really receptive but she said one day we could come back. We went back about three days later and knocked but she didn't answer, but the neighbor came out and she asked who had sent us and if we were looking for her. I said it kind of like a joke but it was actually true that God had sent us(thinking she was mad that we showed up). She explained that she was an ``ex-member`` or a less active member of the church but that her husband recently passed away. She said she wanted to go back to church and that she had a son who is twelve and isn't baptized(and he wants to be). We are going back to them this week and we will see what happens. We also found a less active family who hasn't been in 6 years and went back to visit them. They got everything robbed from them about 3 years ago and don't even have their books. They wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon to start reading again. We invited them to come back to church and to one day be able to be sealed in the temple. The spirit was really strong and they were all crying. These are definitely the experiences that make the mission worth it! Then we had to run back home cause it was dark and the area is kind of sketchy(pero no pasaba nada). I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well at home and finishing another year of school....CRAZY! I hope that you all finish well and continue to learn and grow even during summer. Behave yourselves and always remember the great feeling of satisfaction that comes from hard work. I know that this church is true and that this is the Lords work. I know that we can only be instruments in His hands by following the promptings of the spirit. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is equally the word of God, written by inspired prophets here in the Americas. I know that we become closer to our Heavenly Father and better disciples of Christ and we read and apply it daily to our lives. I know that the Savior lives and all the we will ever do and become is only possible because of Him and His atoning sacrifice. I know that families can be together forever through ordinances in the temple. I don't really know what its like to have the temple to close cause we never go....but I guess its nice. I am so excited to have one 5 MINUTES from my house when I get back! I love and miss you all so much. I pray for you daily and always want whats best for you! I know that this is the gospel and keeping the commandments. I know that as we renew our covenants every Sunday with the sacrament we prepare ourselves to live with God. Until next week! CON MUCHO AMOR Elder Bowden

New changes coming again!

Hola Familia! I can't believe that only yesterday, a day I thought would never come this quickly has already passed! I just hope that I am doing everything I need to and everything Heavenly Father wants in these short two years (and continue for the rest of my life!) It was great to see and hear from you all and I LOVED doing Skype again. I cant believe how much everyone is changing and growing up. I love you all so much and miss you lots but it doesn't matter cause I am where I need to be. I have news about changes.....I don't know if its good or bad but kind of sad. I am staying here in Aeroparque but Elder Whiting is leaving. I really had a great but short six weeks with him and we have become really good friends. I know he is a great missionary just like all my comps before and the new comp I will have. My new comps name is Elder Jenkins (I don't know if that's how you spell it?) and he is an American. I am not for sure which state cause he is fairly new and no one really knows him, but I'll let you know next week. I'm not exactly for sure why (I don't think I am racist) but I have had a lot of American comps and only two latinos. I guess it is who ever the Lord sees I need help from and who we help me to become the best missionary I can. I had one more quick question....could you send me a cinnamon roll recipe? Thanks you're the best! Anyways....I don't know what more to say because I told you all that I had in mind yesterday? I'll be here for at least another six weeks but most likely it will be 3 more months. I like the area and I am excited to continue working with all the great people here. I will be going to changes in Malvìn tomorrow...I have to pick up my new comp! I will probably see all my companions, friends, and others there. I will be sure to give Elder Condor his letter! I am loving the mission, gaining lots of experience, and hope that I am becoming the priesthood holder Heavenly Father needs me to be in the future. I talked with Elder Whiting about changing on the mission. He says in his six months he doesn't think he has changed, but I think that he has. I don't see a lot of big differences with me but I think its because it happens gradually and over time. I hope that you can all see the changes and know its for the better. Don't worry cause I'm still the same Elder Bowden who likes to goof off but with a redefined and stronger outlook and testimony of the gospel. Sorry about the language but I think I am forgetting English, at least some words and using a lot of Spanish ones in place. I know that this church is true. I receive a testimony of it every day as I speak with others here in Guay. I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us beyond our comprehension. I know that He knows whats best for us and will always lead us to where we need to be if we follow His counsel. I know that His Son Jesus Christ walked the earth, formed His church, and eventually died for our sins. I know that because of Him we will be resurrected, cleansed of sin, and stand before our God again someday. I know that Mothers are amazing! and that we have been blessed with incredible moms to bless our lives. I am grateful for the gospel and all that it is in my life. I am grateful for an amazing family who is always positive, uplifting, and strong in their faith. I love you all and want you to know that TRUE HAPPINESS comes from living the gospel every day and in the simple actions. Remember who you are and what you stand for, why your'e here and who you can help. Until next week, CON AMOR Elder Bowden

6 Mas Dias y nosotros hablamos a Elder Bowden!

HOLA FAMILIA! Well.....what should I start with today? It has been a pretty good P-Day. We started at 10:00am after completing our studies and went to the supermarket. I bought today a large bottle of Tabasco sauce which I am very excited to use! After we waited for the bus and went to Camino Carrasco. It is our ZLs area. We went to visit them and pick up my package! Thanks for the candy, s, and girl scout cookies! It was literally just a few days ago I was talking about how much I love the peanut butter ones! Now we are here in the cyber emailing and we will have about two hours just to relax and clean up a bit when we get home. We dont have a lot of places to visit on P-Day that our inside our area and we have to have permission to go to the others outside the area(even then they dont always give permission). We have to work all day every other day so we usually just take P-day pretty slow. Our work days are normal. We leave at 10 to proselite(doing contacts and visiting investigators). We have an hour for lunch which is usually with a member but lots of the time they just give us the food and we eat at our house and then an hour to study spanish. We finish our work day at 9 at night and then we have planning for a half an hour and get ready for bed after that. I was kind of joking about the photos but would really like to have some more (current if possible). I am also super pumped to Skype and now we only have 6 days! It seems like just yesterday we were doing it for Christmas! I will be calling you guys on Skype at about 6:00pm here which would be about 3:00pm there. I hope that this works out and we wont have any problems! I love you all and cant wait to see and hear from you all on Sunday! This week went pretty good. As far as all the charlas or lessons we taught we reached our goals and had the most with member we have ever taught. I sure hope that we can find some one to be baptized soon cause it seems like forever since I have had one. I am doing very good and cant believe that the time continues to pass. I feel really wierd being one of the older missionaries that I always looked up to before. I hope that I can be an example to all those around me and always work hard. I am kind of sad to see Pres Da Silva leave in June....I really love him as our mission president and I know he is an inspired man. I also know that our new President will be just as good and continue to lead the misison in the direction that it needs to go. I know that this chuch is true and I love saying I am a member of it. Even more I love saying I am a missionary and representative of Jesus Chirst. I have to say that there is not any other feeling in the world thats like it. I feel that power of the Lord help靚g me, uplifting me, and guiding me daily. I know that He lives and that He loves us more than we can even comprehend. I know that as we pass through this life we have trials. We should strive to overcome them and seek the Lords help and after we will see them as blessings. I know that He sends them to us to help us return to our eternal destination and live with Him again. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is the evidence we have that our church is true. I testify if anyone who really wants to know the truth and reads the book and prays will recieve thier own witness of its divinity. I know that families can be together forever. I know that through little things like daily prayer, scripture study, church and temple assistance we are greatly blessed. I know that the Lord some times requires us to sacrifice but it is always worth it and will one day recieve it all in one hundred times full! Until Sunday! Love and miss you tons! CON AMOR Elder Bowden letter