Lots of Investigators and Deportes (Sports)!

HEY FAMILY! WOW!!!! Another week bites the dust! I can't believe that the weeks pass like days and the days like hours! This week was great.....the only thing we didn't have were investigators in church! We had lots of people say they we coming and then when the morning showed up they confronted opposition. I hope that they will be able to come to the conference next week because it will be an amazing, edifying experience like always! I'm sad to say it, but its my last conference here in the mission! Bueno....this week we found a couple new investigators....their names are Giovanna who is about 25 and has her five year old daughter. Their husband and father left them and they are going through some hard times right now. The best thing is they are willing to follow Jesus Christ and she said if she feels that these things are true (which I believe she already has) then she will be baptized! We invited her to be baptized the 20th of Oct. We also have a youth who is 11 years old and his name is Facundo. All of his family are already members but for some reason or another he was never baptized but I think he is excited to do it now. We are going to do all we can to make sure he knows what he is doing. We also found another women yesterday whose name is Olga. She has been going to another church for 25 years she said but was willing to listen to us. Although we had the charla or lesson outside her door we talked about the restoration for about 30 min and we left her with a Book of Mormon. I know that she will read it and that she will feel the spirit because it is a promise from our Heavenly Father. We also hope that she makes it to the conference. Luckily I will be able to watch it in English like always and I am excited to receive many answers. I will be the only one cause my comp and the hermanas or sisters only speak spanish! My comp is amazing and he is working really hard. I don't know if I told you last week but he loves reading and especially from the scriptures. Some times I feel bad cause he has only been a member for two years but knows so much! On Saturday we had an activity for the World Service Day! It was a great activity where we painted the school! Lots of members from our ward showed up and it was combined with the other ward as well. I feel that our ward unity is increasing and that everyone is catching the spirit of missionary work. We want the strengthen and edify the members in every way possible. It was also the fifth Sunday and everyone was combined. We watched a video from the Area Presidency on how members can participate in missionary work and it went really well. We have made a calender for the members to sign up for one night of the week to do a Noche de Hogar or FHE. We asked them to invite their friends and neighbors who aren't members as well as our investigators and members less active. We feel like this will work really well and the members seem to like the idea. Our district is working very hard as well. I am excited to have interviews also this week! Pres Armstrong as well as his wife are coming to Durazno on Friday! It is going to be a busy, exciting, and full of productive days. We are striving to be more diligent and work more efficiently with Elder Chumpitaz! I love you all and miss you lots. I hope that you all have a great week this week! I know that you are super busy but just remember to make time for the most important things! I am praying for you as I know you are for me and I know that they Lord will bless you. I know that this church is true and it brings me great joy! I love being a member of the church and to also be a full time servant of the Lord to proclaim His gospel! Today we had an activity with our district and we make tacos while playing sports! We played basketball (ya Im a little rusty) and some soccer. My old comp Elder Denny also came and brought two mitts! It was fun to play a little baseball as well. He said it hasn't thrown hard with anyone in a long time cause no one else really ever played. He is the one the is playing college baseball and hopefully makes it pro. Of course he wasn't throwing his hardest! My comp plays soccer alright and I am slowly teaching him the basics of basketball. Anyways....Christ lives and He loves us. He gave His life so that we could be cleansed of sin and free from guilt. I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice. I know that families can be together forever and I cant wait to go back we all of you to the BC temple! I think we will be going here in Nov! I love you all, until next week! UN ABRAZO Y CON MUCHO AMOR Elder Bowden

New Companioin=Elder Chumpitaz from Peru!

HEY FAMILY! WOW! Well today was an alright day....we already went to Montevideo and back....I am so sick of riding buses! But hey I guess that's the life of a missionary sometimes. My comp had to go and do a medical check up that they do for every one of the new missionaries. We had a pretty good week....it was a trial that's for sure! We got back to our area on Wednesday and after having some crazy weather and all the traveling I happen to lose my voice...ya that's right....I could only whisper! It was kind of hard to teach my new comp how to contact people or how to teach lessons if I couldn't even talk! It finally decided to come back on Friday along with the sun and from there on out we had an excellent week! My comp is from Lima Peru from an area called Villa Salvador. Pres Armstrong was in Peru before here and he says it is a pretty dangerous area. My comp was asking me about our area and he found it very surprising that no one there really robs and that people don't lock their houses, etc. We are lucky to be in this area and are very excited to keep working and find as many people as we can that are ready to make and keep covenants with the Lord. His name is Elder Chumpitaz and is a the only member in his family and has been a member for only two years. He has a large knowledge of the scriptures and has done a lot of studying. He isn't a nerd but you can tell he has studied a lot. He says that history was he favorite subject and he always tells me stuff about Peru, Spanish, etc. He was pretty tired this week because of the plane ride and adapting to the mission, but this week should be great. It looks like the temple dedication went great and that everyone enjoyed it. It looks like the cultural festival was exciting. I am so excited to go through when I get home as I'm sure you are as well! I can't believe that my what seemed to be like a very long journey is coming to an end.....I have to work as hard as I can and give it all I got! Thanks for all your love and support! Our district is doing well....we all have our trials but everyone is working hard and spiritually progressing. I know that this is the Saviors work and that He guides it. I know that this is His church and the only true one on the face of the planet. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is evidence of the divinity of this gospel. I love it and it has changed my life. I love serving the Lord full time and am not looking forward to when it ends. I am who I am thanks to the teachings of the Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to repent and to receive forgiveness of my sins and errors. Sorry that the email isn't too long this week but we got to bounce! I love you all and miss you tons. I am always praying for you and know that Heavenly Father watches over and protects as well as guides you. We are truly blessed and forever will be if we are obedient to the commandments! Until next week! CON AMOR Y UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden

Elder Bowden is now a TRAINER!!

Hola Familia! Well....its kind of crazy new this week.......I'm currently in Montevideo again. It was along bus ride of about three hours and now I am waiting. Don't worry too much cause I am going back to Paso de los Toros again tomorrow. The only thing is I had to come and pick up my new comp his plane flies in today! That's right...I am getting an ´´oro´´ or a greenie. Whatever you want to call it I am training a new missionary! I don't know where he is from or anything for now but I will let you know next week. President Armstrong is going to assign us at the mission home after he has interview with us all. It is all exciting news for me. I am still the district leader and there is another elder in my district training as well. I am kind of bummed to only have one change with my Mexican comp...well Mexican/American but I guess that's the mission. We had a good and very fast six weeks together and now it's onto something else. I hope I helped him to be a better missionary and that he as well as my new comp and I can continue to bless the lives of many! I will be coming back to Montevideo again next week cause my comp has to do a medical check so it will be even more time on the bus...hopefully I don't get car sick again. Ummmm....I don't know what else to tell you....we finished last week well. We found a new family and another mom/daughter. I hope that we will be able to teach them and that they will accept the restored gospel. We worked a lot harder this week and tried to be more diligent than normal...I think that you can see the difference and we are excited to continue working just as hard. This Sunday was great! We had stake conference and it was broadcast from Salt Lake City! We heard from Elder Gonzalez(from Uruguay) of the seventy, from Sister Reeves from the RS presidency, from Elder Anderson, and the prophet himself! The cool thing was that all the talks given were in Spanish except for the prophets(he had a translator). I really enjoyed it and learned some new things. They talked a lot about how the gospel starts in the home. That the values and standards our children have at start with striving to be good parents. They explained how if we do this then everyone is more likely to grow spiritually, stay active, go on missions/temple, etc. Then they said that the church has grown a lot in Uruguay and South America since it opened but for it to continue to grow we need to start in the home and then rescue those outside of the home who have gone astray! This is what my amazing parents are doing right now! Don't ever give up or doubt the importance of what you're doing cause its one of the most important works to be done! I hope that you all continue to do your best as I know that the Lord is blessing you. I know that this is the true church. I know that it contains the restored gospel and the it will lead us to true happiness. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it changes our lives and we study and apply it! I know that the Savior lives and this is His work. I know that He only requires of us our best and asks us to do only what He knows we are capable of. I know that through His atonement we can be transformed and cleansed from sin. I know that families can be together forever! I love you all and miss you lots! Not that I am "trunky" or counting time but there is only four months left! Ya mom...I know that you're excited! Until next week! CON AMOR Y UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden

Time for changes again!

HOLA FAMILIA WOW! I can't believe we have a new member to the family already! I honestly wasn't expecting anything for like two more weeks but hey...when Heavenly Father sends him he has to come! Thanks for the pics! Everyone is looking happy! This week went alright for us here in Guay. It was not the best week considering the fact that I got sick for the second time in my mission. I am pretty sure it was something I ate but my comp was fine so I don't know? I was throwing up, had a fever of 101 degrees, and spent most of my time in the bathroom. I felt pretty achy but after 48 hours my body had got it all out of my system and I am now fine! We also had a couple days of rain which doesn't ever help but nonetheless we had a alright week. The district had another baptism and we are planning some more for the upcoming weeks. The only thing is we don't know who is going to be here and who isn't cause this week is changes! I cant believe that I have already gone through 5 weeks here in Paso de los Toros or Charrùa! I think that my comp and I are going to stay the same but you never know there could be changes. We had another little zone conference this week which was good. We talked about working better with the members but I was honestly feeling kind of out of it. I will also be having our last district meeting of this change tomorrow so it should go well! We are striving to work hard, be more obedient, and be more diligent. It is a great challenge to be one of the missionaries that acts to make things happen and not let the results of what happens around him effect the work. I know that if we turn to the Lord, are humble and do the things His way then we will always find some sort of success. I know that God loves us and knows whats best for us. I know that we are and we be held accountable for our actions here in this life. I know that we are blessed and happy from being obedient. I know that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and the only name given by which we can enter into the kingdom of God. I know that forgiveness of our sins has conditions which come from sincere repentance and true desire to change. I know that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the biggest/greatest blessings we have been given to help us find comfort, peace, hope, and joy in this life. I know that when we live these basic principles, when we apply them in our personal lives and not just go through the motions, we are transformed by the power/grace of Christ. I know that is is possible to return to live with God and our families forever but it depends on us. I testify that we have choices to make everyday which prepare us to live with them or not. I know that the being worthy of and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost is what guides us to make the correct choices. Heavenly Father will never abandon us or leave us to be tempted until miserable, His power is always greater than Satan's and He will eventually win. I know that we are required to make sacrifices and even suffer a little in this life but it the only way that we can grow. I love you all and am eternally grateful for the influence of each and everyone of you in my life. I love you more than I could ever say or show in an email. Have a great week and I will too! Until next time! CON AMOR Y UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden

It's heating up in Uruguay!

HOLA FAMILIA (LA MEJOR DE TODO EL UNIVERSO) Well.......where should I start? This week went pretty good. We didn't have a lot of success but we are striving to do our best and always improve. All of the investigators that we had or have are also having difficulties progressing. Whether it be coming to church, reading the scriptures, praying, or evening accepting a baptism date they are having their trials. We are going to continue to do our very best to follow the spirit and meet their specific needs. We also did two intercambios this week which went well but cut a chunk out of the time we had to work do to traveling. It was worth it though because the elders from the district that are in Durazno had two baptisms on Saturday. It was truly amazing to see how the Lord blessed them to be able to be baptized. We show up to do the interview and they said that they didn't feel like they could be baptized now cause they were have lots of problems. We explained that Satan didn't want them to get baptized cause that is what helps us return to the presence of God and that he was doing all that he could to keep them from making these covenants. We said it would be a trial of faith but it would be worth it. After that they decided that they needed to be baptized and with the help of the ward they did. They are an older couple and he has troubles walking. The other intercambio we had was with our zone leaders. I worked here in my area with Elder Bennett...the missionary from Morgan that was with me on the plane to Buenos Aires. It was a hard day of work but worth it. The temps are starting to heat up here. It feels like it is already summer and we still haven't started spring. That just means it will be an even hotter summer. It should be good though....after all my comp and I have officially started our diet! That's right I have to be in good shape for the ladies when I get home! It sounds like dads job is super awesome! I always knew that in the first grade fights of ´´my dad is better than your dad´´ that my dad would win! Continue to work had and try to enjoy the time as it some how vanishes before our eyes! Hey I have two quick questions.....1) I don't know if you already have it or not but you should receive my flight itinerary that tells me when I go home and on what planes, etc. If you love me I should receive that the week after you guys. (NO IT WONT MAKE ME TRUNKY) Thanks a million! Anyways.....thanks again for the pics last week! I just wanted to let you know that you are amazing! I have truly been blessed with incredible grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters. We are sealed as an eternal family and will live together forever if obedient and faithful to our covenants. I know that there is no other path that leads to true and lasting happiness outside the gospel. I know that Satan wants us to be miserable like he is and will do all in our power to make us fall into temptation. I know that we can overcome his temptations. I know that no matter how great you think the world is or how much easier you feel it may be it is only another deception from the evil one, the father of all lies, and the one who seeks to make us suffer. I know that each one of us has agency and the right to make choices. I know that there is power in following the principles of the gospel and promptings of the spirit to make our decisions. I have seen so many times while here on my mission that people dont always make the choices they should. I have found people here in Uruguay, grown a deep love for them, sought their eternal happiness, done all I that I could to help them and they still choose differently. I have felt very sad to know that people dont want to repent, dont want to follow Christ, dont want to obey the commandments, and dont want to be happy; but after our most diligent efforts their is nothing more we can do. Believe it or not investigators and missionaries is very similar to children and parents. Dont ever quit or let up and always strive to have charity the true love of Christ. I know that as we love those around us unconditionally they we see it and it will make a difference in their lives. I know that Christ lives and loves us. He desires the best for us and does all in His power to help us gain eternal life. I know that this is the restored church and gospel and has changed and transformed my life. I know that this life is not easy but this is why we are here to be tried, and not to fail but to succeed. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and contains the fullness of the gospel. If we apply its teachings in our lives it will make us true disciples of Jesus Christ. I know that we are lead by a living prophet who receives revelation for us. I cant wait for general conference in October! I love you all and miss you tons! But the time is coming faster than you know it when I............well I will let you fill in the blanks! Have a great week and remember how important each and every one of you are to our Father in Heaven! CON MUCHISIMO AMOR Y UN ABRAZO FUERTE Elder Bowden

Striving for Eternal Families!

HOLA FAMILIA Well.....this week went pretty good. We had our zone conference on Thursday with Elder Viñas and it was really inspiring! I am glad to hear (and see) that everyone did well at the fair and to know that the temple open house is going good as well! Congrats to everyone and their achievements and am proud of all of you! I was super happy to hear that dad has found a job! It was an answer to my prayers as well as everyone else. I know that for some reason Heavenly Father needed dad there and through a trial of faith lead him. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who always knows best and guides us daily! We are starting our week off today and are hoping to do a lot more and be more dedicated to finding the people we know are ready to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that everyone does well at school and work! I cant believe that my ´´little´´ brother and sister are now officially seniors in high school! Thanks for all the photos and I am enjoying them as well as my comp(after all not too many people have seen sheep in costumes! haha) Our investigator that was going to get baptized this week couldn't make it to church yesterday...that was a bummer. He could still be baptized but we feel that he isn't quite ready so we will continue to help him prepare. At our zone conference they talked about ´´crecimiento real´´ or real growth and how we as missionaries need to do our best to strengthen and build the kingdom of God where we are serving. Here in Guay we have a lot of baptisms but the thing we usually don't have is people being endowed, receiving the priesthood, and serving missions. We need to strengthen each ward here as if it were our home ward and do all we can not just to baptize but to prepare future leaders and active members of the church. I don't actually have a lot more to tell this week but I just wanted to say that I love you all and miss you lots! I have some pics that I wanted to send so you can take them to the missionary mall and get me some new stuff but the computer wont let me upload them, so I guess I will have to do it next week! Our area is doing ok but there is lots more to do. Tomorrow I am holding our district meeting so we should be able to talk about some stuff and help one another to be edified and excited for the week. There is a companionship in our district that is having a baptism on Saturday so we will be doing an intercambio and I will do the interviews. I hope that everyone continues to work hard and I know that the Lord will bless and protect you. I know that God lives and He is our Father in Heaven. I know that His Son is Jesus Christ and is the only name under the heavens in which we can be saved. I know that it is through faith, repentance, making and keeping covenants, and enduring to the end that we can receive the grace of Jesus Christ and live forever with God and our families. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is evidence of the restored gospel and church. Who ever reads it and asks Heavenly Father if it is true with real intent will receive an answer and it will change their life. I know that we are lead by a prophet today and that he holds the keys of the priesthood. I know that doing the basics things inside the gospel change, transform, and build us from day to day. I love you all so much! Until next week! CON AMOR Y UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden

Baptism=Success!

HOLA FAMILIA WOW! It sounds like you all had an amazing super spiritual week at the temple! I am kind of jealous that you get to be there for the open house and all but I guess its one of the blessings I miss for being on a mission! That's so cool that you got to meet the Davidson´s....they are pretty cool people. This week was very good...fast...and very good! The baptism went great and we have our other one now planned for the 31 of August. The hermanas or sisters in our district had a baptism and so did the elders in Carmen! That is three in the zone! The only bad thing about this week is that it rained all week. It was a real blessing/answered prayer because Sunday it cleared up and now its raining again. Thank you tender mercies! We also bought a 25kl bag of potatoes this week so we will be eating lots of tatos! We had our first district meeting last Tuesday. It went really well and I taught about repentance and how we need to invite all to repent. We talked about how we could invite others to repent so they would feel our Saviors love, desire to be clean, and fully understand how to do it. We also received news at district meeting that Elder Oaks is coming to Uruguay! I cant actually remember when but it is going to be next month and we are having a combined conference with the Montevideo West Mission. We are also have a conference this Thursday where Elder Viñas from the Seventy will be talking to us! I am so excited to be able to listen to and meet that apostles of the Lord. I know that we will be edified and receive the revelation necessary to help the people in our area and to continue to build Gods Kingdom here in Guay! I guess you could send a package if you want...they said that they are allowing one mail truck to leave the airport a day. So the strike is still going but slowly and surely I should get what ever you end up sending. I know you are going to be super busy this week with the fair and I wish the best for all of you! I will include you in my prayers as always and I know that the Lord will watch over you. Don't forget to send pictures next week and tell me how everyone did! Oh and if you could can you send a picture of my shotgun...my comp wants to know what it looks like? So...I was thinking the other day(not to say I am trunky) and you have almost figured out everything for when I get home....work, school, etc. The only thing you have to work out now is finding me some dates so I can find my wife ASAP! Haha! I guess you can keep your eyes open and let me know. But for real, I am loving the mission and don't want it to come to and end. Its sad to say but yesterday I completed 19 months. I don't really think that I can extend my mission so I just have to work my hardest with the time I have left. My comp and I are very excited for the future and are fine tuning everything to help as many people as possible. We are going to help the investigators we have take the steps necessary to progress and be baptized and at the same time find more people to teach. We just got permission for Pres Armstrong to go onto the church website and I was watching the mormon messages! WOW are they great! I don't have much more to tell you and I feel as if I am rambling on. We are emailing in the church today so my comp is waiting to use the computer! I know that this church is true. I love this gospel and it has changed my life. I know that anyone who wants to follow the Savior can receive this same confirmation by the Holy Ghost. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and applying it in our lives with help us become more Chirstlike. I know that He lives and loves us. He loves us so much he suffered beyond comprehension and gave His life so that if we would repent we could be worthy to live with God and our families again. I know that this is the path to true and lasting happiness. It leads us through obedience to the presence of our Heavenly Father where if faithful we can and will receive blessings we cant even imagine! I love you all so much! Miss you too and will look forward to hearing from you next week! Have a great week at the fair and continue to look for ways to bless those around you...who ever it may be! CON MUCHO AMOR UN ABRAZO Elder Bowden