Thanksgiving

This has been a super good week for us. We were a little worried it being Thanksgiving and all, but it ended up working really well. We were able to have a lot of success really. We also had Thanksgiving 3 times, haha. Once on Thursday, on Friday, and Sunday. All three times it was their only time having it, so it was a lot of fun. We had a little trouble early in the week, but the end was just amazing. On Friday we had 4 baptisms, which was awesome. There were a lot of tears there. Their family from up north came down and baptized them. It was a really special service, and we were even able to have some investigators there. One we had not taught yet, but she was touched so much, that when we went over to her sisters house the next day she kept talking about it, and asked why she would need to be baptized again. We explained to her everything that it would do for her, and how she could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (which she saw 4 people receive on Sunday), and what that really means. She was so excited for it and is planning on getting baptized real soon here. She came to church and said that she had given up drinking coffee now, and she is really working hard for her baptism. We also found an awesome family earlier in this week that have been talking about coming to a church for a while now, but just have not done it. We brought a member with us, because they both expressed to us that they are shy, and the member was able to help them feel great desires to come, and understand that really the church is a hospital for those of us that are not perfect (everyone), and we are not expected to be perfect, but the do our best to be better everyday. They all loved church, and said they will be back for sure the next week. We were so blessed this week, and I am so Thankful for everything that I receive. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I am grateful that he suffered and died for me, that I will rise again one day, and have the opportunity to live with my family forever. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who guides us thruogh his prophet, and us personally daily, and is helping me become better and better every day. I love this gospel, and I love all that God has given us. I love you all and I am grateful for all you do for me. Hope to hear from you soon.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

2 weddings and a baptism

This week has been crazy week in Okeechobee. Probably the craziest there has been and ever will be, haha. It started out with an exchange with our Zone Leaders, which I stayed and had a great exchange with Elder E. We worked super hard, and he helped me figure out some things and how to improve the way I teach. While he was here, we were also able to teach one investigator about the Law of Chastity, and she committed to be married on Saturday, and be baptized the next day. It was crazy! Her boyfriend had been asking her for a while, so she decided it was time for it. It was a crazy lesson, and she was so excited for her wedding and baptism. The next day we went over and helped her and her boyfriend get the marriage license, and then we started planning a wedding. Neither of us had any idea what to do, but we had some members inform us the way that weddings work, and luckily for us, the bride was not to picky, and actually wanted it to be a small gathering at the church. It turned out super well. On Friday we had an early morning as we brought the Elders from Vero Beach down with us West Palm for a meeting. It was an excellent meeting that helped us focus more on the repenting side of the commandments, than on the commandments themselves, and a couple other things. It was super far away though, so by the time we got back it was almost dark. Then Saturday we had 2 weddings. Thankfully the first one we did not have to plan, but had been planned for by our investigators who had been taught the Law of Chastity a couple weeks back, and planned it all out. They were so happy at their wedding, and they are all progressing towards baptism as well. That one started at 3:30, and then the wedding that we planned started at 6. It was crazy getting everything ready, but it turned out beautiful, and the couple were so happy as well. They were of Spanish descent so we had some great Mexican food afterwards. They were so happy with the decisions they had made, both of the families, even though at first they saw marriage as just a piece of paper, their hearts and minds had been changed. Then we had the baptism the next day after church. It was exciting. First person that I have baptized personally in the mission, because the fellowship that she had went out of town unexpectedly, so it was left to us, and Elder L has done a few, so he had me do it. It was awesome. Overall it was an amazing week, and we are looking forward to more success here as well. The branch is still growing, and they are getting more and more excited to go and do it. We are seeing so many blessings here, and we are so grateful for everything that we receive. I know that Jesus Christ has provided a way for all of us, and that there is a plan to help us come unto Him. I know that as President Monson summed up by quoting an experience that he heard of, “You should know that leopards don’t change their spots!' Replied Warden Duffy, 'You should know I don’t work with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day," and that men and women will change if they have the desire, and are shown the way through Christ. I know that repentance is that change that will help us, and is finished off with baptism, or the sacrament for those who have been baptized. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us, and I am so grateful for this work that I can do, and also for all the love and care you show me. I love you and cannot wait to hear from you.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

Double Date

This was a good week for us. We had an exchange this week, where I went to Fort Pierce with the district leader, and we had a good time. We did a lot of good work, and found some really nice people over there, that from what I know are preparing to be baptized now. After the exchange we had a lot of fire, and went out and did some monster work. We were able to get a decent number of members out with us this week, and they helped us do a lot of things. A lot of them testified of the enabling power that the Atonement gives us to become better and and better, and they were able to relate a lot better to some of our investigators because a lot of them were converts. Afterwards a lot of them asked when they could help us again, and they are excited to be doing this work along with us. We had one member brings his wife as well, so they joked about it being a double date. We also thought that we were going to have a lot of investigators at church, which was going to be great because we had the primary program, but we still only were able to get 4 there. We always seem to have something happen so some of them who are more solid on coming, but then they have to go to hospital or something that day, and then we are able to get others that replace them, and somehow we just keep the same amount of people. We were joking about it though, we bring more kids under the age of 8, than we do adults, so we are still helping the branch grow well. The building has been full the past few weeks, with only a couple chairs left, so we are going to have to get a new building soon. That will be awesome. We had one primary age come for the first time, and she went right up into the primary program, and they even imporvised a speaking part for her, it was great. We were really happy with this week, and are excited for the coming week. We have another exchange tomorrow, with the Zone Leaders, which will be fun I'm sure, this time I will be staying. I love you all so much, and I love this work so much. It is so satisfying, and rewarding, and I love it. I love my Savior, I know that He lives, and that he has a plan for each and everyone one of us, and if we just follow him, He will guide us, and help us become strong. I love you all nad thankyou for your support.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

Rough week

This week was a little rough for us. We were both sick the entire week, but we worked full days everyday except Monday, because that was a really bad day. But Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven. We were able to find some cool people this week, and the branch is getting more excited about the work, especially after our last baptism. We found family last Saturday and they said they were going to come to church last week, but they couldnt make it because the underestimated the kids, but they made it this week. they loved the church and we are really excited for them to start progressing. They have some tough challenges to start overcoming, but they are excited and they really want to get to know more. We also found some other people this week that were related to people Elder L was teaching before I got here. They were really interested in the Book of Mormon, and getting to know the message that it contains and just how baptism can help their lives. We also found some exciting news after having a lesson about marriage a week ago, this one family we are teaching decided to take that step. It was a big decision for them, and it is getting them even closer to the waters of baptism, and they are growing closer together, and even more excited about the church. We are working hard, and excited for what is coming this month, a lot of success. i cannot say that to much is happening though, it still kind of seems like the grind sometimes here in Okeechobee just doing the same things over and over again, but we are seeing progress with diligence, and I know that the Lord is blessing us. I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for all you do for me. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that he will guide us and bless us, and keep us on the straight and narrow as we look to him and put our trust in him. He has provided a way back to him, and many ways to feel his peace and love now, and as we do the basics, read, pray, go to church, fulfill our callings, and extend our hands to those that need us, we will be blessed and helped on our way back to Him. I love this work, and I love you all so much.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen