Time just keeps flying by...

This week went by so fast, Seriously feels like I was here 2 days ago.  Well I guess that means it was a fun week.  We did pretty good.  Alot of the people that we wanted to meet with we were not able too, but we still were able to get a good amount of lessons even with some of our more reliable people fell through.  We had some really good lessons this week though.  We were also able to have 6 investigators at church, which was pretty good for us.  Church was a stake conference broadcast from Salt Lake with Elder Ballard, Elder Gonzalez, someone in the primary presidency, and Bishop Edgley.  It was good, but kind of weird because we didnt know until Saturday, and we were inviting all our investigators to come and witness the Atonement in action with the Sacrament, and then it wasnt there.  But it turned out well and was very inspiring and they all liked it anyways.  We had a lingerlonger afterwards with a lot of food.  There our investigators really got to know the branch a lot better, and I think that it was amazing.  We are so excited for the work that is going on here, and we see so many blessings every day and every week.  This coming week we should continue seeing success and be able to keep inviting more people to come unto the Savior.  I love this gospel and all it has for us.  I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know that he suffered the Atonement for each and everyone of us so we can return and live with him, I know this church is true, and I know that families can be eternal, I'm grateful for this opportunity and for all the love you all show me.  i love you and thankyou so much for everything that you do for me

The Lesson

This week we had some pretty good lessons.  We taugt six on Tuesday and 3 were the Restorations so taht was cool.  We had some really cool experiences with that.  Our teaching pool is increasing and we are able to stabalize the amount of lessons we are teaching and we should be seeing more and more results soon.  Alot of the people we are working with are really progressing too.  Elder Br is a powerful missionary and is very keen on listening to the spirit.  We had some amazing lessons this week, and I know that the spirit was guiding everything that we said and everything we did at those moments, and I'm so grateful for those moments.  One in particular we went planning on teaching the Plan.  We kind of did, but it was way different than any other plan has other been.  We started out pretty simple, but when we got to the part about us being here on earth and learning and whatnot it went crazy.  Both Elder Br and I shared things we never thought of sharing before, and we know that it was exactly what the investigator needed.  One question he asked was about the atonement, and while he was talking it reminded me of the story in Alma 42.  So I opened up to it, and as soon as i looked down i saw a scripture I wanted to share.  Never had that scripture been on my mind before as something to share, nor had I even thought of it as profoundly as I did.  It is the second last verse in Alma 42.  We read it and our investigator stopped and thoguht immediately.  It was really cool.  We knew the spirit guided us, and it was one of the most memorable lessons I've had so far.  This transfer should just keep geting better.  i got to go, sorry, but I know these things are true and I love this gospel and I know that the Atonement is real and that we can access it from baptism on, and we can feel its healing powers.  I love you all, and cannot wait to hear from you

 

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

The 3 B's

So this week we had some crazy transfers.  Like I said we found out pretty last minute, but it was alright.  We got to fish, and had some sushi, and then we were off the next day.  We spent the night in Sunset and we went up with Elder S and Elder R.  Elder S was going home so we went up really early in the morning.  It was pretty good, and it was nice to say good bye to Elder S.  So up there I picked up Elder Br.  He is from Treemonton, Utah, right up by Idaho.  He is doing great down here.  He came from what is now the Stuart Zone.  It was part of the Orlando mission, but because of the new temple we absorbed them, and now they are all apart of our great mission.  It is really great.  Elder Br was super excited to come down to the Keys.  We were not able to do to much the first night, but it was ok.  We had some really good days afterwards though.  We were able to have some good lessons, and sit down with some people and really help them out.  Elder Br is a powerful missionariy.  And if you havent noticed already, he is my third Elder B companion in a row.  Elder B, Elder Bo, and now Elder Br.  So we have always been known as the B Elders.  It is pretty cool.  So last week, me and Elder Bo had bargained with the Navy chef in our branch for his inferno wings.  He kept telling how hot they were and all this.  Well he agreed for Wednesday, then Elder Bo left suprisingly.  These wings the brother kept telling us that they were so hot our moms would feel it.  Well Elder Br had to take it too.  It wasnt so bad actually.  I liked them.  They were really hot, but it was pretty fun.  Elder Br cried, and one of the other members that tried it with us was chocking from the smell.  The next day we were able to get a referall from the Navy chef.  He is awesome, and he came to church yesterday and is reading the Book of Mormon.  We had a great lesson with the members there with him.  We are gong back this Thursday.  So we almost met our goals this week, even though we planned on being here for 2 more days than we were, so that is really good, and hopefully we can keep it up this next week and start seeing some great progress.  My computer was slow again so I'll have to hold off on the pictures again, but I promise next week.  I switch computers so that way I can have time.  The problem is it takes about 20-30 minutes to send, and I'm out of time.  But I love you all and am so greatful that I am able to be out here, I love this gospel and know that it is true, and I love testifying of it.  Thankyou for all your support and all you give me. 
Love,
Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

Quick note

So this is going to be quick, but so we had a drop off in our lessons this week.  We brought out almost all the young men and they are apparently bad luck for us.  Almost everything we had with them failed.  We had good talks with them, and were able to have a little success with them.  But so Thursday we got transfer info that said we are staying, so we got all set up to stay and stuff.  We finished the week strong, but it still wasnt the way that we wanted the week to go.  But so last night we got a call after we went to sleep.  I woke up in the morning and Elder Bo said, your getting a new companion.  I was like what?? And he told me how the APs had called and left a voicemail.  They had had a last minute revelation, and apparently Elder Bo is getting transferred.  We were supposed to have p day tomorrow, but he has to hurry pack, and we have to find a ride up to marathon.  It is pretty intense, but its all good.  But so I'm doing good and Ill be here for at least another transfer so thats good, but so I got to go now, Ill send pictures next week, when I have more time, and both the computers are working hopefully.  I love you all so much, and I love the gospel so much.  i love my mission, and I thank you all so much for your support. 

 

con amor

elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

Happy New Year!

So we had a pretty good New Years.  We were able to have a good amount of lessons this past week, and we also got fed better than expected, since there were no sign ups last week for dinners.  It was a good week.  We were able to meet some cool people too.  A lot of people we met this week seemed to have some connection to missionaries in the past, and are willing to have us over and talk some.  We have also been able to see some progression with our investigators.  It is really cool to see how people change as they listen to the gospel.  Hopefully that change can continue and they can become members.  We did have to come in early for New Years, we had to be in by 8.  That was kind of tough, because we found out kind of late about that, we had a full day actually, and that made us back up some appointments, and we had to find time to knock for an hour still.  We managed, and it was good.  This Thursday we find out about transfers again.  This transfer has been a good one.  It started out really rough, but now we are doing better than ever down here, and we know that it is our Heavenly Father blessing us so much.  We see it everyday, and are so very grateful for all he gives us, and continue to work hard to show our gratefulness.   It is a little bit chilly here now.  Haha, probably nothing to you, but I've have become acclimated.  Its like in the lower 50's right now and SUPER Windy.  We were riding on the over here at an angle towards the wind.  It really beat upon us this morning.  But apparently it will be done soon, and we wont have to deal with it.  The only sad thing about that is I think it comes and goes opposite the humidity, so when the wind stops, it will probably get reallly humid here, but oh well.  Monday I'll tell you if we are staying or leaving or whatever happens.  Elder Badillo thinks he is going, he has used that for our advantage.  One of the members that feed us sometimes, they dont ever have any meat.  We told her that transfers were coming, and she signed up for this week, and she texted us later and said we are having pork.  It was pretty cool.  The members are super awesome down here, I love them so much.  Yesterday was a pros Monday, that is why I'm on today, it was pretty good, we had a lot of success.  I am greatful for everything I have, and everything my Heavenly Father has for me.  I know this church is true and that Heavenly Father watches over us, and is trying to lead and guide us into the right paths, and if we stop being so stubborn we can be blessed so much more.  I love this gospel and know that we are all spirit brothers and sisters.  I got to go, but I love you all and thankyou so much for your support.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

Christmas

So yesterday was Christmas, it was pretty fun.  We opened up a lot of ties and we also got some nice other things.  Thank you all so much for being so thoughtful and thinking of me this Christmas.  This week was really cool.  We had a trip up to Fort Lauderdale, where we got to see all the missionaries.  For Thursday we had to ride up on Wednesday, and come back Friday, so it was a real trip.  It was awesome to see all the missionaries, and to recieve some training.  We also got to play white elephant.  It was fun.  I brought up a gorilla head made out of a coconut.  It was cool.  Elder Badillo brought up a sling shot that said Ammon on it, so it was legit.  I had to steal everytime in the game because no one else was stealing, so I had to get it going.  It was fun, but I ended up with 4 cans of Tuna.  It was pretty funny, and we also got to sing songs.  Our Zone sang, Oh Holy Night in Espanol.  It was super cool and spiritual.  The other zones were good too, but Im pretty sure we were the best.  So we got back safely, and I was able to talk to my family on Skype yesterday.  It was pretty exciting, but short.   Now I feel pretty focused on the work now that I done that and have some good work to do.  Thankyou all so much for your love and support and for all you do for me.  I know this church is true and that the Lord blesses each and everyone of us according to our obedience.  He is watching us and waiting for us to call upon him.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and he suffered the atonement that we can return and live in the Kingdom of God.  Thank you all so much, and I love you.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

A Great Week!

This has been a really awesome week for us.  We were able to have al lot of fun things happen and had a lot of good lessons.  We are really excited about the work down here and cannot wait to keep it going here.  There is this one family we are teaching.  The daughter is the one interested in Christ, and she is 6.  But the parents want to learn too because of her.  It is really cool, and we have no idea where she found out about Jesus, but she really likes him, and the lessons we have are pretty fun with them.  We also have been able to meet with some other really cool families, and have some really awesome lessons coming up.  This one lady said we could come back last Tuesday, and we did, and she said that she didnt expect us back(second time we came back and she didnt expect it), but she said she didnt have time to really talk much.  So we talked for a little bit about how she has a crazy life, and then we asked if we could leave her with a prayer.  She said yes of course, and then she talk to us about her church and whatnot.  Then I asked if she would take a book, she said yes, until she saw it was the Book of Mormon.  She siad she wouldnt ever read it or touch it, but then we brought out some of her concerns and weird misconceptions about us, and she took the book and should be reading 3 Nephi 11 this week.  We will be back there tomorrow.  She was a lot more receptive after we resolved her concerns.  It has been a good week.  We are also going up to Fort Lauderdale this week.  It is good but sad at the same time, because we will be gone for 2 and a half days, and 2 of the days are the most productive days of the week for us usually.  But it will be god to recieve some new training and to see some missionaries again.  Really excited.  Should have pictures next week.  I love you guys.  I know this church is true, and that Chrsit died for our sins, that we could be saved from our sins, but not in our sins.  He loves us, and will comfort us when we need it.  Thankyou all so much for your support and love

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen