QUE ALEGRIA!!!! I´m sooo happy that you have all had a great time with the Santos and Lewis Families. They are some of the most amazing people that I have been able to meet over these past months here in Brasil.
Wow! What a rewarding week it was! It seems that the heavens have just been opening up here in Lapa! The baptism of Valdecí was very special and something that I´ll never forget. She truly has come unto Christ through faith and repentance and knows for herself that this is the true gospel upon the earth. Now after taking this step of baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, I have no doubt that this isn´t the last step of discipleship that she will take. She has really motivated me to be better and do more. I have seen the Lord literally work miracles, some to sacred to share, through her. I´m so happy because this is only the beginning for her!
We have been having a little bit of ´gliches´with an investigator lately, but she was at the baptism and church and really touched her. We will be visiting with her tonight, something we are looking very forward to.
I HAVE A NEW COMPANION!!! His name is Elder Carnahan and is just a beast! He has almost 6 months on the mission, is from Colorado and just loves laying it all out on the field! He is a good worker and is just so grateful for the little things. I have already learned a ton from his gratitude and selfless service.
We also gave a trainning in the Relief Society yesterday about missionary work. (Yup, it´s our favorite topic) We really want to help the members grab the spirit of the work.
Really looking forward to conference! Can´t wait.
Family, I love you and am so grateful for you all. The Lord lives.
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Thursday, October 4, 2012
September 24, 2012
Hello family!
Not a whole lot to report on. The baptism of Valdecí didn´t happen yet. It´s a long story and complicated so maybe for after the mission I´ll explain. All in all everything is good, Valdecí is excited to be baptized and a member of Christ´s church. She is an incredible person and the angels have truly been working with her.
This week is transfers, but I think absolutly nothing will happen with either of us. Just gotta keep workin!
I pray for all of you. I have no doubt that God is our Father and that the Lord lives. Never stop drawing from His endless love. He will not forsake us.
Com amor, seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Not a whole lot to report on. The baptism of Valdecí didn´t happen yet. It´s a long story and complicated so maybe for after the mission I´ll explain. All in all everything is good, Valdecí is excited to be baptized and a member of Christ´s church. She is an incredible person and the angels have truly been working with her.
This week is transfers, but I think absolutly nothing will happen with either of us. Just gotta keep workin!
I pray for all of you. I have no doubt that God is our Father and that the Lord lives. Never stop drawing from His endless love. He will not forsake us.
Com amor, seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
September 17, 2012
Tis the time once more. All is well here in Lapa. We have been teaching a lady who has just been an elect who fell from heaven. She stopped drinking coffee because someone was telling her all about what we believe in. Ya know, one of those conversations. Not a whole lot to report, the ward is swell! So I guess I´ll just share a quote...
"The Lord has a great worth for each of us to do. You may wonder how this can be. You may feel that there is nothing special or superior about your ability, but the Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability that is humble, faithful and dilifent in serving the Lord. That is because God is the ultimate source of power."~President Faust.
I hope and pray that each of you are healthy and doing well in your efforts. He lives. This is His work. Contining fighting for it.
Love you all,
Elder Bowman
"The Lord has a great worth for each of us to do. You may wonder how this can be. You may feel that there is nothing special or superior about your ability, but the Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability that is humble, faithful and dilifent in serving the Lord. That is because God is the ultimate source of power."~President Faust.
I hope and pray that each of you are healthy and doing well in your efforts. He lives. This is His work. Contining fighting for it.
Love you all,
Elder Bowman
August 20, 2012
Why hello everyone! I have a WASHING MACHINE!!!!!!!! (story to continue)
I am in a new area called Lapa and it is a very wealthy area! I thought
my last area was.... EEESSHHH!!! I feel like I´m on the east side of the
freeway over here! Lapa is one of the most historical and noble parts of
São Paulo. The zone where I am at is the same zone as the CTM so if I stay
until Elder Munger comes, I will see him!!!!
My companion´s name is Elder S. Ferreira and he is awesome! I absolutly
love being his companion and working with him! I don´t think a day goes by
that we arent laughing our heads off or completly beat by the end of the day.
Ha, he was telling me earlier that the S in his name stands for Super, but
that it´s a secret that not even revelation can reveal. Yupp, he´s prertty
much a dork. He lives in the state of São Paulo, but about 6 hours by car
from the city. He is my first Brasilian Companion not from the Northeast.
So last week when I was doing landry, I stared at the machine for about
20 minutes.... It was a work of beauty. When the machine started, the song
Battle Hymn of the Republic started to play and at the top of my lungs
I sang the
words. GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY
HALLELUJAH HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON!! Oh how true it was.
So this past week on Tuesday (the 28th) I woke up with a lot of
pain in my ankle... I remembered that I had a nightmare, but had no
clue why my ankle was hurting. When I got up to say my prayer, I
couldn´t even stand. I told my companion that I had sprained my ankle
and that I couldn´t walk. He asked me if I had twisted it the day
before. I then remembered my nightmare and thought that that could
have been the reason. So, as you are probably wondering what my
nightmare was, I will share it with you all. I was coaching Riverton
and we were playing against Bingham at Rice-Eccles. We lost in the
last seconds and I just remember walking into the locker room mad
and began throwing things. That didn´t last long because then I woke
up and it was 6:30. I realized that I wan´t on my back like I normaly sleep,
but was on my belly, with that ankle that was sprained, close
to the wall. Apparently, I had kicked the wall....
I called my leaders and told them what had happened (my zone
leader got a real good kick out of it) and was informed to call Sister
Martins. I told her what had happened, not going into detail what my
nightmare was, but that I had a nightmare. She gave me the run down on
how to treat my ankle and to stay at home. LONGEST DAY EVER!!! I´m
pretty sure the Liahonas were sick of my reading them.
The next morning after studies I was doing a lot better. It still
hurt, but we made a plan for our day in which we wouldn´t have to walk
so far. Sister Martins called me to check up on me and see if it was
doing any better. I told her that it was and we made plans so that we
could stay close to our house, but that it sill hurt. She then told me
to go to the hospital to get it looked at. Just for a little
enlightment, the hospitals here in Brasil aren´t your average trip to
the zoo. You go through a hundred rooms telling different people
the same thing that happened and then you end up getting a
perscription.
So when we got to the front of the hospital, we stood there for
about 5 minutes not wanting to go in because I was doing better and it
would just be a waste of time. But knowing how Sister Martins asked us
to go there, we went in. But seeing how this was my first time and all
my Brasilian companions already acustomed to this, I didn´t know what
the last step was for ANY KIND of aching or hurting or why my
companion didn´t go into great detail why he didn´t want to go in..
I went through the rooms, showing 3 or 4 different doctors my
ankle and that it still hurt, but that I was doing better. They told
me to just continue treating it how I was. When I thought I was done,
the doctor told me to go to one more room. I walked in and the lady
told me that I was going to take an injection in my tail end and to
lower my pants. Thinking in my head and almost saying to her that it
wasn´t there where it was hurting, but my ankle and that an injection
was unessissary, I did as I was told and had took the injection and
let me just say, it was hurting more there then my ankle...
When I was walking over to my companion and told him what had
happened he couldn´t stop laughing. He told me that he knew I would
take an injection because ´´that´s what they do in Brasil if you have
an aching.`` He told me that he didn´t want me to be scared or nervous
so he didn´t tell me... I told him it was for the best and that he was
right, I would have been scared during the whole time there.
Well having one ankle hurting and the other side of my upper leg
hurting, I was waddelling like a penguim back to our house. But no
worries, I´m all better now!
This Thursday we have a multi zone conference so I´m looking
forward to that. We also have been praying and fasting on how we could
help this ward with the work this past week and the Bishop had us come
into his office after church. We talked about what the members can do
to help the work and what we were needing. It was very unexpected and
an answer to our prayers! So the work is definately impoving here. We
also have a really awesome new investigator named Valdecir who I will
talk about more next week.
I love you family! Hope you all have a gread week!
Com amor,
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
I am in a new area called Lapa and it is a very wealthy area! I thought
my last area was.... EEESSHHH!!! I feel like I´m on the east side of the
freeway over here! Lapa is one of the most historical and noble parts of
São Paulo. The zone where I am at is the same zone as the CTM so if I stay
until Elder Munger comes, I will see him!!!!
My companion´s name is Elder S. Ferreira and he is awesome! I absolutly
love being his companion and working with him! I don´t think a day goes by
that we arent laughing our heads off or completly beat by the end of the day.
Ha, he was telling me earlier that the S in his name stands for Super, but
that it´s a secret that not even revelation can reveal. Yupp, he´s prertty
much a dork. He lives in the state of São Paulo, but about 6 hours by car
from the city. He is my first Brasilian Companion not from the Northeast.
So last week when I was doing landry, I stared at the machine for about
20 minutes.... It was a work of beauty. When the machine started, the song
Battle Hymn of the Republic started to play and at the top of my lungs
I sang the
words. GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY
HALLELUJAH HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON!! Oh how true it was.
So this past week on Tuesday (the 28th) I woke up with a lot of
pain in my ankle... I remembered that I had a nightmare, but had no
clue why my ankle was hurting. When I got up to say my prayer, I
couldn´t even stand. I told my companion that I had sprained my ankle
and that I couldn´t walk. He asked me if I had twisted it the day
before. I then remembered my nightmare and thought that that could
have been the reason. So, as you are probably wondering what my
nightmare was, I will share it with you all. I was coaching Riverton
and we were playing against Bingham at Rice-Eccles. We lost in the
last seconds and I just remember walking into the locker room mad
and began throwing things. That didn´t last long because then I woke
up and it was 6:30. I realized that I wan´t on my back like I normaly sleep,
but was on my belly, with that ankle that was sprained, close
to the wall. Apparently, I had kicked the wall....
I called my leaders and told them what had happened (my zone
leader got a real good kick out of it) and was informed to call Sister
Martins. I told her what had happened, not going into detail what my
nightmare was, but that I had a nightmare. She gave me the run down on
how to treat my ankle and to stay at home. LONGEST DAY EVER!!! I´m
pretty sure the Liahonas were sick of my reading them.
The next morning after studies I was doing a lot better. It still
hurt, but we made a plan for our day in which we wouldn´t have to walk
so far. Sister Martins called me to check up on me and see if it was
doing any better. I told her that it was and we made plans so that we
could stay close to our house, but that it sill hurt. She then told me
to go to the hospital to get it looked at. Just for a little
enlightment, the hospitals here in Brasil aren´t your average trip to
the zoo. You go through a hundred rooms telling different people
the same thing that happened and then you end up getting a
perscription.
So when we got to the front of the hospital, we stood there for
about 5 minutes not wanting to go in because I was doing better and it
would just be a waste of time. But knowing how Sister Martins asked us
to go there, we went in. But seeing how this was my first time and all
my Brasilian companions already acustomed to this, I didn´t know what
the last step was for ANY KIND of aching or hurting or why my
companion didn´t go into great detail why he didn´t want to go in..
I went through the rooms, showing 3 or 4 different doctors my
ankle and that it still hurt, but that I was doing better. They told
me to just continue treating it how I was. When I thought I was done,
the doctor told me to go to one more room. I walked in and the lady
told me that I was going to take an injection in my tail end and to
lower my pants. Thinking in my head and almost saying to her that it
wasn´t there where it was hurting, but my ankle and that an injection
was unessissary, I did as I was told and had took the injection and
let me just say, it was hurting more there then my ankle...
When I was walking over to my companion and told him what had
happened he couldn´t stop laughing. He told me that he knew I would
take an injection because ´´that´s what they do in Brasil if you have
an aching.`` He told me that he didn´t want me to be scared or nervous
so he didn´t tell me... I told him it was for the best and that he was
right, I would have been scared during the whole time there.
Well having one ankle hurting and the other side of my upper leg
hurting, I was waddelling like a penguim back to our house. But no
worries, I´m all better now!
This Thursday we have a multi zone conference so I´m looking
forward to that. We also have been praying and fasting on how we could
help this ward with the work this past week and the Bishop had us come
into his office after church. We talked about what the members can do
to help the work and what we were needing. It was very unexpected and
an answer to our prayers! So the work is definately impoving here. We
also have a really awesome new investigator named Valdecir who I will
talk about more next week.
I love you family! Hope you all have a gread week!
Com amor,
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
August 13, 2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GINGER AND MATT!!!
Not a whole lot of time today, sorry.
1. The temple was amazing! President Martins stayed in the Celestial Room answering questions and giving, what I like to call, his sermont on the mount. Was incredible!
2. We have an investigator that will be baptized on Sunday. She asked me to baptize her, but I have a feeling that I will be transfered on Wednesday. (I think Elder Nascimento will train, he´s amazing!)
3.Everything is good in the neighborhood!
4. I love being a missionary!
5. I love my family!
6. I know that He lives!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!!
Seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Not a whole lot of time today, sorry.
1. The temple was amazing! President Martins stayed in the Celestial Room answering questions and giving, what I like to call, his sermont on the mount. Was incredible!
2. We have an investigator that will be baptized on Sunday. She asked me to baptize her, but I have a feeling that I will be transfered on Wednesday. (I think Elder Nascimento will train, he´s amazing!)
3.Everything is good in the neighborhood!
4. I love being a missionary!
5. I love my family!
6. I know that He lives!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!!
Seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Pictures
Elder Bowman in front of the Sao Palo Temple
Zone Conference
Elder Bowman and Elder Espiritu.
Jake and his "Parents" Elder Santos (his Dad) and Elder Hillam (his Mom).
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Happy Hump Day!
Elder Bowman hit is half way mark on Friday July 20th! We can't belive in'ts already been a year! In true Bowman fashion we sent Elder Bowman Happy Hump Day pictures!
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Elder Bowman's Response...AWESOME!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! HA!!! ONLY MY FAMILY, RIGHT? Also loved the Garn boys´shirts. Thank you sooooo MUCH!!!!
July 16, 2012
Katarine is doing great!!! We taught her the Plan of Salvation last night and we drew it all out before we explained anything. We asked her if anything made sense and she was explaining everything in great detail until the Spirit World. One of the talks in church also talked about the beginning so that might of helped her a little bit, but still! She is really loving the gospel and how much everything makes sense. The baptism will be saturday morning.
Elder Nascimento is the biggest hoot! Lately he has been singing in English all the american pop songs that he knows and I´m almost ready to bring him home with me and put him on American Idol!
We have a conference this thursday with the Area President, Claudio R.M. Costa. I believe he is going on a tour of all the mission in Brasil and so he will be in SPN thursday(in the capital) and friday(in the interior) It will also probably be the last time I see Elder Santos... He leaves not this wednesday, but the next.
The work continues to go forth! Great things are happening in the Horto. LOVE YOU FAMILY
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Elder Nascimento is the biggest hoot! Lately he has been singing in English all the american pop songs that he knows and I´m almost ready to bring him home with me and put him on American Idol!
We have a conference this thursday with the Area President, Claudio R.M. Costa. I believe he is going on a tour of all the mission in Brasil and so he will be in SPN thursday(in the capital) and friday(in the interior) It will also probably be the last time I see Elder Santos... He leaves not this wednesday, but the next.
The work continues to go forth! Great things are happening in the Horto. LOVE YOU FAMILY
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
July 11, 2012
Elder Espiritu was transfered to the area right next to my last area, Indaiatuba. It was very hard to say goodbye, the time passed by really fast with him. Faster then any other companion that I had. I wish him the best of luck in his mission and willl be a pleasure the times I see him in the future.
So, my new companion is Elder Nasciment (that means Elder Birth, don´t worry I already asked him if he thinks his name is weird too and he said yes) and he is from Fortaleza Ceará, which is the northeast part of Brasil and the next city to get a temple in Brasil. HE IS A CONVERT!!! He has 6 months on the mission, but only 1 year and 7 months as a member! Yupp! He left 1 year (and a couple weeks) from the time when he was baptized! He is 23 years old (kinda intimidating, right?) short, hard worker, a chef of expertiss, Michelle´s long lost Brasilian twin (he likes to clean) and one of the best representatives of Jesus Christ that is serving in His vinyard. It is a pleasure to be working/testifying by his side.
We also marked a date this past week! Her name is Katerine! I will tell you more about her next week when I have more time, but she is awesome! She is preparing to be baptized on the 21st of this month.
I love you family! May the Lord continue to bless you all.
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
So, my new companion is Elder Nasciment (that means Elder Birth, don´t worry I already asked him if he thinks his name is weird too and he said yes) and he is from Fortaleza Ceará, which is the northeast part of Brasil and the next city to get a temple in Brasil. HE IS A CONVERT!!! He has 6 months on the mission, but only 1 year and 7 months as a member! Yupp! He left 1 year (and a couple weeks) from the time when he was baptized! He is 23 years old (kinda intimidating, right?) short, hard worker, a chef of expertiss, Michelle´s long lost Brasilian twin (he likes to clean) and one of the best representatives of Jesus Christ that is serving in His vinyard. It is a pleasure to be working/testifying by his side.
We also marked a date this past week! Her name is Katerine! I will tell you more about her next week when I have more time, but she is awesome! She is preparing to be baptized on the 21st of this month.
I love you family! May the Lord continue to bless you all.
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
July 2, 2012
We are starting to find some pretty solid people. They are all pretty much in the wood work right now, but some really positive things are going on here.
So just a funny story. As a zone, we are visiting/contacting 3 people for the ward list that we don´t know. Tuesday night, we went to this apartment complex looking for a lady named Biactrice. We rang the door bell thing and a old lady from the second floor apeared from her window. I introduced ourselves and asked her if Biatrice lived there. She said no and was asking us what we wanted. I explained more about who we are and in a firm voice she told us that Biatrice didn´t live there and then shut the window before I could get another word in. Looking at my companion, we were both shocked. I then said that we need to know if she moved and if so, to where. (we record it to the stake president) I then rang the bell again but no answer. I told Elder Espiritu that I would call the number that we had. And guess what... the phone began to ring from this old lady´s apartment. She then answered and introducing myself (again) asked if this was the phone of Biatrice. The lady said no but that she would be home soon. I said ok, can we wait here in the bottom until she gets here because she is a member of our church. She said but why do you want to talk to her. Then I repeated myself, but she just hung up on me. Me and Elder Espiritu looked at each other again, but I said, ``Welp, we´ll just wait till she gets here.`` We then sat down on the curb and I started writting down some notes, not paying attention to what was going on around me. During this time, she was talking to her neighbors across the street from their windows and Elder Espiritu said, ``I think she called the police`` Then another lady showed up and said,`´Ok, I know that you guys are americans and missionarys for Jesus Christ, but that lady just called the police (at this time, I had my cool on still, but Elder Espiritu was way scared) I explained why we were there and that we were waiting for Biatrice to come home. Then the lady said that she was Biatrice, but it had to be another Biatrice and that I should run away before the police got there. I told her, ``but I didn´t do anything wrong and it would be worse if I ran away.`` Then a little bit after our short conversation that didn´t get us anywhere, the police showed up and the lady said, ``whelp, you lost your chance, they´re here.`` But when the police realized who we were, they knew that there was already a mistake and that we didn´t do anythig wrong. I explained to the police officer everything (the lady who told us to run away was next to us) and I showed him the information that I had from the list. The lady said that everything was correct, that she was Biatrice and the phone number and address, everything, but that this old lady was catholic. Anywho, the police just told us that eveything was ok and told us to just leave the area. Way funny, right?! I was actually hoping to go to prision because the story would have been a lot cooler, but I guess I´ll have to settle for this.
Thats whats new in the Horto. LOVE YOU FAMILY
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
So just a funny story. As a zone, we are visiting/contacting 3 people for the ward list that we don´t know. Tuesday night, we went to this apartment complex looking for a lady named Biactrice. We rang the door bell thing and a old lady from the second floor apeared from her window. I introduced ourselves and asked her if Biatrice lived there. She said no and was asking us what we wanted. I explained more about who we are and in a firm voice she told us that Biatrice didn´t live there and then shut the window before I could get another word in. Looking at my companion, we were both shocked. I then said that we need to know if she moved and if so, to where. (we record it to the stake president) I then rang the bell again but no answer. I told Elder Espiritu that I would call the number that we had. And guess what... the phone began to ring from this old lady´s apartment. She then answered and introducing myself (again) asked if this was the phone of Biatrice. The lady said no but that she would be home soon. I said ok, can we wait here in the bottom until she gets here because she is a member of our church. She said but why do you want to talk to her. Then I repeated myself, but she just hung up on me. Me and Elder Espiritu looked at each other again, but I said, ``Welp, we´ll just wait till she gets here.`` We then sat down on the curb and I started writting down some notes, not paying attention to what was going on around me. During this time, she was talking to her neighbors across the street from their windows and Elder Espiritu said, ``I think she called the police`` Then another lady showed up and said,`´Ok, I know that you guys are americans and missionarys for Jesus Christ, but that lady just called the police (at this time, I had my cool on still, but Elder Espiritu was way scared) I explained why we were there and that we were waiting for Biatrice to come home. Then the lady said that she was Biatrice, but it had to be another Biatrice and that I should run away before the police got there. I told her, ``but I didn´t do anything wrong and it would be worse if I ran away.`` Then a little bit after our short conversation that didn´t get us anywhere, the police showed up and the lady said, ``whelp, you lost your chance, they´re here.`` But when the police realized who we were, they knew that there was already a mistake and that we didn´t do anythig wrong. I explained to the police officer everything (the lady who told us to run away was next to us) and I showed him the information that I had from the list. The lady said that everything was correct, that she was Biatrice and the phone number and address, everything, but that this old lady was catholic. Anywho, the police just told us that eveything was ok and told us to just leave the area. Way funny, right?! I was actually hoping to go to prision because the story would have been a lot cooler, but I guess I´ll have to settle for this.
Thats whats new in the Horto. LOVE YOU FAMILY
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Sunday, July 1, 2012
June 25, 2012
We found a couple new solid people to teach. We took a member with us for both of them so things are really starting to look good here in Horto Florestal. We also had our second meeting with the ward since I´ve been hear and actually the second since well, a very long time. (The first was last week) The Lord is really starting to answer our prayers and fast and these members are awesome, they just need to realize it. I will also try to send pictures next week. The Training this past week also went very good. I saw Elder Santos and its crazy where the time has gone since Indaiatuba. I tried to get him to do a practice lesson with me during the lesson to bring back some good memories, but it didn´t work out. I´ll probably only get to see him one more time at transfers probably. (I think he will be transfered along with Elder Espiritu, but we´ll see) Sorry, not much to report on. LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Also remember that Wednesday is Martyr of Joseph Smith. I just finished DC 134 this morning and plan to read DC 135 on Wednesday. If you would like, you are invited to. I know it will bless you and give you more strength in your daily efforts.
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Also remember that Wednesday is Martyr of Joseph Smith. I just finished DC 134 this morning and plan to read DC 135 on Wednesday. If you would like, you are invited to. I know it will bless you and give you more strength in your daily efforts.
June 18, 2012
Well the appointment with Cleber fell through this week, but we are having a ward activity this saturday so hopefully we can get them to that this week.
We are having a little trouble with our current investigators and finding solid investigators. We have a good pool of potential with 2 or 3 of them that I feel really good about. We will see what happens this week. Not a whole lot that happened, this week was more of a prepritory week and a test of faith. Gotta love it!
Um, I don´t have much to say this week.... The church is true! Oh and I have a trainning this week that I´m really looking forward to.
Just gotta keep on keepin on!
LOVE YOU GUYS
Seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
We are having a little trouble with our current investigators and finding solid investigators. We have a good pool of potential with 2 or 3 of them that I feel really good about. We will see what happens this week. Not a whole lot that happened, this week was more of a prepritory week and a test of faith. Gotta love it!
Um, I don´t have much to say this week.... The church is true! Oh and I have a trainning this week that I´m really looking forward to.
Just gotta keep on keepin on!
LOVE YOU GUYS
Seu filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
June 11, 2012
Things are sure starting to turn around! There was a big holiday weekend (nobody knows what holiday it was. They have way to many holidays as it is) and we were able to get in contact with the Family of Cleber (Family who went to church about a month ago without invite.) Turns out that they have been reading the Book of Mormon and believe it is true as well as Joseph Smith! They accepted baptism, but want to get to know the church better so long story short, they don´t have a date yet. But we are going back on Friday with a member family.
Also found a Less Active who served in Salvador in 92-94 I believe so I´m not sure if Matt knows him. His name would have been Elder Medeiros from João Pessoa. He didn´t recegnize Matt´s name, but I forgot to tell him that he is a giant. (minor detail, right?) Anywho, he is in his second marriage and his wife isn´t a member. They are having really bad marriage problems, but we are going back there this week! Another hard thing is that he is a travel agent so he is hardly ever in his house.
Saturday was the temple celebration and Sunday was the dedication of the Manaus Temple! It was amazing! I thought of Jeffery almost the whole time. President Uchtdorf did the dedication and the whole experience was very special. Oh and Elder Cook went with him. They talked a lot about the pioneers of Manaus and some other experiences. As Jeffery could testify as well, those people of the Amazon deserve it. Amazing people.
I LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!
Com amor, seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Also found a Less Active who served in Salvador in 92-94 I believe so I´m not sure if Matt knows him. His name would have been Elder Medeiros from João Pessoa. He didn´t recegnize Matt´s name, but I forgot to tell him that he is a giant. (minor detail, right?) Anywho, he is in his second marriage and his wife isn´t a member. They are having really bad marriage problems, but we are going back there this week! Another hard thing is that he is a travel agent so he is hardly ever in his house.
Saturday was the temple celebration and Sunday was the dedication of the Manaus Temple! It was amazing! I thought of Jeffery almost the whole time. President Uchtdorf did the dedication and the whole experience was very special. Oh and Elder Cook went with him. They talked a lot about the pioneers of Manaus and some other experiences. As Jeffery could testify as well, those people of the Amazon deserve it. Amazing people.
I LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!
Com amor, seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Sunday, June 10, 2012
June 4, 2012
Yesterday we had a Stake Conference that was actually a broadcast from Salt Lake City to 99 stakes here in Brasil. (São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) Elder Gonzalés of the 70 directed it (Speaks Portuguese) then Sister Dalton (Doesn´t speak Portuguese, but had a translater) then Elder Anderson of the 12 (Speaks Portuguese. We then sang and then President Monson spoke. (Had a translater as well) It was amazing! The main topic was families and a lot of promised blessings for the faithful saints here in Brasil. Elder Anderson said, "Its a great time to be a member in Brasil." I´m very grateful that I can be a part of it. These people deserve it.
We are still doing a lot of tracting. Not having too many progressing investigators, so we are looking for the ones who are ready. We actually had a meeting with my zone and another zone on thursday with President Martins that was awesome! He talked a lot about our calling/purpose and who we really are. We have been really trying to apply some of the tactics we learned there in our contacts and we´ve had a lot more success! Not very many new people to see, but you can really see the Spirit working a lot more and leaving people to think when we leave. President also talked about this coming Sunday. This Sunday, the Manaus Temple will be dedicated. (I am very excited for that!) He said that the blessing that will be given, won´t just be for the people of Manaus or the Brasilians, but even for us missionaries. He then started to name off Americans in the room and said that those blessings are for us as well. He then said that the veil will be opened in all of Brasil that day. He said on our way home after the third and final session to knock on 10 doors and ask them if we can give a blessing to their family. (Say a prayer) He said that if those families have other people on the other side of the veil waiting for their ordaninces, their will be a new Spirit in that house like nothing before. As Elder Anderson said, it truly is a great time to be a member/child of God here in Brasil.
I love you family! I love you all so much. May the Lord continue to bless you in your efforts and prayers.
Com amor
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
I also forgot to tell you that I gave a talk in sacrament on my birthday. It was 15 minutes. I talked about "Our first and greatest calling that we receive as members of His Church." I got to pick it. Of course it was about missionary work. It went ok. Tell Jeni about this too cause she asked me what i was going to do for our birthday and i said, i don´t know, probably give a talk in church. The bishop called me later that week. I got to go but know that I love you soooooooo much Mom! Have a great week, okay
We are still doing a lot of tracting. Not having too many progressing investigators, so we are looking for the ones who are ready. We actually had a meeting with my zone and another zone on thursday with President Martins that was awesome! He talked a lot about our calling/purpose and who we really are. We have been really trying to apply some of the tactics we learned there in our contacts and we´ve had a lot more success! Not very many new people to see, but you can really see the Spirit working a lot more and leaving people to think when we leave. President also talked about this coming Sunday. This Sunday, the Manaus Temple will be dedicated. (I am very excited for that!) He said that the blessing that will be given, won´t just be for the people of Manaus or the Brasilians, but even for us missionaries. He then started to name off Americans in the room and said that those blessings are for us as well. He then said that the veil will be opened in all of Brasil that day. He said on our way home after the third and final session to knock on 10 doors and ask them if we can give a blessing to their family. (Say a prayer) He said that if those families have other people on the other side of the veil waiting for their ordaninces, their will be a new Spirit in that house like nothing before. As Elder Anderson said, it truly is a great time to be a member/child of God here in Brasil.
I love you family! I love you all so much. May the Lord continue to bless you in your efforts and prayers.
Com amor
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
I also forgot to tell you that I gave a talk in sacrament on my birthday. It was 15 minutes. I talked about "Our first and greatest calling that we receive as members of His Church." I got to pick it. Of course it was about missionary work. It went ok. Tell Jeni about this too cause she asked me what i was going to do for our birthday and i said, i don´t know, probably give a talk in church. The bishop called me later that week. I got to go but know that I love you soooooooo much Mom! Have a great week, okay
May 28, 2012
Well we did some tracking this week. I told Elder Espíritu that I felt like I was back in Alabama (Where I told myself that I would never spend a whole day knocking on doors again.) But ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get new investigators! The two that we were able to find both came saturday. One is a lady who is about 35 and is taking care of her sick mother. She really liked what we had to say and having a latter-day prophet made sence to here. We are going back for our first real appointment/lesson tomorrow.
The other one is a senhora. She appears to be close to going to the Spirit World (which, I don´t think I have explained to you all how much I love old people! Especially old Brasilians. And even more especially, old Brasilian senhoras! I just feel that I have a better connection with this generation! So much years and experience. And most of the time, very soon-future investigators for the people up stairs! Anywho, continuing on) She welcomed us right in which made us very happy. She told us that her neice is Mormon and her neice´s son is serving a mission in Salvador (I thought Matt might like that) She said that she respects us and already has a Book of Mormon, but was born Catholic and will die Catholic. (Very famous line I find with these old people that I love) After sharing a few scriptures to answer her questions and errors that she had, that left a wider window for us to share the message of the restauration with her. It went very well. In the end she made a solid commitment to read and pray about The Book of Mormon. BLESSINGS!!!
This is the progress of the work to report on for the week. Thank you all so much for everything you have done for me the last 20 years. To think of all the ways I am most spoiled (smile) is to have had each of you for my example. You are all my heros and am so grateful for your prayers, sacrifices and love you have for me and most importantly, for our Savior Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and your families in your prayers and efforts. I love you family!
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
1 Nephi 11:17
The other one is a senhora. She appears to be close to going to the Spirit World (which, I don´t think I have explained to you all how much I love old people! Especially old Brasilians. And even more especially, old Brasilian senhoras! I just feel that I have a better connection with this generation! So much years and experience. And most of the time, very soon-future investigators for the people up stairs! Anywho, continuing on) She welcomed us right in which made us very happy. She told us that her neice is Mormon and her neice´s son is serving a mission in Salvador (I thought Matt might like that) She said that she respects us and already has a Book of Mormon, but was born Catholic and will die Catholic. (Very famous line I find with these old people that I love) After sharing a few scriptures to answer her questions and errors that she had, that left a wider window for us to share the message of the restauration with her. It went very well. In the end she made a solid commitment to read and pray about The Book of Mormon. BLESSINGS!!!
This is the progress of the work to report on for the week. Thank you all so much for everything you have done for me the last 20 years. To think of all the ways I am most spoiled (smile) is to have had each of you for my example. You are all my heros and am so grateful for your prayers, sacrifices and love you have for me and most importantly, for our Savior Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and your families in your prayers and efforts. I love you family!
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
1 Nephi 11:17
Monday, May 21, 2012
May 21st, 2012
Not a whole lot to report on this past week. We found a new investigator and marked a date with him, but he was at the hospital for our return appointment. We are going back there tonight so we´ll see where this goes. Great person.
No progress yet with any of the 3 major families that we are teaching. Talking with the bishop about it, we just got to keep praying that they take that step of faith.
Elder Espiritu is really starting to come on with the language. He´s understanding a lot of rules now that has really improved his speaking. We have been studying a little bit about the Spirit together this past week and something that I really want to do on my own this coming week.
I love you so much family! Thank you so much for the prayers, fasts and sacrifices. May the Lord continue to bless you and your families in your efforts!
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
I Nephi 1:1
No progress yet with any of the 3 major families that we are teaching. Talking with the bishop about it, we just got to keep praying that they take that step of faith.
Elder Espiritu is really starting to come on with the language. He´s understanding a lot of rules now that has really improved his speaking. We have been studying a little bit about the Spirit together this past week and something that I really want to do on my own this coming week.
I love you so much family! Thank you so much for the prayers, fasts and sacrifices. May the Lord continue to bless you and your families in your efforts!
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
I Nephi 1:1
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
May 7, 2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BRETT AND RACHEL!!!!!
With the little time that I have this week, I would just like to share one of the miracles that happened this week.
As we were sitting in church during testimony meeting, one of the members came up to me and said that there was a family sitting in the back that had never been to our church and came without invitation. As I aproached them, it was a man in his older 20 with his wife next to them, holding a baby that couldn´t have been more then 12 months old. I explained to them who we are and the specialness of the meeting and how it was different. I told them that we would talk after and let them be. After, we went over and began talking. The President of the Elders Quoram was close by so I called for him. As we began discussing, we discovered this young mom´s story. They had been praying for about a week or so for ``the right path`` in a church and during the holiday this past week, she was on the metro. She forgot her money and a man with his two sons came out of no where and paid for her ticket. As they road together, she commented that his sons were very well mannered. This was towards the end of their travel and he replied that he had raised them in the Church of Jesus Christ. He noted the website of the church down on a piece of paper and gave it to her. When she returned home, the first thing that she did was look for the address and hour of the nearest church. And that is what brought us to this point. From the testimonies that were born, she asked who was ``The Prophet President Thomas Spencer Monson?`` Let´s just say that his name is very hard to say, and most investigators forget how to say it. It was a blessing and a true testement that God puts us in the right places. It is our responsibility to respond to these wispers of the Spirit.
I know that Christ lives. For this, we are here. I´m, grateful for all of your great sacrifices and prayers. May the Lord continue to bless you all in your efforts and prayers. Until Sunday
Com amor,
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Mosiah 18:8-10
With the little time that I have this week, I would just like to share one of the miracles that happened this week.
As we were sitting in church during testimony meeting, one of the members came up to me and said that there was a family sitting in the back that had never been to our church and came without invitation. As I aproached them, it was a man in his older 20 with his wife next to them, holding a baby that couldn´t have been more then 12 months old. I explained to them who we are and the specialness of the meeting and how it was different. I told them that we would talk after and let them be. After, we went over and began talking. The President of the Elders Quoram was close by so I called for him. As we began discussing, we discovered this young mom´s story. They had been praying for about a week or so for ``the right path`` in a church and during the holiday this past week, she was on the metro. She forgot her money and a man with his two sons came out of no where and paid for her ticket. As they road together, she commented that his sons were very well mannered. This was towards the end of their travel and he replied that he had raised them in the Church of Jesus Christ. He noted the website of the church down on a piece of paper and gave it to her. When she returned home, the first thing that she did was look for the address and hour of the nearest church. And that is what brought us to this point. From the testimonies that were born, she asked who was ``The Prophet President Thomas Spencer Monson?`` Let´s just say that his name is very hard to say, and most investigators forget how to say it. It was a blessing and a true testement that God puts us in the right places. It is our responsibility to respond to these wispers of the Spirit.
I know that Christ lives. For this, we are here. I´m, grateful for all of your great sacrifices and prayers. May the Lord continue to bless you all in your efforts and prayers. Until Sunday
Com amor,
Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
Mosiah 18:8-10
Thursday, May 3, 2012
May 2, 2012
Well the adjustment has been coming fast here in my new area. It is so much smaller then Indaiatuba. There were parts in Indaiatuba where neither I or Elder Santos ever went. My new area is about half the size of Bluffdale with a ton more people (obviously) I can´t tell you where everything is, but I think I could survive a division in my area.
We have been trying to work with the less actives in the ward and try to see what their status is on with the church and help them come back. On saturday, we went to visit one of them who it turned out the the dad was the less active because he was sick. The kids are all grown up now and married (well, kind of) and all go to church still except one. The son married (well, not really) someone who wasn´t a member, but still goes every now and then. He told his mom that when they began living together that the day would come that they would be sealed in the temple. The both work a lot and anywho, she randomly passed by the house (normally works until 8-9) We talked for a minute and then her ?Mother-in-law?? but not really??? (Side-note, there are a lot of un married ``families´´ here) come out and directly said, ``Elder, you need to baptize her! I want her to be with her family forever!) We talked here and there somemore, finding out why she wasn´t baptize and her beliefs. She seemed to be very open with us, but I could tell that she had her doubts. It will be very hard to find time to teach them cuz Sunday is the only day they can. They also have a 9 year old daughter so that will be very fun. I always love teaching families with younger children because they always seem to understand things better and help/motivate their parents.
Today I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Temple. It has almost been 8 months so the withdrawl has been very bad :) Was very hard with striving to go regularly before the mission with the goal me and President Howell made. I felt a great love as the session went on. I truly felt the extra motivation and will to carry on this calling. It was a renewing of my testimony of the importance of this great power and work that we were foreordained to and continued to live our covenants to be able to receive greater light here on earth. I got to sit by Elder Santos during the session. That Elder has to be one of the 3 Nephites. After we stayed in the Celestial room next to each other and found ourselves to be the last ones to leave. I don´t think I mentioned this, but he will be going home on July 25 (I think is the day) because of his school. It will be right in the middle of the transfer so I think I might only have one or two more times to see him. He actually might be going to general conference this fall! He has a sister that is living in Nebraska. Anywho, I absolutely love that guy and couldn´t have dreamed of a better father of an Elder.
The field is indeed as white as will. I am very grateful for the assignment I have to serve here in Horto Florestal with Elder Espiritu. He is a hard worker and out here for the right reason. May the Lord continue to bless each of you in your efforts and families. I know that Christ lives. He waits for us at the door. He wants us to succeed, but we must be willing to let Him in. The true gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. May we lift where we stand in doing our part for the Kingdom of God. I love you family!
Seu amoroso filho e irmâo
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
1 Nephi 18:2-3
We have been trying to work with the less actives in the ward and try to see what their status is on with the church and help them come back. On saturday, we went to visit one of them who it turned out the the dad was the less active because he was sick. The kids are all grown up now and married (well, kind of) and all go to church still except one. The son married (well, not really) someone who wasn´t a member, but still goes every now and then. He told his mom that when they began living together that the day would come that they would be sealed in the temple. The both work a lot and anywho, she randomly passed by the house (normally works until 8-9) We talked for a minute and then her ?Mother-in-law?? but not really??? (Side-note, there are a lot of un married ``families´´ here) come out and directly said, ``Elder, you need to baptize her! I want her to be with her family forever!) We talked here and there somemore, finding out why she wasn´t baptize and her beliefs. She seemed to be very open with us, but I could tell that she had her doubts. It will be very hard to find time to teach them cuz Sunday is the only day they can. They also have a 9 year old daughter so that will be very fun. I always love teaching families with younger children because they always seem to understand things better and help/motivate their parents.
Today I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Temple. It has almost been 8 months so the withdrawl has been very bad :) Was very hard with striving to go regularly before the mission with the goal me and President Howell made. I felt a great love as the session went on. I truly felt the extra motivation and will to carry on this calling. It was a renewing of my testimony of the importance of this great power and work that we were foreordained to and continued to live our covenants to be able to receive greater light here on earth. I got to sit by Elder Santos during the session. That Elder has to be one of the 3 Nephites. After we stayed in the Celestial room next to each other and found ourselves to be the last ones to leave. I don´t think I mentioned this, but he will be going home on July 25 (I think is the day) because of his school. It will be right in the middle of the transfer so I think I might only have one or two more times to see him. He actually might be going to general conference this fall! He has a sister that is living in Nebraska. Anywho, I absolutely love that guy and couldn´t have dreamed of a better father of an Elder.
The field is indeed as white as will. I am very grateful for the assignment I have to serve here in Horto Florestal with Elder Espiritu. He is a hard worker and out here for the right reason. May the Lord continue to bless each of you in your efforts and families. I know that Christ lives. He waits for us at the door. He wants us to succeed, but we must be willing to let Him in. The true gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. May we lift where we stand in doing our part for the Kingdom of God. I love you family!
Seu amoroso filho e irmâo
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb
1 Nephi 18:2-3
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