The Spirit of Serenity

High 5!

1. We FINALLY found a new in Manzano and she is awesome! Her name is Esperanza and she is about to graduate from Valencia High School. She is hungry for the gospel and is looking for something to get her going in the right direction for her future.

2. Cathleen is a new in Valencia! She has a son who married a member and they are living in Utah. He is taking the lessons and she wants to know what he is learning about! She has had some really traumatic experiences and suffers from PTSD but we are so excited for her because we know the gospel is the best cure :)

3. We did service with Sue this week and she has new housemates! Their names are Stacey and Phillip and we are teaching them next! Keep them in your prayers! We showed up to teach Sue this week and she had her testimony all typed up and ready for her baptism! So cute!

4. Saturday morning the Tidwell's took us to breakfast at Weck's before our lesson with Jason-so fun!

5. Wendy's dad's last name is Bowen so we are totally related right!? She's convinced. I love that woman to death. She is SO prepared and Sister Ropelato and I don't think we've ever laughed so hard in our lives!

Down Low, 2 Slow.

1. Our car got backed into while it was parked so we are currently driving around a mini van! It's hilarious. Everyone calls us the "mission moms" :)

2. SAY NO TO TRANSFERS!

My thoughts this week come from a talk given by President Packer in the fall conference of 2013. He shares a story of a dream President Jospeh F. Smith had while on his mission. "He dreamed he was on a journey, rushing as fast as he possibly could. He carried with him a small bundle. Finally he came to a wonderful mansion which was his destination. As he approached, he saw a sign which read, "BATH". He quickly went in a washed himself. He opened his little bundle and found clean white clothing. He put them on and rushed to the door of the mansion. He knocked and the door opened and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at him a little reprovingly, and the first words he said were, "Joseph, you are late." Yet he took confidence and replied, "Yes, but I am clean-I am clean!"

The Lord cares a whole lot more about how we arrive than when we arrive. Our personal worthiness affects our peace of mind in this life. President Packer puts heavy emphasis on scripture study and I know it is the answer to a feeling of serenity in a world where that's hard to come by. He talks about finding  peace in a world that doesn't know where to look anymore. President Monson says, "God will speak peace to your soul. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life's greatest blessing." I know it can only be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Serenity Jacob's is 8 years old and is doing wonderful things to help her family in their journey to baptism. She tells her friends at school about the things she learns in primary and in missionary discussions and she reminds their family to have prayer and scripture study daily. I know that as we "become as little children", innocent, pure, clean, worthy, our personal world will be peaceful. May we all catch the spirit of Serenity.

God speed!

Love, Sister Bowen

Ignite Your Fire!

High 5!

1. Exchanges! We took the Ladera sisters on exchanges this week. I spent the day in Albuquerque with Sister Johnson and we had tons of fun! 

2. Sister Ropelato turned 20 this week so we PARTIED! (as hard as missionaries can party)

3. We found the coolest family! They have a 14 year old son who is a member but less active but he was SO excited to see us! His dad recently overcame cancer and they all agreed to have us back to teach them! Pray for the Wade family!

4. We had 8 investigators at church this week!

5. Last night we had a fun dinner and FHE with the Sego family and the Jacob's family :)

Down Low, 2 Slow.

1. Joseph's baptism is being moved to May 7th because the Sunday he is supposed to be confirmed, we have a stake meeting for boundary changes. We are crossing our fingers that we don't lose anyone!

2. We have 3 baptisms scheduled for the first 3 weekends of May now and transfers are right before that...we are hoping neither of us get moved.

In thinking about common fears of missionary work, we've narrowed it down to 3:

1. Relationships

-I'm scared they won't be my friend anymore.

-I'm scared they will think differently about me.

-It will make our relationship awkward.

2. Knowledge

-I don't know enough about the gospel.

-I don't know what to say, or how to start.

3. Rejection

-I'm scared they will say no.

In combating each of those things, I hope to excuse some of those fears in your missionary efforts :) (1) Try putting yourself in your non member friends shoes. If someone you know who is active in another faith asked you to attend an activity or accept some sort of their material, would you be offended and chose to not be their friend anymore? Are they really your friend if they do change their mind about the status of your relationship over something very important to you? (2) In Preach My Gospel Elder Holland says, "I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more...If we listen with love, we won't need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us-by the spirit and by our friends." Do not be ashamed in what you know. The spirit will prompt you in your daily efforts to share simple truths that have shaped who you are. Remember the 5 second rule. (3) Rejection is good for you! Remember who you represent when you share your testimony. See each of those opportunities as a privilege to know a piece of the pain Christ experienced throughout His entire life. Also remember that your success doesn't always have to be counted as baptisms. Success, or fruit, of sharing the gospel might be someone accepting a Book of Mormon or agreeing to come to a Relief Society or Priesthood activity with you. 

Moroni 8:16 :"[...] Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear."

Fight Satan's temptation to be complacent. I promise as you actively strive to strengthen your conversion to the gospel, your desire to share your testimony will come naturally.

God speed!

Love, Sister Bowen

PS. Sorry to all those who I couldn't write back to individually today! Know that I am SO grateful and love you all TONS!

 (A cute baby kitten at one our investigators!)

Kingdom Builders

 High 5!

1. MLC! This week we had our mission leadership conference and IT WAS AWESOME. It was so cool to see old companions and other missionaries I've served around and it truly was a spiritual feast! I learned so much and still have so far to go! Missions are the best thing ever.

2. We found 5 new investigators in Valencia this week! Lucilla and her daughter Alexa are 2 of them. They are from Mexico and have a family member in Colorado who is a member! SO prepared. We are excited to introduce them to their fellowship tonight! 

3. Jenny and her daughter Elora are 2 news as well! We taught them the first lesson this week and they totally need this gospel! Jenny has come a long way from drug use and having her kids taken away from her to now being clean and taking care of all her sweet family. Pray for them to keep appointments!

4. Wendy is our other new! Coolest miracle! A member in our ward was checking out of a pet store and the cashier asked her where her accent was from, so she told her, Epswich Englad! The cashier went on to tell her that her mom was from the SAME place and didn't have very many friends. So our member got her number, called her, and they are best friends now! They go to knitting group together, go on walks with their dogs, and we got to have dinner and the first lesson with them this week! Then Sister Taylor brought her to church on Sunday and she LOVED it! Baptism date coming soon :)

5. Saturday we got to go up to Albuquerque with Joseph to see a baptism of the sisters we are over. He really felt the spirit and is really excited for April 30th!

Down Low, 2 slow.

1. A lot of lessons cancelled this week :(

2. We taught the first lesson to a potential investigator this week, named Kathy, and afterwards she didn't want us to come back.

In Amos 8:11-12 and old testament prophet prophecies of the great apostasy. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." 

A famine is a lack of something. In this case, it is compared to a drought, or a lack of food and water. In times of drought, people are so desperate for something to sustain them. They are constantly searching but can't find it.

I love that we can compare this to the many people who are in desperate need for truth. There are so many out there who are searching for the gospel but "know not where to find it". 

President Eyring said, "You hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can now imagine. [...] leave an inheritance of hope to those who might be watching and following your example." Simply knowing the truth will not change the world unless you turn  truth into action. Share the gospel. 

The fullness of Christ's gospel has been restored! Not that long ago, 14 year old Joseph Smith stepped into a grove and saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. From that moment on, the world changed and not enough people know that. You live in a time when that famine is over! So many people in your circle of influence need what you have. I know we are here because we have the ability and capacity to change lives. Rise to this sacred privilege and calling! The best missionary work happens through members.

I love you all! God speed!

Love, Sister Bowen

This Is Why

High 5!

1. We had Zone Conference this week! It was awesome! We focused a lot on the Book of Mormon and I learned a lot!

2. Jason and Merry were married this week! It was really fun-totally Los Lunas style, but really cute,  haha! :)

3. General Conference was amazing, as always! I LOVED listening to the prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the church. It is always an uplifting experience and a great time to have personal questions answered. If you didn't get to watch it, look it up online! I can't wait until the Ensign comes out! Sue came to a members house to watch a session with us and she is on date to be baptized for May 14th.

4. Joseph! Ahh, we have the most awesome investigator. He was a media referral and we have been teaching him since I got here. He is in the middle of Alma and is SO excited to be baptized on April 30th. He LOVED conference and even took notes! He is solid. Keep him in your prayers!

5. We got to do service for a part member family this week, the Yamamoto's. It was so fun! We reupholstered frames and by the end, we had great conversations about the gospel and they warmed up to us. 

Down Low, 2 Slow.

1. Our YSA branch is dead right now :( We found a new this week who we thought would be YSA aged but he's 32...

2. I got called on to give a 5 minute talk at Zone Conference. It's something our mission president does but it's stressful. He gives us a topic and we have to include a memorized scripture. It went okay though-haha :)

This week my thoughts come from the April Ensign in an article called, The Redeeming and Strengthening Power of the Savior's Atonement. Elder Kim B. Clark of the 70 says, "There is no sin, no guilt, no shame, no fear, no loneliness, no heartache, no loss, no depression, no sadness, no terror, no pain, no challenge, no weakness that Jesus Christ has not experienced and overcome." He goes on to talk about having faith and hope in Christ and to act on it so light and power can come into our lives.  

That power comes into our lives when we obey. The Lord requires of us obedience that is exact, willing, and deep. He wants obedience of the whole heart and soul. President Ezra Taft Benson said, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." I loved how much the temple was talked about during conference this weekend. The temple is where God wants all of us to be. I testify that the peace and power that comes from the temple is unlike any earthly influence and can sustain our lives. The blessings He has for us are endless when we make obedience to His commandments an unending quest. 

This is why the Father sent His son to suffer and die for us. This is why the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove and called him to be the great prophet of the Restoration. This is why Joseph received the power to translate the Book of Mormon; why he received the keys of this dispensation, why he received the ordinances and covenants of the temple and revelation upon revelation establishing the Lord's true and living church on the earth. This is why, from the days of Joseph Smith until this very hour, the Lord has called living prophets to stand where Joseph stood, to hold the keys Joseph holds-so that you and I could be blessed with prophetic counsel and guidance, spiritual gifts, sacred ordinances in holy temples, courage and faith to walk in the light, repentance and forgiveness, and the power and authority of the keys of the priesthood of God. It is so that we might qualify for all the blessings God has in store for us as His children. This is why.

God speed!

Love, Sister Bowen