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