Standing The Test Of Time

High 5!

1. WE SURVIVED TRANSFERS! Sister Ropes and I are SO happy to be staying! We also didn't lose any investigators to boundary changes! STOKED for this transfer of miracles :)

2. Speaking of miracles, Joseph passed his baptism interview yesterday with flying colors! Our DL was super impressed with him. Saturday at 1:00...come if you want ;) Sister Ropes and I will sing at it too.

3. We taught a GOLDEN new in Manzano this week! He is SO prepared. We went to teach the first lesson and he had already read part of the Book of Mormon AND prayed about it AND knows it's true! He got into a car accident a couple days ago so keep Dennis is your prayers!

4. Another solid new in Valencia this week! Brandon is a single dad and is looking for truth to help him and his son. We took solid fellowship to meet him this week so stay tuned for future lessons. Valencia is BOOMING!

5. We got a media referral this week of the SWEETEST boys. Shawn is 11 years old and asked his mom to request a bible for him so we got to deliver it. Him and his friend held that and the Book of Mormon like it was a million dollars. They were so polite and we hope to teach them soon!

No down lows this week :)

Our bishop gave an awesome talk in the stake meeting this past Sunday about building a testimony that will stand the test of time. It made me think of Joseph Smith and the pioneers, and all of their trials and setbacks that in turn, made them into some of the best people who ever lived. When I think of what they endured, it makes my obstacles seem so small. Besides the fact, we all face them. 

Elder Maynes said, "The race that is set before us on this earth is an endurance race filled with obstacles. The obstacles in this race are the challenges we wake up to each morning. We are here on earth to run the race, to exercise our mortal agency, and to choose between right and wrong. In order to honorably and successfully finish the race and return to our Heavenly Father, we will need to pay the price of dedication, perseverance, and self-discipline. We need to get into spiritual shape. We need to develop spiritual stamina. We need strong testimonies that will lead to true conversion, and as a result we will find with ourselves the inner peace and strength to endure whatever challenges we may face."

Great examples of spiritual stamina come from reading our own family history accounts as well as studying the gospel of Jesus Christ daily and striving to apply it. "You must become the rock the river cannot wash away." 

May we each continue striving to build a testimony that will stand the test of time so we, like the Apostle Paul can say with confidence, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

God speed!

Love, Sister Bowen

PS. Happy Mother's Day!