Retain A Remembrance

High 5!

1. Exchanges! Hermana Verdoorn came to 5th Ward with me and we had a blast! We came out together so it was super fun catching up and talking about our missions.

2. We have the BEST new family in our ward! The Whetten's just moved here from New York. Sister Whetten and her daughter, Noelle LOVE the missionaries and always text us asking if they can come out with us! It is the best! Their dream is to have the missionaries live with them-haha.

3.We got to go to Resler Wards's baptism with Raquel this week! She LOVED it and is so excited for her baptism in a couple weeks :)

4. We had FHE with a LA family in our ward and it was a miracle to watch them open up and show a desire to return to activity. Miracles!

5. We did service with a recent convert this week. We made pillowcases for hospitals and a couple other organizations! It was fun :)

Down Low, 2 Slow.

1. The mosquitoes are crazy down here by the Rio Grande...I had 147 bites this week, just on my legs!

2. We NEED a new teaching pool!

Retention is something talked about a lot, especially in missionary work with recent converts. A cool statistic was brought to our attention. 90% of recent converts who attend the temple within 6 months after their baptism are retained long term. 

I think it is super important to think of our own spiritual progress and retain a remembrance of the things we need to do to be prepared at any turn. In Mosiah chapter 4, verse 11, it tells us how. "And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel." And then comes the promises and blessings in verse 12. "And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true." 

I love substituting my name into these scriptures to make them more personal for me and I invite you all to do the same.

Remember, remember, remember! It is said so many times in the scriptures and is the hardest thing to do! Strive to recall your spiritual highs, stories from your ancestors, experiences when the Lord has delivered you and others you know, and use the Atonement on a day to day basis. All the blessings are yours!

Dios le bendiga!

Love, Hermana Bowen