Jake #6 - Provo, UT - Three Days Left, His Grace is Sufficient
January 9, 2015
Hi Everyone,
There are three days left. It feels very weird to think about what's coming, but I'm more than ready. I've made very fast friends with the islanders. I finished the Book of Mormon this week. I really enjoy the lessons that can be learned from it.
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| Argentina Zone |
I am very grateful for the new districts. We now have a zone of 18 elders and 8 sisters. All of the second district and I get along very well I don't know, the super new ones yet. I'm with Elder Nelson currently.
My classes are mostly on how to teach and a little bit of Spanish review. We finished the Spanish grammar; so currently, it's just refining and learning more vocabulary.
I'm short on time today, I recommend watching the video "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox for my spiritual thought. It can be found on LDS.org.
I'm really excited to go.
Elder Bowman
Jake #5 - Provo, UT - Spanish Improving, Eight New Elders, Wrong Suit Came
January 2, 2015
Hi Everyone,
This week we finished with a couple of the mock investigators. Now we have become the mock investigators for some of the beginning Spanish classes. We received our travel itinerary, and I am to be travel leader. Its going to be a 21 hour trip.
This week we learned a lot about how to teach, different methods and tools to use. I feel my language skills are improving dramatically After a little bit more of grammar study, the only thing I shall lack are the Argentine Spanish words and lots of vocabulary.
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| Roommates |
This last week, we received a new shipment of eight elders into our zone. It's exciting to see more people coming. It does make me feel that I am more than ready to leave the MTC and get into the field. I have learned a lot here, but being able to stretch my legs and apply what I've learned will be fantastic.
I'm sending you my suit that doesn't fit from Jos. Banks. The jacket doesn't fit, as well. I had the seamstress here take the measurements. She said that the suit needs to be more than tailored. Also, it is the wrong suit. It's never been worn. And they said it was tailored, when it has not been. I really do need new watches and some ties that are less fragile. The Missionary Mall tie is my favorite. It doesn't hold creases very much.
Love,
Elder Bowman
Jake #4 - Provo, UT - Christmas at the MTC
December 26, 2014
Family and Friends,
So Christmas was a blast. The Apostle Elder Nelson came and spoke about the 9 facets of the gospel. We also had a talent show and watched 'Ephraim's Rescue.' I had a great time, though I really was quite sore from sitting literally all the waking day. It was nice to have a Christmas apart from the world. I recommend reading the gospel of Matthew and Luke to get a full story of Jesus's birth. I also saw the movie 'The Nativity' on Christmas Eve. It was another interesting movie.
So a thought. In Matthew 14, we go back 2000 years roughly and Jesus just found out his cousin, John the Baptist, has been beheaded. So Jesus goes up a mountain to pray and tells His disciples to meet Him on the other side of the lake. They start sailing to the other side. I imagine visibility was quite low, as it was dark and stormy with waves and wind.
As they, in the midst of the waters, see a human-like shape walking toward them. They do what any person would and freak out thinking that some spirit is coming. Jesus says, 'Relax' and keeps walking toward them. So 11 of them are like, 'Wow He is walking on water,' and Peter is going, 'Hey, I love that guy and I'd kinda like to walk on water.' So think now to 1 Nephi 3:7 aka God will provide a way to follow all commandments. So Peter says to Jesus. "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Because he knows if The Lord asks him to come he will be able.
So Jesus does, and I imagine he doesn't step out as that would be doubting and at this time he has no doubt. So I imagine he Jumps over the side of this boat in harsh conditions and starts walking towards Jesus. After a moment the harsh winds cause him to become fearful, and he starts to sink. And Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand, lifts him up and sets him back on top of the water and walks back to the boat friendly telling him why did you doubt? Have more faith.
So three things I love here:
1) That God ALWAYS provides a way to follow his commandments
2) That because Jesus has gone below all things has suffered all things he can reach below all things, We cannot sink far enough that He will still not be able to give us a helping hand
3) That Jesus meets us half way. If we come to Him, He will come to us. All we have to do is ask. This occurred both with meeting His disciples half way on the water and immediately helping Peter when he had asked.
He is standing at the door knocking, but only we can open in it to let Him in.
Merry Christmas,
Elder Bowman
Jake #3 - Provo, UT - Energetic, Spanish Speaking Companion, Working With Little Sleep
December 18, 2015
Hey,
So Its been a very quick week. My progress in Spanish is starting to slow down some. My third companion left for the field, and we are now teaching five investigators.
I really like the food here a lot, as evidenced by I have in two weeks gained a substantial amount of weight (not to my displeasure.) I've gained weight, though we rarely have enough time to eat as long as we would like, or do anything for that matter.
I know that my companion was a divinely-assisted decision to be with me. He is the most energetic guy in our zone and also knows the most Spanish. He worked in a factory for two years with a lot of Mexicans, so it really helped him out.
Sleep is always in high demand. With such a little supply, it's becoming increasingly hard to focus in the long hours of class. In listening to the words of the prophets in conference talks, I have found more ways to use or apply their words all the time here.
My hard investigator had direct revelation during one of our lessons.
I need my shoes my suits. Please go to the Missionary Mall and find out if they have sent my shoes. If not, give them this address or pick them up yourself and give them to me. Five different colors of sticky notes would also be nice and some pens. Food really isn't needed. Also, I will be able to call on Christmas for 30 minutes. Somewhere between 3:15-5:15, so be there if you can. I will be calling the home phone.
That is all for the time being. My departure date from the MTC is January 12.
Elder Jacob Morgan Bowman
Jan 12 ARG-NEU
2007 N 900 E Unit 57
Provo UT 84602
Love,
Elder Bowman
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