Birmingham Alabama!!

Elder Bowman left for Birmingham Alabama on Monday September 19th. He is there until he gets his visa for Brazil. These are pictures we found on the Birmingham Alabama mission blog the link for the blog is http://alabamamissionupdate.blogspot.com/

Elder Bowman going to Brazil speaking Portuguese

Elder Bowman promising to drive safely.

Elder Bowman with his friend Elder Paulson

Our four new visa elders at the office during a brief orientation Monday.

A break from a very long day. Dinner at the mission office.

Looking at the location board to see where they are going!

New Companionship! Elder Bowman and Elder Anderson.

All the Portuguese speaking missionaries together in one apartment. The President in Brazil will be very happy to hear they had the opportunity to practice so much while they were in Alabama.

September 12th, 2011

HELLO FAMILY!!! Where has the time gone?! I can't believe that my time here is almost up! Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever but for the most part, I feel like just yesterday was July. I'm excited to call you mom on Wednesday and report where the Lord needs me at this time. My district is all pretty pumped at the matter, no matter where it is, we just all want to get out there and do our part. We had about 20 missionaries get reassigned in my branch (we have one of the biggest branches with on average around 75) and we aren't replacing any of them this week so the branch will be a little bit smaller this last week. All the missionaries who were outside of Utah were reassigned to SLC (they are thinking that their visas are coming soon) with about the other half going to different places such as DC South, Washington, Arizona, and one to Oregon. It seems that they call them some where to the south cuz of our clothes but will also call them where ever. So last night Pres. Brown (MTC Pres) came and sat by us at dinner. He's an awesome person! Really friendly. towards the end of our meal he asked out of our district was the best Book of Mormon Scriptorian. I'm not really great and in my opinion there are a lot better ones im my district but everyone turned and pointed to me. I was very shocked!! He asked me to come sit by him and asked me ten scriptures in the BoM that refer to the Atonement, He actually had everyone participate but when he specifically asked me he asked me for location and who was speaking and all that. HA! Very overwhelming and on the spot! But here's the kicker. Right after dinner we had our departure meeting and when he stood up to give his presentation he asked his "Brasilian Missionaries" to come up! He asked us for 10 scriptures and Sister Hayes took the rains as we all gave her our answers so it wasn't too bad. Oh ya gotta love it! So tomorrow at the devotional they have asked Elder Clements and Sister Hayes to say the prayers so that will be an awesome experience! We'll all get to go sit up with the speaker and MTC Presidency. I love you all sooo much! Everyday is a struggle with an even greater blessing in store. The Atonement is real and I'm doing my best to use it in my life. There is no greater message then the one we have. I'm excited to see where the Lord needs me at this time and bare my testimony that He lives to whomever He and Heavenly Father have prepared. I LOVE YOU!!! Elder Bowman omhiwdMb

Pictures!

My Companions! Elder Clements and Sister Hayes. They say sister in Brazil because Irma is a nun down there.

We like our 4-square! :)

Irmao Dodge (Left) Irmao Hermana (right) my teachers. My other teacher is Irma Adamson

Jackers? Where is Jakie going on his mission?

The one who looks thug is Elder Perdue. He thinks he's black. He calls himself Paroa De Bala. Bullet Prove.

We do work. No big deal.

The Workshop.

Elder Paulo Holding Down the Fort.

September 5th, 2011

The weeks are just going faster and faster!! Today I got to see Elder Katsos before he heads out at 4 in the morning tomorrow. I'm going to go try see him tonight though but no promises. We committed two other baptizims this week!!! Fernando -who is played by Irmao Harmon and the other one Steeferson -who is played by Irmao Dodge. Tonight is Irma Adamison's last night (she played Gina) I'm really going to miss her. She has been my favorite teacher. I don't know if her being Gina helped, but I've always felt comfortable and confident with my Portugues with her. This week is also Irmao Harmon's last week. He's like the head professor here at the MTC so its kinda a big deal that he's leaving and also a true blessing that he was our teacher. Irmao Dodge has been with us the whole time, but we just got a new teacher a week and a half ago named Irma Beery. She's way sweet! So by the end of the week, we will have gone from 4 teachers to 2. It's almost un heard of to have more then 1 perminit teacher so we've really been fortunite. So to quickly talk about this, Irmao Dodge lost 60lbs on his mission so a few of us (especially me and Elder Perdue) have been seeing who could gain the most weight here, then lose it out in the field. Well... Last nights devotional was all about health and stuff. So lets just say that me and Elder Perdue called it a draw with him gaining over 16lbs and I was a half a pound from 20. Yeah... No joke... This has been the most amazing, hardest, self defining relationship between me and the Lord. I love every minute of it. Last night at the fireside, we sang called to serve, but the special version at the MTC (a few of you know what I am talking about) To explain the feeling wouldn't be enough for words. How greatful I am for this time in my life to bare witness that I know Christ Lives. So many missionaries, but even more lost children of our Father in Heaven out there in the world. What a privledge it is to testify of his love. I love you family! Sorry, I can never write all that I want. You all are great! The church is TRUE!!! Com amor, Elder Bowman OMHIWDMB

August 29th, 2011

The weeks are just going faster and faster!! Today I got to see Elder Katsos before he heads out at 4 in the morning tomorrow. I'm going to go try see him tonight though but no promises. We committed two other baptizims this week!!! Fernando -who is played by Irmao Harmon and the other one Steeferson -who is played by Irmao Dodge. Tonight is Irma Adamison's last night (she played Gina) I'm really going to miss her. She has been my favorite teacher. I don't know if her being Gina helped, but I've always felt comfortable and confident with my Portugues with her. This week is also Irmao Harmon's last week. He's like the head professor here at the MTC so its kinda a big deal that he's leaving and also a true blessing that he was our teacher. Irmao Dodge has been with us the whole time, but we just got a new teacher a week and a half ago named Irma Beery. She's way sweet! So by the end of the week, we will have gone from 4 teachers to 2. It's almost un heard of to have more then 1 perminit teacher so we've really been fortunite. So to quickly talk about this, Irmao Dodge lost 60lbs on his mission so a few of us (especially me and Elder Perdue) have been seeing who could gain the most weight here, then lose it out in the field. Well... Last nights devotional was all about health and stuff. So lets just say that me and Elder Perdue called it a draw with him gaining over 16lbs and I was a half a pound from 20. Yeah... No joke... This has been the most amazing, hardest, self defining relationship between me and the Lord. I love every minute of it. Last night at the fireside, we sang called to serve, but the special version at the MTC (a few of you know what I am talking about) To explain the feeling wouldn't be enough for words. How greatful I am for this time in my life to bare witness that I know Christ Lives. So many missionaries, but even more lost children of our Father in Heaven out there in the world. What a privledge it is to testify of his love. I love you family! Sorry, I can never write all that I want. You all are great! The church is TRUE!!! Com amor, Elder Bowman OMHIWDMB

August 23rd, 2011

OI FAMÍLIA!!! Como vão? Well not too much to report this week. I'm in the choir which I'm sure that will make a few of you smile. We sing tonight and I think my district will be doing it every week now. Oh by the way, thank you sooooooo much for the doughnuts mom! Also, we had our last appointment with Gina yesterday night and I had the chance to bare my testimony and ask her to bare her's. It was really neat! This is Irma Adamson's last week (She plays Gina) and I'm really going to miss her. All my teachers are incredible, but she has always made me feel comfortable and good about myself with the language. We had our two district elders that are at the Brasil CTM write us and tell us how it is. They said to take andvantage of it up here cuz I guess they're a little more relaxed down there. I'm sure the pilot program that we are on has a big thing to do with it. I'm really greatful to be where the Lord wants me, but especially that he has allowed me to be here. Everything about it just makes sense. Yesterday was the greatest day I have had thus far with the language. Of course you would think that thats how it would be with every new day, but I was understanding almost everything the teachers were saying and was able to make more sentances. I was also able to pronounce the words better which is what I seem to struggle with the most. That's been the hardest and I think the biggest difference between Portuguese and Spanish. It isn't as friendly to native English speakers. I just want to close about how I have really had to come to know that faith isn't just believing on something, it's doing all that you can and knowing that the grace of the Lord will be done. Perhaps the greatest miracle any of us can grasp in this life is when our will and the will of the Father and of His Son inter-twine. This has been the hardest thing for me, but I'm greatful that the Lord cares for me so much that He wants me to grow. Thank you all so much for the fasting and prayers. I love you all so much. Remember to always choose faith over fear. Eu te amo família!!! Com amor Elder Jacob W Bowman OMHIWDMB

August 16th, 2011

Oi família! Como vocês vão? What an amazing week it has been! It's been a roller coaster ride and it's been an amazing experience! Well guess what?.... Gina is getting baptized!!! She has been so reseptive and we have asked her before, but she wanted to finish the Book of Mormon first, but the Spirit was just so strong!! I'm going to send a tape home this week so I'll go into more detail in that. It's crazy how the little time I have to email flys by! No one has gotten their visa this week, we are thinking that we'll all be here the whole time now, but its whatever the Lord wants. So there's 6 Elders and 1 Sister and the Sister (Hayes) and Elder Purdue are the only ones from out of state and from the west coast so we think if anyone leaves it will be them. So in sacrament meeting they never tell who the two speakers are until right before they give the talks. Yupp, it was me this week. Straight up Portuguese. It was a real eye opener for me. I struggle to pronounce some of the words, especially in the scriptures, but I always have a comforting Spirit telling me that it's what the Lord wants and I must stand tall in what I believe. Its interesting, Adam an Eve took from the fruit that they may know the good from the evil. That they may experiene the joy from the sorrow. That they may become stronger from the weaknesses of mortality. But the choice isn't usually between good and evil. Rather than faith and fear. But as the scriptures state, God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of sound mind and love and His power. We should never be ashamed of the gospel or the testimony of our Savior. We can do all things through Christ, who is our Salvador. I hope to tell you more about my experiences in my tape. Eu amo todo você! Deus esta com você Elder Bowman OMHIWDMB

August 9th, 2011

Wow!!! What a week!!! I LOVE IT HERE!!!!! This work is truly the best! As I've thought about it, my whole life I have always loved competing. That seems to have been my drive for a lot of things in my life. But here, it's a whole new playing field, a whole new ball game. Even though at first it was tough to not physically overcome my opponinent, I have found no greater love, save it be by family, then to wake up every morning and representing my eternal family and the name by which family can be eternal if we take upon His name. I can't discribe my love for each of you, for the sacrifices you all have made for me. Thank you so much for the prayers and the fasting. I know that the Lord loves His children and will never give us a commandment save there be a way to accomplish it. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Well nothing too exciting to report except that you all are the best family in the world and my district loves you! Seriously, I am too blessed. My district wishes they had a family like you! They loved the flag by the way. :) We had two of the 8 Elders from our district get their visas last week and left this morning for the CTM. They will be missed, but I know thats where God wants them. The language is still comin! We still haven't baptized our investigator Gina yet, but I have a good feeling for this next week! The MTC Musical is just dandy too! I don't know what more to say, but that I love you all so very much. Whenever times get hard I think of every single one of you and the joy that you bring to me and think thats what this work is all about. This is the same happiness I want to share where ever the Lord may call me. I LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!

August 4th, 2011

To Mom he wrote:This past week has been remarkable. Sorry I didnt have much time in my email. Hopefully this letter gets to you as soon as possible. I litterally had two more words left to say before it told me that my time was up and to finish and send my email. Everything is great! I just hope the family knows how much I truly care about them and for their fasting and prayers. I just felt rushed the whole time I was typing and couldn't say all that I wanted to, especailly how greatful I am for all of you. Thank you so much for sending me letters every day! They are the highlight of my day! Oh and thank you for the packages! Ha, I dont think I need candy for a couple of weeks though. Also, I hope you havent sent a pkg by the time you get this cuz I remembered a couple other things (he mentions other things he needs from his closet) Also, we had pizza for the first time friday night! Love of my life! I also had sprite to was it down. I jusually have powerade every meal but I was feeling sprite with my pizza. Sprite has always been my favorite drink, but I never knew why, except for that it tastes great! Then I remembered how sprite was your cure to everything... I now know that the reason I love sprite so much is that it makes me think of you. I know Ive been called to serve his children in Brasil and to exercise my faith in Him and know without a shadow of a doubt that all things come to pass by the will of the Father if we but have faith. I could go on and on and on! Even though I've only scratched the surface, I can see why missions change lives. My joy is full....I may not know the meaning of all things, nevertheless I know that he loves His children. And if I;m meant to stand in the infirmities, I will do so with all the glory to His Atonement, that I may have the power of Christ rest upon my shoulders. It is my duty to never let him down. OMHIWDMB. To Dad he writes: It would be hard to express just how much your letter meant to me. I dont have a lot of time to comment on all of what you said, but please keep telling me about your life. Its like you know exactly what I have been going through...You couldnt have been more spot on. Throughout my life it seemed that whenever I put a lot of energy into something, I was usually satisfied with the result. But my mission, I felt like I had never worked harder for something in my life. I wanted to be the best. What you talked about with your experience sounds exactly like mine. Ive usually been good at memorizing things, but here its been so hard for me. Everyone was picking up the language faster than me, I felt like I had such a great message to share but couldnt. Even sports and just working out was difficult for me. I really cant summerize my experience that I went through that made everything change because it is so dear to me, it wouldnt have the same meaning. So one day I will write you the story, but know this. I know that Christ lives. I know that there is no such thing as coincidents, just life's miracles.