June 4, 2012

Yesterday we had a Stake Conference that was actually a broadcast from Salt Lake City to 99 stakes here in Brasil. (São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) Elder Gonzalés of the 70 directed it (Speaks Portuguese) then Sister Dalton (Doesn´t speak Portuguese, but had a translater) then Elder Anderson of the 12 (Speaks Portuguese. We then sang and then President Monson spoke. (Had a translater as well) It was amazing! The main topic was families and a lot of promised blessings for the faithful saints here in Brasil. Elder Anderson said, "Its a great time to be a member in Brasil." I´m very grateful that I can be a part of it. These people deserve it.

We are still doing a lot of tracting. Not having too many progressing investigators, so we are looking for the ones who are ready. We actually had a meeting with my zone and another zone on thursday with President Martins that was awesome! He talked a lot about our calling/purpose and who we really are. We have been really trying to apply some of the tactics we learned there in our contacts and we´ve had a lot more success! Not very many new people to see, but you can really see the Spirit working a lot more and leaving people to think when we leave. President also talked about this coming Sunday. This Sunday, the Manaus Temple will be dedicated. (I am very excited for that!) He said that the blessing that will be given, won´t just be for the people of Manaus or the Brasilians, but even for us missionaries. He then started to name off Americans in the room and said that those blessings are for us as well. He then said that the veil will be opened in all of Brasil that day. He said on our way home after the third and final session to knock on 10 doors and ask them if we can give a blessing to their family. (Say a prayer) He said that if those families have other people on the other side of the veil waiting for their ordaninces, their will be a new Spirit in that house like nothing before. As Elder Anderson said, it truly is a great time to be a member/child of God here in Brasil.

I love you family! I love you all so much. May the Lord continue to bless you in your efforts and prayers.

Com amor
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb

 I also forgot to tell you that I gave a talk in sacrament on my birthday. It was 15 minutes. I talked about  "Our first and greatest calling that we receive as members of His Church." I got to pick it. Of course it was about missionary work. It went ok. Tell Jeni about this too cause she asked me what i was going to do for our birthday and i said, i don´t know, probably give a talk in church. The bishop called me later that week. I got to go but know that I love you soooooooo much Mom! Have a great week, okay

May 28, 2012

Well we did some tracking this week. I told Elder Espíritu that I felt like I was back in Alabama (Where I told myself that I would never spend a whole day knocking on doors again.) But ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get new investigators! The two that we were able to find both came saturday. One is a lady who is about 35 and is taking care of her sick mother. She really liked what we had to say and having a latter-day prophet made sence to here. We are going back for our first real appointment/lesson tomorrow.

The other one is a senhora. She appears to be close to going to the Spirit World (which, I don´t think I have explained to you all how much I love old people! Especially old Brasilians. And even more especially, old Brasilian senhoras! I just feel that I have a better connection with this generation! So much years and experience. And most of the time, very soon-future investigators for the people up stairs! Anywho, continuing on) She welcomed us right in which made us very happy. She told us that her neice is Mormon and her neice´s son is serving a mission in Salvador (I thought Matt might like that) She said that she respects us and already has a Book of Mormon, but was born Catholic and will die Catholic. (Very famous line I find with these old people that I love) After sharing a few scriptures to answer her questions and errors that she had, that left a wider window for us to share the message of the restauration with her. It went very well. In the end she made a solid commitment to read and pray about The Book of Mormon. BLESSINGS!!!

This is the progress of the work to report on for the week. Thank you all so much for everything you have done for me the last 20 years. To think of all the ways I am most spoiled (smile) is to have had each of you for my example. You are all my heros and am so grateful for your prayers, sacrifices and love you have for me and most importantly, for our Savior Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and your families in your prayers and efforts. I love you family!

Seu amoroso filho e irmão
Elder Bowman
omhiwdMb

1 Nephi 11:17