Movin' On

Hey yall! I'm headed up to Fairbanks tomorrow to be in the Badger Road ward. I'm trying to be excited! hahaha

This past week has been pretty good. We taught quite a bit and began to prepare people for 2 new Elders. Elder Olsen is headed to Nome!! hahaha It was a pretty happy and sad week. A less-active member that we had been workin' with and who began to come to church again passed away last Friday and we were in shock and disbelief because he was only 34. So we were dealin' with that pretty good I reckon and then Tuesday we found out that another young man who had begun to come back to church and had started to change his life for the better passed away Monday night from an accidental overdose. Clark's funeral (the 19 year old) was on Saturday and was quite long, but the most spiritual and best funeral I have ever attended. It was hard to choke back the emotions, especially when his 9-year old brother, Scott, helped push his casket in with tears rollin' down his cheeks. The message that his father wanted everyone to know was to not do drugs. Don't do it because it's not worth it. He was an awesome young man and many found comfort and acceptance at the funeral. He will be missed. Sunday was Brother Brownson's funeral and his was very good as well and short and celebrated his life. He was an awesome man and loved his boys so much. He will be dearly missed. 

It made me think a lot about what people would say about me at a funeral if I were to pass away. Would people say good things about me or would they say bad things? I thought a lot about it and thought people would say good things and think I was a great person. I encourage you to reflect on your lives and think about what others would say about you. If you find that there are things you should change, change it and live a better life. I know that a better life comes through the Savior. He loves us and wants the best for us. I love yall and hope you have an awesome week!!

Love,

Elder Taylor Bowes

**Last Monday for PDay we took a trip down to Portage glacier and made a stop at the wildlife refuge place! Got to pet a moose and have a bear model for me lol :) Hope yall enjoy!**

Elder Olsen and I

Mountains

**August 13, 2012**

This week was pretty good. 

Monday we just played basketball and tried to see a few people with no success. 

Tuesday we went and taught the Filson's and had an awesome lesson. The spirit was so strong and spoke to their hearts. You could see it in their eyes. It's wonderful to see a change in them :)

Wednesday we went and taught Lorelei and Greg! Lorelei is gonna get baptized! :D She is such an awesome little girl and there is somethin' special about her. Greg is gettin' closer. :) We also taught Isaac and Aislyn about tithing. We do short lessons with them so we can keep their attention long enough. hahaha Their dad is goin' on a huntin' trip at the end of the month and growin' a sick beard! hahaha 

Thursday we taught the Filson's again and the spirit was so strong again. They are doing everything we ask them to and they are really feeling the spirit! It is great to see! 

Friday we went and said goodbye to David Wilcox. He left that night for his mission to Colombia, South America! He is gonna be an awesome missionary and i'll miss havin' him around! He's a great example to his younger siblings! 

Saturday we helped Erik Wilcox with his Eagle Scout Project again. He is almost done and it looks pretty dang good! It's funny. Erik and Tyler, 2 young men in the ward always try to copy my accent hahahaha. They work together and when they pass each other they stop and say "Hi, my name is Elder Bowes!" hahaha I know i'm loved in this ward! It's pretty funny to me cause they aren't very good at copyin my accent. 

Sunday seemed to take a long time. I think it's cause we had an early supper at 3 in the afternoon. It's all good though. We are seein' a lot of success now and our hard work is payin' off! Don't try to do only big things, it's the smallest things that mean the most. The Lord works through small means to bring to pass great things. Love yall!

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Short!

**This is from August 6, 2012.  Sorry ya'll I've been slacking with posting these emails!!**




Hey yall! Sorry this is gonna be real short! I only have like 5 min left on the computer! 

We worked really hard this week and were able to teach lots of people! It was a great week and we are lookin' forward to this week! 

I'm doin' well and my shoulder is gettin' better! Thanks for all the prayers for me! I love yall and hope yall have had a great week and that you have an even better week this week! :) 

Love,

Elder Taylor Bowes

Rainy Monday :(

Hey yall this week was dang good! 

Monday was good, got lots of exercise. 

Tuesday we went and did service at the Book store for about 4 or 5 hours! We arranged the store the way we wanted it haha. There was probably 16 missionaries there. It was pretty fun and then they ordered a ton of pizza for us and there was enough left over to have our own to take home. 

Wednesday is our busiest day of the week. We have lessons almost all day long. It's probably my favorite day of the week. It goes by quick and I feel like i've accomplished a lot in terms of bringing others closer to Christ. We are making lots of progress with less-active members of the church who have lost their way a little. 

Thursday we had interviews with President. Just a routine thing. We tried to see lots of people, but no one was home. 

Friday we helped out with Erik's Eagle Scout Project. haha took me back 4 years ago when I finally finished my eagle. Can't believe it's been that long ago! 

Saturday mornin' we played dodgeball with people in our district. Then we went and helped out more with Erik's Eagle Project. We went and taught the Hill's about the Plan of Happiness. So glad I know what I know about that! Helps a lot when you lose loved ones or close friends. If you don't know about it, ask the missionaries near you!! We ate supper with the Filson's and then were gonna attend a baptism, but I was holding Elder Olsen's carry out and the whole way from the restaurant to the chapel it leaked onto the seat and onto my pants and I didn't realize it til I was gettin' out of the car. So we went and I changed. Didn't make it back in time. I'll be makin' a visit to the dry cleaners this week! 

Sunday was really good too! David Wilcox had his farewell talk. He leaves for the MTC in 2 weeks. He is goin' to serve in Colombia! He is pretty stoked! He is an awesome young man and he will do so good as a missionary! It was cool to come back to this ward and see how hes grown up. He was already a mature kid, at least to me, his family might think differently lol. Since I know they get this email lol. I'm lookin' forward to another great week and I hope yall have a great week too! 

Love,

Elder Taylor Bowes

Overdue

This week was pretty dang good yall! We taught a lot and were able to help people get movin in the right direction!

Monday was pretty good, we had supper with the Ellis family. They are pretty awesome, they used to work in the mission office. Elder Calk played us a last song or 2 on his final night in the mission field. It was really good. He's gonna be famous someday! Probably already has a CD out hahaha!

Tuesday was a good day, but somewhat emotional and sad. A lot of missionaries i know very well left and went home and some that I know even better are going home next week. It's crazy because the guys I came out with are now leaving and i'm still here. It's pretty weird to sit back and watch them leave and not be able to leave with them. I'll miss them all very much. Made me realize how short of a time I have left on my mission. Only 6 1/2 months. Crazy to think about. It's passin by too quick! 

Wednesday was pretty fun! We had a lesson with Isaac and Aislyn and then played Badminton and volleyball because we promised them we would last time. They had lots of fun and so did we! 

We did a lot through the rest of the week too, but I have like 5 minutes so I will just wrap this up. I hope yall have a great week and that you can do somethin nice for someone this week. WWJD? think about it. He would help everyone. Love yall! Later!

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Jacob

It is such a blessing to come back to the Klatt ward and see the growth of these kids physically and spiritually! Probably my favorite kid in the ward is Jacob. He has downs and he is such an awesome kid. I love that kid! We taught his family the first lesson last night and he knew some of the answers and you could just see the spirit pouring through him! To me, he is an angel in the flesh. I'm sure he has taught all of his siblings (7 of em) so much. They are awesome!

 

We haven't had any crazy storms and rarely do here. If it rains it's just a regular rain, nothin really hard. We probably get 20 hours of daylight maybe more! It sucks that we have to be in by 9 or 930. Summers up here are the best!

 

Sorry I have been really slackin on my weekly email to yall! Hope yall have an awesome week and I will try to have a weekly for yall next week!

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Quick Update

Well quick update. Sorry these are so short lately!

 

I am getting transferred back to the Klatt ward starting tomorrow!!! I am so excited!! I am lookin forward to workin hard there! My new comp will be Elder Olsen, I have no clue who he is. I guess i'll find out tomorrow! This past Sunday we had 3 people get baptized!! It was awesome! They were so happy!! Elder Tebbs is feeling better now, finally! Just in time to get transferred again! Anyways love yall!

 

Gotta go!

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

**Sorry this email isn't that long. It's hard for me to respond long like I did when I was in Whitehorse and Bethel. I'm restricted to an hour now at the library.**

Sorry!! Happy late Memorial Day!!

Hey yall! It's been a while. Sorry for no emails! It's hard to do this email in Anchorage cause I am limited on time at the library.

For memorial day I played 18 holes at Anchorage Golf Course. It was pretty fun! I'm hopin to get some pictures of that up for yall!

Anyways, I am still learning the Samoan language slowly but surely. I can understand a lot more than I can speak. I have a new companion now. His name is Elder Tebbs. Google him, he is gonna be famous!! Tommy Tebbs. He shot a movie before he came out on his mission. It's called Saint Street. It comes out in December. He is also very good at ball. Check him out! We haven't really been able to do much because he has been sick for the past 2 1/2 weeks. I've done a lot of studyin and stuff. I miss the Samoan people. I haven't seen them in so long! I think I will be gettin' transferred on Tuesday to a new area. I hope I stay in Anchorage. I've seen enough of the bush in Alaska and I like bein' around lots of people. We will see!! I only have 9 months left! Well 8 in a few days... time flies when you're doin His work!! Feels like I just left Whitehorse the other day and that's been 5 or 6 months ago! Anyways, I'm doin great! Hope yall are too!

Love,

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Sick Week

Hey yall.

 

Not much to tell yall about... reason being that I was sick the entire week!

 

On Tuesday I went to the doctor and they gave me some medicine to start taking for strep throat and that was supposed to get me better. I took it for a few days and rested up allllll day. I've actually never hated sleeping so much... As the days passed, my throat got worse and worse to the point where I didn't want to eat or drink because it hurt so bad.

 

Friday I woke up and my throat was almost swollen shut. I weighed myself because I am self concious about my weight.... and I lost 10 lbs. in 2 days and was pretty weak. It was awesome! (just in case you didn't catch it, that was sarcasm :))  It was to the point that I thought I might be catching Pnuemonia. We went to the ER and they said I didn't have Pnuemonia! :D I got an IV and some medicine that is actually strong enough to get rid of the strep. They gave me Augmentin and put me on Prednasone to get the swelling down. The next day the strep was almost already gone! Sunday morning it was gone!!! :D I feel a million times better now!

 

Other than that nothing has happened this week because I was either sick or recovering! I am definitely healthy again and ready to get back to work!! Hope yall remember to do the small things that bring great things to pass! :) Love yall! Have an awesome week!

 

Love,

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

 

P.S. Sorry I haven't sent any pictures... My camera ain't workin!

Anchorage

Hey Yall!

 

I am so sorry I haven't emailed yall in so long! I guess the last time I emailed yall was right after transfers a few weeks back. I'll try to remember as much as I can, probably only the most important things will stick out in memory.

 

2 weeks ago we went to Anchorage for a few days. Monday we got there and had to email in the library there which you only get a hour to email. I didn't have time to answer everybody and write this email. After that we went and played basketball and it was the first time in a long time for me that I played with a bunch of other missionaries. Lets just say that livin' in a place with a gym has improved my game. :D Elder Merrill, MacPherson, Davis and I were on teams and we won 9 in a row before they kicked us off the court because nobody could beat us! :) That was pretty awesome! I got to see lots of missionaries and people I haven't seen in a long time! That night we went and saw the Wilcox!! family and ate supper with them and then went to the Hodgson's!! I miss those families soooo much!! We stayed at the mission home that night. It was lots of fun! We had Elder Anderson and Elder Bamlul with us. I don't think we went to sleep on time any of the 3 nights we were there. lol

 

That Tuesday we had Zone Conference. It was really good. It was on the upcoming Easter weekend and how we need to make sure we remember to work hard and stay busy. After Zone Conference we went and ate with Elder Merrill's cousin at Red Robin! It was soooo good. He gave us money too. He is super nice! That night we received our own personal training on how to work with the Ward leaders and get their help in finding people to hear the gospel.

 

Wednesday we ran around getting some things for ourselves and people back in Bethel. It was a pretty hectic day. We hopped on the plane and flew back to Bethel.

 

Friday was an eventful day.... Our transmission had been actin' up for the past couple of days and we were turning into the post office and she went out. Luckily reverse still worked so I backed up probably 200 yards to the shop down the street. I got a couple of strange looks with a truck goin' backwards down the road. Since then we have been without a vehicle and have been walking! What a joy....

 

Saturday was of course General Conference! I didn't get to see either of the first 2 sessions because I was sick. We watched the Priesthood session too and it was good, but the feed out here kept cuttin' in and out. I plan on rewatchin' all of it! We had pizza afterwards, reminded me of Roxboro when we always had pizza before Priesthood session.

 

Sunday was really good! Got to watch all of those sessions. Its awesome to be able to hear from the Prophet and the apostles. They truly are inspired of God.

 

This past week has been really good too. We've stayed very busy with walking everywhere and we have definitely learned to be better at time management. It has been warm here lately and everything is melting which has made it quite muddy.

 

We went to a Ducks Unlimited banquet this past Saturday and I almost won a Benelli Supernova 12 guage! lol They fed us prime rib! It was soooo good!

 

Right now at the moment I have strep throat.... It's really awesome and I wish I could have it all the time.... Sike! I am really drained and am on house arrest til tomorrow afternoon. I really dislike being sick. This email would be longer if it weren't for that. I love yall and hope yall are doing well!

 

Love,

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

It's a party!!

I am so sorry for not emailin' yall last week. It was pretty crazy last week. I'll try to remember as much as I can from 2 weeks ago.

 

Well Saturday 2 weeks ago we got our transfer calls and Elder Shumway got transferred to Anchorage and I am staying in Bethel!! I was so happy! I am now serving with Elder Merrill who I begged to serve with. We have been havin' so much fun and gettin' a lot of work done here in Bethel. He is from Blackfoot, Idaho. He is a really good missionary. We get along really really well. I am very very excited for this transfer! I have a feelin' it's gonna go really fast though. :(

 

Monday Elder Shumway packed all day and then we had a lesson with Jesslyn and Millie. It was a good lesson about Keeping the Sabbath day holy. It's so important to keep it holy. It's a day meant for rest with your family and for you to reflect on what Christ has done for you and everybody else.

 

Tuesday mornin' I dropped Elder Shumway off at the airport and then went back to the church and cleaned out our room and bathroom and then went and hung out with Brother Helgesen the rest of the day until Elder Merrill came in that night. I had a really good time with Brother Helgesen, he is very funny. lol I went and picked up Elder Merrill and brought him back and then we caught each other up on whats been happenin' on our missions.

 

The rest of the week we have been goin' around and lettin' him meet everybody.

 

Thursday we played basketball with the kids around the church and on the very last play of the night, Elder Merrill gets a high ankle sprain.... Not fun for him. I've been the doctor for the past couple of days. His ankle is doing really good though now. Hopefully he will be back to normal soon.

 

Friday and Saturday we did a lot of service at Sammy's Market. We must've helped unload at least 15 pallets of stuff for the store. In return he lets us have free drinks and food too. He even told us to go to a restaurant and order "whatever excited us". He is a really nice guy and really appreciates our help. We end up doing a lot of service for others out here in Bethel. I love it though, there's nothin' like servin' others and puttin' a smile on their face! :) It even says in the scriptures, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your god". Saturday we had to take the truck to the shop. It is still in the shop.... We have been walkin' around the past couple of days. We won't have it back til Tuesday.

 

Sunday was pretty good. Jesslyn came to church and is getting baptized tomorrow! We are so excited for her! Seeing others so happy when they accept the gospel makes all the bad memories of your mission go away.

 

Sorry for the not so long email. I love yall and hope yall are doin' well!

 

Love,

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Exhausted

Hey yall. This one is probably gonna be short this week. I'm exhausted and don't have much drive to write a long email. lol

This week was pretty good, full of service. 

On Monday we played basketball with the neighborhood kids because they didn't have school this week. We played 3 1/2 hours straight. It was great exercise. Afterwards we went and helped the Tavita's clean out a house for them to live in. The place was disgusting. A hoarder lived there and then moved out and the place sat for 6 months. If you were to see a before and after photo of the house, you would not believe it was the same place. Then we went and ate and then had to go pull someone out of a ditch and in the process got stuck ourselves. Someone else was there so they pulled us out and then we pulled the other person out and left. Then we went and taught Jesslyn and Millie at the church and had a really good lesson with them. 

Tuesday we went to the Helgesen's and helped out a little there and then we read with Edward and some of the Helgesen's kids. Later that night we went and helped clean out the house some more. 

Wednesday we went to the Library cleaned some shelves and put things back on the shelves. We read with Edward and then once again helped clean out that house. By then it was actually starting to look like a house. Then we went to the Chavez's and ate supper and then went and taught Paul and Stacy again. It was a great lesson that Elder Shumway prepared. He is gonna be a great missionary.

Thursday was a really good day. We went and played Bingo and Moses won this time! We read with Edward again and then we went and saw the Martins. Brother Martins just had surgery on his knee and is on bed rest basically. He is gettin tired of it though, understandably. They are a fun family. Always a fun time at their place. We went and ate at Brother Irvine's again and he made fried chicken. We played cards with him for just a little bit and then we went and stacked some wood for Sister McMillin. We played basketball for an hour and then everybody had to leave because someone had a meeting that we didn't know about and it was too loud for them to have a meeting and us play at the same time. So I just went to bed early. 

Friday we let the neighborhood kids come back and play basketball since they only got a short bit in. It was fun and they had a good time. Afterwards we went and helped Ben do the final cleanup on the house before they moved in. 

Saturday we went and helped Ben and his family move all their stuff into the house we cleaned all week. They were very appreciative of all the help we gave them. We went and read with the Atkinson's that night and had a good time with them. 

Sunday was a really good day. The Atkinson's came to church and so did the Tavita's! Ben got up during the meeting and thanked everyone for all the help they have received since being here. They are getting settled in now. They all loved church and it was really good. Edward got up and bore his testimony. Probably the best testimony I have ever heard. He compared the Lion King to the gospel. It was the bomb! I wish I could have recorded it! I'll have to let you know what it was exactly next week. 

I hope yall have a great week and that you stay safe! 

Love, 

-Elder Bowes

Opinions

Hey yall!

How's your week been? My week has been pretty good!

Monday we had a nice slow relaxing day of not actually doing anything. It was great! I needed it really badly. I took a 2 hour nap :) After P-day was done we had a lesson with Jesslyn again and she brought her 2 friends along so we taught them too! There first lesson was the Law of Chastity... Never taught someone the Law of Chastity as a first lesson, but they loved it and we are still teaching them and they are thinking about being baptized! :) I get so excited for others when they make decisions like that because I know how much they will be blessed for it!

Tuesday we got called into a surprise special training with our Zone. We had to call in over the phone. It's different having to call in and not be able to see anybody. I do miss seeing all the other missionaries. I don't know many of the missionaries in our mission anymore. While I was in Whitehorse and since I have been out here most of the missionaries I have known have finished their missions and have gone home. It's crazy how close you get to people that you barely meet and get to know for just a little bit. I know it's because of what we have been called to do and that we are serving the Lord. We taught Jesslyn, Casey, and Melony again Tuesday night with Tyler and they loved it and Melony and Casey are really considering baptism! :)

Wednesday we had quite a scare in the morning. We were on our way to the Library to do the usual service and we passed by Edward Jackson's home (recent convert) and there was crime scene tape up and cops everywhere taking pictures around his house and his neighbors. We immediately called some other people to find out what was going on and found out he was ok! We were told that there was a homicide and that it was his neighbor. The person that did it tried to set his house on fire too... Pretty scary. He was shaken up a little, but seems to be okay now and back to normal. Mom I promise i'm not trying to scare you! Don't worry we are safe! :) We went to supper at the Chavez's again and had a very very good meal! :) We had cheesecake for dessert :). We then taught Jesslyn, Casey and Melony with Tyler again! They really enjoy the lessons and are reading the Book of Mormon. They feel the spirit and know that it is good! It's awesome!

Thursday we went to Bingo again! We actually had it this week! :) After we did that we went and knocked a few doors trying to find people that we have run into. We went to supper twice Thursday night! We ate at Bro. Irvine's and he fed us taco soup.... It was sooo good. I almost forgot to leave room for the next meal! We then went to Sister McMillin's and had meatloaf and potatoes and broccoli. She is such a good cook! Haven't had a bad meal there yet! We then with overfilled stomachs played basketball with the neighborhood kids. We taught them before we played about where we came from. They seemed to enjoy the lesson and helped them understand things better. We told them we don't just wanna provide them a place to play basketball, we want to help them find the truth and follow the path that they were meant to walk on this earth. Afterwards I was suckin' wind the whole time!

Friday night we went and watched the boys play 1 of their last regular season games of the year. Both JV and Varsity won! The level of competition is very different from back home in NC. During the game they will sometimes have 2 guys run around and throw shirts into the stands and I got one! The boys really liked us coming and supporting them in their games.

Saturday morning we helped the Stockton's move to their new home. It was the fastest move I have ever been apart of. They were very prepared and had everything ready! It took us all of an hour or 2. Then that afternoon we went and watched the last game of the season and they liked that we were there again. I think they are realizing that we don't just have them come play basketball with us so we can play, but that it is because we actually care what they do and we are trying to be good examples to them and support them in making good decisions. I think I have made a decision in what I wanna do for a profession based off experiences here in Bethel. I'll probably end up following moms footsteps and be a high school teacher and hopefully coach too! That would be fun! We also had Stake Conference Saturday night. That was really good though I was making phone calls the whole time.

Sunday was of course again Stake Conference and Jade and Jesslyn came! The session was awesome! The theme was pioneers. Not only the pioneers who crossed the plains to Salt Lake City, but the pioneers of the church today, the members who are the first members in their families and how much of an impact that can have on generations to come. Correct me if i'm wrong dad, but I believe I am a 6^th generation member of the church. Growing up in the church I never had any doubts it was true, but did not have the testimony I have today until I actually read and studied the Book of Mormon and received a witness that it was true. I absolutely loved the talk the Elder Tad R. Callister gave in the last General Conference about the Book of Mormon. (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-a-book-from-god?lang=eng&media=video) That's a link to the talk he gave. Watch it please!

Probably the biggest thing I have learned here in Bethel is to never judge a book by it's cover and to always form your own opinion about places or things. Before I came to Bethel, I heard all these stories about it, some good, some bad and talked to many people who didn't have anything nice to say about it. Since being here I have formed my own opinion. Bethel is a great place and I love it. I have grown to love the people and the town. If I were to go back and ask the people that told me how bad Bethel was and asked if they had actually been here, probably 50 – 70% have never been here and have no backing for their comments, just hearsay.


For those of you who have never read the Book of Mormon or investigated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and it's teachings, I encourage you to do what I have done, to form your own opinion. Read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind. Watch that talk, click the link above! I know the Book of Mormon is true and is from God. I have read every page. I wouldn't be 5,000 miles away from my home and family sharing it with others if I didn't know it was true. I love yall and hope you will take the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon and learn of the church. Have a great week! :)

Love,

-Elder Taylor Bowes

Hi!

Well yall heard a little about my week last week! Monday was spent digging that grave and Tuesday at the funeral and trying to finish things we didn't finish on Monday.

 

The rest of the past week was really good! It seemed like everything fell into our laps and we didn't have to really do much.

 

Wednesday we did the usual service at the Library and then we went to the Turner's and read with them and talked. We ate supper at the Chavez's and had fun at their house and then we went and taught Paul and Stacy Rogers and had a great discussion about Faith. they are gonna get sealed in the temple in Anchorage in the summer! I'm excited for them!

 

Thursday we went to do Bingo again and more elders in the community passed away so we played cards again and I played crazy 8's with Moses again. He is funny, he gets really excited when we play! We had supper at Brother Irvine's again and then we taught Jesslyn. She is gonna get baptized! We had to move basketball to Friday because of an activity at the church.

 

Friday we played basketball right when they got out of school and then ate supper with the Atkinson's and had a short lesson with them.

 

Saturday was a super busy day. We went to lunch with Sister Gable at a restaurant. Then for the next 3 hours we had back to back lessons! It was awesome! lol We had Tyler come with us. Tyler is gonna be a great missionary! He already knows so much about the gospel. We got a call from a guy named Ben. He is Samoan and they needed help moving out of their place so we helped him and his wife and his sister move things to their new place. They are super nice and very humble. The whole time we were helping we talked with him about the church and how we believe that families can be together forever. His wife is a member and wants her kids to grow up in the church. We are gonna start teaching him and his sister! I am so excited for that! He told us that in Samoa, the church is law. He said if on Sunday you're not at home with your family reading the Bible then you can get in trouble. Pretty crazy but that's really cool!

 

Sunday church was really good and we were able to do a lot. I taught the youth Sunday School class because Sister Sorg is pregnant and was not feeling well. Elder Shumway taught Gospel Principles class. It was a lot of fun teaching them. We talked about the atonement and what Christ has done for all of us. We were studying out of 2 Nephi for the lesson. It was a really good lesson! Without the Atonement we would be lost forever. :( Thank goodness for the Atonement!! :D We went to the Stockton's for Tyler's birthday and supper! We had an absolute blast over there and so did they! They said we are climbing up the list of favorite missionaries! haha He turned 20 and had a very great birthday from the looks of how much he was smiling! It was a really good week! Hope yalls was just as good!

 

Love yall and hope yall have a great week this week!

 

-Elder Bowes

Gravedigger !

Wow this email is pretty late and I am sorta dreading doing this email right now... I'll explain. And the pictures will help explain it as well.

 

So last night we got a phone call from Sister Rogers asking for help to dig a... grave. I was pretty reluctant to do so, but a members mother out here passed away and the family is responsible for digging the grave for their family member that passed away. So we said we would do it because they needed help, so we showed up this morning at 9:30 and they said it would only take an hour then I asked Brother Rogers and he said 3 hours minimum, wait it gets better! It took us from 9:30 til about 3pm. So after almost 6 hours of shoveling, jack hammering, ax chipping and more jack hammering and shoveling, we finally finished! Luckily as you see in the pictures, Brother Rogers and his son drilled holes for us so we didn't have to pick-axe our way through the 2 to 3 foot layer of ice. It's been a long day and I am exhausted. I have a new found appreciation for heavy machinery and other people who dig graves.

 

So anyways, last Monday we ended up doing quite a bit of service and didn't have much time to get our own stuff done, but it was ok, we enjoyed it. We went to the Atkinson's and had a good night there and then went to the Helgesen's for Family Home Evening. It was really fun.

 

Tuesday was good, we saw a lot of people. I don't really remember everything we did last week because I haven't been able to email really til now. Sorry!

Wednesday we did the usual service at the library and then we went and helped Albert a little with a house that he was working on for what seemed like forever. We read with Audrey at the Library and then did a little more service and saw some more people.

Thursday we went to do Bingo, but some more Elders in the community passed away. I don't know if I already explained this or not, but the Natives here when they reach a certain age they are considered Elders. So no young missionaries don't worry! haha!  So we just sat around and played cards with the Elders at the Senior Center. Later on we went and ate supper twice and then played basketball. That was a bad idea, I ate way too much haha! I was winded so quickly! Good exercise though!

Friday we did some more service and we went to a basketball game. We met some people there and because we were there we started teaching another person this past week! That was pretty cool. Just by being out in public we have someone new to teach!

Saturday was a really really busy day! We did service and probably saw and taught 7 people or something like that. We had Tyler Stockton with us for most of the day. He is a very witty, funny guy. He is getting ready to go on his mission and is awaiting his mission call! I get excited for others because I know how excited I was!

Sunday was a great day! We had Tyler along for another lesson, as well as, his sister. They are so funny! We got a lot done this week and I felt really good about it!

Sorry this email is a couple of days late. We have had a hectic past couple of days! Ill tell yall all about it next Monday! Hope yall had a great Valentines Day or as others call it National Singles Awareness Day! lol Have a great week!

-Elder Bowes

37 :)

Hey yall! Hows it goin'? For me it's pretty dang good! I hope the same for yall!

 

This week was pretty good! I tell ya, the time is flyin by! It seems like 2 days ago I was emailing yall. The week started out really really cold and then all of a sudden over night the temperature swung 60 somethin degrees!! It's so warm here and everything is starting to melt, which is making it kinda ugly here in Bethel, but it is supposed to drop down below freezing again today or tomorrow or something like that. It won't drop down to the negatives for at least 10 days! So happy! haha! This winter has been pretty strange here, January here in Bethel was the COLDEST on RECORD. Now it's February and it is in the 30's. February is usually the coldest month of winter, I guess not this year!

 

Monday was a good day to sit around and relax. It was a good day P-day. We taught Audrey again on Monday as well. She is doing great! P-day's out in the bush are very different. We are the only ones within 500 miles of Bethel, whereas in the city or more rural areas there are at least 20 - 40 missionaries that you can play basketball with or that kinda thing.

Tuesday was pretty good I reckon. We met some new people. We met the Turner's finally and got to know them a little bit. They are really nice and he is a Police Officer. We also met with Albert and read with him. We have been working really hard with him, he is facing a lot of difficulty in his life. He can tell a difference in his days when he reads and when he doesn't.

Wednesday was pretty fun! We did service at the Library like usual and the lady that is here when we are was proctoring an exam so I got to check books in and out. Afterwards we had lunch and did some more service with Albert. Then we played basketball with the neighborhood kids in the afternoon because they didn't have school because of terribly visibility. I think the best visibility I had the whole day was like 50 yards, probably a little less. That was pretty fun haha! After that we did a little more service with Albert and then went to the Chavez's for supper again. The foods' always good there!

Thursday we did lots of service. We did Bingo like usual and actually and Elder in one of the villages passed away so there isn't Bingo when that happens. We instead played cards with some of the Elders at the Senior Center. I played Crazy 8's with Moses, he is a blind man and is pretty funny! He is dang good at cards! He has special cards that have the bumps on them, I don't remember what it's called, but anyways that's how he does it! We helped Albert, yet again with more service. We went to Bro. Irvine's for Supper and talked with him for a bit. His food is always good! After that we played basketball again and had a really good time. There were about 15 there to play. Elder Shumway and I are the tallest. The problem out here for them with basketball is they are all too short. They are still really good though!

Friday we did even more service with Albert. We read with him too and taught him a little too. He is almost there! We then got permission to go watch the Girls Varsity basketball game because one of them plays basketball with us and invited us to it. They played Dillingham and won by 6. It was a pretty sloppy game by both teams. Tons of turnovers, but hey a win is a win, right?

Saturday the girl scouts and cub scouts did a Pinewood Derby at the church! That was fun to be at! We helped Judge the cars and stuff. I got a certificate for making the bracket for the cub scouts! I decided I would carve one out and made a chop top bus. It wasn't that fast because I only had an hour to make it and it was kinda on the fly. Oh well! It was a really fun day!

Sunday was good. Church was good! Jade came to church even though his mom didn't! He enjoyed it and he always participates in class! We went to the Helgesen's  for lunch and had to listen to them watch the Superbowl in the other room... :( What made me really happy was that the Patriots lost!!! :D We met with Edward on Sunday as well and he is still on fire. He is so eager to share the gospel with everyone around him! I love seeing that. He is teaching his family about the gospel and I am sure he is making an impact. He is such an example to me and everyone around him. I hope when I am done with my mission I will be just as eager to share the gospel with those I love. I hope this finds yall doing well and that yall had a great week and that you will have an even better week!

Time for me to go enjoy this 36 degree weather!

Love,

-Elder Taylor Bowes

To: Ya'll From: The Armpit of Alaska

Hey yall! Hows things going?

This past week started out really slow, but it picked up and we had a great week. Last Monday as I told yall last time, we helped out with the K300. The Banquet for it was Monday night and they handed out all the awards and had all the mushers come up and say a few words. It was pretty cool to be there for. They told stories about being out there on the trail. They were both interesting and really funny. Rohn Buser won the K300 and is gonna run the Iditarod.

Tuesday we almost ended up driving some mushers to the airport along with their dogs and gear, but they worked everything out to where we didn't have to help. It wasn't that exciting of a day. Tuesday we went to the Martins for supper. We had homemade pizza! Sister Martins brother in law just moved here from Brazil and is an area authority.

Wednesday we helped out at the Library again. They really appreciate the help we give them. In my mind I'm like, hey, you provide me with a warm place to help out for 2 hours. I'm more than happy to help! As long as there is no cold involved! The cold was pretty miserable all week long. We ate at the Chavez's and then we went and played volleyball with the youth for 30 minutes or so and then we went and taught Paul and his wife. They are very humble and nice people. I enjoy teaching them, and I always learn something from them.

Thursday we called in to Anchorage and had a meeting with them over the phone. You get to learn a lot from others out here, you just have to be humble enough to take it in and listen and then apply it to yourself. That's one thing I am grateful for is humble people who let us in their homes and allow us to share the wonderful gift of the gospel! We met with Audrey at the church again and read with her. She is a very happy, bubbly girl. She is so positive! It's great! We were supposed to play basketball, but only a couple showed up because most were at the tournament either in Bethel or in Galena. So we played horse, pig, knockout, 21. It was pretty fun!

Friday we did lots of service. We helped the Helgesen's tidy up the back of the house. They help us out so much and feed us whenever there is a blank spot on the supper calendar. They let us do our laundry there and everything. They truly serve others and try to help as many people as they can. Friday night we taught their kids and their kids' friends about the scriptures and watched a kids movie about Ammon and King Lamoni. If you wanna read it, it's in Alma Chapters 17, 18, and 19. That's one of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon.

Saturday the Branch had a potluck at the church and there were lots of people there. We went out and tried to invite as many people as possible to it. Lots of them showed up too which was pretty cool! I love potlucks because you can sit and socialize with others and get to know people better and have a good time. Everyone that came enjoyed it and left full!

 

Sunday was Branch Conference. It was pretty cool! The talks were awesome and it seemed like it was centered around sharing the gospel with everyone. They told us a story in Sunday school about a beautiful pearl that a man found and he wanted to show everyone. He decided to make a box for it and it was a very nice box with handcarved wood, nice decorative carvings in the side and jewels around the top border of the box. On the inside it was lined with blue velvet and the pearl sat inside. The man set up a display and when people came to look at it, they all commented on how nice the box was and how beautiful the box was, but nobody commented on the beautiful pearl inside. Discouraged and disappointed the man closed his box and took the display down and put it in the attic and never opened it again. The pearl is the gospel. The box represents a building. It doesn't matter what the building looks like, it's what happens inside the building that matters. One thing that President Chadwick said also that caught my attention was that, "Church is a supplement for what should already be happening in the home". I am very grateful for the way my parents raised me, teaching me to walk in the ways of the Lord. I love them for that. 

I love yall and hope yall are doing well! Hope this finds you well!

 

-Elder Taylor Bowes

 

-Isaiah 41:10