Last P-Day at the MTC

Ok family! Here goes the week report! PS thanks for the little chat session! That made me really happy!

 

Friday: So after the temple, laundry and email, we had class again at night! We taught Juan again but this time he was kind of depressed because his wife still doesn't want to come back to him. He wouldn't even pray with us. But then I opened up to 2 Nefi 32: 8-9 and that changed his whole attitude! He decided to pray and he said he was going to start reading the Book of Mormon again because that scripture just showed him how it answers prayers! Whew!!! Almost let that lesson go to waste!

 

Saturday: Well, in TRC today we taught Santiago! He's basically famous here and I'm so glad we got him for our last time here in the MTC with TRC volunteers! We had a great discussion about scriptures and blessings and mission stories! I love TRC!!!! Anyway, my companion made an oopsy in the lesson. He asked Santiago if he was planning on going on a mission with his wife later, I had already noticed he wasn't a ring and was so embarrassed! He then explained how he's not married even at his age but he wants to soon when he meets someone! I just slapped my forehead after that lesson! I couldn't believe he did that and made it awkward for a bit! Anyway, during personal study we went outside to read our Book of Mormons and then all of the sudden there was this crazy techno music blasting all over the valley!!! Yeah BYU games started apparently but it made for a fun little dance party/ jam session! Ha ha! i don't know if I was supposed to do that but it was fun!

 

Sunday: Well, we were supposed to plan a musical number as a district for today and I had no idea . . .  so we made one in five minutes! ha ha! Dad, in the Spanish hymn book, look up 163. We changed the chorus to be Bautizar, bautizar por el que nos salvos bautizar bautizar por cristo rey jesus! Encontrar, ensenar, y bautizar!! por Cristo rey Jesus!!!!! Ha ha! it was pretty fun! PS talking about hymns my favorite is 88 Por So Luz. It's not in the English hymn book! Look up the story behind the song, it's awesome! Sing it for family night sometime! Later, on our Sunday walk to the temple, I ran into Brooke Kempton and Hunter Bryce! I was not expecting them! But it was nice to see some familiar faces! I said hello, took a picture, then left! ha ha! I feel so blunt as a missionary somtimes! Our fireside was by one of the branch presidents and his wife. The only thing I remember is how awkward she was! ha ha! She would tell a joke and nobody would laugh and then she brought out this GIANT yellow umbrella for an object lesson that just didn't quite make sense. I felt bad for her, but it was really funny for us!

 

Monday: I scored in soccer again today! :) Ha ha! But besides that, we taught Juan about Joseph Smith and the restoration. He liked the idea of that and is still committed to be baptized on Saturday! Our second class today was with Hermana Tartaglia. She's ALWAYS on my case! I'm not even doing anything bad but she has the need to kind of criticize everything I do! I picked up a bunch of pictures today. I'll be sending it home in my package of MTC stuff! Once again, Kevy, put the pictures up on my facebook except the brownie creation Elder Neal made with his hands. . .  thanks!

 

Tuesday: You won't believe this . . . We got another apostle tonight!!!! Elder Russell M. Nelson! Ha ha! We're so lucky! I'm meeting apostles and GA's everywhere! He spoke on the Book of Mormon and in correlation with the October ensign which is awesome! He had gotten every missionary a copy of it! Read it. It's cool! Every apostle and member of the first presidency has a talk in it!  So, read that and basically you'll know his talk--a lot came from his own article.

 

Wednesday: Today was sweet!  Hno. Verdugo told us stories from his mission and he was an amazing missionary! He was asked to extend his mission twice!! Crazy huh? anyway, he has the coolest stories from Argentina! I can't wait to get out there! I don't have a lot of time to write so I'll try to be quick! So Elder Conrad Niccol got to the MTC today! He lives on my floor! It's nice to have someone from home to talk to sometimes!

 

Thursday: So, for class today all we did was take pictures and listen to mission stories because it was our last day of classes in the MTC! It was sweet! I wish I had time to tell you about all the amazing experiences! Anyway, after class was over, Hermano Welch came over with his box of Buenos Aires South stuff! He showed us mate caps, flags, soccer stuff (apparently I have to choose a team when I get there!), cow hooves, ostrich feet made into cups, lots of pictures! Investigators to find! Everything! I WAS LITERALLY JUMPING AROUND SO EXCITED TO LEAVE! ha ha! I can't wait to get out there!. Oh PS Mom, the reason our mission is number two on the dangerous list is because we have the most ghetto, villa in like the world. ha ha! It's basically the worst slums ever. We get to go in there! I'm so excited! ha ha! :) Don't worry, I'll share all those cool experiences with you! :)

 

Friday: In field orientation! It was basically everything you need to know about the field and missionary work in one day! ha ha! I'm so excited you have no idea! but, there wasn't much I could say about it besides it was exactly what we needed to get ready for the field.

 

Saturday: Today: Well, nothing much has happened. I figured out how to chat with the family and that was great! I'll be sure to call on Monday! But, today I have a whole p-day to do whatever I need! I just have to pack and get ready for travel basically!

 

I love you all! I'm so thankful for my friends and family!  I can't wait to get out to Buenos Aires! It's going to be awesome! I'm going to hand out 8 Books of Mormon in the airports! It's my goal! Everything is so exciting lately! Can't wait! See ya later . . . like 22 months later! ja ja! :) Chow!

Great Week. . .holds a special place in my heart!

Dearest family of mine!!!!

Well, usually I bring my journal to write bits and parts to you so you know how each day is, but today is different. We went to the temple and did initiatories because our branch president's wife forgot to give me names for the temple. So, we have about an extra hour and a half of free time today. So, I'm just going to wing my best without the journal!

So, we are now the oldest district in our zone! The other district left on Sunday and now it's just us "old guys." It's so odd because I feel as if I look so much younger than everyone here but in fact we're all the same age! I can't believe how slow the days are and how fast the weeks are. The MTC has its way with time. . . Well, anyway, with Sunday being 9/11, our devotional on Sunday was quite different. President Brown wanted to use that time to remember the events of 9/11. So, we watched a video about it and then proceeded to watch the performance of Motab. It was really relaxing and exactly what everyone needed!

So, our teachers have been telling us that we can see a miracle before we leave the MTC. I decided I was going to try and read the entire Book of Mormon before I left and circle any reference to Christ! So, I bought a mini military size approved BoM and started on Sunday morning. Now, I'm half way done with Alma. It's amazing how many times it references Jesus Christ! In just the first Book of Nefi it references him over 700 times!!! You think we're Christians now? Ha ha! Anyway, it's helping me have the spirit continually. Elder Holland had told us the best way to bring the Spirit is to open the BoM and dive into the scriptures! So, I decided I could use a little more spiritual upliftment before I leave here. And boy has it worked a mighty miracle for me!!! So the beginning of the week was a bit frustrating because I couldn't feel the Spirit very much. But Tuesday night I pleaded and begged the Lord to please answer my prayers before I leave the MTC so I can see the miracle that's been promised me if I do what I'm supposed to. So, Wednesday, with our investigator Juan Bustos, it was answered. I don't think the Spirit has guided me so much in my whole life! It was like getting hit with a brick in the head how noticeable it was! So, the lesson started in an empty classroom. Juan usually is kind of depressed and very dull, but something was different today! Juan had a smile and a great attitude! He said his day was great because of his attitude. I felt prompted to ask why he thinks that is and he responded because he has been reading the BoM. What a blessing!! Then he continued to ask questions about Alma ch 40 which we had assigned for him to read in a previous lesson. Right then, the lesson ceased to be ours and became the Spirit's and the Lord's. Our plan literally went 180 degrees in the other direction. We ended up talking about the Plan of Salvation a lot more and about his son who passed away in a motorcycle accident. (Yes mom, I still want one. ) Anyway, he wanted to know what is going to happen to his son because he hasn't been baptized and we had told him that it is necessary in order to return to live with God. So, we told him about temples and how we have the opportunity to act as proxy's for the dead. He REALLY liked this! In fact he wanted to know if this is something he is able to do. We showed him a picture of the temple and told him he would have to be baptized first and then be a member for at least one year. He then asked US when he can be baptized! Shocked, we gave him a baptismal date of the 24th of September! AMAZING!!!! AHHH! I love being a missionary! Anyway, he accepted and wants us to return as soon as possible! It was the most powerful experience with the Spirit in my life and this is only a mock investigator! I can't wait to get to the field!

Speaking of the field, I did receive travel plans for the district as planned! You won't even believe how nuts it is! So, 3:00 a.m. Monday morning of the 26th I have to report to the travel office completely packed and ready to go! Then, our flights are as following:
LV: Salt Lake City - 6:20am
AR: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX - 10:00am
LV: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX - 2:05pm
AR: New York Kennedy, NY - 6:40pm
LV: New York Kennedy, NY - 9:50pm
AR: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - 9:15am
......Yeah, I know it's a little ridiculous. That'll be a long day and a half of traveling. AND I'm going to be right by Carly in a lay over for FOUR HOURS! That just about killed me. I need to get out of the country ASAP. I can't be tempted with all my friends here at BYU any longer. I am so excited to go to Argentina! Well, in regards to our phone call, I have no idea when I'm allowed to call. . . I'll let you know as soon as I can! if not, well, be ready to answer random phone calls!

SO, I might be one of the luckiest missionaries because I have gotten to hear from TWO apostles now! Yeah, that's right, Tuesday night we were privileged to hear from M. Russell Ballard! Way cool! He gave us a bunch of advice basically for our time out in the field. The thing that spoke to me the most though was when he said, "We should all happy and excited and declare, 'I am a servant! I am a missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ!'" That stuck out to me so much! I am so glad to be a missionary. It is the biggest blessing in my life so far and it's only been about 7-8 weeks! I can't even remember now how many weeks it has been. I just know I leave a week from Monday!

That's about all I have to report on with this week. It was a great week! as are all of them! But this one had a special place in my heart. I can't believe the van broke down on Kevy! That's going to be a great story to make jokes about throughout high school! Mom, maybe you should try looking into a new car. It might actually save you money to get a new one then having to keep reparing the mini-machine! Dad, it's always great to hear from you! I love the advice you give me. Kevy, I'll write you a hand-written letter later, but thank you for your letter! I always wonder how you're doing. I hope I can talk with you on the phone soon. Justin! I want to hear from you. I want to know about your life! I know your back is s a litttle crazy, you've been hanging out with nathan, and some girl named Christina? Tell me about it all! I'm glad to know my busy parents are taking some time for themselves! You two are ridiculous. And don't forget your challenges! Mom - Spanish. Dad - Exercise. That way I can run with my pops after my mission which is a huge dream of mine, and then I can bring my mother down to Argentina and experience the culture in it's fullness! Well, I love you all! Trevor, I don't mention you much because I can see you basically whenver for now. But thanks for your great example! I hope to be a fraction at least of the missionary you were! Thank you all for everything! Oh and Dad, if possible, I would love to get some stories of  your experiences of your mission. I would love that! And if anyone is planning a package soon, it'd be nice to get more picture book things from the dollar store. Like two more! Love you! Have a great week! Look for the hand of the Lord in everything!
Love,
Elder Blake W. Cowan

Good Byes Are Hard--Farewell Elder Taylor

Well, it's crazy as usual here. First off, Mother, I write back to every person who writes me. So that is the reason Kevin didn't have a letter. If people write, I write back. I keep promises and I said I would do that as long as people responded to me. You can always find time on your p day at least here and I shorten them if I need. Please don't worry about that. I'm responsible and will stay focused on my work as well as care for my friends. I care about their concerns too. I pray for all of them and for my family as well. Don't worry, I am still here for Kevin too. He wrote me this week and I plan on writing him back. Check the mail Monday Kevy! When I write, I simply grab the letter off my stack and write that person back and keep doing it until the pile is gone. Anyway, time for the week update!

Friday: Nothing too special happened after laundry/email time this day. Elder Taylor and Elder Andrew's district were in infield orientation day so I got my first glimpse of when they leave. No bueno.

Saturday: So TRC was another bummer. Nobody wakes up on Saturday mornings to be taught. :( But I got to teach Elder Ostler again with Elder Maner, Elder Finlayson, and my comp. It was great, but short. We talked about the importance of going to church and that it is a way to receive revelation. Later, in class, we started to learn my last grammar subject that I haven't done on my own--subjunctive! I've been scared to attempt it on my own, but it's not all that bad. I just need to memorize some trigger words . . . a lot of them . . .and then be careful when using past subjunctive. . . tough stuff right there! Tonight was my first day back to gym! Yep, I was dumb and went right to the campo de futbol!! But it was awesome! I was all over the place and after the game I was called the tornado because I was running everywhere!  So much fun! I love soccer so much! Don't worry Mom I'm using my brace. Oh and ps, the ankle is fine. Stop worrying about it! :)

Sunday: Second Fast Sunday! We're going to have three because of general conference. My first Sunday in the field will be general conference and completely in Spanish!!! So cool!!! I'm so excited for the immersion of Spanish down in South America! Tonight was the last night with Elder Andrew and Elder Taylor. I will miss them so much. We had a bottle of Martinelli's that we popped off in the bathroom and celebrated their completion of the MTC! So fun! Also, we got to have mission conference today along with our fireside. It's basically like having three devotionals in one day! I love it! Everything was focused on faith, obedience, repentance, and success. It was great! The fireside was by Heaton AGAIN! That's number three from him now! It doesn't matter he's amazing! I love hearing him speak.

Monday: The title in my journal says, "Alone in My Head" (ps I title each day for fast reference later). Anyway, it was so hard saying bye to Elder Taylor this morning. He's seriously one of my closest friends now. He's kind of a mix between Taylor and RJ. I'll miss him so much! But we're going to chill at the Y after the mish. The rest of the day was very emotional. Even Elder Letham teared up in one of our role plays because of the Spirit. I rededicated my time here at the MTC to my work and studies. I will not disappoint or have any regrets through my entire mission. That is the promise I made to Elder Holland and I plan to keep that.

Tuesday: My favorite day of the week! I had a miracle today. Hermana Tartaglia decided that we needed an experience to help us learn and grow and become more focused. So, during class all this week we will have companion exchanges. My new companion during class time is Elder Jace Johnson, one of my AZ boys!! We teach amazingly together! We got a baptismal date! Finally! :) It was awesome. I love being able to teach in unity and have a mutual bond between my companion and me. I try so hard with Elder Letham, but he thinks that he is so superior to everyone else. He thinks that he is so much smarter and when we correct him he won't admit it even if we show him proof. He said we're all immature for just coming out of high school. There are two of us out of high school and Elder Herrell is 24! Everyone is getting a little edgy with him. Anyway, I still try to love him! Thanks for the advice Mom! It's always welcome! Also, I scored in soccer today! We beat the Tagalics! First time we haven't tied in a long time!!! Now for a serious note. Elder Tolton has been having a difficult time. He asked me for a blessing. So after the fireside by Elder Jensen, we went into my room and I gave him a blessing. It was the first time I've had to exercise my priesthood like that. It was an amazing experience. I hope he gets a stronger testimony of his mission soon! I love him and don't want him to go home.

Wednesday: Uh nothing really happened today. I got my slacks back and well . . . I don't really know if they adjusted them at all. They're still huge around the waist. I'll just have the alterations place here do it so I don't have to keep bothering Trevor and wait forever with Mr. Mac's.

Thursday: Holland x 2. We watched a video only available in the MTC of a devotional that Holland gave a few years ago. It's titled the "Miracle of a Mission." Justin, I wish you could see this! It would help you in your situation right now. I am sorry for your back and everything going on. Just know that I love you and I will do anything for you! Just don't forget all the things you learned in the MTC. Is that a deal? I would like to hear from you about all that you're doing. Anyway, I think this talk by Holland helped Elder Tolton. He changed the subject of his talk to help the missionaries who were feeling like they want to go home. It was the perfect answer to my prayers to help Elder Tolton.

Well, I'm out of time. I love you all so much! I will try to write you as much as I can each week! Thank you Mother for everything you do. Dad, I hope your life settles down a bit and remember to work out! Mom show him up and learn Spanish! :) I miss you all, but too bad cause you ain't gunna see this kid for 22 and a half more months!!! PAZ Familia!!

Amazing Week!

Wow what a week!!!!!! Seriously, it was amazing! I hope I have enough time to tell you all abut it! So much happened this week!!!! Well, here it goes:

 

Friday (Same as the last one from last week, just the other half of it): Hermana Tartaglia came back tonight! I am so glad to have a consistent teacher now! She brought a bunch of chocolate from Peru for us to try and she got us all a bookmark made of leather and they're way cool! I like mine a lot! Anyway, our district was kind of rowdy and she needed to get us on track a few times. That's what happens when your district is awesome!

 

Saturday: ONE MONTH!!!! Seriously? Already one month? Nope, I refuse to believe it! 23 more to go! Boom baby! In T.R.C. today we got to teach a convert named Leonardo Arellano! He's a painter around here and he has had quite the experience in life! Justin would have liked to talk to this member! I learned a lot from him. Not being able to participate in gym is a major bummer. Gym is our salvation at the MTC along with letters. I just go sit in the trainer's rooms and ice my ankle and talk to the trainer people! They're pretty fun! Elder Taylor has had a bad sprain for two weeks. He's been in there with me. We are trying to get food from the outside world from them! Ha ha! This one girl might do it for us. . . Fingers crossed! :)

 

Sunday: Well, this day started with a lot of excitement! We were supposed to be switching district leaders soon and my district has been teasing me that it'll be me for a week or two now. And, well, right after breakfast, President Hansen pulled me out of personal study time to interview me. Say hello to the new district leader of district B in Branch 22!! :) Ha ha! My district cracked up when they found out and now I'm referred to as The District Leader or District Leader Cowan or even El Jefe (The Boss)! Ha ha! I always find things written on my desk about it now. It's really funny! Tonight, we had a fireside by President McIff (one of the MTC presidency counselors). He basically told us how to be healthy. To close, we sang the MTC anthem of Called to Serve! It was awesome!!

 

Monday: Hermano Verdugo! Whose name means "The Executioner" in Spanish, is our new full time teacher. He's awesome! I love him! Ha ha! He tells us funny stories about his mission all the time and he knows how to joke with us guys! For example, he had a companion whose name meant "Beat To A Pulp" and that was a great combo of their names. They got into people's houses with their attitudes and jokes! He's ripped too. He was a firefighter for a few years and he is in pretty good shape! He's half poly and half mexi. I got a mini fan today from an elder who left! It's about the smallest fan I've ever seen! I love it! :) Ha ha!

 

Tuesday: THE BULLDOG HAS SPOKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our devotional was by the one and only Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! aka the bulldog! He's seriously such a boss! Ha ha! He got up there and just preached to us! I don't have time to talk about his hour and twenty-five minute talk . . . but it was awesome! When I send my notebooks home, you should read my notes! The main point was that we don't have the right to take the sacred image of missionaries being perfect away from people. Let them think we're perfect and we better darn be as perfect as we can be! It was awesome! I could have written my whole letter about this night!

 

Wednesday: Not much exciting with the missionary life this day, but gym was exciting! Elder Taylor decided to work out our ankles and jog a little bit, but right as we started, his best friend Olivia and her friend Carly were running by! We ended up spending the next hour walking and talking to them. Wasn't how we should have encountered it, but Elder Taylor had to talk to them and learn about some of his buddies if they're actually going to go on missions and stuff. But I talked to him and so did the zone leaders. It's all good though! They were way cool though! I miss my friends!

 

Thursday: Well, it didn't take long to see one of my friends! I saw Miss Sheri F. King on a run while I was running today! I only got a minute to talk to her and then had to say bye because I'm a missionary and I had to be an example to the rest of the elders. It killed me to not be able to talk to her more! I want to hear about all my friends so badly! Write me letters!!! :) Well, now it's September and I leave in about 25 days! Three weeks from this coming Monday I should be leaving. I'll call on the Saturday before I think.

 

Last, I just want to hurry and say a few things. Kevy, do something like the pudding slide for homecoming. seriously, it's the best activity I've ever done! J, keep changing people's lives, but never lose focus of your mission! Mom, keep being amazing. You truly are Wonder Woman at times! Dad, get some rest sometime. Don't kill yourself. Trevor, well, I'll talk to you soon and check on my slacks please! And Carly, here's your shout out!!! Thanks for the billion pictures you sent me! By far the best bit of mail I've gotten yet! I love you all so much! Have a fabulous week!