Happy Birthday Elder Porter!

Dear Family,

First off . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER DEVIN BOYD PORTER!!!!!!!!! The big 20 baby!!!! Ja ja! It's fun having a comp with a birthday. My hijo, or son, is actually older than me! I am having fun messing with him. The members this night are planning something for him too. He's such a goofy guy! I'm sorry I tend to ignore your questions. I'm not perfect at remembering them all. I usually don't include too much about him in the stories because he is really quiet in lessons and visits because the language is really hard for him. He is getting better and I see improvements every week, but he lacks a little bit of self confidence in his abilities in the language. But we get along just fine! he's a really funny kid always trying to make me laugh! . .  which isn't all that hard to do. . . He likes Argentina though and the work. He really cares for the people here. And his girlfriend who has single-highhandedly planned the rest of his life. They've got like wedding plans already and they only dated for two months before the mission and it was kind of like Carly and I how they were separated by distance . . . Washington to Georgia. But they did hang a out a lot for a whole year before that as they were friends at BYU and dating each others friends.

The reason that Virginia's neighbor, the crazy lady, wants to kill her is because she is from Paraguay. The neighbor is just a racist and hates Paraguayans. Sad huh? The devil works in crazy ways. But the Lord's ways are always greater. Speaking of Vicky, we had quite the week with her. First off, we fasted with her on Tuesday. Yet again, another miracle has come to pass with this lady!!! She received a call from her ex-husband on Wednesday right after she finished her fast and Carlos told her that he had gotten her an apartment in Capital and that she and the kids will be moving there. Also, he has found someone to buy their house and he is also kicking the people out of the house this night. It's an answer to our prayers and fasts. It's just hard to say goodbye to this lady. Yesterday after church, I broke a mission rule and gave her a hug. Sorry. I couldn't help it! I am going to miss this lady sooo much! She is one of my closest friends ever! I have never met someone like her before. She's so great! She even got up and bore her testimony for me in sacrament yesterday. I cried like a baby. She has one of the strongest testimonies and you can feel it from her. All the members were amazed as she shared with them her history and conversion story. I can't wait till you can get to meet her. She is amazing!

Also, I want to congratulate dad on seeing Miley Cyrus in the airport! Ha ha! That honestly made me laugh so much what he yelled out to her! I'm completely proud that a man wearing short shorts reminds you all of me! I miss those babies. . . I want some short shorts!!! Ha ha! I miss running so bad!

Well, transfers are this next coming Monday. We get advised Saturday in the night if we leave or stay. . . They give us one day to say goodbyes to our wards and to our investigators. If you get called to be an assistant, zone leader, trainer, or district leader, it's possible that Pte. Stapley will call you earlier in the week like he did with Elder Vergara and me.

Well, a few things about this past week. . . We took out 8 new baptism commitments, 2 more that said yes to the invite, but no to the date. We found 14 new investigators, and taught tons of lessons!!! I loved it! We even did an intercambio with the zone leaders and I went into Avellaneda again! Elder Prately is giving me a lot of stuff before he leaves. He's going home. :( I'll miss him. He's an amazing missionary!
 


We also had a zone conference on Thursday that was absolutely amazing! Pte. Stapley taught us about the example of Christ and how we should be like him. Also, he taught about the Atonement. It was so spiritual and there were times that were absolutely funny! The role plays and practices were great!!! I got seated right between the stake president and both of the two companionships of zone leaders. (It was combined with Avellaneda and Banfield.) But President used me a lot and had me stand up and explain to everyone what I'm doing to be having so much success in our area. I have a feeling that President is keeping a real good eye on me. Afterward, Prately was joking that I'm going to take his place as a zone leaders when he leaves and I'm going to skip being a district leader. I honestly just want to be a regular missionary or a trainer. And I want Latin comps. :)

I am so happy to say that Ramona was baptized and confirmed this past weekend! She went from telling us that she doesn't want anything from the church then changing 180 degrees and getting baptized! WOW! The changes that the Spirit can bring upon people is amazing. That's baptism number nine! I am planning on baptizing a whole lot more the rest of my mission! I know the Lord will help me to do it too.

Well, I am having a hard time finding things to talk about right now. . . I'm sorry! But have to go too! I love you all and am so grateful for the consistent support and all the letters and packages a receive. Have a wonderful week!

Con Amor.
Elder Blake W. Cowan

P.S. I received the camera mom, but you need to send me new memory card because the one you sent me before doesn't fit in this camera. It uses a Micro SD Card. The really small type that we put into our phones. So, I still can't use it . . . Ha ha! Thanks though! I love the camera and it does take great pictures!!!