Laura's Baptism

Dear Family,

Well, this was honestly a boring week for a lot of the time. We have been without power until today!!! 12 days without power! So, President Stapley was really worried about us being is a crazy area and all, so we got the rule that we had to be back in the pench at 6:00 every night. We were left with basically enough time for two or three lessons, if they were there. Needless to say, we didn't teach much except for our baptisms we had coming up. Living off of candles was fun for a while though! Several houses burnt down, though, from candles . . . There is just so much work to do! I didn't take too many pictures of the disaster because people are taking advantage of it and robbing all over the place. I did send a bunch of emails attached with pictures though! Enjoy. There should be 11 emails of pictures. Some have a lot of pictures and others maybe only one.

Anyway, surprisingly, we didn't do much service this past week. I thought we were going to be in service clothes all week! But we only did a few. I sent a picture of a house that I built though! It's the bishop's new house! I'm kind of proud of my work!

We have mostly been occupied with preparing Laura and Daniel for baptism and confirmation lately. So, Laura got baptized by Julio Maigua and then Daniel got confirmed! Yaya!! It was a crazy two weeks of baptisms and all that fun stuff! Baptisms are crazy in small chapels because of so many people and having to change in tiny bathrooms and what not. It's a joyful experience! And I also baptized a kid for the ward because he wanted me to. So that's the little kid I'm lifting up in that picture. Carlitos Fernandez! He loves the elders a lot!


So, some funny stories this week. Starting with today, Elder Reyes-Cairo came over to our area for the feria and we made him take a picture on the mini pony horse. BEST DAY EVER! Ha ha! Everyone was laughing at him and it was amazing! Then we convinced him to buy the pictures for a really expensive price! It was amazing. Another story, we were teaching Daniel about the Priesthood the other day and while Daniel was taking in a breathe to say something, Elder Porter farted really loud!!! Ha HA! Then Daniel said, "Well, if the tornado didn't blow my house down, I don't think porter's fart will, but goodness, the smell might kill me!" That made me cry from laughing so hard! Another thing, Elder Porter and I were walking back from the store one day and we saw two dogs. These two dogs were obviously members of the church, though, because they both had their eyes closed while one was sitting and the other had his paws on his head, giving him a blessing! It was too good! I didn't have my camera with me though. I wanted to take a picture of it so bad!

So, transfers is this next Monday. I'm pretty sure that the president wants me to go to the offices because he called me and asked if I knew how to use EXCEL. . . Elder Porter had to explain to me that WORD and EXCEL are different, so President knows I know nothing of the program. But he is really concerned about my foot. I don't know if I would be able to handle the offices. . . I feel like I would die of boredom because I would only be allowed to go out and work one day of the week. I am too much of a people person and I could never be an office worker. But, we'll see what the Lord wants. I'm really nervous about leaving the area when I have learned to love the members so much! I will suffer a lot if I go to the offices.

Well, I'm sorry this week's letter is really boring. I haven't had much excitement happen this past week. The tornado kind of killed the work for a bit. I'm hoping we will have a little more success this coming week now that we have lights. I only want to leave you with my testimony. I know this is the work of the Lord. I know that I have been called by a prophet of God, who receives the revelation that we need everyday! I know that my Heavenly father knows me and is glad for my work here in Argentina. I know that when I am back in the presence of my Heavenly Father, the thing that will cause me to have more shock is to see God's face again and how familiar it looks. I know he smiles down on each of us as we live his holy commandments. He weeps when we have trails and lose our way. His only desire is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man and it is only possible through the Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that Christ paid the price for my sins, pains, afflictions, and the temptations I have had. I know that he is always willing to help us, with his hands stretched out to all. One day we will see those marked hands and bow down to him as our Lord and King. I know His gospel is true. I know it is the only way to return to my heavenly estate and to have an eternal family. I have left mine for two years to help others have theirs forever. I know these things are true and could never deny them. I am so grateful for my mission. I am grateful for the inspired men and women who are leaders for this Church of Christ. I am grateful for my sweet mother who has sacrificed so many hours, money, and time for me and my brothers. I love my brothers. They mean the world to me and I would do anything for them to experience this joy I have found in this work. I am grateful for an amazing father. He has been the best example to me in this life with all his determination and dedication to his family, work, and most of all, his sacred callings in the church. I may be few of words at times when I express myself, but I think it is sufficient to say that my heart is full of love for my Heavenly Father, for the Savior, Jesus Christ, for my wonderful family, and all the many friends and acquaintances I have gained so far in this life. I am excited for the future and look forward to it with a smile on my face and hope through Christ and invite everyone to do the same. My life couldn't be any better!

I love you all, thank you for all your support and love.

Love,

Elder Blake W. Cowan