{letter from Brian}

Hi everyone,
It has been such an interesting week, we had zone conference (which took us an hour and a half to get to), stake conference for the Walla Walla Stake and a handful of missionary work. We are trying to find people to teach everyday and boy, this area has very low income people. They are amazing but someone is always in some kind of bind. We are still just working our tails off though.
I must say that the weather here is absolutely wonderful because it reminds me of Utah. It rained on saturday but other than that it has just been chilly, which means fall is coming! I am so excited because fall is my favorite time of the year.
Milton-Freewater at one point was two different towns in the middle of nowhere but they eventually grew into each other and couldn't decide whether to call it Milton or Freewater so they agreed on Milton-Freewater.
I am so excited to be able to be here on my mission but it is going entirely to fast. I am trying to soak in every moment that I can but some days just seem to slip away from me. I am working as hard as I can, most days, to become the missionary the Lord wants me to be. I will admit there are days that I don't think that I can stand one more day doing this but then I think of what Christ did for me and it renews my energy to move forward with faith and to pursue my goals I have for the mission.
I love you all very much and I miss you all like crazy but you know the reality is that it is only a short while that I will be gone before I am back again, besides "who needs time? We've got eternity!!!!" Press forward with faith and rely on the Lord when the storms of life beat upon you, He will cover you so that you can stand strong and go forth.
Mom, you asked how the companionship was going. Well, we had a nice discussion about things and he said that he would work on those things that don't show forth faith in others and that retract the feeling of the Spirit. It is so wonderful when you can talk to someone and they are willing to listen and help you to be better.
I am doing some really amazing studies that have helped me to become more than I was a year ago. I want to let you know that I have changed quite a bit and that I probably will be the "boy" that everyone has truly been looking for. I also know that dad will like the person that I am becoming, a hard-working, gospel-loving, son of God and a worthy priesthood holder.
I love you all and Remember john 14:26 and don't worry the Lord is watching over me.

LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY, ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

{Yes on 8}

It's a video put together with music by Janice Kapp Perry and Joy Lundberg about the family to promote voting yes to the proposal for the state of California this November. So Please, pass it on, but I thought it would be something all would enjoy seeing.

Runs in the family

Thanks Cole!

Not exactly Scripture Mastery...

Men need grain...

D&C 89:14

Women need chocolate...

M&M 24:7

Anyone have a reference for candy corn?

It's gotta be true!

{Brian's Letter}

Hi everyone,
I notice that there were a couple requests for my new address, it is:
709 NE 6th cr.
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
Milton -Freewater is a smaller town and is in the middle of nowhere. We actually cover a large area because it is a country style living. I think we cover about five different small communities around Milton. It is really nice here because it is dry, and I just feel so much more comfortable here than I did in Vancouver.
My comp is Elder Howe. He is from Phoenix, AZ and has been out for 20 months so he is on the down hill slope. And yes there are quite a few of the elders that are from AZ in this mission. It really has been quite a week for me because it was a really late night for me the night before transfers. I had to pack all my stuff up and then my blood was just ready to run all night. My comp and I couldn't get to sleep but we tried. unfortunately I was tired for the past few days because we only got 3 1/2 hours of sleep! I got into my new area and we've just been getting around so that I can know the area and we've been starting missionary work. This will definitely be an adventure for me.
It sounds like everybody has really been racing lately. I just saw a "ready, set, and go!" kind of thing with the last couple of letters. WHOO, just let me know how everything turns out.
I'm just continuing the way I've been, growing and strengthening my testimony in the gospel. Everyday just seems as though it is another test that must be past with faith, patience and diligence. I hope that is how I accomplish my days, along with the Lord's hand in my daily life.
I hope things go well for everyone and hope that life is lived to it's fullest; Remember John 14:27 and that I love you all very, very much.

LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

Craig!

Would you like an apprentice?
Rowdy has actually mastered the pluming look, anyway

{DISNEYLAND}

We are going to Disneyland FRIDAY!!! Anyone want to come?????

Hi everyone,
Mom was right. I am going to the opposite side of the mission to Milton Free Water, OR. I'll be in a car for at least 4 hours. Yuck! But that will be just fine with me, because I am going elsewhere and learning new ways of life. I am really excited to be getting out of Vancouver just before the yuck hits.
We had a really great week last week, and I am glad that this experience has ended really well. Jenna, whom we've been working with for the past little while has been making a very concentrated effort to have the gospel in her life and loves to meet with us. We also got a new investigator this past week who is just golden and wants to learn all he can about the gospel. I am so grateful that the Lord put me here, because it has truly given me the opportunity to learn and to grow into who I need to become. I have truly grown to understand how the Lord has blessed my life, and I will always be grateful for this opportunity.
That is great that Dad gets the opportunity to be able to go to England to see a soccer game. I hope that he has a great and fabulous time in England.
I guess it was a very interesting Sunday. We had a good last Sunday in the Van 1st Ward. I'll miss Vancouver, but I will not forget the memories.
Well, I really don't have much more to say, but I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH and remember John 14:27.

LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

{a letter from Brian}

Hi everyone,
Well, another week has come and gone and My comp and i are getting much accomplished. We are working as hard as we can and trying to fill our days with meaningful activities. We have so much fun and are giving as many people as possible the opportunity to receive a wonderful message from a loving Heavenly Father.
The BIG question this week is, what's going to happen to me next week? It is that time of the transfer again. It goes by so fast and I am really enjoying every moment of it. I'll let you know for sure what will happen next week but I'd like to hear some guesses.
Jenna came to church!We have a lesson with her tonight and she is progressing very quickly and she is so much happier. Tonight we plan to teach her about study and prayer and in a sly way get her husband to read the BoM along with her. I hope that we will be able to get him more involved with her learning about the gospel.
We met with Jessica this week and she said that she still wants to learn she has just been so busy with the wedding and her sister moving and helping with that. She wants to find a time that we can come by and see her and teach her more.
We have been doing much tracting this week to find more people to teach and my it is wonderful to meet with people who will sit and have a friendly discussion with you. We have had many of those this week and it is just wonderful to talk to those people even if they are not interested. All we need is a little tolerance.
I just can't believe that it has been 10 months, that is so CRAZY!!! The Lord has truly blessed my life these past 10 months. I will never forget what he has done for me in all my years to come.
I am so glad to hear that all is going well in the family and that people are running smoothly. By the way I gave a talk in church on Sunday and was able to have it recorded so I will be able to send that to you so you can listen to most of it anyway. I was told I did an amazing job and Bro. Wallace said that he was wondering where the Elder Bowler he knew was. He said that I looked and sounded so much more than the last time he heard me. I was nervous to talk all the way up until I stood at the pulpit and then I just let the Holy Spirit guide my thoughts with the notes I had taken. It was so nice.
I think that is all for now but I love you all very much and remember John 14:27.

LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

{Sending hugs to Amelia}

Amelia I am sorry to hear that you are sick. I hope you feel better soon. YLetti

{happy birthday Kellie}

I can't believe it's already your birthday. Where did the summer go? I wish that I could be out there celebrating it with you. I hope you have a fun day and that you get what you wished for. I bet it's nice not having to go to work on your birthday. :)