A Week of Adventure

This was a week of adventure!

Monday evening we were stuck inside 'cause of freezing rain

Tuesday, we were in Bloomington with four zones. The trainings were excellent, and I love Bloomington. When we got back at 8:30, we were pleasantly surprised to find our power had been shut off (because of a mix-up with our electric bill). And we were on exchanges, so there were four of us left to do everything in the dark. What an adventure!

Wednesday, Sister Jeffrey and I were companions for the day, the power was restored, and the weather was beautiful. We met a good handful of people to teach.

Thursday, was purdy normal. Except this crazy thunderstorm started during our last appointment for the night. We were driving home amidst heavy rain, intense flashes of lightning. Not to mention the blaring tornado sirens. It was purdy surreal. We loved it :D

Friday, we had movie night. 50+ people showed up, including 2 investigators so that was purdy exciting. Not to mention that watching 17 Miracles is always enjoyable. I love the example of these people who sacrificed everything to receive the blessings of the temple, while some of us can't sacrifice much smaller things of no consequence. What great faith those pioneers had.

Saturday, S got baptized! She is a wonderful gal who we've gotten to teach. She was adopted by a family in the ward, so she couldn't be baptized when she was eight (now she's nine), so she came ready. She is a little ray of sunshine, so it was a pleasure to be able to teach her :)

Sunday, one of the less active ladies we've been working with came to church! I think she hadn't been in 10+ years. Another family that hadn't been to church as long as I've been here finally made it. They add such an energy to the ward, and I hope they come every week. I got to teach Gospel Principles, which is enjoyable. That evening, there was a stake youth fireside about missionary work. All the missionaries in the stake came (two zones, about 40 missionaries). I got to speak a little on "Preach My Gospel." And then the young women asked us questions. Some of them are so excited to go on missions!

Oh, and Relief Society was hilarious. I was sitting by the older lady with dementia. The lesson was about tithing (based on Elder Bednar's talk). And she thought it was the funniest thing. She kept busting out in laughter. And then she got super angry with her son (for no reason apparent to us--he wasn't even there). She kept saying, "I'm gonna kill him!" She whispers, but it carries. At one point she swore. I almost died. On a more spiritual note, the lesson was fantastic. Ladies shared their stories of how they developed faith to pay tithing.

~There was the standard We couldn't afford to pay it, but my husband said we'd try. Then we got a check in the mail for the same amount from a place that had overcharged us.

~I was at work, with no gas left in my car, and I could chose to eat, make it home, or pay tithing. I held the envelope in my hand until the mail man came, then threw it in. And waited. My boss asked if he could use my car real quick. I told him the tank was empty, and he said he'd take care of it, and brought it back with a full tank.

~One lady, who the ward just has tremendous respect for shared how when she was young, recently married, and newly converted, she almost divorced her husband because of tithing. After they had paid everything, they had $5 a week. And people randomly kept dropping food by, without any knowledge of the situation.

The Lord doesn't need our money, individually. But we need the blessings from paying it. It's cool to see physical manifestations of Heavenly Father's blessings.

It was a great end to a purdy satisfying week. This week looks to be almost as adventurous, with two exchanges, and mission leadership council. Tomorrow will be my 1/2 way point. It's been kinda fast O_o but awesome.

Love you lots!

Sister Bowen

Some peectures. Finally.

 ~Me, S, and Sister Blacker

~ Take 2

 ~Me and Sister Blacker

~Me and Sister Jeffrey