December 16, 2013

Yeah this week has been crazy. Ill try to remember everything that has happened.

so it has been a pretty rough week. my companion got his visa and everything so a lot of this week was saying goodbye to everyone. it was really sad and hard to see him go. he left today. ill be with the zone leaders until I get my new companion tomorrow.

so I haven't been the most obedient missionary in the world haha but president called me in and asked me to train a new missionary coming from the MTC. and he knows a lot that has happened to me over the course of my mission. a lot of which has been weighing me down a ton. so he asked me to get everything off my chest so that ill be a good trainer. so I let him have it haha. I told him everything that was weighing me down all the stupid stuff that I have done so far. and it was quite the list.

after I was done talking I felt a huge weight off my chest. it was amazing. after spending so much time on my knees it has finally paid off. and president Murdock is an amazing president he is so full of love its crazy. and he helped me out a lot and now im training. crazy. Im a bit nervous because I don't want to mess up and ruin this kids mission like my trainer did for me. and I really don't want a bad companion. me and elder Izatt got along so well its crazy. we have become like best friends and it was so hard to see him go. the whole week weve been saying goodbye to everyone and it was horrible.

but yeah I had a phone that ive been using to talk to calving and stuff and part of my trying to be more obedient we smashed it with a sledge hammer haha. there were a lot more things I was doing to that I talked to president about. and I talk to derrek and I love talking to him. he said he has been a Junior companion his whole mission and he has 9 months left. and that's crazy. I cant imagine having a mission president that doesn't like you. Murdock is so great. and now that im serving metro side I see a lot of him and he helps me a lot. we talk about other missionaries a lot too haha. he always says that he hates butt kissers and those who aspire to have a leadership calling. and there are a lot of them out here haha. but yeah its been a roller coaster of a week spiritually and emotionally. but im good now. its awesome to see the atonement first hand in my life and to look back and see how far I have come from where I was. and I only have been out almost five months. and I have a lot more to go and a lot more growing too. the process of growing isn't really fun at all but after it all I am so grateful for it. this transfer has gone by so fast its crazy. and the rest of the mission will go by in a blink of an eye.

love you all and miss you a ton

Alec

oh yeah and that shooting in Arapaho.. yeah we were pretty much there.. its like right next to us.. what the crap is wrong with Colorado these days. Columbine. Aurora and now this. it crazy too cuz its all like right next to me. its all in our mission. and listening to John Bytheways talks are awesome. in the one 5 scriptures that will get you through almost anything he talks about columbine and going to speak to the students. and explains why bad things happen to good people. awesome talk.

i sent  a package today. for mom. it has dallens stuff in it so if you would be so kind to wrap it for me. but the box within the box is for you mom. its a willow angel. "The Angel of Light". and i dont know if you already have that one but i thought it was perfect because to me youre an angel mom. and always will be. dad can be one too if he wants.

December 9, 2103

Hey Mom and Pop and the rest of everyone who might read this..

 

How's a goin??

 

Anyways haha.. I'm doing better now.. just gotta stop being so down haha. easier said than done. Elder Izatt is great and helps me a lot. And now he's leaving? uggh. Oh well. And president asked me to train a greenie next transfer. Crazy! Hopefully I dont mess him up too bad..

 

And yeah I'll need some money to get dallen something and to be able to send it. haha I love our traditions. we had our ward Christmas party and it was a blast I loved it. We've been hanging out with the guy we just baptised. Stewart Amspacher. He is such a great guy and i love his family a ton. His wife is so close too I cant wait. My comp pointed out that I have had a hand in 7 baptisms so far. Its crazy. It doesnt even feel like it but once I step back and think for a bit. I have done soo much work already in just four months. But just like Ammon, in Alma 26:11-12

 

11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own streangth, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

12 Yea, I know I am nothing; as to my streangth I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his streangth I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

 

I love those verses. They are so true especially in missionary work. We can litteraly do nothing ourselves. Without the lord this is impossible. And I will praise the Lords name forever for the many blessings I have seen on my mission. I love the Lord and all that he has done for me and I love the scriptures and all that I learn from them. I was thinking the other day about all the persecutions that people have gone through for the Book of Mormon to come to where it is now. All of the sacrifice and the afflictions for a book. It is amazing that those people went through what they did. And I am so greatful that they did and didnt give up. Because without the Book of Mormon I don't know where I would be, but it would be a very dark and scary place. I need this Gospel in my life. If I want to be a good man and a good husband and father I NEED this gospel. Without it i am nothing. And the longer Im on my mission the more I realize that. Its amazing that we have it in our lives. And Im so greatful to have it in mine.

 

The church is deffinately not for the perfect. If it was then no one would be there. The church is there to lift and help those who are looking to better themselves and streangthen their relationship to God and Jesus. I love this time of year where Jesus becomes the focus of the times. Its sad that people dont really think about Him all year, but Im greatful for this time of year where the people turn and think more about Christ and what he has done for us. Without Christ we would all be lost. And I would be left to wallow in the pains and guilt of all my sins. But through Christ I can be forgiven and I can forgive myself, through Christ I can be made WHOLE.

 

Sorry for the roller coaster of emotions. Seems like every week my letters are different. Some depressing haha and others happy and spiritual and some just me. haha

 

Love you guys, and I miss you a butt load.

 

 

Love

Elder Bowler

Oh, PS--

Ok so a couple of quick things.

 1. I have a bike now.. Elder izatt was given one and now he has his visa so he's giving it to me.. And its a pretty nice bike.. Crazy i know

 2. also for Christmas if you're feeling generous can you get me two more pairs of those sock holder things... And some church movies.. Like mountain of the Lord, best two years, other side of heaven and any other awesome ones.. Christmas ones are good to.. And i really like the church history and D&C videos.. And these were all shown in the MTC so I'm not breaking any rules. Yay me!

 Also if you're feeling generous a little money wouldn't hurt.. I hate asking.. And i don't need it. But i wanted to get some things for Christmas for you guys and I'm broke till January..so yeah. Also can we still do brotherly gifts? And can me and Derrek still be included? Jw

Elder Izatt is going to the Salvador south Brazil mission speaking Portuguese.. I hate to see him go..we have grown to be such great friends.. And he hates to go too but he knows he has to.. 

Go listen to
1. Missionary work and the atonement
And
2 conversion of a catholic priest
On YouTube.. They are super great

I've been struggling lately Haha.. I'm getting sick of change and i am so homesick it hurts.. Elder Izatt helps me out a ton tho.. And I'll be training next transfer.. This is so hard. Uggh i just need to Getty through the holidays.. I wish i could come home for just like two weeks.. Haha oh well.. I can honestly say that a mission is the hardest thing I've ever done. But the amount of growth i see in myself is crazy.. Now i see trials as just another thing to make me stronger.. Yeah trails suck but whateves.. That's life i guess Haha.. And just in case you weren't before, keep me in your prayers.

I love you guys so much. I never realized how much I'd miss my family.. Crazy..

December 2, 2013

first off i loved your email haha. loved it!.

 

and second of all... FRIGGIN YODIES!!!! what is wrong with the world today.. had to go and eat my chicken!!! i wish shep was outside and could tear that yodie a new one.. thats probably the worst news ive heard since ive been out... soo depressing... haha i guess shep will be super protective of every single chicken we will have from now on. we need a doggy door or something.. man i miss that dog.. ugh.

 

thanksgiving was pretty fun.. and i lost the charger to my camera battery thing so im gonna buy a new one today. but we ate at the stullers and it was way fun. the wife is from germany originally so shes pretty psycho haha. super funny family tho. i couldnt stop laughing the whole time. and they had a son that just got home from his mission and we were talking a ton to him. hes pretty cool.

 

there are soo many super awkward families in our ward.. every time we have a dinner its usually super awkward haha. but we have a ton of super cool families too. and its a crazy young ward too.

 

on sunday we had a baptism it was super cool. i was glad to be a part of all that.

 

and im not suprised that our family is still as crazy as ever.. i kinda like it that way.. after all the families ive seen im so glad to have my family the way it is..

 

BT Dubs thank you for paying tithing.. i probably woulda keeled over a long time ago if you didnt.. haha jk but seriously.. thanks. sets a great example for me. idk if i already said this in an earlier letter but a part in my p-blessing says that ill look at my parents example and want to be like them.. and the longer im out i find that is so true.. you guys set an amazing example for me. thank you..

 

sorry i have like nothing to write this time.. i feel kinda lame ..

 

poor chickens.. sigh...

 

this one did feel alot like me tho.. hope you liked it haha.

 

DUCES love ya

 

POOP ON SATAN

November 25, 2013

Alright i got a ton to say so hopefully ill have enough time to write it all.

 

so i got your package thank you so much i loved it haha. weve been going through all the music. and were only like on the 3rd one haha. idk if you put it on the cds but i wanted to show my comp the testimants of christ. and another testimant of christ. idk maybe ill go to the deseret book. and ill send back the ctr ring thing soon.

 

so i got to see uncle mike and he took us out to a quick lunch. and we had a pretty good talk about mission life and his mission. i really enjoyed talking to him. and we talked a little about Grandpa Bowler. i asked mike how hes doing. recently ive been strugling. ive had a lot of pent up anger towards him. mostly cuz of some of the stuff that he did to grandma. and i dont know everything that happened but i was just hurt that anyone could do that to my angel of a grandma. and im getting to a point of understanding and a point of forgiveness and letting go and moving on. holding on to that anger was only hurting me. and talking with mike kinda solidified my release of that anger. it wasnt easy at all and im still kinda iffy about it all. but talking about it helps. and ive kinda shared that with some investigators. and it ended up being perfect timing because i turned aroung and helped someone else be able to forgive someone that hurt them and it was a really spiritual moment. and in my new area weve been working with a family. they were already in progression before i came so im coming near the end of their progression but ive love being able to help them along and even tho its not very much i still feel happy for them and one is getting baptised this sunday and hopefully his wife will follow soon. their kids were baptise a while ago and theyre awesome i love their family soo much.

 

and ive been going through a personal rough patch. strugling lately with my teaching and my spirituality and it seems like all of my past mistakes are haunting me. when i went to bishop and told him about my life in Mesa he said i was fine since its been at least six months since ive done all that. but i never repented i just stopped.. but the sins were still there and they were still haunting me. and alot of other stuff that ive done. so its been a rough week. and i spent a ton of time on my knees and i already feel a lot better but i have a long way to go before i get to where i need/want to be in my life especially on my mission. so all i ask is pray for me. i need it. i dont want this letter to sound too depressing but yeah missions are tough and its a time for personal growth and this is my growth..

 

umm me and my companion are getting along so great. i love him to death and weve become such great friends. hes helped me out so much lately and i need it and hes been so great and i accidently punched him in the face to thank him for all his help... im an idiot... oh well

 

ive been listening to alot of confernce talks lately and i love Hollands talk "like a broken vessel" its such an amazing talk

i love the part where he says "Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."

 

i love his talk and every time i listen to it i feel the spirit so strong and it gives me streangth to never give up. i love this work and i love this church. and all the time i spend on my knees i only grow closer to my Father in heaven. i dont know where i would be without this gospel in my life but it is a scary thought. and seeing all these people who dont have it makes me appreciate it so much more in my life. i need it. without it i am lost. it is the only way for me to stay the course i need to be on and the only way i can live a truly happy life. ive had too many hard times and too many miracles to not believe in this great work. The gospel has blessed my life in more ways than i can even imagine.

 

and i just want to thank you mom and dad for being such amazing examples in my life and for being such amazing members of the church. i love you so much and i thank the lord for having you as my parents and for being so great.

i realized that i relate alot to Nephi. being born of goodly parents, large in stature, and even having my hard times "oh the wretched man that i am" and look at all the amazing things hes done. and i relate alot to Alma in Alma 36. going through his repentance process ive been able to relate that alot to my own life and verse 24 is the reason i am on a mission right now. even though im still going through my own process still. i love bringing people to the joy i have in this gospel. i love the happiness i feel when im progressing through repentance. this is an amazing church. i love it. and i know that it is the one true church. this is gods church and he trusts me with his work. i have grown to love the Book of Mormon with all my heart. it has so many great teachings and i have grown so much by reading it and learning from its truth.

 

well i have to go now but i just want you to know that i love you guys. and i miss you dearly. but i have work to do!

oh and our temple time is changing .. i dont know what time it will be yet.. still the first wednesday tho.

haha i just looked at the blog i love it i miss shep soo much i love those pictures. and i wish i could be there for all the projects haha oh well

 

could you guys share with me your testimony of tithing. i read a little in the blog but yeah..

 

November 18, 2013

haha i was just being dumb about sending out kota haha. i do miss her. and tawnee is great too haha. im not really thinking about marriage yet anyway. i was just realizing how great all these people are in my life. i miss you guys soo much. im constantly thinking about home haha in a good way tho. i love it out here in Roxborough. Elder Izatt is amazing we are so much alike and we get along great i love him haha. there isnt really much to say tho haha. i am realizing how much stuff goes on out here with the missionaries and all the bad stuff they do. im pretty shocked. most of the stuff would be shocking at home not on a mission but to do all this stuff on your mission just  blows my mind. i have no idea why anyone would want to do that on there mission and have to live with this stuff for the rest of their lives. its crazy that the lord trusts them with his work. there is soo much that goes on that people dont know about its scary..

anyone can come see me if they call president and get permission. you don't have to wait for the temple day. it happens all the time out here. my companion is having two different people visit this week to take us to dinner. so if they wanna come see me all they gotta do is call.

New area - Nov. 11, 2013

Haha Jimmer fredette has a home out here and hes gone out with the missionaries a few times. hes in season now so hes gone.

 

my new address is

 

Elder Bowler

C/O Tucker Family

10144 W. Cavalry Run

Littleton CO, 80125

 

yeah i got all my snow stuff. ive had it for a while. i got transfered way out denver side to Roxburough. inbetween denver and colorado springs. its pretty nice out here. im loving it but i do miss my last area. i sent a letter on saturday so hope you get it soon. its kinda crappy but oh well

 

My new companion is Elder Izatt. (eye-zit) hes soo funny i love him. we get along so well and we are so much alike its scary. we have pretty much the same backround and past so we relate so well. we live pretty much in a mansion by ourselves. the family is in costa rica till february so its pretty nice. we stay in the basement which is under construction so its a mess but still nice. and we have a ping pong table and Izatt kicks my but all the time its sad but im getting better. im so excited for this next transfer i can already see the blessings and miracles beginnig to flow.

 

Izatt is from Gillete Wyoming. and he is way cool. He is a Visa waiter going to Brazil. His portugese is pretty impressive. he gave me the whole first lesson and i understood most of it and the spirit is way strong still. i love hearing him teach hes awesome. he has come from a really rough past. three of his best friends commited suicide within a year. and after all that he has been through he is so strong and he has come a long way. hes great. i love him. i cant help but tear up when i hear his story. he already has some people on date and thatll be happening soon. the Amsbacher family is soo cool. the kids were baptise a while ago and now the dad steve is going to be baptised soon and his wife tracy soon after hopefully.

 

there is a brother in the ward. brother massias he is soo amazing. we had dinner with their family and i kinda told him where im coming from and my struggles and he is soo full of love its crazy. he gave me an awesome pep talk. i needed it too. i love how the lord works. im doing so much better now. we have a car still so im happy about that. im loving my mission and its all flying by its crazy. theres some really great families in this ward.

 

the letter i sent has a bunch of videos on the sd cards for you guys so hope you enjoy haha. i miss you guys so much its crazy. it feels like ive been out for a while now. and im loveing every second of it. I AM A MISSIONARY.

 

nuff said

 

 LOVE

Elder Bowler

oh and we got to go to the temple. i loved it. we go the first wednesday of every month 730 morning session. the new video was great. i loved it. i thought it was funny how adam and eve got sent to the desert wasteland and it was just arizona haha. of course. its wierd tho cuz they do if from start to finish all in one room. then you go the the celestial room. it was way cool i love the temple so much. and i got to see a bunch of my friends. it was great. tell wendy and Mike and laura to call president and they can get permission to come see me and take us out to lunch or something ;) haha 303-929-2483,  i guess im living in littleton. but i live up in roxburough state park.. idk the ward is called roxburough.. just google the address i gave you. im really close to colorado springs.

November 4, 2013

i am being transferred. ill let you know where im at as soon as i can. transfers are tomorrow so yeah .. i hate this we just barely put like 6 people on date for next transfer and i have to leave. one of them went up to president murdock after stake conference and demanded that i come back for his baptism haha "we started this thing and were gonna finish it together" i love him. the other one pretty much said the same. i hate this feeling. ive grown so close to this ward and i love the people that we are teaching and now im being torn away. weve all become like family up here. weve been teaching a family and weve grown so close to them Michelle Butler said she has adopted me and Mickelsen. haha i love them im so sad that i have to leave them. theres lots of amazing people here. me and another elder.. elder muir went on exchanges and we went to see sister Duty and gave her and her daughter in-law blessings before they went to the temple. and it was so amazing. both blessings they said pretty much quoted their patriarchal blessings word for word. it was soo amazing. im gonna miss them. my comp was amazing and it sucks to have to leave after only one transfer together. he said hes gonna miss my cooking haha. got a reputation. its crazy cuz sometimes ill catch myself just talking like ive been out for over a year. and im like did i really just say that? i just got all spiritual.. haha i love it. most of the time i just act like i know whats going on.. haha i just wing it. theres pretty much no way to plan anything around here. i really hope i get to come back for the baptisms. i love you guys soo much but i gotta go. ill write alot more soon. i got lots to say.

love 

Alec