Happy Halloween

Dear Family and Friends!

Woo hoo! Wow! I just love being a missionary! We just got back from a zone activity that a sister and I pulled off today in honor of my companion, Elder Brady's birthday! We reserved a pizza place and had the whole zone meet up and we all ate pizza and had cake! Ha ha! It was awesome! I love this zone! And the best part was that Elder Brady didn't even know! It was all a surprise! Woo hoo! It was really fun! 

Wow! Well, we worked our butts off this week that I really don't know where to start. . . Really the Lord is Hastening His work more and more and by week by week. Now we are approaching 40 lessons for the week which we've never done before. I know the numbers don't count, but being able to help sooo many people is such an awesome feeling. From about Friday till Sunday we were all just dead. Aww, I don't think I have ever felt so wiped out before in my life! As well, summer is kicking in so the sun is coming in strong! Especially this last week we had a heat wave and seriously it was miserable! Ha ha and that's coming from two Arizonan missionaries here! Ha ha! It was so warm! But don't worry, Mom! I'm being super smart this summer and I am putting on sunscreen everyday! With all the sun that we have been in I'm still not burnt! Woo hoo! Unlike last summer where I was red for like 5 months straight! Ha ha! 

But now back to the letter! Tuesday we were able to go get Elder Alonso. He didn't know he had changes so he had to go back to the coast where he was before and pack and say goodbyes super fast and then he arrived here Tuesday. He is from Oaxaca Mexico and super funny! We have a stacked companionship! It's awesome being in a trio! Seriously! Especially with missionaries that all have a lot of experience!

Really I feel bad because we don't have a lot of time! But really we are going to achieve a lot this transfer! We were doing our weekly planning and talking about what we wanted to do this transfer as a companionship and all. We talked about how Elder Alonso and Elder Brady are both finishing their missions in a month and this is the time to give it all. I told them this is the time to make LEGENDS! So we pondered a lot about our goals and all and we have put the goal of 15 baptisms as a companionship! WOOO HOO! Call us crazy, but I know we can do it! We are going to give it our all! If we can focus on families I know we will be able to find 5 or 6 families to baptize! I'm super pumped! Even though I know I'm not finishing my mission, I'm really trying to give it my all to have them finish with a BANG! To finish giving it their all and with miracles! It's going to be epic! We are fasting and praying a lot and any other help from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

This week we were able to have a lot of lessons and we found 7 new investigators. Just as my theory about the pyramid of success I know that we are at the bottom level and we have a lot to overcome and achieve to get to the top! But we still have time! I know it! We have one family that Elder Brady has been teaching in his time here called the Moyano family. It's the parents and their 15 year old daughter and they are incredible! The first lesson we had with them we only read Alma 32 and taught about faith, but it was such a powerful lesson!

Really, I love being a zone leader. I know this is an opportunity to be able to show by love and example to others. The missionaries here are great! Talagante is a branch which I figured out! But it has an average attendance of 130! Which I've never have attended a ward or branch with so much! But really the members are incredible! The branch president is awesome and rock solid! Really, it's great to realize that I am in a functioning ward WE have awesome leaders and they are supportive in the work! It's awesome! I can't wait to keep working with them! Every Thursday the priesthood gets together and goes out and does visits! Ha ha, I've never seen that in my whole time in the mission! Ha ha!

But really I don't have any more time left! Sorry! I know I didn't really talk a whole lot about the stories and about our investigators but for right now in our huge sector we are in search for a lot of new investigators! Wish us the best! I love this work so much! I just had the chance to finish the Book of Mormon today in my studies and that book has SO much power! It's incredible and is so true! I love it with all my heart! Just as I love you! 

Hope you will all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Cowan

"The Spirit saith unto me, Look and I looked . . ."

Dear Amazing Family and Friends!

Thank you all for your comments, prayers, love, and letters on my behalf! You are all tremendously important in my life and I love you all! But as you all have been waiting to hear! Yes! I Had transfers today! Wooow! The time is going even faster! I feel like the 4 1/2 months I was in 4 Poniente flew by as if it was only one month!!! And yes it was a little harder to say goodbye this time. It seems like each ward I go to in my mission is a little harder and harder to say goodbye. 

But we left with a bang! Woo hoo! The whole week Elder Kimball and I just gave it our all! He really is my best friend! I'm going to miss him so much! But I'm for sure going to his homecoming and then we are going to party it up at BYU! Ha ha! But for some reason the beginning of the last week we lost a lot of time because of meetings and baptism interviews I had to do and everything! But finally we got special permission and Elder Kimball and I along with Nancy and Alejandro went to the temple!!!  Woo hoo (oh yea by the way! the Phoenix temple looks so beautiful!!). But yea! Us four went to the temple Saturday and we were there almost the whole day! And it was a little stressful but it all worked out in the end! 

We decided to go to the 2 o'clock session to do baptisms for the dead. but when we got there Nancy really wanted to look for the names of her parents that have passed away and there were some complications with that, but after a lot of patience from the temple workers with Nancy they were able to find her parents names. As well, the whole youth of a stake planned to go to the 2 o'clock session so it was super packed! And we were running around going here and there and losing our converts in the temple and everything ha ha, aww it was a little crazy and not really organized, the temple workers were getting really stressed ha ha.

But in the end of everything we did the baptisms. Oh, and as well, Mom, I decided to print out some of our names for Elder Kimball to baptize me. But the temple worker printed out all the male names that needed to be baptized ha ha so I got baptized for 18 names! It was really awesome! Hope that was okay to do so many baptisms! :) But after Nancy and Alejandro just loved the temple! They want to go at least every month! And that's the goal we have put with them!

And the awesome thing was Elder Kimball and I being able to enjoy our "fruits" Sunday when we had already heard that we had transfers and all but in the sacrament meeting we were able to see Alejandro pass the sacrament, receive a calling to be the building coordinator of the chapel, and he gave a talk!! Aww, he is seriously progressing soooo fast! He gave a simple but powerful talk about the importance of the Book of Mormon in our lives. And that's where the title of this letter comes from because Alejandro based his talk on the dream Nephi had with the angel. He first pulled out a HUGE book and told the congregation to look at it, told them how much it cost and showed how big it was and nice it was. But then behind the big book he had his Book of Mormon and then cited that scripture of when the spirit told unto Nephi, "Look and behold I looked and saw. . . " He gave his testimony of how we just need to "look" at what we really have in our lives and always strive to strengthen our testimonies about the Book of Mormon. Aww it was soooo incredible!

Then after that it was a day just full of goodbyes. I will sure miss 4 Poniente. It has been another ward that I have seen that has been changed a lot. Today at transfers meetings President came up to me and said, "Wow, Elder Cowan you sure go to work on any ward I put you in!" Ha ha, I love the members here in Chile! This is the best place to be! Even though it was hard saying goodbye to them it was a great feeling of satisfaction that really they can go on themselves and keep achieving more and being better! I love them all soo much! Especially the family Garces! Aww, that one brought tears to me eyes! For sure we will have to visit that family when you guys come!

But now onto the BIG NEWS!!  . . . . TRANSFERS! Elder Kimball is staying in 4 Poniente and received a Latin companion. And I left and now I am in Talagante! Woo hoo after a year of being in the city I have returned back to the country side! I actually passed by Padre Hurtado, my first sector, to get here! Aww, crazy how fast the time has gone! But yep! I'm back out on the countryside. Even more countryside now than what Padre Hurtado is! It is a really big sector but I'm excited! President has been changing some things around in the mission and now has put all the zone leaders in trios now because a lot of the zone leaders are going to finish their missions in December and January. And I got assigned in one of those trios! I'm a zone leader now!!! Woo hoo! My companions are Elder Alonso and Elder Brady. Elder Alonso isn't here yet because president didn't tell him that he had transfers because President decided to change some things around last minute! Ha ha, so he is getting his suitcases ready in his last sector in the coast! Ha ha he's probably not going to come back till the night or tomorrow morning.

But Elder Brady is from Show Low Arizona!! Woo hoo! An Arizonan companion! How cool! This is Elder Brady's last transfer, as well as Elder Alonso. So I better step up my game and learn how to be a good zone leader because after this transfer I'll be riding solo! Ha ha! But I'm super excited! And you called it Mom! I got called to more leadership positions! Ha ha 

And another cool thing that happened this transfer meeting is that Elder Alcaraz is going to train! Woo hoo! I'm going to be a grandpa in the mission! Oh wow! That makes me sound old in the time of the mission. But it was a little sad this transfer meeting because Elder Contreras, my trainer, just finished his mission. It's really weird to think that he isn't going to be here, but I will keep going and follow in his footsteps!

After the transfer meeting, Elder Nuñez from the seventy came and talked with us for like an hour! It was awesome! He talked about his mission and how he was a good and great missionary. He worked hard and was obedient, but after explaining all that, he told us, "Just being a good and obedient missionary isn't enough, I wasted 22 months of my mission being a good and obedient missionary up until I truly understood what it meant to lose yourself in the work, up until my last two months is when I gave it my ALL to the Lord. Do the same elders" Oh wow, it was so powerful! It really motivated me to really give it my all! I know it's good to be a great missionary, but with the progress of the Lord's work hastening, I know there is a whole lot more, and to be able to get the better, I have to be better! 

There are 27 missionaries in this zone. And it's a big zone! It has fields and hills and the country side! Luckily, I know more than half the missionaries in my zone already and I'm super excited to work with all of them! So yea, I think I will be a little bit more busy with the Internet time on Mondays but keep your letters coming please! You are all so great! I know this is the Lord's work. This is where He wants me to work now and I will go where ever He calls me! I love this work! I love my family! Tell grandma and grandpa that I love them soooo much and am so grateful for all their work and efforts and legends they have left for us! They are incredible to me!

Have a great week! Love you all!

Love Elder Cowan

Buen Buena Semena!

Dear Family and Friends!!!

Wow, I'm super tired! Ha ha, but it's a good "tired" feeling! Ha ha, really Elder Kimball and I went to work this week! Wow! I still can't believe all the things we were able to accomplish this week. I can really testify that 1-The Lord is Hastening His Work, and 2-When you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything!

Really, this week we knew that by this weekend is when we will hear transfers and have changes probably. So Elder Kimball and I decided at the beginning of last week to really step up our game and give it our all! And that's what we did this past week! We were able to have 30 lessons this past week and we found 10 new investigators. Really, the Lord did all that, not me, not Kimball. As I said before, the Lord is truly hastening His work! It is incredible to see the difference of the work from when I started my mission to now. When I started my misison in September of 2013, we had 16 baptisms for that month as a misison. Now take that with what we were able to achieve in September 2014, we reached 74 baptisms!!!! And that's just in one year and it's increasing by the month! As well, when I started my misison, if you had about 15-20 lessons a week that was credited as a great week. Now, we are able to step it up and hit 30 to 40 lessons a week! It truly is a huge tender mercy to be working in the Lord's vineyard while He is hastening it! 

And with my time in the mission, President called my group from the MTC and Tuesday we had a lunch with him and his wife at the misison home. And holy cow is the misison home nice!!! It's huge! Ha ha. President always puts a lunch together for each group that hits one year in the mission. And, man, was it great to be able to see my friends and buddies from the MTC. We have all changed SO much! It's awesome to see, just as Alma when he met up with the sons of Mosiah again--that they are firm in the gospel and instruments in the Lord's hands! It was so fun to have that lunch with all them and with President.

Thursday, we had an awesome zone conference where President really talked about how we need to step it up and that we need to be machines! Ha ha, and that's what Elder Kimball and I really decided to do! We gave it our all this past week and it was just the best feeling at night when my head hit the pillow that I really earned it! I love missionary work! It's tiring sometimes, but it is so worth it! 

We received some good news this week as well! I don't know if you guys remember about our first investigator that we taught here named Alan. The one that has health problems but as well was living with his girlfriend and didn't want to separate from her, but wanted to be baptized as well ha ha. Well! We saw him in the street and he told us that he really did separate from his girlfriend and has been reading the Book of Mormon again and wants to start going back to church! Woo hoo! So that will be awesome to continue teaching him and to eventually baptize him really soon because he already has the correct number of times that he needs to attend church so let's wait and see!

As well, we were able to have a huge miracle with a reference we received this past week! We got it Friday night when we were teaching Nancy and Alejandro. We were teaching, ironically, about missionary work and how they are members now and they need to start sharing the gospel with others to give us referencias. And right then we got a phone call and it was the elders in my district who was acting super excited because he had a reference for us. He told us the name of the street and luckily it was only ONE street between where we were! I wrote down the information and then the elder told me that the reference wanted us to pass by right then! Ha ha so we quickly ended the lesson with Alejandro and Nancy and ran around the block to meet Alvaro who was outside his house waiting for us! Ha ha! It was incredible! 

We were able to enter the house and he just opened up and confessed everything to us! He told us about the many problems that he has in his marriage and family and how he just feels so guilty of the errors that he has made in his life. He said he has tried repeatedly to find a solution to his problems, but for years none of them have worked out and he seems to keep falling on his face time after time. He realized that he needed some more powerful help. . . a more Godly spiritual help in his live. And that is when he decided to take a drive, after having a big argument with his wife and he saw the two elders from my district. He pulled the car over and told him that he wants missionaries at his house in a half hour! Luckily, we were there! He later went on to tell us that he really needs this helps and that he is up to doing whatever it takes. He turned to us and asked, "So! What do I have to do to be a Mormon?" Ha ha, I have never seen anyone so open and ready to roll! Ha ha, he is a stud! We are super excited to start teaching him! We are going to pass by later tonight so wish us luck!

Now onto the best part of the letter! Sunday!!! Awww! Sunday was just incredible!!! And that was because of Nancy and Alejandro! During the classes the bishop pulled them out to have interviews which was great! And then we went to the sacrament meeting (which we have last in our schedule). It was fast and testimony meeting to which we found out that Nancy and Alejandro paid their fast offering and were fasting! Ha ha and we didn't even invite them to do it! Ha ha, I seriously can't believe how fast they always pick up on the things! But, as well, the best part of Sunday was during the testimonies I looked over and saw Alejandro digging through the Book of Mormon. I asked him if he needed help looking for something, but right then he found the scripture which was Mosiah 18:8-10. He then went up and bore his testimony about the power of the Book of Mormon and that really if we understand it what else do we have to worry about! It was such a powerful testimony. The room was dead silent and I swear you could've grabbed the spirit in the air! He bore his own heart to the congregation of his testimony of this gospel. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen yet in my mission.

And it just gets even better too! Because, as well, Nancy gave the closing prayer in the sacrament meeting and the members just swarmed them! Ha ha, all the members love them! Ha ha, and that's why for this week they have been invited to 3 different family home evenings, and Alejandro was assigned to give a talk next Sunday! But after the meeting the bishopric called all of us into his office to be able to give the Aaronic priesthood to Alejandro!! Woo hoo!!!! Awww there were about 12 priesthood holders in that circle to give him the priesthood in that tiny room, but it was sooo powerful! Aww it is the best to see a convert be so bold and strong in this gospel and, as well, to be able to see him get the priesthood. Next week he is going to pass the sacrament for the first time! And this Saturday we are planning to go to the temple to go do baptisms for the dead! Ha ha it's going to be a busy week for our converts! Ha ha, but they are awesome! As well, now that Alejandro has the priesthood we want to focus a whole lot more on his son, Francisco, to be able to have Alejandro baptize his son! Awww that would be the coolest thing ever!!! Please have Francisco in your prayers!

Aww, I love Nancy and Alejandro soo much! Whatever does happen with transfers, I know I can feel the peace in knowing that they are really really converted to this gospel and to know that the members have put them under their wings and that they are in good hands! They are such great examples to me! 

I love my Savior Jesus Christ, really it is through Him that we can do it all. This gospel CHANGES lives every single day of our lives. I love this gospel! I know with a firm conviction in my heart that it is true. I am so grateful for the power of the Book of Mormon, it really is a book to apply, live, and feel! It is the keystone of our religion. May we all have this beautiful experience as we feast upon its words. Keep going strong, I love each and every one of you so much!

Love, 

Elder Cowan

General Conference

Dear Family and Friends!!

Are you guys just on a spiritual high like I am right now after listening to our prophets and apostles of the Lord?! AWWW I LOVE CONFERENCE! But it was probably the fastest two days of my mission! Aww seriously, I apologize Mom and Dad for always messing around or playing with legos or making forts during conference as a kid. Trust me! I know the importance of it now! Woo! I love it so much!!!!

There were so many good talks I don't even know where to begin! I really loved the theme of spiritual and personal revelation. And of Uchtdorfs talk of "Lord Is It I?" Ohh!! So powerful! I thought a lot about you guys as we were listening. It's incredible to know we are all listening at the same time. But not only us but the whole world of members! How incredible! I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God! We have the Lord's guide with us always! As we sustain, obey, and follow him we will be guided to our loving Heavenly Father! I am so grateful for this restored gospel and Church and to spread this to all!! What a miracle!

But to first start off! Thanks, Mom, for your wonderful letter to Nancy and Alejandro! It was great! I will give it to them tomorrow! But you guys are probably in New York by now which is awesome but you have to remember the best trip of them all in 11 months (holy cow I just realized I'm getting close to single digits oh no. . . ) but to Chile!!! Woo hoo! And, as well, to update you, we have already talked with Nancy and Alejandro about the temple a lot and actually only a month ago they lost a cousin and nephew in August. After talking about the importance of baptisms for the dead, they got so excited! Actually, while they were at the stake center listening to conference, after the first session they ran up to our bishop and told him that they need an interview to have a recommend for the temple. Ha ha, the bishop was a little surprised but so happy as well! After the conference he came up to me and asked, "Are you sure they haven't been baptized before? I swear they are like OVER prepared that they seem like members for 30 years! Ha ha I love it! Keep up the great work!" Ha ha, we were happy to tell him that they were a miracle and super prepared and nothing else! 

Well, I think this letter will be a little bit shorter because I don't have a whole lot of time and this past week was a little slower for us. We are back in the streets contacting and trying to find more and better prepared investigators because our other investigators aren't really progressing a whole lot and we have had to drop some, or we can never find them and they are always gone. But I thought it might happen so I decided to do divisions with Elder Fisher in my district who I know really well and he and I worked in my sector Tuesday and this guy is a stud! He literally talks to EVERYONE! Ha ha we almost did 50 contacts that day which normally for the week we have like 70 more or less! Ha ha. So that helped us a lot to find a lot more people. 

We have been able to find 6 new investigators this past week which was a huge blessing. One of them is Camila who knows a super active family in our ward which is nice. And, as well, yesterday in the night we decided to pass by a contact that Elder Kimball and I did over a transfer ago. Ha ha, but we passed by last night and she was there and her family of five. Her name is Barbara and her mom is a member of the church! Woo hoo! We got some connections! :) Ha ha! 

Friday was a special day because it was the birthday of Elder Kimball!!! Woo hoo!!! I have been so blessed to have been with my 2 hijos in the mission on their birthdays and to baptize with them! Woo hoo! I love being a trainer! I wish I could just train all my mission! But for Friday the afternoon was a little slow and normal for us, but I had set up a surprise party´in the night for Elder Kimball and had Nancy and Alejandro and the Familia Garces., who are my two favorite families here. They had a nice big cake for Elder Kimball and we took "once" and ate a lot of food! It was great! I love Elder Kimball!!! The big 19 now!! Woo!

And yes, Mom, we were able to have investigators present for Bednar's talk. We had lunch between the two Sunday sessions with a sister from another ward. We came back to the church right at 4:55 which the afternoon session was going to start at 5:00 and we had almost forgotten that our investigator, Gustavo, wanted to come. Luckily, the stake patriarch's son who we know really well saw us and told us to jump into his car and that he would drives us. Ha ha and let's just say we were able to go, get Gustavo, and come back on time! Ha ha I"ll just say Chileans drive Crazy! Especially when they are pressured for time! Ha ha! But Gustavo liked it a lot and enjoyed the whole session!

Nicolas wasn't able to go to the conference but we had an awesome witht him yesterday night. We still were outside his house talking and teaching him because his parents still are receptive. And I just asked Nicolas why baptism for him is so important. He turned to us and gave the most beautiful answer and later told him that he has to fight. He cant give in becuase if he has faith he will be able to overcome all the opposition and be baptized. It was such a powerful moment. I told him the story of the conversion of dad and only dad was only a teenager too when he got baptized. It made Nicolas really emotional, and me as well! But really . . . a teenager only, only 16 years old but I have never seen so much faith in one of my investigators! We shared some scriptures with him and then asked him to give the closing prayer. And as he began his prayer, he started his prayer asking and giving thnaks for the normal things that investigators pray for, but then he paused in his prayer, asked the Lord to not leave him in this moment, and asked that Heavenly Father would be merciful enough to open the hearts of his parents and for him to be baptized in this church then he couldnt go on anymore. . . .because his voice started to crack as the tears fell down his face. He cried for about a minute which made elder Kimball and I emotional as well. As he gathered his thoughts together he finished the prayer and lunged toward me to hug me as he started to cry again. It was one of the most powerful but simplest prayers I have ever experienced. And that was becuase he was praying with ALL his heart. It was such a beautiful moment. I ask for all who are reading this that you can pray for Nicolas. A simple teenager but one that has so much faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and the poor buddy has a lot of oposition but I know he will be baptized! 

I thank you all for your prayers and examples on my behalf! I have been eternally blessed to have thee best friends and family. May the Lord be with us all! 

Love You!

Love Elder Cowan

Down to the very last second MIRACLE!

Dear Family and Friends!

Awww, I'm just completely overwhelmed of gratitude for the limitless blessings and miracles from the Lord that took place in only these past 7 days! I hope I will be able to cover everything that happened this week! Because it was JAMMED packed with a ton of awesome things! But to first start off, Mom, yes, we are still visiting Francisco and Caroline but we haven't been able to visit them for like the past 2 weeks because they are only available Wednesday in the nights which is the days we normally visit Nancy and Alejandro. And we weren't able to visit Nicolas or Gustavo this past week either but! We were super occupied with miracles!!!!

But to first start off the week. . . we were pressed with some high opposition with Nancy, Alejandro and Francisco this week from the beginning on Monday. After p-day we went over to their house and taught the Word of Wisdom. From that we knew that Alejandro was drinking a little wine and a lot of tea. As well, Nancy smoked a little and, as well, drank tea. . . they were taken back a little bit when they learned about the Word of Wisdom and how they will have to drop these things for good now. But we testified and testified so much that at the end of the lesson they understood that it really was a revelacion from a prophet of God and that it all depends on their obedience. But ending Monday like that Elder Kimball and I were a little worried because we had planned for them to be baptized that weekend. But we prayed a lot and trusted in the Lord that they would reach to that day. . . . 

Tuesday was a day where I was gone and went on divisions with an Elder in my district, so I was a little worried that I wasn't going to be there to teach Nancy and Alejandro, but I know I have such a studly companion and knew that Elder Kimball would lead everything well in the lesson. Elder Kimball called me Tuesday and notified me that again they had a more or less lesson with them. They taught the Law of Chastity and Elder Kimball told me that Francisco wasn't really sure about it all because he has some strong relationships with his girlfriend. . . That made me stress a little bit just because I knew I wasn't there to help them and the fact that for the past 3 or so weeks we have been teaching them a lot and they just have been eating all our lessons up and progressing super fast. But this past week with the Word of Wisdom and then in that moment with the Law of Chastity they were now more or less in the lessons. 

I couldn't wait to get back to my sector after the call from Elder Kimball Tuesday, but the zone leaders called me and told me that they wanted to go on divisions with us Wednesday and that I would be going to their sector while one of our zone leaders would go with Elder Kimball to our sector. I was a little bummed about that because that meant I wouldn't be in my sector for 2 straight days and that meant two straight days in a week when we were trying everything possible to pull off a baptism by the weekend. So I was even more stressed out, but I obediently went with our zone leader and was in his sector Wednesday which was a busy day and we had a lot of success, but I was worried the whole time because I knew we would have to have their baptism interviews Thursday or Friday to be able to baptize them Saturday and confirm them Sunday. 

So Elder Kimball called me again Wednesday night and notified me that Nancy, Alejandro, and Francisco had a lot of doubts and weren't really sure about being baptized Saturday. Elder Kimball told me that they couldn't really have them commit 100% to anything, but that they were able to finish teaching all the lessons. And soo you could probably imagine that I was super stressed out and worried! And even more because it was only a few days before our planned baptism and I still hadn't seen our investigators for two days! Ha ha, you can probably imagine the joy I had to finally get back with Elder Kimball to our sector Thursday. Elder Kimball and I prayed, prayed, prayed, and prayed SOO much! I have never felt the spirit so strong in my prayers before. In those prayers we really poured out all our souls to the Lord; I have never felt such a high level of prayer before. I am just incredibly grateful for Elder Kimball because he lead our sector so great while I was gone and he has so much faith! 

Thursday morning and Friday we were occupied the entire time preparing a lesson plan for Nancy and Alejandro. We finally came up with a plan and went to their house for the night. We started off with verifying the commitment that Elder Kimball left for them to do the night before, which was to simply re-read Moroni 10:3-5 and to pray to really know if all of this was true and to know if they should be baptized Saturday. Well, they told us that they did it and none of them felt like they received any type of answer. I was just dumb founded that they really didn't feel anything. I was really confused at how they couldn't receive anything. But I felt a strong impression during the lesson that, of course, they didn't receive any answer and that was because they had already received it before. We then testified of the power of the Atonement and that through the Grace of His Atonement whatever our faults or whatever short-comings we end up with, He provides the rest. We showed the video, "Because of Him" which that video is so awesome! Afterward the spirit was so strong. We invited them AGAIN to be baptized this Saturday and they felt like they just weren't completely sure. I then decided to ask them the baptismal interview questions to which they all believed in everything. I pulled out my agenda to the page that shows those questions and showed and proved to them that they were ready.

We testified that fear and faith can't be together. That is when I realized the time and it was really late and we needed to get back to the pension, but still we didn't have a 100% yes on the baptism. But I really couldn't think of anything else to do, so we ended with a prayer and I stood up, looked them all in the eye and told them, "If you guys really do have the faith, then you will act in that faith and we WILL see you guys tomorrow at the stake center for your interviews." And then we left! 

Not until we entered the house is when I realized what exactly I had just done . . . we had really just left everything up to the Lord to see if they would really act in faith. But we weren't just going to act like sitting ducks and wait so we decided to act in our faith and ran around all Friday trying to plan everything for the baptism and to find baptism tunics. And we were able to work everything out and then went to the stake center at 7:30 . . . where we waited, and waited, and waited! Aww, it felt like an eternity! I was panicking and was so nervous to see if they really were going to show up or not. I couldn't take it anymore, so I went into a small room and prayed. And it was probably one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever felt, the spirit was so strong. I really just plead with the Lord that it was in His hands and that there was nothing I could do, but that if He could just let us have these baptisms, then He would help them show up for their interviews.

After that prayer, with tears in my eyes I went up to Elder Kimball who was praying in another room, with tears in his eyes as well, and we both smiled and told each, "Yes, it's totally going to happen." Up to that point we waited with the zone leaders till 8:43 with only like 15 minutes left till curfew when we got a phone call. . . . .and it was NANCY! And they told us that they were waiting outside the church!!!!!!!!! :) Oh what joy and happiness! I was overwhelmed to see them waiting for us! Francisco wasn't there because he still has to fulfill some goals we set for the Law of Chastity, but he still wanted to go but physically couldn't come because his health problems acted up again and was in bed the whole day and couldn't move his back. But Nancy and Alejandro came and they both passed their interview!!!! Afterwards they told us that Alejandro wanted me to baptize him and Nancy wanted Elder Kimball to baptize her. AwwWWw I can't even describe the happiness to know that this couple was going to be baptized! I realized that it had been some time since I personally had been in the baptismal font and I was just overwhelmed with joy!

Really, with all the challenges we had with them this past week finally the miracle came down to the very last second! And the big day arrived! Saturday we went to the chapel early to start filling up the baptismal font. The heater was broken so we had to fill it up with cold water. We also found out that the other elders from the ward were going to have two baptism as well. There was a kid in the ward that was going to be baptized by his dad. So when the font was all filled, everyone arrived and and we changed into white. And as you can see in the pictures it was a full "White House!" There were a total of 10 people dressed in white! It was an overwhelming experience and I had a smile that entire afternoon and night--a smile from ear to ear! You could really feel that we were in the presence of angels. It was such a beautiful experience to witness and to see so many people accepting the Lord's covenant and gospel. Elder Kimball and I were just balling our eyes out! Ha ha!

The baptismal service was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever felt in my mission. Everything was perfect! The talks were so powerful and the special musical numbers and everything. And then it finally came down to the moment! The actual baptism. Alejandro and I were last, but remember when I said we had to fill the font with cold water . . .well by 8 o clock the temperature dropped a whole lot and the water was FREEZING! Ha ha, aww it was sooo cold! Ha ha, but it was worth it so much! Alejandro and I entered and we looked up and we had such a big amount of people from the ward to support them. I was able to offer the prayer and baptized Alejandro. The happiness is indescribable . . . 

After we returned to the sacrament room where Nancy and Alejandro wanted to give their testimonies. And when Alejandro bore his testimony, dressed in a new black suit, the spirit testified to me that this man is going to be a priesthood holder, and not only a priesthood holder, but a leader in this church. As he bore his simple, but powerful testimony about the Book of Mormon it looked as if he were a bishop or stake president. It was incredible!

Sunday, the bishop gave us the opportunity to confirm them, as well, which was another sweet experience to really give the Holy Ghost to them. They are so strong now! They are just an example to me and I know just as you said, Mom and Dad, the veil was opened and we did see the Lord's hand mold two of his children to be faithful members in His church. Everything was a miracle this past week! I know Francisco couldn't be baptized, but he for sure will in the month of October! 

The Lord is blessing us soo much! I have never felt His love so strong in my life! I love His gospel. I am eternally grateful for the Restoration and for the chance to hold this priesthood to baptize God's Children. I love this gospel so much!! I am so grateful that these baptisms took place! Thank you all so much for your prayers in our behalf, we witnessed the blessings this last weekend. Now we will go forth and keep giving it our all before the end of transfers which today during p-day we ran into President who told me that I'm going to have transfers. . . it's sad to hear that, but it just gives Elder Kimball and I more excitement to really dedicate and consecrate the next half part of the transfer to see more of the miracles that our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

He is with us all. He loves you all so much! Just as I love each and every one of you so much!

Have an incredible week!

Love,

Elder Cowan

18th of September

Dear Family and Friends!

Holy cow! I really can't believe that I am writing to you guys again! It feels like I just got left the Internet store to write you guys! Holy cow! It's crazy how fast the time flies!

Well, wonderful friends and family! I really am kinda at a loss of what to write! I feel like all the days just blurred into one this past week! And because I was almost done writing my letter to you guys but then the computer crashed so here I am writing to you guys again! Ha ha! 

Basically, the whole thing that occupied us this past week was the 18th of September which is the HUGE Independence Day for Chile! And when I am talking about HUGE I really mean it! They go all out for this date! And they prepare months before for this one day! Ha ha! Let's just say was the best Independence day I have had and probably ever will experience in my whole life! It was incredible! 

But since it is such a huge thing that means everyone is occupied with it! Basically, from Tuesday up until yesterday everyone was off and basically had the whole week free to celebrate! But with that, it just includes a lot of parties and a lot of visits to peoples houses. . . all in all a slow time for missionary work. But it was still amazing to celebrate this great country's Independence! CHILE RULES!!!! Ya Po!!! Seriously, I am in the best country ever! I love being here! It's the best to be a missionary here! 

Well, the 18th fell on a Thursday I'm pretty sure if I can recall well enough. So we were able to have Monday and Tuesday to have two straight working days, but other than that it was all slow. Monday we had a family home evening with Paolo Fuentes who is a super cool new member that just moved into the ward. They told us that we had to plan the lesson for them, ha ha. Well, we didn't really know what to share with them since we didn't know them, but we both decided to watch the "4 Minutes" general conference talk. It actually was perfect for them because it is he and his wife and his new born baby girl. But the thing we didn't know is that they haven't been sealed in the temple yet. So we were able to motivate them that they need to take advantage of their time and get married! And now they have a time in the middle of Octubre set for the temple! Woo hoo! Aww I love the temple sooooo much!!!! Take advantage of having a temple only MINUTES away!

As well, we were able to meet with Gustavo who now has a baptism date! Woo hoo! For the middle of Octuber and he is going great! We found out that his parents are 7th day Adventists but he's going strong! Ha ha! He is actually applying for Juilliard (I hope I spelled that right) but it's that huge famous musical arts college and he's applying for! And holy cow! He plays the piano like crazy! It's incredible!!!!! I have never seen such great talent before! The applications are gonna start in December though. 

After Monday and Tuesday that is when the 18th just took over everything basically. Wednesday we had our district meetings which I have such an awesome district! They are all such studs! Then Elder Kimball and I had to go to the church to help set up the decorations for the ward activity which took the whole day and we didn't have a ladder so we had to improvise like the Chilean way and put two tables on top of each other to put up the banners and flags! I was the tallest so they made the tall "green go" go up on the wobbly table and do it. But the roof was just outside my reach so I had to be on my tippy toes the whole entire time from about 4:30 till 9 at night almost! Oh man, yea, you could say that was a heavy calf work out! Ha ha. I was dead the next day! But it was actually really great to gain a ton of the trust of the members now! Since we were the only missionaries that stayed here this transfer they trust in us a ton now! 

Then we had the big 18th celebrating which we started at the 1st counselors house for lunch at about 1 in the afternoon and had a ton of empanadas! Holy cow! You wouldn't believe it! Just at that house alone Elder Kimball and I both ate 7 each! And they are so incredibly good! AWW!! I love empanadas! That's a traditional thing to eat on the 18th. Then we went to the ward activity right after that where we partied hard! Ha ha! There were tons of games and activities to do and a ton of dances. It was great! And even more empanadas! We had a total of 8 that day! Ha ha! That with a ton of other food! Woo, we ate so good! Ha ha and I got crowned as a official Chilean!! Woo hoo Ya po!! That's because I won in a lot of the games and activities and they were all super impressed! All the members were so happy that I've become a real Chilean! HA ha, it felt pretty great to tell the truth to be told that! Now I'm a Chileano greengo! Ha ha! It was awesome! We had a great time with the members! The activity was all day long and it was just endless games and dances (but, no, we didn't dance ha ha). 

After that Friday up until Sunday everyone was dead. Ha ha including Elder Kimball and me. We hardly could visit people and the only people we could talk to were the drunk people from the parties from the night before, ha ha. But we were able to have two tender mercies Saturday when I had a terrible headache. We were just contacting the entire day because we couldn't get into anyone's houses and I really just wanted something to eat. But we kept going and contacted the entire day while my headache was getting worse. That is when we just ended up talking with someone in the street that didn't want anything to do with us and I just closed my eyes and offered a tiny prayer that Heavenly Father would help me with my headache. And not even 5 SECONDS after I ended that prayer I turned around and there was a women walking super fast and whipped out a bag of chocolate chip cookies and said, "Here you go elders!" . . . . I couldn't even believe it. Just two seconds after my prayer was answered. I couldn't even control my emotions and just said thank you and had tears in my eyes for how merciful the Lord is sometimes. I really was such in shock of what really happened that I turned around to go talk to that nice women but . . . when I turned around she was gone! As if she just disappeared! Elder Kimball couldn't believe it either and we back tracked a little bit and knocked on the same doors to see if she went into one of those houses, but we couldn't find her in any of them! I am still confused to this moment of where she went, but I can testify that she was an angel sent to bless us! I have never been so grateful for cookies before! As well, later that night we got a call from a less active that is recovering from cancer and she yelled in the phone that we needed to go to her house now. So we hung up and ran over there to which we opened the door and it was the whole bishopric and half the Relief Society basically in this tiny house singing "Happy Birthday" for my companion! Ha ha, they were a little confused and thought his birthday was that day, but it's actually not till the 3rd of Octuber ha ha, but they had a ton of food and cake for us and it was another tender mercy to share the time with them since we had a really long day with no success contacting. I love this ward! I love every ward I am called to serve in! And more! I just love the Chilean people! They are the best! 

I love Chile so much! It is a place that is and forever will be saved in my heart. It really is the best place and I know my Heavenly Father is so merciful enough to have sent me here to serve this pueblo! I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT!

I love you guys as well and hope you have an incredible week!

Love,

Elder Cowan