Elder Timothy Bowden's Blog

E-mail of July 25, 2005

My new companion is Elder Brough (pronounced Bruff) from Layton, UT. He is a cool Elder and has a great desire to work. His father went on a mission to South Africa, and his friend, Tanner Allen, is going to your mission. He enters the MTC this Wednesday. Elder Brough has had a little rough first week. He has had two flat tires, and can't seem to patch them up, no matter what he does. The worst part is that it isn't even his bike! He had to borrow the bike from the district leader because his hasn't come in yet, and we have no idea when it will come in. So, we have to keep pumping it up everytime we stop. Our teaching pool is pretty good. We have a lot of people to teach. We even had 6 people come to the first ward on Sunday, and 3 of them were investigators we never talked with. We are teaching one of them tonight, so I am really excited. Her name is Sister Baeza. We have a meeting with President Ewer tomorrow for all the Trainers and Trainees, so that should be fun. Being a trainer is hard, because whenever you think about breaking a rule, there is a lot more pressure on you not to, so you feel a lot more guilty when you do break a rule, even if it's a small thing, like leaving the apartment five minutes late or whatever. I'm enjoying it though, and it makes me realize I am a lot more experienced in being a missionary than I think I am, not that that means I am content with how much I do know. Anyways, that's all for now, I love you. Love, Timothy

E-mail of July 18, 2005

Well, transfers came in on Saturday night! Elder Hanson is going to be serving in Murrietta. I will be staying in Redlands. BUT, I recieved a call on Saturday morning from President Ewer! I will be training a new missionary! I am pretty nervous, but also kind of excited. I feel kind of sorry for him though, because it will be over 100 degrees all week!!! I don't know who he is, or anything about him. President Ewer doesn't pick my companion until tomorrow, and I don't find out who it is until after my trainer's meeting tomorrow. I will have to stay at another missionary's apartment tonight, because I do not have a companion with me.

Fortunately we do have a lot of work in this area right now, so it shouldn't be too hard to find things for me and my new companion to do. The only thing I am nervous about really is what he will be like. I know I can do this, I know that I have to be really obedient and very hard working.

Aside from that, not a lot is going on. I am having a great time here. Sister Johnson (Craig's mom) called and asked if I could come and visit Julie or something this week, so I said I would ask President Ewer. I asked him right after my training call, and he said no, only because I have a brand new missionary (which I completely understand, I would have felt bad, and a little awkward if I had gone). I will let you know next week all about my companion. I love you and pray for you.

Love,
Timothy