The Mission Suit...

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 12:13 PM


Is unfortunately a VERY REAL THING!! I have seen, eaten, and oh mamma mia...SO. MUCH. FOOD!!! Italy...joke about losing weight...Summer is just around the corner and it's time for me to start losing my "pasta pants"...So here's hoping. Hahaha..VIVA IL CIBO!!

Alright, so I don't know how long this letter is going to be to you all because I have to communicate with my mom and aunt about classes! YIPES! I'm already registering!! And even with this whole process, I just see that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us. I had registered to attend BYU Provo and I felt ever so strongly about it. And come to find out my application was denied. I had been looking at housing for a while, on account of a letter my grandmother sent me, all back at BYU Idaho. I can't BELIEVE the growth it has all taken!! So, here I am heading to, probably, my final city in my mission and already registering for classes at BYU IDAHO come September. So exciting and so surreal.

Milan. that's where I am headed. A city that I have actually been terrified to serve in. It's dirty, huge, and I have heard such scary stories of men doing weird things to sisters on the trains and busses. Luckily, I have my cute pink bottle of pepper spray...so I carry that around now. But, with all this...I had a feeling that I would be serving there. We are white washing the city...both me and my companion will be brand new...not know a thing of what's going on...haha...I'm pretty sure the Lord just keep re-emphasizing how much I need to rely on Him. And looking back on my experience here in Genova...He sure has blessed me greatly.

I had some wonderful studies this past week...actually reading in the Bible the story of Christ's sacrifice for us...chapter after chapter. With my companion being ill so much, I had so many opportunities to just DIVE IN and I have learned so much with it all. The Book of Mormon and Bible correspond so clearly and pieces that are missing, you find in either of the books! I can't believe how people can skrewy-wompus such a simple and beautiful gospel.

As I leave this city, I ask myself "Have I done all that I could do?" And immediately I just felt within me that the Lord is pleased with my work. *sigh* SUCH A HUGE RELIEF!!! Liz never got baptized, but that does NOT mean she won't...Mauro and Cecilia...when I called them to say goodbye they asked me and my companion to come to dinner and they told me that they were going to surprise me and come to church on Sunday. Little by little right? Oh what a beautiful experience this has been and how grateful, grateful, grateful I am to have served here. It has, literally, changed my life.

I want to testify of the power of the Spirit and how the Lord really, truly does have a plan for all of us. He only asks us to trust Him, and the only way we can do that is through Faith. GROW YOUR FAITH. Read the scriptures, FEAST upon them and learn to love the Lord with all your heart, might mind and strength...that you can stand blameless before God at the last day. He isn't looking for our mistakes to punish us...but looking for us to admit our mistakes so that He can cleanse us. That's all He wants...is for us to wash our hands and enter into His rest. I love the Lord and am so grateful that He has allowed me to serve Him.

baci e abracci,

Sorella Bowman

Oh My Soul Hungered...

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 9:53 AM

My heart cried out: "Please Lord, release me from pain and from doubt." Oh my soul hungered, the moment I knelt down to pray, and felt all my doubts wash away. Oh my soul hungered, He heard my cry...the voice of the Lord spoke peace to my mind. Oh my soul hungered, things that were old became new...when I learned to feel what I already knew. .... With all my heart, with all my soul, I wrestled before the Lord to make my life whole...He filled my hunger, he fed my soul. He fed my soul...The Truth that belonged to everyone else, is now a sacred part of myself...Oh I found out what I could not find, when I heard in my heart...what I knew in my mind. With all my heart, with all my soul, I wrestled before the Lord to make my life whole. He filled my hunger, he fed my soul.  He fed my soul. Oh my soul hungered...

Have any of you ever felt this way? I have always loved this song...a simple testimony of the Savior's healing abilities. I always thought I knew exactly how this young man felt every time I heard it...but this week, I had a beautiful experience of TRULY gaining a trust within these words. Let me see, how do I really explain this??

I guess it all starts with my companion just having a smack down talk with me. Come to find out...I have trust issues. haha! I look at my future and it's always been, my whole life, "Meh...i don't know if I REALLY want to risk this...because I don't know the outcome. Howabout i just run away and pretend it (meaning anything...whether it be college, or a decision for a job, or even interacting with other people) never happened and nobody gets hurt?" Howabout I just be a weenie and take the easy way out instead of going for what i really want? Yeah...let's just be a weenie...everyone likes hotdogs right? But, my companion has taught me to step up to the plate and really TRUST in my Heavenly Father. Down right, looked me in the eyes and said "Sorella Bowman, will you trust in your Heavenly Father?" And it hit me that I really didn't...i didn't have faith...I didn't want to make certain decisions because I didn't know the reason or outcome right then. YEAH...OKAY?? A MISSION CAN BE A STRESSFUL THING!! 

On the mission you get promptings that you don't know WHERE they came from because they just DO NOT make sense...to you. My companion helped me realize, they don't have to make sense because...Heavenly Father knows best and He knows MORE. If it feels okay, but you aren't sure...just remember it's from Heavenly Father...pay attention to how you feel and DON'T ask for the "why." She showed me a talk from last month's Liahona called "Looking Up" by Elder Carl B. Cook. It was an answer to prayers...again. As I was stressing about decisions to make here in the mission my companion sent me to my room...to pray. As I knelt down, just like throwing my hands in the air, and admitting, most embarrassingly, I had a hard time with faith and a hard time with trust...

I felt the Lord near me...and still love me. I apologized for not being fully in...I was scared, I don't know what the future holds and I don't know what kind of work He wants me to do. And then...I made a decision...and felt all my doubts wash away. I asked the Lord to help me find my answer to my trust issues when I opened the scriptures...I had to try like 6 times to open it because it would just fall shut...but when it finally opened...Alma 32...and I laughed...and I read just one line...and laughed again..."Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true." And that was my answer. It was like Heavenly Father saying: "You know...and now, you need to trust that I will work everything out. Let ME be the driver"

I have been working on really digging deep in my personal studies...really diving into the scriptures and really making my study times count. It's really a shame how everything starts making sense at the END of your mission and you find how to REALLY do things are the END of your mission...but that's all apart of the growing process, right? I have been working on seeing what a testimony truly is and just really baring testimony of things to my investigators. I cannot BELIEVE how many experiences and trials I have experienced...just to teach certain people..who NEED those things at that exact moment. Our little investigator Liz...opened up to us and come to find out, the thing that I had experienced the NIGHT BEFORE...was exactly what she needed to know and understand. Proverbs 3:5-6 also came to my mind as I was praying for some revelation... "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 

I know that all the Lord wants from me is to trust Him. I know that is all He wants from any of us. I would sit in frustration as my companion would just whip out personal revelation...and me always asking myself "how do I know if this is from Heavenly Father, or just my own desires?" Elder Bednar answers...Be a good girl and it will all work out. I am coming to learn that and I am finding how much happier I am...not only in my mission, but also in life! Trust in the Lord...don't worry about what the future holds, just know that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us and if we strive to follow Him, I KNOW He will not lead me or YOU somewhere you won't desire to remain or to be in. Oh...*sigh* how grateful I am for this gospel...how grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who loves me no matter how stinkin' stubborn I am...WHICH I am working on to change :)

We had an AMAZING experience with two new investigators we have...Michele and Claudia. I don't have much time to explain, I'll have to elaborate next time..BUT from the moment we walked into their home to the moment we left, I was in awe. This 24 year old young man has a love for the Savior that was breathtaking to behold. He was actually polite to us, actually considerate, and you could see the sensitivity and love he holds for his Savior. I'd like for everyone to remember that there are still good people out there. There ARE still good people here in Italy. It was a little disheartening to have an actualy shock, in realizing that he and his girlfriend are actually, genuinely kind people. And ROMANIAN for heaven's sake! The Romanian people, mainly men, are very rude and sister missionaries have to protect themselves...but...it was a beautiful thing to see this desire to learn of their Savior instilled in their hearts. All in all, they want to be baptized (after the first lessons) and have been searching how to be married in the Salt Lake Temple. They found a picture one day and said to each other that someday they'll get married there....pretty amazing, huh? Here I am struggling to find it within myself to trust the Lord with my own life, as I am teaching people to trust in Him with theirs, He places a miracle in my lap...

A few days later from all this struggle (which is today)

I am trusting in the Lord. And I am so grateful for the journey He has taken me on to get there...and I am excited for the journey He is leading me on now...to strengthen it :)

Hakuna Matata,

sorella bowman

"I Ask For Nothing, I Can Get By...

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 9:45 AM

 

 

but I know so many, less lucky than I. Please help the people...the poor and downtrod, I thought we all were...the children of God."

 

There is a little bit of Disney trivia for you. The Italian sisters have been listening to American disney music as apart of language study and this song has really stuck to my heart. So many people really do say the words of this fabulously written song. By memory, I am going to write the words..and even though Esmerelda is singing to Mary...I like to think of it as a prayer someone says to Heavenly Father, or even a conversation with our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

"I don't know if you can hear me...or if you're even there. I don't know if you will listen to a "sinner's" prayer. Yes, I know I'm just an outcast. I shouldn't speak to you. But, still I see your face and wonder...were you once an outcast too. God help the outcasts, hungry from birth. Show them the mercy they don't find on earth. God help the outcasts, who look to you still, God help the outcasts, or nobody will." Then you hear the prayers of others..."I ask for wealth, I ask for fame. I ask for glory to shine on my name. I ask for love I can't posses, I ask for God and His angels to bless me." And then the humility again, "I ask for nothing, I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I. Please help my people the poor and downtrod, I thought we all were the children of God."

 

What always catches me..."I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there..." How many times have I asked? I think it has been, I've lacked the faith to listen. I knew things would always work out, no matter what the situation would be...but sometimes I couldn't recognize the hand of the Lord. To have faith is to really TRUST in the Lord. No longer do I trust in myself, just as Nephi says to never trust in the arm of the flesh, but honestly to TRUST IN THE LORD. Even when you don't know WHY something has to be done, I can testify if you feel a prompting to do it...then go forward and you will have the reassurrance burn within your heart. Never question what happens after, because that also is the Lord following through with the prompting He gave you. Say you write a letter, someone you have felt to write for a while, you send it off and the burden is lifted. And then a few days letter, a friend says that it wouldn't be the best thing for this person to receive it. And yet, you still receive a spiritual confirmation that what this friend says is true. Oh how great the goodness is of the Lord and the plans He has for us all. If any of you question whether or not the Lord will listen to a "sinner's" prayer, I testify that He wants more than anything to hear them. I know it's true. You have to faith to talk with Him, He has the power to heal you. We are ALL children of God. I know this.

 

In fact, last Wednesday I was hobbling onto the bus with my ugly stampanella...a crutch? Right? And I hear this voice of a man asking me to take his seat...in English. As I thank the man, it was actually his friend who encouraged him. As I looked at this friend, I KNEW I recognized him...but I couldn't remember how. And so I asked him and he humbly says, yes, we had met before and his name is Michele. He goes to tell me, in broken english, that he has been reading the Book of Mormon and appreciates the strength of the testimonies of the prophets. We keep talking and he tells me that he is afraid to die. How can anyone know what the purpose is for this world? He really is scared. And at first I laughed because I didn't know what he was saying...it wasn't making sense in English because HE LAUGHED TOO after he said it, and then he said that he was serious. And I looked straight into his eyes and testified very, very simply that I KNOW that he is a child of God and that God loves him. He looked at me and smiled and said "I'm glad" and he started laughing. ANd I asked him if he thought that I was joking and he said, "No. I am glad because I know you know. I know what you say is true and I know, because you told me, I can know for myself." Case and point. We are ALL children of God.

 

My companion is sick again, and on Tuesday we had a FULL day of appointments. It was odd because on Monday night, I had a strong impression to NOT leave the house. I thought I was freaking myself out with all the strikes happening and such...but in reality...it needed to be for the health of my companion. I'm worried for her right now, and I ask you all to keep her in your prayers. We don't really know what's going on...but we just have to keep staying inside. Nonetheless, I had a WONDERFUL study session yesterday. So many connections were made and Heavenly Father helped me make connections that I never made before. For example, in Revelations 22:14 it actually talks about the tree of life!! The whole chapter does! What is the tree of life? Well, let me just whip out my beautiful little copy of the Book of Mormon and share a dream my little friend, Lehi, had just a few years back. I then went on to do my own personal study, reading in 2 Nephi 27:15-18 is a prophecy of what happened EXACTLY to Joseph Smith!! It happened word for word in Joseph Smith History 1:65!! HOW AMAZING?!? Why would Joseph Smith write a WHOLE BOOK and even mention a humiliation that happened to Martin Harris? It's because he wouldn't! But prophets would testify and HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE RESTORED GOSPEL AGAIN ON THE EARTH?!??! What was the need for a restoration? So many people do NOT understand that concept here...It's because when the Apostasy happened...which happened because the apostles were killed. When they were killed there was NO ONE CALLED to be direct messengers of God. Sure, there were men who held the priesthood, but they were not called to receive revelation. And thus, the priesthood began to be abused. As we know in Doctrine and Covenants 121, when the priesthood is abused there is no validity. Thus, the priesthood was lost. Literally, LOST!! And the restoration needed to happen so that the priesthood could be righteously used once more on the earth. It was the BEST study I have EVER had and so many things were made clear, and so simply too! I would say it is like "Duh, Sorella Bowman..even I knew that" but the thing is, I knew it...but never understood all the exact details. AND WHERE DO WE FIND THESE DETAILS??? Yeah, in the scriptures. Read them. If you haven't read them today...I would exhort you to do so...I really love it when I can truly FEAST upon the scriptures...you can feel the hunger in your spirit and you can feel it be satisfied. I didn't want to put my materials down but other things in the mission called. How grateful I am!!

 

(Big grin) I know that this church is true. I know that my Heavenly Father is leading me down paths that I never imagined I would be on...but without being sacreligious, I know He is leading me "down the path that rocks!" (yes, disney trivia again) How grateful I am to the Prophet Joseph Smith and all he did for this world and how I am so priviledged to be learning EXACTLY what the work of the Lord is. Sometimes, the work comes through a positive show of numbers...others, it's finally opening the heart of a companion and letting her cry after years, and years, of pain and anger. that's when you feel the Savior's love, and THAT's when I feel most like a missionary. A disciple of Christ. When you can see hearts changed, and you can feel the power of the Atonement working in them. I testify of these things, in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ...Amen.

 

bacci e abracci,

sorella bowman

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Friday, February 10, 2012 9:34 AM

 

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!

 

This week the letter had to be sent later in the week because we had special training on our usual p-day. Things have been off and on this week because of the cold, I feel good, but my ankle doesn't. It swells up and gets hard as a rock!! But, the other day, Wednesday, we put this clay stuff on it to take the swelling down, and I woke up swollen!! I guess the clay activiates all the toxins in your body and so i felt like I got hit by a truck!! We cancelled all our appointments, which took me most of the day to not feel guilty about doing..because I was really wanting some lessons that day...but in the end it was a good thing for my companion. She did a LOT of learning and growing while I slept...so for her, the day was not a total waste. The Lord's work is always done, even if we don't realize in what ways.

 

I recieved the death call on Tuesday...am I staying 11 or 12 transfers? Man, it was just a reality shock for me because they are already needing to order my plane ticket and arrangements taken care of. I can't believe how fast things are going. And the frustrations that I have been having with my health and with my ankle, well, come to find out...I know that was apart of the Lord's plan too. It gave me time to rewind and really put my thoughts in order. I felt so tranquil during these past few days and just coming to realize what I really want in my life. I think that has been the BIGGEST amount of growth that I have made and it has really put things in order for me. I am very grateful for that.

 

Liz still isn't baptized and we have had some trouble getting ahold of Christele. But I know we'll make progress with both and everything will be okay. Yesterday's appointments were with Liz and also her mom later that night...but everytime I prayed about going out, it didn't feel right. by the end of the night I felt fine, so I was frustrated why I couldn't have gone out during the day. But the feeling I got was that LIZ needed to step up and bear her testimony to her mother...to work on gaining a relationship with her and just telling her mom how important the gospel is in her life. I don't know if she did it, because we asked her to when we had to cancel the appointment...but I am ready to get back out there and get the work rolling again.

 

That has been one of the challenges for me...learning to listen to the Spirit. I have...trouble...we could say, when it comes to knowing what I want and what the Lord wants. I second guess myself...like right now, I keep saying "I should have gone out yesterday" but I really just didn't feel good...I ended up sleeping the whole day even though by the night I felt much better. Is that okay? I keep saying "I can't let this happen again" but my ankle is also issues too! Members tell me not to go outside because it's so cold and it really does bad things for my ankle...and I can't really get on busses without people kicking me or stepping on my foot...*sigh* I just have to accept the decision and move forward. Everyone knows it's been in bad shape, and that normally, I would NOT just want to rest and eat nothing and stay in bed...There has been a big flu going around and my companion thought I was starting the symptoms...and now I realize, reading back over...could I have been justifying my decision to reassure myself? Gaaaghh...and then I think and realize, I felt what i felt, to stay inside...and I have to remember that my decisions also affect my companion...and for her, it was a real blessing..something that has changed her life. Okay, basta Sorella Bowman...when you want to serve the Lord, even if it means staying inside, you are doing what you are supposed to.

 

OH! So the subject line, yeah, what the heck? It's been snowing here in Genova!! In fact, ALL OF ITALY hasn't seen weather this cold in close to 30 years!! NUTS RIGHT?! So, the ankle has been a blessing because my companion gets woozy more often than not with the weather changes. But this time around, I have SO much patience and the sickness she has doesn't bother me...I surprise myself at how understanding I've become! can I actually say patient?? I think the Lord is now teaching me how to be patient with myself...and well...it's taking longer than everything else...but I'm working on it :)

 

Thank you all so much for the letters and pictures and pick-me-ups...You'll never know how much joy they bring to my life!! Keep standing up for what you believe in, and look for the hands that hang down....just so you can lift them up!!

 

love always,

sorella bowman

 

p.s. the ankle, yeah, I tweaked it on Wednesday and it's still swollen around the joints. I'm looking for a brace today to see what we can do...but, I'm making myself walk and going forward from there. Still bruised, still purple, but good enough to walk on :)

Sausage Making

Sausage Making, a set on Flickr.

To see the pictures, CLICK THE LINK! :)

No News

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 2:14 PM

Well, no news from Camille today.  Don't know why but I'm hoping that no news is good news.  I'm a bit worried about her leg/foot.  Keep her in your prayers, please.
Thanks!
Rosalee and Anthony

Colors Seem to Fade

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 7:48 PM

That's the only line I can remember from that song from way back when...It's amazing how much you forget on your mission! I've chosen this as my title, because that was my first thought when I took a look at my right foot this morning...

Let's backtrack to last P-day and not having time to complete my letter:

Liz did not get baptized. In fact, she is wanting us to meet with her mother now and start teaching her the lessons. Liz thinks it would be wonderful to have her mother get baptized with her! This little girl has so much faith, it's absolutely amazing!

Tuesday we were actually heading to go see Kerly and we got onto the bus that we normally do. I had taken it upon myself to start changing. I'm tired of keeping my mouth closed! So I turn to the ecuadorian woman next to me and start talking to her. For quite some time, she doesn't really respond...just polite, yes's and no's here and there. As I'm teaching, this old Italian woman keeps interrupting me like I'm talking to her...but I'm really not. Ugh! It was so frustrating at the time, but it is such a joke now! Anyway, as I am talking to this Ecuadorian woman I just get down to the point and bring out the Book of Mormon and testify of the first vision. All of a sudden I see this hand reach from behind me and a young voice say, "Can I see that book please?" And I immediately turn, it was almost like a vaccuum to her! This bright, 26 year old girl from the African Cameroon Islands starts flipping through the Book of Mormon and says " I have to have this book. I have been searching for answers and I KNOW that I need this book. Can I please have it?" Then the Italian woman pipes in and says that it was condemning to read another gospel. You have study the right one! And she goes to say that if this girl is feeling empty (Like she explained to me from going to the Catholic church...she goes to mass every day to try and feel something and nothing is coming..She is tired of having her faith fall and rise...she wants consistency) she needs to go see the nuns! And then this beautiful girls says "Well, their tag says they are from Jesus Christ...that means they work for Him, and that works for me!" ANd the woman says, "NO! You can't! THey are Evangelists! They teach false doctrine!" And then I had this power surge within me, like when Iron Man pumps up to blast his enemies...yeah like that! And I turn to her and say " No! Signora! We. ARe. Not!" And she just looks at me and hushes...she has been interrupting the whole time...so she finally got the hint. But we made an appointment with the young lady and we were so excited to see her on Saturday...but Friday night comes around... I have these shoes. These cute little Dansko shoes that...like to be a little wobbly sometimes. BUt anyway, after getting ANOTHER scheda for our phone and having Lina Salazar activate it for us, we had to run for the bus...a brand spanking wonderful welcome for Sorella Smith into Genova. As I am running for the bus, I hop the curb, and the next thing I know, I hear a snap and out goes my right leg. My whole body fills with this paralying pain that I literally cannot lift myself. My leg feels like a gigantic brick. So there I am, sprawled in the middle of 3 bus lanes, and this little Italian woman stands in the street so the busses don't hit me. Sorella Smith picks me up and helps me hop to the curb, where the little lady gets me a box. I start shaking like crazy and just start trying to make phone calls. NO ONE IS ANSWERING!! And we can't call emergency because, well, I don't know what the number is, (I don't even know if it's 9-1-1) and I finally ahold of President and say, sobbing, "President, this is sister bowman. Please call the Anziani so they will pick up their phone. I'm at Brignole Station and I've broken my leg." End of story. I look at my foot and it has swollen to the size of an orange and so Sorella Smith removes my shoe. People pass by, willy nilly, not thinking anything, not willing to even help. It made me so sad...UNtil this one Romanian man asked me if someone had called the ambulance, I said no and laughed a little. He looked at our tags and said "You work for Jesus Christ?" And I said, Yes! We're missionaries (As I sound like I'm in labor) and he goes "That's wonderful. You two are doing soemthing great for this country. I keep Christ right over my heart...and he pulls his shirt down to show us a tattoo of Jesus! I say "That's great, it's good to keep Him near" and he wished us luck and boarded the bus. Finally the Anziani show up and Anziano Fulcher (Australian) just starts talking to me, trying to get my mind off of things. I explain everything to Christian Salazar and Anziano Mina and we decide to take me to the ER and get me x-rayed. Jokingly, I laugh and mention that I sound like I'm in Labor and I don't think the elder's knew what to do with that...oh well...it's better than crying! So we get to the hospital and Christian says I need to start crying again, they won't treat me as fast if I'm laughing. So they set me on a stretcher and the first thing I see "I've ripped my tights! My mom is going to kill me!!" And then Christian sees that I split my knee and ripped the hole bigger! DAH!! THESE ARE THE NICE ONES!!! But, I ended up taking them off and cutting the legs for knee highs...sad day. SO they do the x-ray and nothing's broken...for a while we thought I had a fracture...they didn't really treat me well. The x-ray guy didn't put a lead vest on and then when he checked for a break, he grabbed the top of my toes and SHOOK THEM!!! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH PAIN THAT IS?!?!?!??!? ALOT!!! But, Christian bought me a popsicle and placed it on the swollen parts..and then Anziano Fulcher had to take his turn....ugh I was so embarrassed..in the winter, you don't shave your legs...OR CARE ABOUT YOUR FEET!! Needless to say, Sorella Smith gave me a pedicure the next day...still working on the shaved legs part...but it's coming. So, they wrapped me up in a sticky ace bandage and sent me away...luckily I didn't have to pay. Christian felt that we needed to go see his wife, Lina and have her look at it. And it's a good thing too because my leg started reacting to the sticky ace-wrap. Needless to say, they re-wrapped me and gave me some pain killers and all was well. They have been taking care of me ever since!! CHristian and Lina came a few days ago and he did some "trrrreuhk trrreuhk" for my foot, and now it's popping normally. But, I have some really nasty bruising going on and I am still swollen. So for the past week I have been doing a LOT of sleeping and a lot of just trying to walk again. Sorella Smith and I have had some re-touching and a great study on the word of wisdom...heh heh heh..in the bible it says..no blood. But that's besides the point. So it's a few more days being at home until I'm back to normal. I get pains all the way up my calf and spasms at night because it's so cold. But it's all for some reason....President thinks the whole mission is on the brink of some outburst because a LOT of missionaries have been having problems of SOME SORT...the adversary just knows where to get us...I guess I just fall into the category of being so stubborn that the Lord has to get my physically...the Lord or the Adversary...probably the latter, but I have turned to the Lord to guide me through it all.

I know the church is true and I know I'm supposed to learn something here. I feel like my mind has been reswiped and recharged for my last stretch. I just need to keep it that way. Dad, I know what you mean....you got my letter and I am proud to say that I am ready to spring forward and not fall back. I am taking things I am learning on my mission now to use for the rest of my life...and how excited I am to be a changed person!! LOVE IT!! So until next week, I salute you all from my bed!!

love,
sorella bowman

p.s. the ward has been helping me so much! I have never received so many calls and meals...ever!!!