Service with a Smile!

Hey Mom, Thanks for writing and for getting that stuff for me. I might need like 5 pairs if you don't mind.. The humidity and bike area are not good friends.. It's bad.. ha the sweat doesn't evaporate like it does back home it just keeps coming. My allergies aren't too bad. I can still function. A shot wouldn't be bad but I could survive without one. K first off.. I can't believe Chris is getting married! That's just so crazy... You'll have to send pics. And I'd love to see the video of Jack too! It's family and it counts. And also why did Mike say to call? Like to talk to him? I just told him to ask you about tithing and how it's helped you guys out. K so about Gospel Principles I get a text at 9:30 saying we're teaching the class so I just took it on and did it. Of course there were a ton of people. I prolly repeated myself often but oh well at least I got whatever point across haha. So this past week has felt like a long one and a fast one. Our numbers were better this week and we were able to do service for a couple people which helped my sanity cause knocking doors sucks after a while. So a week or so ago we were walking back from somewhere and found that older lady to do service for Debra. (I don't remember if I wrote about her before or what) anyways, Wednesday we planned to help her out and of course she wasn't there. So we just rode around on our bikes. I found some dinky dirt jumps and hit those for a couple minutes, It was fun. So we rode around the neighbor hood just looking for service we could do. We talked to a guy sitting on his porch, He didn't want service but said we could come back this week to talk with him. (I shared a little about the restoration and stuff) then after we talked to a lady (Nicci) riding in her wheelchair going to pick her daughter up from school. We offered our service and she accepted. So we came back a half hour later and I weed-eated her lawn and Pebbles started to pull weeds. Then after I finished I started pulling weeds while talking to Nicci. I can't remember what I asked her but I just started talking about her and her family and how long they've lived here etc. Then I brought up the gospel and basically taught the restoration and invited her to learn more and also extended baptism and she said "yeah if I knew it was true I could get baptized again" So that was cool. So we'll be going back to teach her this week. We were able to have a lesson with Tiffiene this past week at the church. We just read from the BoM and helped her to know how to get a testimony. Which was one of her questions. So hopefully that helped! Then we had a lesson after that with Ray and Colleen and we went over the Plan of Salvation. It'll be interesting to see where they go just cause they're an older couple. But I invited baptism again and they both agreed if they knew it was true. So that was good. Then we had a lesson with Mike that night. We went over the Baptism interview questions. Then put him on date. It was a way good lesson and Pebbles bore a really good testimony and I know Mike felt the spirit that night. So the next day his friend brought some stuff up that kinda shook him up a little. Which is probably good for him cause it'll help him be more solid that this is really what he wants to do. Either way If he gets baptized he'll be solid cause he know all the Anti and Non-Anti Stuff. Which is good. He claims he's an "Investigating Investigator" which is very true. So he is still going to go through the Interview with President so that'll be good. Saturday was a decent day. We were able to go back and do service for Debra. Members from her church were there to help too. So it was good. They were really good people. Pebbles and I just tilled her garden and cleaned it up and put a fence around it. It was fun, I enjoyed it! Also that night we had to be witnesses for Robin (the member from Haiti) and his fiance to get married! She was finally able to make it to the States and then they got married. And now she is one of our investigators. She doesn't speak English though, But she speaks French and Coreal (sp?) it's the language in Haiti. So I'm glad our new ward mission leader went to France for his mish. We had a lesson there last night which was really cool cause it was in English and French. She's definitely a golden investigator which is way cool. So we'll see how she progresses. I can't judge it since I can't understand her haha but I have pics of their wedding so you guys can see that. Sunday we did a lot of riding around. We made B-fast for Mike and headed to church then after had lunch and went to teach Nicole Snedeger's kids like we had an appointment for and we were running late and biked 2.5 miles in 15 minutes. Ha and it was hot and humid of course. So they weren't there, Which sucked cause we were dripping sweat cause it doesn't evaporate off your face. So yeah.. We decided to go over to the Blake's house (Part Member family) and I invited John to learn more. He seemed a little "eh" on the subject but I was bold and invited him to learn more. So we'll keep in touch with them!. I'll have to post pictures tomorrow cause I forgot my cable. But anyways.. Oh yeah and on Saturday Night we peppered sprayed Pebbles. Which was pretty funny. I'll tell more about that when I send the pictures along with it haha. This kid will do most anything... Except clean up after himself and know when the right time and place is for things. But it's still going good. K I'll talk to you later! Love ya guys! Elder Derrek Bowler.


 

**The first picture is from Mike (the "Investigating Investigator") while Derrek was teaching Gospel Principles class on Sunday.  Mike is great and gives me the inside scoop with Derrek when he sees him.  I feel spoiled :)

Hey mom so these are the promised pictures. The library was closed yesterday so that's why I'm here today. So the pictures are of this Silent auction the youth had to raise money. I forgot to talk about it but it was pretty cool. The cookie flowers was one of the items to bid on. Then there are pictures of pebbles after he got pepper sprayed. Which was really funny. And then the picture of Robin and RoseMerlin (The french speaking lady from Haiti) with us and also with Bishop Donovan (doesn't he look like Mr. Clean?) haha anyways there ya go! love ya guys! and I forgot to give the address but it's 5050 Open Meadows Drive apt#8 Columbus, Oh 43228. 

Pictures...

Ok so I know I just like talked to you guys yesterday but not much has happened that's different but here are the pictures from this last week. So one is this condom dispenser that supports abstinence till marriage which was funny then the following few are of a photo day we did. The ginger is Elder Cornia. And the big one is Pebbles. He's also on the couch and then Elder Barr is the small one in the group one. Sorry a couple were dark. Then We have our Monster wall. and then Mike's alcohol that he got rid of which was super cool. He threw out his chew too! and then there's this pond we tried fishing in and there were cute little ducklings! and then Pebbles fishing :) so yeah. Other than that not a lot has changed in the past 24 hours except the fact that Pebbles is the only person who can manage to get chocolate cake with icing on our brand new carpet we had laid down today. We weren't even home for two seconds and pebs managed to do that some how... I got it out but it actually doesn't surprise me that that happened haha. Ok I'll write more next week when I'm back to only emailing.. Mom you can just write what you want for this week on the blog. K love you guys!! 

This is Amy talking...we were able to talk to Derrek yesterday, probably longer than we were supposed to, but it was SO needed for all of us and I hope he doesn't get in trouble.  I know it will carry him that much longer.  It was great to hear his brothers laughing with him and it just seemed like old times.  Scott and I were able to have great spiritual talks with him and he just seemed really at peace and healthy in the sense that yes, he's not perfect, but he knows he is doing his best and trying to really love those around him and figure out what the Lord would have him do.  He told us a funny story about his companion "Pebbles".  We asked him why they call him "Pebbles" and he said when his companion first came into the field, he was talking about how he wanted to become a professional body-builder and idolizes the "Rock".  Then they started teasing him that he had a long way to go because he was at the "Pebble" stage.  So, the name stuck and he's known as "Pebbles".  His comp likes it and thinks it's funny.  They joke that he will get him and bulk up and become a pro-wrestler, like the "Rock" and he'll have some reference to "Pebbles" in his stage name.  I think it's a great story.  Here are all the pictures he sent in the email this week.  Enjoy...

Words taken to heart...

Hey Guys!

So I know it's only been like 5 days since I've last written but alas I'm sure you all are wondering how those 5 days were! So to be honest I can't really remember specific events that all went on but I'll just start writing and we'll see what comes to mind eh? So mom I might have you talk to Mike about tithing or first I'll just show him what you said in this little email you wrote. But He's getting closer. He's trying to bring "normality" to my life haha I appreciate it but sometimes he pushes the line. It's not a big deal at all haha He makes us all laugh. I'm glad I get to stay another transfer but then again I'm not. It's exhausting here but I just gotta keep pushing strong. He keeps trying to make "deals" with me like 5% tithing and he'll get dunked. He keeps going for May 18th.. I'll have to start using that to my advantage haha but I want him to get a testimony first. He probably already has one but just needs to exercise faith. We just had Stake Conference yesterday and it was broadcasted. It was really good. I wish Mike could have been there. But President Uchtdorf said a little thing about tithing. That it's not about the money. But it's about faith. He also said something else that I liked. He mentioned the importance of setting goals. Temporal goals and more importantly spiritual goals. The lord will always take care of us not only spiritually but temporally. Also Elder Gay spoke and mentioned 3 things we need to ask ourselves... I can't remember them. They're on my wall on a post-it note.. I'll have to write it down later... Sorry :P Yesterday we had a lesson with Tiffiene. It went well. She's still caught between her BF and God.. It's like one of those relationships where they know it's not healthy to stay with each other but they just can't leave. Like how Lauren kept going back to her D-Bag of a BF in STG. Just not bad like that. but she's doing good. Sister Rosenvall also gave her the "Chastity" talk after we left which is nice cause I personally don't want to teach a girl that. Other than that. Not a whole lot is different. Pebbles' Birthday was on the 4th which was pretty fun. We tried to make it a good day for him. The Spanish Elders bought him a green kid plastic gun and grenade (he wants to go into the military) it's pretty funny. He still acts like a little 12 year old sometimes. It'll be interesting to see him in the military. Not where I'd see him going but whatever works for him! We also to him to lunch at Steak-n-Shake (delicious burger chain out here) and Mike came and later that night we went to Mike's house and it was pretty good! I've been talking to Calvin. He's doing good. His mind seems to change a lot when things don't work. It'd be easier for him if he looked for god's help and maybe also read his patriarchal blessing sometime soon. I'll keep working with him. I talk normally with him but sneak in things dealing with God and the Church and all that. And my mission also. So hopefully in the long run that helps him out! But yeah! other than that there isn't a ton going on! Sorry I don't have more to write about but yeah I guess it was one of those bland weeks. Oh so on Friday when we did weekly planning for some reason I felt to put one baptism and confirmation for this week.... Ha we have no one on date or anyone planning on it.. Looks like we're exercising our faith and hopefully a miracle works out!! I have no clue what's gonna happen haha but I felt that I should put that down! We'll see what happens! Oh and Mom could you send out stamps? I could use some if you don't mind. And I just remembered it's Mother's Day this Sunday!! So when I get things all figured out I'll let you know when to expect a call!! It's already been 5 months since the last time I've called. It's crazy. Welp! That's it for now! I don't have any pics either this week! Sorry!! K love you all!

Love,

Elder Derrek Bowler

PS. That's lame Alec's call hasn't even been sent out yet! You'll have to keep me posted on that!

K so I came back to finish what I forgot yesterday. But I just wanted to write those three things I was talking about! Aight so it's 3 questions to ask ourselves about our conversion and where we are with things. And remember this is me summarizing and sharing what I got out of it and isn't word for word what Elder Gay said. 

1: Am I looking at things as they really are? Satan is able to deceive us and mimic God and the things that can be believed as "spiritual" but God will and has promised that he'll make the truth and what is from him manifested to us and God and Satan both have temples where we learn. They both want us in they're temples. Look for what is from God and what is from Satan.

2: Am I prepared to learn the lessons of Gethsemane? Christ did the will of the father for each of us and followed the commandments that the father gave him. Are we willing to do the father's will in our lives? Do we seek his guidance and help and direction? Is doing whatever God would have us do our top priority? We need to attain a "mighty change of heart" we do this by following the promptings of the spirit and seeking that guidance. It reminds me of the talk given by Elder Christofferson (sp?) Where God knows what he wants us to be. And he is the gardener and we should seeks his help.

3: Am I prepared to lose my life to save it? He gave an example of when he was called as a mission president and one of his old co-workers called him up and told him of a business deal that was incredible. He was in Africa on a terrible road and just after wondering why he was there the car rolled 3 times and everyone in the car was fine but him. He almost lost his arm and he goes on to say that the doctor that was helping him saw his badge and recognized the church and all the tools that that doctor had where because of two senior missionaries a few years earlier who helped him out which because of that his life was saved and arm spared. Now for me personally I've always loved helping people out and did it without thinking. And when everyone in the freaking mission would repeat this over and over again while I was struggling with what I was it messed with my head because I could not understand it. It made no sense and it still doesn't. It's like one of those paradox's. But I know I feel better when I selflessly look for others I can help. I still like helping people and I think it's easier for me to look at Christ's example instead of trying to logically figure out that equation. But as we look and more importantly pray for ways we can help others, they will come. And by naturally being selfless and loving to others we may affect people years down the road we will probably never ever meet till we're dead.

Granted I know I still have a lot of work to but I just wanted to share that with everyone cause I know it can help someone else out there. Mike and I were talking to each other via text last night till the early early morning about some things and I won't mention what they were but I think I finally know what I can do to help him. Oh and P.S. for all those future missionaries out there. Don't rush through the lessons to try and "mark" it off the list. That's what E. Peterson did and it doesn't help anyone receive the spiritual witness and confirmation that they need. It just turns into Bible Study. Which is okay but it just won't bring the meat and why we're truly there. So yeah Mike knows the stuff better than I'm sure most members do. But the knowledge that the things he goes through in his life and has gone through can all be taken care of through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, isn't fully there. Whether he thinks so or not. But there is great peace from our savior. And through Faith, Repentance, Baptism (or afterwards the Sacrament), Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, a Enduring to the End. That joy and peace can be in our lives no matter what trial we go through. And that's my testimony. Hope this helps! Love you guys!

Elder Derrek Bowler.

Joe's Baptism...

Alrighty then! 

Time for the weekly e-mail home I know everyone is just so anxious to hear each week! haha JK. So this last week looking back has taken forever but gone by fast just like every other week it seems. We didn't teach a lot this week, most everything we had planned and set up fell through.  So honestly I don't have a lot to report for this last week. Our appointment with Tiffiene fell through cause her BF freaked out and stopped that. So we're waiting around to see what happens there. They don't even like each other they're just living together cause they have a kid together. But she did come to Joe's baptism though and the Ward Picnic we had on Saturday. (that was pretty fun) anyways. So she has finals this week but our member who has been working with her will keep on her until we can get an appointment set up with her. She's still super nice and seems to be happy on the outside which is good she's just going through a lot right now. We still keep in touch almost daily with Mike and see him often. He came to church this last Sunday to see me confirm Joe (I'll talk about the baptism last). We're going over there tonight and hopefully can get him reading the BoM so he can see the change that comes with that (That's right Mike I said it. [he now knows about the blog and reads it fyi]). We'll see what happens. Wednesday we went on this "24-hour" exchange with the Zone Leaders up in their area. I was with Elder Kujanpaa (Quoy-ahn-pa) When their up doing their ZL stuff they are just robotic but alone they're not bad kids. It was good and I enjoyed it. He's a good missionary. So I don't have much else to write about. We had dinner with several members this last week. Like bishop for the first time since I've been here so that was good. Friday we had Joe's baptism. It went really well. We went to the church at about 3:30 to help fill the font up and get it all ready. It wasn't as big of a headache as Allen and Timmy's baptism which I'm glad. The service went well. He bore his testimony and the journey he's been on and how it's been a 7 year journey. 2 years with the missionaries. So it's been a crazy trip. He noticed the change in his life. Like being clean and all that. It's cool. Sunday I confirmed him a member and gave him the Holy Ghost. My first "Ordinance" he asked me to do it cause to represent the onslaught of missionaries who's had to "deal" with him (I never really did haha) but also he said I was the coolest the missionary he's met. Which was really cool he said that. Yesterday we rode our bikes to hilltop to try a LA/PM family, the Bakers. We caught them as we were leaving so we only talked for like 10 minutes. Then we rode to the Skousen's house for dinner. They're a cool couple. No kids cause of reasons. But it was a good dinner. The food wasn't done so we shared the mormon message "The Will of God" which was something they needed to hear and it helped them out which was cool. So after that we went over to Bro Miller's house and on the way there my back tire (which in reality is Elder Cornia's cause it's his bike) went flat fast. We weren't to far from his house so we walked it and when we get there I check the tire and find this stick in the tire. I took a picture of it and included it cause it's big and in all my years of biking I've never seen this before it's crazy. So Spanish came and go us from there. Elder Peters is doing alright as a DL. He doesn't know what he's doing and he's not meant to be a leader. It's apparent and it's hard cause I feel like his secretary sometimes keeping him together. But it's all good. He's a good kid and it's good for him. Maybe it'll help him mature and such. But that's really all for this week! Love you all. Please write!

Elder Derrek Bowler.

K and the Pics are of Joe's Baptism. (his parents came and his brother too. They're not members so that was cool) Elder K and I after a split with a member up in their area. and the stick I pulled out of the tire.

K so this is Joe's family. Charlie (2), Heidi (wife), John (dad), Gwen (mom), Alex (4), Joe, Joe's Brother (can't remember his name, might be josh) and His father in law on the far right. 

Baptisms...

Dear Family,

Hey guys! Calvin you look good! haha Cute hair too ;) Question. Can you do the Pec dance yet? haha I finally can now haha it's pretty tight. So this last week wasn't too bad. Like I said I got a lovely cold about Tuesday that I'm still trying to get over. I don't think biking in the rain helped too much but hey it's what I gotta do. I've been good at taking medicine and getting a little extra sleep. It's been annoying more than anything. Mike took us to Burnzies. That Bar/Restaurant and I couldn't even taste the food. I was pretty mad at that. haha. So it sucks but all those investigators that we found a few weeks back have all dropped off the grid. We lost contact with Victoria. Jennifer got kicked out of her friends apartment and was throwing threats and all that fun stuff at her. So we won't be meeting with her anymore, everyone else we lost contact with so yeah. We found one new investigator. Her mom was a member when she was younger and she's looking to get into church. The Rosenvalls (member family) have been working with her. She's been kept in the dark from us because no one wanted Elder Peterson to teach her and mess things up. So it makes sense and I see why. Poor kid though. He is struggling with Elder Wheadon though which I knew he will but Elder Wheadon dies in May so yeah crazy it's been that long already. Anyways back to our new gator. Her name is Tiffiene. (Tiffany weird right?) haha Anyways she's super cool, Early 20's and can definitely see god pointing her down this path. We meet with her again tomorrow for lunch with some members that she knows too. The Rosenvalls are moving to Alaska soon and so we're trying to get more fellowship with more members in the ward. So hopefully that all goes well. Mike is still in the same boat. He helped us with our dry cleaning this past week which was much needed and the took us to lunch. I'm still trying to figure out what to do to help him, but it's hard when he's sitting on the back burner. We'll figure it out. K so I swear everything points to Baltimore..  We tracted into a guy who was wearing an Orioles shirt that was Catholic. but He's moving to Delaware in three weeks. I mentioned I lived with a friend who was from there and he was nice. Took a BoM and a pamphlet and told him there are missionaries out there too. Who knows what will happen but all I know is I'm more of a planter of seeds than anything haha I don't know. So after all that I really don't have much to report on. We saw Brother Miller a few times this past week, We got him back to church after I kept buggin him about it. It was funny cause he was like a celebrity cause he was everyone's favorite and everyone asked him to do everything (I think it's cause he's gay) But also Joe Hamilton is finally getting baptized this Friday! He told us yesterday and we're getting everything worked out this week so it'll all work out on Friday! It's been a long journey for him. Ha I've only been over to his house like twice. I never taught him. (most of my baptisms are picked up from other missionaries except for Allen and Timmy) But I talked a lot with him at church and I'm still excited for him cause it's been a long journey for him. He also asked me to give him the Holy Ghost. First time. it'll be interesting and I'll let you know how it goes! other than that I don't have a lot for this past week. We got Pebbles to do the Cinnamon Challenge and also eat these two juicy peppers that are hotter than heck from the Spanish Elders and filmed it. It was funny. He did ok for his first week as DL. He struggled with numbers. Ha he's just all over the place with a lot of things. Riding Bikes is definitely an experience with him. Good kid though and he'll learn.  The Pictures are for this week me bored doing the classic "duck face" pose. And this little fetus we found walking. I think it's a dog but Pebbles thinks it's a rabbit. I'll let you guys decide for yourselves. I also want to thank all those who sent out letters and packages (for easter and all that) I really appreciate you guys and your service for me and all your prayers. They mean a lot. Love you all! And oh mom, My toe is the same. I can't tell if it is a hangnail or not. I dunno if it's doing what Alec's toe was doing so yeah I don't know. I'll ask Sister Nilsen about it. And when you get his call. Call Sister Nilsen and if she doesn't answer call Sister Niu. Thanks a ton!

Love,
Elder Derrek Bowler.

Rough, but good

Hey Mom and Everyone else!

So basically Charity you're right about my mission. haha lot of ups and downs like you're little line graph. So last week kinda bottomed out on finding, (0 new gators :/). And there were just a ton of other things that made it really really rough. I guess I'll go through the days but I think the biggest thing is that it was conference weekend and someone else was trying to make it harder than I needed to where I wasn't able to fully get everything I needed out of conference. But I did like conference and there were definitely a few talks that I really enjoyed. I'll get there though. So yeah this past week was longer than I thought it would be looking back on it but I made it. So last monday we really only were able to teach Brother Delafuente. We invited him to baptism and he had several concerns and how he went through a ton of different missionaries and he's worried if he gets baptized like what will happen to him if he decided he doesn't want to do this anymore and then go back to old habits. He's a good guy and they're a great family but he'll take a little more work. We can't fully treat him like an investigator which isn't the easiest thing but we're working on it. Tuesday wasn't too eventful, we tried to tract a couple places but not a whole lot came out of it. We did however tract into a Wicken. I did get a weird feeling when she opened the door and when she told us what she was it made sense. She took a Restoration Pamphlet for her 12 year old Wicken daughter who doesn't practice anything but reads anything. Then we went and saw Brother Miller. That was good like always. Had dinner with some members and then had a lesson with Jennifer Davis (the girl we picked up at church last week) That was good. She's only 20 (I swear everyone out here looks older than they really are... It's gotta be the hood haha) But she said she wanted a lifestyle change for her and her son which is good and she wants to be baptized! we haven't extended yet but we will hopefully tonight. Wednesday we rode bikes (I borrowed E. Cornia's.. I hated it cause it's not mine haha) but we rode out to try and contact Nicole Snededger's kids out in Hilltop and no one was there so we tried to contact several other less-active or part-member families, with no luck. So we rode back and it was nice and windy (no matter what direction we were riding we had a head wind. It's nothing I'm not used to right Brando?? PS Freakin Paraguay?? DUDE!!! That's so SICK! Don't drink the water ;) haha Congrats on that I'll write you about that too later on.) So on our way back it wasn't too bad. I tried teaching Pebbles how to bunny hop on a bike and it was funny but good (haha this kid cracks me up, He is the goofiest, clumsiest, kid. He kinda reminds me of a more awkward less pissy version of Calvin (no offense bro. It's a good thing.). More innocent too. Fun stuff and makes all of us (Barr, Cornia and myself) laugh and helps us make it through the rough patches like this last week. (I'll get to that later.) Ok so Thursday we had a surprise Specialized training and we get there a little late cause the GPS was being dumb, but we walk in and President is just going off, He was not a really happy camper so they slowly tried to bring it back but the reason for the conference (as I found out later on) was because Elders were being dumb and two got sent home and that's the worst thing in Presidents eyes. (Disobedience and sent home for it) But he offers for missionaries to go home if they're not gonna work and etc etc.. So he's really buckled down and then Sister Nilsen and the AP's tried to bring it back but we all left mostly feeling like crap haha not really but yeah. Then I find out that President wanted to talk to Elder Cornia and Elder Barr... I was just distraught cause I've been trying to help both of them to stay out, Especially Elder Cornia and I called Sister Nilsen a few days earlier asking her to send The Continuous Atonement for him and she asked why and I told him a little (not much) about his situation and I know he's really been debating going home or not. and we've been helping each other stay out here. and even though there are days where I'm just done I know I won't go home. But still doesn't change the fact that I thought he was going home cause he said he's kinda given up on God and everything and I wonder why he hasn't given him an answer yet. I don't really know of a time where I've "received" a big ol' answer, but I guess I can look back and see little things being put together, so I guess that's what keeps me going. But still it's hard especially looking back at the beginning of my mission and how ridiculously rough and dark that was (which was unexpected) but I try to look for the Lord's hand carrying me through all that and there are sometimes where I can't see it. But I guess I have to go through my own personal bit of Gethsemane to understand just a little bit of what Christ went through not only for me but everyone else too. So anyways, Finishing Thursday, We dinner with the Altman's (crazy family but good) We had pizza for dinner, (which reminds me that we had pizza every single day from Wednesday to Sunday. haha people always say we probably always get pizza and I haven't but this week it all came to bite me in the butt haha not sick of it but my body hates me) After dinner we had a lesson with Victoria. We watched the restoration video and we asked her if she believed is Joseph Smith was a prophet and she said she truly does. We invited her to baptism and then she said she'd think about it but then we talked about conference, she said she'd come (she didn't, we haven't been able to get a hold of her but we're trying). Friday was the hardest day of last week. I thought for sure Cornia was going home, but we find out later that Barr was the one that got reamed by President (he's only been out two weeks.. poor kid) and Cornia got pampered. Not what we expected. But President was going off on dumb little things. (apparently he just got back from the airport sending those two kids home and wasn't in the best mood) So they're both staying luckily but next transfer we'll probably all get switched around which sucks. I also got a letter from a good friend back home finding out she's now pregnant :/ it broke my heart and Friday was just an overwhelming day. So we'll see what happens in the future with a lot of stuff.. We had a lesson with Mike (earlier in the week he told us that he's "slowing down" with investigating cause he wants to check out the Methodist and Lutheran church. which sucks but he'll get there.) we're still gonna work with him and he'll still feed us and take us places and will still learn. He's a great guy. I told him to add me on FB cause if he's not dunked by the time I get off I'm coming back to get him. But he told me "holy cow your brothers are huge! I hope they play football!" haha it was funny. So we finished Lesson 4 with him and will continue to keep in contact. So writing all this out last week wasn't too bad on the outside. Then again there were a lot of empty hours with stuff falling through and a lot of different feelings going on but I guess that's a mission. Saturday we spent all day, (noon till ten at night) watching conference up at the church. I really liked President Uchtdorf's talks. Priesthood and Sunday. Elder Hollands was super good. I loved that one. Elder Cardon? on Saturday was a good one and President Monson's talks were good too. There were a ton that I knew mom was getting good things out of. Oh and it was cool to see Elder Porter give a talk. He came to our mission not too long ago. So yeah. We had Pizza with members both those days. I got some stuff to help me get better sleep. (I'm out cold through the night but wake up feeling like a train hit me and it's just rough getting up in the mornings again.) This Ohio air has done something to me. I have constant crap in my throat and it's annoying haha. anyways. So I'm trying to get used to this new stuff. Elder Bell (our DL) just got ET'd (emergency transferred) and we now have the craziest kid in the mission now in our zone (he was in my district when I was in Hebron and this kid is ridiculous) So Pebbles is now our new DL and haha It'll be good growth for him. He's not a leader and so I help him out. It's no biggie. It's good for him. But I've helped him remember most of his stuff so we'll see how this goes! We just found all this out yesterday. Yesterday we tried contacting all the Part-members near us nothing happened but sore legs haha we taught Tithing and WoW to the De La Fuente Family. Gave their oldest daughter a blessing. Today we went to the temple which was good. I read the part about receiving our endowments in the book Continuous Conversion (ps mom I love this book!) if you could send out another copy I would greatly appreciate it. I want Elder Cornia to read one too. Speaking of which. Elder Barr and I "went for a run" on friday morning. We rode our bikes to walmart (3 mile ride one way) to get Elder Cornia some stuff for his birthday. He got some stuff from his family but we went and got stuff to lift his spirits. Just dumb little stuff that 3 year olds use but stuff that he did at home (like a plastic baseball bat and ball and plastic golf set) and some other stuff but it took quite a while and he didn't know it but we said that Elder Barr blew out one of his knees and we had to limp back haha.. We played it off pretty well, but it was definitely worth it. It was good to see him laugh at our presents. haha. So that's my last week. Thanks to those who wrote! I'm working on writing people. I know I'm overdue on a lot of people! I'm trying!! Sorry! but thank you all for your love and support! oh and I forgot, Yesterday Elder Cornia and Barr got t-boned by some dumb white chick who hit them and drove away. They got her plates so she's screwed but the nice 2012 malibu kinda looks like the Stratus just with a smaller dent and with operating doors still. It's just been crazy. We've had a couple of good moments. Like I said Pebbles is here to make us all laugh. Just with dumb little things that only he can do to make people laugh where originally it would just annoy people but since it's Pebbles you kinda expect it (like today we were over at Spanish's apartment and Pebbles some how locked their bathroom door from the outside.. and the way he tells us was just funny. hahaha I want to keep him :P.) So Yeah Love you ALL!  the only pic I have worth sharing this week is me in my dumb bike get up.. I hate the helmet with a passion. But oh well. So that's the Week!

Love, 
Elder Derrek Bowler.
PS. That's awesome Alec put his papers in! and that someone paid for his mission! Call Sister Nilsen when you get his call. Cause She'll call me and let me know :D THANKS! LOVE YOU ALL

Best week :)

Hey Mom,

So thanks for the package! and the letter. It's good to hear from you guys. haha I go onto your blog to find out what's going on with everyone. And thanks for answering my question about Lex by sending her emails out. She's tearing it up just like I thought.  Anywho. So this last week was long (just like I said it would be cause it's the first week of transfers.) So I think I'll just go through the days? I'll start off by saying that this was probably the best week (numbers wise) I've ever had in the mission. Our numbers were better than any other week I've had so far. For example. We've found 6 new investigators. Which hasn't happened in this area for a long time and the weird thing is is that everything we originally planned for fell through. I'll explain. So Monday was the usual p-day, but we had a lesson with a part-member family The De La Fuente's. The husband is not a member and Sis De La Fuente has been working with him for years and he's stopped drinking and is actually listening to the lessons and comes to church and has made great progress personally. Now we're just teaching the lessons disguised as F.H.E. but she wants us to extend to him tonight. So we'll see what he says! It'll be good either way. Tuesday everything just back flopped and fell through and got all twisted around. The only thing I remember is going to Bro Miller's house to do my Laundry (btw thanks Beecher for your help! and mom) but we invited the Spanish Elders to come cause their whole day was shot and Elder Barr (the one from Gilbert) got like food poisoning and so we made them come with us and had a good time. Bro Miller is the funniest gay person I've ever met. He makes anybody's day better. So Wed, We finally rode our bikes..(can I just say I miss Mtn Biking so bad??) haha I was finding everything possible to jump off of or over. But we went to try and contact these referrals that the ward gave us for another part member family (couldn't find the house, we did yesterday but no one was home) so we rode back and had another mile and a half left and my shifter cable just so happens to snap on me. calving I don't know how you took my bike apart but ha whoever put it back together messed everything up.. My brakes are even switched?? anyways so my bikes down again. that night we tried getting back in touch with Chealsea Wimer no answer so we tried a potential investigator that E. Peterson and I found a while back Angel. So we have a return appt with him this week. Thursday was a real good day, we found 3 new gators. we walked around trying to contact a former potential I found in January. Nothing. So I had to take a leak and so we went to the Dodge Dealership across the street. Ogled at some of the cars. (I really like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, It's cool) anyways so we had planned to "Spirit find" down this one street. None of the houses felt good at all. So we were about to head back to the main road we came off of and this guy parked right on the corner and I thought his car broke down so I asked him about it and he just said that's where he usually parks. Then I realized I've seen the guy before. It was in a Marathon gas station we went into to get some things and he was just chillin there hanging out slapped my hand saying "Yeah man, Spreadin the word! Spreading the F***in' word!" I just laughed and so we talked with him and his buddy. I found out he's a drummer and his friend plays guitar (of course I related to them) talked music and shared a little about the restoration they said they were busy a lot and I forgot to ask for a number but we gave them both a copy of the BoM. and a restoration pamphlet and gave em our number. So hopefully we hear from them again. They had questions and It was an interesting lesson. It was more chill.. I don't know how else to put it. but they're both 19 going to college. so yeah then that night I we tried Chealsea again, not home. So I felt impressed to go try a former potential I found with E. Peterson Victoria and she we went and talked with her and taught her on her doorstep invited to read and pray and come to church (which she did) and she's pretty solid. Hopefully she'll get dunked. we found her tracting so maybe she'll be one I can claim in that category. Thursday I went and saw Dr. Sullivan. Elder Cornia and I love these drives cause it gives us a break. He's going through a ton of stuff (basically identical to what I did) and so is Elder Barr. (K E. Barr is like my twin.. haha he likes most of the same stuff I do. The three of us get a long great and will definitely hang out after the mission. Barr might fly home with me too) anyways so that was good. I realize a lot of my trials are there to not only stretch me but to also allow me to lift others up. If it wasn't for our friendship and support E.Cornia and I would have probably gone home. So he's a blessing. Friday the only good thing was that we had dinner and a lesson with Mike. He talked to us about more of his concers. And we are starting to work towards the 18th of May for baptism. Hopefully he can get over his concerns.. But he's awesome and such a great guy. funny too! Saturday was another one of those days where everything fell through and was long and not much happened that's up for reporting. Sunday was good. Had a good lesson in church that I enjoyed. We had 4 investigators at Church. Joe Hamilton, (the drummer) Ines De La Fuente, Victoria (had to leave after the sacrament was given but she said she enjoyed it) and Jennifer Davis.. (we picked her up as a gator at church! haha pretty cool) But yeah her friend who's in our ward has told her about the church and she came yesterday and said she wants to take the lessons! which is great! so we meet with her on Tuesday. So yeah our numbers were good and the Lord definitely delayed our original plans and knew the little things we'd do (like taking a piss) and placed people in our paths. Which was cool. The ward is gaining their trust in the missionaries. Which is so good. they've given a ton of referrals and everything. Ever since Peterson left the work has moved forward. It was a long and hard week but we've been blessed. Thank you to those who have written. I appreciate the letters. I swear this area is cursed cause everyone doesn't receive letters. So please send letters! Please write! K love you all.

Elder Derrek Bowler.

Oh and I forgot Sunday night we had dinner at the Billings. I absolutely love this family. We died eggs had dinner and laughed hard cause they brought their friends over from a different ward and it was just a good night. I painted the Columbus Temple on an egg and took a pic of it. and also Kaley wanted me to take a pic of her and her eggs. so that's what's included! K love ya.