March 10, 2014

Derrek said this was a picture of him getting the call to be D.L

Hey Errybody!

Mom, Thanks for doing the talents thing. That helps a ton. Most days I sit and me always being hard on myself makes it difficult to see the good in myself. It's easy to see it in others. I can easily see what needs improvement and I don't stress too much over it. But That helps me get a base. Especially the thing about Satan distorting our views on our talents... I like that a lot.

So I don't have much to say. We Had a better week than last. We were able to Pick up 4 new gators this last week (Two were a complete miracle! I'll talk about that in a sec) But they seem to show more potential than others we've found. Lot of seed planting....hah. But we were able to find Sheree, Leah, Tamika (Tuhmeeka) and Brian. Sheree is an R.N. and is crazy busy all the time! But she let us in and seems pretty interested in learning and is pretty smart so she at leasts remembers we're coming over and lets us know if work is gonna get in the way. So that's cool. And Leah is pretty cool too. We just went over the Restoration and Book of Mormon with both and both seem interested. Other than that. It was another week of scrambling around.  Appointments falling through... Tim fell of the face of the earth. We haven't heard from him in a week and a half... never answers the door, nor calls... It breaks my heart cause seriously this dude is my brotha! It's like Big Black and Rob Dyrdek haha Pretty close to that actually now that I think about that more! haha Sick... :P

Wednesday we had Zone Conference. That was pretty cool. I cared more about seeing my mission buddies than anything else. They had good trainings. and I learn a little bit each time. Even when it's all repeat of stuff from the beginning of my mish. So that was good. I enjoyed that.

Other funny things that happened were on Thursday I pulled E. Blalock up here for exchanges and that was pretty good. The funny thing that happened was after dinner we were getting in the car and this guy (seemed drunk) came over yelling and askin for a prayer (cause we're christian and errybody knows it haha plus who else wears a suit in the hood?) so we said a prayer and they do the classic circle. He was so stern and told us how he was a fallen angel and disciple of the lord and that he needed help. There's more detail that I'll tell after the mission but homeboy had a friggin death grip on my fingers and after E. Blalock said a prayer he said hold on and he said one. Still breaking my fingers (he gripped the tips all together) but then we started to talk about how Christ can help him "Take the taste out of his mouth" and get him back on the path. Then as I'm talking. He grabs my hand and says (while looking in my eyes like he was about to propose to me or something) "I just need to feel your palm. Keep talking." Then after I finish he talks to E. Blalock saying "I know how to find Christ, But how do I find myself?" and it really was a sad thing and he was so sincere (as sincere as you can be while you're a little tipsy but still) and he grabs E. Blalock's hand to feel his palm and then after we get done talking he kisses both of our hands together. So haha that was funny/weird/crazy and interesting. Interesting has become my number one word on explaining experiences hahaha. then the NEXT day we get in contact with a referral. Straight in the hood. and then after we talk a little bit another guy asks us for a prayer... cause he pretty much got stranded down here in Columbus cause he's from Michigan. He came along for the ride with a "friend' and the guy was wanted or something and the Cops snagged the other dude leaving this guy stranded. No one would help him and honestly I didn't know what to do. Ha luckily Lindsey (the referral) had a bus pass but he needed a little cash and help to get to the bus station to get back home to his family. It was sad too. Cause this guy was a good guy. Just scared out of his mind. So it's cool we got to help. But man was it crazy!

So after all was said and done the weekend finally hits and weekends are pretty stressful. and Not gonna lie I was pretty discouraged and kinda over missionary work. Cause it's been a hard stressful thing trying to get people to progress. And with people droppin left and right I just feel like a crappy missionary. I still can't put together why at the beginning I was successful having baptisms and etc. when I didn't want to be on a mission or care to be a missionary, just doing the work without putting myself into it. Granted I loved the people I met and the friends I gained. that's what kept me going. But now after going through all that I have and deciding to pull my head out of my butt and be a missionary and do the things I've been called to do with a different (and right) mindset, and putting myself in the work how everything just stopped. It's weird. and maybe some one could help me figure that out. I just figured the blessings of baptism helped me to keep going and now I am required to work on a different part of me that God needs after the mission.....I guess that makes sense. but still I get discouraged! haha cause I'm human and not perfect.. Crazy right? ;) But Sunday I didn't get much sleep and woke up all pissy and my sleep was screwed up cause of daylight savings and so on and so on. And then all the people we tried to get to church couldn't make it and I was almost just like. Screw it... Let's just drop my ties off to the Yontz family (she's gonna fix a couple of ties it's a PM family) and right before going in. Tamika is going for a walk. and we talk to her and she starts talking bout how she loves Jesus and etc. and how she missed her church and was bummed but felt like she needed to get outside and do something... Lo and behold we were there... (and this is the kind of miracles that I hear other missionaries talk about and I scoff to myself saying "yeah. That's a load of crap, I've never had that happen!" Yeah... I ate my words that day..) so we just invited her to church and she said "Yeah I think I'll go! I'll just get my family ready and we'll follow you over there. Then Satan tried to stop it by delaying time with Gas, Dead Battery (which started first try) So pretty much I wasn't gonna let them slip. and her whole family came. Husband, Brian. and 3 little kids who are all under 6. They all loved primary and behaved better than the member's kids. Seriously. It was so cool. We were like 15 minutes late and missed the sacrament. but this was well worth it!! So that was cool and then we met with out gator Lee Pryor. Pentecost deacon (very nice guy) and talked about baptism and setting a goal for April 12th. I know of some obstacles that still might come up but he has been taught everything. He just needs to come to Church. Which is super difficult cause Walmart keeps scheduling him on Sundays... But yeah. Pretty decent week!! I love and miss you all! Thanks for the love and support. It really keeps me going on most days! and Alec. I'm proud of you. Way to stick through it. If I can make it. You can too. Trust me on that one.

Love,

Elder Derrek Bowler.

Rocking his pajamas from Christmas

He sent this to me for our cats, who just had kittens

March 3, 2014

Hey Erryone!

So mom don't feel bad. You guys I don't think can ever fail me. I just feel bad cause I understand your situation and I don't want to make it worse. I can wait and everything that's no problem, The stupid contacts thing was such a fat headache... I'll talk a little more about that later.

So it's interesting to me how missions work. Sometimes you have really amazing weeks and others you just wait to end. Sometimes the work progresses really well and other times you hit a wall and wonder "what more could I do?" This past week was one of those ones where everything falls through and you're stuck starting over...

So needless to say most of our days were scrambling around trying to visit people see if any were interested or solid etc. Pretty much cleaning up our teaching pool. We find a decent amount of people. Only problem is that it is brutally difficult getting past the Restoration.. We had a good lesson with Tim (I have these Motivational CD's to keep me going on the rough days they're pretty sick) But we listened to that with him to kinda get him pumped to start progressing. That's been a battle in itself. So we're workin on it. Every other lesson we had planned fell through with him cause he has to help his cousin. So it's understandable.

Everyone else isn't really progressing too quick. Most are out of town or working or something. I think Thursday is when E. McC and I drove down to Huber Heights to try and get the contacts.. Yeah that was obnoxious. Totally got denied to even get my eyes checked and to have it cost extra was ridiculous. So I just called E. Beverley, Spaulding, Cook, and Donaldson and we all went to Steak N' Shake for lunch. It was good seeing them. I also got to see Bro. (Grandpa) Bristow. So that was good.

Wednesday I did the District Meeting. It was alright. Nothing special. Like I said. Leadership is overrated but needed I guess. It just doesn't mean anything missionary wise. I did have Mike help me out. It was great seeing him. I miss serving around him. haha But Over all I think it went okay.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were all pretty rough days (where all your efforts feel wasted and you just sit back and think... What the heck just happened? haha). Everything fell through and most of our gators we just dropped. We did find a decent amount of people. But pretty much this is what happens when Missionaries are left to find through their own efforts. Guys save the missionaries heartache and help em out. It really doesn't take much more than being a friend to someone and just inviting them. You don't need to teach the gospel to them. That's why there is missionaries. Just take care of the social conversion and be a friend. It really helps us so much and I'm so grateful for the members who sacrifice their time to help us out. There is SO much joy when one participates in the converting power of the gospel. When you guys see that change in someone you care about. You will see a different sense of Joy. and increase in your own testimony. Seriously. I'll bet my left... finger on it. hahaha I think Dad will pick up what I was gonna put down. Sniff what I stepped in. ya know. haha :P

So I gotta jet. But In short I'm glad this week is new so we can start over. We got hit with a snow storm yesterday and yes Church was cancelled for the 3rd time. We were able to get sacrament still at a members home which helped a TON! But I don't have much to say this week. Things are still going good. I would still love to hear your testimony/conversion stories. So That'd be sick. And I don't think I ever got the P90X so that's a bummer. Oh well. K Love you all! thanks for the constant love and support!!

Love,

Elder Derrek Bowler

February 24, 2014

Hey Erryone!

So first few days as a DL wasn't anything to special. Just a lot of phone calls and talking to more missionaries. Not gonna lie, Leadership is pretty overrated. The only thing I like about it is that I get a chance to grow personally in different ways and also get a chance to help other missionaries. Everyone in my district has been out less than a year except for a one of the ZL's who flew out with me. So it's interesting being on the opposite end of the spectrum... Ha I'm a dying breed..

I love the Currant Bush talk. I actually used to have the Hugh B Brown's version of it (I forgot it in Huber) but that's one of the things I'm trying to work on. Is understanding and taking advantage of opportunities to grow. And be better, and do better. I'm still a goofy kid and still have the same sense of humor, but with all of the experiences I've had over the past year and a half. I've grown... A TON! And at the beginning when my mind and understanding weren't completely there it was hard. I would dig my heals and "Raise my fist up in the air at god" and ask every night "How could you do this lord? I've tried my whole life to be good and to do good. How could you do this" as I cried myself to sleep some nights. Granted I haven't cried since the beginning of my mission (except when saying goodbye to loved ones) There are always new challenges arising, the only difference is that I have more faith. I have more understanding. And when I take each opportunity as a chance for me to grow, and I let God guide it. I don't worry. With the whole DL thing. It's whatever. I don't desire leadership. Cause I know it doesn't matter. BUT, I've realized that God is now taking me on another step of my life to learn and grow. Plus it allows me to think of what I can do to help others, Cause there are days where I just think about me, me, and maybe a couple other people... haha but it's not about that. I've known it wasn't, but like I said. Sometimes our views get a little distorted. Also as I think back through my mission. Each trial has been something completely different. And I've grown incredibly from them all! Did I get frustrated and irritated and stressed through them? Absolutely!! Did I question why? Yes. Where they all opportunities for growth and development? Heck yeah! Am I Eternally grateful, for a loving Heavenly Father, who sees my mistakes and my insecurities and my weaknesses and knows my fears, doubts, and questions. And loves me enough to keep pushing me to be better? Even when I sometimes dig my heels in and ask "How could you do this?".... I can't begin to describe my appreciation for such a loving Heavenly Father.

I asked you to remind me about Tim Jennings. Tim is an investigator we have. His wife and step-daughter are both members but are kinda flaky with the gospel. Tim (like every single one of us out there) has weaknesses and struggles. He is working to overcome his addiction to alcohol. He doesn't remember much from what he reads so most of our lessons have been on basic topics. Like Mosiah 7:33 and the acronym C.P.R. (church, pray, and read {which I think is what my homecoming talk is gonna be on}) and other times it's been about the love of God for him. He's slipped up a couple times when we've gone over and I can tell when he's a lil tipsy. But I have never had lessons that were so powerful and so deeply spiritual as the ones we've had with Tim. I wish I had pulled my head out of my butt a year ago to where I can feel the spirit like I do now. And teach the people I love like I do now. It's not even me. It's the spirit. But now it's just a clearer signal. (I often think how things would have been if things were like this a year ago.) But I can't change the past so it's whatever. But each time we've had a lesson, my testimony has grown. And I feel the love God has, not only for me, but for Tim. and everyone else in his home. And it's because of these lessons, my understanding of how God works has grown a little. I still have a ton to learn, but that will come over time. I know when I get home life will continue to change and shift on me and everything like that. and I know I will still have my days where I get frustrated. Cause I'm human. but I am grateful for my Savior and also my Father in Heaven. I continually pray that I am becoming the man they both need me to be. I pray for all of you guys. I hope those who are struggling can feel Heavenly Father's love. It's such an empowering force in one's life and soul. If any of you are struggling or having doubts or questions. Please know Heavenly Father is aware of you, even when it doesn't feel like it. I know what it feels like to lose myself, I know what it is like to be so clouded with darkness that there seems to be no light around. But it was only when I put my trust in God that he helped me. and I started to get myself and my head back. That's what the Atonement helps with.

 I had the impression this past week to stop by Danny and Debbie (some flaky gators we helped out with food last month) but they've been starving again and we pretty much stopped them from killing each other and themselves. Danny was on Rage mode and He cursed God. Denied a prayer. and Sat there cussing at me cause I told him God still loves him. And granted. It is very hard to see that when you get jumped for 6 bucks, Have no food, and are left to struggle. And I don't know why God lets things like that happen. (Actually never mind. I read the account of King Limhi and his people being beaten, abused, and afflicted even unto death. The main reason is because they were wicked and Abinadi prophesied that those things would happen. but there is a part where after they were sad, they got angry, when they got angry, they tried to battle the Lamanites, and lost horribly. Then after much mourning, they got mad again and tried to fight again... and lost. Only when they were compelled to be humble the Lord delivered them from their afflictions. But he was "slow to hear their cries, nevertheless, he DID hear them" I know that when trials and hardships and sorrows arrise. We only have two options. Get angry and have life fall apart even more, or humble ourselves and seek the Lord's help through it all. Either way at the end of it all. We're going to have to be humble. The people of King Limhi did.

I love you guys. I love the experiences I'm having. I still have hard days. But hard is good. I miss you all. and thank you all for the constant love and support you offer me. Can't wait to hear from you and also see you guys!!

With much love,

Elder Derrek Bowler.

REMEMBER TODAY IS GOING TO BE A...

February 19, 2014

Hey Ma, and Erryone

So pretty much that's crazy sad about Monte. I hope Ashley is doing ok with it. But I am glad to hear everyone else is doing good. Transfers is tomorrow and E. McC and I are both staying. Which will be interesting. I got a good chance for growth cause now I'm a DL.This past week has been pretty balanced over-all A while ago we fasted for the people we have been blessed to teach to progress further and also to find Solid people. Every one we found the past transfer has just been kind of a flop. So last week we found some pretty solid people which is really cool. We actually have been finding a bunch of people from Ghana! Most have had contacts with the church back in Africa. So it's been really cool. Even dug out a couple who got their car stuck in a bunch of snow! I love being stateside. Especially Columbus cause I've had contact with pretty much every single culture out there haha so it's sick.

I don't have a whole lot of time and I have a bunch of funny experiences to write about but in short. It's just funny talking to people who are VERY into their religion and church and when they talk to us it's just funny. But mostly I just wanted To write and say that I love and miss you all. I gotta run cause we have a dinner. But we had two really sweet lessons with Tim Jennings. PLEASE remind me to write about them. They deal with scriptures I found that helped me and others. Mosiah 7:33 (I love this one and we got deep with it) also check out Alma 7:27-30 and 1 Ne 20:10 AND 21:16. I'll write more on Monday but I love you all!!!! :D

Love ,

Elder Derrek Bowler

February 10, 2014

Hey Errybody,

Glad to hear no one died driving through the snow. Driving in snow is like one of my favorite things. haha and LUCKILY we finally got a car after the Winter Olympics thingy last week. BTW that was pretty good. I mostly just enjoyed talking to my mission friends and everything like that. The games were kinda lame and it was super packed. They had 6 zones in one gym. So it was super congested.(also I finally got the pants.) So anyways. After that we got a car and it's pretty nice. Tuesday night to Wednesday morning we actually had a MASSIVE snow storm hit. Like 8 inches. Which isn't a lot but people out here do not know how to drive in snow. I'm from the desert and know how to do it... But this winter has been the worst one Ohio has had in over 22 years. So it's just relentless and I'm ready for the seasons to change! haha There was a thin layer of ice on top of the 6 inches so everything (cars included) was closed in a thin sheet of ice. But I'm just glad we don't have to bike in all this. Cause we got another 3 inches yesterday and none of it is melting. So it's crazy.

This week wasn't too bad. The people we've found over the past couple weeks aren't progressing so we're just weeding through them all. This area has been different. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to help these people but nothing is quite working yet. We've met a couple new people this past week but we'll see how that all goes! All of our appointments everyday have fallen through except for a few. It was kinda ridiculous. But yeah. We now have a new week ahead of us to make it better. The past couple weeks I've been in a weird funk and I'm not sleeping well... Well I haven't ever felt rested since I've been on a mission. But this area has been a little worse. I called Sis. Nilsen and she just said it could be from stress. Which would make sense. I don't even recognize that stress is even there. But when I think about it. I can see it.

We went on a 24-hr exchange with the Zone Leaders. I spiked them with Ex-Lax.... Haha it was too easy. I also got E. McC a couple weeks ago and that was pretty funny. I know it's horrible but hey I had to use it eventually. It was a Christmas Present! :P I think karma came back at me though cause I got a Cold from Sat-Sun and now I'm just getting rid of it. But it's worth it. I got a onesy pajama thing from the Olingers in Huber and I wore it on exchanges and it was pretty funny. It's a cow. Literally. I'll have to send pics but it's the greatest thing ever haha! 

 We taught Tim Jennings and He relapsed with alcohol and was drunk when we went to teach him. He's actually really funny when he's tipsy. But Yeah. We're trying to work with them still. It's just a weird situation. I think the only highlight from this week was that we were able to get Rochelle to church. And it snowed a bunch and the roads were horrible and they almost canceled church AGAIN! but luckily it all worked out. She's been to a service somewhere else before and said it was boring and etc. (Which is understandable) but she actually enjoyed it and it took a lot of effort to get people to progress here but it was worth it. Our other gators we're working with just let life get in their way and it makes it difficult. We tried knocking on Fran's door last night and she's still there! But I think we upset her cause it was late and something might have happened. I'm just glad they're still in town.... Hopefully things start working out again there! I love and miss you all. This past week hasn't been eventful at all but it's whatevs. Just same old same old. Love ya!

Love,
Elder Derrek Bowler

Layer of ice on the car...

"Still fresh"

Sunday snow...again

February 3, 2014

Hey Mom,

 

I gotta keep this short cause we're on a time crunch cause the mission is throwing this Winter Olympics thing today. So Yeah. I'm just excited to see all my mission buddies! I love em! K It blows my mind how old everyone is getting. I don't believe Matthew is 12. Ashton is still 12 to me. Just have him and Calvin go driving ;) that'll help him learn without being hit in the arm 8 million times for slowly creeping forward at a stop sign haha.. Good times. My neck is better. I haven't been able to get the lotion. (Food comes first) But it's no longer infected. It sucked having it. I might be getting the pants today from my previous comps so I'll let you know. It's been like over a year since I've dry cleaned my suits so they is gettin pretty nappy haha. Whatever. It's not forever and the mud splats just shows dedication :P

 

This past week was pretty good. A lot happened and I can't really recall a lot of the little details. We hit the coldest day this winter this year. -13 without the windchill. A few weeks ago the -40 was with the windchill but the actual temperature was like -5. So yeah. I can now say I've biked through the coldest winter Ohio has had in a long time. Grandpa Steurer... You were right. Winters are very nasty here and St. Geezy sounds real nice. It's cool though. We bundle up and I think the whole frozen boogers thing is pretty funny.

 

So update on some investigators. Franchesca, Isaac, and Kaley. The JW family. We had a couple really spiritual lessons with them this past week and they have told us they can recognize the Holy Ghost when we are there and when we leave. It's not very often you get that. We've been working hard to get them to church and also on Saturday to witness a baptism. Our week was good until the weekend hit. Then I swear every little thing that we worked for and planned and made calls again and again and again... Fell through. Saturday evening we went to check up on Fran and see how they were doing (they don't have a phone or car. She borrows her brothers if she needs to contact us) but all of a sudden Fran's husband or whatever was there. He's like living in North Carolina or something and from what Fran has told us it's not the best situation which is why she's in Columbus. Fran's face looked scared when we were there and it was cause of him and I did NOT get a good vibe from him and knew he was gonna stop our visits as soon as we left. So Sunday morning. We're getting final plans ready and her husband, Cliff, texts us and says "My Wife will not be going to your church, leave my family alone thanks."........Yeah I punched the wall. haha GOSH! They are so solid. and then right after that all of our other investigators decide to cancel on us.. There are sometimes where I don't like the whole Agency too much. It's for a good cause though. But I felt at peace after I prayed for what to do. They know what they've felt with us and so we'll let things simmer down and go from there. I was thinking about having members just stop by and see how she's doing. Not bringing up church at all. But yeah. Sunday was rough. But we did have a good week. So don't think I'm all bummed out. It just makes me sad that things like this happens. If is wasn't for this one dude they would be that much closer to having the peace in their family that they are looking for. So I'm praying they recognize that and move forward. Each area requires new strategies of how to help it grow because each area is SO different. And has different people. We work mostly in the ghetto. So our biggest thing is finding people who can progress and still be a kingdom builder instead of a welfare project. We've helped a ton of people and found a ton of people but it's requiring new strategies. I'm grateful for the opportunity new challenges bring. Sometimes I feel all sluggish and I don't have my head on straight but other times I do. And I think it's cause I am trying to do things like I did back home and all that was for different purposes. This is Missionary Work. This is different. But the stretching and growth you get is good. And looking back is incredible. I know I still have weaknesses and mistakes. But I don't beat myself about it all. I just recogize it and change tactics to work around it. We had a good lesson at church from Elder Scott's sunday talk "Personal Strength Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." I challenge all of you to read it because it gives incredible insight on fighting out weaknesses and avoiding Satan's tries at using those to "Lead us carefully down to Hell" I am grateful for this gospel. Yes I still have doubts. But that's normal. I still continually find answers and strength as I press forward, and just do the best I can. That's all God asks from us. Is our best. And like you said mom, If that's just sitting on our butt's all day that's ok. I gotta run but I love you all. I love this gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. Things are getting better in this area, with my comp, and also with myself. Have a great week everyone. and remember to stay Classy. ;)

 

Love,

Elder Derrek Bowler.

January 27, 2014

Hey guys!

So, Dad all I'm going to say is thank you. Like truly. Thank you. This past week went by a lot better than last. Which I'm really glad. Even Biking in the crap weather didn't really bug me any more. It kinda like whatever. Even though this past week had some crazy weather. This has prolly been one of the worst winters Ohio's had in a while. Today and tomorrow are supposed to get down to -30 or -40 with the wind chill and all that. So I don't know what they're going to do. Yesterday and the day before that we got a total of like 8" of snow. And it's not all that bad. But people here don't know how to drive in snow. I'm from the friggin desert and love driving in snow. haha but yesterday (for the second time in less than 6 weeks) they cancelled church....again.... Ha I was so frustrated because we had like 6 people planning on going. Which is a ton! We had rides set. Plans made and everything was gonna work out perfectly except it snowed.... Sometimes I'm tempted to just do my own little sacrament in our apartment.. Haha.. If only that wouldn't be frowned upon. :P 

So now for the good stuff. This past week was probably one of the better ones I've had (Success wise) Things are getting a little better here with E. McC? Still don't talk much but now I just don't pay much attention to it. I just do my thing and I know I'm just fine. Throughout the week we were blessed to find a lot of people. Who are all fairly solid. I don't know if I mentioned Franchesca and her kids Isaac (13) and Kaley (8). But this past week we were finally able to get in and teach them the restoration. Now this is the family who's entire family are Jehovah's Witnesses and she grew up only knowing that. She never got baptized there but that's all she knows still. Anyways. We went over to try her right before dinner at the Gardner's (who are all actually from Holbrook, AZ... cray) But we taught the Restoration and had them focus on the spirit. It was probably one of the more spiritual lessons I've been in. Isaac wasn't there for the first part because he was actually at the library down the road I guess researching our church cause he was afraid we were a cult. But he walked in right at the story of Joseph Smith and we back tracked a little and he was actually really focused and they both liked it. Kaley was just reading a book. Ha they have amazing potential and they were gonna come to church but oh yeah... It was cancelled. Haha. Her family has already started to try and get her to stop investigating but I'm not letting this go! haha after dinner at the Gardners we went and saw Tim Jennings with Bro. Nelson (EQ Pres) and that was a really good lesson about the Atonement. Wednesday I went on Exchanges with E. Hatch it was pretty good. It was cold and the steam from my breath froze on my eyebrows and eyelashes. Not the first time it's happened but I got pics. I think that's what I'll try and get done today. Throughout the week we were able to find a lot of good people. While I was on exchanges E. McC pretty much stopped a guy from shooting himself because the government doesn't help them out a lot and they don't have enough money so he's been starving for 4 days yeah. This past week God has pretty much led us all over the place and everywhere we've gone it's been for a specific reason. And when I'm not paying attention to the spirit, E. McC is and vice versa. So it's been really good. I'm now figuring out out the spirit works haha. and it's a continual process but I'm glad for the learning. It helps a ton! This past week we've been trying to rally up a bunch of people to help us clean the Oldfield's place. I'm like kinda nervous about but it is so bad. It really breaks my heart. And we called Sis. Oldfield yesterday to try and push the cleaning to Thursday (We were gonna do it tomorrow but tomorrow is gonna be the coldest day of my life.) but she asked if we could still stop by because here 6yr old son loved seeing us and was excited to have us over on Tuesday and it's just really cool. They have bugs crawling in their food as they eat and the kids still don't pay much attention to it. It's like they're used to it. Which is sad but they still are resilient and find ways to enjoy life. There is so much I learn from these little kids and I'll always learn from them. Even when I'm a dad. Couple funny things about this past week. We ventured out and tried to ride out bikes in the snow quite a bit of it I might add. Because E.McC just gets super antsy and can't like relax and accept when stupid stuff happens. But surprisingly I learn stuff from him. Anyways. I was just laughing the whole time in the snow cause it was almost entertaining. Sliding everywhere. It was super ineffective because we only went like a mile in 45mins. haha but the funniest part was when we were crossing an intersection and they way the city snowplowed the roads it made the curb seem a LOT closer than it really was. I just thought "oh I'll just wheelie and be fine and won't slip out" turns out I wheelied (sp?) right into the curb and flipped over my handlebars and just ate snow... Haha I was just laughing and all the people driving just waved and smiled and were prolly thinking "stupid Mormons" hahaha But then the best part is, is E. McC was giving me crap and he's like "I now know where the curb is" and then he went and did the exact same thing I did. And it was just funny. haha It's times like these where I wish I had a GoPro. Even riding in the snow looked cool. But aight I love you all and miss you all! I'll work on pics. some will be from Huber Heights. Just a heads up.

Love,
Elder Derrek Bowler

Last day with the coolest district ever.  Super tight knit.

Saying "goodbye" to the Cindrics. (that's E. Elbaba.  He's a Spanish Missionary in the other Mission)

Headin to Transfers. Last time with E. Beverley and E. Spaulding :/

I got to play!  

Try Jesus.  It works.