Last Letter from the MTC

Hey yall',

 

Ok so question for you....What day is the only day that missionaries are allowed to use the bathroom? Answer is simple, P-Day. Yep it's that day of the week again the day in which time seems to actually travel at normal speed. haha. This last week has been so incredible that it has been like a blur. Now here I am writing each of you on my final P-Day at the MTC. Although I am nearing the end of what has been a phenomenal experience thus far, I am very excited for what the future holds in store for me.

 

So this last week has been spiritually uplifting, testimony building, socially enjoying, but most of all habitually changing. I have felt the Spirit confirm the the truths of the doctrines which we proclaim from on high. I have felt the magnitude of the Atonement and the divinity of Jesus Christ. What merciful love Christ had for me a sinner he suffered, he bled and died. Oh it is beautiful that He should care for me enough to die for me. I have been overwhelmed in the Spirit as I have felt the power of the Holy Ghost and the feelings that make me act with power and authority. I cherish my priesthood power more than I think I ever had before. I know that my Redeemer lives and loves me in ways that I am still continuing to attempt to recognize. My testimony indeed has been building line upon line precept upon precept. I feel like my testimony has been through the refiner's fire and has been polished to be my most owned possession. I know that a testimony is a process and not just the result of a finished product or action. I am developing a charitable love for those whom I am teaching. My investigators are the last thing on my mind when I go to bed and the first thought I think of in the mornings. I have tried so hard to show each of them individual personalized love and service. I have cried to my Father in Heaven to bless them in what they stand in need for.

 

This week has also been a wonderful bonding moment for me in a social aspect. Elder Gonzalez, my companion, is a stripling warrior. I am convinced he will one day give the opening prayer for a General Conference, as his prayers express so much trust, honesty, willingness and love to our Savior and for our behalf. I am ever so blessed to be his companion. However, my companion is not the only aspect exceeding my expectations here at the MTC. I have a new family here and I love them, they are my district. They are so good to me. I have been uplifted in times of need and edified by their thoughts words and deeds. I love each one of these wonderful servants of the Lord. Also, I need to confess something, and that is that I have given in to a particular rule. I have talked to one of the sister missionaries, Oh dear. I have talked to Sister Jones from our stake. We spend time talking about life, the MTC, spiritual matters and more. We tend to meet up as districts during our meal times.  I have a lot of respect for her. We have exchanged each others information and will be writing each other while in the field for advice, spiritual insights, and guidance. In addition, I have run into Blake almost every day at one or more of the meal times. It is so great to have a brother here with me. I can tell Blake is loving it here and from what I have gathered his district seems splendid. Overall the MTC has been such a blessing as I have been able to develop, enhance, practice and perfect habits that will provide happiness in my life and the lives of others. I truly enjoy reading the scriptures every day and praying both night and day. I have so many new characteristics that I feel will be so beneficial in my future experiences. The MTC is the place to be and I'm so glad it's been so good to ME.

 

In other news, I did get all my materials from Blake. Thank you for sending those to me. Furthermore, thank you for the many letters and family updates. I'm so glad Mom and Dad were able to go get a break and had a wonderful time in Scottsdale. Mom, I'm glad everything is working out for piano and the rearrangement of the house. Thank you for your many letters in my shirt pockets. You are such an amazing mother. Your spirit of love is truly the overriding expression of love and charity in my life. Dad thanks for your inputs, I hope your 10,000 faculty know how lucky they are to have a leader like you at the helm. You're so wonderful. Kevin, glad you had a great time with friends over the summer and good luck on your swimming. Thank you to everyone for your prayers.

 

I love everyone and am so grateful for this Gospel. I am ready and feel prepared to invite others unto Christ. I know this is what I should be doing.

 

Love

 

Elder Cowan

First Preparation Day at the MTC

Dear Family,

This is my first available day that I am permitted to write you and I am so excited to tell you how amazing the MTC is. The Spirit is so strong here and I am so excited to be here. I have had such an amazing time going to the Provo temple, sharing spiritual insights, teaching mock or real progressing investigators, or just spending quality time with my the Elders in my district. I have been so richly blessed to have been a part of this great work. Indeed this is a marvelous work and a wonder. I have been immersing myself in the knowledge of the scriptures and spending as much time as possible praying. I can't put in enough words to describe the magnitude of the lessons and the concentration of the Spirit that we all feel.

Elder Gonzalez is my companion and he is the best. He gives what seems like atomic bomb prayers because they are very powerful and invite the Spirit. We as a companionship have done our best to be our best. We know we need to give our all and we can't be more excited to do so. As we have companionship study and daily planning sessions, we have grown to love each other. Elder Gonzalez reminds me a lot about Nathan. He has a very laid back personality and is very funny. He is 19 and is the oldest of 3 kids in which his younger siblings are both sisters.

I love Elder Gonzalez and every other memeber in our district. Elder Moore, the Elder from Queen Creek that Blake knew, was called to be the Distric Leader. He is a wonderful servant. In our district we have 18 elders, nine sets of companionships. Half of our district is going to Everett Washington and the other half is going to North Carolina Raleigh. In our district are Elders: Moore & Towne, Brockbank and Hostman, Gonzalez & Cowan, Washburn & Woods, Fortuna & King, Baldwin & Ricedorf. In our zone there is another district of 14 elders, all of which are going to Mesa, Arizona. My district is awesome and my zone is even better. I love the brotherhood and unity we all share and have for one another. I love my brothers in the Gospel.

We have been so busy this first week and I have enjoyed every minute of it. In fact, I get up every morning at 6 am (Yes, I am getting up) because I am so excited for the adventures of the day. I can admit though that this is not all easy, as there are things I am getting used to. It seems that a mission is "the most wonderful and awful thing in the world," as Dennis M. Simmons of the seventy stated. For instance, I like to be on time but my companion has a tendency to relax. Getting used to having a companion by my side is a work in progress. I love the opportunity to be edified and have my testimony strengthened.

I want all of you to know that I love this Gospel. I am beginning to learn the language of the Spirit. Indeed, feeling the spirit is amazing. I love this work. I know that Jesus is the Christ and atoned for my sins. I am starting to understand just how personal it is. I know this church is true. I love and pray for each of you and wish you the best in your endeavors.

Love,

Elder Cowan

First Letter From the MTC

Dear Mom and Dad,  
                                                                                 

So I have officially completed my first day at the MTC and what an experience. I have only been here one day and I can tell these three weeks will be incredible.

Today the MTC Presidency spoke to our assembly of new missionaries. During his talk, President Brown urged us to write a written letter to our parents expressing our love to them. So here I am writing this letter to you.

I have had a wonderful time so far. I have met the members of my district. There are 18 of us, 9 elders are going to the same mission as mine and the other 9 are going to Everett, Washington. All the elders in my district are wonderful. I was able to meet my companion, his name is Elder Gonzalez. He is 19 and from lower south Ogden. He is kinda shy but I love him. We have really bonded as companions. My district leaders are Elder Thorpe and Elder Bytheway (or no relation to John Bytheway). My district is so strong and my zone is even stronger.

Mom and Dad I want you to know how much I have enjoyed this experience. Although it has only been one day, I have felt the Spirit so strong. Elder Gonzalez and I have immersed in this work. We are going to every workshop and having companion study and prayer three times a day. I love the feelings I am feeling. We had a teaching experience with mock investigators and I am already starting to develop a love for the people. I want to express how much I love each of you. You both have been the pillars of strength in my most dire times of need and support. I love you and am grateful that you are my parents. I will do my best to consistently write you, but don’t take my word for it because we are definitely staying very busy.

Of other news, I saw Janelle here she is doing great. One of the elders in my district is Jonathan Fortuna, the cousin of Libby Fortuna (the girl I liked in SLC). I have spent time mingling and getting to know Elder Moore (Blake’s friend of a friend). What a great spirit he brings to our discussions and to our district. Elder Gonzalez, my companion, is attending UVU and is majoring in political science. He sang in high school and enjoys technology. He is very smart and sensitive to the Spirit. I have enjoyed feeling the power of his prayers and the sincerity of his testimony. Overall nothing can go wrong here. It is always a great day and I’m always glad to be here.

I would briefly like to share my testimony with you. I know that Jesus is the Christ and atoned for our sins. I know that through the atonement we can return with Heavenly Father. I testify that this gospel is a gospel of transforming. I have felt His tender mercies and felt a distinct change of heart. I am becoming so emotional through feeling the Spirit that I can’t hold back giving input into discussions or testifying of its truthfulness. I know for a fact Joseph saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and through His assistance the gospel with the proper priesthood authority was restored. I am so excited to invite others to come unto Christ. I love you and our family. I love this work.

With love,

Elder Cowan