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