Dear Mom (and family and anyone who gets to read this')

I love the MTC! I have met so many amazing people and had such marvelous experiences; I was born to be a missionary and yet that doesn't mean that it isn't hard! My first day here was wonderful and every day after I have had awesome experiences. I have met a lot of people I know, I already mentioned a few, Sister Patton, Elder Bodily, Sister Carpenter and Sister Hamson. I found Sister Carpenter by "chance" right after deciding that she had probably already left. We were so excited to see eachother! I had a marvelous experience with my companion, Sister Richardson (who I love a WHOLE lot, she is wonderful) when we taugh a lest active member. His wife was there, too, and she helped some. I felt as though I was talking a lot, sharing a lot of experiences but the words just flowed from my mouth and somehow (by the Spirit) he responded in a way I never expected and after asking what he needed to do to get back on track and after my companion and I talked to him some more, he told me that he felt he and I had similar backgrounds and that he could relate to me and that because I have been able to overcome hard things despite wanting to give up, he felt he could do it to. We left after a prayer and hug from his wife and a handshake with him (I told him that I wanted so much to hug him!) and walking into the hall, I fell apart, and cried and it was actually more like a quiet wailing and Sister Richardson and I huged and cried for a minute before we went on to our class. I felt incredible love for Brother L. and his wife and I couldn't beleive that I could affect a person's life like that in such a brief period of time. I love all of you and thank you, Mom and Hannah and Dad for sending me your love through your words and Grandma Rene, too. Letters help me a lot, especially funny ones like Hannah's; it made me and my district all laugh. We loved it, so thank you Hannah;) I hope that all of you know how I love you and that I am doing well. I have ups and downs but mostly I smile a lot because the Spirit is so overwhelming. I love my teachers, Brother Belliston and Brother Roberts (who is from South Africa though he is white, haha, he's a funny chap.) There's so much to say but so little time. Keep in touch.

All my love,

Sister Bowen