Dear mom and family and friends,

It has been hard not being able to write or email for a whole week because I have so many things I want to tell you about. I cried a lot on Tuesday, or at least more than I usually do, all because I was happy, especially after talking to you and the rest of the family. I had a humbling experience at the airport. I was talking to a lady on my second flight and really liked her. I wanted to give her a pass along card (one that says Mormon.org on it) but I forgot, until I saw her again at the baggage claim. She said goodbye and as I watched her walk away I was fretting because I wanted to give her the card with my name on it so that she could look up my profile. I grabbed it out of my bag as fast as I could and I told my companion, Sister Richardson to come with me and we ran to her. I told her quick that I was a missionary, asked her if she knew about the Mormon church and then gave her the card. She was kind and was smiling at me and we hugged and said goodbye. As we walked away, I couldn't hold back tears because I had almost let that opportunity pass by, just because I was anxious. I'm just glad that I did it.

I love President and Sister Wirthlin. They are both very kind and I respect them very much. It was nice to stay in the mission home for the first night. I remember going to the window and looking out to see many tall, skinny trees and I felt peaceful.

I had a very special experience meeting my companion. The last night I slept in the MTC I had a dream about her, and when I walked into the chapel she was the first sister I noticed and I suspected that she was the one because she looked like the girl in my dream. When President Wirthlin said her name and her area and was about to announce her companion, he slowly looked down the row of new sisters and when he looked at me and said my name he was overcome by the Spirit and so was I because I already knew. This is the only reason that I feel alright with being in the area I am in, Fayetteville, because we are very opposite and even though we get along I am struggling a lot. Every day I feel a bit of despair but I know that I need to be here for someone. My area, which covers Fayetteville, Cazenovia and Manlius (where I live) is very poor and run down. There are a lot of old houses which are neat to see but it's sad to see them falling apart.

The first night I was in my area I met a tiny (maybe 5') old lady, Jean, from Scotland who I love dearly. She is a member but doesn't make it to church because of her health. She is very kind and even though I have only visited her twice I feel as though I have known her for ages. It's fun to be able to talk about Scotland and England with her (funny but I was wearing my red kilt skirt the first night I met her) and she loves music. She had me sing for her when she found out that I sing. I wish that everyone could meet her.

I have met a few other families and some less-actives, too. I feel discouraged because we aren't teaching any progressing investigators at the moment but I want badly to find some. Tracting is not my favorite thing to do, I am overwhelmed by all the records and things that I have to keep track of and I feel absolutely uncomfortable here but I know that I need to hang on, even if I'm stumbling all the way. I have never wanted so badly to be someplace happier but I know that joy and success never come until after trials and the more difficult the trial, the greater the reward. I love all of you and more than ever I need letters! I need prayers, too. I will try to send some pictures.

Love always,

Sister Elizabeth Bowen

D&C 121