3/11/13

Hello everyone!

This week has been about one of the asolute worst weeks of my entire life! The "cold" that developed the Wednesday before last turned into a horrible cough. I was coughing so hard and so much that my ribs were aching and every night I didn't sleep much because I was coughing so much. I had one of the elders who is in my area (who actually came to the field with me) give me a blessing and it was so comforting. In it he said that Heavenly Father is aware of the struggle I have been having and that it is for my good, that He knows I can handle it. That was humbling. I still had the cough and it was still terrible but I felt better in my mind.

I had an incredible transformation this week. After Zone Training, where I got to see Sister Richardson, my MTC companion, and and other missionaries I came with as well as meet with President Wirthlin. I showed him the famiy picture that Grandma and Grandpa Bowen sent to me and he looked at it for a while and said what a good looking family we have. It was reassuring to talk with him briefly, I am so glad that he gets to be my mission president for my whole misison:) After Zone Training we went on an exchange. Sister Resare, who came to the field with me, was my companion for the 24 hours and that was so overwhelming but helpful. That evening while trying to plan and study with her, she could see that I had been discouraged and asked me what's wrong. Haha, she asked me this a lot and finally I just started to cry. She asked me lots of questions and let me express what I have been feeling and responded with kindness and understanding; she allowed me to fall apart like I needed to and in turn this allowed me find out how to solve my trouble. She supported me in my following of the promptings of the Spirit and that was exactly what I needed. My dad's letter came that day after exchanges and it could not have come at a more perfect time. After reading his letter I wasn't afraid of Sister Howick (my companion) any more and I knew how to be absolutely patient and forgiving. I felt the greatest joy and strength come to me, such as I have never felt before.

I want to testify of the neccessity of trials and sorrow and anguish of the soul in the proccess of becoming perfected. Just like Jesus Christ, I didn't want to suffer like I did, in fact I prayed to Him and expressed how absolutely I didn't want to do any of this. But because in the end I submitted my self to His will for me, He was able to guide me a way that I was able to overcome a great weakness. In our lives, sometimes we have tremendous obstacles to face and we have the choice to either face them with faith or go another way. It may seem easier to go another way but in my life every time I do this, as I strive to go the path that leads to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I still end up with that treacherous mountain to climb. This week I finally climbed over the top of that mountain and I nearly hated every minute of it, but since I bucked up and did what was required, I had the opportunity to feel and experience the most exquisite joy and growth. God does not ever forget us but rather we forget Him, especially when He requires hard things of us and we refuse to do them. We HAVE to have faith in Him. We have to do the hard things He requires in order for us to experience the real, true growth and joy that He has in store. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, who I have trusted, I bear this witness, Amen.

Always,

Sister Elizabeth Bowen

P.S. I am not coughing hardly at all anymore and am sleeping better. Also, I am allowed to email friends now. Please don't overwhelm me with emails, I want more letters than anything, but I will do my best to respond.