Keep smiling because your smile lasts forEWA

Mother and Padre, (We were talking about nicknames last night and realized I've missed calling you those ;))

Who's ready for some crazy news? Anyone, anyone? Alright so guess what? IM TRAINING. AND WHITEWASHING. LIKE WHAT THE HECK RIGHT!?! I still feel like a greenie and most missionaries train like 8 months into their mission, not 4!!!

So tomorrow I get to meet my greenie at transfer meeting, then drive to a brand new area I've never been to before, and get to work! I couldn't believe when President Bekker called and asked me if I would train! I was sitting on the floor and Sister Chappel goes, "Sister Bowen President is calling!" and I said, "Oh my he is not." and shes like, "No for real! Hello President how are you today?" and I look at Sister Nichalson and shes like, "No she's serious." Then Sister Chappel hands it to me and President said he wanted me to train and I would be moving to Waianae and whitewashing! He didn't say anything else but I think he knew what a big responsibility he was putting on my shoulders for my 2nd area. Wowzers I'm excited! I"ll have to let you know all about it next week and send you pictures as well! 

This week has been wonderful and I have finally gotten lots of pictures with people because I'm leaving! 

Picture 1 - Brother Ichimura is our ward mission leader and he is absolutely phenomenal. If anyone magnifies their calling it's him. He goes ministering twice a week and comes to lessons and contacts us almost everyday...he honestly is amazing, I know I won't get a ward mission leader like him again. His wife is one of the most giving people I have ever met. She does Lula Roe and has given me 4 different dresses, and those things aren't cheap! I love them and their inactive daughter is in the Waianae area so it looks like it's time for me to pay them back for all the good they have done for me :) 

Picture 2 - The Criders, Kelly and Cody, are my favorite inactive members and they love having us over for BBQs. The dad, Kelly, told me I was his favorite missionary because I just know how to get him to open up, he says he hates it but he loves me more and more every time I do it and he always laughs when he realizes I have him talking about the gospel. I know it's definitely got him thinking about the gospel and his inactivity more :) 

Picture 3 - One night it was about 8:30 and we were having bad luck tracting and we were about to start heading home when we were inspired to knock on one more door. A southern lady opened the door and we asked if we could share a scripture with her about Jesus Christ. She said "Sure come on in!" We actually all just stood there for a minute like wait you want us to come in? You know we're missionaries right? Well we went in and turns out they aren't members but LOVE missionaries and didn't know Ewa Beach had missionaries! Their names are Reese and Larry and they have invited us back a couple of times for some awesome southern cooking and lessons and I love them with all my heart. One of the days it rained really bad and I came in and Larry took my jacket and after being there for a bit I realized he was in the front room drying it with a blow dryer! They are the sweetest couple, I'm going to miss them and their little dog Jack. 

This week we also did a really fun car wash and chapel tour and got a new investigator from it. (And got our cars washed.) We bought Guams (Hands down the most comfortable thing I have ever worn) and it was $13, my life was completed. We made a "Stop Smoking Box" for my other favorite less active, Brother Moana with pictures of us and Christ on it, so every time he goes get a cigarette he remembers us and then potentially stops smoking ;)

And the most important news of this very long and very deserved email (Sorry I was unable to email last week) is that THE QUEMADOS GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!! The Quemados have been investigating the church for 9 YEARS AND THEY JUST GOT BAPTIZED THE TUESDAY BEFORE I WAS GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!! We have been working with them for so long and trying so hard to show the Dad that him and his 2 girls were ready and then he left on a trip for 5 days, got home and said okay lets do this and they got baptized a couple of days later. He said he started facing a lot of tribulation on the trip and realized it was Satan trying to do everything he could to tear down his ideas of getting baptized so he punched Satan in the face and shocked everyone by getting baptized right when he got home. It was the happiest day of my mission so far. :)

I love you both so much and I love getting emails from you every week :) I feel the strength of your prayers and I have a personal testimony of the power of fasting, I have used it many times on my mission and it has worked without fail. I love the Lord and this gospel and I cannot wait for the responsibilties that the Lord has seen fit to give me :) Have a great week I love you both very much! 

Love,

Sister Kayla Bowen

Also we took this one today, this is my companionship and the zone leaders! We went to this place called Teddy's Burger after we played tennis and it's amazing :) A Guy payed for our meal and I am just really going to miss hanging out with these 5. (Sister Nicholsen, Elder Eborn, Elder Willden, Sister Bowen, and Sister Chappel)