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)

BUsy BUsy BUsy

This week was pretty busy. We went and served at Pearl Harbor, went and saw my favorite member kids (Peyton, Kensington, and Emberly)  and I went on exchanges with Sister Wilson (Love her) in Waianae. 

We have 5 people on date for baptism, and 3 of them have been investigating the church for 9 years GETTING BAPTIZED ON THE 5th!!!! ITS LITERALLY A MIRACLE BAPTISM!!! 

I am also enjoying being in a trio and training :) I hope you all have a good week, I love you all and hope school goes week ad can't wait to hear all about it! :)

The power went out in the library and now we are having to quickly email at the church. 

Love Sister Bowen <3

*Insert clever email caption*

Aloha all!

This past week was transfers and I have taken over the Ewa Beach area as well as gotten a new companion. She's okay I guess...Just kidding I love her with all my heart. We really hit it off from the first day and ever since we have been killin it as missionaries. We found 8 new investigators this week and set someone else for a baptismal date. I love being a missionary and I love all that I have already learned from her.

I tried Nonee...Nonie?... Noni?..this week for the first time and they say it's very healthy for you but I would rather die than have to eat it again. Please if you have the chance to try it, try it and send me your thoughts.

Sister Chappel and I have had a wonderful week full of face masks, getting our numbers asked for, blocked sinks, and crunch logs (Korean snack we can't pronounce). We have also learned the importance of following the spirit when tracting, because as we did this week we were able to lift a man whose son had died that week, a boy who really needed someone who cared, and an auntie who had broken her arm. You just never know where the spirit will lead you next.

We also enjoyed getting free Lula Roe dresses from our ward mission leaders wife and taking pictures down at "The Turtle Spot" where a wave almost wiped out Sister Chappel. Good times :)

I love you all and mahalo to all those that write me, it really makes my whole day :)

This church is true, I promise.

Alofa atu,

New Companion Sister Chappel

Sister Chappel "The Turtle Spot" 

Sister Bowen

Noni & First Transfers

I love the quotes and the get well wishes. I honestly can't believe I got healed so fast after Elder Walkers blessing. It really was immediate and it was night and day difference after the blessing. I'm still being careful with how I eat and not everything is perfect but its much better!! I feel so blessed and more than anything I know that I'm suppose to be here the whole 18 months, the Lord will not allow me to leave before that.

Me and Sister Iino went to Laie last week to take her test and she got 69% and you have to get 75% to pass. She said it was better than before but she was still very heart-broken. She only gets 3 tries and this was her last. She goes home in 3 months and is worried that she doesn't know what to do with her life. I told her the Lord isn't going to leave her hanging, especially after her service. She has been a lot more chill about it all since then ;)

Speaking about her, we got transfer news and you're right it is all very mixed feelings. She is going to Big Island, Kona side, and I'm staying here in Waipahu with my new comp. Sister Chapel. I met her a couple of times and stalked her instragram at home before I left and I'm SO excited to be with her :)))

I tried Noni this week (I think its that same fruit from the Johnny Lingo movie) and it was literally the worst thing I have ever put in my mouth. Never again. I've never had anything so bad. But hey I tried fresh noni off a noni tree in Hawaii so that's still pretty cool ;) 

We did 2 different service activities this week, both with the Tongan ward Elders. At Sister Tateyamas house we scrubbed out the rest of her Koi pond and did yard work for about 2 hours. That's where I tried the noni and one of the Elders from Tonga, Elder Fakahau, ate the noni like it was an apple. I can't believe he could handle the taste haha. 

Being a missionary is hard and I find myself comparing myself to other missionaries all the time and feeling bad because I'm not training or going to different islands or being told special things from the president. I'm just another missionary and I hate it. Oh well I guess we can't all be great. 

I miss you so much and I miss our long talks about politics and history...there are so many things through out the week that I wish I could ask you about like other religions and stuff but I guess I'll have to save those talks for when I get home and it's my turn to show you all my missionary pictures ;) Love you!

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen

 

 North Shore :)

Drive up to Laie (Kaneohe)

BYU Hawaii

Noni fruit (from Google)

My Favorite food: Chap Chey (Korean noodles)

 

Aloha! And yes I have been sick

Aloha! And yes I have been sick and avoiding telling you all because I didn't want you to worry, but to be honest I am more worried about how much attention has been brought to me.  I do get sick when I eat but it's just uncomfortable and I have't even had to take a single sick day. Pray that they find a virus or something they can easily give me medication for and not something I need to go home for. I wouldn't be able to handle coming home early. Especially because I'm not in so much pain that I can't be helpful here in the mission. 

The work is going great and I'm getting more and more use to the customs as well as the people here in the Ewa Beach 2nd ward! I went in for the scan at the hospital and they didn't find anything so they are thinking it's probably a virus. There was actually this Sister in this mission a few months ago that went home because she was having the same symptoms as me and she had surgery and her gall bladder was way infected and so I think all the mission doctors are a little paranoid because of that.....I don't feel gross enough for surgery tho so no worries. 

I GOT THE PACKAGE!!!! I literally almost started crying it was so great and the kiwis and bread are so good! It's taken me a very long time to eat them all (Im still working on them) because I can't eat a lot at the same time but I love them, I actually forgot to take a picture right off because I was so excited, but I got some later ;) Thanks for making me feel so loved and helping me on my mission. 

I love seeing the pictures of Wolfcreek, I missed being there with you all but I'm glad for the experience of missing it because I now know that when I go back in 2 years I will enjoy it even more :) I hope we go to that cool church in 2 years because it looks awesome, I loved seeing the pictures. 

Zone conference was so fun, I loved it. I always get so motivated. There are a handful of certain Elders that always magically end up standing right next to me and just have to talk to me because there is nobody else nearby also they just have to know where I live and how far away is that from Wyoming? ;) 

We have two new investigators that are amazing named Radasha and Wills. She literally has a notebook and takes notes every lesson, and they came to church Sunday, and she prays at the end of lessons, and we went to the Visitor Center in Laie because they just really wanted to see the temple and just wow. They are amazing. As Dad knows golden investigators like these don't happen very often haha ;)

We went to the Barbers home last night (My favorite family in the Ward) and their little girl Izzy just adores me. She doesn't get along with anyone else but she just cuddles with me and loves me :D I love Sister Barber, she has been through a lot but she is a fighter and never brings attention to herself she is always serving, plus her husband is awesome. He pretends to not like me but I'm literally his favorite. ;) I think they took a picture of me for Facebook, If they did send it to e hopefully I don't look like trash, that was a long day. 

Thanks again for the package and all the prayers, I really can feel them, I have gotten better. I love you and miss you and I'm sure I will think of a million other things to say after I send this but I'll keep you updated. Sister Iino gets transferred next week and I'll have a new comp. by Tuesday of next week so next Monday I will let you know where she is going! She is also going to take her English test at BYUH today so pray for her to do well! We have studied a lot! 

Love you and can't wait to hear for you!! 

Love,

Sister Bowen

    1. Love the package of goodies to help me and the Love from you  <3

    2. Elders stole my camera, ft. Elder Williams in front (AP)

    3. My mom (Trainer) on the left and grandma (her trainer) in the middle who's dying this week (going
        home)

    4. My best friend Sister Thompson 

    5. My motivation :) 

    Golden Investigators like Radasha and Wills 

    Our adorable investigators Khloe and Karlie we love 

July 10th

Hey Parentals I hope this week was a good one :) I hope you got my package, also I never realized how fun it is to hear about when somebody else gets your package so sorry I was no fun when I got the package form you! I loved it! I opened up everything and loved reading the letter with everyone's notes (Especially Dad's forged one haha)

I can't believe Natalie is 15 and going to be driving in 6 months....Jordan turning 15 I was ready for but definitely not Natalie. Shes's the best tho I hope she had a good one!

We had a baptism on Saturday for Brandon and it went great, I'm so happy for him :)

We went golfing and bowling today for P-Day because there is nothing Hawaiiany to do here haha

I also hope you had a good forth of July! I missed eating BBQ and being with everyone but it's all good.

I thought it was so cute how Sister Hargrove sent that picture and message to you yesterday awe that was so cute, sorry it was at like 11 for Utah time haha

Can't wait to hear from you have a good week if I don't hear form you today!

Good morning and I hope that Wolfcreek was the best time ever!

I definitely missed it but MISSIONARY WORK MUST GO ON!!!!!! Just kidding I'm not THAT excited about missionary work ;) but I do love serving the Lord even if it means I miss wolfcreek ;)

This week we had to drive to Honolulu (1 hour drive) twice for doctors app. and stuff, I'm really not that sick I hope you aren't too worried about me. I don't know why they are giving me like this big deal test...ugh I was suppose to be an awesome missionary and instead I am just using up all their insurance money. Sorry Hawaii Honolulu mission. So luckily I haven't had to take any sick days or even sick breaks because the only time I feel sick is if I eat, so i just eat slowly throughout the day and I'm fine. I really think I just started eating too much and that's all....*sigh* food. 

So today has been hard because I just found out that Hayden (from college) just went home and I don't know why...he was doing so good and he's been out for like 8 months already. That the 3rd close friend I've had go home. I freaks me out to think about going home before I'm done, I honestly can't think of anything else in the whole world. Which is actually good :)

We have zone conference this week which is my FAVORITE day of the whole transfer so woo hoo. Let me know how today has been, and it's always so good to get your emails and read them I love it!! Very few people actually email me every week and it makes me feel so loved to see you two are always so consistent and send me stuff to read. THANK YOU :))

Here's a video of everyday hope you like seeing my cute face ;)

ALOHA

Sister Bowen

Cereal for Days

Aloha, 

I would like to start off by saying that I have to take back what I said about no more cold cereal a couple of emails ago....We got about 10 boxes from a member so now we live off of cereal. (Sorry mom but the cookie crisps aren't going to eat themselves)

This week was like any other week, lots of visiting less actives, lots of funny quotes from Sister Iino, and of course the typical trying to save kittens that are trapped in car engines. I also started reading the book, Jesus the Christ, by Mr. Talmage and its absolutely  phenomenal. If you have never read it, read it, especially my fellow missionaries. If any of you have any suggestions for good church materials to read be sure to let me know, I love finding new church books to read. (I've literally read every ensign in our apartment twice)

I'm so happy to be able to see how far our investigators have come, especially one particular investigator Brandon who is being baptized this week! The district leader interviewed him for baptism and told us that he is so ready. I can't wait to see him grow even more and eventually get sealed in the temple to his wife. :)

This week an amazing thing happened: Sister Iino and I were taking pictures outside the temple and all the sudden she screams and starts running to these members (The Ferris's) in our ward that we don't know very well. I was like okay this is weird...but turns out the Ferris's  had a close family friend staying with them that Sister Iino recognized form Japan! Nobody had any idea they they all knew each other and the friend was basically Sister Iino's second mom from Japan. They invited us for dinner that night and as I was eating, this Japanese lady started taking tons of pictures of me. I was like what is happening I'm just trying to eat my pizza, and meanwhile everyone around me is speaking in Japanese, so needless to say I was very confused. Turns out that lady is a very famous artist and she said she wanted to draw me, which was so cute of her. So anyway long story short *Plays "It's a Small World"* and also if anyone ever sees a drawing of me by a Japanese artist let me know. ;)

I love you all and hope you all have a great week!

The church is true, I promise :)

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen

Pictures: 

1) Frank Jr., our baby gecko that lives in our apartment 

2) Sister Iino and our cereal and new knifes

3) The missionaries getting VERY excited about the claw machine when we went bowling