I can't believe how lucky I am

Aloha,

I can't believe how lucky I am to have been raised seeing examples of service in my life. The importance of serving one another is something I didn't fully comprehend until I came out on my mission and understood the Savior and his life more. The song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" is a song that I am just recently really understanding. Jesus spent him whole life serving and that's all we should do too :)

I hope you all have a great week and REMEMBER TO DO "LIGHT THE WORLD" before it's over :)

This church is true, I promise.
Alofa atu,
Sister Bowen

Aloha and Malo E Lelei!

I have been transferred to the Island of Maui and I love the members here, they are amazing! Tuesday morning I went to the airport and had a 20 minutes flight over to Maui and it was AMAZING to see Hawaii from above. I think I have really started to become a missionary because as I looked at all the homes on Oahu I couldn't help but think of all those people who need the gospel. "O that I were an Angel!" I understand you now Alma. 

We went to Front street today for P-Day and I realize how much I absolutely LOVE art galleries! They have about 10 just on Front street and we spent our whole day today looking at all the art. I am so happy I have a companion that is so similar to me and is as excited about seeing James Colemans (Disney's old background artist from movies like Beauty and the Beast and Tarzan, cool right?) art haha. We always meet people that recognize missionaries and strike up conversations which is fun :) 

I love being a missionary and learning more of Christ everyday. It's amazing how much I know I have to learn, yet the gospel is so simple and despite its simplicity can literally change people. We have so much to be grateful for and so much to share so lets get out and work :) 

Love you all and thank you to everyone that is doing the Light the World Challenge! I have seen how it personally effects those serving and being served :) 

Alofa a tu,

Sister Bowen 

IM GOING TO..................... MAUI!!!!!!!!!

 I'm going to be serving in an area called "Lahina" which means scorching sun (Who's ready for a tan Sister Bowen?) And my new companion is from Norway :) Her name is Sister Elqueta and she was in my first area in Ewa Beach so I know her and I am very excited to  be serving there with her! Let me say this again: I get to spend Christmas in Maui! I'm very excited and couldn't believe our transfer news. I have also been called to serve as a sister training leader (STL) so once a transfer I will be flying back to Oahu to meet with the other leaders and have a conference :) I can't wait to serve the people of Maui and to serve the other sisters on Maui (One other set). I will be flying out tomorrow and by next P-Day I will be able to let you know about it all ;) It was hard to say goodbye to the Waianae ward, I took a couple pictures to send home of them :)

I got the package of Motab Christmas music and the letter and I have been SO happy listening to the album, Thanks so much for sending it and for the letter Dad, it was exactly what I needed that particular day, I read it often. We had the whole island of Oahu and all the Visitor Center sisters. (Usually it is just half the island per zone conference) but a seventy, Elder Stanfill, came and spoke with us. He talked a lot about prayer and the power of it, which is something I have been praying to learn more about. I also watched one of my best friends die (Elder Mcomber) and he said "Smile! We have the gospel of Jesus Christ!" He's a goof and so excited to go home haha, he is one of the hardest working missionaries I know.

I can't explain how excited I am to Skype it Christmas!!!! I miss you all so much :)

Have a good week, I love you both so much <3

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen

P.S. I AM ALSO OVER A SAMOAN BRANCH IN LAHINA SO I AM GOING TO BE LEARNING SAMOAN FINALLY!!!!!!!!

P.P.S We had our ward Christmas party with AMAZING food and live music, it was the best ever.

Greetings from Paradise

Aloha Mom and Dad :)

This week was a good week, somebody hit our car which as we all know is nothing new for me haha. They just backed into us in the parking lot and didn't make too big of a dent but I just thought that was so funny that that would happen to me of all people ;) 

We were walking down the street the other day when about 5 7-year old girls start running straight to us down the sidewalk. They all tackle-hugged us and talked all at the same time for about 10 minutes then asked us to teach them how to pray. We had only said hi to them one time before but now they love us and ask us to come back every single day. I put a picture of them below (Don't look at me haha I hate how I look in this picture I wasn't feeling good) 

Saw a cow this week, Sister Chappel played a mean trick on me and ate poke. Overall a successful week. 

We also went over to our investigators house (Stevenna who's 9) and asked her why she didn't want to be baptized. We go over about 3 times a week and every once in a while we will ask her if she changed her mind. She said no again but what was really cute was that her neighbor friend was over and asked what baptism was. We explained it and she goes "Oh man Stevenna get baptized! I wish I could get baptized Stevenna that's so cool...I wish I was in YOUR family..." Hahaha me and Sister Soga thought that was so cute. We are teaching her too but her parents aren't too excited about it all. Well see where it all goes. 

I love being a missionary and I am understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ more than I ever have before. I have such a  strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and although learning to completely trust the Lord has been hard I have felt so much peace and hope knowing he loves me and is going to do everything in his power to make me the missionary to want to become :) 

Thank you for all you do for me, I love you both so much and tell everyone I love them and miss them!

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen (Or if you are 4 and named Kamalei "Sister Mogan") ;)

6 Months living Aloha

Aloha and Talofa,

I realized that this week on the 8th is my 6 month anniversary for being in Hawaii, I love it more and more everyday. I am learning a lot here in Waianae and getting to know the members better which is a big step. This last week was Halloween and all the missionaries in our district got together and played volleyball. I'm not very good at volleyball but I have improved a lot ;) I can't wait for the day when I can play volleyball and the Uke like a Polynesian. As for right now I'll just working on being a better missionary ;) 

Last week on P-Day me and Sister Soga found a Menchies! I was so excited! Today we went to the mall and went into Bath and Body Works, they have their Christmas stuff out and were playing music and I couldn't even handle it, I was SO HAPPY. 

I hope all is well, I can feel your prayers and appreciate all you all do for me. I love you so much and I hope you have a good week!

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen

1) Menchies

2) Service with the Makaha Sisters

3) Our Investigator Uncle Jacob 

4) My District of Japanese and Tongans ;)

5) Our beautiful Carved Pumpkin 

Trying to wrap our heads around this area

This week we have done a lot of visiting Less Actives and trying to wrap out heads around this area. You would think by the time 2 transfers is in the making we would know how to spend our days most effectively but we really don't. Tracting gets us a lot of "Oh you're Jehovah Witnesses huh?" and "We all worship the same guy (Points to the sky) we just call it different things." Yeah like priesthood authority and no priesthood authority. No worries I am always very Christ-like ;) But it really has been difficult and I feel like I am making no progress but our mission President said in his email to me this week, " It is often the best missionaries (like you) who are the hardest on themselves. Each day look for what is, and not what isn't. Also, as you have a desire to "do more," I would refer you to the Source that give the best guidance. Pray diligently, listen for the gentle promptings, and then follow them. You will be amazed at how Father in Heaven will guide you when you actively listen." Simple guidance but something I needed this week :)

We had 2 baptisms this week, boys named Sam and Justice who we have been teaching and it's has been fun to use my creative teaching side to come up with ideas about teaching the different gospel principles and lessons. I gave the talk on baptism and then after the baptism we had our ward Trunk or Treat. A couple of our investigators came and we took lots of great pictures :) We carved a pumpkin for Sister Sogas birthday and Halloween and had a booth in church for the Young Women Program (Like the Primary program).

I hope all continues to go well with work and I feel your prayers every night, thank you for everything 

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen 

6 Month Mark

I love love love getting your emails and can you believe I've been out 6 months?​ I can't...I don't feel like I have changed that much but I guess that's suppose to come near the end of the mission ;)

This week I have felt a little down altho I love my companion and the area is great just because, like you said, I don't feel like I'm making a huge difference. I thought I would be exhausted as a missionary because I would be talking so much and teaching so many lesson and tracting all day, but honestly I just feel exhausted because I feel like I'm not progressing and that's okay, that's still learning which is progressing ;)

Me and Sister Soga went and got milkshakes to celebrate (6 months)!!! 

Funny you ask about the Pineapple, I definitely ate way more pineapple at home than I have here ;) I hope you have a good birthday, just think next time it's your birthday I'll be a few weeks from coming home!

I am so grateful for my mission because I realize more and more what I love and miss and take for granted. I miss it snowing outside. I miss Hollys frank remarks and Jordans low key love for his sisters. I miss Natalies laugh and candles and Halloween decorations. And I miss taking funny pictures with the family :) I'm not homesick I just realize how many things I took for granted and I'm so happy when I come home it all won't be over!

I love you so much and can't wait to talk to you next week!

Alofa atu,

Sister Bowen 

Stevenna, my favorite 9 year old investigator :)​

a lady in our ward gave us SO much food, we are so blessed here :)