Happy 2010!

Date: Tue, Dec 29, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Subject: Happy 2010!!

Hello Everyone!

This year has flown by really fast. It's been a good one though. Next year will probably do the same. I suppose Dad was always right when he said that there's no rest for the wicked!

There isn't much to report today because I spoke with everyone on the phone on Friday. There is a bit thought. This morning we had district meeting and it was amazing. We all taught each other about Moroni's Promise in the Book of Mormon and helping investigators to follow that promise. The spirit was very strong and I learned a lot from these amazing Elders in my district. I love them and they are great. Now we'll be going on exchanges with Elders Lloyd and Parry in Crosby, the city just north of Liverpool. I'm excited.

Oh and yesterday we had a great zone activity playing football and basketball. Elder Burnett was there and it was good to see him, he's really good at football. We have a great zone this transfer, I love the Missionaries I get to work with.

Sunday was good but no investigators came to Sacrament meeting! Please pray for this to happen this week. Toma and his family are doing well but they need prayers for miracles to happen. And that they'll be able to come to Church this week. They're getting so close to Baptism, it'll hopefully be in January! Linda and Stephen can also use your prayers that they'll be able to come to Church on Sunday as well. They are also doing well but it's hard for us to see Stephen, he's out of town often. We're also hoping to find some solid new investigators soon, so your prayers for that are much needed!

Zone Conference was on Wednesday and it was amazing. We had some talks in the morning, then went to the Temple and did a session and afterwards had a testimony meeting back in the chapel. It was a really spiritual day and I loved it. We are so blessed in this mission to have a Temple and such an amazing Mission President and such amazing Missionaries as well. There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now than right here in the England Manchester Mission!

Our Christmas was good. Christmas Eve we were at the Brooksbanks house (Brother Brooksbank is the Ward Mission Leader) and we had pizza and watched Finding Nemo (we had some disney movies approved by President Bullock). It was amazing, during the whole movie Elder Stringham and I were thinking of how it was like the Gospel. I love being a Missionary because nobody can get annoyed at me when I do that in movies!!

Christmas day in the morning we just spent some time with Elders Newson and Stacey (our Zone Leaders) in their flat. We made pancakes and bacon and by the time we got to our lunch appointment in the afternoon we were already stuffed. We were at this Nigerian/English family called the Edosomeones, and they made the most amazing food, I loved it. African people are the best. We also opened some poppers after we ate, they are English things that you pull and they snap open, kind of like at New Years, but inside of them there are jokes and toys and trivia questions, it's great. I love them.

In the evening we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with the Parry family and it was great. The ward members here have been so kind to us this season! That was the last thing we did on Christmas and it was one of the best. I learned as we watched that that when we put others needs above our own, like George Baily does and like the Savior also does, we are so much happier and so are those around us. Even though the happiness doesn't always come right at first, it always comes. It's true, I've experienced it. Like speaking with people on buses about the Gospel, it's way hard at first, but afterwards you feel great! I love the Gospel and I know that it's true. The Savior Jesus Christ is alive and He loves you. He can change your life if you will let Him in by exercising faith in Him and repenting of your sins. I testify that His path is the true path to success and happiness in this life and in the next. The Book of Mormon really does contain the fulness of His Gospel, and it is a springboard to testimony and personal revelation. We can come to know Him by reading, pondering and praying about the Book of Mormon. It will help us increase our faith in Him. It truely is the iron rod that will lead us back into His presence. Study the Book of Mormon every single day. As we use it as much as possible miracles will come into our lives. I know this is true because I've experienced it.

I love you all. Thank you again and again for all that you have done and still do for me. This work is not possible without those things. Have a very happy New Year and write soon!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Happy Christmas!

Amazing African food for Christmas!

Date: Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 4:53 AM
Subject: Happy Christmas!!

Happy Christmas Everyone!!

It really is the best time of the year. I feel amazing right now. The blessings just keep flowing and flowing in!!

Before I forget, I want to tell you that I've done well at sharing the Gosple with people on buses. I've spoken with as many people as possible on every bus I've been on since I last wrote. It's amazing and we're being very blessed for it. People are sometimes angry and rude, but it doesn't matter because the Savior experienced the same thing. If He can do it so can we!! I still need your prayers though.

We have had such an amazing week. Wow. We've had so many miracles in the last 4 days I can't even count. We owe it all to the Lord. As we've been diligent, His powers from heaven have come down to aid us in His work. I've learned that this is something that every Missionary needs. And all of us are Missionaries so we all need it.

One miracle happened when we tried by a man that was taught previously by the Zone Leaders here. His name is Babs and Elder Larson and I street contacted him a long time ago when we missed our ferry back to the Isle of Man one night. Well, we tried by him and set up a return appointment with him! That was great, but what happened after that was even more amazing. We were speaking with people in the streets and we spoke with a man named James. After sharing a bit of the Gospel with him we asked if we could come to his home and teach him right then and there. Sure enough, he said yes and we were blessed with a new investigator! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, and I know that these blessings have come because we've made the efforts to bus contact and walk fast and speak with everyone we possibly can!

Another miracle happened with Toma's family. Last night we taught Linda in the Ward Mission Leader, Brother Brooksbank's home. The spirit was strong and it went well as we watched the Joy to the World DVD. That was good. Then we took Brother Brooksbank to teach Toma and his family. We taught about Moroni 10:3-5 and the spirit was very strong and we felt to commit them to another Baptismal date. We were a bit hesitant as they have struggled with Baptismal dates in the past, but we were committed by the area president to challenge all of our progressing investigators to a Baptismal Date. As we had the faith to do this, we learned that Toma had already set a date to be Baptised by! They were wanting to make it a surprise for us, but the spirit told us anyway because we need to know. So they are scheduled for Baptism again! And they came to Church on Sunday and are just doing great. Miracles just keep pouring in!

Also the other night we felt to stop by Linda for a quick visit and we were able to teach her niece! It was amazing. And for another lesson with Linda we planned to teach her how to donate tithing and we couldn't find a tithing slip anywhere, until I was flipping through Preach My Gospel to see what else we could teach her and a tithing slip suddenly appeared! It was such a miracle.

So it's been a week of miracles. We owe it all to the Lord. I testify to you that the Atonement works. It really does. We just simply do all that we can and trust in the Lord to make up the difference and He does. I've been doing this recently and it's brought my life to a whole different level. And the amazing thing is that there is hope for even further improvement and progression! The Book of Mormon is true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored by God through His living prophet, as well as the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness. I love this plan, I know that it's true. I know that as we repent of our sins, relying on the Savior for our help, we will be able to one day have eternal life. I encourage all of us to do this every day of our lives. I promise that God will listen and help us with whatever trials we may be experiencing.

Well, I'll speak with you on Friday so I'll tell you more then. I love you so much. Again, I can't thank you enough for all you do for me, packages, love, support, prayers and everything. Have an amazing week and a very happy Christmas!

Love,

Elder Rowley
The Liverpool Elders! Stacey & Newsom, Rowley & Stringham

New digs!

Date: Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 4:29 AM
Subject:

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I didn't let you know that it was transfer week. Transfers is always on a Wednesday so whether or not I'm being transfered you'll hear from me on a Wednesday or Thursday every six weeks. Speaking of, Elder Cowley is now gone. He took the long and lonely journey to... the Isle of Man! I call it return of the Cowley because his ancestors were Baptised by John Taylor there. I'm so happy and excited for him. It was really like re-playing what I experienced this same time last year. He will do amazing things out there and we'll miss him here in Liverpool!

My new companion is Elder Stringham from South Jordan. He is amazing. He's so excited about the Gospel and he is a very sacred Missionary. He came on his mission about 6 months ago and he is on fire. Yesterday we were blessed to have 18 quality gospel conversations and set up 6 return appointments with people. We also taught a new investigator! I followed a prompting to try by our investigator Linda and her neice, Karen was there. We taught about prayer and she committed to pray and Linda was teaching as well and it was just amazing. Miracles are happening and will continue to happen here in Liverpool!

Oh and we've been blessed with a new flat! We no longer live with the Zone Leaders. I'll get you our new address on Monday. The place is posh though, everything is so new and we even have a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. That's weird to use the word garbage. Anyway, those appliances are really rare to have in flats over here. We're so blessed!

When Elder Cowley left I was working with our Zone Leaders, Elders Newson and Stacey for the evening. It was weird though because I went on splits with a member to teach Toma and his family. It made me really nervous at first, but the member, Brother Smith, helped me out a lot. He speaks Romanian, he went there on his mission. That's no coincidence by the way. Anyway, Toma is doing well. The family came to stake conference on Sunday and enjoyed it very much. They feel the spirit in Church but they don't understand. I don't know if they would understand everything anyway! They're doing well though and we're planning some good things for them for Christmas. Just pray that we will be able to get everything worked out for that.

Last Wednesday we had interviews and training and it was amazing. I got a couple packages there by the way, thanks so much for that! Anyway, the training taught us how to have more confidence when speaking with people and it was incredible. I learned a lot and on the bus ride home Elder Cowley and I (it was before transfers) spoke with everyone we possibly could on the bus! I've been able to do that pretty consistently now which is a great blessing because that's really difficult for me. I need your prayers so that I can remain consistent at sharing the Gospel on buses and reach the Lord's full potential for me. Miracles come to Missionaries who share the Gospel on the bus.

Oh and do you remember Carmen Whelan from Rochdale? Well, she was Baptised a couple weeks ago. Don't forget that she was found on Facebook when she met a member of the Church attending BYU and he shared the Gosple with her so she referred herself to us. Facebook is inspired and it can do a lot of good if we use it right. I encourage everyone to share the Gospel on Facebook and everywhere you get the chance! Blessings will continue to come!

I had what was probably one of the best experiences of my mission on Sunday. Of course you all remember Phil and Christine Taylor from the Isle of Man, Elder Larson and I found them and they were Baptised in August. Well, Sunday was the Liverpool stake conference, and last week I was excited all week that I might get to see them there because the Isle of Man is in the Liverpool Stake. Anyway, so they came on Sunday and it was amazing to get to speak with them, it sounds like they are doing wonderful things there on the Isle of Man. Phil is teaching in the Priesthood and Christine is fitting in with the Relief Society very well. I was also excited because I knew that Phil was going to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood after the conference and I would get to be there for that. Well, the time came for that to happen and the Stake President motioned for me to come up to participate in the ordination and then whispered that Phil had asked me to perform it! So I got to ordain Phil Taylor to the office of an Elder. It was so incredible. I felt such an amazing love for Phil and Christine as well. I have a great feeling that I'm going to be friends with them for a long long time. How often does a Missionary get the opportunity to ordain one of their golden investigators to the Melchizedek Priesthood? I feel so blessed. Thank you for all you've done for me to help me to be able to come here and do what I've done and be worthy of this incredible blessing!

The Church is true. Humility is something that we need a lot of. We cannot do things very well on our own, everything just goes so much better when we involve the Lord. That's why we have Preach My Gospel, it increases the Lord's involvement in Missionary work. I love that. I love the principle of Humility and it's blessed my life so much. I also love diligence. As I've studied it so far this week I've been able to experience the great joy and satisfaction that comes from doing all that I possibly can. The Lord really blesses the diligent and faithful. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the iron rod that will lead us to Jesus Christ so he can take us back to our Father in Heaven's presence forever. The Gospel works. It's true. Prayer changes things, try it! President Monson is a true Prophet of God. I know that God lives and loves each one of us.

Well, I hope you have a wonderful week and keep up the amazing work. Don't be scared to write! I need to repent of not writing. I'm sorry. I'll do better. Anyway, I love you!


Love,

Elder Rowley

Teaching and tea (not real tea)

Date: Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 4:28 AM
Subject: Happy Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

The weeks are just flying by.... already it's been about a year since I was "banished" to the Isle of Man! And in just over 8 short months you'll see me again. But I'm not going to allow anyone to talk about that anymore! So stop it!

Before I forget, our thanksgiving feast last week was amazing, we were all so stuffed afterwards, and we even had a tea appointment after that! I was so sick of food that day. I'll send you some pictures.

We've had a great week with lots of miracles. Yesterday was amazing. Church was great, I think I'm finally starting to understand the Sacrament and the Atonement. But more importantly we were blessed to have 4 souls come to Sacrament meeting! Stephen Clarke came for Priesthood then had to leave, but Linda Dunn; Zuzeyo; and some newer investigators, Alice and Nigel, came as well! And the amazing part is that Alice and Nigel already know one of the ward members who was recently Baptised! It's exciting. They all really enjoyed Church and we have an exciting week ahead of us with lots of teaching and Tea appointments already set up!

After Church yesterday we were able to go with Alice and Nigel to Sam and Beryl Perrie's home (amazing members in the ward) for Tea and afterwards we watched "Joy to the World". It was great. Alice has a lot of amazing questions and the best part of the whole thing is that the conversation was about the Gospel most of the time! We're excited for them to progress.

Also yesterday we were blessed to be let into a home to teach a wonderful Czeckoslovakian family of 6! The language barrier was terrible, but they got one of the young girls to translate for us and we were able to get across what we needed to! I'm excited for them and to see them progress. The family's surname is Demeterova if you would like to pray for them.

On Saturday we had a really interesting day. We met Yoshi from Japan; Cain, a practicing athiest; and Nacho, from Spain. It was a great day though. We did a lot of finding (speaking with people in the streets) and then taught in the evening. We are so blessed to be teaching a man named Stephen Clarke, the one who came to Priesthood on Sunday. He looks similar to Dad and Grandpa Rowley to me, but my eyes are used to looking at British people. Anyway, in this lesson on Saturday Stephen said some amazing things. He's really funny. He will shake our hands in the middle of the lesson after complimenting us and he says how wonderful it would be to be in heaven with us. He even kisses the Book of Mormon! I love Stephen very much, he will be Baptised soon.

Everyone else is doing well, Toma needs our prayers right now, things are tough for him. He will get there and be Baptised, but it might take a bit of time now. That's all that matters in the end, is that he can return to God's presence. The way might be tough, but he will get there. This week we're working on bringing more members to our lessons, as you pray for this to happen I know that our investigators, and members as well, will all be blessed.

The Gospel is true. I have felt the power of the Atonement in my life as I have repented of my sins. I think that sometimes we don't rely on Christ enough, we forget the importance of His part of us getting back to Heavenly Father. I testify to you that there is no other way to get to heaven but through Jesus Christ. We need to remember Him every single day of our lives as we strive to repent. Stive means we will struggle sometimes. That doesn't matter to Him because He loves us so much He just wants all we can give plus our trust that He will make up the difference. The more we repent of our sins the happier we'll be. And the more we'll fulfull our purpose in life. God loves us so much. I testify that true and lasting happiness is only found in His presence. We can get there by repenting. So let us repent of all our sins.

Well, I love you all so much. My time is short and my heart is full. Have a great week and know that you're in my prayers. Keep up the amazing work. I couldn't do this without you. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Thanksgiving and a baptism

Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 6:40 AM
Subject: Hiya!

Hiya Everyone!

It sounds like thanksgiving was great! Ours was great, and it feels like we've had another thanksgiving this morning! We've been at the chapel for 4 hours, a member, Brother Kenny, and his son who served in France made us, all 6 Liverpool Missionaries, breakfast this morning! It was amazing, it was a proper English breakfast. Fried eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, crumpets, fried bread, and even pancakes (crepes in America). It was fantastic! And afterwards we all played floor hockey! It was a lot of fun and we're all exhausted now. We're also going to be making a proper thanksgiving dinner this afternoon, I'll get pictures and it'll be great!

On the actual thanksgiving day we had a mission sports day. It was a lot of fun, we played football, basketball, American Football, and even some volleyball! In American football President Bullock played quarterback and it was different to see him in sports clothes. I intercepted one of his passes and even got him down a couple times. We only played touch though. I can't even tell you how much fun it was. This mission is amazing and I love the people I work with. Oh and it's great to hear that BYU won, although it's no surprise!

Now on to the even better stuff. Ian Farley is now a member of the Church! His Baptism was amazing. The spirit was strong and event though not many came, those who were there were all close to Ian. Ian is a great man of faith and spirit. He always says that he cannot question the teachings of the Gospel. He's amazing, and he even taught with us a bit on Sunday night and did fantastic. I'm excited for the blessings he will get in the future. He's even got a new place to live and possibly a job lined up! The Lord is really blessing him right now. Oh and I got to play the piano and sing at the Baptism again. The Lord is using my talents.

Church yesterday was great, especially seeing and taking part in Ian's confirmation. The spirit is always strong when that happens. The only sad part is that we only had one investigator at Sacrament Meeting! It was Zuzeyo and he really enjoyed it, but this week we really need to work harder to get our investigators at Church! Please pray for each of our investigators to come to Church this week!

Toma and his family are doing well. A member of the ward is meeting with him to help him out with housing and some things and things should get better for them. We haven't been able to teach Toma with an interpreter since we all fasted together, so we're not sure about his answer to his prayers. He still needs our prayers and faith though. He is such an amazing man of great faith, he always amazes me when we go to see him.

Also this week we were able to teach 8 new investigators! I'll just tell you about a few of them for time sake. We taught a Family this week who I don't really have the surname for, but they are african and they are great. They all really enjoyed hearing about the First Vision, and they felt the spirit very well. Moses is one of the children in the family, he's about 20 and we originally set up the appointment with him. He actually stopped another Missionary and asked about the Church. They're good. We're excited to see them progress.

I was also able to have a great district meeting on the Christ-like attributes this week. I've learned a lot about myself while striving to become more like Christ. With knowledge this week I gained a lot more knowledge about myself personally, but also about how we can get more knowledge. I'd had some impressions that I'd forgotten to write down, and one night I decided to write them all down. As I wrote inspiration came and I felt amazing. I was taught spiritual knowledge by the Holy Ghost because I had the faith to write it down in a sacred place. It was as if I was hearing a General Conference talk and taking notes. It was evidence to me that the spirit is always willing to teach us, we just need to show that we will listen and act on the knowledge we gain by writing things down. Because of this I have been blessed with greater knowledge and a greater relationship with the spirit. That feeling is very real, and as I've served the Lord I've become better at recognizing the spirit. It really is vital to all we do in the work of the Lord, and it will strengthen our relatioship with Him. I know that's true because I've experienced it. The Gospel is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, he was right. I testify that God loves each of us and we are His children. Gaining this knowledge of the Spirit has changed my life for the better, and it continues to do so every single day. We are so blessed. Let's share these blessings with others.

Well, I love you all. Time is going so fast and before I know it I'll be back there in Provo with all of you. Keep up the amazing work and please pray for us to have our investigators at Sacrament meeting this week. They need to feel the spirit that's there. You are all in my prayers. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Happy Thanksgiving!

Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 4:09 AM
Subject: Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello!

How is everyone this week? Sounds like it's a bit cold there. We're surprisingly warm here. Maybe it's just because we're teaching so much. Liverpool is windy like the Isle of Man though, it's great. I love it here more and more everyday. Maybe I'll never leave!

Well, we've had a great week. We've been so busy. Zone Conference was on Thursday and we had a Scripture Chase! It was a lot of fun. I was in the top 10 in the whole mission. I came in 5th place in my zone conference, which had 4 zones in it. It was a lot of fun. I'm sure thankful that I went to Seminary so faithfully, otherwise there's no way I would have remembered all those scriptures! I love the scriptures.

Here's a crazy story. So Liverpool is full of pigeons. I love to see them on the streets and everywhere and everyone thinks I'm crazy for it. Well, the other day we were in town centre and there was a really low flying pigeon and I decided to reach up my hand and grab at it. I didn't catch it, but I did touch it's wings as it was flying! It felt really cool.

We were also on exchanges this week with Elders Rawlings and Gardner and it was great. Elder Rawlings and I met a woman who had recently lost someone close to her and had been praying about families being together forever! I don't think she recognized what a miracle it was that we met her, but she did give us her address and they will go and see her soon! We found a lot of prepared people and it was a lot of fun.

Church yesterday was great! Toma and his son Ioseph (Joseph with an I) and Ian and Zuzeyo all came! We're hoping for more next week, but this week was great. Toma was a bit late, but it really made my day to see him walk in and I got to go and sit by him in Elders Quorum. He is a great man.

Elder Burnett is doing well with his new companion Elder Diatel by the way. Last week they found 7 or 9 new investigators, I forgot just how many. It sounds like things in Rochdale are still going well. It's the same for Shrewsbury and the Isle of Man. The whole mission is just on fire right now!

Ian is scheduled for Baptism this weekend and is doing great. He's always so friendly and excited to learn and never questions the Gospel. Pray for everything to go well for him, especially as he is looking to move soon.

Zeke is also doing very well. He had an interview with President Bullock last week and he's experiencing the power of the Atonement. Hopefully we'll be able to give him a new Baptismal date soon. Pray for him. I love Zeke.

Toma and his family are doing pretty well, but they still struggle in some things. Not in the Gospel. Just in life. They are amazing at living the Gospel. On Wednesday we're having a fast for their family situation to improve. Miracles are on the way for them!

Linda and Stephen are both overcoming some things so pray for that to go well! We have so many amazing people here to teach, I love it!

Well, this week we've been working on virtue. I love virtue. I applied charity to it and miracles happened. As I thought about others needs more than my own and remembered that I am a son of God, my confidence increased and I was happier and less discouraged and it was amazing. Nobody's perfect in any of the attributes of Christ, but I feel that in the past few weeks I've improved. And really that's the whole purpose of our lives. To prepare to meet God by having the faith in Jesus Christ to repent of our sins and be Baptized or partake of the Sacrament to receive the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end in doing this all. I love the Gospel. I know that it's true and it's restored in all it's wonderful simplicity. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. What Elder Holland said about it is true. If we will hold to the iron rod and study in that sacred record every day then we will make it back to the presence of God and even feel His infinite love for us here in this life. I know this because I've experienced it in my own life. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. The Plan of Salvation is real. Partaking the Sacrament is the most important part of the week. I know that prayer works and changes things. So keep up the amazing work. It's worth it to live the Gospel, even if it's hard!

Well, I love you all. Again, I can't thank you enough for all you do for me. I would never be here if it weren't for you. You're the answers to a lot of my prayers. Have a great week and keep the letters and prayers and everything coming. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

There beneath the blue suburban skies

Date: Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 4:16 AM
Subject: Settling In...

Hello!

How's everyone's week been? Sounds like it's been cold... it's been almost opposite over here! It's been kind of warmer. Warmer than it should be for November at least. I think it might be some of those sea breezes we got on the Isle of Man. It sure is windy here though, that's for sure!

Well, thank you for all your prayers for my driving to go well. I am now licensed to drive in the United Kingdom!! I passed my test! It went really well and it was a lot easier than I thought, although a lot harder than the test in the states. No more bad Utah driving for me! Just kidding. It did go really well though, I felt the influence of the Spirit keeping me calm and reminding me of everything I needed to do. It took nearly the whole day though, traveling up on the train and taking the test and driving back... it was pretty crazy but a lot of fun. I love driving!

Who thinks they know how the Beatles sounded when they talked? Proper British? American? Something else? It's probably as far from normal as you can get. It's called Scouse and it's the accent that everyone here has. It's crazy. They talk really really fast most of the time, and it's just... different. I can't really describe it but I'll let you hear some of it next year or maybe even on the phone! I love it here.

Oh and by the way, our ringtone on our phone is "If You Could Hie to Kolob."

We've had a great week full of miracles and I can't even write the hundredth part of what's happened. I wish you all could be here to experience this. It's so amazing. We were able to teach 4 new investigators this week, a couple of which were taught when we were on exchanges with our zone leaders. So I don't know those two. But the other two are great. One is a young girl whos name I cannot remember because they are from Eitrea. Her mum was taught previously and this time this girl sat in on the lesson. It went really well, they are such a kind family and you will hear more of them in the future. Oh and she already has the Scouse accent after being here only 3 years!

We taught another one yesterday named Golda. We took a member with us named Brother Romero from Ecuador who served his mission in Ecuador. It turned out that Golda was from Ecuador! We were able to teach some in English and Brother Romero taught very well in Spanish and it was amazing. She is also a very kind woman who you will hear more about in the future.

Toma and his family are doing well except that they weren't able to come to Church yesterday! We missed them there. We went to go travel with them on the bus and they had to take care of some urgent business. They really need our prayers. Oh and this past week we were able to take a Romanian speaker with us to teach them and it went really well. The Lord has blessed us very much with so many amazing people to teach!

Ian Farley is doing very well, he just seems to be on a spiritual high every time we see him. He always comes out of Church feeling great and just keeps progressing towards Baptism! His Baptism will now be on the 27th of November, so pray for him to be ready for it. He will be though, I have no doubt about that.

We're also working with a man named Zuzeyo who is being kicked out of his home soon. Pray for his situation to improve or that he will learn what the Lord wants him to. He is an amazing man from Zimbabwe. He's proper gangster, but he's made a lot of changes in his life recently and continues to do so. I just love all these people so much!

The district here is doing well. The other day a couple of the Elders were street contacting and spoke with an angry atheist. The next night they were tracting and ended up on his street and without knowing it knocked on his door! They spoke with his wife first but then he came to the door. He was a bit antagonistic at first, but eventually calmed down and in the end they set up an appointment with him! I'm very impressed with the Missionaries of this district, I've got a lot of blessings all around me!

Oh and the members here are great! They are always willing to have our investigators over for tea. On Saturday we were at one family called the Bogues in which both parents served in Finland! Sister Bogue made a great meal and then for dessert we had Finnish rice pudding! Except they didn't make it with salt Dad, I was thankful for that. We got to talk about things in Finland and it was great. Plus they got on really well with Ian, who came with us for tea, and we had a great lesson afterward. It was amazing. That's just the tip of the iceberg on the members. I told you I cannot write the hundredth part!

Well, working on Charity last week went well. I love Charity. Haha. I've learned a lot and I really think and feel that Charity has been a theme of my mission. I worked harder and harder to love people for who they are and sacrifice of myself for their salvation. That's when we receive God's highest blessings. I think about the people I admire the most in life and I can see that the common theme between all of them is Charity. I believe that's because that's the most Christ-like thing we can become, which is why the Scriptures teach us that Charity is the greatest and it never fails. That's really true. It really doesn't fail. Life is just so much better when we are motivated by Charity. Charity means that we look outside ourselves and see the problems of others and make resolving those problems a bigger priority than solving our own problems. When we do this we are happier. We are more like Jesus Christ, and we are closer to God. I also think that having Charity includes knowing that Jesus Christ loves us, and trusting that His love never fails. In this way Charity is linked with hope. It's also linked with faith because as we read in Preach My Gospel, "Charity, like Faith, leads to action." True love for those around us will lead us to act in their behalf. I testify that this is true.

The Gospel has been restored. Joseph Smith is a true Prophet of God. Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet of God. Heavenly Father loves you. Yes you, reading this right now, whoever it may be. I know that. Jesus Christ knows you. He can help you as you endure to the end in having the faith to repent of your sins and partake of the Sacrament each week to receive the Holy Ghost. This will bring us true and lasting happiness in this life and ultimate happiness in the life to come. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It's the keystone of our religion and the keystone of testimony. If we want testimony, we need to read the Book of Mormon. In it is the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (D+C 20:8-9). We will have the spirit more, want to be more obedient, and have a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ as we study in this sacred record. I testify that this is true and I know it because the Holy Ghost has witnessed to my heart that it is true and I have experienced it for myself! Prayer changes things.

Well, I love you all. I can't thank you enough for all you do. I know I say it every week, but I just can't say it enough. I couldn't do any of this if it weren't for you. You are answers to a lot of my prayers. Keep up the amazing work. Keep living the Gospel so we can all live in the Celestial Kingdom together. Life is good. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Penny Lane

Date: Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 4:33 AM
Subject: I Love Liverpool!

Hiya Everyone!

How's your week been? How's the weather? How's school and work and family and friends and everything? Tell me all!

I love it here in Liverpool. Everything here just points me towards Charity, which is the Christ-like attribute for the week. We really would be nothing without Charity. Anyway, I love the people here so much. People on the streets, the members, investigators, Missionaries, Elder Cowley, everyone! I think I owe a lot of it to the Lord number one, and Elder Cowley. He is one of the most loving people I've ever met. He's so good! He's raising my bar and I love working with him so much. I'm going to learn a lot from him in the next 6 weeks.

The city is a lot different than you'd think. It's dirty. And run-down in some areas. But that's why we have the Gospel and we take it in there and the Savior changes people who change themselves and get themselves out of the slums. That's the story of a few of the members here. They are such amazing people. Anyway, the buildings in the town aren't as big as I would have thought, but they are big. There is a massive Church of England Cathedral in town, as well as a building that looks similar to the Salt Lake Temple. But I still don't know much about town because we are hardly ever there. This city is massive. Absolutely massive. and I love it. We usually only stay in a small area because we have so many people to teach in this area. It's great. Oh and I'll be getting some pictures on Penny Lane for everyone!

The people are absolutely amazing. I love them so much. My MTC teacher, Brother Murphy, is in the ward and I had a great talk with him yesterday. The time has just flown since then. Also, there are a few Americans, one named Brother Bogue, served his mission in Finland! I had a nice talk wih him as well. I already knew some of the people here because we came here for exchanges when I was on the Isle of Man, so it wasn't too bad in Church yesterday, people were saying "I know your face from somewhere." It was great. I'll tell you more names in the future.

Our investigators are incredible. Toma is the most amazing Romanian man I've ever met. He and his family all came to Church yesterday. The other day we were there and the kids were all giving us high 5's and it was great. They have 5 or 6 kids by the way, 3 of which we can Baptize. I love those kids already, they are so happy and have so much fun. They are also a very poor family, which is just evidence that you don't have to have money to be happy. Elder Cowley and I taught Toma and his wife, Michelle in church yesterday and it was great. We sang hymns and they sang from the Romanian hymn book that previous Elders gave them and it was incredible. Toma is scheduled to be Baptized on the 28th of November and then we're hoping he can Baptize his family. Please pray for him to be ready for his Baptism! Miracles are on the way!

We're also teaching a man named Ian Farley who will be Baptized on Friday. He is great. He loves golf and physical training and football and we get on well. We've already had tea with him in members homes a couple times since I've been here and he is great friends with the members. He will do great in this ward. Pray for all to go well in preparation for his Baptism this week!

There are also a few more who I haven't been able to meet or I've only met once. I'll tell you more about them in the future. Oh wait! I almost forgot about Zuzeyo! Zuzeyo is our Zimbabwean brother. I love him. The other day he made us African food and it was fantastic. Wow it was good. Zuzeyo is great, he's made a lot of changes in his life and is also preparing for Baptism. I already love him as well. Pray for him also.

Yesterday was probably another of the best days of my mission. Toma and his family came to church and also Ian and then after Church we were able to go to a members home for Tea. On the way there we were running late and we had to catch a couple of buses and we rang our Zone Leaders (Elder Newson and Elder Stacey) who "just so happened" to be just around the corner. Well, the gave us a lift to our appointment and we had the greatest roast dinner from the Parry's. I love them already. The Gospel has changed their lives. Anyway, we had a recent convert named Wayne, Ian, and a somewhat less-active brother named Josh there, it was amazing! It went really well and after that we had a great night street contacting. We felt that we needed to try by a potential investigator that we missed an appointment with recently, and he was in and we were able to teach him! His name is Ronnie and he can use your prayers as well. There are so many people here to teach, it's crazy and I love it!

The study of hope last week was amazing. I learned that hope is synonymous to confidence and that discouragement is opposed to confidence. There was one day last week that I struggled to share the Gospel with people on buses (yep, we speak with people on the buses about the Gospel). I asked Elder Newson (one of our Zone Leaders) for some help and he gave me some advice that filled me with hope as I prayed about it. Now my hope and confidence is stronger and I plan to always speak with people on buses! The Gospel really does change people. It's changed me so much. I also grew in my Charity from this experience, which was a nice lead off into that attribute for this week. I'm excited for this one, it will be great. The Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true. It will help us. We need to be using it as much as we can. The Lord has so much more to give to us if we will use that sacred record more. Jesus is the Christ and is the Son of God. We cannot get anywhere good in life without Him. Through Him we can obtain every good thing, and eventually the best gift, the gift of Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom. That is my hope for all of you. So endure to the end in faith, repentance, the Sacrament, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you so much and thank you so much for everything you do for me and for the people here. Blessings should just be flowing all over the place over there. I hope so. Write to me about it. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Where in the world is our Elder Rowley?

Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 4:11 AM
Subject: Guess Where?

Hello Everyone!

How are you all this week? How's the weather? Any snow yet? I heard that there might be. We had a really warm October and from the first day of November it's been colder but not too bad yet. It'll get there though!

Well, as you can guess, I've been transferred. Can anybody guess where I am? I wish we could play that game. We did when we visited some of the ward members before I left Rochdale. Anyway, I'm currently in... LIVERPOOL!! How exciting is that? I was jumping in the air when I found out, I was so excited. This area is absolutely on fire right now!

The very best part of serving here is that we have 9 souls scheduled for Baptism in the upcoming weeks! How exciting is that? I feel so blessed to be here and I wonder what I ever did to merit this. But it's in the Lord's will, I've confirmed it in Prayer. Anyway, most of the 9 come from an amazing Romanian family, the fathers name of which is Toma. I'm still learning names and everything. I got to meet them last night and they are so amazing, I love them already! Their home is such a humble and sacred environment already. I'm excited to teach them today. Some of the others are called Linda, Steven, Zuzeyo, and Ian. I haven't met all of them yet, but I'll let you know all about them when I do meet them! I love it here already.

I'm also blessed to be serving with the amazing Elder Cowley. How cool is that, Rowley and Cowley. My names going to have to start rhyming with Cowley now. Anyway, I love Elder Cowley already. I can see him serving as an assistant to President Bullock one day. He is very humble and confident and prayerful and loving as well. I've learned so much from him and I'll let you know more about him in the future. Oh and he's from Sandy.

My last few days in Rochdale were great. We were able to go round visiting members and investigators and it was wonderful. I really love the people there and it will always have a place in my heart. I'm excited for a new area though, change is a good thing. Also, a couple days before I left Rochdale, Elder Burnett and I taught 8 lessons in one day! It was a lot of fun and we got some great work done. 5 of those were with less-actives, 4 of which struggle with smoking. It was a great day and we felt great when we got in that night. Working hard is the best.

Oh and another sad part of transfers is that I am now a Missionary orphan. Elder Ayers has gone home. He's on the plane right now. I'm expecting to hear from him soon though, he told me he would write me soon. We also saw a lot of really great Missionaries go home this transfer, it's sad to see them go.

The study of faith last week went well for me. I was able to realize more and more just how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one. We don't really have faith unless there is repentence, Baptism (or the Sacrament) and receiving the Holy Ghost. I love the principle of faith and I know that as we increase our faith we will become more sanctified, more like our Father in Heaven. I know that that process of becoming sanctified, or sacred as we often speak of in our mission, is possible because of Jesus Christ. A really great experience I had this past week was while we were teaching Carmen. We were teaching about the Restoration and talking about Jesus Christ and the Atonement and she started to ask some great questions about the Atonement. One of them was along the lines of:

"Why did Jesus Christ have to suffer and die?"

another was like this:

"So what happened because Jesus Christ died for us?"

I was really amazed that she asked these questions, but I was even more amazed at the answer that was given. Elder Burnett and I were able to teach her about the laws of mercy and justice and also about spiritual and physical death, it was amazing. I had forgotten I knew that much about the Atonement, and I realized that I was able to have that miracle because I first had faith. It really all started when I decided to come on a mission. That was something I couldn't see for myself, but I trusted that it was there and that it was true, that a Mission was good and it was what the Lord wanted me to do. That faith then led me to repent and align my will with my Father in Heaven's even more, which led to me feeling the Holy Ghost from partaking of the Sacrament and renewing those covenants, and now I'm here and I'm more sanctified because of it. I testify that missions turn people sacred. I testify that as we have faith in even seemingly minimal decisions that the end results will be for far more good than we ever thought possible. It's true that minor decisions can make us far off the path, but it's also true that minor decisions can keep us on the path and propel us forward. I've learned a lot this week. I testify that this is all true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, I don't care what anyone else says about it. Nobody will ever be able to really discredit that book. Because that is true then every single piece of the Restored Gospel is true. I testify of all of this. And I testify that Jesus Christ made it all possible because of His Atoning sacrifice. This is the most important thing in the world.

Well, that's about it for this week. I hope you have a great week and I'll let you know more about the wonderful people here when I write on Monday. I love you all. There's no chance in life that I could ever have done this without you. You are have been the answers to many of my prayers. Thank you for that and for everything you do for me. The people here are blessed for what you do. Keep up the amazing work. Invite others to Christ and let me know how it goes. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

PS- Anybody want anything from Liverpool? I'm not sure how long I'll be here... I could be gone pretty quick!

Swine flu!

Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 5:09 AM
Subject:

Hello Everyone!

How's the week been? Is everyone staying well? How's the weather? I hope our football teams do better this week! Even the Rochdale football or rugby team lost this past weekend! Some of the ward members were a bit disappointed. It's just sports though, doesn't really effect our salvation so no worries there!

Anyway, I suppose that the biggest news from Rochdale this week is that Elder Burnett came down with Swine Flu. He's alright today but you can pray that nobody else will get sick. He and Elder Nielsons companion, Elder Brown, have been stuck in the flat for the past 4 days. It's been pretty crazy. Elder Nielson and I have been doing well though and it ended up to be a great week last week!

On Tuesday I was actually on exchanges with Elder Nielson anyway because I had planned to be earlier in the transfer. We had some great experiences. There was a less-active family that Elder Nielson mentioned we could go by and I felt that we should. Just as we arrived at their place they pulled up in the car! It was great, we were able to go in and teach. It was especially good because they hadn't been able to teach them before our visit that day! This is a day of miracles.

Also on Tuesday I was able to interview another woman for Baptism and it was amazing. Those are always very spiritual experiences. Anyway, on Saturday we got to go to her Baptism and Carmen came as well! It was great, I even got to play the piano for it because they were short on piano players! These skills just keep paying off. I even played for Sacrament meeting again yesterday! It's been fun.

After the Baptism on Saturday we experienced a great miracle. Someone made us a cake and it was kind of awkward so I was thinking we would have to go back to the flat to leave it there then go out again. Well, I felt that I should just stick it in my backpack (it was in a tin so that was okay) so I did. We were blessed with a new family to teach that night because I did that. We were referred to a man named JJ and he has a wife named Cecilia. We're exicted for them and we're seeing them again tonight! "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." It's true.

Everything else is going well. Our investigators are doing great, we were able to have 3 or 4 at Sacrament meeting yesterday! Carmen came, as well as a couple of former investigators who we will probably start teaching again soon, and Adele came as well, although she was late. Anyway, it's been a great week for all of them and we're excited to help them progress towards Baptism.

The Church is true! Last night we had a very sacred experience inviting an investigator in a part-member family to be Baptised. The spirit was very strong and he said that he would think about it really hard. He's an amazing man with an amazing family and they have really changed my life. I'll tell you more about this one in the future.

Well, this morning I learned about faith in Jesus Christ. Faith leads to action which leads to miracles which leads to greater faith which again leads to action! Our actions are evidence of our faith. What we do is founded upon what we believe in. I also learned that faith is a principle of power. Look up the definition of power in the dictionary, it's very interesting how it connects with the Priesthood. I testify that by our faith to be obedient to the principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we will be able to have the Holy Ghost with us and our Families will be able to be together forever in God's presence as we endure to the end in that. The Gospel has been restored. Joseph Smith was right. He was telling the truth. The Book of Mormon is true and that's how I gained my initial faith. Reading and Praying about the Book of Mormon are critical for an enduring conversion. I testify of Jesus Christ, that He knows and loves each and every one of us. He can help us. I know these things are true because I have experienced them.

Well, thank you for all that you do and are. You are truely the salt of the earth. I couldn't do this without you! Thanks for all the prayers and love and support and letters and everything. Keep up the amazing work. I love you more that I can say and I know that the Savior loves you even more than that. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Share the gospel!

Date: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 3:17 AM
Subject: Another Week Come and Gone...

Hiya Everyone!

How's your week been? Ours has been good and fast. Yesterday at Sacrament meeting we had Carmen come and then a couple more that we weren't even expecting! They were former investigators, one of which we are seeing this evening! It's exciting.

Last night we had what was probably one of the best PEC meetings I've been to on my mission. I love PEC. I learn so much from the ward leaders! Last week we fasted that the member work here would pick up as we made increased efforts and it sure has. The meeting went very well, we're having different members coming teaching with us and offering their help. The Young Men's leader even wants to feed our whole zone for Thanksgiving! I'm very blessed to be serving in this ward at this time! Our Bishop is feeling poorly right now, so your prayers for him will be much appreciated.

On Friday we were on exchanges with the Middleton Elders again, I got to work with Elder Rosenberg (the Finnish Elder!) again. I think we've been on 3 or 4 exchanges now! I'm learning a lot from him. Anyway, we had a great day that day. We got to do service for Paul Collis, an amazing ward missionary. We also taught the Wilsons and Elder Rosenberg was impressed with the most amazing football analogy for Enduring to the End. It was along the lines of: when you get the football in the game it's like being Baptised, and you have to keep the ball going and "endure" all the way to the goal. Harry loved it and I think his understanding is increasing. Their family can use your prayers as well.

At interviews this past week we were trained on how to be better at planning as well as how to be better at working with the ward members. Elder Burnett and I applied this with a couple in the ward we've been working with and it was amazing, we're seeing miracles from applying our learning. I testify that the greatest things we can do with the things that we learn is to apply them and to share them.

We also went on exchanges with our zone leaders this week and it was great. I got to work with Elder Weidmann and it was a great day. We committed two people to a Baptismal date and helped another one feel the spirit so much that she cried. It was a wonderful day.

I also saw a miracle this week with the Priesthood. A blessing was given to a sick Elder and in the blessing a promise was given that he would return to full strength as he served to his full capacity that night. The sick Elder didn't do too well for the first part of the evening, but in one moment he felt to sprint after a man to share the Gospel with him and immediately his health returned and he was well the rest of the week. I testify that this is a day of miracles and that the power of the Priesthood is real!

Well, I know that the Church is true. My testimony is growing every day. I can testify that the times we grow the most are the low points of our lives. A mission sure has a lot of low points. Daily, weekly, and monthly. It's crazy but I love it. I love the changes that I am experiencing because of our Savior Jesus Christ. I testify that He is alive. I testify that He lives for you and me and everyone we will ever meet. His Gospel will bring us the most peace and happiness in this life and in the life to come. As we have the faith to repent of our sins and partake of the Sacrament each week I testify that the Holy Ghost will be present in our lives. He comes every time we repent. Life is as simple as that. And we do this primarily so we can follow the example of our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ in serving others. Remember that this week. Keep repenting and serving. This is the purpose of our lives and it will bring us happiness and prepare us to live with God! I can testify of this because I am experiencing it in my life. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it is the keystone of all that I testify of. We need to use this sacred record more. I know that the Savior wants us to for that's what He told some of His Apostles and Prophets to speak about in General Conference. I testify that the Gospel is true and it has been restored!

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful week. This work is amazing. Do it when you can. Share the Gospel on the internet. Our most progressing investigator right now is being taught because a friend shared the Gospel with her on the internet. It works. I testify of it. I love you all and I hope you know that. Don't forget about the blessings you are bringing the people of England through me. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rowley

he's alive!

sorry--i know i'm a bit behind. but here's a little photo to tide you over till the next installment.

Miracle after miracle

Date: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:08 AM
Subject: Hiya!

Hiya Everyone!

It's been a great week and I hope to hear how yours went as well! Right now the sun is shining and we're all looking forward to playing some football this afternoon with the zone! Being a Missionary is so much fun. Speaking of which, driving is going well, hopefully I've got a practical test booked, I'll find out tomorrow. Please pray that it will be before the 4th of November! That's transfer day and I'm thinking I might not be here another transfer. We'll see.

We had zone conference on Thursday with Elder Kerr of the Seventy from Scotland. He's quite the character and I love him. We all learned a lot from him, he was following up on Elder Bednar's visit. We're learning from Apostles and Prophets and from the Savior how to teach people to learn for themselves, instead of just shoving information down their throats. It's amazing. The other night we were in a lesson with the Chiza's and we were working on asking better questions to help them to learn for themselves. At the end of the lesson Mary Chiza said that we asked really good questions! I felt that they just learned better all around. These skills are great and they are really working! The Church is true!

Yesterday was a great Sabbath, but Elder Brown and Elder Burnett were sick! Elder Neilson and I had to go on splits to cover both wards for Church and it was a lot of fun. We have a member named Paul Collis who comes teaching with us a lot and he was my companion for Church, it was great. I learned a lot at church and Florence and Carmen both came! It was a great Sunday even if it was a bit hectic!

Also, speaking of Carmen, she's scheduled to be Baptised on the 30th of October! We're seeing her again tonight and giving her a schedule of everything that will happen between now and her Baptism and it's very exciting to see her progress! Keep praying for everything will work out for her to be Baptised on that date! I know that miracles are on the way because my faith has been strengthened at the many many recent miracles we've seen. We were praying for someone we could Baptise this transfer and here we've got Carmen!

Another miracle we saw recently was one evening we had accidentally booked 2 appointments for the same time, and no fellowshipper! Paul Collis was going to come, but he had to babysit. Something inside me told me that everything would be alright though, and sure enough, when we stepped off a bus to walk to one of the appointments, Paul rang and said that he wasn't babysitting anymore! It was a miracle and a half, we were able to teach both lessons and have a great evening!

One of those lessons was with Simon, Stephanie, Florence, and Deborah, they are a part-member family (Florence isn't a member yet and Deborah is younger than 8) and they are amazing. We sang to them and we've been doing that for them for the past few lessons. Singing invites the spirit. That is true. I love it. And all of them came to Church yesterday because of it!

Another miracle we saw this week after zone conference happened when we were able to teach a new investigator named Phil. I love people named Phil, they're great. Anyway, we weren't sure if we should go out to this area where he lived because we didn't get back from Zone Conference until nearly 7:30 and didn't have much time to proselyte. The spirit told us to go though and we did and were able to teach him! Plus his fiancee, Roxanne is a less-active member! The crazy thing is that about 2 weeks ago we taught Roxanne's brother, Christian, and a couple days ago we taught him again! Coincidence? I don't think so. The Church is true and God lives and this is a day of miracles!

We also started teaching a man named Tim this week who is great. He learns a lot and identifies with the people in the Sciptures and wants to improve his life. The Gospel is going to bless him so much. We're teaching him again this evening and giving him a Baptismal Date to work towards! Pray for everything to go as the Lord wants!

As you can tell, we're just seeing miracle after miracle here in Rochdale! I love this work and I know it's true. Thank you for all of your Prayers in our behalf, it really does change things so much. I've really seen things pick up here in the last few weeks as our Prayers and efforts have improved. I know that Prayer plus the faith to work equals miracles. I've seen that here and I know that we can all see it in every aspect of our lives. Pray more often and more fervently and your life will improve. I testify of that. Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Heavenly Father lives and loves each of us. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is real and is the greatest gift we have here in life. I've learned more and more to appreciate this gift as I should. And even now I know that I don't appreciate it enough. The Holy Ghost connects us to our Father in Heaven, without it we die spiritually. That's why we get it more and more the more we repent and put aside our sins, or spiritual death. The Gospel makes so much sense which to me is just another evidence that it is true. I know this not because of physical evidence, but rather because the Holy Ghost has told me that the Book of Mormon is true as I have had the faith to read, ponder, and pray about it. I testify that we can all do this again and again and it will improve all our lives every time. I attribute the goodness of my life to my relationship to my Savior Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith as well as Thomas S. Monson. The Church is true!

Well, I love you all very much. I can't thank you enough for the prayers and love and support and letters. Please keep them coming, I'm praying for you. I couldn't do this without you, and never forget that the people of England are blessed for what you have done for me. Have a great week and let me know what more I can do for you! I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

The Church is true!

Date: Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 4:34 AM
Subject: The Church is True!

Hello Everyone!

How are you all this week? It sounds like things are a bit wet and cold there! Welcome to the amazing British weather! Today it's sunny, colder, and semi-cloudy. And right now I'm listening to the conference session we missed. We just figured out that we can listen to it on out computers and I'm very excited!

General Conference was great by the way. The spirit was very strong, I hope you felt that. Now it's our job to go out and live the principles we've learned. Yesterday we had the Priesthood session at 10, the Saturday afternoon session at 1 and the Sunday morning session at 3. On Saturday night we saw the Saturday morning session live at 5:00. I was looking at my watch and thinking about all of you. In the evening when we were preparing for bed I was looking at the clock and asking everyone else in the flat: "who do you think is speaking right now?". I love conference. I know that the Savior knows us. I hope we can all recognize His words and will given to us through His living Apostles and Prophets. The church is true.

Last week was amazing. We had a great district meeting on Tuesday, the elders and sisters I asked to teach did amazingly well. The spirit was very very strong. I love serving this district, they are amazing people and I learn so much from them every day.

The same day we got to go on exchanges with our Assistants to President Bullock, Elder Burnett went with my "father" (as we say in the mission) Elder Ayers, and I got to go with Elder Wilson. It was amazing and I learned a lot. Elder Wilson and I shared the Gospel with people on buses all afternoon long. We did it so much that they kicked us off the buses! One driver pulled us off the bus and told us to not talk with people or we would be kicked off so we stayed off his bus. We got on another bus and when we were on our way off they told us that we couldn't get on any more buses that day! Well, to make a long story short, we did. Nothing will stop the Lord's work. I love Missionary work.

On Friday I also got to exchange with an Elder Knight from London. He's one of the few that I met on facebook before we all came into the mission! It was a lot of fun and we had some great experiences. We got to give a blessing and teach and even meet with the Bishop! It was great because all the Middleton Missionaries were there and I was able to get to know the area and their investigators better as we discussed. The Lord is helping me to fulfill my responsibilities as a District Leader. I have a testimony that who the Lord calls, He qualifies!

Our investigators are doing well and this past week we even had a few more! One of them isn't very committed, but I'll tell you about her in the future if she progresses. Another is Adele's son, Brad. He's a typical teenager, he even reminds me a bit of myself at one point, but he's good. We'll be seeing them again soon. The last was a miracle. Last Monday we got a referral from the Mission Office and we looked on it and it said that it came from BYU. The name was Carmen Whelan, if you know anyone who knows her then you can let them know that we've started teaching her. Here's what happened:

Elder Burnett and Elder Rosenberg were tracting (when I was in Middleton with Elder Knight) the street that Carmen lived on. As they tracted and got near the end of the street a woman came up to them and asked if they could come to her house when they were done. Of course, they did right away, and found that it was Carmen's home and they taught her. From what I hear she is solid and we are teaching her again tonight. I testify that prayers are answered, for this was definitely an answer to a lot of prayers! We're seeing Carmen again this evening and we're very excited.

Well, the Church is true. As I listen to the Prophets and Apostles speak I feel the spirit shake my soul. I love the Savior and I really do know that He knows me. He spoke to me through His chosen servants and witnesses. I testify that they are true witnesses and representatives of Him. We must stay close to them if we are going to make it through these troubling times. They will help us come unto Christ as Apostles and Prophets of the past have. The Book of Mormon is true. Nothing will ever overthrow that sacred record. It is the word of God. My testimony of it has expanded more on my Mission than I ever thought possible. I hope and pray that we can all use the book more in our lives. I testify that it will bring us closer to God as we abide by it's precepts because I have experienced that for myself. I know that you will also. Our Father in Heaven lives and loves us. I know that this is true. Experience His love every day of your life. Seek Him in every way possible. His truths have been restored to the earth today. I hope that we never let anything get between us and our Father in Heaven. I know that if that were to happen, it would be our fault and not His. The miracle of repentance is possible. We can be forigven of our sins. Jesus Christ lived, died, and lives again so that we may do the same. The Gospel is true!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week. See miracles. Recognize the hand of the Lord. Apply what you learned from General Conference. Even listen to the talks again, put them on your ipods. It will be well worth the time and effort. I love you all. I couldn't be here without your love and support. I hope you're getting the blessings of my service because you deserve it. Thank you for the prayers and packages and support and love. The people here are blessed for what you do for me. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Sun and rain

Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:22 AM
Subject: Good Weekend

Hello!

Well, right now I can see the sun shining outside the window in the internet cafe and I can also see some dark clouds in the distance. Looks like rain! And I can hear the bells from the Catholic church just outside. England is amazing. The weather is getting a bit colder though. I woke up the other morning and thought it was Christmas. I was just excited though because it was warm inside and colder outside. The leaves are changing as well. I love being here!

Anyway, how is everyone this week? It's great to hear about BYU and school and sports and trips and everything. And especially mission calls. Every time I hear about one I just wish I could do a back flip I'm so happy. Missions are the best thing in the world for 19 year old young men! Keep me posted.

We had a good weekend, except that nobody was at Church on Sunday! It was really disappointing, but there's no use in crying over spilt milk... or investigators who didn't feel the spirit of a Sacrament meeting. We did have 3 come at other times in the meetings, they all missed the Sacrament though. Other than that Church was good though. This ward is amazing, they feel like family to me.

This week we had an amazing new investigator named Farah. She has Musilm ancestors from India, but she was born here in England. She's got a son and lives on her own and she is very prepared! She remembers praying with a friend a few years ago and she felt the spirit and now she wants to get more into it. We're seeing her tonight and we're excited to help her come to Sacrament meeting and accept a Baptismal date before next week! We're starting to find the souls that the Lord has prepared for us. I can see how these people are prepared to hear my testimony, it's amazing. We're still working and hoping and praying for solid new people to teach. Miracles are on the way!

On Saturday we got to help out with a Primary Activity and show the primary children what it's like to be a Missionary. It was a lot of fun, I love teaching people about being a Missionary. Hopefully I'll get to even teach at the MTC there in Provo! Maybe I can even see Zack before he leaves the MTC... probably only if he's learning Japanese though. How does that sound Zack?

President Bullock just let me know in an e-mail this morning that I now have the largest District in the Mission. What a responsibility. I need your prayers. A lot. Miracles are happening already though. The Elders in Middleton had 2 new investigators last night who they dated for Baptism for the 24th of October! And one of the two sets of sisters in Middleton is taking an investigator out teaching with them (also dated for Baptism) and she is doing amazingly well. They also had a new investigator this week who came to Sacrament meeting. He said that in the meeting he felt the same way that he did when they taught him about Joseph Smith! He recognizes the Spirit very well! It sounds like they'll be keeping me busy with Baptismal interviews this transfer! I'm excited. I'm hoping and praying for every single companionship in my District to Baptise this transfer. Your prayers will help us see miracles here! You have already helped me see so many miracles on my mission. I love it!

Please pray for us to have the spirit to be guided to Heavenly Father's prepared children this week. I'm very excited to meet, teach and Baptise these souls. There are so many amazing people in this world, and not enough time to help them all come unto Christ. I've realized recently that this is the best thing that we can do in life. Serve others by inviting them to come unto Christ. I know that He will heal everyone who comes unto Him by having faith in him, repenting, being Baptised, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. The Gospel is true and it has been restored. What a blessing!! The morning truly has broken and the shadows are fleeing. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is evidence of that. As we have the faith to read this book, I testify that we will gain even greater faith in Jesus Christ which will lead us to live the rest of the Gospel. I love that book, and because of that book I love my Savior more and I know that He loves me. If any of us may wonder about these things, all we need to do is read that book. Even if we may not understand, we must stick with it to the end and the blessings will come. I'm not the kind of Missionary that I am, nor could I ever be, without Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him through the Book of Mormon, Prayer, Church attendance, and His living Prophets. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and I testify that He loves you. He does. He really really does.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week. Keep working hard and seeing miracles. You've all changed already, I can tell. You are amazing sons and daughters of God who have been reserved to come to earth at this time for many important purposes in God's plan. Never forget that each one of us has a crucial part in our Father in Heaven's plan. Thank you for the support and the letters and the prayers, especially the prayers. They are answered and I can feel when someone is praying for me, it's amazing. This work is true. I love you all!

Love,

Elder Rowley

God lives and loves us all

Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Subject: Hello!

Hello Everyone!

Well, this morning we were on the way to the Temple and the car broke down! We were going with Harry's Family, the Wilsons, and the car started to... stutter I think I'd call it. It was strange. Anyway, we pulled into a petrol station and rang the AA (Car help people) and they got there in about 5 minutes! It was amazing. I know that it was because we prayed. Today has been a good P-day so far and we're still going to get to play some football with Harry a bit later!

Anyway, we've had a good week. Our investigators are amazing. The Chiza's came to Church on Sunday and really enjoyed it. And we had a great lesson with them the other day. I think they are slowly but surely getting closer and closer to Baptism. They just need a Baptismal date now.

Adele is also doing well, she came to Church on Sunday with her boyfriend, Slavak (he's Polish), and her son. It was great, Adele keeps understanding things better and better and is progressing towards Baptism very well. I'm excited for her to receive the blessings of the Atonement!

We're also working to find new investigators. Please pray for us to have solid new investigators in the next two weeks, as well as our whole district. We're even teaching a man tonight who I'm very excited about. Yesterday when we spoke with him I felt the spirit. It was amazing. The spirit is the best.

Also, on Thursday, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview 4 Baptismal candidates. Abbey, Mariam, T.J., and Sharele all passed and were Baptised last weekend in Middleton. The sisters there are working very hard and I'm glad to have them in my district. Baptismal interviews are a very special experience. I'll tell you more about that another time.

Oh and also at Church on Sunday we got to teach a combined Relief Society/Priesthood lesson about the Recent Convert lessons. It went quickly and it went well. Am I ever thankful for the Holy Ghost! That really is the most important part of teaching in the Gospel. Without it, there can be no real teaching or learning! We also got to sing in Sacrament meeting and that went well. Elder Burnett and I sing well together and there's one of the members who always tells us that we should make a CD when we return to the states. We'll see.

The other two Elders are still in the flat with us, and all 4 of us are staying here for another 6 weeks! We are going to see wonderful things serving here together. Oh and I found out also that my district is expanding again. We're getting two more sisters. Now we have Elders and Sisters from America, Finland, the U.K., Poland, and I'm not sure where else others may be from. We've got a very diverse mission! I'm excited to work with, serve, and learn from so many amazing Missionaries!

The driving is going well also. Yesterday I had another lesson and we did what's called the emergency stop. It's pretty fun but I need to be more firm on the brake. Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to book a practical test soon! Driving in England is amazing. I think the size of the roads and the side I will drive on in about a year is going to really make me feel weird. I like England. A lot.

Anyway, the Gospel is true! I continue to learn and grow so much from the Gospel. My study of the Character of Christ is going very well. I've been finding examples of His Character in the Scriptures, but last week we were blessed with an opportunity to see it in the life of a member. We were at the Church in the middle of a coordination meeting when one members phone rang. He picked it up and we could hear his wife screaming on the other end. His Mum passed away and his wife was taking it kind of hard. I noticed the Character of Christ in this member though. Instead of looking inward and thinking about how sad it would be for him to be without his mother, he looked outward and saw the suffering of his wife and worked to comfort her. He rushed out of the meeting to go comfort her without even shedding a tear or really showing any signs of selfishness. It was amazing. We were able to see him again last night and he is still doing well and staying strong in the Gospel, trusting in the Lord very much. I love the members here, they feel like Family to me. Anyway, I learned a lot from this experience. Never forget how powerful your example is, whether good or bad. The way the Lord comforts us isn't always by removing the trials we have, but rather by giving us someone to comfort and help who is experiencing the same trial that we are. And I know that we are happiest when we look outward in our trials and seek to help those who are experiencing the same difficulties that we are, even if they may seem lesser than our own. I testify, as a representative of the Savior, that all of this is because of Jesus Christ and His perfect, infinite, selfless Atonement. We would be nowhere and we will get nowhere in our lives without that great and last sacrifice. I testify that the way to come unto Christ is by reading in the Book of Mormon, Praying to God in the faith to act, and not just attending Church each week but rather becoming Saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this because I have experienced it. The Gospel is true. Prepare for General Conference. The Savior knows you personally. He knows His apostles and He can tell them what to speak to meet your needs. I testify that this is true again, because it is something that I have experienced in my life. God lives and loves us all.

Well, I'd better get going. I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you all so much, I never know where I would be without you. Keep up the amazing work. Exemplify our Savior Jesus Christ and you will be happy. I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

Sacred experiences

Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 4:49 AM
Subject: Sacred Experiences


Hello Family and Friends!

I'm a happy Elder today. Everything is going amazingly well, and it sounds like miracles are happening there as well! From what I read every week it sounds like you've all changed a lot since I saw you last, which makes me happy because I know you've changed for the better! I love the Gospel.

First of all, my driving is going well. I'm so happy to be able to drive. Only a couple more lessons and I should be able to take my test! Wish me the Spirit!

This week I've had a few experiences that are very sacred to me. For that reason I will be brief as I share them and some of you can expect to hear more about them in a little while.

The first I will share is that I had the opportunity to give the Holy Ghost to Harry Wilson. The Baptism was amazing. The spirit was burning. Elder Burnett and I got to speak and sing. Many people came. And Harry has now passed through the gate to the Celestial Kingdom!

Yesterday was the confirmation and I'll just say that the spirit was very strong. I love the Holy Ghost. It really is the most precious of our Heavenly Father's gifts to us here in this life. I testify that we must live by the Holy Ghost every day in order to be happy.

Another experience was at interviews and training. I learned a lot last week. The training was here in Rochdale and we learned from Elder Ayers and Garcia and our Zone Leaders. We learned how to teach the Plan of Salvation better and I'm excited to teach it now. I even hope that one day I'll get to teach you using these amazing skills that the Lord is giving us. I love this work so much.

And finally, I had one with Elder David A. Bednar. I spoke with him. In front of the whole mission (I was in my seat and he was looking at me). I testify that he is called of Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is real and I know from this experience that He knows me. Elder Bednar left me a very special commitment that I'm excited to work on. I understand my life better because of this experience. I know my special purpose better. I received a lot of personal revelation in that time. I love our Savior and I know that He knows me and He knows each one of you. If I could share one thing that I learned from this experience, it would be that repentance and forgiveness are the least of the blessings of the Atonement. More importantly, Jesus Christ can give us the strength to invite others to come unto Him. It is more important to serve others than to repent. Elder Bednar stated that we didn't come here to spend our lives in the "cleaners". We came here to help others become the seed of Abraham by inviting them to come unto Christ. No other work is more important than this, and every other thing we do in the Church, and in our lives, points towards this. Even repentance is so we can serve better. And if you think about it, service is what our Father in Heaven does all day every day. I know that this is true. The Church is true. The Gospel has been restored. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. He did see our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ all those years ago. We can experience the blessings of the Atonement through what he did. I testify that prayer and scripture study are some of the most important things we can do to receive revelation. It's how Joseph Smith experienced what he did. I testify, as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, that our Savior loves you and He knows you. And He can help you as you live His Gospel. I know this because I have experienced it in my own life.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful week. The spirit burns in my heart even now. Seek the Holy Ghost by faith, by action, and you will be happy. I pray that as you live the Gospel you will recognize the blessings of the Atonement in your lives. I have and still do. Keep up the amazing work. You truly are Saints, and the Savior is proud of you. Let me know what else I can do for you! I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley

PS- If you've written me a letter and I haven't written back I apologize and I'll do my best to write back soon.

Need a little sunshine!

Date: Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 6:30 AM
Subject: Weekly Letter

Hello!

How is everyone this week? It sounds like things are going well, I hope to keep hearing amazing things from everyone. And how is the weather over there? Last week we woke up one morning to wind and rain, I thought I was on the Isle of Man again! We haven't seen much sun this week and it's a bit depressing, but we manage alright. The spirit keeps us happy!

First I have to tell you how amazing Elder Burnett is. Last night we were walking down a long lane trying to contact a referral. Cars would come down the lane every now and again, and he surprised me and waved one of them down and started talking to them about the Gospel! It was exciting. Nothing good came of the first few, but after a little bit a man stopped thinking we were lost and we got to talk to him for about 5 minutes! It were great, as they say over here. I love working with Elder Burnett.

Yesterday was a great day. All week we've been praying for the zone to achieve 28 souls at Sacrament meeting, and yesterday we reached it! In my district we had 12! I love the Elders and Sisters here, they work so hard and I learn so much from them. In Rochdale we had Harry Wilson and most of the Chiza Family at Sacrament meeting. It was amazing. I love helping people get to Sacrament meeting. Oh and I played the piano for Sacrament meeting again yesterday, it was fun!

On Friday we got to go on exchanges with the Middleton Elders, I went with Elder Rosenberg from Finland (the one I worked with on my birthday a month ago!) and Elder Burnett worked with Elder Hall. It was great and I learned a lot from Elder Rosenberg. I love exchanges, there are so many amazing Missionaries in this mission that I can learn so much from. Elder Rosenberg and I saw miracles and were able to talk with a lot of amazing people and teach some great lessons.

I also exchanged with Elder Neilson for one evening last week and that went well. He's the one who had his appendix taken out. I learned a lot from him as we tracted and got poured on. I love the rain. Elder Neilson is doing well, he and Elder Brown, his new companion, worked a full week this past week and did amazing things. Elder Wheat, Elder Neilsons previous companion, went to Elder Brown's previous area. Lots of crazy things are happening here! It's a lot of fun.

The driving lessons are going well. Last week I got to do a bit more manouvering and things and I'm getting better and better every lesson. Hopefully I'll have a drivng test soon and get my license! I'm excited.

Our investigators are doing very well. Harry Wilson is ready to be Baptised on Saturday and we're very excited for him. Please pray for him to be prepared in every way and for it to go well. We went with the Wilson family to a place called Slattery's this morning. It's a chocolate factory that we went to previously and it was amazing. I had belgian waffles with chocolate sauce and a hot chocolate. I'm a bit sick of chocolate right now though!

The Chiza Family is amazing. We were able to understand better just how they felt about Church last week and we resolved some concerns. Now it's just a matter of helping them accept a Baptismal date! Please pray for that to happen. Miracles are on the way in their lives.

We also recently started teaching a woman named Adele. Last night we taught her and she accepted a Baptismal date! We are very excited for her and now we just need to help her get to Church! Those seem to be the two biggest barriers for people right now, Church and Baptismal Dates!

This week we are hoping to work hard finding new investigators and we're praying for solid new ones. We're really working hard to serve with all our heart might mind and strength so that we can find those who are prepared to be Baptised.

Speaking of Baptism, next week I have the sacred opportunity to interview 4 souls for Baptism. I'm excited for this very spiritual experience. It will be amazing. Please pray for me to have the spirit with me as I do this. Miracles will come!

Anyway, The Church is true! This morning I was studying in Preach My Gospel and I realized that there is a section called learn to recognize the promptings of the spirit. That's so important, to learn to recognize those promptings. It's amazing that that's part of a Mission. They don't just expect us to know it right away, it's something that the Lord needs us to do while we are out here. And of course we do have all the preparation we can get beforehand, but really I've never felt the spirit stronger or more frequently than now. I love it so much. The Holy Ghost really connects us with God. That's why denying it is unforgivable, it's because that's like severing the life-line between us and God. I'm so thankful for this unspeakable gift, the greatest gift of God, the gift of the Holy Ghost. I hope and pray that we will all learn to recognize His promptings even more. The Church is true. Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Missionary work is true!

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful week. You are amazing and I testify that your souls are worth so much to God and to myself. I hope and pray above anything else that we all get to return to the presence of God one day. It will happen as we live the Gospel. Keep up the amazing work. I love you so much. Let me know what I can do for you please.

Love,

Elder Rowley

I love this work!

Date: Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Subject: I Love This Work!

Hello!

How is everyone doing this week? Happy, healthy, and ready to go back to school? I'm excited for you all to go back to school, tell me how it all goes. Miracles come when we work hard and trust in the Lord, whether it be in school or in a job or in the Church!

We've seen miracles this week. Our district had 10 souls come to Sacrament meeting this week! It was all because we all Prayed throughout the week that as a zone we would have at least 20 souls at Sacrament meeting (we got 22 as a zone!) It was amazing, I love this district. We just had District Meeting by the way and it went very well. I learn so much from these great Missionaries every time I work with them. I love the opportunities the Lord has given me to serve, I'm learning a lot from them!

Elder Burnett is amazing as well. Last night he had an experience where he was struggling and things weren't going well and he said a little Prayer. Within a few moments his Prayer was answered and things turned around. I love working with him, he teaches me so much every day!

Just this morning we spoke with nearly everyone on a couple of double-decker buses, it was amazing. I never knew I could do that. And I plan to do it again. I'm really working on bus contacting this week. Anyway, we spoke with some great people, actually they were all great people. Some of them just weren't interested. It's sad to see these people reject the Gospel, but we just do all that we can and then leave it up to them in the end.

This past week we had Zone Conference again, it's crazy how fast they come and go. We went on a historical tour to some of the sites around the Mission. We went first to the Albert Docks in Liverpool where the first Missionaries hopped off the boat and got to work here. It's also where the early emigrants of the Church from England departed. They were amazing people to do that, I'm thankful for them.

We also went to the River Ribble, the Cockpit, the site of the attack of the evil spirits, and the site of President Hinckley's first flat of his Mission; all in Preston. It was amazing to be there again and the spirit was strong. England is amazing.

The last place we went was a small village called Downham (the "h" is silent in British). We met in a small Church of England and sang and talked and had an amazing experience. The spirit was very strong in that village. Joseph Smith once told Heber C. Kimball something about how the ancient Prophets and Apostles must have left their blessings on this country and that he (Heber C. Kimball) experienced some of the blessings of that. That's amazing to me. This land really is blessed and I love serving here even more. It's no accident that I'm serving in this Mission at this time. This is such a Sacred experience.

So Zone Conference is amazing. And next week Elder Bednar is coming to the Mission. It's going to be spectacular. I'm so excited, but we need to prepare for it. We're all praying and preparing for him to come and teach us what Heavenly Father needs us to know. I love the modern day Prophets and Apostles.

Yesterday was probably one of the best days of my Mission. We had most of the Chiza Family come to Church plus one other investigator, I played the piano for Sacrament meeting and played a hymn I've never played before, we got to give a couple of blessings, Kennedy and another recent convert passed the Sacrament, we taught the Young Men's lesson, we had a new investigator, taught a member, and learned why the Sabbath is on Sunday as we taught a 7th-Day Adventist family. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong and it was a great end to a great week!

Our investigators are doing well also. Harry Wilson will be preparing for Baptism here soon so please pray for him to be ready in all things. He's from a great Family and I love them all very much. He's a great young man and I'm excited for him to get the blessings of being Baptized!

We haven't been able to see Contissa recently, but hopefully this week we can help her get to Sacrament meeting and reschedule her Baptismal date. Please pray for these things to happen. Miracles will come into these peoples lives as we pray for them!

We're hoping to teach a man named Derek in the Chapel this week and do everything we can to get him to come to Sacrament meeting. We need to understand his concerns better, it's a difficult thing to do, but with the spirit I know we can do it.

And last week we had some amazing new investigators that I'll have to tell you about later as they start progressing more and more. Thanks for the prayers, they're working!

Well, the Gospel is true. I've recently understood better the great power of Prayer to change our lives. It really does change things. I've seen that this week. Never underestimate the power of a simple little prayer. Always pray when you think you shouldn't. Trust that the Lord will answer your prayers. He will, I know He will. Sometimes we just need enough faith to ask and He will grant it to us. He does love us and He wants to help us, that's His number one desire. He's more like us than we think. He does have feelings. We can make Him sad. We must speak with Him to be happier and to make him happier! Just think about Joseph Smith, if he didn't pray, we wouldn't be where we are today. I'm so thankful that he said that first prayer, and I'm so thankful for all the prayers that are being said in behalf of the people here. These people need it so much. Please keep praying. Pray always! I testify that these things are true.

Anyway, have a great week! I love you all more than I can say in words. I hope the Lord showers blessing after blessing upon you for my service here. He knows and I know that you deserve it. You are all children of God and He loves you. Keep up the amazing work. Please share some stories of how you've seen the Lords hand in your lives in the next e-mail/letter you write! I love you!

Love,

Elder Rowley