Yell clearly please

This week was pretty good! It feels like nothing really happened though. There were transfers on Wednesday but our whole district pretty much stayed the same. The only that changed was one of the sisters in our district went back home and her companion got a trainee! So I am pretty sure we have the greenest district in the mission. Me and Elder Anderson have both been out 5 months, our district leader Elder Rose has been out almost a year and has a trainee that has been out almost 2 months. Then there are 2 sets of sister both of which have trainees. So it is pretty fun and makes me feel a lot less new haha. 

A few notable things did happen this week! We took a member to see our investigator Joe Green and planned on sharing a Christmas story out of the Bible. So we asked him to open up to Luke and he did, in his new world translation. And he had a Long James Version on his shelf so we grabbed that for him and he followed along with us. After we read he had a question that I'm sure a few people now have so I will take a minute to explain! He asked why we read from the King James Version and what was wrong with the new world translation. We told him that the Bible has been translated soooo many times from its original Hebrew. And in all that translating a lot of meaning has been lost. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the most correct and is the most accurate. We also believe that it is not perfect because of all the translation but through modern day revelation we can see a more accurate version of many chapters in the Joseph smith translation! That isn't to say that other versions of the Bible are bad and false. Obviously it is good to study the word of God in any form! 

But that was fun and a bummer at the same time. It was fun because I love talking about the Bible but a bummer because we got distracted and the Christmas message kind of got overshadowed. 

One thing that keeps happening as we are biking and walking along is people keep trying to yell things at us! It kind of sucks because they are going to fast for us to hear! So if you are going to yell something, just know we would love to hear it but you have to slow down so we can understand. 

The next cool thing that happened was on Saturday. We had some people we were going to visit towards the bottom of our area, which is quite the bike ride away. But we went and tried to see like 4 people and they were either not home or busy and couldn't talk which sucked. But before we left Elder Anderson wanted to try knocking up this one street and I am always down for some knocking! So we started and for about 5 house we didn't get anything. Then a few people came to the door and told us they weren't interested. But there was still hope yet! We knocked on a door and asked if they wanted to hear a message about Jesus Christ and they said yes! Which is like a one in a million thing and we were a little caught off guard so I'm sure we looked like idiots for a second. Finally, we composed ourselves and taught him about the Restoration and left a pamphlet with him and he said he would love to hear more about it! So we set up a return appointment and hopefully we will see him next week! It was pretty funny because the next door we knocked on was our last one and the gentleman that came to the door was high as a kite. 

Sunday flew by because we had stuff starting with ward council at 8:30! And ward council was a training on the South Carolina initiative which is how we are spending the majority of our time as missionaries so that was good! Then we had church which was fast and testimony meeting which is a little different in the South haha. Everyone gets up and bears testimony just like out West, but usually it is in the form of a long story that is good, but can sometimes prompt the shutting of eyelids if you aren't careful haha. 

After church we had the Moncks Corner Christmas parade! We stayed in our suits and ties and us and the sisters serving in this ward with us out on some Christmas headwear and walked the parade with the ward mission leader, ward missionaries, and a few other members handing out pass along cards and candy canes which was pretty fun! Then we went to a cookies and carols stake event where a bunch of choirs sang Christmas songs and people shared their talents. It was amazing and the music was soooooo good! Tempe West Stake still puts on a better performance though don't worry (holla). I love this Christmas season because it allows us to reflect on the birth and life of Christ and what he did for us. 

I would like to testify that Jesus is the Christ. He lived and while He lived, He atoned for our sins. He died for us so that we can be made perfect and forgiven. And He lives! He lives and because of him we can live again with our loving Father in Heaven. Both Christ and our Heavenly Father love us immensely. And love is what Christmas is all about! Don't forget that this Christmas season and share it with everyone you can!!! I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen. I love you all and miss you so much! Hasta la pasta!

"Permission to do a fly by?"

"Negative ghost rider the pattern is full"

Elder Dowell (2)

John Smith and McFlurry's

This week was pretty good! Thanksgiving was pretty fun! I also went on exchanges with Elder Rose (the district leader for us serving in Georgetown) and that was pretty awesome. I have been out almost 5 months now and have met a good amount of missionaries and Elder Rose is definetly one of my favorites! 

We had a DDM (District development meeting) before and I got to give a training which is always fun. I don't know why but I like getting up in front of people and talking! Which makes it kind of sad that we can't soap box preach haha. But that's alright. Anywho, after DDM, we had an hour drive to Georgetown with just me and him and we talked about transfers coming up (and me and my companion are staying together in Moncks Corner) and his trainee and how I can help him. It was pretty cool because I guess Elder Ball (the trainee) had been having a hard time with home sickness and didn't really want to talk to Elder Rose about it and was just going to let it pass. But Elder Rose said that my exchange with Elder Ball last week changed his outlook and he hasn't been homesick since! I have no idea what I could have possibly said or done to influence him but I am glad I could help! 

Then the only thing we had the entire exchange that worked out was a dinner appointment haha. So we did a lot of finding. We also tried to do some Street contacting on the boardwalk! We were stopping people and asking them if they wanted to hear a message about Jesus Christ and most people said they were all set. But there was one guy with a different response. We asked him if he wanted to hear about Jesus Christ and he put his arm around me and said "I already know him but you keep doing good" and kept walking haha. So that was fun. Them we stayed up far later than we should have just talking and messing around which was really fun. Then the day after I got back to Moncks Corner was Thanksgiving! It was great! We had a pretty slow morning. After studies we had some time before any appointments so we decided we would go out walking and talk to everyone we saw! We only saw 2 people for the 3 hours we were walking. And one of them invited us to a dinner at a homeless shelter haha. Which was really nice! But not what we were looking for. Then we went to dinner at a members house and there were a lot of people there and 2 non-members so we did get to teach a little and it was really fun! The food was delicious and they made me and Elder Anderson each a dessert that reminded us of home. Elder Anderson's was pumpkin cookies and mine was Texas sheet cake! It was super nice of them and very yummy. 

The last eventful thing that happened this week was at McDonald's on Saturday. We had a bunch of appointments fall through so we went to get a McFlurry and go over our plans for the rest of the day. On our way out a lady stopped us and asked if we were Jehovahs Witnesses because she wanted a copy of the watch tower haha. So we explained to her that we were with the LDS church and she said she didn't agree with us because we worshiped John Smith. So I corrected and said we Worship God and Joseph Smith was a prophet. And then it the Spirit left and she started using scripture to disprove us. And normally I do not like to Bible bash but it was clear that this lady wasn't going to listen to us either way. So my companion took a step back because he knew what was coming, and I proceeded to refute all of her arguments with bible scripture and it was really fun! Again, not productive or helpful, but it was a good refresher for the kind of day we were having haha. But I would like to testify that this is the true church! And our practices can be found in the Bible because it is the same church Christ established on the earth when he was alive. The very same, with a Prophet called of God to lead it and receive revelation! I leave that brief testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. I love you all and miss you so much! Have an amazing week! 

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore"

Elder Dowell (2)

Thanksgiving

This week was good! Honestly not to much happening here though. Elder Anderson went on exchanges with Elder Rose (the district leader) so Elder Rose's trainee came down here with me for a day earlier this week which was pretty fun. The day he was down here Elder Anderson's bike was out of commission so we were walking and we walked 7 miles! For those of you who are serving in/ have served in foreign missions that is probably a joke haha. But Elder Ball is in a car area and I usually bike if we are going that far so it was interesting. It could've been worse but that time we got back Elder Ball's feet were killing him. Then I told him some scary stories to freak him out before he went to bed haha (exchange traditions). 

We also had interviews with president Turner this week which was fun! The Georgetown Elders picked us up on their way and we rode with them and just messed around in the car for an hour which was a good time. The subject for interviews was personal studies which is good because I love personal studies! We just talked about what I study and he had a few suggestions for me. It was pretty straightforward. But at the end of the interview he told he me I seem like a happy missionary and asked why I'm always smiling haha. So I told him! I am in the service of the most powerful, loving being in the universe! I am participating in his work and can feel of his love! It is the center of the gospel and everyone needs to hear it! Why shouldn't I be smiling?? He said he was grateful for my outlook and that I am doing well! 

On a similar note I would like to talk about thanksgiving for just a minute. It is such a blessing to have this opportunity every year to reflect on our lives and give thanks. I would like to do that now! I am so grateful for my family. That I have such awesome and loving parents that have helped me become who I am. I am also eternally grateful from my friends. The have helped similarly shape me and mold me and give me the testimony I have. I am ever grateful for my Heavenly Father! Without his strength I would not be here. And I am grateful he loves us so much as to give us this gospel and this church! Through it we can find happiness in this life and gain eternal happiness and joy in the world to come! I love you all so much. I leave this testimony with you on the name of our loving brother and Savior Jesus Christ amen. I love you all and miss you so much! Have and amazing week! 

"That's where we are in a bit of a gray area"

"How gray"

"Charcoal"

Love Elder Dowell (2)

Hitting the streets

This week was pretty good! Relatively uneventful though. Elder Anderson has been having some bike problems so our choice to walk turned into us having to walk for a few days haha. But I think that was good for us! We got to talk to a lot of people on the street! It is pretty funny because when we knock on doors or try to contact people in most ways they reject us and aren't interested. But if we see them on the street they are more than happy to stop and talk to us! And most of the time when we talk with so,done that have something in their heads about Mormons that ain't right so we get to talk with them and straighten it out. A few times people have said " you worship Joseph Smith right?" And before I didn't know people really thought that! And in case anyone that reads this does think that I'd like to take a second to bear testimony of what we believe. 

When Jesus Christ was on the earth he set up his church the way God wanted it to be, with Christ at the head. And he has again established that church today! When we say are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is because we know that Jesus Christ is the one leading this church today. He does that trough a modern prophet who acts as a mouthpiece and we sustain and love him very much. And I know that he is called of God. But we do not worship him. In sustaining him we show that we know he is talking us what the Lord would have him share and we know that he is acting for the Lord. Other than that not to much has happened this week! We got to split wood with a member and Elder Anderson almost broke the sledgehammer because he couldn't the wedge straight on! It was hysterical and the member i don't think will ever let him live it down. I love you all and miss you so much! I know and you should know that you are all loved sons and daughters of God, our Heavenly Father.

Have and amazing week!

"Your ego writes checks your body can't cash"

Elder Dowell (2)

Southern BBQ

This week was pretty good! A little uneventful though. A few pretty

cool things happened! We had a ward BBQ which was good! Southern BBQ

is darn good. There were a ton of leftovers so we have a freezer full

of goods which is always good! We were getting ready to leave and they

just said: "elders here take to leftovers" so that was pretty nice.

There was also a cake auction for the Boy Scouts which was pretty

funny! The auctioneer was a bigger member and one of the cake was an I

owe you cake from his wife and someone asked him how big the cake was

going to be and he rubbed his gut and said "oh it's real big" haha. We

had to step out for a minute because we were laughing so hard.

Other than that a few cool teaching moments! We were teaching our

investigator who we almost dropped because he wasn't progressing. But

we had a way cool lesson with him. The Spirit was tangible while we

were talking and he just clicked with what we were teaching! It was

pretty cool and we will see how that goes! And he also said he has so,e friends he wants us to teach so that will be good hopefully!

That is pretty much all that has happened this week. I though a lot

about that picture that everyone has seen a million times about the

Savior knocking at a door with no handle on the outside. He can't

force himself in, we have to let him in. And it is so true. The Lord

knows exactly what we are going through and loves each of us

perfectly. And he knows what we need and has the comfort and strength

for us! We just need to ask for it! He is literally waiting for Is to

humble ourselves and ask! I wasn't so sure of that before myself. But

I would not be here serving if he didn't have that strength for me

when I asked. I have felt a mere fraction of his love and know I can

never fathom it. I love you all and miss you so much! Have a great

week!

"How often does that come by?"

"So often you won't even notice"

(There are train tracks near our apartment that reminded me of that)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S65lJGs7YC8

Elder Dowell (2)

Walking in Moncks Corner

This week was good! Nothing to crazy in Moncks Corner. We have been
sifting through our investigators because we had a list of like 30 and
I have still only met like 8 and so has Elder Anderson. So we have
been trying to visit all of them and figure out if they want to be
taught. 

Me and Elder Anderson started walking more this week. It gets
dark around 7 and people do not want to talk to us after dark. So we
decided that a few times a week we would walk and try and teach people
on the street and just be seen more. And it is working! One guy was
working at a car wash and came out and stopped us and asked about some
of our core beliefs and he was surprised that we believe a lot of the
same things. That is something I have really been trying to work on in
my teaching is focusing on similarities and drive from truths they
already know as opposed to starting with what makes us different. But
we left him with a picture of Jesus and told us we would love to come
study with him sometime and he said he might take us up! Another
gentleman stopped us and said "y'all are the ones with modern prophets
right?" And we explained to him that yes! That is us! And we are so
grateful that the a Lord has given us a messenger today! 

The last encounter was a gentleman stopped us and gave us some reading material
about the proper Sabbath so we talked about what we believed about the
Sabbath and gave him a picture of Jesus haha. Other than that just
trying to go find the sheep! There is a member here that loves the
missionaries and loves working with us and it was pretty funny this
week. We called him and asked him for a ride and his wife answered and
when we asked for him she yelled "Mark, it's your children". We just
about died laughing. 

I am so grateful for the people here in Moncks
Corner and the opportunity I have to serve. Every day I thank the Lord
for the love he shows and the strength he gives, it breaks my heart
when people don't want to talk to us because I want everyone to know
how much the Lord loves us. His loves is immeasurable and unending and
I would not be here serving him if it wasn't or I didn't know that. I
hope everyone has a great week!

"Ohana means family. And family means nobody is left behind."

Elder Dowell (2)

Sent from my iPad

Moncks Corner

This week was good! We had transfers on Tuesday so Monday we concluded our pday with some final goodbyes. It was rough and I was sad to go
but I am so grateful I had the opportunity to serve there. Tuesday at transfers was uninteresting. I was super anxious and worried about where I was going, who I was going with, all that good stuff. But I am in an area called Moncks Corner. It is interesting because the ward is huge. I think it is one of the biggest ones in
South Carolina. And we are on bikes haha. Our are is super small and we don't have a car. But we share the ward with a set of sisters who are pretty awesome and they do have a car. So they cover pretty much
the whole ward. My companion is Elder Anderson! We were in the mtc together and he is awesome! We have made member relationships and less active a focus which is awesome! Not to much success yet though.

I had some pretty cool experiences this week. I was pretty depressed and anxious about transfers and I did not want to leave Sumter. I told the Lord I would go where he needs me and do the best I can but needed
strength. Then Wednesday  we woke up and I just wanted to get out and do work. I didn't want to think about anything or sit around I just wanted to go teach people. And it was awesome. Since then I haven't really been homesick. I know this is where the Lord needs me and I am grateful to be here. It reminded me of a talk I read a while back. It was by Elder Christofferson and I won't quote to much but there is a part where it says " thank you Gardner. For loving me enough to cut me down." (link here) And I have thanked the Lord every day this week for loving me enough to cut me down. Because I have already learned so much here.

I also had a really cool experience watching the studio c face to face! We watched it as a companionship and one of the answers on how to be happy was to know that bad things happen and sad times will come. But they pass and ultimately the Lord wants us to be happy. It
was awesome.

I love everyone and miss them so much! I hope everyone had a great week!

Elder Dowell (2)


"60% of the time it works, every time"

Headed down river?

This week was pretty good! Only big thing that happened was I found out I am getting transferred! I do not know to where yet but I am excited for the new challenge! I was nervous because my trainer is going home so I thought I was going to be taking the Sumter area but instead I am being transferred. 

At first I was pretty disappointed and I am sad to leave all these awesome people I met! But I know that if the Lord needs me to go somewhere else to learn and meet people then it will be the for the best. I have heard prophesy that I will be down in Charleston but I won't know for sure until tomorrow. As a result of that and my trainer going home we have been going and saying goodbye to everyone we taught and worked with. Which was fun but kind of sad that I may not see them again. 

We did burn a suit for my trainer! We were saying bye to a less active and he asked if Elder Jackson was going to burn a suit before he left. So we got a suit and dressed it up with a shirt, tie, shoes and everything and put it on a big tree branch. Then we lit up a bonfire and threw it on! It was pretty weird but pretty fun! 

All the other goodbyes were pretty routine. We have been working with an investigator that has been going really well! He is engaged and has 2 kids and lives with his fiance who is not particularly interested in meeting with us. But we had a way cool lesson! He was outside watching the kids and we went outside with him and he has some member friends but he said he didn't want to offend them with his questions so he would just ask us haha. He some questions mostly about what we do and some basic stuff. And we answered them and understood really well so left him a Book of Mormon and he is really excited to read it! He said he didn't grow up religious and just wants to know what is true. So it is a good thing he met us! haha. I love everyone and miss you all so much!

Love Elder Dowell (2)

 

"I'm not blind 23 hours a day, I'm blind 22 hours a day. I am blind. 24 hours a day."

Matthew...not so tough

Hi Family and Friends,

This week was interesting! There was a hurricane here and I did die. SIKE. It barely hit the part of South Carolina I am in! We were asked to stay inside and there has been a county wide curfew because half the town doesn't have power. But we do! Haha. We lost for like 4 hours during the storm but that was it. 

The hurricane has been the ONLY thing people down here have been wanting to talk about for about a week. So we tried to visit people but all they wanted to do was ask us if we were ready for the storm!

We did have a fun time with Bruce though. His 63 birthday was this week so we made him a cake! We met him at the other Elders apartment and gave it to him and he put it in his truck and then we just stayed outside and talked to him for a few minutes. Then when he went to leave he looped back around past us, leaned out the window and yelled "WOOOO CHOCOLATE CAKE AROMA. I MIGHT HAVE ME A SLICE BEFORE I GET HOME" It was hilarious and we almost died laughing. 



Another funny thing! We were on exchanges and were biking through a rougher area and a group of guys asked us to stop so they could "holla at us fo a minute" so we did. And they asked us to ride our bikes though again slowly so they could get it in their music video. So we went back and rode through nice and slow and they had a weirdly nice camera and filmed us riding through while they were dancing to some rap music and it was pretty fun. 




Another interesting thing that happened was church got cancelled! So we went out and tried to do some post hurricane service which was nice but the whole day was just off. I love everyone and miss them so much! Hope everyone has a great week!

Love Elder Dowell (2)

"quit playin' with your dinghy!"

Gobblers and Screw Guns

This week was pretty good! So,e interesting things but not to much going on. 

Our investigator that has been on date had to get punched back again because he is having trouble getting married. He is super fun to teach because he is in his 50s and does yard work for a living. But not hard work like you and I know it. I, talking southern yard work. There is a lot more 'hollerin' and some tools I have never heard of. For example: Globbers (hedge clippers), screw gun (drill) blazer (an old chevy blazer that they tie a slack line to pull tree stumps out. Missing a back window because a tree stump hit it haha). So that is always fun to hear about.

We found an awesome new investigator this week! It was another bible referal so we set up a time we could take her the Bible and she loved the message we shared about prophets and said she would love to learn ,ore! So we are meeting with her on Tuesday. We knocked a good deal and found 1 new investigator doing that! He asked us to come back when he his wife was home so we are excited to go see him again!

Elder Dowell trying to manage his weight...Fish and Quinoa

Interesting story. I can't remember if I already talked about Bruce. But he is a super interesting guy. A few weeks ago we had to stop him from saying some stuff about the temple in front of a bunch of investigators and he hermit to the doctor and I think he thinks he had heart surgery even though he didn't haha. But yesterday he was at the church with us during one of the sessions of conference and after wards he was talking to some other members while we were talking to the other elders. I didn't hear the whole conversation but I did hear him exclaim: "I'm stupid but I'm not retarded". It was hysterical.

We have been trying really hard to find new investigators and we found 4 this week I think which was fun! It was pretty cool because we had two bible referrals on the same street. A bible referral is just someone that ordered a free bible online and we go and take it to them. We haven't even gotten to give them bibles yet because they are never home when we are there. We got 3 new investigators on that street though! We knocked into one that was a neighbor of one of the referrals, we met one just while they were out walking, and we starting to the third guy about his car (a Grand Marquis with an aftermarket turbo) and he asked us if we had anything he could read before we were back in the area. All super awesome! It just shows that if the Lord wants you somewhere he will put you there. 

An old shoe store downtown

Another little story. We were at a members house and the kids were outside playing football and they came in because on if the neighbors was tackling one of the other kids and he his his teeth and chipped them on his head. So one had two chipped teeth and the other a cut in his head. They are both fine though so don't worry to much. We were able to give blessings to those who wanted them and talk about the priesthood and why we're doing it with the neighbors which was awesome!

We had a super funny experience with a newer member. He had been to the doctor for some heart problems and they told him he was fine. They basically told him not to go to like the gym and try not to lift anything to heavy but it wasn't a big deal. (another member was there with him and told us that) He took it to mean sit on the couch all day and you cannot cook, clean, do dishes, anything like that. And then he asked us to: "tell the women's society if they want to make me some food they can". It was pretty funny.

I'm guessing Marshall shopped for groceries

Lastly I would like to talk a little about conference! My favorite was President Monson's. I know it was very short and I honestly already forgot what it was about. But I will always remember the feeling I had while he was speaking. Although he is physically weak I can testify to you with all my heart that he is leading this church still with the full strength and power of the Lord. He is called to lead us on these Latter Days and is doing so with the power and authority of God.

Questions:

How many miles are you riding each day on your bike?

Elder Jackson isn't supposed to bike for medical reasons so we don't very often but when we do it is around 10

Do you like your bike? 

Ya it is great!

Do you have everything you need for it?

 So far yes

Has it been getting cold ? 

In the mornings it is chilly but it isn't cold really anytime yet

 

Do you need to buy a coat yet?  

Not yet 

How are the fall colors there?  

Still just all green haha. No changes yet.

When did you feel the spirit teaching this week?

I taught the gospel principals class and it was fun! I did it by myself and I felt like the Spirit was definitely helping me

What have you learned about keeping your apartment clean?  Do you have a routine that you follow for cleaning?  Does anyone check up on your apartment?

Someone checks it every 3 months. The only thing that bothers me is dishes so I wash dishes by hand after I use them and put them up to dry

What kind of progress did you see with investigators this week?  

Billy is starting to understand why needs a testimony of the Book of Mormon which is way cool!

What is the hardest question you have had to answer?

Nothing crazy. We usually don't get past a doorstep version of the restoration so there aren't very many questions.

Are you healthy?  

Yes!

Are you warm at night? 

Yes! Sometimes too warm.

Good scripture!:

2 Nephi 33:6  I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus,for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

"Everybody listen up. I have just been handed a very urgent and important message. I need everyone to stop what they're doing and listen. Cannonball!"

I love you all and miss you so much! Have an amazing week!

Elder Dowell (2)