Monday, February 19, 2018

Mom of a Missionary....Emails from Mexico..January 8th,2018

Frosty the Bowlby
We've had some freezing chills this week, that's for sure.

A cold front (no doubt from the United States) blasted through Ciudad Victoria this week, resulting in freezing temperatures throughout the early week. 

It was horrible getting up and going to bed, because the minute you pull off the sheets and blankets, it goes from lovely-warm-bed temperature to an immediate 32 degrees farenheit (0 degrees celcius). The houses in Mexico are not made for cold. They are not insulated, there is room for the cold air to get in at every interval, and the windows are single-pane glass. Basically it's a frozen nightmare if you're not prepared. 
Thankfully, the members have loaned me a very thick and big jacket to keep my stick-body warm.

We as missionaries have been doing what we can to find and teach. Our recently made goal is to talk with anyone who enters our path (and I am more or less at this because I'm actually quite timid (and I'm working on that)) and we've only had mild success.

No matter! I keep improving with every new experience. The gospel is wonderful! A cherished experience, this mission is! I always remember that when I wake up and the air is bone-chilling.

I had the pleasure this week of experiencing a very cool Mexican Tradition!
The 6th of January is "Dia de Los Reyes Magos" or "Day of the Wise Men". Basically it's the celebration of when the three wise men from the east found the baby Jesus. Makes little sense to me, but I'm not complaining nor saying that the tradition is bad. In fact, it's a good family-gatherer!

There's a baked good called "La Rosca". It ranges from cake to a type of sweet-bread (whatever you'd like) and there are little baby-Jesus figures hidden inside. If you slice open the Rosca and find a baby Jesus... Wow! You're quite lucky!

You also have to pay for the party that is going to be held sometime early February hahahahaha.

We split the rosca a good four times with individual families, and I now have a new collectors item...

I don't think I'm all that lucky)

The blue one is my favorite because it can stand up, actually. Here is is compared to a (large) glue stick.
So, yeah. That's been fun.

I hope you all are forming the habit of reading the scriptures daily (maybe it would even be a good new years resolution). I myself have been doing the same, and I've learned a lot. 
I've been learning about the Saviors sacrifice for us. That Jesus was foreordained from the foundation of the world to be the world's Savior and Redeemer, and that he God, came in the flesh for all of us because he loves each and every one of us and each and every one of you individually. He was willing to take upon him the bands of death and break them so that you could have eternal life and forgiveness of sins.

I love you all. Remember that your worth before the Savior is unimaginable, and you are loved infinitely.

-Elder Bowlby

Mom Of Missionary....e-mails from Mexico...January 1,2018

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!


Hope you all out there are having a great new year and are on the way to new and happy beginnings! 2018! 

I myself have been enjoying the time out here in Mexico. Last night we did stay up until midnight (a big mistake because I woke up incredibly tired), and all the night long we heard fireworks and other things of the sort looooong into the night.

The past week has been incredibly interesting. The cold finally arrived in Victoria... and I wasn't prepared. Oops! I nearly froze there. Good thing I've aquired a few extra jackets. Now I'm not so cold. Whew!

One of the missionaries in our zone became incredibly sick and went to the hospital, and I was working in a different area for about three days! It was interesting to see the diferences in areas and how they worked.

I myself am doing alright. New years eve we had carne asada (basically very thin steaks) and today we had carnitas (glorious pork fat and piggy goodness).
I've also set a few goals for myself. I'm going to work hard to not die this year! (like I do every year, really). I'm also going to try and be more patient!

Thank you for your support and love these past 8 months! I'm working my way towards the half-way point, and I've got a full year to give to the Lord!

Love you and miss you loads!!

-Elder Bowlby