Hello Family and Friends,
I had 18 emails today. It is always good reading about my friends missions. Keep sending them, if I run out of time, I will just not read all of them. For some reason the computers at this library will not read the photo card, so I cannot send any pictures. I may ask a member if they will send them to you.
This last week was good. We taught a 10 year old girl. She wants to come to church and be baptized but her mom is less active and her dad is not a member so it's hard to get their support. We have an investigator who is living common law and is getting married this week. That will be exciting.
There is a man in one of my wards from Newbury Park. His name is Brother Babcock. He knew Dad and Uncle Brian. We had a training this week and half of it was President talking about how he is going home. We get a new mission president this month. it will be really weird.
Dad, it's funny serving around other missionaries that are weird or shy or afraid to do hard things and I wonder how much their parents play a role in that. So Dad, I am glad that you never inhibited my abilites but caused me to grow even when I didn't want to. I sure love you Dad!
We started teaching the Brazilian family that lives in the apartment above us. Hopefully we can get them to church. And yes we live in an apartment. It's just Elder Orozco and me that live there. I hope everyone is doing good and has a good summer. Tell Grandpa Dowd and Grandpa Turley to have a great Father's Day.
Love Elder Dowd!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Lots of Work in Calgary
Hola!
Hello from Calgary. This has been a good week. I am now in Southwest Calgary in the Woodbine and Evergreen areas. It's been really good. The wards are really great and helpful. So last week was crazy too.
Yes, Elder Staley and I did have a baptism. It was a nine year old girl who we had been teaching forever! Her name is Eliza. So on Wednesday we had transfers and the bus from Calgary got held up so we hung out in Lethbridge for awhile. Then we got on the bus up to Calgary. I saw Elder Crowther for the last time on our missions - he went home Thursday morning, and I met my new companion Elder Orozco.
He is from Mexico City and he is a convert of two years. He is still learning English and is very humble. He wants to know what sector in Mexico City Grandpa Turley lived in. We have a few investigators and one of them got baptized this last Saturday. Next week we are having a wedding after another investigator gets baptized.
Other than that not too much to report. Oh, we had a really cool miracle on Sunday. I was fasting that we could find someone new to teach and then in church a man came into church looking for us. He was telling us how he had met a Brazilian family that had just moved to Canada. So, after some of our appointments we went and met the man and he took us to his house and he lives is the same apartment building as us! Elder Orozco was able to talk to them and the ward is willing to help them and we will be teaching them this week! We left them some pamphlets and a Book of Mormon. They said they could feel the spirit already and would read. It was really cool. So I am really excited about whats going on here and I am glad to hear things are going well in Utah.
The connector to this computer at the library isn't working, so I will have to send pictures next week. Sorry.
Also, Okotoks is in our Zone, so I may get to see Aunt Susan's sister who lives there.
I am really excited about how busy we are and how many people we have to teach! Happy to be with Elder Orozco, he is hard working and has a lot of faith.
I love you all!
Elder Dowd
Hello from Calgary. This has been a good week. I am now in Southwest Calgary in the Woodbine and Evergreen areas. It's been really good. The wards are really great and helpful. So last week was crazy too.
Yes, Elder Staley and I did have a baptism. It was a nine year old girl who we had been teaching forever! Her name is Eliza. So on Wednesday we had transfers and the bus from Calgary got held up so we hung out in Lethbridge for awhile. Then we got on the bus up to Calgary. I saw Elder Crowther for the last time on our missions - he went home Thursday morning, and I met my new companion Elder Orozco.
He is from Mexico City and he is a convert of two years. He is still learning English and is very humble. He wants to know what sector in Mexico City Grandpa Turley lived in. We have a few investigators and one of them got baptized this last Saturday. Next week we are having a wedding after another investigator gets baptized.
Other than that not too much to report. Oh, we had a really cool miracle on Sunday. I was fasting that we could find someone new to teach and then in church a man came into church looking for us. He was telling us how he had met a Brazilian family that had just moved to Canada. So, after some of our appointments we went and met the man and he took us to his house and he lives is the same apartment building as us! Elder Orozco was able to talk to them and the ward is willing to help them and we will be teaching them this week! We left them some pamphlets and a Book of Mormon. They said they could feel the spirit already and would read. It was really cool. So I am really excited about whats going on here and I am glad to hear things are going well in Utah.
The connector to this computer at the library isn't working, so I will have to send pictures next week. Sorry.
Also, Okotoks is in our Zone, so I may get to see Aunt Susan's sister who lives there.
I am really excited about how busy we are and how many people we have to teach! Happy to be with Elder Orozco, he is hard working and has a lot of faith.
I love you all!
Elder Dowd
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Transferring to Calgary, SW Foothills Area
I am being transferred from Cardston to Calgary for my last transfer under President Archibald. The area is called Woodbine/Evergreen in the Foothills Zone. My new companion is Elder Orozco, but I don't know anything about him. So, I will let you know about him next week. I am still a District Leader in that area.
I didn't really want to go back to Calgary, but that is where I am needed and that is where I am going to go.
On Thursday night Elder Staley got a training call so we went up to Calgary and then we had to drive back right after the meeting to come back to Cardston because we had a baptism. Then we had a Stake Conference this weekend and it was a broadcast to all of Canada. President and Sister Archibald came and spoke in the other Stake Conference, so we got to take a picture with them in front of the temple. I forgot my camera, but I will send you pictures next week.
We just went to the temple and that's about all I can remember from this week. I sure love you, sorry the email is so brief.
Love you!
Elder Dowd
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Happy Victoria Day
Hey!
Sounds like everyone is having fun, and it sounds like Mom and Dad are slowly turning into empty nesters! This last week was pretty good, we had a pretty good week. We had some investigator lessons.
On Wednesday Elder Crowther went to the temple and we went to lunch with them after and took pictures in front of the temple.
We had Leadership Training Meetings on Thursday. It was fun to see some mission friends. I got to see Elder Pikula.
Then I went on exchanges on Friday, and Elder Langi and I went and visited with a member we both knew in Lethbridge. Then we went to teach a less active family with a 9 year old girl who is not baptized and she said that she wants to be baptized this Friday so we will see what happens. We have been trying to contact their Bishop ever since and we just got a hold of him today.
On Sunday we went to church in Mountain View and three non members showed up and spent all three hours at church.
Then on Monday, since we couldn't email we went and played raquetball at the Leavitts in the morning and then we went with them to Waterton. It was kinda rainy so we had an indoor picnic. Then we played rugby and then drove up to Cameron Lake which is partly in the USA. Then we went to some of the shops in Waterton and then we did a hike called "Bears Hump". It was a lot of fun.
And that's what has happened this last week.
Next week are transfers. I feel like I will be transferred. So, I will write next week on Tuesday (because of transfers) and let you know what is happening!
I sure love you all!
Love, Elder Dowd
Sounds like everyone is having fun, and it sounds like Mom and Dad are slowly turning into empty nesters! This last week was pretty good, we had a pretty good week. We had some investigator lessons.
On Wednesday Elder Crowther went to the temple and we went to lunch with them after and took pictures in front of the temple.
We had Leadership Training Meetings on Thursday. It was fun to see some mission friends. I got to see Elder Pikula.
Then I went on exchanges on Friday, and Elder Langi and I went and visited with a member we both knew in Lethbridge. Then we went to teach a less active family with a 9 year old girl who is not baptized and she said that she wants to be baptized this Friday so we will see what happens. We have been trying to contact their Bishop ever since and we just got a hold of him today.
On Sunday we went to church in Mountain View and three non members showed up and spent all three hours at church.
Then on Monday, since we couldn't email we went and played raquetball at the Leavitts in the morning and then we went with them to Waterton. It was kinda rainy so we had an indoor picnic. Then we played rugby and then drove up to Cameron Lake which is partly in the USA. Then we went to some of the shops in Waterton and then we did a hike called "Bears Hump". It was a lot of fun.
And that's what has happened this last week.
Next week are transfers. I feel like I will be transferred. So, I will write next week on Tuesday (because of transfers) and let you know what is happening!
I sure love you all!
Love, Elder Dowd
Friday, May 18, 2012
Happy Mother's Day
It was great to talk to you all yesterday. Sorry to hear you are sick Mom, hope you feel better soon.
That's cool that Grandpa, Grandma, and Carl got to go to the Provo Temple Ground Breaking. The Calgary Temple should be dedicated this fall hopefully. I am hoping President Monson comes to dedicate it!
Also, thanks for sending me Grandpa Turley's letter. I will keep a copy and it might help me with an investigator.
This week was kinda slow, but we did pick up a new investigator and he told us as soon as he is married he wants to be baptized. We have LTMs this week so that will be fun to go to Lethbridge. Other than that not too much is happening.
Also, thanks for sending me Grandpa Turley's letter. I will keep a copy and it might help me with an investigator.
This week was kinda slow, but we did pick up a new investigator and he told us as soon as he is married he wants to be baptized. We have LTMs this week so that will be fun to go to Lethbridge. Other than that not too much is happening.
The church is true, and I am grateful for a divine mother! I love you all.
Love, Elder Dowd
Phone Call Summary Below
- He likes the smaller towns rather than Calgary
- He really enjoys the area and the missionaries in his area
- He and the other 3 Elders sang a Tongan hymn for us and it was lovely
- His favorite thing about being a missionary is teaching
- He loves President Archibald and is sad he is leaving next month
- Asked why we didn't have Chris Thurman over and asked us to tell him hello
- Said someone is coming this week and we can send a package back with them
- He talked to each of his sisters, his Uncle Carl, Grandpa and Grandma Dowd, Uncle Brian, Aunt Julie and cousin Shandra, as well as his mom and dad!
Monday, May 7, 2012
It's Spring in Cardston
Hello Family and Friends!
I am super jealous of Rochelle and Nickie's trip to California. I love Disneyland so much!
Sounds like Maddie and Carly had a good Youth Conference. Here in Cardston they are getting ready for a thing called Moroni's Quest where they reenact The Book of Mormon and that's all anyone here talks about.
I'm glad that you are growing spiritually, I feel like I am doing the same. We had our Mission Tour this last week and it was pretty good. The theme was sacrifice. Elder Melchin, our Area Authority came. He spoke and President Archibald spoke about The Fourth Missionary. It is a 30 page article by Lawrence E. Corbridge on how a missionary can devote himself to be truly changed in his own life while helping others change their lives. It lists the characteristics and behaviors of four different levels of being a missionary and our goal is to be the 4th Missionary. We sang a song. We will sing it for you on Mother's Day, which I need to know when you can call for. Our number is _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ . If you need to call at 5 that will work because we will be out of church. Our Zone was asked to sing a song, so when just four of us stood up to sing, everyone was surprised. It went well. The conference was good. We had a luncheon after the meeting. Elder Pikula, my companion from North Calgary was there, we sat together. He is serving in Brooks. It was fun to see him.
Our investigator did not get baptized this Saturday. He didn't pass his baptismal interview, but he did come to church this Sunday so we will continue to teach him and help him get worthy.
There is an Indian Reserve right next to Cardston and we went and helped the community clean up all the garbage there. We lifted this one trash can into a dumpster and 30 or so mice came flying out and so we were all stepping on them kinda like Whack a Mole.
The weather is really nice here in Cardston right now. It's spring finally. My sinus, cold thing is gone and I am feeling well.
Other than that nothing too exciting, I sure love you all!
Love Elder Dowd
I am super jealous of Rochelle and Nickie's trip to California. I love Disneyland so much!
Sounds like Maddie and Carly had a good Youth Conference. Here in Cardston they are getting ready for a thing called Moroni's Quest where they reenact The Book of Mormon and that's all anyone here talks about.
I'm glad that you are growing spiritually, I feel like I am doing the same. We had our Mission Tour this last week and it was pretty good. The theme was sacrifice. Elder Melchin, our Area Authority came. He spoke and President Archibald spoke about The Fourth Missionary. It is a 30 page article by Lawrence E. Corbridge on how a missionary can devote himself to be truly changed in his own life while helping others change their lives. It lists the characteristics and behaviors of four different levels of being a missionary and our goal is to be the 4th Missionary. We sang a song. We will sing it for you on Mother's Day, which I need to know when you can call for. Our number is _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ . If you need to call at 5 that will work because we will be out of church. Our Zone was asked to sing a song, so when just four of us stood up to sing, everyone was surprised. It went well. The conference was good. We had a luncheon after the meeting. Elder Pikula, my companion from North Calgary was there, we sat together. He is serving in Brooks. It was fun to see him.
Our investigator did not get baptized this Saturday. He didn't pass his baptismal interview, but he did come to church this Sunday so we will continue to teach him and help him get worthy.
There is an Indian Reserve right next to Cardston and we went and helped the community clean up all the garbage there. We lifted this one trash can into a dumpster and 30 or so mice came flying out and so we were all stepping on them kinda like Whack a Mole.
The weather is really nice here in Cardston right now. It's spring finally. My sinus, cold thing is gone and I am feeling well.
Other than that nothing too exciting, I sure love you all!
Love Elder Dowd
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 30th Letter
Yeah the branding was a lot of fun we are going to go do it again. And it did smell really bad but it's OK it was still fun. We would brand them and then burn off the horns and it was the horns that really smelled bad, the branding kinda smelled like steak I thought =). Tell Grandpa Turley and Julie that it's fun to have a shared experience with them! Grandpa, did you get any kind of scar from getting the branding iron on your arm? I never noticed anything.
Sounds like a lot of fun stuff is happening back home with Maddie going to Prom, Nickie moving home, and Nickie and Rochelle off to Disneyland. Members tell me all the time that they just went down to Utah and I always reply, "So it's still there?"
Not too much else happened this week. We met with our progressing investigator a few times and he is still set to be baptized on Saturday. We just need to sit down with him and arrange everything like set up a time for the service, let the auxiliaries know and the Zone Leaders will interview him.
They are still constructing the temple. It will probably be done this fall. Here is a picture of me standing by it last March and a couple pictures of it last week. They put maple leaves into this window design.
We are having our mission tour this week in Lethbridge so that will be fun to see a lot of missionaries. Elder Melchin is visiting. He is the Area Authority from Calgary. The Zone Leaders, Elder Staley and I have been practicing a musical number for it. We are going to sing a Tongan hymn. We are going to try and videotape it and have a member put it up on YouTube so you can see it.
Something this week I've learned is to not be offended and that we can all receive mercy and the atonement is for everyone.
Oh yea, Sister Leavitt know Chantelle's fiances family. She said they moved away awhile ago. Other than that not too much happened. I will tell you a funny story though. We went to lunch and these old men came and asked us to sit with them. As we were talking to them Elder Langi slipped his shoe off and Elder Staley grabbed it with his feet and then another Elder kicked it across the room! It was pretty funny.
I sure love you all! Have a good week!
Ofa Atu!
Elder Dowd
Sounds like a lot of fun stuff is happening back home with Maddie going to Prom, Nickie moving home, and Nickie and Rochelle off to Disneyland. Members tell me all the time that they just went down to Utah and I always reply, "So it's still there?"
Not too much else happened this week. We met with our progressing investigator a few times and he is still set to be baptized on Saturday. We just need to sit down with him and arrange everything like set up a time for the service, let the auxiliaries know and the Zone Leaders will interview him.
They are still constructing the temple. It will probably be done this fall. Here is a picture of me standing by it last March and a couple pictures of it last week. They put maple leaves into this window design.
We are having our mission tour this week in Lethbridge so that will be fun to see a lot of missionaries. Elder Melchin is visiting. He is the Area Authority from Calgary. The Zone Leaders, Elder Staley and I have been practicing a musical number for it. We are going to sing a Tongan hymn. We are going to try and videotape it and have a member put it up on YouTube so you can see it.
Something this week I've learned is to not be offended and that we can all receive mercy and the atonement is for everyone.
Oh yea, Sister Leavitt know Chantelle's fiances family. She said they moved away awhile ago. Other than that not too much happened. I will tell you a funny story though. We went to lunch and these old men came and asked us to sit with them. As we were talking to them Elder Langi slipped his shoe off and Elder Staley grabbed it with his feet and then another Elder kicked it across the room! It was pretty funny.
I sure love you all! Have a good week!
Ofa Atu!
Elder Dowd
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