My Brothers and Sisters,
Honestly I don't have any idea how I can possibly describe the
goodness of our Heavenly Father and the tender mercies I have had the
honor of witnessing these last few years, but I do wish to express my
gratitude and share a few things that can help us come closer to our
Savior.
1. Daily scripture study; yes!! It's important!! Please don't
underestimate how essential this is to our growth here.
2. Daily prayers; a constant communication with our Father is SO
important!! I can't even think how we can really come closer to our
Father in Heaven if we don't pray every day. Also I invite you to pray
out loud, it brings a very personal aspect to our prayers.
3. Temple attendance; unfortunately for circumstances of my mission I
have not been to the temple since the MTC. But I do know how important
it is to go if you have access to one. I truly believe as we strive to
be worthy to enter the temple and seek guidance when we do go, we will
truly understand what God wants for us.
What a time of rejoicing!! The Lord has done so much for us!! I know
God loves us and His love is perfect. I have come to realize how
merciful our Father in Heaven is. I plead that we all can trust Him
and have the faith to follow His perfect Son's example. God wants us
to do this because he knows how happy it will make us.
I know the Savior lives, I know that God is our LOVING Heavenly Father
and all He does is for our good.
Please, trust Him!!
Please, love Him!!
Please, follow him!!
Because He first trusted, loved and followed us...
Elder Owens
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
Miracles
My dear brothers and sisters,
I can't express the gratitude I feel for everything I have been given.
Really I thought it would be appropriate to list some of the things I
am thankful for, and I'm sure I am not the only one.
As I think of the plan of salvation and our preexistent life, my heart
fills with gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who provided a
perfect plan for my never ending happiness. I am thankful for the
knowledge that we shouted for joy at the chance to be a part of this
plan, because even in my hardest trials I know that it is part of His
marvelous plan to bring me eternal life.
I am so blessed to have been sent to such a perfect family. My heart
sobs at the fact that I didn't appreciate them as much as I should
have but at the same time rejoices for the hand of the Lord in their
lives. He has truly worked miracles within our home and has helped me
understand Him better by giving me the amazing example of my parents.
I can't help but worship my Father in Heaven for the chance He gave me
to serve a mission. My stomach curls at the thought of my slowness to
follow His commandments and serve my fellow man. I thought coming on a
mission would fulfill some of my debt that I owe Him, but really I
have realized how much more I am indebted to him and my already
infinite debt keeps getting larger every day.
I honestly feel that I could write a book on how grateful I am for all
the many miracles I have seen and blessings I have received.
Josemi, an investigator the Lord put into our hands about a month ago
is going to be baptized the 22nd of this month. This young man has
changed more than any other person I have ever met. After more
persecution than I could ever withstand, Josemi will make a lifelong
covenant with our Father in Heaven to represent our Savior Jesus
Christ.
Forever praise the Lord for his merciful hand!
Love,
Elder Owens
I can't express the gratitude I feel for everything I have been given.
Really I thought it would be appropriate to list some of the things I
am thankful for, and I'm sure I am not the only one.
As I think of the plan of salvation and our preexistent life, my heart
fills with gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who provided a
perfect plan for my never ending happiness. I am thankful for the
knowledge that we shouted for joy at the chance to be a part of this
plan, because even in my hardest trials I know that it is part of His
marvelous plan to bring me eternal life.
I am so blessed to have been sent to such a perfect family. My heart
sobs at the fact that I didn't appreciate them as much as I should
have but at the same time rejoices for the hand of the Lord in their
lives. He has truly worked miracles within our home and has helped me
understand Him better by giving me the amazing example of my parents.
I can't help but worship my Father in Heaven for the chance He gave me
to serve a mission. My stomach curls at the thought of my slowness to
follow His commandments and serve my fellow man. I thought coming on a
mission would fulfill some of my debt that I owe Him, but really I
have realized how much more I am indebted to him and my already
infinite debt keeps getting larger every day.
I honestly feel that I could write a book on how grateful I am for all
the many miracles I have seen and blessings I have received.
Josemi, an investigator the Lord put into our hands about a month ago
is going to be baptized the 22nd of this month. This young man has
changed more than any other person I have ever met. After more
persecution than I could ever withstand, Josemi will make a lifelong
covenant with our Father in Heaven to represent our Savior Jesus
Christ.
Forever praise the Lord for his merciful hand!
Love,
Elder Owens
Monday, June 19, 2017
Happy Father's Day
Dear family and friends,
As always it has been a pretty busy week. We went down to Fuengirola
to give a training for the new trainers. It went pretty well. I talked
about the importance of being yoked equally with our companions. In
the beginning chapters of Alma it shares the story of Alma and Amulek
preaching to the people. Sometimes we forget the difference of these
two great men. Alma was the high priest and prophet over all the land,
while on the other hand Amulek was a less active member of the church.
But it is important to note that Amulek was the key to the salvation
of many people. Alma had already attempted but failed alone, but the
testimony of Amulek along with Alma's was the key to their success.
I am so handful for my companion and his example for me. It makes me
happy to know that I leave my apartment along side my best friend to
share the gospel.
Speaking of companions, one of the greatest companionships I know is
my mother and father. I am so thankful for my father and his
understanding of being equally yoked with my mother. He is a great man
and is one of my greatest examples.
We are here in Fuengirola for some missionary training so
unfortunately the letter is a little short. But I love you all and
hope you have a good week!
Love,
Elder Owens
As always it has been a pretty busy week. We went down to Fuengirola
to give a training for the new trainers. It went pretty well. I talked
about the importance of being yoked equally with our companions. In
the beginning chapters of Alma it shares the story of Alma and Amulek
preaching to the people. Sometimes we forget the difference of these
two great men. Alma was the high priest and prophet over all the land,
while on the other hand Amulek was a less active member of the church.
But it is important to note that Amulek was the key to the salvation
of many people. Alma had already attempted but failed alone, but the
testimony of Amulek along with Alma's was the key to their success.
I am so handful for my companion and his example for me. It makes me
happy to know that I leave my apartment along side my best friend to
share the gospel.
Speaking of companions, one of the greatest companionships I know is
my mother and father. I am so thankful for my father and his
understanding of being equally yoked with my mother. He is a great man
and is one of my greatest examples.
We are here in Fuengirola for some missionary training so
unfortunately the letter is a little short. But I love you all and
hope you have a good week!
Love,
Elder Owens
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
A little about Nigeria
Dear family and friends,
What a sweet feeling it is to be a missionary. I tend to take
advantage of it at times, but really it is such a blessing!!
Preparation days always comes too fast.... I blink and a week has
already gone by.
We had a pretty interesting week. So just a little fun fact, in our
mission there are just a hand full of dangerous areas, I seemed to
have served in all of them... so naturally I have been in some weird
situations. But the other day we were in somewhat decent area as we
were passing by a few future investigators we stopped a man of about
30 year more or less, as he entered into his building. He was as
defensive as the next guy repeating the very familiar words said by
the majority of the people here stating that he was not that
interested in our message. Naturally we stated the importance of our
message and asked him if we could visit him and explain our message
another day. He stopped for one second and said, ok... so we put his
number down, gave him a ring to see if it was real or not and went on
our way. A few hours later we received a message from the very guy
saying we could come by later that day. We responded positively asking
his exact direction and at exactly what time he wanted us to come
over. The next message he sent started the wave of uncertainty that
would pound my mind for the rest of the afternoon. He said, "where do
you live?" I responded with the general area knowing that it was
against the rules for others to know exactly where we live. Later he
told us that he would rather come to our house, and wondered if there
were others living with us or just us 2? We responded that it was just
us two but that it would be easier to meet in the church located 2
minutes from our apartment. He said no. His house or our house.
Basically we went to the building to his house but after he refused to
come down we knew that this guys wasn't planning anything good. So we
left. I don't know what would have happened if we would have entered
into his apartment but what I do know is that we are guided by the
Holy Ghost. I have been in some of the most dangerous streets in all
of Spain but never have I ever felt the spirt telling me not to do
something so strongly. I am thankful for the guidance of the spirt and
protection I am promised for heeding to the spirt.
One of my favorite parts about Spain is that people from the four
corners of the earth live here. In our area there are a lot of
Nigerians and some people from Ghana. This last Saturday we had our
"Africa day" literally the whole days just back to back appointments
with Africans. In fact, one of the Nigerian guys we met with is the
rightful king of his tribe but isn't now because he is not a fan of a monarchy.
He gave us some Nigerian food called egg roll. It's literally a boiled egg,
pealed and cooked into the middle of a roll.
I hope you all had a great week, I also hope you all did something to
help someone get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. The greatest way
to start to get to know our Savior is by getting baptized.
I love you all
Elder Owens
What a sweet feeling it is to be a missionary. I tend to take
advantage of it at times, but really it is such a blessing!!
Preparation days always comes too fast.... I blink and a week has
already gone by.
We had a pretty interesting week. So just a little fun fact, in our
mission there are just a hand full of dangerous areas, I seemed to
have served in all of them... so naturally I have been in some weird
situations. But the other day we were in somewhat decent area as we
were passing by a few future investigators we stopped a man of about
30 year more or less, as he entered into his building. He was as
defensive as the next guy repeating the very familiar words said by
the majority of the people here stating that he was not that
interested in our message. Naturally we stated the importance of our
message and asked him if we could visit him and explain our message
another day. He stopped for one second and said, ok... so we put his
number down, gave him a ring to see if it was real or not and went on
our way. A few hours later we received a message from the very guy
saying we could come by later that day. We responded positively asking
his exact direction and at exactly what time he wanted us to come
over. The next message he sent started the wave of uncertainty that
would pound my mind for the rest of the afternoon. He said, "where do
you live?" I responded with the general area knowing that it was
against the rules for others to know exactly where we live. Later he
told us that he would rather come to our house, and wondered if there
were others living with us or just us 2? We responded that it was just
us two but that it would be easier to meet in the church located 2
minutes from our apartment. He said no. His house or our house.
Basically we went to the building to his house but after he refused to
come down we knew that this guys wasn't planning anything good. So we
left. I don't know what would have happened if we would have entered
into his apartment but what I do know is that we are guided by the
Holy Ghost. I have been in some of the most dangerous streets in all
of Spain but never have I ever felt the spirt telling me not to do
something so strongly. I am thankful for the guidance of the spirt and
protection I am promised for heeding to the spirt.
One of my favorite parts about Spain is that people from the four
corners of the earth live here. In our area there are a lot of
Nigerians and some people from Ghana. This last Saturday we had our
"Africa day" literally the whole days just back to back appointments
with Africans. In fact, one of the Nigerian guys we met with is the
rightful king of his tribe but isn't now because he is not a fan of a monarchy.
He gave us some Nigerian food called egg roll. It's literally a boiled egg,
pealed and cooked into the middle of a roll.
I hope you all had a great week, I also hope you all did something to
help someone get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. The greatest way
to start to get to know our Savior is by getting baptized.
I love you all
Elder Owens
Monday, June 5, 2017
Love at Home
Hey family and friends,
I love you all. This week has been great. I think that the best part
is my companion Elder Jamison. He is so dedicated and loving. I also
am enjoying the work and seeing the fruits of it. I know that as we
dedicate ourselves to the Lord He will make us strong. As we turn to
Him He makes us better. I am so glad for a loving mission president
that always invites us to be better and serve the Lord with a greater
conviction.
Things are going good here in Malaga, unfortunately Brian's and Sara's
mom is not going to let them get baptized, so there will not be a
baptism this week. We have been doing a lot of finding lately. Lots of
contacting.
I officially have been on the mission a long time! Hahaha let me tell
you, I don't feel that way... I actually can't believe it.
We are doing great! We are working with some great people! We will see
what happens!
Love you all,
Elder Owens
I love you all. This week has been great. I think that the best part
is my companion Elder Jamison. He is so dedicated and loving. I also
am enjoying the work and seeing the fruits of it. I know that as we
dedicate ourselves to the Lord He will make us strong. As we turn to
Him He makes us better. I am so glad for a loving mission president
that always invites us to be better and serve the Lord with a greater
conviction.
Things are going good here in Malaga, unfortunately Brian's and Sara's
mom is not going to let them get baptized, so there will not be a
baptism this week. We have been doing a lot of finding lately. Lots of
contacting.
I officially have been on the mission a long time! Hahaha let me tell
you, I don't feel that way... I actually can't believe it.
We are doing great! We are working with some great people! We will see
what happens!
Love you all,
Elder Owens
Friday, June 2, 2017
Besitos=little kisses
Dear family,
Everything is doing great! We are seeing I miracles with the people in our area. Bryan and Sara are doing good, Bryan is now on chapter 28 of 2nd Nephi! On intercambios my companion and another Elder contacted some guy and invited someone to our family home evening (happens all the time) and 2 weeks later he came! (Never happens) his name is Josemi. He is a pretty cool guy, so we hope things go well
I really running out of ideas here for my email... today for P-Day we had a water balloon fight. It was pretty fun! We spent like an hour filling up balloons and 5 seconds throwing them.
I was studying this morning when Arron teaches the father of king Lamoni. I love when the king asks Arron a question concerning something Ammon said when they met, and Arron doesn't respond directly to the question. He in return asked him if he believed in God. I love that!! I love that Arron knew that the spirt wanted to conversation to go a different way to help the king fully understand!
I love you all and hope you have a great day!
Love,
Elder Owens
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
really quick message
Hello everyone,
Everything is going great in the land without door knobs or wall to
wall carpeting!
I don't have much time, but I want you all to know that you all are so
great! Sometimes we complicate things. But just simply and quickly I
wanted to let you all know that the Savior lives. He is the greatest
part of my life. Things just go better when we have faith. I sincerely
say that the gospel has changed my life!
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Owens
Everything is going great in the land without door knobs or wall to
wall carpeting!
I don't have much time, but I want you all to know that you all are so
great! Sometimes we complicate things. But just simply and quickly I
wanted to let you all know that the Savior lives. He is the greatest
part of my life. Things just go better when we have faith. I sincerely
say that the gospel has changed my life!
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Owens
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