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Week 1

First P-Day

(Cole's Words)

HEY EVERYONE!!! I am so excited to finally have a p-day and be able to actually email! My first 3 days were very hectic and crazy but this is only the first 3 days of 6 weeks. Let me lay down some details of my first few days.

My name tag with the scary (Romanian) spelling of "Elder"

On Wednesday, it was absolutely a culture shock to me. Everyone was saying hello and I felt very loved to be there. But right when I got there I had to go to class, which isn't so bad except my teacher only speaks in Romanian and refuses to speak any English. So my first moments of the MTC were very scary! But after all the scares I learned I am in a companionship with 2 other great elders. Elder Ward and Elder Atkinson are awesome guys and I love it already. My district or class has 7 people going to Romania, 3 elders and 4 sisters. Most everyone is from Utah or Idaho except me and Sister Sheffield so I'm still surviving. Class went well and the whole new missionary experience was great. 


My companions Elder Atkinson (left) and Elder Ward (right)

On Thursday was the first big day and I realized I'm not in Iowa anymore. Waking up was a hassle and it got to be very hard to get ready. But Thursday was a great day to experience a full day as a missionary without everyone saying welcome to the MTC. However, Thursday was also the day we started learning how to teach in Romanian which made everything just a tad bit scarier. My companions and I also had to teach about the purpose of a missionary in front of our district. Needless to say, we did pretty darn well. We also met our branch presidency and turns out the branch president knows my aunt! Crazy!! And also the branch president and his wife lived in Iowa!! Even crazier!!! Thursday was pretty awesome!

Today (Friday) was P-DAY!!!!!!! So what do I get to do?? Wake up earlier than usual!!!! Partay!!! But it was really great cause we got to go to the Provo Utah temple which was absolutely inspiring as usual. We also ate breakfast there and it was waaaay better than the MTC food. However when it was all said and done, we had to walk back to the MTC in the rain...but hey, rain is Heavenly blessings being sent down upon us!! Today has also been full of volleyball and basketball and laundry that I feel I messed up already. Oh well I'll have 6 weeks to perfect my laundry skills.

Me at the Provo Utah LDS temple  

These past couple of days have been very inspiring. We have talked so much on the purpose of missionary work. While I may been gone from family and friends for 2 years, my purpose is to bring others unto Christ so they can be with their families for eternity through faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It is such a blessing to be the representative of Christ helping people achieve salvation. If any of you have time, read 3 Nephi 27:19-21. Such a great scripture.

I miss you all and love you all! I hope to continue feeling your love and support as I continue my training in the Romanian language (believe me, I'll need it).

Love you all!
Varstincul Bowen

P.S. I am also participating in hug time like in Trolls so don't worry about my hug exposure


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