Happy Birthday Justin!

Dear Family,

I can not think of anything that I need for Christmas. I hope I don't get the package too soon, I got a package from Becca this past week, and in big letters is reads "Don't open until Christmas" and it's been a struggle to not open it.  :)  I decided to put it under my bed in order to remove the temptation from my sight.

To start off, I first need to wish Happy Birthday to Justin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Next, an update on the zone. For the first week of December Spartenburg East Zone (nicknamed Shemlon Zone) had two baptisms. This next week, our zone is looking at 2 or 3 baptisms. The goal for the month is 16 baptisms. It's quite the hefty goal, but with the Lord's help, it will be accomplished.

On Tuesday Elder Redston and I met with Aleishe (Recent convert) and her aunt Tracy (came to church last week) this was the first time we taught her. Tracy and her daughter Cheyanne loved church. Tracy had already read the introduction and the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. We taught about the Restoration, and we invited her to be baptized on the 26th of December (Happy Quanza) :D Tracy is very excited. Tracy also told us that she has two sons, Jesse (14), and Jakob (12). I am very excited to continue to teach this family. They were not able to come to church because they were sick. Tracy has read through 1 Nephi 8.

On Wednesday we went on a mini exchange with the biking elders in Spartenburg. Elder Jones came with me to work my area while Elder Redston worked with Elder Otoole. The very first door we knocked on, we met Dawn Tucker. Dawn let us right in and we talked with her and she was very depressed. Dawn did not understand why we went through hard times in our lives. She also had two children die before they were baptized, so she has gone through her life hearing that her children are in hell. We read a part of Moroni 8 with her and it was amazing to see the spirit testify to her of the truthfulness of what we were teaching, and the burden and remorse of the death of her children was lifted. By the time we left she was smiling and happy. I am so blessed to see the gospel bless the lives of those we teach. We taught her again this past week. We taught her the plan of salvation. I love the plan of salvation, but I always get in trouble. I talk too much. Our lessons are supposed to be 45 minutes long, but when I taught the plan of salvation it took us two hours. :S

Last week we met a man named Russ. He met with the missionaries awhile ago, and he said that he has never felt the spirit stronger than when he read the Book of Mormon. His wife is very anti. Russ invited us to come to a Christian luncheon. The luncheon was at the library on Thursday. That was quite the experience. We met a bunch of pastors and a lot of old men.  :)  I felt a little out of place but the food was good, and we met a man named Dennis who may be interested in the gospel.

Friday was zone interviews. It was interesting to have a longer interview with President. We talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the zone. It was very weird to have president apologize for the zone we have. We have quite a few missionaries who are near the end of their missions and are loosing, or have lost their desire to work. I hope my desire never leaves. The assistants asked us to train for a total of 30 minutes, but when we started the training, the assistants told us that we had an hour. The training lasted for an hour and ten minutes.  :) 

India is doing great. We taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ, the law of the fast and we told her about testimony meeting. India also attended the Christmas devotional. She is excited for her baptism which is happening this Saturday. Life is busy. Life is great. I hope and pray all is well with you! I'm glad to hear the nativities are all out. I think of Elder Uchtdorf's talk. We all must recognize Christ as the Messiah and we must also recognize this time of year is to celebrate his birth. I love ya'll and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Cowan