Spring is Right Around the Corner!

Dear Family,

Spring is right around the corner! This a special time of year and I can't wait to see the flowers and the growth (especially the kudzoo) envelop everything. I know you do not have to deal with it in AZ, but when is day-light savings? I know it used to be at conference, but with the changes they made recently I have no idea. My calendar says that it is happening next week, but I'm not sure if I can trust it because it was only a dollar.

This week has been filled with bittersweet feelings. John Perry did not come to church again this week. It's the saddest thing in the world to see someone begin to change their life and apply the atonement in their life, but then to fall short by not completing the cleansing ordinance of baptism. He has come so far! He has given up tea, alcohol, and tobacco! This past week we stopped by with Brother Chapman and Brother Chapman was very bold with John telling him that he needs to be baptized. He finally told us that his concern was that he could not understand how he could receive an answer about a book he does not understand (The Book of Mormon). We explained to him that even though he did not understand, Heavenly Father knows all things, especially what is contained in the Book of Mormon. John committed to pray and ask Heavenly Father if the book was true and we set up a return appointment for the following day. The next morning, John called us and told us to not come by because he was sick. We decided that we would not teach him, but that evening we stopped by to give him a can of soup and to remind him that we are here if there is anything he needs. We had an appointment with John on Saturday, but at the last minute he canceled on us. We talked to him after church and we set up an appointment for tonight. We want to explain very clearly tonight that we will not come by anymore if he does not have the same purpose as us, which is to help him come unto Christ by helping him receive the Restored Gospel through repentance and baptism.

On Wednesday we had an appointment with Doreen and Becky. I'm not sure if I told you about these two. Doreen and Becky were taught a year ago in Boiling Springs and recently they moved to Spartanburg. When we arrived for our appointment on Wednesday, Doreen pulled out a book she got from the library which was written to "let the world know the TRUTH about the Mormons." The book had no references, or any information for where they supposably obtained their research. It was a very interesting lesson in which we taught about truth, and how the devil is going to do everything possible to diminish and slander the truth at all cost in order to keep Heavenly Father's children from finding the path that leads to eternal life. By the end of the lesson, Becky made the comment, "I have no desire to read that book (meaning the book from the library) I am going to continue to read from the Book of Mormon." They are doing really well minus the fact that both Doreen and Becky cannot see the book. If you could find the number to call distribution, I would greatly appreciate it, so I can order a large print Book of Mormon.

On Thursday, Elder Quakenbush and I went to Columbia for zone leader council. I always love having the opportunity to stand accountable to the assistants and President because I always leave with a greater desire to fulfill my calling as a zone leader. There is always so much more I can do! It was also sad to have to inform the mission president about a missionary in the zone who has continued to disobey mission rules, and on top of that, he is not fulfilling his responsibility as a district leader. Today his entire district is being emergency transfered so each missionary can be paired up with someone who can hopefully teach and correct the attitudes and actions rather than allowing the companionship to continue to destroy one another through their disobedience.

There is not much more to report on this week. I did find out that a young lady who has been attending off and on the entire time I've been here is not a member. Her member friend who attends Converse (a local college) has been bringing her. We are going to try and meet with her to see if there is any interest in joining the church.

I know this is a boring letter, but I need to fill out a report for every missionary in the zone, so President McConkie will know what direction he should take on our zone interviews this Thursday. I love each of you. I pray for your safety. Keep the faith.

Love,
Elder Cowan