MTC Week #4

This week was pretty awesome! We had 11 of the 12 Apostles and President Monson here a few days ago. I unfortunately didn't get to see President Monson though. Elder Holland spoke at a devotional on Friday. All I can say is... Amazing!



In two weeks we have to start teaching in Russian. No English at all. I still don't really feel like I'm on my mission yet. Fake investigators, fake food, 12 hours of sitting and I'm not in Ukraine... I can't wait to be in the field. The Elders in the other district are leaving for Russia and Ukraine this week, so we will be the "older" district finally. We might lose our teacher though (sad face). They want to have her teach a younger district. I think we can handle it... maybe. I've come to know and have have a greater understanding of the gift of tongues. Jesus Christ is real and is always with us and helps us through anything if we have faith. How else would someone be able to speak Russian after 4 weeks? Anyway, my district is awesome. Sooooo many different personalities and backgrounds. But we're all here for the exact same reason and have one purpose, and that is to bring people unto Christ. It's simple.



Oh ya... at the R.C. (Referral Center) we get to call people (real non-members) every Fiday and teach them over the phone. Not all of them are too excited about it, but it pays off.



Keep sending letters and Dear Elders and I'll try to reply. I love you all.



Love, DJ

MTC Week #2

Week 2 was great. Teaching is becoming a little less terrifying. The language is kind of destroying my brain and my companion and myself are getting along great. The food here is... let's just not talk about it. Chocolate milk is still awesome!

We were able to go to the Temple Tuesday morning. The Spirit was overwhelming and I felt like I was somehow being watched by the person I was doing the work for.

So, turns out my teacher, ----- GeorgiYeva, is the best Russian teacher at the MTC. I still feel like I know absolutely no Russian at all, but we're already catching up to the people that have been here for six weeks. At least once a week we have teaching appointments. Obviously not real investigators... but the Spirit is always so strong in those lessons and we forget they're already members.



Tell Chris to write me!!!



Love, DJ

MTC - Week #1

So my first week has been amazing. Very busy, very hectic, very spiritual, and very short. My companion, Elder Shaun Morrison, is way awesome. He's helping me out a lot with teaching. Teaching is definitely not my strong point. The food here is great and disgusting! The chocolate milk and wraps are the best. It doesn't feel like I sleep here. We work, study, work, study, eat, study, pray, study, eat, sleep, and then start all over again. The laundry room is insane!!! I'm pretty sure I won't be doing laundry for the next three months. And James was WRONG! Four Square is LAME! Beach Volleyball owns! Make sure Chris writes to me and someone please send me James' address so I can write to him. Hope all is well at home! Love you all. Love, Elder Polivka

PS - Thank you everyone for the support, money, cards, and love!

4 days til reporting to the MTC

First post..seeing how it works. At left is my first, and favorite, Bishop Ted Hawken. He has been like a dad to me. On the right is my dad (Larry Bowman) and Stake President Garcia the night before I left for my mission. Oh, by the way, that's me in the chair being set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If you asked me a couple years ago what I thought i'd be doing at 19, I probably would have said playing in a band or skateboarding. Well...I guess that's not the case. I was so excited to find out (5 flippin months ago!!!) I was going to Kyiv, Ukraine. And for the people filling out your papers, waiting for the call and worried about being called to Boise or somewhere "lame" like that, it really doesn't matter. That is where the Lord wants and needs you. There is that one person waiting to hear the gospel and you might be the only person they'll listen to. Trust me, you'll feel an instant love for the people you'll be serving and there will be absolutely no doubt that it's where you're supposed to go. Sure, easy for someone going to Ukraine to say... haha.

I know without a doubt the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't deny the blessings it has brought to my life as well as my entire family. I'm so greatful for the support from the Mesa Ward, for the missionaries showing me what i'm getting myself into, for my amazing parents and their testimonies and love for the Lord, and for having friends like James and Chris to keep me on track. I love you all and i'll see you in two years.

Love,
DJ