New Mission President

Hello all. Yesterday we traveled to Tifton, Georgia - about an hour from here. It's a larger and nicer city than Douglas. We drove down in a caravan of four cars with the young elders. Three zones were called together to Tifton to meet President Bowman and his wife and darling 17 year old daughter. She's a beauty. The chapel was full.

Tawny, the daughter, spoke first. She did a great job. Imagine standing before all those handsome, intimidating elders. She will probably stay for the summer, then go back home to finish her senior year in Orem. Her married sister and family will be living in their parents' home with her. Sister Bowman was humble and sweet, and expressed her sincere love for all the missionaries. She said she has loved us ever since they first got their call.

A beautfiul sister from Jamaica sang our song, "O How Lovely Was the Morning". She had a beautiful voice. She was accompanied by one of the elders.

President Bowman is power-packed. I was amazed at what a handle he has on everything, after being here for only three days. He is a marvelous speaker and motivator and the spirit was strong. He is also humorous. I really enjoyed his philosophy of missionary work. He said it was okay if the missionaries didn't recite scriptures from memory, as long as they knew where to find them. He was strong on just following the spirit, and being natural in their teaching. He recited a scripture from Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh." He pointed out that most missionaries in the chapel were probably Ephraim and that there were probably a few of Manasseh. I think that will be his theme - to push forward with the strength of a bull in spreading the gospel throughout the earth.

He was mingling with all the missionaries afterwards, and he was so congenial and easy to talk to. Everyone was happy and excited. We're excited. It was the first time we were able to meet some other senior missionaries. There was one couple. They are going home in about a week. There was a sister companionship. One sister is from Germany. The other sister has been on two other missions. They said this mission is really hard. The American sister told the couple who are going home that she would be glad to go home for them. She's been out 11 months. We found out a senior conference is scheduled for July 18th & 19th. Yeah! It will be our first real opportunity to meet with other senior missionaries.

Sorry this is so lengthy. Making up for lapsed time. Love you all so much! Mom (and Dad)