Week 15

Dear all who read this-my Beloved brethren and sistren ;),

I am excited about this next transfer. Elder Anderson is getting transfered to Syracuse, it will be his first walk area. (he has been out for about 14 months.) I am staying here in Hudson/Claverack, my new companion I meet tomorrow- Elder McBride. I don't know much about him other than he is a little quieter than Elder Anderson(Who isn't very loud) and about my height with blond hair, and he is an awesome-or as Elder Anderson said: "solid"- missionary. I am loving being here in Hudson, when we first got here, the missionaries before us probably hadn't been as diligent as they could have been, and so the area was suffering, we didn't have much to work from, so we have done a lot of finding by ourselves, and really trying to get the trust of the members, and their excitement about missionary work up. There is a big difference from when we first started, there is an excitement in the air, a different feeling/spirit here now. I went on exchange to an area that was less diligent than ours, and when I came back I could just feel a re-newing, a greater zeal for the work, a love and power. It was indescribable, but things are doing awesome here. We saw a lot of miracles happen this past week. There were some people we ran into who were spiritually dying/dead, and because they allowed us to come in and teach them, we saw the spirit work in their lives and touch their hearts. (John and Stephanie-who have 3 kids a 4 year old daughter, a 2 year old daughter and an 18 monthish old son-) One of the things that I think we often don't understand or focus on is faith. Faith being a principle of power. Faith isn't just a belief in Christ. When we have True faith we are able to do things otherwise impossible. Faith is the way by which we overcome. All things-sin, physical barriers, emotional challenges, percieved barriers for the work, all these can be overcome with faith. Something from a general authority that I really liked from the 1975 october conference- You mean you are going to convert the world!? Yes. But that is impossible! Perhaps, but we will do it anyway.

You are going to find people to teach and baptise in New York, in a "hard area"? Yup. But that is impossible! Perhaps, but we will do it anyway. In God's own way and time, we will do it. That is the message that I share with you. Do it. Find those opportunites for Missionary work. We are out to preach the Gospel to the World. There is always something to be done, and a way prepared to do it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love, Elder Owens

Week 14

Some of the things that Elder Anderson really appreciates are good sunsets and Music. So we stop and take a few pictures during dinner of the sunset sometimes. These two I thought turned out the best.

I liked the silohette of him taking the picture, and then the other one was another day, it doesn't really capture the effect unless you are there, but it was amazing. I love how everything can point to Christ. Sometimes it is fun to make connections. How does a rock point to Christ? Well, moses getting water from the rock-water being life giving substance- had to smote it. So too did people smite Christ, and He brought forth the Living waters. How do trees point to Christ? The tree of life is the love of God, Christ is the olive tree which we are branches of, etc. Everything can point to Christ, sometimes we just don't immediately see how. I love music and the spirit that it brings. I bought a hymn book in the mtc(a mini one) and since Mom sent me mine, I was able to loan mine to an investigator who wasn't progressing(So we don't see her regularly-Barbra-) but needs comfort, and I am so glad that music is available to bring comfort to our soul when there is no one else around. Thats about all I think.- my E-mail account still wouldn't upgrade, so this e-mail address is still fine until further notice.
Have a great Vallentines day!
~Elder Owens

Week 13

Here is a news update from Trezor. Trezor is in the city Claverick. It seems somewhat rual compared to Albany He goes to the Library to email which is the size of a house, and they don't charge late fees for books. He says it has been mild weather the last two weeks and he hasn't needed gloves or a coat on a few of the days.

He and his companion where with the Branch Pres. I think, The Buhler's They went over some misssionary tools and goals. such as share a pass a long card with someone, have a gospel conversation, but really the key is to listen, love, and build a relationship. You can testify of things that will make them happier. Have you set any missionary related goals? Would you like suggestions? Preach My Gospel Pg 167.

Week 8

Why couldn't the missionaries eat? Because Moroni Hid the plates!
Why did Moroni Hide the plates? Because the missionaries were eating all his food!

hahaha, that is what I would like to talk about actually. The plates. In Jacob chapter 4 Jacob is sharing about how hard it is to write on the plates and how anything they don't write on the plates wont make it to us. So they write only the things that are of most importance to us. Hoping that we will recieve them with thankful hearts. (verses 1-3).

Verses 4-6 They had a hope of Christ, a knowledge of His coming, the law of moses pointed their souls to Christ and so was counted as righteousness when they kept it. So to should we use Christmas and new years as a way to point our soul to Christ, so that it can be counted to us for righteousness.
Verse 6+7 All things should point our souls to Christ, bear witness of Him and bring us closer to God. Both the good and the bad. If we are not humble, we cannot learn. If we do not have trials to overcome, we cannot grow. If we give thanks for all of the blessings we have, and treasure them, we will find greater happiness. This is my testimony, and my prayer that we can all look to Christ and find Him in all things, in each other, in nature, in our trials and our pains. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

~Elder Owens

Week 2

My Beloved sisters and brothers,
I greet you this morning with love in my heart for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for each of you. End Quote.
I pray that my communication might be uplifting and never detrract from the work of God. It is soooo wonderfully organized and inspired.
Unless we lose our lives in service there is little purpose, I implore you to increase your service, to make a significant sacrifice of your time in selfless service. (see pg 85 Nov Ensign)
I have thought recently about the Atonement and how it can affect my life every single day. I came up with a few things, but would like feedback as to how you apply the Atonement even when you are not "sinning" but in every aspect. One of the Quotes recently was "As our understanding of the Atonement of Christ increases, our desire to share the gospel will grow".
I thought about sins of omission, and how realizing more what we should have done, and need to do we can become more Christlike and the Atonement always seems to tie back into our imperfections. I'd like another view to go along with it.
Sincerely,
(no sin certainly intended)
I Love you and hope you can all draw nearer to Christ as you ponder the Atonement.
Elder Trezor Seen Owens

Week 1

What is your companion and teacher's names? Elder Kale, Daniels-Brown, He is 6 foot 7 with shoes, but loves the gospel, he is a great companion and I've already learned a lot from him. Where are they from? He is from Washington, He is also going to NYU,There are some otehr Elders in my district who are giong to albekurkie New mexico. Where did your teachers server their missions? Brother Deperman served in England, North mission, and hase some fun things that he says like "Spot on!" Do you have any sisters in your group? Yup! they are lots of fun and bring a great spirit to our class, they are sister Perdy and Sister Palmer. My District president is Elder Capener We like to tease him and call him Elder Carpenter, but he doesn't really mind at all and will reply normally. Anybody else in your group from an interesting place or nationality? Most of us are from Utah, but Sister Palmer is from Kentucky and she speaks with a southern accent, it is kinda fun, I will write in my letter a story from her. How is the food? There are always lines, but also there is always mroe than enough food, they are great at having quantity, I like most of the food, at least one line every day, they have 6 lines, and three kinds, which change every day. Are they going to try to give flu shots? They are not, unless I have asthma or something like that, I did finish my Hep.A and B shots, so I am good for life on those! What day is your P-day? Today Do you know what day you leave? The 24th is the day we leave for NY, The albekurkie group leaves teh 23rd though. There are more e-mails, so i will look at those now, Love you!