WEEK 19 ....... FEBRUARY 22, 2010 ........ MADERA , CALIFORNIA

Hola everyone!

 

How are you doing? I am doing amazing, life is so busy that  I find myself most of the time waking up to just get right back into bed. The days pass by so fast it isn't funny. What I thought happened last week happened yesterday and somethings I thought happened yesterday well you guess it, happened yesterday. I honestly think that time just doesn't go normal on the mission. It's like I'm in a weird place where time moves so fast and yet so slow that everything is just a blur,but I do know something, I miss poutine, alot.

You don't understand until you have left it, its crazing how much you come to appreciate the small things in life when you're out on your own. So thank you Mom and Dad for all the small things, like ironing my cloths, buying me food and razor stuff and most importantly for cleaning the bathroom for me. Mom if your afraid of cleaning the bathroom after me try and get 10 year old neglecting Elder stuff plus me every week. Sounds scary I know but its not that bad, my apartment is really not bad at all . It's way funny to hear about some of the other apartments.

This week we have been doing amazing with teaching we taught 40 lessons this week. We have alot of people who are reading and praying but they don't come to church, that is the hardest thing to do, is to get people to church. Honestly if everyone just came to church then a super huge weight would be lifted off. But that's just the way people are, but sometimes I just wanna drag them to church myself, but then that would be crippling them, blah, blah, blah. Arg I wish I could take away agency for a spilt second sometimes its would make the work alot easier if people didn't have agency. :P Sound like anyone in particular? That's right that's Satan talk. And if any missionary ever feels this way then your not doing your job! The work is so much more rewarding and there is such I joy when people come to the choice and understanding of what they must do. I think the most joy I have ever had was baptizing someone. There is an amazing feeling of peace that just radiates for the baptismal service. I LOVE THIS WORK!!!!

              Please give my condolence to auntie Nat and uncle Tim on their grandfather passing away .

Ok funny moment time. This week I heard the funniest thing as an argument about the bible.

 

So this is how it plays out.( the guys name is really Juan by the way)

 

Juan: You know how I know that bible contradicts itself!

Elder Glowa and Price: Yes, and?

Juan: God created man to rule over the earth, and he went and rules the heavens right.

Elder Glowa and Price: Yea, sure, and?

Juan: If God really did it that way then why do women take charge and rule over everything!

Elder Glowa and Price: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!

 

And yes everything really is funnier in Spanish so because it was in Spanish this conversation was hilarious!

 

Something i read this week that is really dear to me is that everything boils down to a belief in the book of Mormon. That is the real concern that people must over come because if the book of Mormon is true then Joseph smith was and is a prophet of God and if that's true then all the laws and commandments we have are of God, so we must follow them. Everything can be answered by the book of Mormon, so i would invite you this week to use the book of Mormon when talking to someone or just to talk about the church, because this gospel is amazing and it truly blesses lives.

 

I love you all

 

Love Elder Jason Glowa

 

P.s.

Men if you ever get into a conversation like the one I had with Juan and a woman is either next to you or present, just go with it and deny, deny, deny.

 

Stay safe!

 

Love Elder Glowa

 

 

 

          WEEK 18 ...... FEBRUARY 15 , 2010 ......... MADERA , CALIFORNIA

Hola familia!

 About my bike , I had bought a rubber tub for the back wheel about 4 weeks ago and it had been working great ,no flats or anything. But then I broke a spoke (its the rods in the bike wheel) so I had to get it fixed and my bike needed a tune up bad because we ride through everythings . Then after that the bike guy tells me to get the rubber (its a full rubber tub so no air) tub out of my bike because its slowing me down and just really not to great for the bike because there is no give when I hit a bump or pot hole. So  three or four days after that and I have to get on the sidewalk with the bike or else I'm gonna get hit by a car and then bam, I hit the sidewalk hard with the back wheel and well yea 140 dollars later I have a new back wheel .

Sorry for the money being spent on the bike, I'll make it up to you some how.  I really didn't mean for this to happen and for anyone who is thinking about it , I wasn't drifting!!!!  LOL !!! There is no drifting possible, believe me if there could be I would have tried it. 

Anyway so to answer dad's questions. I am being obedient and working hard and seeing many miracles because of it. It has been a little hard because appointments keep falling through but that is why we always plan back ups so I have learned the value of not only plan a or plan b but I have learned the value of plans g, h and even I....lol.

The Suarez family (the ones who sell tamales) are doing great there going to be baptized! Luis and Salvadora want to be baptized but Myra is having a little trouble, its coming along but I know the Lord will provide a way and they will be baptized on the 27th of February!.

Elder Price and I are doing well he is a great person and well not as excited as me but I can't ask that much of him because I know I'm an odd person like that, but hey someone has to be right.

The message I want to share this week is that the Lord uses each of our specific talents and personalities to get his work done. I have found the beauty in prayerfully studying for a family and receiving revelation for them, studying and teaching them exactly what they need to hear. And the way I teach will not be the same as other people, not two missionaries are alike, which is why the work is so successful because you get to humble young men put together with different lives and thoughts and they come together and use the spirit of God to teach. It is His spirit that is the same and that is why the work will always progress, it is His work and His glory, and I am so grateful to be apart of it. I love this work and everything that I am able to see. God is a God of miracles and I know that He hasn't stopped because I see them everyday with people I talk to and teach. This is why I'm here, because I know that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives and died for all of us. I Love you all!

 

Love Elder Jason Glowa

 

P.s. Happy Birthday Cody! and Happy birthday Uncle Mike (Alberta uncle mike)

 

P.p.s.

Pictures are coming I'm still labelling them and well I need more stamps because I have to send them by package so yea I get them there ASAP!

 

SORRY FOR THE WAIT MOM BUT YOU SHOULD GET THEM SOMETIME BEFORE EASTER :P

 

Love Elder Jason Glowa

                   Week 17 - February 8 , 2010 - Madera California 

Hey Everyone!

 

This week I only have 10 mins to write because I forgot my library card and well I'm sponging minutes off of my other elders...... so yea. Alright first off I have not read any emails this week so I will do so next week . So for any answers to questions asked please look for them next week.

This week was a great week, we have 10 new investigators and I am so happy that we are finding people to teach, the work is hard but worth it. The blessings can be seen every where! I love my mission so much its amazing.  Elder Price and I are getting along ,we are doing great work together and I can't wait to see what happens in the coming weeks! This Sunday a miracle happened! The Suarez family came to church! I know that doesn't sound like much but they sell Tomales (Mexican food) on Sunday and in the new year because the hour has changed to 9 in the morning they have not been coming but we taught them about the Sabbath day and have been praying so hard and they all came! I know that the Lord is watching out for us and hears everyone of our prayers. It is only when our faith is tried that we can see the full blessings of our work. I love this gospel so much and am so happy to be here. Everyone who reading this I want to invite you to come on a mission, join this marvellous work and a wonder and bring our brothers and sisters home! This is the greatest work there is to do, I'm so grateful to be apart of it and know that my God is watching over me. He loves me and each one of you. Thank you for all your prayers and letters!

 

I love you ALL

 

Love Elder Jason Glowa

 

p.s

This is my new email account because the church is upgrading myldsmail. so TELL EVERYONE!!!!!1

          WEEK 16  -----    February 2nd 2010  -----   MADERA , CALIFORNIA


          Hey everyone!

Sorry emails are a day late but the computers were down yesterday so I'm writing today.

This week was my first week with my new companion and having to actually know were I'm going when going to appointments. To tell you the truth it wasn't that bad. I mean its hard at times when appointments fall through and people won't let you in but other then that its going great.

My new companion Elder Price is way different then Elder Machen, he is a little rough around the edges but I'll give him the old Glowa buff and it'll be fine . LOL!  We work well together and the work is going amazing.

Here is the break down of my day to day as you asked mom. I wake up at 6:30..... which is less of a challenge but still hard. Work out for 30 mins then from 7 to 8 shower, eat, get dressed, and are in prayer position by 8. From 8 to 9 is personal study, 9 to 10 is companion study and 10 to 11 is language study. We are out the door by no later then 11 and then we go teach from 11 to 5 with a break in between for lunch (we get an hour for lunch) then we always have a dinner appointment at 5 that lasts another hour and from 6 to 9 we have a team up and are out teaching again. So yes it is awesome and teaching is the most fun in the world. Miracles happen everyday.

The other day we were teaching a family and a man pokes his head around the corner as we are talking about Jesus Christ's ministry and says " I to want to know about God!" So he sits down and 5 mins later he says " were is your church and at what time does it start , so I can come and hear more of God". Its amazing and miracles like that happen everyday. The Lord always puts people in our path , all we have to do is just walk and be open to the impressions of the Spirit. So that's my days.

Life is good its hard to change companions, because you get used to one another but its a good kind of hard. I am able to grow so much having to plan a lot more because I know the area and the people. I love it here in Madera, this is the best place to be trained because the work is EVERYWHERE! its amazing.

Sorry to hear your sick mom but you know that's the breaks and I know as long as you have the pog and fat cat with you your gonna pull through . LOL!!  As for letter writing I have written only about  2 letters in the 7 weeks that I been in the field. There is never anytime, preparation day is not a day off at all. I feel more tired after it then any other day because we have to go all around town getting this and that so that we don't have to buy anything during the week. I have almost zero time to write letters. So anyone who is waiting for a letter I'm sorry that I haven't been better at it but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Just know that I think and pray for you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing me. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to get a letter in the mail.

Al-righty so something I found in my studies this week is that if you have a limited time to study never go into the bible dictionary because you never come out. I spend an hour in there 2 days ago because everything leads to something even cooler and more interesting then the last. It's a glorifying trap of knowledge. I love the Scriptures so much, they are amazing there is the answer to every question in there. I'm am continually finding more and more that everything shows that Christ loves us, he has made a promise to us which we can read in john 14:18 that he will never leave us comfortless, He will personally come to our rescue. I love this work and the gospel I am able to share with the people here in Madera.

I love you all
Love Elder Jason Glowa

WEEK 15  -  JANUARY 25 ,2010       MADERA , CALIFORNIA

          Hola Familia!

Greetings from grey Madera! It has rained all week..... I know right so I think I'm so wet all the time I'm starting to grow gills to breath better. If it keeps up I think I'm going to  buy a snorkel....lol.

So the transfer is over! My first one is done and it went by so fast I can't believe it. My companion is getting transferred but I get to stay in Madera.... I'M SO HAPPY! But it also means I have to take over the area because my new companion has no idea where anything is. That's alright whom the Lord calls He qualifies.

My new companion will be Elder Price and he is going to be the new district leader..... which is way funny because my first 3 companions have all been district leaders. I guess life is like that, its gives me a great opportunity to grow so I'm happy about it.  

Yesterday we had another baptism! We baptized  the daughter of a less- active member that  we reactivated , we have to keep working with her but its so humbling to see what the work does to people. I'm just busting with joy, this is the greatest work I could possibly be doing.

My investigator families are doing great we are teaching a new family of 8 people so that means  8 potential baptisms..... I almost feel guilty because its going to be 8 baptisms in a row which is amazing.  It almost feels like a mass baptism thing, but I know it's the right thing to do. They will be baptized soon I know they will, they are all so willing to learn and grow with the gospel. I love this gospel so much, and my love for it is growing I could not imagine doing anything better than this right now.

Mom and Dad thank you so much, it is because of you that I'm here. It is because of your faith and the spirit that was able to be in our home that I have always wanted to serve the Lord. Dad you have set the best example for me you are the hardest worker, I have ever known I am the most bless person in the world because I have you as my example and my hero. I love you Dad and your weekly emails mean so much to me. I know that its hard with all the work and I thank you for thinking about about me. Mom you are the reason I am able to have a love for all people. You are so loving and caring always willing to serve I know that you will do great in your new calling.....give them heaven! Mom thank you for your shining example. I Love you and thank you for your emails they mean the world to me, and so do the both of you, thank you for everything. The work is hard here but so rewarding. That is how God intents to strengthen us, through our hard work and understanding, He knows that we can't do it alone, if we are humble He will make us who we need to be. We must always grow and push forward with faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ. When we rely on God and understand we can't do anything without him, miracles happen. God is a God of Miracles, I know He is. Miracles have not stopped.  Take the time to write them down as they happen and I promise you as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ that your faith and love for our Father in Heaven will grow in leaps and bounds. I love this gospel and you all so much!

Till next week!
Love Elder Jason Glowa

P.S.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SORRY I'M NOT THERE TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING IN PERSON BUT I'LL WORK EXTRA HARD TO MAKE YOU PROUD OF YOUR FIRST BORN SON. I WILL LET MY LIGHT SHINE SO OTHERS WILL WANT TO KNOW CHRIST!

 

WEEK 14  - January 20 , 2010  -  from  Madera , California

          Hola Familia!!!!

Todo esta bein en Madera! (That's Spanish for everything is good in Madera.)

I had my first baptism last Sunday! It was so great the spirit is an amazing thing and you can truly feel the joy that Heavenly Father has for us in seeing the fruits of the work.  I'm sorry for not writing yesterday but the library was closed cuz of Martin Luther King jr day. So I'm writing today. I got my Visa mom and I activated it so all is well.

Last Wednesday we biked 31 miles....... yea I know right. I was sweating hard but it was to contact a referral we had so the work presses forward. Ummm We have 2 baptisms projected for this week so I'm excited for that but the only thing is,  that the mother of one of our investigators (Kenia) is not wanting her to be baptized so we have to talk to her about it and resolve that concern. Could you pray that Kenia's mother so her heart will be soften and that she will let Kenia be baptized? I am starting to do it every night and I know every prayer helps. Also when you go to the temple please put Xenia Rivera's name there for me because she has cancer and I know it will help. I would do it myself but I only go to the temple every 3 transfers. She is the twin sister of Kenia and we want to get her baptized too but she is always away or to sick to hear the whole lesson we have. It's a sad subject but that's what comes with the mission,  Ups and downs.

Right now we have a new family we are teaching there are 8 people there and they are all really interested! So when their baptism happens its gonna be a big one. I feel so bless to teach the people in Madera, they are so humble and willing to listen, I Love them.

To answer your question mom, yes I got my coat and the other packages which is good because it has been raining cats and dogs out here. But its all right to bike in the rain, more blessings and more people who will let us in........hopefully.

So on Sunday we confirmed the Alvarez family that we baptized and the mother wanted me to confirm her so I said yes, then I realized I have to do this in Spanish....... I was freaking out.... in my mind. We got up there and I put my hands on her head and then next thing I knew I was saying amen, I had spoke perfect Spanish, well not me but the spirit, it was amazing I firmly believe whom the Lord calls he qualifies. So if there is anyone reading this blog or message that has a doubt about not being good enough, or smart enough, or spiritual enough for the work I have one thing to say. Stop being so prideful and get to work. The Lord has the power to do anything so why not the power to make us into who we were meant to be. I will forever testify that this is true because He has taken me and given me the love and desire I need to push forward. He is always there, He will always help, and He will heal with his love. Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us, He walked the road we are walking now, He endured all the we must endure and has felt everything we feel. He did that so that He could know how to build us up, how to strengthen us. He will make us weak mortals strong. We have a divine birthright given to us, we must always remember that. Nothing is impossible all we must do is believe and press forward with steadfast faith in Christ. The church is true, God and Jesus Christ love us all and the gospel has been restore to us. We are the true Church, the restored Church of Christ, that is our message, that is our strength, that is why I am out here in California, because it is true.

I love you all
Love Elder Jason Glowa

P.S.
Thank you to:
Sandy and Ashley for the ties and socks.. I love you Cuz's
The Carpenters for the Montreal shirt and maple syrup
Brigitte for the tie and Spanish hymns on cd
And mom and dad for the Montreal Bagels and the bean cake

LUCKY WEEK 13 - January 11 ,2010 Madera California

                   Hola

Greetings from bright and sunny California! I would say that if I had seen the sun in the past 2 weeks! There is no sun ,it's kinda funny the weather is like our springs minus the snow and the cold. We have lots of fog , its funny with all the fog we can't see the sun  and at night instead of a blue starry sky its like burnt yellow, its cool.

Just like we can't see Jesus we have to faith He's there and we will see Him again the same goes for the sun.... Hey I like that, I think I'll use it in a lesson. LOL!!!

So the greatest new of all is ----  I GO MY FIRST BAPTISM!!!!!!!! ITS SO AMAZING. We baptized Elizabeth, Roberto, and Javier Alvarez. I got to do the baptism for Javier. Don't worry mom a copy of the program and pictures are on there way. If some of them are not up to your pair I'm sorry but welcome to my life. I don't know what it is but all the Spanish people I have met can not take good pictures. They are good but not Fatima Glowa museum worthy pictures, but I try LOL !!!

Its the 5th week into my first transfer and so we get a transfer calls not this Saturday coming but the next one. I don't wanna leave I love my area and my companion! so hopefully all will stay as it is. Which never happens because we wouldn't grow if we didn't change right. But anyway. I haven't goten the coat yet because we only get packages every Wednesday so will get it this one coming.

To answer your questions Zone conference was awesome we got to listen to a lesson from President Gonzalez so super spiritual! I love everything about the mission the spirit is so strong and amazing! My companion is from Texas and is the coolest person ever. He is teaching me that through hard work, exact obedience, and relying on the Lord all things are possible. I have come to have a greater love for when Nephi bears his testimony that if the Lord commanded him to say to the waters be thou earth it would happen. I know that  is true. Faith is so important, and if Heavenly Father commanded something, anything I know I can do it, because He has chosen me and I have been set apart to do his will whatever it maybe.

Yes , Dear Elders works , they get here in 2 days and they are awesome to get.

It's weird though, I really don't care for much else then the work now it is my all, my entire thought and being, it is the only thing that I feel is important. It is why I wake and sleep, why I eat and breath and I am so happy for that.

The Mission is awesome and to anyone who reads this I want you to know that God lives and loves us and that His son came down and went lower then anyone will ever go so that we can be saved and that He can understand us. They love us and on the mission you find out the truthfulness of this. So I invite anyone who is thinking should I go or not. Just do it ,there will be no regrets. "For he that saveth his life shall lose it, but he that loseth his life for my sake shall gain it." I have pondered this scripture a lot and have come to know its truth. I am finding and becoming my true self the one that is worth to stand in all places at all times to speak the truth. So I am giving up my old way of life to gain my true life. Please, Please anyone with doubts know that truth that theses things I say are true. With all the power of my soul I want to make it know that I have not given my service to a fairy tale! This is true, plain and simple. And I cannot deny it's truth because it is within me. I am empowered by the spirit of God to be able to say and do all things.

I love you all very much and thank you for the shining examples.
Love
Elder Jason Glowa

p.s.
I forgot to say Happy Birthday to Courtney Silva Wilson! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!And Grandma Ross your Birthday is coming up so ill wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Your 27 now right? And to Kelsey congrats on your baptism you have started on the right road. Keep up the good work. All of you keep being amazing and the Lord will continue to pour out his love and spirit to you. :D