Elder Rowland July 27, 2009

Hey Dad
Well im in a place called the "The Pond of Rats!" But so far i havent seen any rats. Its really a beautiful place , and really cold! For some reason the last missionary that was there took almost all the blankets in the house, so between me and my companion, we had just 2 blankets!, And it doesnt snow here , but there is frost every morning! so we had to borrow some blankets froms some members. But everthing is going really well here. Its a branch here so the ward is extremly small. There is probably 30 members, and instead of having a chaple , the church bought a little food store, and made it into a church. Its pretty cool. Ill send you guys pictures of it. My new companion is elder Braz, Hes a brasilian too. He is on his last transfer and is working really hard . I really like him, he's great. Im improving everyday. I wanted to tell you dad that im doing better in talking to people about the church. almost every morning i said to myself, " okay, this is the day that im going to talk to everyone and give away a book of mormon and i wont be shy!" And then i wouldnt talk so much to very many people. but on day , the president of our branch said that " Its dificult to recieve Inspiration from the lord if you arent being obediant." that really got to me. i dont want to go through my mission never recieving insperation or special experiances like that. So i was also reading (sorry this is so long) a thing by president kimbel that we want to be excited to do this work and show people your happieness and love for the lords work and glory. So i grabbed a book of mormon and i finally did it... im talking with people, im doing what the lord wants me to do. I know that the lord is helping me, and the confidence you guys have in me is doing wonders for me. I love you Dad!.
Elder Rowland

Hey Mom!
Thought id give you an update on how things are going around here. They are going great! There are tough days and fun days filled with joy , but they are all worth it. I Cant believe iv been gone for 9 months! But i am greatful for the time i have here. I should be getting your package in august, because thats our zone conferiance. Thanks for everything mom. I have a post office right next to my house so ill be sending a lot more letters now. Give everyone my love and i want you to know how special you are to me mom. i sure love you!.
Elder Rowland

Happy Birthday Jess! -Transfers

Hey dad and mom!
Thanks for the email dad. i am so glad to hear that everything went well . I now that it must have been just wonderful. Right know im in a Internet house that will be my last time here in this area. i found out that im being transfered to someother place , but im not sure where yet. But im really excited, and kinda sad at the same time because i grew really close to some people here. I am really greatful that i had the opportunity to serve here. Everything is going great dad. There are really so many blessing that im reciving from the lord. I cant help but be greatful for the lessons im learning . I think how much better prepared i will be to be a father like you dad. Thanks for the prayers and the love.
Tell Jesse happy Birthday! i was 16 just yesterday. ... But how time flys. I love you all so much.Muito!
Elder Rowland

Elder Rowland July 13, 2009 More Pictures!

Hey dad

I know exactly how you feel about grandpa leaving a big hole. And like you said there are so many people in our lives that are especially there to help your needs to become as the lord wants. i was thinking of grandpa the other day, and Sister Johnson said around the time he passed away that i would find myself just thinking about him and that i would start to cry. She was right , but i cry because of the love he had for all of us, kind of like our savior. I thank you all so very much for the prays dad, they are NOT WASTED . They are divine and sacred and i know that they are helping me. Its funny how things work out like that . You know what i mean. But im sending you some pictures. The first would be the beautiful sunset. the second would be me drinking the southern brasilian drink, and the third would just be of me. Dad im going so much, im learning that though obediance we are blessed . We had a babtism saturday and i got the chance to confirm our investigator. it was really neat. I sure love you dad and tell everybody that i love them too.
Elder Rowland
P.S. Hope everyone had a great time at the Rowland Reunion! Send me pictures!

Scenery of Brazil

Me

Me sipping a Brazilian Drink

The Mission Countryside

These are some really good guys in the ward, the one on the right wanted to hook up with Ash. But that probably wont work out. ...

Elder Rowland July 6, 2009

Hello Family!
Thanks so much for the wonderful photos! I cant believe how big you guys are. You all look so different to me . Its so crazy how you guys change after 8 months! I guess that i always thought you would be the same when i came home , but i can already see that it will be a lot different. Things are going great for me here and the lord is blessing me a lot.
So the family reunion is coming up this week eh? I hope that everything works out great , i want to know everything.
Well if you would like me too say something to the whole family , i would like to say that i sure love each and everyone of you. Im so sorry that im not able to write every single person in the family about how much i love them. I always loved the family reunions, it was one of the most anticipated things for me during the year. But give all my love for everyone there.
i hope that all of you have a wonderful time . Tell dad that im not fooled by that rooster, there is only one sam! haha
Jesse and logan and russell , If you go paintballing , Kill a johnny red for me.
Maddy And Ash have fun on your girls day.
Mom thanks for everything. I sure am greatful for you.
And tell Grandma that i love her, and im so greatful for her example. She is such a wonderful grandmother.
I love you all so much. The WHOLE Rowland family
Elder Rowland