Transferred....

Being a missionary is a transient life.  Everything you have has to be able to be moved.  Packed up with a few days notice and fit into a couple of suitcases.  You have to say good-bye to the people who have embraced you.  You get a new companion, a new ward (or wards) family, have to learn a new area, new streets, new places to buy your groceries, and, oh yeah, it's Christmas time.

There's one thing that's constant.  The gospel.  Your purpose.  Your work is done where you are leaving.  The Lord has work for you to do someplace new.  It looks like Elder Rowley's work was done.  He expressed his love to us many times for the Palm Bay area and the people he served there. Even after the first week, we could see that he loved them.  Here are some of the pictures he took when he found out he was being transferred.

Brother Gordon - Ward Mission Leader

Elder Wilson & Elder Rowley

Jake Moore & Elder Rowley

The Phenicie Family

The Cook Family

The most wonderful thing about being a missionary is the conversion of people to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Before he left Elder Rowley was able to baptize a sister.  What a wonderful opportunity for him.  She and her brother were both taking the lessons.  He is still working on getting ready for baptism.  In the Lords time...

Here is the talk he gave at her baptism.

Baptism.

It is the first covenant we make with God. It is the gate way to our Heavenly Father. It is the beginning of the end. Covenants are a binding and solemn agreement with God. We promise to obey him and he promises to bless us.

Christ was baptized and he said it was to fulfill all righteousness. We need to do as he did and be baptized. In 2 Nephi 31:10-12 the prophet Nephi is quoting the savior. (Read it). The savior is offering us to follow him and to do as he does and he will bless us with the Holy Ghost.

When we are baptized, read in Mosiah 18:9, we will have the desire to mourn with those that mourn and also to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. To stand at a witness of Christ and to take upon you his name, means you are willing to serve him and keep his commandments for the rest of our lives. It means we will be a light to those who stand in darkness. When we are baptized we are cleansed from sin. Baptism is our spiritual re birth. It cleanses us from head to toe! It allows us the companionship of the savior through the Holy Ghost. He will accompany each of us along the road of life. Baptism is a representation of us barring our old life of sin, going under the water, and rising up out of the water as a new person, completely clean from all pass transgressions. Our father in heaven is so pleased with the decision you have made Marcia to be baptized.


Baptism isn't the end. It is the beginning. Once we are baptized, that's not all. We must endure to the end. Enduring to the end means we continually repent and try to become more like our savior. In 2 Nephi 31:20 it says.... When we endure to the end we will receive eternal life. That is our main goal. Baptism opens the gate for us to get on the strait and narrow path so we can gain our eternal life. "As patiently, faithfully, and consistently follow this path throughout our lives, we will qualify for eternal life." (PMG 66). Every Sunday we renew our baptismal covenant by taking the sacrament. The sacrament will make us clean again just like baptism does. It is important that we take it weekly so we can always stay on Gods path and continue to endure to the end.


Bear testimony.

From Elder Rowley. "my job in Palm Bay was accomplished in the sight of the Lord. I'm scared but excited for what is to come:)"