Elder Preston Fowler: #24: Snow in Mexico

Monday, December 14, 2015

#24: Snow in Mexico

This past week was full of greatness, surprises, and full of the Spirit. This week we were blessed to have one of our investigators, named Maguel Rubio Dominquez, be baptized on December 12th. I was pretty stoked because he is someone who has been prepared by the Lord for us to find and teach. About 20 years ago, he received a Book of Mormon (and it was well used) but he never attended church but understood all the principles and doctrines of the church! He's a really awesome man! He was super easy to teach because he already knew the material that we were teaching. He then was interviewed by our District Leader and then we prepared for him to be baptized. In Guerrero (his area) the casa de oracion (prayer house-or chapel) doesn't have a baptismal font, so we had to go to La Juata. On Saturday, the day of his baptism, the weather looked terrible. Strong winds, rain and cold. While driving to La Junta, it started hailing! Pretty crazy, right? When we got to the chapel, the hail let up a little bit. Only 5 minutes later, it bagan to snow! Snow in Mexico?! I never would have believed it unless I saw it. All us gringo missionaries freaked out and enjoyed ourselves a bit, making snowballs and what-not! After the fun in the snow, we baptized Hermano Rubio. But the really cool party is, he was confirmed right after by our Branch President. The reason for doing so, was because Sunday was the dedication of the Tijuana, Mexico Temple. Hermano Rubio was then able to attend with us! It was really something to see our new convert "attend the temple" via satellite transmission!

The dedication of the Tijuana Temple was absolutely amazing and the spirit was so strong for all three sessions. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Dallin H. Oaks were the General Authorities who dedicated the House of the Lord. What is really special, is President Gordon B. Hinckley's son is the temple president of Tijuana! And, his spanish is pretty good! I could feel the Lord accept this magnificent building as a "casa del Señor".

To say my week here was great is an understatement. I'm looking forward to this upcoming week to see the blessings from the Lord, not only in my life, but the lives of those around me.

(We asked him if he had read the email from his friend, Jacob Wolf who received his mission call this past week and will be serving in the Argentina Salta Mission and will be leaving on March 9, 2016)

I did hear from Jacob!!! How awesome is that?!? Los tres amigos Hablan español después la misión!!! I'm super happy for him!

(What's crazy is the three young men from our ward that have known each other since they were little, and are the best of friends, all leave within 9 months apart from each other.-Matthew: October 2014, Preston: July 2015, and Jacob: March 2016. Matthew left on the 7th, Preston left on the 8th and Jacob leaves on the 9th. All will be able to speak Spanish, which was something we were hoping for them. Each of their missions boundaries are around the same distance from the Pacific Ocean too)

My companion and I are planning to Skype on Christmas day, just so you know. I'll let you know what time you can expect a call from me. I think we found a member who has Skype and just need to ask. I get 40 minutes to talk, that's it.

The scripture this week is D&C 50:24, I really like this scripture a lot.

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

I love you all and know the Lord is watching over you.
Love,
Elder Fowler