#106: Post-Mission as an RM (Returned Missionary)

  (It was too late to go to IN-N-OUT the night Preston got home, so the next day, he got to go for lunch.  But just before lunch, he and his dad and brother went to the AT&T store to get him a new phone. )

(Before leaving the mission, Preston wrote down some of the things he hoped to do once he got home.  One of the things on that list, was to go to the temple.  We were able to go together, along with his Grammy Val)

The Reno Temple

(Here are all the family members that came for Preston's homecoming talk
and Preston's niece Baylor's blessing)

(We were super excited that two of the family's that have son's serving in
Chihuahua were able to travel to Reno to meet us for the first time, and
to be there for Preston's homecoming.  Elder Johnson was even one of Preston's
companions!  These two missionary momma have become such a strength to me.
We felt like we have known each other for a long time)

(Here is us missionary mommas re-inacting our sons in the above picture.
Had we looked at it beforehand, we should have gave a thumbs up!)

(With it being Baylor's blessing day, this meant that Preston
was able to stand in the circle to help with the blessing)

(Preston with Daniel Perez.  He has always
taken an interest in Preston's mission.  We're so
glad he was able to attend today because his family
moved to Texas just a couple weeks before Preston got home)

(So happy that Preston was able to meet the two elders that have been
serving in our ward and have heard so much about him.
Elder Bridge, and Elder White)

(I made this with one of Preston's mission shirts and the tie
that he wore as he left Reno bound for Mexico)

(After church, we had a few friends and family come over for
some food and to visit)

(My friend Melody made this special cake for him)

(When Preston came home, Elder Fardos and Elder Johnson
gave him one of their mission tags to give to their families.
We had to take a picture of these three great dads wearing
their son's tag)

(So grateful for all these friends and family)

(We have talked about Uncle Preston to Krew his whole life
so it made it an easy adjustment for him to love him.
This picture makes my heart so happy)

(We took Preston to a Mexican restaurant and he felt
like he was back in Chihuahua and that he took us there.
He even ordered for all of us in Spanish. He said it was
pretty authentic Mexican food.
You can take him out of Mexico, but his heart will always be there!)

#105: "Don't Cry Because it's over; Smile because it happened" Dr. Seuss

As a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have been out serving the Lord and the people of Chihuahua, Mexico for 2 years.  I decided to read the the Book of Mormon again, start to finish.  This time, as I read it, I underlined every time it gave a name for the Lord Jesus Christ.  I was astonished by how often it talks of Him.  I know without a doubt, The Book of Mormon is true, and truly "another testament" of Jesus Christ.  I have seen this book change lives during my mission.  Lives of members, investigators, converts, companions, but most of all MY life!  I have lived my life these last two years abiding by it's teachings and have found daily strength and nourishment.  I know The Book of Mormon has power!  There is no other book I love to read more than this one. The Holy Ghost has confirmed on many occasions, as I dig deep into it's pages.  There is not one thing that could make me think otherwise.  I will always be a witness of the Book of Mormon, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I want to be like Moroni.  In Moroni 1:3 it reads; "I will not deny the Christ."  I've received countless blessings from my Father in Heaven; one of the greatest is being born in the church and becoming a missionary and sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know these things are true. 

It is my testimony, and I do it in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

July 21, 2017-Elder Fowler's Return Home

(Elder Larsen-the AP (Assistant to the President) and Elder Fowler
at the mission office on the morning Elder Fowler returns home)

Time for take-off
Chihuahua airport

Homeward bound!

(In the Dallas airport, he had a 3 hour lay over so he ate
at Qdoba.  He said it tasted awful and he didn't even finish his burrito)

(He will finally meet his niece Baylor- 3 months, and
Krew- 23 months old!  They've waited their whole
life to meet him!)

(Reunited and it feels so good!)

(His room is all ready.  We totally redecorated his bedroom while
he was gone.  We knew he would only be home for a couple months
before heading off to school, so it looks more like a guest room now
instead of a teenage boy's room like he had before)

(These are the results of a hard-working missionary)