#15: "Ponderize"

Hola! Mi Amigos!  Sorry I haven't been the best about writing my experiences each week.  Some of you may have thought I was kidnapped by the Cartels in Mexico!  But, the real reason is that we've been really busy teaching investigators and finding new ones as well. We had our first, "cambios" or transfer changes not too long ago and my companion, Elder Vergara and I are still here in Anáhuac.  Our area was cut in half so there are 4 missionaries serving in Anáhuac.  The only thing that's difficult about it is living in the same house.  It was a lot easier last transfer cycle when it was just my companion and I.  But we make it work.  Whenever I go on exchanges with my District Leaders, I feel out of place.  Anáhuac has become my home and I know the city so well.  I never thought my mission would help me learn directions and street names (Preston wasn't good with that here in the states), but it definitely has, along with other things.  Earlier this week, I bought two sweaters and a tie for 260 pesos! That's like 21 US dollars!! The best part was, the tie was only 19 pesos-just over a dollar!! Score!
I did receive the package from home this week on Thursday and it's amazing!!  I absolutely love everything you put in it!!  The speaker and music and conference talks are great!! So thank you so much!!  Something I may need soon is a winter jacket. I could possibly find one her but idk.  Oh, and TIES!!!!!!!  I love ties and want like a million more!! haha
NOTE: (For the next two years, we decided to take the challenge that Brother Durrant gave us during General Conference and choose a scripture a week to ponder and memorize- "Ponderize" a made up word of course :)  Last week's scripture was 2 Nephi 33:3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry)
I too thought about the scripture of the week and what spoke to me is the importance Nephi knew about writing about his people.  He testifies to all readers that he himself wrote his words and not Joseph Smith who many people want to claim.  It gives the Book of Mormon validity!  The scripture I want us to "ponderize" this week is really powerful:  Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
This current week was a little more difficult to find people to contact because the weather wasn't the  best for people to be outside.  It was really cold, rainy and windy; we were the only people crazy enough to be out in it!  This week we've had a couple of amazing contact in the streets.  They were only possible because we listened to the small, but firm promptings of the Spirit.  These are the people that the Lord has prepared specifically for us.  The Lord knows that we have something special to offer these investigators.  I have a strong testimony that Heavenly Father prepares those who are ready to hear the Gospel specifically from my companion and I.
 This weekend, we had what's called "Conferencia Distrito" which is pretty much the same thing as Stake Conference in the US. On Friday night there was a Cultural Program with singing and dancing. Saturday was a Priesthood meeting and an Adult session for all on Sunday.  It was really good.  About 6-7 hours of talks in Spanish; my mind was fried!  But, the messages were great.  Presidente and Hermana Chavez were there and they spoke to us as well.  Next week, during our sacrament meeting, Elder Martinez who is a member of the Seventy, is going to be there. It should be really good.
This Thursday, (October 15th) will be my 100th day in the mission!!! I can't believe it is already October!  Time flies by when you're on the Lord's errand!  I Love all of you back home and I'm super grateful for your support.
Always remember that you're in my prayers,
Elder Fowler

Spaghetti and Tacos!!
Reminded him of the Nickelodeon TV show-iCarly

It was hailing for a little while.

Elder Fowler, Elder Vergara-sweater weather

Sporting his first sweater-bought there in Mexico

His caption for this was: "Riding in the back of a truck going 65mph!
Probably shouldn't have shared this picture 'til after my mission for your sake, haha"

#14: General Conference Weekend

Hola!  I really enjoyed General Conference this week, mainly because I  listened to each talk instead of sleeping through them on the couch..HaHa   I was able to watch conference with the other Americans in Cuauhtemoc-in English in a very tiny room.  We squeezed 7 of us in there and Elder Beeson and I  had the best seats the whole time:)  Before each session, we had the responsibility to bring people off the streets to come listen to the voices of living prophets!  It was actually really fun.  Our goal to double sacrament was 70 people in La Capilla.  We had 65 people, so, so close!!!  I definatly feel that the Lord has blessed us for our efforts.  I finished reading the Doctrine and Covenants this week.  I love the last 9 sections, especially Section 135!!!  Boy, it's powerful words about the prophet Joseph Smith!

I haven't received the other package from you yet, only the Greenie package.  Hopefully it will come this week.  I'll keep my eye out for the Halloween one as well.  I really want to send a package to you guys as well, but honestly, I don't know how and I don't trust the postal service.

As always, I love you.  You are my strength and my rock!
Elder Fowler

My new agenda/calendar for the new transfer.  The only problem is,
that all the missionaries look at it and think Brooke is my nova (girlfriend).
(She's actually married and has a baby now-crazy missionaries-oh the
problems of having pretty sisters) 

The back of the agenda/calendar
(his closest friends from high school-Matthew, Stephanie and Jordin)

Ciuada de Rubio-this is where the Mennonite people live. 

#13: Rainy Days While on Exchanges

Today is transfers and Elder Vergara and I are staying in Anahuac for the upcoming transfer cycle.  Elder Vergara returns home on November 11th.  I really enjoy our area because this past week I went on exchanges (when missionary companionships trade companions for a short period of time) with the district leader in Cuauhtemoc and I felt completely out of place! We were on exchanges from Wednesday afternoon to Friday evening!  I missed my "own" bed in Anahuac.  Anahuac is like my home now! My companion and I are really getting along.  There isn't too much of a language barrier anymore so that is nice! Oh, and our boiler is finally working again and we have Hot Water!

I'm talking a lot more in lessons and honestly I have no idea what I'm about to say, but the Lord fills my mouth with the words I need to touch the hearts of those we teach.  We had another baptism yesterday.  She is a 9 year old girl who's parents have been less active so we've been trying to reactivate them.

Here is Mexico, they don't fast the week before General Conference, but my companion and I did anyway.  I believe I will be able to watch General Conference in English with the other gringos, if not, then in Spanish and then next month I can read the talks in the Ensign.  I did hear about Richard G. Scott...crazy to think that three General Authorities have passed this year.

I Love you and constantly pray for you all,
Elder Fowler

September 27, 2015

Mucha Mucha lluvia (lots and lots of rain)

Out on exchanges with a District Leader
(Love this picture-He doesn't seem to mind the rain)

He wanted to send us this picture because he says there are
everywhere-this was like his dad's first car back in the 80's.

Check out this car....never seen one of these before.

#12: A Big Goal to Try and Reach

Hola!  Comó esta?
This last week has been pretty good.  I feel like the days are kind of long, but the weeks truly fly by so quickly.  On Monday after P-Day, we had a multi-zone meeting with Elder Larsen who is an assistant to the (mission) President.  He extended a goal to each of us to double the attendance in sacrament meeting these next two weeks!  Our plan to achieve such a goal is by reaching out to the less-actives, and recent converts.  In order for my companion and I to double the attendance, we'd have to have 40 less-actives/recent converts in church!  It may not seem like much, but that's a lot to my companion and I.  All this week, we were spending about 80% of our time with less-actives, planting that seed of faith to attend this Sunday.  We had many families say that they would be there!  When Sunday rolled around, sadly, that wasn't the case... I was devastated!!  We tried so hard to rekindle the desire to come to church but ultimately, people have their agency to heed the words we share or not.  We have one more week to achieve our goal.  The most important thing is, to not lose faith, but to put our faith in the Lord.  It is by great faith, miracles are brought forth.

On September 16th and 17th was Mexican Independence Day.  (Some of the pictures below are from that day)  I really love the salsa here!  It has amazing heat to it and I have a couple recipes I will want to make for everyone back home! They're pretty simple recipes. Mom-I have a couple scriptures for you that I came across in my scripture study.  I think it applies really well to you and you will find peace. Doctrine & Covenants 75:23-24

23 And again, thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who have given your names that you might know his will concerning you—

 24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.

As far as learning the Spanish language, it's coming along slowly.  Each day is better than the last and it's exciting to see the progress I've made thus far.  Fro me, I think the hardest part is hearing the words which are spoken, and be able to comprehend what they are saying.  It's defiantly much easier when it's gospel related, compared to just casual street conversations.  But the Lord has defiantly helped me along the way.  He has opened my mouth several times to speak and I don't know what I'm saying 100%, but the people understand and they can feel the Spirit in which we bring.  I've been thinking about Landon (his cousin who will be leaving on September 30th to serve in the Mexico-Cancun mission) and the things which he will endeavor!  Super excited for the kid! :)  It's crazy to think that this transfer cycle is almost complete!  The mission has taught me many things that I'll be eternally grateful for.  I'm excited to see what miracles the Lord will give us this week!

I Love you-Forever and Always,
Elder Fowler

September 16-17-Mexico's Independence Day Celebration

"Los Arcos" Three grande pizzas, 3 pitchers of lemonade,
and 5 milkshakes for $550 Pesos, that's like $35 US dollars
Not too bad if you ask me ;) 

Today's lunch...3 hamburgers for 40 pesos... That's like $2.30 in US Dollars

#11-Temple Rededication

This week has been kind of a typical week in the mission field.  I've been feeling a lot better after going to the doctors last week for my stomach.  I think it's getting better which is really good.  I really enjoy Elder Arnold, he's like a brother to me.  (he is a zone leader to Preston) He was the one who took me to the hospital and helped translate everything for me! haha  Doctor talk is hard enough to understand in English! haha  I enjoy eating with the members because they are awesome people and super strong in the gospel.  And don't forget the food!  I haven't had one day where I didn't want seconds!  (I asked Preston if they have a microwave and if he'd like me to send him popcorn) We have a microwave and we use it sometimes, but maybe occasionally popcorn would be nice...popcorn here is a bit different haha.  We have no stove which sucks, but we have this electric plug-in stovetop but it's pretty awful. haha  Right now we don't have any hot water because our boiler broke and we need a new one.  So, I've taken plenty of cold showers in the morning... hopefully it's fixed before winter comes!


On Sunday, September 13th, church was a little different because we attended the re-dedication of the México City Temple, in Cuauhtemoc, via broadcast.  There were three sessions, each an hour and half long.  We attended all three so we had "church" from 8am-3:30pm!  I felt like dad with all his long meetings each Sunday!  President Henry B. Eyring  presided and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland were the general authorities that were there.  Elder Holland is amazing!  He bore his testimony in Spanish, and I could understand every word!  Even though we were hundreds of miles away from the ceremony, I felt the Spirit so strong just as if I was in the temple itself with these amazing brethren!  I've never attended a dedication before and I was really impressed.  After attending, my desire to go to the temple is even stronger now!  The temple truly is a heaven on Earth!  I know Heavenly Father accepts all of the temples as a House unto Him.

I love you all.
I know the Lord is blessing each of you.
Love your missionary,
Le Amo,
Elder Fowler

He gave no description-I know he's at a member's house though.

Overlooking the area where his is serving; Anáhuac

(I ordered these mini missionaries because it makes me think of
Elder Fowler (Left) and his companion, Elder Vergara (Right)
Now, if their hair color could be swapped)

#10-Battle of Tastebuds VS Stomach (Today's post is posted on Elder Fowler's 2 month mark!)

    This week has been pretty crazy because a lot of stuff happened.  On Monday, we contacted a lot of people but I wasn't feeling 100%.  I had bad stomachaches, and I needed the bathroom quite frequently, but I didn't think anything of it.  Then, Tuesday came and  I was feeling worse.  I ended up needing the restroom 11 times that day...so, I knew something was up, so I called President Chavez and told him what was going on.  We decided it was best for me to go to Chihuahua and find out what was going on.  At the hospital, the doctor told me I didn't have a virus or anything like that.  But, it was just my body still trying to get used to the food here in Mexico.  So, they gave me some medicine that should help fix the problem.  I felt a lot better a couple days later so it should be working as it's supposed to.  I really do love all the food here in Mexico and always want to eat more and more!  But my stomach isn't as enthusiastic about it like my tastebuds!  It will just be a matter of time until they both are on the same page.

     On Saturday, September 5th, we had another baptism, and I was honored to perform the ordinance.  The baptism was for a mid 40 year old man named Guadalupe.  He's about 6'2" and close to 225 Lbs.  I was a little worried about how I was going to get this much of a person into the water completely, but I was able to do it without a problem. (Guadalupe was taught most of the lessons from other elders before transfers but Preston and his companion continued the lessons with him and then was able to baptize him) These moments are the moments I live for on a mission.  It feels amazing bringing people into the waters of baptism and witness them making covenants with the Lord.
   
    Spanish is coming along one day at a time and I can see the Gift of Tongues work when I speak with investigators and my companion.  I think the hardest part is listening and understanding what people are saying.  I really do love the people in Anáhuac  and their kindness.  They are blessing my life just as much as I am blessing theirs.

     Oh, I wanted to tell you that I finished reading the Book of Mormon on Friday (September 4, 2015).  I started the first day of the CCM and just finished!  In Mexico, there are real native people who dress like back in the day and live the same way. It's pretty crazy but the Mennoties work on farms... particularly Apple Farms! Their homes are HUGE!!!!  I love the apples down here.

     This P-day (preparation day-to do laundry, shopping, e-mails, etc) was better than last.  We figured out a better and faster way to use our washer and then we shopped for groceries. Everything is super cheap.  I can get a drink, and a pastry for about 14 pesos!!  That's less than a dollar in the US!!  But each peso I have is super valuable!!  Thanks for all that you've done for me and continue to do.
Le amo!
Your son and Missionary,
Elder Fowler

 Companion Elder Veraga, wife of Guadalupe, Guadalupe and Elder Fowler
September 5, 2015 

Elder Fowler's District
(Preston-back row-far right)

A home of one of the Mennonite people-WOW!!!  Impressive!!!

Pretty neat to find this down in Mexico!!!
Maybe it stopped to get Scooby a snack!!

#9-First Baptism on August 29, 2015

I really love the pictures you sent this week. Some of them crack me up. Ha Ha! I did receive your package on Friday and it was just what I needed this week, so thank you so much!  Some really cool things happened this week!  My knowledge of the gospel and testimony have really grown through the hours we are given each morning to study the doctrine.  Also, we are given an hour each day for language study and I really enjoy being able to learn the Spanish language.  I think the hardest part of the language is listening to people talk.  They talk super fast and I only catch a couple words.  But it's just something that takes time and it'll soon come. We have a washer, but no dryer so we just hang our clothes out to dry and our washer is ghetto, so we have to manually fill it with water, then  drain it into a small trash can.. We've made messes with water all over our floor...mainly my companion's fault...haha...oh well :)

Our branch is really small, about 40-45 people attend church... and on Sunday, the missionaries were asked to bless the sacrament and it was really awesome doing so in Spanish.  I got it correct the first time!  Elder Vergara and I have a couple investigators that are really progressing and it's exciting seeing them come closer to Heavenly Father and the gospel.  Yesterday, August 29th, was one day that I won't ever forget!  We had our first baptism!  She's a 70 year old woman who everyone calls, "Abuela", which means, grandma.  I had the opportunity to perform the ordinance.  It was my first baptism ordinance and it was in Spanish!  Those kind of moments are the reason I wanted to serve a mission; to bring as many people I can into the waters of baptism to make covenants with our Father in Heaven.

 I really enjoy the Mexican people.  They are super nice and forgiving of my lack of Spanish.  Most doorways here aren't made for the average American.  I always have to duck my head before entering into homes!  Mexicans sure do know how to cook amazing food!  I haven't had anything that I didn't like.  The members treat us so well and it's such a blessing.  One time, we even had cheeseburgers with fries and beans!  It was a nice reminder of the food from the states!  Overall, it's been a great time down here, south of the border and if anything happens these next two years, It will be that I  am more converted to the gospel.  I love and miss all of you and hope all is well back in the states.
le Amo, tu hijo,
Elder Fowler

So excited that Elder Fowler received a package from home!
Now that we know how to send packages and that he will receive them,
we will be sending him more.
 Check out that cool shirt he is wearing too :)

A "Greenie" is a missionary that has just entered the mission field after being in the Missionary Training Center.
It was fun to send him all kinds of green items from home.

Elder Fowler-He is wearing the same white tie that his dad
wore when he baptized people while serving in
the San Bernardino, CA mission between 1990-1992

August 29, 2015- Elder Fowler was able to baptize
this sweet 70 year old woman.  This would be
Preston's first baptism ordinance that he would do in Spanish.

As his mom, I must say, these pictures of this baptism brought
tears to my eyes, seeing my son dressed in white, ready to baptize
this sweet woman that everyone calls, "Abuela", meaning grandma. 

The sister missionaries with Elder Veraga, the woman being baptized,
and Elder Fowler

Elder Fowler's nephew, Krew was
blessed on August 30, 2015 in Reno, NV

We didn't want to leave Preston out of the special blessing day,
so we brought him along with us.

Elder Fowler was certainly thought of today during Krew's blessing.

This was a sweet reminder that Preston would have been in the
circle when his nephew, Krew was blessed.  Oh how we miss him!