#21: What I Call Home- Here in Guerrero

Hola!
To answer your questions:  I DID get my winter package this last Tuesday!  I am super grateful for all the love that you guys give me!  It sure means a lot!  This last week we were able to move into our house here in Guerrero and it's really nice!  I feel like I'm back in the States when I walk in.  I have pictures because I know that you would want to see where I live!  haha  We do have a washing machine, but not a dryer.  I don't think the mission has dryers for anyone....maybe the sisters, haha

As for my companion, sometimes he doesn't want to wake up until 7:40! I've tried talking to him about the importance of exact obedience in all things.  It's hard because I grew up in a house where we were always on time to everything...EVERYTHING!!!  I hate being late to things...some mornings I want to rip the sheets off from him!!!

The branch here is really small.  Only about 20 people attend each week.  We meet in a Prayer House,  it's not even a chapel!  I really love the members and all that they do for the missionaries in their area :)

I love the scripture from this past week (2 Nephi 4:34) We can always rely on the Lord through everything.  He is the one person that will be there through it all. It kinda reminds me of a song that I have on my flash drive.  This week, I chose the scripture:

Alma 7:23-24

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

 24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

In the CCM, I read this scripture and felt that it applies to me during my mission.  It explains so well how I need to act and behave during my mission. Let me know your thoughts as well :)

(I had told him that our little  8 year old friend, Cameron Kaesche, who used to live in our cul-de-sac, will be getting baptized this Saturday)  I'm so excited for Cameron!!!  Can you tell him that I still have the paper he gave me in my suit jacket, the one that says, "Dear Preston, Sorry that Rudy (our dog) died"  I look at it each Sunday during the Sacrament.  Also, tell him that I love his decision to be baptized!!  He's gonna make one great missionary! ;)

They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here of course, but November 20th is a holiday here for Mexico's Revolution. We had a baptism this week.  I will tell you more about it next week, but there is a picture.  Her family is a part member family and we found them using the Teaching Records.  She has had all the lessons and was able to be baptized.
I love you!  Thanks for being my biggest fan.
Elder Fowler

Baptism of young girl

November 20th-Mexico's Revolution Day

Mi Casa from the outside

(Quite an upgrade from his last area.)

The bathroom!  

My bedroom

Walk-in closet  ;)
It's very American, well I think so! haha

#20 A New Companion

Well, this week was full of different experiences to say the least!  On Monday (November 9th) I had my first transfer changes in the field.  I no longer serve in Anáhua.  I'm now serving in a place called Guerreo.  In the mission, the part where I'm serving is called La Sierra. And what I know so far is that it's much colder here than any other part of the mission.  I have a new companion now as well.  Elder Vergara is home now and I really appreciate everything that he taught me during the 12 weeks we were together.  My new companion is Elder Castro; he's from Mexico City and has served 20 months in the mission.  We are still in the "get to know you" stage and the language barrier doesn't help either.  Everyone that speaks Spanish, speaks differently, so I just need to focus and concentrate harder on what others are saying.

My companion and I are the first missionaries in Guerrero for a couple months so we don't even have a house there yet.  We've been staying with some Elders in LaJunta, which is about a 40 minute bus ride away. Hopefully, this upcoming week, we can move into a house and start working in Guerrero.  We have to cover the whole city...and that's a lot of work for just one set of missionaries.  In Anáhuac, we had two sets of missionaries which made the work a little easier.  I feel like having a new area, new companion, new everything has given me a new start as well.  I feel like a reset bottom has been pushed, and this is a new beginning. I'm super excited to be serving where I'm serving.  I know that the Lord has placed me where I am now for a reason.  I can't wait to see what amazing things will happen in Guerrero when we give everything to the Lord.  I am thankful for everyday I have to serve the people in Chihuahua and the Lord.

(This week's scripture is:
2 Nephi 4:34)

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Adios mi amigos!
Elder Fowler

Elder Fowler with Elder Garcia
(I believe they are waiting for a bus)

And the sun begins to set on another day.

Such a beautiful sunset, I just couldn't resist taking a picture of it.

#19: 4 Month Mark & Transfers

(Yesterday, November 8th marked 4 months that Elder Fowler has been serving)
 I am able to email right now.  It's earlier than usual because I have changes (transfers) this week!!  Yikes!  Last night and this morning was super hectic and crazy with packing all my stuff and going to Cuauhtemoc.  I'm not going to Chihuahua where we usually do the transfers because the mission doesn't have the money for that, so I will be meeting my new companion later today in Cuauhtemoc when they return.  I was told though by my current Zone Leader that I'm going to the "Sierra's"!!! BURRRRR!!!!  Hopefully my winter package gets here today because I will definatly need that coat and gloves! hahaha  It's pretty crazy!  I can't believe that I'm leaving Anahuac and starting somewhere new.  Apparently, my new companion and I are going to be opening up a new area called, Guerrero, but idk if it's 100% true yet, but we will find out later today!
I love you,
Elder Fowler

Elder Vergara on his last day of his mission-
"He gave me 3 of his ties, I felt so lucky!"

Elder Beeson and Elder Fowler on day of transfers

Visiting with people they had taught before being transferred
from Anáhuac.

Saying goodbye to the Branch President-Marquez and his family

"Plates from Nevada!! I thought this was cool!"

#18 Halloween Package Arrived :)

First off I want to say that I love dad's costume!! That's legendary (his dad dressed up as Doc Brown from Back to the Future)!!! I've been thinking a lot about you all this week because of Halloween!  In Mexico, the big day is November 1st and is called, the Day of the Dead.  Which, I didn't even see anything change or anything big happen.  There were a couple kids who went trick or treating- or Dulce o Truco, haha!

 I did get the Halloween package you sent!  Elder Vergara appreciated the love you sent him too!! He loves candy a lot, LOL.  The sad thing is, Hermana Chavez (The mission president's wife) has a rule that we can't eat sugary cereal-at all, so I can't have the cereal you sent...Sucks.  I don't understand the rule completely because we can eat candy between the hours of 11am-6pm, but I obey the rule anyway. haha  For breakfast I usually have Cheerios, or eggs with a tortilla, ham and salsa, or a sandwich.  I enjoy having the small set of scriptures that you sent too because I don't always remember where things are in Spanish, so I can quickly pull it out and find it in the small English set. I defiantly feel my mother's love by everything that she does for me.

This week has been really good.  We almost had a baptism this week but it fell through and didn't happen. It's super hard to proselyte once the sun goes down after 6:00pm with 3 more hours in our day!  Plus, that's when it get cold and miserable. I've started to find the things that I've learned from my trainer, Elder Vergara, and overall, I think I take him for granted.  This week was great for our companionship and I feel like we could talk all day to pass the time when we walk.  Today was his last P-Day because he goes home next Monday.

The scripture from this past week (Alma 42:31) is  super relatable to me, especially as a missionary.  I really love the same part that you mentioned in your email.  For this week, the scripture I chose for us to "Ponderize" is: 2 Nephi 22:2-3  It's really powerful and I just love it.  I came across it in my personal studies this week.

(2 Nephi 22:2-3)

2  God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Love, your missionary,
Elder Fowler

At Los Arcos to celebrate Elder Vergara's last full p-day
before he returns home.

Looks so good!

Elder Fowler with his Zone

The awesome moon; it was huge!!!

#17 Not Affected by Hurricane Patricia

Comó esta! I really enjoyed reading your letter this week!  It brought a smile to my face! :)  (We asked Peston if he had any effects from Hurricane Patricia that hit Mexico on Friday, October 23rd) I honestly had no clue there was a hurricane that hit Mexico!  We didn't get anything besides cold weather and rain but that's about it, nothing more!

I enjoyed "ponderizing" Mosiah 24:14 this week.  It really gave me strength whenever I have difficult times.  The Savior is the only person that knows exactly what we are going through and He can make our load less and eventually into nothing!  I really love doing the "ponderizing" a scripture each week because I can then share them with the members we eat with as a spiritual thought!  I have a feeling that this up coming scripture in Alma will be really applicable to myself! hahaha

Dad, during your mission did you ever feel like you walked in circles all day?  Because I've been feeling like that this week.  We taught maybe 2-3 lessons in homes and the rest of the time we walk and try to contact people in the streets.  It's hard and frustrating walking in circles hours on end.  Let me know what you think.

(Dad's response- "Many days I felt like that.  Then all of a sudden there are many people to teach.  It is the ups and downs of mission life.  this won't be the last time you experience this.  I would always try and make games out of doing things like that.  It's all good.  This too shall pass.")
From the amount of walking I do, I play the best game ever!!!  It's called, Kicking Rocks and Seeing How Far They Go!!  It's a great way to pass the time-insert sarcasm here, LOL!!

(This week's scripture is:
Alma 4:31And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.)

As always, I love hearing about your week!
 I Love you dearly!
Love,
Elder Fowler

See-Saw Kings; Elder Fowler, Elder Greenwood

I Believe I can fly!

From a training meeting

#16: 100 Days Out Serving

This last week was pretty busy, and surprisingly-time went by pretty fast.  Tuesday morning we had a Capacitation with Presidente Chavez in Cuauhtémoc that was really awesome!  He taught us about lineage and how descendants of Joseph, which are (for the most part) people in Mexico, will receive the restored gospel from the Gentiles.  this really was interesting to me because we can see this work going forth today.
Wednesday, my companion and I had Divisions with the District Leader, and I was with his companion, Elder Valdivieso.  He's really cool and he's one of the few native speakers I can understand.  That same day, our Zone Leaders set a goal-every day make 50 contacts!!  When we heard this, we thought it was impossible.  We normally have 10-15 contacts a day.  But, Elder Vergara and I did all we could.  We told ourselves that if we reached our goal, we'll go get ice cream.  By 8:00pm we had an hour left with only 40 contacts.  Once it gets dark, there's hardly any people in the streets so I was questioning whether or not we would find 10 more people!  But, with faith, determinations, and hard work, we contacted 11 more people that hour!  I will gladly tell you that we went for some hard-earned ice cream!!
Thursday was my 100th day on my mission.  I was on exchanges with the District Leader, so I guess that is how I celebrated the day.
(The scripture of the week that Brooke chose: Mosiah 24:14  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions) The Lord can ease mine and your burdens.  He is the only person who knows exactly how we feel about everything.  I've learned to rely on the Atonement so much already during my mission in times of stress and hardship.   I find peace and comfort through the knowledge of the Atonement.
This Sunday was special because we had a General Authority from Salt Lake in Anáhuac.  His name is Elder Martinez.  I really enjoyed the spirit that he spoke with and his message was really great. I was able to understand most of what he said . I always enjoy listening to the voice of the Lord through the general authorities because I know the things they share are inspired by the Lord.
I never thought that Mexico would be cold but it sure has been lately, especially in the mornings during our study time, and the last two hours in the day before we head home.  But overall, I'm excited to be serving where the Lord needs me at this time.

Elders-Moreales, Vergara, Fowler and Greenwood

Not sure if this happened before or after the picture above.

We wanted to see pictures of his apartment. Dishes clean :)

He has a washing machine, but not a dryer.  We believe that
next to that must be his water heating source for his shower.

Their study area.  Preston's is on the left. Gotta love the
red and purple walls :)

He must not have a closet, but at least he has somewhere he can
hang some of his things.

His bathroom

#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"