#27: Reasonable Goal for the New Year

I didn't get a chance to email yesterday because we had a Zone Conference all day in La Junta, so that is why I'm emailing this morning.  Once a month the zone leaders are trained by the President and then they come teach us what President Chavez wants us to learn.  Afterwards, we played fútbol!!  We have two new investigators who are really awesome!  I can already picture them in the waters of baptism!  One goal for myself in the new year is to be more fluent in Spanish by December. haha!  Seems reasonable! haha

I always love the pictures you send. They always brighten my day!  I'm almost in all the pictures of the Christmas card!! haha  Thanks for updating me on the family too.

Dad, I was wondering how tithing settlement went this year.  How did you do it?  On Saturdays? All after Church?? I wanna know. haha

And....have you seen the new Star Wars movie?  Is it good?  Here in Mexico, they have these drinks called Jumex and they have bottle caps with awesome battle scenes and other cool pictures from Star Wars!!  There's 150 different caps and all the gringos want to collect them all!!!  I already have 10  but I think and I want more!!!   They're pretty sweet! I will take a picture of them send them next week.

Thank you for the advice and example you always set for me.
Le amo,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The Casa de oración (prayer house-meaning their church building)

I like clouds....haha

#26: Christmas In Mexico

(From his journal) This is one week that I don't think I'll forget for a long time. The reason being is that Christmas was this week and I felt love and gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I'm so grateful for this time of year, when I can think and ponder about Him and all that He did for me.

The week was filled of fun festivities with the branch here and the spirit of Christmas. On Monday there was a Christmas party with the Branch.  There was tamales, tamales, and more tamales! They are one of my favorite Mexican foods here!  We had a piñata, which was fun to break open and get candy!  Monday evening was really fun.

On Tuesday, we had an awesome capacitation with President Chavez.  He spoke about how obedience is the key to having success in the mission.  There were things he mentioned that I didn't know were mission rules.  So, it was good to be able to ask questions and resolve any confusion.  I think he spoke about obedience so if there was any disobedience, we can make a New Year's resolution to try better.

Christmas day was interesting to say the least!  We planned to talk to our families using Skype at around 5:00pm.  We had the morning and early afternoon to talk to people.  The problem was, that nobody was outside; they were in their homes with their families!  (We found out that in Preston's mission, they never go tracking-meaning door to door, they meet people on the streets mostly) When 5:00pm came, we were so excited to see and hear from our families!  But, we were having technical difficulties and couldn't figure out how to do it.  So, we ended up not being able to Skype on Christmas.  But, we tried again on Saturday morning after borrowing a web cam and ear phones from the local internet cafe and using them down at the church, so we were able to actually Skype with our families!  Hands down, this was the best gift this Christmas!  I'm so thankful for my family and all they do for me.  They are my biggest support.  I can't wait until Mother's day to see and talk with them again!  But until then, I have work to do!

The weather on Saturday was really sour and difficult.  It was really windy and cold all morning.  I know that the wind was bringing more weather our way.  We got SNOW!!  This was the second time this year and I was just as excited as the first time.  We got about a "name tag's" worth of snow....the long way, with is about 2 inches!

I wasn't able to take a shower for the past two days because the pipes that lead from the boiler to the house were FROZEN!!! haha  But this morning I was able to somewhat shower by using a bucket and hot water...wasn't the best but it got the job done! haha
That's my week here in Guerrero.  One week I really enjoyed and will never forget!

Beautiful Christmas tree in Mexico

So excited for snow!!!

Thank you for the Christmas gifts for both my companion and I.
I am using the electric blanket now and it works miracles!
(In his broken English, Elder Castro thanked us for the stocking and
other presents we sent him too, when we were Skyping with Preston)

These are the scripture covers and hymn book cover that I paid to have
made.  It only costs 440 pesos which is like around $25 for all three.
(A member there makes them-pretty cool!!)

(We thought it would be fun to all be wearing these mustaches
when our Skype session started)

(Even Krew got into it- This would be the first time
that Krew, his nephew, and Preston would see each other)

The Best part of Christmas this year-by far, was talking
to each other.

(Preston wanted us to do a crazy photo too)

(Love this missionary of ours)

#25: Christmas Dinner in the Mission

This week has been good overall.  No baptisms though to report, but we have a good amount of investigators who are understanding what we teach and are keeping commitments.

This last Thursday was really cool because we had our Christmas party with our mission president and his wife.  The party was in Cuahtemoc which is about an hour and a half drive by bus.  When we got there, the gym of the chapel was all decorated with tables, lights and a lot more.  It was catered and everything. The food was really good!  (As part of the program, the focus was on the importance of having clean hands and a pure heart. At the end, the focus was on hands that have had great importance in their  lives, namely, the hands of their parents and those of the Savior-The mission president asked us parents to send him a picture of our hands together and another one showing our faces)  Then, pictures came across the large projector screen that had pictures of our parent's hands.  Yours was the first to come up, although I didn't recognize your hands because dad is wearing a different watch! I wasn't really prepared to see the next picture, it was of you- mom and dad together!  It caught me so off guard.  I felt immediate love and gratitude for you both, so thank you!  After we ate, we had 3 piñatas to break open.  There's a song that we sung when each person was swinging at the piñata.  There was so much candy from them, so we were all pretty satisfied!  The party ended around 5:30pm, but the next bus to Guerrero didn't leave until 8:00pm!  So, we helped clean up the church and mingled with the other missionaries who were waiting for their ride as well.

We will be able to borrow a laptop from a member and Skype in the church building here.  We are thinking around 5:00, how does that sound?  I did get Brooke and Dylan's package, and I did open it, I hope that's okay! haha  I can't have two boxes staring me in the face for another 5 days!

Because of Christmas this week, they moved the transfers up one week to last week.  So, this means I will still be with my companion, Elder Castro.  So, another transfer completed and in the books!  I must say that the mission is going by quite fast.  I'm really enjoying the people I meet, and the areas I have the privilege to serve in.

Overall, I had a really good, productive week here in Mexico.  I really enjoy the people who live here and love to serve them each day I have been given.  I am looking forward to the blessings and miracles the Lord will place in my path.  I know this church is true, and have a testimony that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and leads and guides this church today.  I'm grateful for this time of year when the whole world turns their hearts to the Savior.  I love Him and all of you back home.  May we all remember our Savior, Jesus Christ a little more this time of year.

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to Ponderize is: D&C 90:24

Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

Wearing the sweater that Brooke and Dylan sent him for Christmas

Elder Fowler with President and Sister Chavez

Elder Fowler (second from Left) at Christmas Dinner 

Christmas Dinner Party  2015

Catching candy from the Piñata

The Sister missionaries received make up and the Elders received a tie.
All were given a stocking of candy

#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

Snow in Mexico!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Branch President, Elder Castro, Manuel Rubio Dominquez, Elder Fowler
December 12, 2015

Elder Benson, Elder Castro, Rubio, Elder Fowler,  his zone leader: Elder Anderson

#23: 5 Months Under My Belt

It's crazy to think I have 5 months now under my belt, Wow! The reason why I couldn't email on Monday was because we had a zone meeting all day in La Junta.  I really didn't have a regular P-day!  But, we played soccer and had lessons and what not, but  by the time we got home to our area, it was 8:00pm.

Our investigators did attend church with us this week again and we have 1 maybe 2 baptisms this Saturday!!!  Pretty exciting!!  I love seeing the blessing that come from serving.  There are a lot of missionaries here in my mission who are great examples of obedience. I never want to be a missionary who baptizes for the numbers....I'd rather have all my converts stay converted throughout their entire lives.  I am often reminded of you (dad) and Jim Love; what a great experience. (Philip taught Jim the gospel when serving his mission in CA-Jim went on to serve a mission, marry in the temple and is raising his kids in the gospel)  Thank you dad for your willingness to serve the Lord and set the example for me and Brecken.

I did get my Christmas package!!!! I've looked inside, but haven't opened anything!  I will wait though until Christmas since we have changes (transfers) the week of Christmas and you sent gifts for my companion too.  This way, I will know who my companion will be and give them to him on Christmas.

I Love you,
Elder Fowler

(This week's scripture to "Ponderize"  1 Timothy 4:12)

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

#22: New Investigators

Hola!
   This week has been better here in Guerrero.  We've had some awesome investigator lessons!  We have 5-7 really interested investigators right now and 4 of them attended church with us yesterday.  December may be full of baptisms, hopefully  :)

Questions that we asked Preston:
Q:  Do you drink the water there?  If so, do you need a filter bottle?  Would you like one?
A: I received a filter water bottle when I left the CCM, but I don't used it... in Anahuac, we bought clean water, but here in the "Sierra", the water is okay to drink from the tap.

Q: Are you getting enough to eat in your new area?  If not, are you having to buy your own food?
A: We only eat with members like 3-4 times a week so the other days we eat in our house or buy something... buying food is so expensive, even though it's cheap here!  I can buy a bag of chips and a liter of water for 15 pesos! haha

Q: How is the speaker box working out?  Were you able to listen to the latest General Conference talks that was sent in the last package?
A:It's AMAZING!!  I love it!   I haven't listened to it all, I think  only the first couple talks!

(This week's scripture to "ponderize" was submitted by Kylah)
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

A selfie for your Tuesday-haha-Selfies are weird in public places!
Like my camo tie?
(This is the place where he goes on his P-days to email home)

Christmas tree in Centro

#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