#39: HaPpY BiRtHdAy ElDeR FoWLeR!!

(Today is Elder Fowler's 20th Birthday)

 I opened up everything from my birthday box this morning and I'm super thankful for everything that you sent!!!  I feel the love you guys have for me so much, thanks!! Love you bunches!! :)  I've watched the awesome videos!! Thanks so much for the love and Birthday wishes.  (We sent him 5 short videos, expressing 20 things we love and miss about him) Easter was really good! I feel like it was just Christmas and now it's almost April Gee-WIZ!

 The Easter box came this week also!  Thanks.  Elder Herrera really liked getting something too.  Elder Herrera and I are getting along good!  He's been teaching me guitar!  I can play (the song), Book of Mormon Stories!!!

This week's scripture to "Ponderize"is:

 Moroni 7:42
 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

Thanks for the Birthday Wishes!!
Elder Fowler

Happy 20th Birthday!!!

(His birthday package came weeks ago and he was so good to
wait on opening several of the items until his actual birthday!
There were a few items we told him he could open early)

(His Birthday Box)

(Finally able to celebrate!)

(He even put the candles on the cupcakes so he could blow them out)

(Wonder what he wished for-hope it comes true)  :)

20 Years Old!!

(He said he wears these thin, comfy pants only
on special occasions-I think it's appropriate for
today.  I like that he's wearing the tie we got him too!)

Elder Fowler, Fernando, and Elder Herrera
Fernando leaves tomorrow (3/29/16) for his mission

(Easter Basket-I sent two so that his companion
would have something also)

#38-18 Mile Walk!!!

Well, it's official!  I now have a new companion-Elder Herrera,  and I'm really enjoying him.  Even though he has been out longer than me, I have been placed as the senior companion.  We have had a lot of work to do here in Guerrero.  Tomorrow we have a training meeting with the president so I will see then if those two packages got here.  Right now we are in La Junta for some training with the Assistants and to eat some pizza.  La Junta is where 10 other missionaries are so we came here for our zone meeting.

You had asked what my favorite food is here.  I really love tortas....with lamb!!! :)  It's the best thing I can buy!  They are like hamburgers but wayyyy better!  They cook the lamb on a giant stick and heat it with a gas heater, then when you order, they cut some of the giant stick and serve it up! :) Delicioso!

Later this last week, our Zone Leader came to Guerrero to help our investigators prepare for baptism. We have this one really awesome guy we found who speaks English.  The only problem is, he lives in a tiny pueblo called La Tinaja!  So, on Friday, myself and Elder Zohner, who is my Zone Leader, went out to find him in his house.   I don't think that I have ever walked so much in one day!! I was wearing my Fit Bit which tracks the miles that we walked that day, and we walked 18 MILES!!! The worst part was, the man we were looking for, wasn't even home :(  I felt like a pioneer after all that walking! haha  I was pretty tired after that day.  I slept pretty good the following night!

We didn't have any baptisms this last week, but our investigators are slowly converting to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  What's really cool too, is we are finding God's chosen sons and daughter who will accept the gospel and choose to be baptized and follow Christ.

As the days, weeks, and months roll by, time is speeding up and I don't know if I like that.  Missionary life is great, and I have learned and grown so much while I've been living in Mexico.  I've only been out 8 months but I know it will be so hard to say goodbye to the mission field.  But, all I can do is make the most of the experiences and "serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength" (D&C 4:2)

Well, that's been my week here in Guerrero, Chihuahua!  I can't wait to see what blessings and miracles the Lord has in store for me, my companion, our investigators, and everyone that I know.

Con mucho amor,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize is:
Moroni 7:41

And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

Having Family Home Evening with the Branch and making
fritters, which are so good!

A selfie!

Are we there yet?

Me with Elder Zohner as we were walking the edge of the earth! haha
This was the day was walked 18 MILES!

#37: Same Area, Different Companion

This last week was really good!  I hardly spent any time with Elder Castro because we were on divisions all week with different companions. Elder Nicoll and I ran my area together and did some great work! :)

I went to Chihuahua yesterday and met my new companion!  Elder Herrera!  He's from Yucatan which is around Cancun!  haha  I think we will do great things here in Guerrero!  He has 16 months. As a missionary, I feel a great responsibility to help other missionaries be obedient and follow the mission rules and commandments.  The mission President must trust me to help them.

I haven't received my Easter box yet, but maybe this week because we go to Cuautemoc for a training meeting with President Chavez.  I'm super excited about that.  While in Chihuahua I looked to see when my release date is.  I think I'm coming home on June 19th, 2017...you know what that means?  (That year on June 19th is his parent's 25th Anniversary-pretty cool) but maybe that will change with the new Mission President (we believe in July 2016, his mission will have a new mission president).

I love you all and and am grateful for your example.
Le amo,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Mormon 9:27

O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubtnot, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.  

Elder Fowler and Elder Nicoll on Divisions (splits)

Elder Castro, upcoming Elder Fernando (leaves for his mission
to Mexico City Northeast on March 29, 2016, and Elder Fowler

Elder Fowler and Elder Castro saying goodbye.

#36: In Madera for Divisions (splits)

This week has been really good!  I have some pictures to send to you this week and I think you will like them! :)

I'm happy to hear about the fun you all had this past week in Vegas!  I'm sure that was a blast to see and talk with everybody!

I find out this Sunday night about transfers...That's the last day of this cycle.  So, I will find out if I have transfers then.  I'm guessing I will go to Chihuahua on Monday with Elder Castro and meet my new companion then.  Should be exciting!  I'm looking forward to it. It's crazy that tomorrow (March 8th) is my 8 month mark!  I think time on my end is flying pretty fast.

I'm emailing really late because we had a Zone meeting in La Junta, so we are back in Guerrero right now.  This Friday and Saturday we were in Madera and I really liked it there!!  I was on divisions (splits-which means he was with a different companion than his usual one) with Elder Nicoll who is an American from Arizona and has been out one less transfer cycle than me, so we were really helping each other.  I really loved our time together because we both worked really hard for the two days we were together.  We both have the same desires to serve the Lord and to be obedient in all things.  I wouldn't mind having a transfer to Madera with him!  The city of Madera is Super SWEET!!!  I like it there!!

I did get the package you sent for my birthday!  Fatástico!!! Muchas Gracias!! (I told him he could open the box and take out most everything, other than the wrapped gifts-he was one happy boy!)
Well dad, I want to wish you a Happy Birthday This Wednesday!!!  I wish I could be there with you but that'll have to wait!!  Enjoy your day!  You deserve it :)  I love you so much.

Love your missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:

 2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Mango on a stick :) Super delicious!!

In Madera for a Zone Conference

City of Madera

Church Building in Madera

Headed back to Guerrero

#35: Baptism Day for Carmelo and Moraima

Hola!
   Life's been really good down her below the border.  This last Saturday, we were able to baptize Carmelo and Moraima!!  It was super exciting to see them in the baptismal font!  I attached the photo for you to see!  I think they were the first people who I've been there to teach from start to finish.  The other man in white is Fernando.  He is in the branch here in Guerrero and was the one to perform the baptism.  Fernando is 19 years old and opened his mission call on Sunday.  He is going to the Mexico City, Northeast Mission and leaves on March 29th!! haha  He has just one month to prepare!  How crazy is that?!

    I kinda think that I'll be transferred when Elder Castro goes home.  I've been here for three cycles and think that my time here is no more after the next two weeks, but that doesn't mean we are going to quit working.

     Dad-Have I told you that I can't wait for my interview with you after my mission?  Please set aside a whole night..haha cause I have so much that I want to share with you! :)  (his dad asked him if there was something that he wished he would have done different before his mission to prepare)-Something that I wish I kinda did more of was go on visits with the missionaries...As a missionary now, I understand how important lessons with members are, and plus it helps give you confidence in teaching the lessons.

I love and pray for you all each day,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:

D&C 66:5

Behold, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city, yea, in those regions round about where it has not been proclaimed.

February 27, 2016
Baptism of Fernando

#34: First Baptism of the New Year!

I was pretty bummed last week when the email server wasn't working, so hopefully today is better! I am feeling a lot better.  I think I ate something last week that my body didn't like so that's what happened! haha  WOOHOO!!!  I'm pretty excited to get my birthday package :)

Fabian was baptized this last Saturday, (February 20th) so that was awesome!!  His mom still has a few worries and things holding her back but we are continuing to work with her! :) We haven't had a baptism at all this year so it felt really nice to finally break the drought! haha Carmelo and Moraina are getting baptized this coming Saturday!!! We are pretty excited!

Le amo,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
Moroni 7:16
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

Elder Castro, Hermano Cardona, Solanch, Gabian, Norma and I
(Fabian's baptism-February 20, 2016

Playing Fútbol with the kids in Guerrero :)

(I love the pure joy on Elder Fowler's face!  I found out
that the tie he is wearing is one that Brother Tim Mooney
gave him before he left on his mission.  It has Moroni
on it.  He said that he bought the tie clip and it
says, "Jesus"on it)

#33: Goal Achieved!!

Hello friends and family...or shall I say, Hola mis amigos y famiha!  This year has been really good and it seems like each day is faster than the last!  Which means that I'm only given less time here in Mexico.  I'm kind of sad about that as each day passes.  I have less days to be here in Mexico, serving the people that I've come to love!

This last week, the weather has been really nice!  I'm starting to sweat throughout the day!  We don't even wear our sweaters during the day.  That only means that summer is right around the corner and the heat of Chihuahua will be upon us.  On Monday, we had a Zone Conference in La Junta, which was really awesome.  Afterwards, we played soccer (futbol) for a couple hours.  I must say, with all the practice, I'm getting pretty good!haha  Then on Tuesday, we took the bus to go to Cuauhtemac for a Capacitation with Presidente and Hermana Chavez.  I learned quite a lot from both of them.  They are really great and I love them so much.

Last night was really tough on me... I threw up 4 times and probably got less than 4 hours of sleep, which makes today really hard...I'm gonna take a nap for sure!  Today my body really aches and is sore.. I don't want to do much of anything today :(

Each Tuesday and Friday, I teach an English class which is really fun.  I never thought I could teach English in a different language but hey, that's what I'm doing!  They all have a funny accent when they try to talk in English! haha  I get a kick out of it.  I enjoy it and I think the people I teach do too.

We didn't have a baptism this weekend but hopefully on the 27th of this month we will be baptizing two people, a husband and wife,  Carmelo and Moraina.  They are really excited, and so are we. Something that I've learned is investigators have a hard time keeping specific commitments that we give them.  Especially attending church...Every Sunday before church, we go to our investigators houses and knock for some time. haha   Lots of times we wake them up to make it to church at 10:00am!!!

But, this week at church we were able to bring 7 investigators to sacrament meeting!  That's the most we've ever had here in Guerrero!  Also, they had the opportunity to listen to the words of Presidente and Hermana Chavez!  That's right, they came to Guerrero this week and what was even more special, was we reached our goal to have 50 people in attendance during sacrament meeting!  Today the branch had 51 people!  This week, all of our hard work and obedience brought forth blessings from the Lord.

I really enjoy seeing  the Lord at work when we do all we can to bring others unto Christ.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the rest of my mission.

I love you and know that you are in good hands while I'm south of the border!
Le amo,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is 1 Nephi 18:16  I really like this one!


16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

Together as a zone in Cuauhtemac

Capacitation in Cuauhtemac

Elders-Fowler, Beeson, and Anton
They all were in the CCM together and arrived in the
mission field on the same day.