#47: Beautiful View From Las Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon)

I really enjoyed the great email you sent me this week about the fun times in Vegas!  How exciting for everyone that was able to make it to Stephanie's wedding! :)  Looks like everybody had lots of fun! (This past week-when Elder's Fowler's family was in Las Vegas, we met up with Sister Linda Ashworth, who is the mother of Elder Fowler's zone leader, Elder Ashworth.  It was fun to meet someone who has a son in the same mission)

I have quite a few pictures from this week because I went with my district leader, Elder Sullivan to a pueblo called, San Rafael.  On the way, we stopped at a place called Las Barrancas del Cobre, or in English, "Copper Canyon"!   I loved it there!  I guess that it is the deepest canyon in the world! I took some sweet pictures that I think everyone will want to see!  In San Rafael, we confirmed 4 kids from earlier that week.  It was such a great time, except the bus ride was almost 4 hours long!! haha  But the pictures and the view made it all worth it! :) You need to change my profile on FB to one of these photos. I like the one with my back to the camera with arms open.

Pepe wasn't baptized this week but while I was gone from my area, Elder Herrera baptized a young girl, so for the month of may, to reach our zone goal of 40...I think we have 30 thus far! :)

Love Always,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
D&C 18:15-16

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many soulsunto me!

Las Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon)-Mexico

I bought this hat for 150 pesos in Guerrero!! What a steal :)

(If you look close, Elder Fowler is the small white speck
to the left of the middle of the picture)

Elders-Fowler and Sullivan

(Elder Fowler's Dad and Mom were able to meet Linda Ashworth,
who's son, Elder Ashworth is one of the zone leaders in his mission.

#46: This Week's Goal Was Met!

I really loved the email and the photos that you sent me this week!  That really looks like a fun activity to do with the youth in the ward!  Why didn't we ever do that when Brooke and I were still there?  haha  (We did an activity based around the Amazing Race)

As for our investigator Pepe, he is really progressing nicely!  We have a date set for this week to baptize him!!  He came to church yesterday and I think that after he is baptized, he is going to strengthen the Branch so much here!!  I'm pretty stoked for him; to say the least :)

Yesterday we brought 6 investigators to church!!  That was a goal we had made at the beginning of the week-to bring 6 people, and it happened!!!

The pictures I have for this week, are of me and my zone leader, Elder Ashworth when we went to a pueblo called La Cieneguita!  He is from Las Vegas and lives near the temple.  If you guys have time this weekend while in LV, try and find his family; I have their information :)  Tomorrow I have a training meeting with President Chavez in Cuauhtemoc.  I'm looking forward to it!

I Love you,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Mosiah 5:15

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Elder Ashworth and Elder Fowler

#45: Mother's Day Skype on the 10 Month Mark May 8, 2016

(Elder Fowler's mom- This Mother's Day was extra special since Elder Fowler was able to Skype with us AND it was his 10 Month Mark!  He was actually Skyping from an investigator's home.  So grateful for her.  His mission president allotted them 1 hour and 30 minutes to Skype.  This was 30 more minutes than at Christmas time.  We noticed that he is sounding more and more like the people their in Mexico.  He has their lingo and accent in his voice.  We also noticed how he says a drawn out, "Uh-Huh" when asked things.  He says that's pretty common to say there with the people.  It was nice to here him pronounce the areas that he's been in and we realized that we've pronounced some of them wrong.  We learned that his Spanish has improved, in fact, he's even had dreams in Spanish!  One thing we had him do, was at the end of our Skype session, we asked him to say a family prayer in Spanish for us.  I recorded it and will enjoy understanding what he said, soon.  Although, I did feel the Spirit as he prayed.  He is happy and healthy and not homesick at all, which is a blessing because he is able to put all his focus on the important work he is there to do.  We look forward to Skyping again with him in December.  That already feels like a long wait.)

Madre-I really enjoyed the time I had to see and hear from everyone this weekend! :)  I hope you had a great Mother's Day and you felt my love I have for you here in Mexico! 

I feel the love from all of those in the the family!  Did you guys record the whole video chat or not? haha.  Just something I was thinking about.  

On Monday, we were in LaJunta for a Zone meeting and we ended up sleeping there as well, but we came back to Guerrero this morning (Tuesday) and now we are emailing.  My companion (Elder Herrera) will Skype with his family today (Tuesday).  (In Mexico, Mother's Day is always on May 10th, so the natives Skyped on Tuesday, but the American's were able to on the 8th)

The work is going good!  We have a handful of really awesome investigators, some others-not so much, and people that want nothing to do with us! haha We have an investigator name Pepe who we have been working with, and we hope that he will want to make the commitment to be baptized this week and not push it off any longer... I will let you know how he is doing next week.

Le amo,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Job 19:25

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Our family all together for our Skype session.

Elder Fowler and his Missionary Momma

Kylah and her missionary brother

While on divisions, Elder Fowler's companion, Elder Herrera
and Elder Ashworth were able to interview and baptize these
three siblings in this river.  Elder Fowler was able to be at their
confirmation on May 1, 2016

#44: May Goal Met :)

This last week was super, super cool and went by really fast!  So many things happened.  We were busy all week long and we saw so many miracles from the Lord in our area and our Zone.

On Monday, we had a Zone meeting in La Junta, which was super good.  We are all energized as a Zone to baptize a goal of 40 souls in the month of May.  Then, after the meeting, my companion and I were sent on some crazy divisions with the Zone Leaders!  Monday night, I went back to Guerrero with Elder Zohner, while my companion, Elder Herrera went to San Juanito with Elder Ashworth.  The plan was to work my area until Wednesday afternoon because Elder Zohner needed to go to Madera to interview people there for baptism.  While we were in Guerrero, we had an investigator
who was needing an interview, so  we went to Hermano Alfredo's house, interviewed him on Wednesday morning, then brought him to La Junta to be baptized.  He loved being baptized and it was awesome!!!  After the baptism, Elder Zohner and I headed off to Madera and my actual companion (Elder Herrera) and Elder Ashworth went back to Guerrero until we returned from Madera.  While in Madera, we were able to interview their investigators but was unable to baptize them this week.  We are hoping the following week, we will be able to bring them to baptism.

But, what was really cool, Elder Herrera and Elder Ashworth interviewed, and baptized THREE siblings from my area!!  It was super awesome!  I wasn't able to make it to their baptisms because we were coming back to Guerrero Madera that same morning.  But, I was able to see them confirmed today (Sunday) into the church!

This last week has really flown by super fast with all the events that happened!  We have been super busy running around everywhere, getting people ready for baptism and then seeing them be baptized. Elder Herrera and I had a goal to baptize 6 people from our Area in the month of May.  I never thought we would be able to meet our goal in the first week!! But we aren't going to end there, we still want to see the miracles God has for us this month.  I can't wait to see who else we can teach, baptize and bring closer to their Heavenly Father, and Savior Jesus Christ.

As for Mother's Day, I believe that this time we will go to La Junta because there isn't a computer here in my area.  What time will work best for the family, as well as Brooke and Dylan?  Will dad be coming home right after church?  Also, we got word from the assistants that this time we can Skype for an hour and a half!!!!  That's 30  minutes más!!!!I hope we can finalize the plan for Mother's day to Skype.  I can't wait to see everyone :)

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

2 Nephi 25:26
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.


Love,
Elder Fowler

Selfie with Elder Zohner when we were going out to a
pueblo called El Pinito.

Elder Fowler, Alfredo and Elder Zohner.
April 27, 2016

#43: Awesome Baptisms of Two Sisters

(Today was transfer Day)
Well, I'm still here in Guerrero for another transfer!  If I'm here until the end of this new cycle, I'll have 7 ½ months in Guerrero!  My companion is still Elder Herrera.  I did get the package from the Lesters; it was really nice of them to send me something!

With this week being the last week of the transfer cycle, we were working pretty hard each day to find people to teach.  On Monday, we had a Zone Conference in La Junta.  It was pretty good and I learned some new things.  After the Zone Conference, we always play soccer, but this time we played American Football!!  It was super fun, but I realized that my stamina isn't like what it was before my mission...haha.  And, to make things worse, I was really sore for about 3 days after!!!

On Tuesday, we were informed that we had a training meeting with President Chavez, in Cuahtemoc. The meeting was really cool.  President and Sister Chavez spoke to us.  Training meetings with our Mission President are always enlightening and inspirational.  He teaches doctrines of the gospel is such cool ways. , with great examples to understand the lessons.  On Tuesday, he taught us about the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ, and the difference and functions of both.  It was really interesting and fascinating to me.  I'm looking forward to the next training with President and Sister Chavez.

This Sunday, we were planning to have two awesome baptisms!  Their names are Loana and Yenelly; Two sisters that live together.  We actually found them April 2nd after General Conference.  We invited them to come to Sunday's General Conference and they were the first people to show up!  They were "Golden Investigators".  Their only thing was that they wanted to learn every principle and doctrine we could teach them right away.  So, each time we taught them, we'd share with them the Teaching Record and before we knew it, we had taught them everything!!  We invited Loana and Yenelly to be baptized and they accepted, and even made a date to be baptized themselves!  After church on April 24th, they were baptized and you could see in their faces how happy they were.

Bringing people into the baptismal font is one of the best feelings in the world.  It makes all the hard work worth it.  You can tell how happy they converts are to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives.  I love the church, and I know that it is true!!!

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Alma 37:6

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Elder Fowler and Elder Herrera baptized these sisters:
Loana & Yenelly

April 24, 2016

A torta as my favorite restaurant

A trompo of lamb meat

After 2 months, the package from Sister Lester arrived.

A fun picture on a vase at an investigator's house.

#42: Looking Forward to Upcoming Baptisms

I'm emailing late today because we had a zone conference in La Junta  and tomorrow we have a training meeting with President Chavez in Cuautemoc, so we are spending the night here in La Junta. Kylah will be happy that I wore the Flash shirt she sent me for my birthday when I was here in La Junta for the zone conference!

I can't tell you everything quite yet because it hasn't quite happened....just that we might be having a LOT of baptisms in my Zone!!!  I will defiantly let you guys know when everything happens and is completed, but we have 2 potential baptisms this week, and two for sure the following week.

That's pretty sweet to hear about the change in the bishopric.  I really like Brother Averett.  I'm enjoying being the senior companion.  It feels good have have some real responsibilities.  I send the data each night to our district leader and I let them know how we are doing each day and tell them about our investigators.  The mission has flown by, to say the least, but I'm really ready for changes next week. We will see if I stay in this area and/or one of us are leaving the area.

Tu hijo,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Elder Fowler & Elder Herrera

#41: Tenth Baptism

This week was pretty sweet! :)  We had one baptism this last week, which was super cool and exciting.  This is the 10th baptism that I've been blessed to be a part of.  His name is Manuel Games Marquez.  He was baptized on April 6th. Our investigators seem to be growing fast!  We have found some really chosen people to accept the gospel, and hopefully they will be baptized this month or early next month :)  We have goal to have 4 baptisms.

We did hear from President Chavez (his mission president) this past week about his time in SLC and saw lots of photos as well!  We saw Elder Oaks wearing a fake mustache!! hahaha, we all laughed!!

On Sunday our branch president couldn't make it, so he asked me on Saturday to lead and direct the church meetings!!!!  It was CRAZY!!  I was super stressed Saturday night through Sunday because there's so much that I had to do to make sure that everything would run smoothly! haha  (I told him that I'm sure that this is preparing him for callings in the future)

Sounds like there are a lot of things happening back home!!  That's exciting and stressful at the same time!  (Our stake was split this last Sunday which will effect a lot of callings in our ward) I can't believe Brother Mooney isn't in the Bishopric now!  But, I'm excited for his new calling :) (he was called to be on the high council) You will have to keep me posted on the upcoming changes with the other stakes and the ward.

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:  Alma 32:35  I really like this scripture and how I marked it in my scriptures!!!  I can't wait for you guys to look through all my scripture and stuff like that!  You will like it a lot! :)

le amo,
Your missionary,
Elder Fowler

Alma 32:35
 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

(I just love this picture-I can hear his laugh)

I stacked three golf balls!  Try it!  It's hard!

Baptized Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Manuel Games Marquez and Elder Fowler

Elder Herrera, Manuel and Elder Fowler