#66: General Conference Weekend

This weekend was really good! I loved conference!  We were able to watch it in English which was so good!!!  Actually hearing the voices of the leaders of the church is better than someone interpreting. haha  Did you see that Elder Pieper gave the opening prayer in the Priesthood session? (Elder Pieper was the one who interviewed Preston while he was visiting his area) My favorite talk was from Elder Andersen, I think he spoke in the Saturday afternoon session.  His talk was on members helping with missionary work.

I am pretty sure that next week I will have changes (transfers) because my Zone Leaders told president that I have spent my whole mission in the same District, so I'm pretty sure that I'll be leaving Cuauhtemoc, but we will see what happens.  Plus, President wrote to me today and told me that I will have changes of some sort!

Thank you so much for the money that you deposited!  I was able to buy the shoes that I needed/wanted.  I've attached a picture of them!!  They are to play soccer on the concrete courts!  I love them.  I had to buy them because my Vans are trashed!!  They called me the "Messi" of soccer today! hahaha I was doing pretty good :)  Messi is a soccer player that plays for Argentina! :)

Love you bunches,
Elder Fowler


This week's scripture to "Ponderize":
Doctrine & Covenants 115:5

Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

(Shoes for playing soccer on concrete courts on P-days)

#65: Two Baptisms in My Ward But Not My Area

How's it going?  I hope all is well!

This week has been good and lots of things have happened. There were two baptisms from my ward, but not in my area.  They were really good.  There was lots of support from the members! :)

To answer your questions:

We are going to watch general conference in the church building here in Cuauhtemoc.  Usually all the Gringos go to a separate room to watch it in English, which I like because I like hearing the voice of the prophets and not just an interpreter. hahaha

The photos are of me with a duck.  It belongs to less active family. They have like 20 rooster too that they use to fight!  It's like dog fighting here but with chickens...crazy, huh? The others are of an ice cream waffle bowl maker and ice cream.  There's a restaurant that sells them for 50 pesos, like $2.30 in the US....super delicious!

I can't believe it's almost October already!  Time flies by super fast!  It's starting to get cold here again and that means that the end of the year in nearing...meaning Christmas and all that good stuff.  I can't believe that May to December is 7 months!  That's a long break without seeing the family!

The work here is going mas o menos still.  Our investigators don't come to church and that's hard, we are teaching like 5 people and can't find new people to teach.  We are working about 60% with part-member families and 40% investigators.

Love you much!

Your son,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
Mosiah 2:36-37

36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

 37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.

#65: Two Baptisms in My Ward But Not My Area

How's it going?  I hope all is well!

This week has been good and lots of things have happened. There were two baptisms from my ward, but not in my area.  They were really good.  There was lots of support from the members! :)

To answer your questions:

We are going to watch general conference in the church building here in Cuauhtemoc.  Usually all the Gringos go to a separate room to watch it in English, which I like because I like hearing the voice of the prophets and not just an interpreter. hahaha

The photos are of me with a duck.  It belongs to less active family. They have like 20 rooster too that they use to fight!  It's like dog fighting here but with chickens...crazy, huh? The others are of an ice cream waffle bowl maker and ice cream.  There's a restaurant that sells them for 50 pesos, like $2.30 in the US....super delicious!

I can't believe it's almost October already!  Time flies by super fast!  It's starting to get cold here again and that means that the end of the year in nearing...meaning Christmas and all that good stuff.  I can't believe that May to December is 7 months!  That's a long break without seeing the family!

The work here is going mas o menos still.  Our investigators don't come to church and that's hard, we are teaching like 5 people and can't find new people to teach.  We are working about 60% with part-member families and 40% investigators.

Love you much!

Your son,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
Mosiah 2:36-37

36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

 37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.

#64: One-On-One with a General Authority

This week was super special!  Well, to start off, On Monday, it was my Zone Leader, Elder Larsen's Birthday. So after playing basketball with Hermano Orodoñez, we went to celebrate.  We ate pizza at a place called Los Arcos.  It was  fun!  Then, on Tuesday we had our District meetings, meaning I have to train my District.  I think that it went well.  My Spanish has definitely improved since the first time I trained my District, so that's good!
This week was more special than the others because we were visited by a General Authority, Elder Pieper of the Seventy!  On Thursday was a meeting for the members.  The missionaries weren't given permission to attend, but because I am in the District Choir, I was able to attend. (This was totally news to me that he was in the choir)  It was a really good meeting.  The members were able to ask him questions.  Eventually, the question came up, "What do we have to do, to become a Stake?"  I really liked Elder Pieper's response.  He said, "Every member needs to pay their tithing, and fast at least once a month and pay their fast offering; if not, there's no promise or blessing."  I never thought that the simple commandments of tithing and fasting would bring such great blessings.  Then he mentioned how all the blessings of the Gospel can only be received in the Stakes of Zion (See tho week's scripture to Ponderize below)  Overall, I think that the members are excited and animated to put in practice the teaching of Elder Pieper.
Then on Friday, we as missionaries had a training with Elder Pieper from 9:00am-2:00pm! It was super sweet!!  He really helped me understand better teaching methods that I'm definitely going to put into practice.  After the training meeting, Elder Pieper wanted to talk to a couple missionaries one-on-one.  To my surprise, I was chosen!!  I was excited and nervous because I've never talked with a General Authority one-on-one before.  I really loved it though.  He helped answer a couple questions that I had and gave me excitement to finish my mission strong up until the very last moment.
Overall, I really loved this week and the privilege I had to learn and hear the voice of Elder Pieper.  I know that he is called of God, and is His servant.  What a spiritual high and something I will never forget.

Scripture to "Ponderize"
Doctrine & Covenants 105:1-5

 1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—

 2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

 3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

 4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

 5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

My Zone with Elder and Sister Pieper and President and Sister Montoys (front row)
(Elder Fowler is in the center of the back row)

Selfie with Me and Elder Arnold-he will be going home in 3 weeks)

Selfie with me and two of the sister missionaries while
celebrating Mexico Night.

#63: Thinking About the Week at Home

Hey, what's goin' on? I must say, I've been thinking a lot about you guys this week and all the fun going on back at home, especially the changes that are happening in the Herron home!  How exciting to have missionaries coming and going and all the progress in the home ward as well (Sister Olano was baptized this past Saturday).  It was awesome to see photos of Matt after the mish- (mission-his friend Matthew Herron got home this past week from his mission in Peru), he looks really thin though.  Thanks for sending the pictures mom.  He and I kept in contact a lot.  Some emails were in English but some were in Spanglish :)  That's crazy that Michael leaves tomorrow!! (Matthew's brother Michael leaves for his mission in Paraguay)

So, I am in the same branch here in Cuauhtemoc.  My area is a lot bigger and we are teaching more people and it's a lot more fun :)  Our Branch President is President Lopez.  He is from Venezuela, and has a funny voice :)  This area is bigger and cooler and has a huge mountain in the middle!  As far as Elder Fernando (he was a young man that lives in one of his old areas and is now serving a mission in Mexico City), he is doing well. I haven't heard from him in a while, but he is a great missionary!  I do see Elder Merlo (his last companion) like 3-4 times a week!  He says he misses me ALOT!! hahaha I guess my baby birds don't wanna leave the nest!!! :)  My companion, Elder Hernandez is cool. Although he has BIG blisters on his feet! hahaha  So he can't keep up with me, but it's all good! :)  Also, Elder Pieper, from the Seventy is coming this week! :)

I have pictures of my new place.  I like it better than the old one!  We still only have a washer, and no dryer.  That's one think I do miss though.  It cost 2300 pesos each month, like $135 a month for the rent. The owners live above us but aren't members.

I do have a question.  In 1 Nephi 16:10, it talks about the liahona.... read it and tell me what my question might be.  (his question is: if the liahona has two spindles, and the one pointed the way whither they should go, where did the other one point?  Good question)

Love you lots,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is one that his friend Matthew Herron quoted in his homecoming talk yesterday:
Mosiah  2:41
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Elder Fuentes and Elder Fowler

I was able to hang out with Elder Merlo after
playing basketball on P-Day.

My new place

I get the queen bed :)

(The first pictures with his new companion,
Elder Hernandez)

(Susie Olano likes reading Elder Fowler's blog,

so we took a picture of them all together after her 

confirmation on 9/11/16, her baptism was on 9/10/16)

(Elder Fowler's great friend, Matthew Herron who just
returned from serving his mission in Peru)

(Too funny Matthew!!!)

#62: Same Ward, Different Boundaries

(September 5th)
Buenas Tardes!

Well, this week was good! First things first-I got a new area, it's in the same ward but different boundaries!  I like it a lot, it's pretty sweet!

Elder Hernandez doesn't speak any English, but I'm teaching him and he's teaching me more Spanish.  He can read English pretty well, which is cool!

Yeah, I still talk with Matt each week, normally.  I can't believe he goes home this week!! Wow!! 2 Years and he's done! Crazy!

I have pictures to send, but the computer won't seem to let me send them :(

Love you,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Alma 36:3

And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

#61: Transfer Day-But Staying Put

Here I am after another transfer.  I'm still in the same area, but I have a new companion.  Elder Merlo was sent to the other side of Cuauhtemoc. I'm training another "son" in the mission. (meaning his companion is fresh from the Missionary Training Center) His name is Elder Hernandez.  He's from Chiapas, which is in Mexico, but somewhere near Guatemala.  All my companions so far here in the mission field have been native speakers.  I don't know why, but whatever! hahaha I will help him with his English, and he'll help me with my Spanish.   I still do hear from Elder Vergara (he was Preston's trainer "dad")  We have a new assistant to the President as of today.  He's really dope, (cool) and I like him a lot!!  We brought 3 people to church this last Sunday!!!  I was stoked because that was the most we had in this area!!

(He was asked if the members there feed them) Yepp!!  We eat with members every day, except Mondays.  Usually we eat with the same families each week....imagine doing that?!

(His dad asked him how he felt about chapter 4 in the Preach My Gospel manual)  Yeah, that chapter is soooooo important because if you don't know how/what the spirit is telling you, you can't teach your investigators according to their needs.  The gospel discussions need to be adapted to each person specifically to their needs and concerns.  Only through the spirit can we know what those needs are.  

(His dad cautioned him: 'This is a time in the mission when you're working on all cylinders. Just don't forget it is easy to become complacent and get lax on the obedience part.  Help your new companion to start out on the right foot and be obedient in all things and watch the miracles roll in!')

Of course, dad!!!  I'm not someone who will get lazy and disobedient!  Always doing the right and setting the example! :)

Love your son and missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
Doctrine & Covenants 81:5
Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

Elders- Fuentes and Fowler

Elder Fowler's Zone
(Taken before the transfer)
(Back row-second from right side)

While in Rubio at another set of Elder's apartment, we trapped
and killed this rat!!!

Success!

The shoe is there to show you how big this thing was!!!

Saying goodbye to Elder Merlo as he is about to board a
bus to take him to his new area on the other side of Cuauhtemoc.