#97: New Suit

Hey!

Last night I was talking to Elder Sanchez after changes (transfers).  By the way, we have no changes here, but he and I wanted to see each other one last time before he leaves to return home on Wednesday. So, today we went to a place called Fashion Mall where I did by a new suit!  It's super nice!  I like it a lot!  It's a blue suit.  It only cost me 1250 pesos, that's like $70 more or less!  I'm hoping you'll think I look super fly when I come home! :)  That's why I had Elder Sanchez email you the night before to see if you'd put some money in my account. :)  I was sad to say goodbye to Elder Sanchez.  I love that guy.  He says I'm his "adoptive brother" and that you mom are his "adoptive mother". He actually is going to try and go to BYU or somewhere in the USA for school so I will definitely see him very soon! :)  He says he's gonna learn English in Guatemala and then go the the U.S and study!

(In my email to him, I gave him the option of not Skyping on Mother's Day if he wanted to just focus on his last few weeks in the mission)

Umm...about Skype and all that... I definitely want to Skype!!  Plus, I don't think that President Montoya would not let me NOT Skype!!! hahaha  I think it will be Sunday in the afternoon, like 3:00-4:00pm my time.  Will Dylan be able to be there? And again, I only have an hour to see you guys.

(His dad asked him if he'd like to do a Fireside with the youth in our ward)

Sweet!!!   I would love to do a Fireside with the youth!!  That would be a lot of fun!!  I just want the youth to know they might need to be patient with me because of my English!! hahaha I hope the spirit fills my mouth with the things I need to say in English!!haha  Do you know yet what my topic will be for my talk when I return home?

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Doctrine & Covenants 88:119

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

I can't wait to see you guys on Sunday!! :)

Elder Fowler

Elder Sanchez and Elder Fowler

At Fashion Mall
Hermana De Avila, Elder Sanchez, Elder Fowler, Elder Farrera and Hermana Currey

#96: A Missionary Momma's Countdown

Hey!
  I really liked this week's update from you!  Brooke sent me a ton of videos from this week when you guys were there on the farm!

  (I talked to him about writing in his journal)
I'm really bad at my journal now to be honest!  But I told myself that I will finish the mission writing in it! :)  It's because I'm super tired at the end of the day that I just wanna lay down and sleep! haha
I will be sending videos from this week!  We bought some boxing gloves and had a couple rounds! hahaha  (The video file was too big and he wasn't able to send them)

Thanks for the update on Steph (His friend, Stephanie Lyons just received her mission call to Illinois Chicago West Mission-Spanish speaking) I didn't get an email from her, but thanks for telling me the news!  Huge, fat bummer though that I won't see her for 3 ½ years!!!  That sucks big time!! But that's so cook that all of us will be Spanish speaking! :)

The work in my area is slow, slow going.  I hate not seeing success on Sunday when we don't bring investigators to church, but this week, that's gonna change!!  Can you believe that in 2 weeks, we get to video chat!! :)  We were on divisions and my companion found some members that said we could do our video chat there at their house! :)

(His dad asked him what he would like to eat his first night back in Reno?)
I was thinking.....IN-N-OUT!!! hahahahaha  Brecken needs to tell Elia to work that night so I can see him too! :)

Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
2 Nephi  4:15

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learningand the profit of my children.

(I saw this idea on Missionary Mommas FB page-
It's a count down with chocolate covered cinnamon bears.
Eat one a day to count down how many days until Elder Fowler returns)
Preston's response to the picture:
"Do you know how many days I have left??  If so.... DON'T tell me!!!haha
I don't want to start counting!!

#95: Patriarchal Blessing-Seeing Things Come to Pass

Thanks for the emails!  The mission is great, but yet at the same time it's the hardest thing I have done!  I'm grateful for the  things which I'm experiencing because they are making me stronger.  The other day I was studying in this month's Ensign, the article about patriarchal blessings.  So, I read mine again and wow!!  It's cool to see how things mentioned in it, have already happened!!!  And, to see the promises that await in the future!  I think it would be cool if both you-mom and dad, read the copy of my blessing again.  I think you as parents can see the blessings as being great parents! :)

As far as Jahann, he couldn't come to church this week again because he had some things going on that made it so he couldn't, but who knows.... I really want him to be baptized because he will be a great influence in his family's life.

(I asked him what his thoughts are about his arrival at the airport; does he want just family there, or family and friends)
Umm.... I think I would definitely like all family possible to be there and if friends are available and wanting to come, Heck YES!!!  Like your FAB5 hahaha and all who would wanna be there!!!  Would Dylan be able to be there?  I would love to see everyone I can that day! hahaha  Everyone is invited!:)  I can't wait to see and hold Baylor and Krew! :) I'm freaking out about that!!  But I wanna make sure that everyone knows that YOU (mom) get the first hug!!!  Then everyone can try and beat the others first!! hahaha  I think I will mostly miss the people, the missionaries and converts.  Although, there's a boat load of things I wanna do before I head up to school, but there's so little time.

This week had it's challenges, but it's all working out nicely.  Tomorrow we have a special meeting with President because we are training, so it should be nice!!

(His dad asked him if he's getting excited to call home on Mother's Day in 3 weeks)
3 WEEKS?!?  Wow, that's it? I think we checked (our calendar) to see who we eat with on Mother's Day and there is still no one there. haha It' because here, Mother's Day is Wednesday, 10th of May!

(His dad told him which Sunday he will be speaking in our ward)
I'm scared I'm gonna start rambling in Spanish!!  That would be super embarrassing!  I hope Sister Wolf or Brother Perez is there to help me if I get stuck on a word!! hahaha

(His dad told him he can't wait to eat some of that salsa that Preston wants to make for us)
I can eat salsa like nothing!! haha  Like a whole jalapeño doesn't effect me!! haha
(Dad-how about a habanero pepper, is that too hot?)
I can eat it, there's some chips that they sell here that have habanero and I eat them just fine, but it's super expensive here so they don't use it that much!
( Dad-I really want to try the tortillas that you eat, they sound so good!)
Flour are the best!!  They don't taste anything like the tortillas in the states!  But, it's super east!  I wanna make some with the family as a FHE (family home evening) activity! :)

Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Doctrine & Covenants 15:6
And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

(If you watched the Popcorn Popping video that I posted on
my FB page, these actions will look familiar-I asked Preston if
Elder Sanchez has a Fit Bit or if it is his.  He said, "Umm.. that
Fit Bit WAS mine, but I love the guy so much, I gave it to him!")

Elders:Bautista, Sanchez and Fowler
Taken at a conference with President Montoya and the assistants

Elder Fowler with a favorite comp of his, Elder Sanchez. 

Today we had carne asada!!  We cooked like 5 Lbs of meat as Elders
in the zone.  By the way, we are in my house! :)

Elder Bautista and Elder Fowler 

Elder Hatch, Bautista, and Fowler

Elders: Bautista, Hatch, my comp-Farrera, Portillo, Gordillo, White and Zamacona

Elders in the zone eating carne asada.

#94: We Are Brothers Forever!!!

(I had asked him if he knew the man named Hermano Hipolito that Elder Fardos baptized a couple weeks ago since he is now serving in Preston's last zone.  This man is 87 years old and walks to church every Sunday!)

How are things going?  I DO know who Hermano Hipolito is.  I talked to him a couple times at the church!  He's cool!!! :)

(I told him we have a new missionary in our ward, Elder Latham, and that I hope he is still in our ward when he gets home because I really think they will enjoy each other.)

Do you know when the new elder there goes home?  I have a feeling that he might be there when I come home!!  Speaking of home....that's only 9 weeks; holy smokes!!! hahaha I'm trying everyday to give everything I've got! 

(His dad asked him if things seem bittersweet)

That's how I feel.  A small part of me wants to go home, but the majority is like, I belong here, there's a lot of people that I don't want to leave, I love them all so much.  We've found some new people we are teaching and are coming to church as well.  We are trying to end the month with a baptism.  We just need the permission of the mom and that's it.  We've been praying that her heart will be touched and that she let's her son get baptized. 

Also, there were special changes yesterday and now Elder Larsen is the Assistant to the President, with Elder Sanchez.  Elder Anton and Elder Beeson are together again on a special assignment.  They  are with another elder in a trio and their assignment is to train all the missionaries so they can be leaders in the mission because most of the leaders in the mission right now leave this summer, so they will prepare them to take leadership positions.  It should be good!! :)

Elder Sanchez, the one that I was companions with and we got along so great, will be going home in three weeks!!! hahaha  How sad :(  I get along so well with all of these guys.  Somos Hermanos para siempre----which means: WE ARE BROTHERS FOREVER!!! 

Love you,

Elder Fowler

This Week's Scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Elders: Farrera, Portillo, Fowler and Hatch
Elder Hatch is from Rossevelt, UT and is super cool!

Me as a Tarahumara
They are the indian people here in Chihuahua
and always carry everything in bags like this.

(He's looking so thin!)

#93: Easter Box

Wow!  That's crazy to hear about all the changes in the Stake!   President Baggett, huh?  That's cool.  How was your interview dad with the member of the Seventy? Pretty dope stuff as always? haha

 (Our stake had two members of the Seventy, Elder Clayton and Rasband were here this weekend to release our Stake President, Ren S. Johnson because during General Conference, he was called as an Area of Seventy.  It was an emotional conference because we've loved those who served in the Stake Presidency-President Johnson, President Lyons, and President Baggett.  We will continue to love and support our new Stake Presidency-President Baggett, President Rader, and President Krum)

Yesterday we had two investigators at church but one of them, his mom said she doesn't want us teaching her son, which is super sad because he loves the church and has tons of friends there.  If you could keep him and his mom in your prayers would be great.  His name is Johann Diaz and Nora is his mom.  

I got the Easter package!  Yep, everything got here safe and sound. Thanks mom.  My companion liked his package too.   Today we deep cleaned the house. Check out the ceiling in my apartment.  The ceiling is made with egg cartons! haha This house sucks, to be honest.  It's hard to find time to do the studies that my companion (Elder Farrera) and I need to do, but we do it! :)  His training is coming along. The weather here is not humid, just hot.  I burned my nose the other day with all the sun, and my back is always super sweaty all day long!!

Mom-have you been able to make any of those doctor appointments for me after the mission?

Have you already started making plans and stuff for when I am home?  I was talking to Elder Larsen and told him that school starts on the 21st of August, but we can't move into the apartment until September 1st. 

(I had to be sure Preston knew that Elder Larsen's mom offered for him to stay with them until he could move in. So sweet of her.  I also told him that the one thing I'm guessing we will do, is make a trip to Utah in July so he can tour the campus and the apartment he will be living in)

Sweet!  I want to be there when Elder Larsen comes home!  He gets home July 26th!

Love you,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

John 11:25-26

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

My Companion-Elder Farrera-Fresh from the CCM

The Easter box arrived!!

(I'm mailing off the last package I will be sending
Elder Fowler as a missionary-kinda sad about that actually)

#92: General Conference Weekend

(Preston's sister, Brooke wrote and told him about their 3 week old baby girl, Baylor is in the hospital with RSV and was being tested for meningitis, which we found out later in the day that she tested negative for that.  She will be in the hospital though until she is off oxygen and is breathing better on her own)

 (His email to Brooke)

Oh. My. Gosh.

Where do I even start...  I will be sure to keep her in my thoughts constantly!  I will be sure to pray extra fervently for this sweet little girl.  I hope and pray that she will be able to conquer all that she is facing right now.  She's a tough, strong little girl.  With the help of our Heavenly Father, everything will be okay!  I pray for you and Dylan and Krew and Baylor.  She is so blessed, and will continue to be blessed.

(His other email)

How's things going?!  I really enjoyed conference.  I watched all the sessions here in the stake center, and in English...it's just better in the native tongue I think!! hahaha  I did hear them announce President Ren Johnson's name as an area of Seventy.  (President Johnson is our stake President here in Reno, NV- Preston's dad told him that it won't be President Johnson that he will get to report to when he returns because we will have a new stake President called this Sunday)  Everything changes in a two year span!!!  I won't recognize anything!

(I told him his friend Hailey Dobbs received her mission call to the Japan-Tokyo Mission and will leave just one week before he returns home)

Hailey Dobbs!!  Wow!!!  JAPAN!!!  That's crazy mom!!  That sucks that I won't see her.  Darn!  I was wanting to see her again!!  That's sad!  I might be married before she gets back!!!  jajaja (that's hahaha in Spanish)

This first week here in this new area was good, but a little slow.  We are starting from scratch because we are both new to the area so we have to ask everyone where things are. My companion, Elder Farrer and I are working out great.  He's super obedient, which is cool.  The funny thing is, he told me that in the CCM (missionary training center in Mexico) his shirts were skin tight around his belly, and now they aren't!  Just one week in the mission field, and he sees a difference!!!   (His dad told him- "Put him on the Preston Weight Loss Plan!  Walk 15 miles a day and he will lose weight!!")

Love your son,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" was one that was mentioned a lot during this conference.

Doctrine & Covenants 50:24

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.

These first two pictures are parts of the zone and district

His new companion, Elder Farrer and Elder Fowler are on the right end.

(His Birthday package)

(What we sent him for his 21st Birthday)

(Thank you Elder White's mom, Jolie Richards for posting this picture
from her son. This is the only picture from Preston's birthday, the one
mentioned in the previous blog post that his new zone surprised him with a cake.
Apparently, smashing one's face in the cake is a tradition there.)

#91: Turning 21; Changes (Transfers)

How's things going?
  Well, as you are aware, I have some changes for sure.  I am no longer a zone leader, but am now training!!!!  Which means I'm a dad again.I have another "son"!  This is my third son! haha  His name is Elder Farrera.  He's from Chiapas, Mexico.  This means I've only had one gringo companion, and that was Johnson!  President told me that I'm going to finish his training, which means he will be my last companion! haha   I feel good about being a trainer, it will keep me alive, that's for sure; although I really wanted to be a zone leader.  Also, I changed areas.  We are in a zone called Tec 1.  Where I was with Elder Johnson, but in a different area called Portales 1.  It's pretty sweet because I kinda already know the area. So, no, I'm not with Elder Fardos.  He is now in Chuviscar, my old zone!!!  Elder Fardos though is known in the mission as the most handsome missionary!!!  (His mom will get a kick out of that)

Yesterday in church, we had a total of 27 investigators in church!  That's the highest we had in Chuviscar.

Yesterday I was with Elder Anton in the offices when he was writing his mom and she said you were wondering if Anton, Beeson, Larsen and I would like to all be in an apartment together.  That would be the greatest thing ever!!! :) That's a great birthday present in itself!!  :)  So, the four of us rooming together, that's really awesome!!!

Thank you everyone for the Birthday wishes, that was really fun to get!!!  Thanks for thinking of me on my special day. I tried not saying anything to anyone, but word got out and so the new zone brought me a cake!  It was cool!!

The pictures are from last week.  The family and the kids are my favorite.  They are the Gonzalez Family.  They are members and the best ever!  I feel like I'm home when I visit them!!!  I want to return and visit them!  You would love her, and dad would love him!  They are the best!

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.

Love your missionary,
Elder Fowler

(Mission assignment complete!!! We told Preston that he has
to be sure and take a picture of him with a Chihuahua while
serving there. Finally, after 20 ½ months, he finally did!!)
This is the Gonzalez's dog

Last picture with the zone in Chuviscar

The Gonzalez family, Elders and Sister Missionaries

Love these kids

In the mission office with Elder Sanchez (his 7th comp)
and Elder Anton (He's known him since the CCM-Missionary Training Center)

(A little birthday wish from home)

(Even his little nephew Krew was able to send him a birthday wish)