#104: Saying Goodbyes

(Below are pictures from Elder Fowler's last few days in the mission.  Many friendships were made over the course of his time in Chihuahua, Mexico)

June 17, 2017

Elder Fowler, Elder Farrera, Gabriel de la Cueva, Elder Portillo, Javier, & Elder Hatch

Hermano Gabriel and I

June 18, 2017

Brother Montoya and his two sons.

Brother Hugo, his wife (red dress), sister (white top) and his son Hugo Jr.

Brother Esau: reminds me of X-Man

Sister Eva and Brother Homero Carrillo

Hermana Cruz from Oaxaca, Mexico

Hermana Cruz and I with our crosses because we are "dead"

Elder Heindel (Minnesota)

Elder Fowler, Elder Hatch and Elder Heindel

Elders:Fowler, Hatch, Heindel, Radichel

Elder Hernandez from Acapulco, Mexico (nino)

Elder Radichel (Missouri)

Elder Portillo (Veracruz, Mexico)

Hermano Nain and his son

June 19, 2017

Elder Stockton (Oklahoma)

Elder Johnson

Elder Aguilar (El Salvador)

Elder Harrison (Arizona)

Elder Bautista (Tabasco, Mexico)

Elder Chan (Mexico City) and Elder Fardos (Auburn, CA)

Elder Bautista and Elder Johnson

Elder Hostman (Lovelock, NV)

Elder Mamani (Bolivia)

Elder Merlo (Honduras)

Elder Larsen, Elder Lee (Utah)

E. Vargas, Hermana Zaragoza Pres. and Sis. Montoya Hermana Cruz, E. Sanchez

Elder Sanchez (Mexico City)

Pres. and Sis. Montoya

June 20, 2017

Andrea, Alan, Zoe, Hermana Nelva and Hermano Noe Gonzales

E. Fardos, Andrea, Alan, Zoe, Nelva, Noe Gonzales, E. Chan
(Zoe said she only wanted to be baptized if Elder Fowler
could be there! She was baptized by her father Noe)
June 20, 2017

Zoe Gonzales with Elder Fowler on her
baptism day)

In front of "LA Cabana"

Members from Elder Sanchez' last ward who took us out to eat our last night in the mission

#103: Last e-mail as a Missionary :(

Hey Momma and Dad!

Happy Anniversary to you both! (It was our 25th on Monday, June 19th)  I hope you both had a great weekend!  I'm gonna keep things short today because I will see you all tomorrow!! hahaha  I can't believe I will see everyone tomorrow, especially my niece and nephew!!!!  What days are my appointments with the dentist and doctor? Can we also go to the temple?  Have you put money in my account for my travels?  Is the house prepped for my arrival? :)

We did have a baptism this past weekend!!  I will show you pics tomorrow! :) I had my "last supper" with president last night and I have my interview with him this afternoon.  

Your missionary,

Elder Fowler

(I have to say that being a missionary momma these past two years has been quite a joy. Writing to my son one last time as a full-time missionary brought tears to my eyes.  I didn't realize that it would be an emotional moment for me.  I will miss hearing the sound of his emails come through my phone each Monday.  I will have more to post tomorrow after I get that hug from my missionary)

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

2 Timonthy 4:7

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

(Thank you Brenda Johnson-Elder Johnson's mom for sending
me these photos.  He didn't send any in this last email)
Saying goodbye: Elders: Fowler, Bautista and Johnson

Elder Johnson and Elder Fowler
(See you in the states)

(Here's my chocolate-covered cinnamon bears countdown-
Just one more left until I see my missionary)

#102: A Baptism in the Works

Hey momma and dad!

   This Saturday we have a scheduled baptism for Gabriel de la Cueva!  We are super stoked for that!  He is a brother of a member who was less active but now he is active, thanks to Gabriel!  It's exciting to end the mission with a baptism!  I haven't had a baptism in this calendar year!! haha

(When asked how it feels to be the missionary who has been out the longest in the mission-his dad told him that here we call them "grandpa's- his response was...)

Here they call us Muertos!! haha or like "dead"!!! haha  

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning I will be at the mission office hardly doing anything.  I will have my last interview with President Montoya on Monday and then the "last supper" on Tuesday with them.  I think there are 4 missionaries leaving-me, one other elder and 2 sister missionaries.  I'm the only Gringo! haha  What is the name of the missionary that will be coming to the mission field next week? I will be sure and welcome him to the mish!! (It's Elder McDonald)

I am excited for school and living in Utah with Anton, Beeson and Larsen.  Like, the whole mission knows about it and they are all jealous! hahaha

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  Hermana Gonzales Garcias from Centro- my old area- invited us to Centro to eat and buy things while we were there.  She is truly my "momma Galletas"!  While we were there, we found Elder Chan and Elder Fardos in FashionMall!! haha so we went back to her house and had pizza!!!  

Wow!  Stephanie (Lyons) and Hailey (Dobbs)  leave this Wednesday???!!!  That sucks that I won't see them in FOREVER!!!  So Brother Perez will be there when I speak?  I can't wait to see him too!

Well, I can officially say that I will SEE  you next week!!!!  hahaha  

I Love you!!

Elder Fowler

(This week's scripture is one that is fitting for me as a mom:)

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

(Last Week's Challenge was for him to write down his testimony in his journal and send a picture of it to me.  I will be adding that to his blog next week.

This week's challenge for Elder Fowler is to tie his tie in a creative way-I sent him pictures of a couple to choose from)

(I have nearly waited his entire mission to get this picture!
Every missionary serving in this mission needs to have a
picture taken here!!  Oh Happy Day!!!)

At Hermana Gonzales Garcias house for pizza after running
into Elder Fardos and Elder Chan at FashionMall. Love this family!!!
(Julia Fardos-so happy our boys spent some more time together!)

A Chihuahua while in Chihuahua!!!

(I've been searching for a carton of milk with
the expiration date of when Elder Fowler returns/expires
in the mission.  Finally found it and love that it's on a
carton of chocolate milk because he loves chocolate milk!)

101: Finishing Strong

Hey!

We had 4 investigators in church yesterday!  We might end the cycle with a baptism, if not, they will be baptized the week I leave. haha  I'm trying to finish strong because it is harder and harder each day; like I'm super tired and exhausted all the time!  haha  Dad-I want to have an "interview" with you, like 1 ½  hours!!! hahaha  And, I'd like to go to the temple; I'm thinking Friday or Saturday! It would be great if the whole family could go.  

Yep!  Elder Beeson and Elder Anton go home this week- on the 8th.  I am the only American flying to the U.S. on the 21st! haha  I'm gonna be alone for like 8-9 hours that day! haha

We went paint balling again!  It was fun!  I only got hit once-in the wrist. hahaha  I wanna go again after the mission.  That's sweet that Brecken went sky diving on his birthday.  How much did that cost?  Do you have pictures because he didn't send me any.  

(Last Week I gave him a challenge to take a creative picture of him and his companion-See below)

Here's my creative pic with my comp! :) Hope you like!!

(Love it!)

This week's scripture is: Alma 26:29-30

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

Elder Anton Elder Beeson and Elder Fowler
(These three all arrived at the CCM (Missionary Training Center in Mexico)
on the same day-July 8, 2015, however, Anton and Beeson are both
returning home two weeks before Elder Fowler to start their summer studies.
This is goodbye for now, but at the end of August, these thee, along with another elder,
Elder Larsen, will be roommates up at school!)

The family I am with is from my last area in Centro!  

The Gonzales Garcia family!  I love them!  The mom

is like my "mom" in the mission!  Her youngest daughter wants me 

to return and be there for her baptism my last week here in the mission. 

I think I will be able to attend because that last Monday and Tuesday

I won't be doing much other than an interview with President Montoya and 

having my Last Supper with President and Sister Montoya.

This is from paint balling today!  It was dope!!

#100-Mission Life is Good!

How are things going?  Happy to hear and see pictures from Matt's wedding!  It looks like he's really happy!  Woo-Hoo!  Soon, they'll have baby Herrons!! haha (Matthew is his close friend from high school that got married on May 27th)

I can't  believe it!!!  Just 3 ½ weeks!!!  I feel like I just left on my mission like a month ago!! haha

(His dad told him that he'll be taking 3 weeks off once Preston returns home)  

You're gonna take 3 weeks off?  That's nuts!!  Thanks for working your butt off all this time!  I can't wait to be with the fam bam again!!! We're gonna have to do a bunch of things this summer!!   

The mission life is good!  Actually, on Tuesday they took the sister missionaries out of my ward because of health reasons, so I have the same area plus the area that the sisters had!  It's HUGE!!! hahah  We have a couple that we can baptize hopefully the month of June before I go.  I hope to get one or two more baptisms before I say adios to Chihuahua!!! haha

(His dad asked him if he has heard from Elder Sanchez since he's been home)

I talk to Sanchez each week too!  Pretty soon it will be via Skype/FacetTime!!!

Yep, I was able to watch the video of Krew.  I hope that he doesn't have stranger danger with me when I come home!

I really try to find or do what you ask me to do as a challenge each week! haha  It's sometimes hard!  But, I hope you like the pictures.  (This week's challenge was: Find a cool sign that you could take a picture of)

Can't wait to see you soon!

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

This week's Scripture to  "Ponderize" is a scripture that I found last week in my studies.  Not sure if we have already done it but it is:

2 Nephi 33:10

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

This was the coolest dog ever! haha Usually all the dogs here
in Chihuahua bark and yap when we pass by, but he didn't
when we knocked on the door.  He also knows how to shake
like Rudy did!! :)

This week's challenge was to find a cool picture to take a picture of.
This sign says, "I want Tacos!"

Cool Walking stick carved to look like a cobra snake.

#99: Service/30 Days Remaining

Hey!
   I'm doing pretty good!  It doesn't even feel like my mission is coming to a close soon.  It makes me sad to think about that, but I'm ready to take what I've learned and apply it to those back home! :) Yesterday was cool because we have been struggling with bringing people to church, but yesterday we had 3 investigators from my area and 8 in the ward. (When we Skyped, he told us there are three sets of missionaries in his ward) That was pretty cool!  I'm hoping to put out one more baptism before I leave the mission field!  That would be the best! :)

(Last week I decided that I would start giving him a weekly challenge and have him tell me about it in the next week's email.  So, this week's challenge was to look for ways to give service and/or ways in which he has been given service)

So, I did think about the challenge you gave me last week about service.  I was able to give a blessing to a member who gave us food one day and then she had asked us to give her a blessing.  I pushed a truck because it needed a push start.  And, while I was on a city bus, I helped  a woman with her baby get off by taking the carseat thing from her while she and the baby got off.  There were others, but I don't remember them all. haha

Next week, I am planning on buying a new white shirt to come home in because mine are super faded and ugly. haha
(His dad asked him how his shoes are holding up)
I'm going to make them survive 4 weeks! haha  I don't want to buy new ones but i will bring them home because I think it shows a lot of hard work! haha

(His dad told him that after we pick him up at the airport, we will head to the stake center and President Baggett will release him as a missionary. Then on Sunday morning, he will report to the High Council)
I think that would be nice if President Baggett released me in Spanish, but you guys wouldn't understand anything!  Thanks for letting me know what my topic will be for my talk that Sunday. I think I will do fine with that topic! :)  That's  a major part of my life as a missionary!  I'm super stoked to see everyone soon!  Dad-what do I do when I report to the High Council? Also, I have a question for you dad as a bishop: How can missionaries in the ward help you and the ward council, because as a bishop, you have lots of responsibilities and tasks. As missionaries, our mission president told us we should find ways to make the bishop's calling lighter.

(His dad told him that in our ward, if he ever asks the elders to go visit someone, they do and then also report back what they found and usually it's good for them and for the ward)
Okay!  Sweet! I think this week we will ask the bishop who he'd like us to visit and then we will do it!

Love,
YOUR Missionary-Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
D & C 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.

The District Leader-Elder Portillo and Elder Fowler

Super cool maze!

My girlfriend "Maria"

#98-My Last Skype-Mother's Day

Hey!  

We went bowling today so our zone leaders wanted everyone to write a bit before we went, so that is why I emailed earlier than usual so that I could at least send you some pictures... so, I only have like a half hour left!

I really liked talking to everyone yesterday!!  Can't believe that was my last time Skyping!  5 weeks and everything will be in person!!!  That's weird, huh!  hahaha  Do you happen to have the picture that we took as a family yesterday?  I would like to have that one as well as the others.  

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

(Some highlights from our time Skyping):

We learned that Preston, Elder Johnson, and Elder Harrison all got permission from the mission President to attend the Priesthood ordination for Nain who was baptized back in February. This was a very special occasion for all of them. Plus, they were able to all see each other again which I'm sure was fun.

Sometimes we had a hard time understanding him because of his accent.  He said his thoughts are in Spanish and he would have to then switch to English.  He's worried about speaking in church when he returns because he has a harder time talking about the gospel in English, than in Spanish.  

(The last Skype home for Elder Fowler.  He was able to see
his 21 ½ month old nephew Krew, and his new little
niece Baylor, who is 2 months old.)

(I like to think that the light that is by Elder Fowler
is just the glow of the spirit that is radiating from him.)

Met a less active member who then helped us learn to make some bread.

Elder Hernandez and Elder Fowler

Nain and his family on May 14, 2017 with Elder Fowler

May 14, 2017-Naine's Priesthood ordination
Elder Fowler, Elder Johnson and Elder Harrison were blessed
to have been able to be there for this special day.