#7 Made it to Chihuahua, Mexico!!!!!

Hola mi padres!
I've made it to Chihuahua and it's been a super long day.  We left the CCM (Mexico Missionary training center) at 3:30AM and we got to Chihuahua about 9:15 their time!  I believe Mondays are my P-Days (preparation day) but this P-Day is kinda shot, so this is all the time I have this week to contact you.  I wish I had more time but oh well! Ha!  I have lots of pictures to send next week and I'll tell you more about it.
Love you both,
Elder Fowler

#6 Last Week in the CCM (Missionary Training Center)

This is my last week in the CCM and I can't wait to get out of here! Not because it's bad or anything but because I'm itching to get to the mission field. I guess when I fly to Chihuahua I'll be charged for my second bag, and then my carry-on cannot be more than 22 lbs! I think i should be ok but I'll pay for my second bag using my card. I used it a little bit ago to make sure I'd be able to pay for my bags with it. Seriously, everyone in my district has senioritis! haha its hilarious! Elder Anton, Beeson, Alford and myself are the only gringos going to chihuahua with about 20 other latinos! They seriously love us!! They call us their sons and want to party every night! haha We taught them the really big dance moves in the USA and they always want me to Whip for them! its hilarious! 

I'm happy everything is going great back at home. As always, I'm praying for you all!:) I definitely don't miss going to high school! I'd much rather serve a mission! haha I hope that because you all are so busy that time will fly by as it is for me! I see that Brecken is wearing a pair of shorts of mine! Even though I'm in Mexico, I still know when he wears my stuff! :) haha

This week as felt like the last semester of high school.  Senioritis is strong these last couple days in the CCM.  But they've been some of the best days thus far.  Last Friday, we had TRC (teaching real converts) and most of the time we teach members from outside of the CCM. But this time, Elder Alford and I taught an investigator who was a legitimate investigator. At first, I was kinds nervous because it was a first real experience teaching investigators.  The lesson we taught her was so applicable for her life and I know that she was feeling the spirit.  It's amazing how you can plan a whole lesson and the Spirit directs you to do something different.  It's so easy to teach the gospel when you have the Holy Ghost as a companion.  

On Sunday, I was asked to give a talk in sacrament....In SPANISH!  I was a little freaked out and I wrote down word for word the things I wanted to say.  When I got to the podium, I didn't even look at my talk, except to read a couple scriptures.   I gelt the Gift of Tongues work within me, to the point I could say the things I wanted to say freely.  My talk was only supposed to be about 5 minutes, but I ended up speaking for 10!  I lost track of time and let the Holy Spirit guide my thoughts and words.  I guess this week my testimony of the Holy Ghost has grown so much!  On Tuesday, we watched a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland about the divine companionship of the Holy Ghost.  One thing he said that will stick with me throughout my life was, "There's three members in a companionship; your companion, yourself and the Holy Ghost.  We need to decide if the Holy Ghost is the Senior companion, the Junior companion, or neither.  When we allow the Holy Ghost to be the Senior companion, the Lord is able to direct our actions and our words."  

I'm super excited to get into the field and declare repentance and share the message of the Restoration.  I only have three more days left in the CCM.  I already love the people in Chihuahua.  The Lord has prepared them to hear and accept the everlasting gospel.  I know this church is true and am so thankful for the opportunity to learn and grown spiritually in the gospel.

As always, much love from your son,

Elder Fowler

Names of those in his district

Having a fun time creating these pictures!

They're still just boys :)

#5 Answer to a Very Specific Prayer

This week has been super awesome and such a spiritual experience!  Fast Sunday here was pretty awesome!  Sacrament meeting is just with my zone, so the sacrament portion only takes like 5 minutes- tops!   The CCM (missionary training center) is such a spiritual high everyday and it's literally the best! Today my district was able to go to the Mexico City Temple and I enjoyed it so much!  It's amazing that throughout the world, the feeling and message of the temple is the same! We weren't able to do a session, due to maintenance, but the visitor's center was really neat.

Spiritual Experience:
This week has been one of the best weeks thus far.  There were many spiritual experiences that have strengthened my testimony.  On Sundays after Sacrament meeting, we always have a Devotional.  This Sunday's devotional was a live broadcast from the Provo MTC.  President Nelson spoke to us and its was super spiritual.  He spoke about how we can become better missionaries.  I love when talks are so applicable to me and what I'm going through.  I kept having the thought that President Nelson is next in line of authority to become Prophet.
One of the most awesome experiences in my life happened this last Monday.  Recently, we heard a talk about being specific in our prayers.  I had the desire to learn how to roll my "r's".  My district knows that I can't.  So, on Monday evening before dinner, Elder Anton, in my district offered a specific prayer that by 9:20, I would receive the Gift of Tongues and  be able to loose my tongue and roll my "r's".  After dinner we had the rest of the night for personal study.  I used this time to practice my "r's".  At one point, I went to the restroom and stood in front of the mirror and practiced for 30 minutes.  I knew that the Lord would bless me according to my faith.  Never in my life have I needed stronger faith in the Lord.  I went back to the classroom with my companion, Elder Alford, and kept reciting "My Missionary Purpose".  In it, it has a handful of words where you roll the "r".  9:15 came and I still wasn't able to do it.  But, I didn't lose faith.  9:19 came and I tried one more time.  Everyone in my district watched on as I went through the words of "My Missionary Purpose".  My tongue was loosed and I was able to recite it perfectly with rolled "r's"! Everyone was beyond thrilled and excited.  This experience has strengthened my testimony of my Heavenly Father.  The Lord hears and answers our prayers.  The Lord works in miraculous ways.  I know that if we put our faith in Him, we can do all things with our Father in Heaven on our side.  I can't wait to see what the rest of my mission has in store.

Elder Fowler with his District

The Mexico City Temple

Inside the visitor's center at the Mexico City Temple

Elder East, Elder Fowler

Elder Riggins- his favorite missionary outside of those in his district.

His smile says it all :)

Elder Fowler, Elder Jackson

#4: Feeling the Hand of the Lord Work in my Life

This week has been a lot easier.  This week my companion and I taught a lesson on prayer in Spanish and it lasted about 15 minutes, and apparently, I spoke for about 10 mins!!!! I honestly had no idea.  The gift of tongues is real and I can testify of that. Each week my Spanish is getting better and better.

The spirit works in miraculous ways and I love it!  Serving a mission is the best decision that I've made in a very long time.  I encourage all the young men to serve.  You won't regret it!  I've come to love the culture and the opportunity to serve them.  They are seriously the kindest people on the planet.

This week has been tough for a lot of missionaries because about 90 of the 400 missionaries here got some type of stomach virus...Luckily, I didn't catch it so I was able to further my learning of the gospel and Spanish and not have to be bed ridden.  The Lord has definitely blessed me with good health.  The new Comidor (cafeteria) is super nice compared to the last one.  We've been eating there for the last 10 days or so.

I seriously just fall in love with little Krew each time I see pictures of him!  Absolutely Adorable.
Thank you for being my biggest support.  I love you forever and always.  Keep sending those prayers my way! :)

Love,
Elder Fowler

My district and my teacher, Hermano Palma :) I love him!!

Hermano Palma

Missionary Training Center in Mexico City (known as the CCM)
With his companion Elder Alford

This is Elder McMullen.
He came to the CCM the same day as I did, and I swear he is Matthew Herron's doppleganger!!!
Like in every way possible!!

My mission within Mexico-Chihuahua

Elder Alford, Elder Anton, Elder Fowler & Elder Beeson;
Beeson is like Elder Snapp that dad had on his mission!

My mission in Mexico compared to my friend Matthew Herron's in Peru.

I'm an UNCLE!!!

Congratulations Brooke and Dylan!!! I'm so happy for you both and the new addition to the family!:) He seriously is the most precious baby I've seen! I wish I was there to celebrate with you but there'll be plenty of time to do that when I get home!:) Isn't the knowladge of the Plan of Salvation just absolutley beautiful!? You and Dylan will be rockin' parents!:) I wish you and your family the best these next two years and pray for all of you individually. I had you in my thoughts all Tuesday and Wednesday!! 

Love you Brooke!:) give Krew a big hug and kiss for me please!!

Elder Fowler

Krew Karter Mooney-Born exactly 2 weeks after
Elder Fowler left on his mission- July 22, 2015
8Lbs 5oz, 21" long, 7:18pm
Happy Parents-Dylan and Brooke Mooney

Thinking about Uncle Preston and how Krew will
one day be a missionary himself.

#3: Learning a lot about myself

Elder Fowler with his room mates.

Elder Fowler hanging out in the rain.

This week was much more challenging than my first week in the CCM. This week we started teaching two new "investigators" who are completely opposite to the gospel. One enjoys talking and is really engaged in the lessons, and the other hardly talks and is difficult to get any sort of response from him. I'm glad to be "practicing" on different types of personalities because everyone will be different out in the mission field. My Spanish is slow going but I definitely feel an increase of knowledge when I am giving a lesson. I feel the gift of tongues every time I teach an investigator. It's amazing seeing how the Lord works in miraculous ways, especially how he prepares His servants to preach the gospel.


I really enjoy my district. There are three other Elder's going to Chihuahua so I'm sure I'll be seeing them a lot for over the next two years. My companion, Elder Alford, is serving in Chihuahua as well. Being his companion has really taught me a lot about what is difficult to live with. I think the Lord is doing all He can to teach me and humble me beyond belief. My testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel grows each day on my mission. Elder Alford and I live with Latino missionaries and one night night we were asking what their favorite song was, and one said in his best english, "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa! I laughed so hard and almost cried! I was weak, completely lost control! It was a great moment. Earlier in the week I was able to leave the CCM and go to immigration. The city was quite amazing. It definitely is nothing like the U.S. The air quality stinks like a sewer. I wanted to throw up!

I want all to know that i'm doing great and love all the emails. It helps keep my spirits strong!
Elder Fowler

Taking a selfie in the CCM with a room mate.

One of Elder Fowler's room mates

Mexico City

Showing some of the poverty in Mexico City.

#2: July 16, 2015: First Week at the MTC (known as the CCM in Mexico City)

Preston's companion, Elder Alford from Louisiana

Hey dad!

Elder Fowler is the second one from the right.

  I'm super excited to hear from you! The flight to Mexico from SLC was jammed packed with missionaries! I'm in a district with four companionship's in total. We are all super close and tell each other awesome experiences! I met up with Elder Twitchell at the gate in Reno but unfortunately I couldn't sit by him but it was all good!At the MTC, AKA the CCM, the food is bomb here and there's beans for DAYS! hahaha My companion is Elder Alford from Louisiana. Thursdays are my P-days in the CCM and today my district played our ZL (zone leaders) in basketball and lost by two! I was bummed but oh well... there's always next week! Last Thursday we had our first lesson to teach... in SPANISH!!! It was rough but I learned a lot about myself and how the Lord works. The language is really rough but I love it. I've learned so much this past week. More than I did taking two years of high school Spanish. I've been thinking a lot about you guys and thankful for all the prayers.
Love you, your son,
Elder Fowler

Hey Madre!

  I love you! This first week has been pretty hard... Last Thursday my companion and I, Elder Alford, from Louisiana had to teach a lesson to an investigator!!... In Spanish!! it was very hard but yesterday we were able to commit her to baptism! One hour of emailing is not enough time to talk to everybody but I wanted to make sure that I emailed you. I love you so much and hope this email doesn't bring you to tears... I've really enjoyed every second of the CCM and my testimony of the gospel has grown exceedingly! I am so happy I made the decision to serve the Lord. I pray for everyone back home everyday, especially you! I can definitely feel the prayers being sent my way, so thank you for being supportive of me! You're my #1 fan and that'll never change. I love ya momma!
With love, Your missionary,
Elder Fowler

The airport in México City.

It's not every day that you see a trash truck with a NIKE swoosh.

Elder Fowler's living quarters (on the Left) while in the CCM-he's obviously using the bedding they provided and not the ones he took.