#24: Snow in Mexico

This past week was full of greatness, surprises, and full of the Spirit.  This week we were blessed to have one of our investigators, named Maguel Rubio Dominquez, be baptized on December 12th.  I was pretty stoked because he is someone who has been prepared by the Lord for us to find and teach. About 20 years ago, he received a Book of Mormon (and it was well used) but he never attended church but understood all the principles and doctrines of the church!  He's a really awesome man!  He was super easy to teach because he already knew the material that we were teaching.  He then was interviewed by our District Leader and then we prepared for him to be baptized.  In Guerrero (his area) the casa de oracion (prayer house-or chapel) doesn't have a baptismal font, so we had to go to La Juata.  On Saturday, the day of his baptism, the weather looked terrible.  Strong winds, rain and cold.  While driving to La Junta, it started hailing!  Pretty crazy, right?  When we got to the chapel, the hail let up a little bit.  Only 5 minutes later, it bagan to snow!  Snow in Mexico?!  I never would have believed it unless I saw it.  All us gringo missionaries freaked out and enjoyed ourselves a bit, making snowballs and what-not!   After the fun in the snow, we baptized Hermano Rubio.  But the really cool party is, he was confirmed right after by our Branch President.  The reason for doing so, was because Sunday was the dedication of the Tijuana, Mexico Temple.  Hermano Rubio was then able to attend with us!  It was really something to see our new convert "attend the temple" via satellite transmission!

The dedication of the Tijuana Temple was absolutely amazing and the spirit was so strong for all three sessions.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Dallin H. Oaks were the General Authorities who dedicated the House of the Lord.  What is really special, is President Gordon B. Hinckley's son is the temple president of Tijuana!  And, his spanish is pretty good!  I could feel the Lord accept this magnificent building as a "casa del Señor".

To say my week here was great is an understatement.  I'm looking forward to this upcoming week to see the blessings from the Lord, not only in my life, but the lives of those around me.

(We asked him if he had read the email from his friend, Jacob Wolf who received his mission call this past week and will be serving in the Argentina Salta Mission and will be leaving on March 9, 2016)

I did hear from Jacob!!!  How awesome is that?!?  Los tres amigos Hablan español después la misión!!!  I'm super happy for him!

(What's crazy is the three young men from our ward that have known each other since they were little, and are the best of friends, all leave within 9 months apart from each other.-Matthew: October 2014, Preston: July 2015, and Jacob: March 2016.   Matthew left on the 7th, Preston left on the 8th and Jacob leaves on the 9th.  All will be able to speak Spanish, which was something we were hoping for them.  Each of their missions boundaries are around the same distance from the Pacific Ocean too)

My companion and I are planning to Skype on Christmas day, just so you know.  I'll let you know what time you can expect a call from me.  I think we found a member who has Skype and just need to ask. I get 40 minutes to talk, that's it.

The scripture this week is D&C 50:24, I really like this scripture a lot.

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.

I love you all and know the Lord is watching over you.
Love,
Elder Fowler

Snow in Mexico!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Branch President, Elder Castro, Manuel Rubio Dominquez, Elder Fowler
December 12, 2015

Elder Benson, Elder Castro, Rubio, Elder Fowler,  his zone leader: Elder Anderson

#23: 5 Months Under My Belt

It's crazy to think I have 5 months now under my belt, Wow! The reason why I couldn't email on Monday was because we had a zone meeting all day in La Junta.  I really didn't have a regular P-day!  But, we played soccer and had lessons and what not, but  by the time we got home to our area, it was 8:00pm.

Our investigators did attend church with us this week again and we have 1 maybe 2 baptisms this Saturday!!!  Pretty exciting!!  I love seeing the blessing that come from serving.  There are a lot of missionaries here in my mission who are great examples of obedience. I never want to be a missionary who baptizes for the numbers....I'd rather have all my converts stay converted throughout their entire lives.  I am often reminded of you (dad) and Jim Love; what a great experience. (Philip taught Jim the gospel when serving his mission in CA-Jim went on to serve a mission, marry in the temple and is raising his kids in the gospel)  Thank you dad for your willingness to serve the Lord and set the example for me and Brecken.

I did get my Christmas package!!!! I've looked inside, but haven't opened anything!  I will wait though until Christmas since we have changes (transfers) the week of Christmas and you sent gifts for my companion too.  This way, I will know who my companion will be and give them to him on Christmas.

I Love you,
Elder Fowler

(This week's scripture to "Ponderize"  1 Timothy 4:12)

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

#22: New Investigators

Hola!
   This week has been better here in Guerrero.  We've had some awesome investigator lessons!  We have 5-7 really interested investigators right now and 4 of them attended church with us yesterday.  December may be full of baptisms, hopefully  :)

Questions that we asked Preston:
Q:  Do you drink the water there?  If so, do you need a filter bottle?  Would you like one?
A: I received a filter water bottle when I left the CCM, but I don't used it... in Anahuac, we bought clean water, but here in the "Sierra", the water is okay to drink from the tap.

Q: Are you getting enough to eat in your new area?  If not, are you having to buy your own food?
A: We only eat with members like 3-4 times a week so the other days we eat in our house or buy something... buying food is so expensive, even though it's cheap here!  I can buy a bag of chips and a liter of water for 15 pesos! haha

Q: How is the speaker box working out?  Were you able to listen to the latest General Conference talks that was sent in the last package?
A:It's AMAZING!!  I love it!   I haven't listened to it all, I think  only the first couple talks!

(This week's scripture to "ponderize" was submitted by Kylah)
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

A selfie for your Tuesday-haha-Selfies are weird in public places!
Like my camo tie?
(This is the place where he goes on his P-days to email home)

Christmas tree in Centro

#21: What I Call Home- Here in Guerrero

Hola!
To answer your questions:  I DID get my winter package this last Tuesday!  I am super grateful for all the love that you guys give me!  It sure means a lot!  This last week we were able to move into our house here in Guerrero and it's really nice!  I feel like I'm back in the States when I walk in.  I have pictures because I know that you would want to see where I live!  haha  We do have a washing machine, but not a dryer.  I don't think the mission has dryers for anyone....maybe the sisters, haha

As for my companion, sometimes he doesn't want to wake up until 7:40! I've tried talking to him about the importance of exact obedience in all things.  It's hard because I grew up in a house where we were always on time to everything...EVERYTHING!!!  I hate being late to things...some mornings I want to rip the sheets off from him!!!

The branch here is really small.  Only about 20 people attend each week.  We meet in a Prayer House,  it's not even a chapel!  I really love the members and all that they do for the missionaries in their area :)

I love the scripture from this past week (2 Nephi 4:34) We can always rely on the Lord through everything.  He is the one person that will be there through it all. It kinda reminds me of a song that I have on my flash drive.  This week, I chose the scripture:

Alma 7:23-24

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

 24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

In the CCM, I read this scripture and felt that it applies to me during my mission.  It explains so well how I need to act and behave during my mission. Let me know your thoughts as well :)

(I had told him that our little  8 year old friend, Cameron Kaesche, who used to live in our cul-de-sac, will be getting baptized this Saturday)  I'm so excited for Cameron!!!  Can you tell him that I still have the paper he gave me in my suit jacket, the one that says, "Dear Preston, Sorry that Rudy (our dog) died"  I look at it each Sunday during the Sacrament.  Also, tell him that I love his decision to be baptized!!  He's gonna make one great missionary! ;)

They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here of course, but November 20th is a holiday here for Mexico's Revolution. We had a baptism this week.  I will tell you more about it next week, but there is a picture.  Her family is a part member family and we found them using the Teaching Records.  She has had all the lessons and was able to be baptized.
I love you!  Thanks for being my biggest fan.
Elder Fowler

Baptism of young girl

November 20th-Mexico's Revolution Day

Mi Casa from the outside

(Quite an upgrade from his last area.)

The bathroom!  

My bedroom

Walk-in closet  ;)
It's very American, well I think so! haha

#20 A New Companion

Well, this week was full of different experiences to say the least!  On Monday (November 9th) I had my first transfer changes in the field.  I no longer serve in Anáhua.  I'm now serving in a place called Guerreo.  In the mission, the part where I'm serving is called La Sierra. And what I know so far is that it's much colder here than any other part of the mission.  I have a new companion now as well.  Elder Vergara is home now and I really appreciate everything that he taught me during the 12 weeks we were together.  My new companion is Elder Castro; he's from Mexico City and has served 20 months in the mission.  We are still in the "get to know you" stage and the language barrier doesn't help either.  Everyone that speaks Spanish, speaks differently, so I just need to focus and concentrate harder on what others are saying.

My companion and I are the first missionaries in Guerrero for a couple months so we don't even have a house there yet.  We've been staying with some Elders in LaJunta, which is about a 40 minute bus ride away. Hopefully, this upcoming week, we can move into a house and start working in Guerrero.  We have to cover the whole city...and that's a lot of work for just one set of missionaries.  In Anáhuac, we had two sets of missionaries which made the work a little easier.  I feel like having a new area, new companion, new everything has given me a new start as well.  I feel like a reset bottom has been pushed, and this is a new beginning. I'm super excited to be serving where I'm serving.  I know that the Lord has placed me where I am now for a reason.  I can't wait to see what amazing things will happen in Guerrero when we give everything to the Lord.  I am thankful for everyday I have to serve the people in Chihuahua and the Lord.

(This week's scripture is:
2 Nephi 4:34)

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Adios mi amigos!
Elder Fowler

Elder Fowler with Elder Garcia
(I believe they are waiting for a bus)

And the sun begins to set on another day.

Such a beautiful sunset, I just couldn't resist taking a picture of it.

#19: 4 Month Mark & Transfers

(Yesterday, November 8th marked 4 months that Elder Fowler has been serving)
 I am able to email right now.  It's earlier than usual because I have changes (transfers) this week!!  Yikes!  Last night and this morning was super hectic and crazy with packing all my stuff and going to Cuauhtemoc.  I'm not going to Chihuahua where we usually do the transfers because the mission doesn't have the money for that, so I will be meeting my new companion later today in Cuauhtemoc when they return.  I was told though by my current Zone Leader that I'm going to the "Sierra's"!!! BURRRRR!!!!  Hopefully my winter package gets here today because I will definatly need that coat and gloves! hahaha  It's pretty crazy!  I can't believe that I'm leaving Anahuac and starting somewhere new.  Apparently, my new companion and I are going to be opening up a new area called, Guerrero, but idk if it's 100% true yet, but we will find out later today!
I love you,
Elder Fowler

Elder Vergara on his last day of his mission-
"He gave me 3 of his ties, I felt so lucky!"

Elder Beeson and Elder Fowler on day of transfers

Visiting with people they had taught before being transferred
from Anáhuac.

Saying goodbye to the Branch President-Marquez and his family

"Plates from Nevada!! I thought this was cool!"

#18 Halloween Package Arrived :)

First off I want to say that I love dad's costume!! That's legendary (his dad dressed up as Doc Brown from Back to the Future)!!! I've been thinking a lot about you all this week because of Halloween!  In Mexico, the big day is November 1st and is called, the Day of the Dead.  Which, I didn't even see anything change or anything big happen.  There were a couple kids who went trick or treating- or Dulce o Truco, haha!

 I did get the Halloween package you sent!  Elder Vergara appreciated the love you sent him too!! He loves candy a lot, LOL.  The sad thing is, Hermana Chavez (The mission president's wife) has a rule that we can't eat sugary cereal-at all, so I can't have the cereal you sent...Sucks.  I don't understand the rule completely because we can eat candy between the hours of 11am-6pm, but I obey the rule anyway. haha  For breakfast I usually have Cheerios, or eggs with a tortilla, ham and salsa, or a sandwich.  I enjoy having the small set of scriptures that you sent too because I don't always remember where things are in Spanish, so I can quickly pull it out and find it in the small English set. I defiantly feel my mother's love by everything that she does for me.

This week has been really good.  We almost had a baptism this week but it fell through and didn't happen. It's super hard to proselyte once the sun goes down after 6:00pm with 3 more hours in our day!  Plus, that's when it get cold and miserable. I've started to find the things that I've learned from my trainer, Elder Vergara, and overall, I think I take him for granted.  This week was great for our companionship and I feel like we could talk all day to pass the time when we walk.  Today was his last P-Day because he goes home next Monday.

The scripture from this past week (Alma 42:31) is  super relatable to me, especially as a missionary.  I really love the same part that you mentioned in your email.  For this week, the scripture I chose for us to "Ponderize" is: 2 Nephi 22:2-3  It's really powerful and I just love it.  I came across it in my personal studies this week.

(2 Nephi 22:2-3)

2  God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Love, your missionary,
Elder Fowler

At Los Arcos to celebrate Elder Vergara's last full p-day
before he returns home.

Looks so good!

Elder Fowler with his Zone

The awesome moon; it was huge!!!