#42: Looking Forward to Upcoming Baptisms

I'm emailing late today because we had a zone conference in La Junta  and tomorrow we have a training meeting with President Chavez in Cuautemoc, so we are spending the night here in La Junta. Kylah will be happy that I wore the Flash shirt she sent me for my birthday when I was here in La Junta for the zone conference!

I can't tell you everything quite yet because it hasn't quite happened....just that we might be having a LOT of baptisms in my Zone!!!  I will defiantly let you guys know when everything happens and is completed, but we have 2 potential baptisms this week, and two for sure the following week.

That's pretty sweet to hear about the change in the bishopric.  I really like Brother Averett.  I'm enjoying being the senior companion.  It feels good have have some real responsibilities.  I send the data each night to our district leader and I let them know how we are doing each day and tell them about our investigators.  The mission has flown by, to say the least, but I'm really ready for changes next week. We will see if I stay in this area and/or one of us are leaving the area.

Tu hijo,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Elder Fowler & Elder Herrera

#41: Tenth Baptism

This week was pretty sweet! :)  We had one baptism this last week, which was super cool and exciting.  This is the 10th baptism that I've been blessed to be a part of.  His name is Manuel Games Marquez.  He was baptized on April 6th. Our investigators seem to be growing fast!  We have found some really chosen people to accept the gospel, and hopefully they will be baptized this month or early next month :)  We have goal to have 4 baptisms.

We did hear from President Chavez (his mission president) this past week about his time in SLC and saw lots of photos as well!  We saw Elder Oaks wearing a fake mustache!! hahaha, we all laughed!!

On Sunday our branch president couldn't make it, so he asked me on Saturday to lead and direct the church meetings!!!!  It was CRAZY!!  I was super stressed Saturday night through Sunday because there's so much that I had to do to make sure that everything would run smoothly! haha  (I told him that I'm sure that this is preparing him for callings in the future)

Sounds like there are a lot of things happening back home!!  That's exciting and stressful at the same time!  (Our stake was split this last Sunday which will effect a lot of callings in our ward) I can't believe Brother Mooney isn't in the Bishopric now!  But, I'm excited for his new calling :) (he was called to be on the high council) You will have to keep me posted on the upcoming changes with the other stakes and the ward.

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:  Alma 32:35  I really like this scripture and how I marked it in my scriptures!!!  I can't wait for you guys to look through all my scripture and stuff like that!  You will like it a lot! :)

le amo,
Your missionary,
Elder Fowler

Alma 32:35
 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

(I just love this picture-I can hear his laugh)

I stacked three golf balls!  Try it!  It's hard!

Baptized Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Manuel Games Marquez and Elder Fowler

Elder Herrera, Manuel and Elder Fowler

#40: President Chavez' New Calling

I have really enjoyed this last week because a lot of cool things happened.  First off, last Monday was my birthday...my 20th to be exact!  I really enjoyed celebrating on Preparation Day because I was able to talk to my family and friends.  We had cake, ice cream and lots of fun.  I only have one more birthday here in the mission and I think that makes me a little sad.  I wish I could serve longer, because I'm having a great time.

On Wednesday, I was on divisions with one of the Assistants to President Chavez, named Elder Meyer.  I look up to him a lot and he taught me many things that day.  We were in the streets contacting people, and we started talking to this one gentleman.  He's been looking for happiness in his life and hadn't found it yet.  We told him we can go to his house and share a message of God's plan for him.  He accepted and let us into his home.  At the end of the lesson, we invited him to pray.  At first, he didn't want to, but he felt like he should.  He began praying and pouring out his heart to his Heavenly Father.  It was one of the most powerful, heartfelt prayers I have ever heard.  He was so overcome with emotions.  He began to cry.  The Spirit was so strong during the lesson.  This is an experience that I won't forget.

This weekend was quite special because of General Conference.  We had to go to La Junta to watch Conference because our Prayer House (church building) doesn't have internet.  We were able to bring quite a few of our investigators to this special weekend.  They really enjoyed it, as did the missionaries.  I wasn't able to watch the first session because I was outside trying to get people off the streets to come in and watch conference with us. haha  I watched two of the sessions in Spanish, and the other three in English with the gringos.   It was really good.  I think I like watching in English because I like to hear the voices of the prophets and apostles, but overall, I learned a lot from the leaders of the church.

All of the missionaries were watching the session where President Chavez (his mission president) was called as an Area Authority Seventy.  We all FREAKED OUT, in fact we went Bizerk!!!haha How exciting!!! We knew he had gone to Salt Lake City but didn't know why. Now it all makes sense.

This week has been great week, full of great, powerful, and spiritual lessons that I will remember throughout my life.  I love where I am, and the work I'm doing as well.  I'm looking forward to October, when we have the opportunity once again to hear from the servants of the Lord.

Love you much,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Helaman 5:47

Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

(How exciting to see the word, RENO when
you're so far from home)

(Elder Meyer celebrating Elder Fowler's 20th birthday-cake and all)

(Birthday boy-someone brought him cake)

If I've learned anything, it's how to improvise when you don't
have the things you need!  One time we even made a strainer
out of a milk carton for our Mac and Cheese! haha
(Love how they used their ironing board as a table)

(List of those who were called as an Area Authority Seventy
in this last General Conference- if you look in the row where
the mouth is, you'll see his mission president' name,
Ulises Chávez)

#39: HaPpY BiRtHdAy ElDeR FoWLeR!!

(Today is Elder Fowler's 20th Birthday)

 I opened up everything from my birthday box this morning and I'm super thankful for everything that you sent!!!  I feel the love you guys have for me so much, thanks!! Love you bunches!! :)  I've watched the awesome videos!! Thanks so much for the love and Birthday wishes.  (We sent him 5 short videos, expressing 20 things we love and miss about him) Easter was really good! I feel like it was just Christmas and now it's almost April Gee-WIZ!

 The Easter box came this week also!  Thanks.  Elder Herrera really liked getting something too.  Elder Herrera and I are getting along good!  He's been teaching me guitar!  I can play (the song), Book of Mormon Stories!!!

This week's scripture to "Ponderize"is:

 Moroni 7:42
 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

Thanks for the Birthday Wishes!!
Elder Fowler

Happy 20th Birthday!!!

(His birthday package came weeks ago and he was so good to
wait on opening several of the items until his actual birthday!
There were a few items we told him he could open early)

(His Birthday Box)

(Finally able to celebrate!)

(He even put the candles on the cupcakes so he could blow them out)

(Wonder what he wished for-hope it comes true)  :)

20 Years Old!!

(He said he wears these thin, comfy pants only
on special occasions-I think it's appropriate for
today.  I like that he's wearing the tie we got him too!)

Elder Fowler, Fernando, and Elder Herrera
Fernando leaves tomorrow (3/29/16) for his mission

(Easter Basket-I sent two so that his companion
would have something also)

#38-18 Mile Walk!!!

Well, it's official!  I now have a new companion-Elder Herrera,  and I'm really enjoying him.  Even though he has been out longer than me, I have been placed as the senior companion.  We have had a lot of work to do here in Guerrero.  Tomorrow we have a training meeting with the president so I will see then if those two packages got here.  Right now we are in La Junta for some training with the Assistants and to eat some pizza.  La Junta is where 10 other missionaries are so we came here for our zone meeting.

You had asked what my favorite food is here.  I really love tortas....with lamb!!! :)  It's the best thing I can buy!  They are like hamburgers but wayyyy better!  They cook the lamb on a giant stick and heat it with a gas heater, then when you order, they cut some of the giant stick and serve it up! :) Delicioso!

Later this last week, our Zone Leader came to Guerrero to help our investigators prepare for baptism. We have this one really awesome guy we found who speaks English.  The only problem is, he lives in a tiny pueblo called La Tinaja!  So, on Friday, myself and Elder Zohner, who is my Zone Leader, went out to find him in his house.   I don't think that I have ever walked so much in one day!! I was wearing my Fit Bit which tracks the miles that we walked that day, and we walked 18 MILES!!! The worst part was, the man we were looking for, wasn't even home :(  I felt like a pioneer after all that walking! haha  I was pretty tired after that day.  I slept pretty good the following night!

We didn't have any baptisms this last week, but our investigators are slowly converting to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  What's really cool too, is we are finding God's chosen sons and daughter who will accept the gospel and choose to be baptized and follow Christ.

As the days, weeks, and months roll by, time is speeding up and I don't know if I like that.  Missionary life is great, and I have learned and grown so much while I've been living in Mexico.  I've only been out 8 months but I know it will be so hard to say goodbye to the mission field.  But, all I can do is make the most of the experiences and "serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength" (D&C 4:2)

Well, that's been my week here in Guerrero, Chihuahua!  I can't wait to see what blessings and miracles the Lord has in store for me, my companion, our investigators, and everyone that I know.

Con mucho amor,
Elder Fowler

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.

Having Family Home Evening with the Branch and making
fritters, which are so good!

A selfie!

Are we there yet?

Me with Elder Zohner as we were walking the edge of the earth! haha
This was the day was walked 18 MILES!

#37: Same Area, Different Companion

This last week was really good!  I hardly spent any time with Elder Castro because we were on divisions all week with different companions. Elder Nicoll and I ran my area together and did some great work! :)

I went to Chihuahua yesterday and met my new companion!  Elder Herrera!  He's from Yucatan which is around Cancun!  haha  I think we will do great things here in Guerrero!  He has 16 months. As a missionary, I feel a great responsibility to help other missionaries be obedient and follow the mission rules and commandments.  The mission President must trust me to help them.

I haven't received my Easter box yet, but maybe this week because we go to Cuautemoc for a training meeting with President Chavez.  I'm super excited about that.  While in Chihuahua I looked to see when my release date is.  I think I'm coming home on June 19th, 2017...you know what that means?  (That year on June 19th is his parent's 25th Anniversary-pretty cool) but maybe that will change with the new Mission President (we believe in July 2016, his mission will have a new mission president).

I love you all and and am grateful for your example.
Le amo,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Mormon 9:27

O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubtnot, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.  

Elder Fowler and Elder Nicoll on Divisions (splits)

Elder Castro, upcoming Elder Fernando (leaves for his mission
to Mexico City Northeast on March 29, 2016, and Elder Fowler

Elder Fowler and Elder Castro saying goodbye.

#36: In Madera for Divisions (splits)

This week has been really good!  I have some pictures to send to you this week and I think you will like them! :)

I'm happy to hear about the fun you all had this past week in Vegas!  I'm sure that was a blast to see and talk with everybody!

I find out this Sunday night about transfers...That's the last day of this cycle.  So, I will find out if I have transfers then.  I'm guessing I will go to Chihuahua on Monday with Elder Castro and meet my new companion then.  Should be exciting!  I'm looking forward to it. It's crazy that tomorrow (March 8th) is my 8 month mark!  I think time on my end is flying pretty fast.

I'm emailing really late because we had a Zone meeting in La Junta, so we are back in Guerrero right now.  This Friday and Saturday we were in Madera and I really liked it there!!  I was on divisions (splits-which means he was with a different companion than his usual one) with Elder Nicoll who is an American from Arizona and has been out one less transfer cycle than me, so we were really helping each other.  I really loved our time together because we both worked really hard for the two days we were together.  We both have the same desires to serve the Lord and to be obedient in all things.  I wouldn't mind having a transfer to Madera with him!  The city of Madera is Super SWEET!!!  I like it there!!

I did get the package you sent for my birthday!  Fatástico!!! Muchas Gracias!! (I told him he could open the box and take out most everything, other than the wrapped gifts-he was one happy boy!)
Well dad, I want to wish you a Happy Birthday This Wednesday!!!  I wish I could be there with you but that'll have to wait!!  Enjoy your day!  You deserve it :)  I love you so much.

Love your missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:

 2 Timothy 4:7

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

Mango on a stick :) Super delicious!!

In Madera for a Zone Conference

City of Madera

Church Building in Madera

Headed back to Guerrero