#63: Thinking About the Week at Home

Hey, what's goin' on? I must say, I've been thinking a lot about you guys this week and all the fun going on back at home, especially the changes that are happening in the Herron home!  How exciting to have missionaries coming and going and all the progress in the home ward as well (Sister Olano was baptized this past Saturday).  It was awesome to see photos of Matt after the mish- (mission-his friend Matthew Herron got home this past week from his mission in Peru), he looks really thin though.  Thanks for sending the pictures mom.  He and I kept in contact a lot.  Some emails were in English but some were in Spanglish :)  That's crazy that Michael leaves tomorrow!! (Matthew's brother Michael leaves for his mission in Paraguay)

So, I am in the same branch here in Cuauhtemoc.  My area is a lot bigger and we are teaching more people and it's a lot more fun :)  Our Branch President is President Lopez.  He is from Venezuela, and has a funny voice :)  This area is bigger and cooler and has a huge mountain in the middle!  As far as Elder Fernando (he was a young man that lives in one of his old areas and is now serving a mission in Mexico City), he is doing well. I haven't heard from him in a while, but he is a great missionary!  I do see Elder Merlo (his last companion) like 3-4 times a week!  He says he misses me ALOT!! hahaha I guess my baby birds don't wanna leave the nest!!! :)  My companion, Elder Hernandez is cool. Although he has BIG blisters on his feet! hahaha  So he can't keep up with me, but it's all good! :)  Also, Elder Pieper, from the Seventy is coming this week! :)

I have pictures of my new place.  I like it better than the old one!  We still only have a washer, and no dryer.  That's one think I do miss though.  It cost 2300 pesos each month, like $135 a month for the rent. The owners live above us but aren't members.

I do have a question.  In 1 Nephi 16:10, it talks about the liahona.... read it and tell me what my question might be.  (his question is: if the liahona has two spindles, and the one pointed the way whither they should go, where did the other one point?  Good question)

Love you lots,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is one that his friend Matthew Herron quoted in his homecoming talk yesterday:
Mosiah  2:41
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Elder Fuentes and Elder Fowler

I was able to hang out with Elder Merlo after
playing basketball on P-Day.

My new place

I get the queen bed :)

(The first pictures with his new companion,
Elder Hernandez)

(Susie Olano likes reading Elder Fowler's blog,

so we took a picture of them all together after her 

confirmation on 9/11/16, her baptism was on 9/10/16)

(Elder Fowler's great friend, Matthew Herron who just
returned from serving his mission in Peru)

(Too funny Matthew!!!)

#62: Same Ward, Different Boundaries

(September 5th)
Buenas Tardes!

Well, this week was good! First things first-I got a new area, it's in the same ward but different boundaries!  I like it a lot, it's pretty sweet!

Elder Hernandez doesn't speak any English, but I'm teaching him and he's teaching me more Spanish.  He can read English pretty well, which is cool!

Yeah, I still talk with Matt each week, normally.  I can't believe he goes home this week!! Wow!! 2 Years and he's done! Crazy!

I have pictures to send, but the computer won't seem to let me send them :(

Love you,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Alma 36:3

And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

#61: Transfer Day-But Staying Put

Here I am after another transfer.  I'm still in the same area, but I have a new companion.  Elder Merlo was sent to the other side of Cuauhtemoc. I'm training another "son" in the mission. (meaning his companion is fresh from the Missionary Training Center) His name is Elder Hernandez.  He's from Chiapas, which is in Mexico, but somewhere near Guatemala.  All my companions so far here in the mission field have been native speakers.  I don't know why, but whatever! hahaha I will help him with his English, and he'll help me with my Spanish.   I still do hear from Elder Vergara (he was Preston's trainer "dad")  We have a new assistant to the President as of today.  He's really dope, (cool) and I like him a lot!!  We brought 3 people to church this last Sunday!!!  I was stoked because that was the most we had in this area!!

(He was asked if the members there feed them) Yepp!!  We eat with members every day, except Mondays.  Usually we eat with the same families each week....imagine doing that?!

(His dad asked him how he felt about chapter 4 in the Preach My Gospel manual)  Yeah, that chapter is soooooo important because if you don't know how/what the spirit is telling you, you can't teach your investigators according to their needs.  The gospel discussions need to be adapted to each person specifically to their needs and concerns.  Only through the spirit can we know what those needs are.  

(His dad cautioned him: 'This is a time in the mission when you're working on all cylinders. Just don't forget it is easy to become complacent and get lax on the obedience part.  Help your new companion to start out on the right foot and be obedient in all things and watch the miracles roll in!')

Of course, dad!!!  I'm not someone who will get lazy and disobedient!  Always doing the right and setting the example! :)

Love your son and missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
Doctrine & Covenants 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.

Elders- Fuentes and Fowler

Elder Fowler's Zone
(Taken before the transfer)
(Back row-second from right side)

While in Rubio at another set of Elder's apartment, we trapped
and killed this rat!!!

Success!

The shoe is there to show you how big this thing was!!!

Saying goodbye to Elder Merlo as he is about to board a
bus to take him to his new area on the other side of Cuauhtemoc.

#60: Making a Difference

This week was a good one.  We had one of our investigators attend church with us and he is really dope!  (meaning cool) haha  I hope to bring him more to church so he can progress on his way to baptism and confirmation!

(His dad told him some exciting news about an upcoming baptism for Susie, here in his home ward)
What a great email this week!  I can't believe how awesome that story is!!  Wow!!  All I can say is WOW!!!  These are stories that I love to hear!  They bring a smile to my face.  I think about Brother Olano and his conversion (1 ½ years ago).  I remember going out with him on visits right before my mission, and he and I were both looking at the other to take the lead as we taught lessons in the less actives homes.  I can't wait to go on splits again with him.  Now I will know how to teach so it will be a lot more fun!  I love him and his wife!  They will be so happy once they can be sealed together in the temple!  And...I can be there for it as well!  How special.  The Lord works in marvelous ways.  The Lord is good and knows all our needs and how we can help others come unto Christ, even when 3000 miles away!  I hope you do send me pictures of her baptism.  I would really love that!! :)

I think that with this week being changes (transfers), I will be leaving Cauahtemoc because my zone leader was talking with President  and told him that I have been the Cauahtemoc stake for my whole mission, so there's a good chance come Monday.  This area is cool and all, but I want to see more of the mission.

I'm learning to memorize the scriptures in Spanish and Elder Merlo is in English!!  Pretty cool, huh?  Elder Merlo tells me that I dream in Spanish because sometimes I talk in my sleep and he hears everything! hahaha

I love you and hope you have a great week and that you see the blessings from the Lord in your life!
Love,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture is:
3 Nephi 27:19
And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.


(We received two emails from his companion, Elder Merlo-Thank you Norma for translating them both for us)

(First email) Thank you so much for the cards, and the things that you sent me.  The truth is I’m taking care of your son, I hope that this is like payment for the love he has shown me.  Thanks again for the cards, they are beautiful,  eventhough I don’t understand everything, but one day I will.  Say hi to your family.  I love you all very much.

(Second emial)  I am also grateful to the Lord for my companion and trainer that he has given me.  It is true that I feel satisfied with him, and I love him so much, just like you love him.  I hope that the Lord continues to bless your family always the way he has blessed me on my mission and in my life.  I would love to keep in contact with him and with you guys, and perhaps one day I will visit you in your house. Ha Ha.

(In the last package, I sent both Elder Fowler and Elder Merlo letters
that were then folded to look like shirts, with their name tags on them.
"My Mother" is what is labeled for Preston's and "My Grandmother"
is labeled for Elder Merlo's-since Preston is Merlo's trainer, they
refer to his as Merlo's "father".  So, if Preston is Merlo's "father" than I
would be his "grandmother".)

#59: Time in the city of Rubio

My week has been pretty good.  I was in Rubio with my District on Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday as well.  It was a good time that's for sure.  I really like the city of Rubio.  It reminds me a lot of Guerrero which is really cool!

We don't really have training meetings with President Montoya as often as we did with President Chavez but it's still really good.  On day President Montoya came out to our house in the morning to teach us personally!!!  I love him.

Thanks for the update on the family and the friends back at home.  I like getting updates on everyone, but wow, I can't believe how crazy the last couple weeks have been for everyone..What an emotional week, that's for sure.  (I let him know about the death of Alisa Hardy-Orton and her unborn baby girl, Ellis-hard week with the funeral being this past weekend)  That sounds like a great fireside with Elder Lynn G. Robbins.  idk why but I feel like he goes to Reno a lot. Am I right?

(This Wednesday marks 1 year that Elder Fowler left the missionary training center in Mexico and got to the mission field in Chihuahua)  This Wednesday will also mark one year that I have been in the same Stake!!!  The Cuauhtemoc Stake.  Pretty crazy, that's for sure!!  We have a couple of our investigators that are progressing and keeping their commitments, so that is good.  I feel like Elder Merlo and I are getting even closer.  He trusts me and tells me things that worry him and questions that he has.  It's cool.
Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Doctrine & Covenants 4:5-6

 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherlykindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Elder Stockton and Elder Fowler walking throughout an apple orchard.

(I will let you guess what this is)

All cooked up and ready to eat.

Hermano Ricardo Ordoñez

Elders Stockton, Heindel, Hernandez and Fowler playing basketball on their P-Day.

#58: Loaded with Pictures ;)

I'm glad to hear about the updates on the family and on the house!  Can't believe that Brecken is a Senior and Kylah is a Sophomore!! Crazy to think that I will be home right after Brecken's graduation!  Wish I could be there for that though.

I thought of some things that I could/want in the next package...Tooth flossers, nutella! hahaha  Teeth whiteners 'cause two years without a dentist sucks!! hahaha  Also, last week when I washed my clothes with another missionaries, he had forgotten to take out a RED pen, so they are now covered in red blotches!!

Again this week we didn't have any investigators or less actives come to church with us.  To be honest, I wasn't too upset because President Montoya told me this last week that the success that I have as a missionary won't be based on how many baptisms I have, but rather my DESIRE to find, teach, baptize and confirm converts.  That was something really powerful and a testimony builder to me as well.

I love and pray for you each day!
Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Isaiah 41:10 & 13
10 ¶Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

(This week, our son-in-law's cousin died from his injuries due from slipping off a bridge while with a group of friends-it's been an emotional week, but here is what Preston wrote to his sister Brooke today)

Thanks for the update today on Carson.  I've been really praying this week for him and his family.  I will continue praying and thinking about  him and his family.  I LOVE the atonement and the knowledge that we have of the gospel and that after this life, we will all be together forever without any pain or heartache.  I love the gospel and for the chance that I have each day to share my testimony of the glorious message which the Savior has given us.

Trying raw coconut for the first time.

Elder Fowler, Elder Merlo and Hermana Ordoñez-Her son
is 26 and plays ball with us each week.

Broken umbrella-time to get a replacement

Where we play basketball every week.

We ate as  a district at a place called Smokehouse!
We spent 530 pesos (about $15 each) between me and Elder Stockton
for all the food in the two pictures above.

Elders: Merlo, Stockton, Fuentes & Fowler

Having to climb into another set of Elder's apartment
because they locked themselves out.

Success!

#57: An email from Elder Merlo

(The following is from Elder Merlo, who is Elder Fowler's companion.  It was sent in Spanish, but my sweet friend Norma translated it for us :)  Thanks Norma!!  This was such a sweet reward for us to hear from him.  I know Preston really enjoys him)

Hiiii, I hope you are doing well and are enjoying the blessings that come from a son who is serving a mission. First off thank you for the work you did in raising your son Elder Fowler, he helps me a lot in the mission and now that he is my father (trainer) he helps me a lot.  He has taught me so much about being obedient, and how that is so important. He is so good to everyone and I’m happy he is my trainer/father ha ha.

Thank God that you have such a wonderful son, Elder Fowler, and that he is doing this great work for the Lord.

Thank you for everything take care of yourselves and many blessings to you and your family, say hi from me.

(Elder Merlo)

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

(No pictures form him this week, but this is how it makes me feel)