#80: Monday, January 9, 2017

(Not much to report this week, other than the scripture)

Scripture to "Ponderize"

2 Peter, 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

#79: Week of Changes (Transfers)

Hey!  I'm finally able to talk to you guys!  Feels like forever, but that's alright! Well, as far as the changes for me....I'm still a zone leader in Centro!  But, I have a new companion because Elder Sanchez was made an AP (Assistant to the President).  His name is Elder Rojas; he's from Panama and has been out about 15 months!!  He has a different accent so I'm gonna have to learn to understand him better!haha  Today we had Leadership Council with President Montoya!  It was really good, and I think later this week, I'm gonna have to train my missionaries in my zone on it!  Wish me luck! :P  As a zone, we had 6 baptisms in the month of December.  That was the second highest for the mission.

(I had asked him if he had to pay to use the computer at the internet cafe)

When I write you guys each week, I pay like 20 pesos, which is like a dollar for an hour and a half.

I love the pictures I'm sending you with President and Sister Montoya! :)  I really love them!! Like my belt and shoes?  The other kid is just 15 years old.  His name is Diego and reminds me so much of Brecken because he has Brecken's type of hair cut.  I had the opportunity to interview him to be baptized, and so I got to know him really well!  Love the kid!  And, here is the picture I showed you during our Skype time with Elder Fardos. I think it will make you happy mom :)

(Elder Fardos mom and I have met through a missionary FB page for our son's mission and hoped that they would one day get to meet since us mom's like each other so much.  I told Preston if he ever gets to meet him, to be sure and take a picture and that I'm sure he won't think it's weird because I'm pretty sure his mom had told him about Preston too. So, I'm so happy that he followed through and took a picture together.  Makes a missionary momma's heart happy)

Love your missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Elder Fowler with President and Sister Montoya
(His mission president)

(He's been wanting to get a picture with them for
a while now.)

Diego who I interviewed for baptism

Look Mom, It's Elder Fardos!!

# 78: Christmas Skype

(I'm just now able to update Elder Fowler's blog.  We had a great time seeing him and hearing his voice by Skyping with him on Christmas Day.  He's doing really well.  In fact, he said he wasn't really wanting to Skype because he wants to stay focused on what he is doing there as a missionary and doesn't want anything to distract from that. Which kinda hurts as a mom to hear, but if I take myself out of the equation, then I see where he is coming from.  I wouldn't want him to be anywhere else right now and I admire him for what he is doing.  I know he is a good missionary and I am so grateful that he wants these two years to be the best he can make of them.)

(His e-mail that was sent on December 26, 2016)

Sooooooo today we had a zone activity where we did a gift exchange.  Then afterwards, we went and played paintball.  It was fun but because we finished really late, we don't have time to write today..... but all is well and I will send pics and all that jazz next week.  But I really enjoyed seeing you guys yesterday!!!  It was fun!!!  Also, I am very sorry if I offended you that I wasn't looking forward to skyping you.  I do love you! and I love what I'm doing here.  I just want to be the best missionary that I can be and don't want anything to get in the way!  I hope you know that I do love you so much momma!!!!

Hope you all have a happy new year!

Your missionary,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

3 Nephi 18:24

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.

 (Thank you Brenda Johnson (Elder Johnson's mom) for sending me the pictures from their paintball activity)

Merry Christmas 2016

(His companion, Elder Sanchez was super nervous to be
in front of the screen to talk to us.  He doesn't know much English)

(Paintball activity with the zone)

(December 26, 2016)

#77: Solo

How's things going?!
I was super busy all day and finally have time to write!  We were practicing our songs for our dinner that we will be having on Thursday with President and Sister Montoya!  It's gonna be great!  We are singing "Holy Night" in Spanish, then "The Drummer Boy" in English.  I even have a SOLO! Yikes!!!! It's in "The Little Drummer Boy" where it says, "Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum; The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum."  We all sound really good!!  We will get it recorded for sure!  My companion (Elder Sanchez) speaks English  poquito-A little bit!  I'm teaching him Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!

I'm attaching a picture of Mauricio.  He's going to be baptized on Thursday after our dinner with President!

Truth is, we aren't even sure where we will eat yet for Christmas, so we need to figure that out.  We have church at 11:00a, which is 10:00am your time.  So we will talk with all the members and see what's up with that.  It'll all be good!  No worries!

I love ya!
Elder Fowler
P.S.   I got a sweet nativity!! :)

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Proverbs 29:25

 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Elder Sanchez and Elder Fowler just being weird.

Hermano Mauricio-He will be baptized on December 22, 2016

Mauricio and Elder Fowler

Riding bikes for the first time in the mission!
With Elder Hernandez in Billa Juarez!

Elder Fowler and Elder Sanchez received their packages
and are waiting patiently for Christmas before opening them.

(It has to be hard to wait until Christmas day)

#76: Leadership Council Meeting with President Montoya

Hey, how's things going in the 775? haha
I really like my area.  I believe that it is the best area to have around Christmas time because there's lots of people to talk to here in downtown Chihuahua, and lots of events going on! :)

Mauricio, one of our investigators will be baptized next Thursday, December 22nd.  The other baptisms have fell through because they don't come to church, so that means their baptism will be pushed back a bit.  I'm sending pictures that were from Leadership council.  I hope you were able to see them!  There's lots of pictures from this week, which I'm sure you will enjoy!

As far as Christmas, We received info that this time we can Skype for ONE HOUR.  Last time it was longer, but an hour is still alright.  We will be eating with members around 2:00-4:00pm on Christmas, but when would you all be able to Skype?  More in the afternoon, right?  Let me know and I will talk with Elder Sanchez and make plans with him.  He's one of my favorite comps!  We get along great, and work super good together! :) I'm stoked to see you all again!!  Crazy to think that the last time we talked on Skype, I was in Guerrero...lots has changed in the last 7 months, that's for sure!! haha

(When his dad asked if he sees Elder Johnson much these days):
Yeah, like 3-4 times a week.! :)

(When asked when his companion goes home):
He goes home in May! He's been a zone leader for a year!!! He's been out 18 moths already and this is his second cycle in this area. (Chuviscar-part of Chihuahua City)

(When asked if he received the Christmas packages we sent):
Umm... the thing is... In Ojinaga, there's about like 35-40 packages for almost all the gringos!! Sooo, It's taking some time!  But I did get the Christmas tree you sent with the ornaments.  I'm excited!  My companion is getting stoked; more stoked I think for MY package!!  We are going to the offices today, so we will check what packages came.

Love ya!
Your missionary,
Elder Fowler

Scripture to "Ponderize":
3 Nephi 11:10-11

10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

 11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

(These 3 were in the CCM together
Elders: Beeson, Anton and Fowler)

(Preston's companion is the Elder in the front.
We didn't realize how little he is)

Leadership Council Meeting-December 6, 2016

(President Montoya and his wife sitting in the front.
This may be all the zone leaders and sister leaders)

Elder Fowler & Elder Fuentez

At President Montoya's home

Elder Fowler with his companion, Elder Sanchez

#75: Will Be Going to President Montoya's House

Hey Family!  Good to hear from you today!  I'm on a little earlier today because tonight my companion and I are going to President Montoya's house for FHE (Family Home Evening) with all the zone leaders.  Then, tomorrow we have leadership training in the offices from 9-1 more or less! haha  It should be really fun!  I love President!  I'm gonna take a picture with him today because I don't have one yet! :)

When I'm in the offices, I will check for the packages you sent! :)  I am guessing they are here!  My comp is happy that he has a white comp for Christmas because the moms always pack more things for the comps as well, meaning HIM!  hahaha

This week was really good.  I'm learning my huge area that we have little by little.  I like how downtown Chihuahua is in my area!!  It makes shopping on Monday super easy and fast!
I will need dad to send me my Skype info next week! I've sent pictures of my shoes.  They are really bad.  When it rained yesterday, my feet were cold and wet ALL day! hahaha I'm hoping that you could send the pictures to Missionary Mall and see if they can send me knew ones.  They are Doc. Martens in a size 10.

We gave service on the first of the month to go along with #lighttheworld service month that the church has implemented and went to an elderly home and cleaned and made these cool Santa boot and filled them with candy! :)   We are going hard on it everyday!  Also, my comp and I went to a museum  on Saturday because one of our investigators had a presentation there, so we went to support him.  (See the Star Wars pictures below)

(He was told about how there were 34 people in our ward that received new callings) Wow!  That's crazy to hear about what all happened on Sunday.  Everything will be different when I come home.  I won't even recognize Reno at all!! (Maybe not Reno, but our Ward for sure)  How do the missionaries there get investigators to come to church when it's way down at the Stake Center?  We do still have baptisms here scheduled.

Love your missionary,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":
1 Nephi 7:21
And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.

(Here is one of the reason this boy needs his shoes replaced.
Glad we bought them at Missionary Mall and they have a 2 year
warranty and will just ship him a new pair)

At the museum where one of our investigators
had a presentation.

(New apartment in Chuviscar)

Mine is the top bunk!

#74: To the Top of a Mountain

Hey!  How goes things?

This week was really fun over all.  I went on divisions (splits) twice with our district leaders and that was really fun....getting to know the new zone and all that!

At first, I thought I would have a hard time with my companion, but we get along great!  He is from Guatemala.  Church was fun.  The week before I came here, the zone leaders baptized a man named Javier.  Yesterday at church, he received the Priesthood.   

I don't have any pictures yet of where I live, but this week I will take some.  It's really a nice house to be honest.  Just, it's kinda messy 'cause there were 4 other elders living out of their bags all week! haha  Elder Johnson and his new companion are going to check today on their place to live and sign the contract tomorrow.

This morning we went to a mountain and climbed to the top.  Thought you might like these pictures I'm sending.

Love Your Missionary,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize"is:

2 Nephi 32:9

But behold, I say unto you that ye must prayalways, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

(I believe this must be last Monday, Nov. 21st when they
were all moving out of "the big house" into their new areas)

To the top of a Mountain

Chihuahua

Elder Fowler with his new companion, Elder Sanchez