#89: Stake Conference (An Uncle to a Niece)

 Last Night, Preston's sister Brooke had her baby girl which they named, Baylor Mckelle Mooney.  She was 3 days early so this was a sweet surprise to be able to show pictures of her to Preston today and give him all the information.) 

Holy Smokes!!!!!  I'm soooo happy right now!!! :)  Can't believe all the things that happened last night!!! :)  God is Good!!!  :)  Brooke told me!  Is she still in the hospital?? Or is she out now??  Do you have a picture of Krew holding Baylor?  I would love to see that.

(From Preston's sister Brooke:) Baylor Mckelle Mooney • Born 3/12/17 • @ 10:34 pm • 6lbs 14oz • 19 1/4 inches long • Our little miss decided she wanted to make an early and QUICK arrival (by quick I mean momma was only in active labor for 2 hrs & only had to push twice). We couldn't be more excited to add this sweet little girl to our family, and can't wait for you to meet your big brother in the morning. We love you Baylor bean! 

Yesterday, we had Stake Conference, which was really, really good!  They told the members that they are lacking on their missionary work. :) haha  It was great!  Hopefully we will have more success with the members.  But what was really funny is, the stake center didn't have any power!!! So half of conference, I didn't hear because I was seated far in the back, but then they brought a speaker and connected it to a car or something  and then we could hear just fine!! :)

The work is going.  We had 18 investigators in church, as a zone, and 5 were from my area, so I was pretty content with that!  As far as potential baptisms, in my area, there is a grandmother and her grandson, who's families are all members besides the.  So, we just need to put a date for this month.  I'm thinking March 25th.  

Love you forever and always,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize": 

2 Nephi 9:21

And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

This is Elder Hernandez.  He is the Elder who's mom
passed away while he's been on his mission. I just love this guy.

#87: Funny Pictures

Happy Monday!!

Yesterday the family of four that we've been teaching wasn't able to come to church with us, but we still had two investigators in church :)

I can't believe you guys keep getting more and more snow!!!  While I'm sweating in the Chihuahua heat!!!  haha  Luckily, I only have 4 months to suffer with this heat!  haha

Yeah!  I do know how to make homemade tortillas!  They are the best; well I think so! People here eat tortillas like potato chips!  haha

Love you tons!  Have a great week!  Thanks for the prayers and thoughts :)

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is: 

2 Nephi 25:29

And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.


    (The pictures below are still shots from a video that Preston sent today which were super funny to watch but I couldn't figure out how to upload it because the file was too big. Here's what he said about the videos though):

They are of this shocker box thing, that's used in muscle therapy.  We used it to teach that pride is very powerful and everybody can feel it.  It can affect everyone nearby.  hahaha  Afterwards, Elder Canché and I were playing around with it.  Elder Canché went first.  I slowly increased the "shock" level and he ended at about 9.5.  When it was then my turn, we forgot to reset it to 0 so it was super strong at 9.5 and my muscles got super tense-fast!!!  hahaha  It was great!!!  
(These pictures just give a glimpse into the videos. You can almost hear his laughter just by looking at the pictures.)

#87: Improving as a Zone

Hey!!! This week was really good.  We are improving as a zone here in Chuviscar (area in City of Chihuahua)!  As a zone, we brought 18 investigators to church yesterday!!!  Yeah, now the time is REALLY flying by, like we are already in week 3 of these new changes!  I only have 16 more weeks to give everything to the Lord!  I really don't wanna go home....I think I'm more scared than anything. haha Lots of changes!!

There's an Elder in my zone named Elder Hostman. He is from LOVELOCK, NV!!!  He tells me he and his family pass through and visit Reno frequently!!!  He knows Sheels, the Summit, Everything!!!!  Maybe you can find his mom on Facebook and talk to her and get to know her :)  I know you love that stuff momma!!

We have a family of four we are teaching. They are the Martinez family.  The two teenagers are our best friends!  The kids love listening to us, which helps the parents listen to us too! :)  They even came to church!! Yesterday, they were our 4 investigators at church! :)

(His dad told him about Jack Buell's baptism this past weekend.  Jack has been  going to church with his wife and family for several years and even served in scouts.  It was quite a beautiful baptism with over 100 people in attendance)  Dad, not sure if you remember, but you told me not too long ago that you thought that while I was serving my mission, that Jack Buell would be baptized!!  It think that is so great!  The blessings of missionary work.

Love you!

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Elders-Canché (my comp), Fowler, Marx & Perez
Sister Gil

Elders-Perez, Marx, Canché, Fowler
Sisters-Gil & Romero
Sister Romero hit her one year mark in the mission,
so we brought pancakes to her! :)

At the mission office
Companions-Fowler & Canché

This one cracks me up!

#86: Pictures From Nain and His Family's Baptism

This companionship is great and the first week as the senior zone leader has been good!  On Thursday, we had a Leadership training meeting which was really good.  Tomorrow we are going to a zone conference with President Montoya and the assistance.  It should be good! We had a baptism in the zone as well!  This week we did some service because a member's home got burned.  I don't know how because all the houses are cement!!

(I told him that our friends, the Perez family, here is Reno are moving to Texas. They have been so good to Preston)

Really?  Darn!!! That makes me sad?  Why are they moving??  Be sure and invite them to come to my homecoming please!!!  I want them there!!!

( I asked him if members still feed them during the week)

Yeah!  I'm actually really excited for this week because we are eating with awesome members!  We will be eating with the Patriarch and his wife, and also with the 1st Counselor in the Stake Presidency.

I still don't have a picture yet with me and my comp yet, sorry! :(

Love you,

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Baptism of Nain with his wife and older child.
February 11, 2017
(Because of transfers, Preston was unable to attend the baptism.
I think he was bummed that he wasn't there because this family
has been so good to him.  Nain was baptized by a his friend on the far left) 

(Some of the many Elders that have been blessed to know this family)

(Nain's family with the Sister Missionaries)

Saturday, February 11, 2017

(Nain and his family saying goodbye to Elder Johnson.  Nain
came to the church building on the day of transfers, but Elder Fowler
had already left.  Elder Johnson and Elder Fowler were companions
at the time when Nain was taking the lessons)

#85: Week of Transfers

Hey! How are things going?  Well, today were changes (February 13th) and I am still the Zone Leader in Chuviscar; but I have a new companion!!!  His name is Elder Canché!  He's from Yucatan, over where Landon (his cousin) is!  He's funny and short.  I think it will be a great 6 weeks with him.  He has been out almost 13 months I believe.  Elder Rojas goes home in August. He was transferred to Cuauhtemoc as a Zone Leader and I'm now training my new comp as a Zone Leader.  That makes me Zone Leader #1 which kinda freaks me out but it's all good.  Deep down, I thought I had a 30% chance of leaving this area.  I had no idea that Elder Rojas would be.  I actually had an interview with President two weeks ago about setting goals that I want to accomplish during the remainder of my mission.  I wanna be a missionary that others still talk about years later after I leave. 

(His dad asked him if there are any other missionaries that he knows well, that are still in his zone) Ummm, there's only one that we call Niño, meaning "kid". haha Just a nickname that stuck since his training days, I believe his mom passed away while he has been on his mission.  I think it would be nice if he got a package from mom.  His name is Elder Hernandez, he likes American candy and love from the USA. haha  He has been out about 8 months, maybe a little more.  He's from the star of Acapucco Guerrero, it's near the city of Mexico DF.

Elder Johnson had changes to Parral.  He told me to have you tell his mom, he will most likely write tomorrow.  He is taking the bus to Parral right now.  I've never been to Parral, but everyone says it's full of steep mountains....so Johnson's legs are gonna get huge!!!  Also, it's hotter than Chihuahua.  hahaha   

Sorry to hear about the fridge going out again.  In my world, I don't have a washer right now because it broke, but the owner of the house will have someone come over on Wednesday to fix it.  We don't really have to wait until P-day to wash our clothes, everyone just washes clothes when they need to. haha

Next Monday all the Zone Leaders in Chihuahua City will play b-ball together, or we will play lacrosse.  I think President Chavez will come too!! 

Love you long time!

Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Alma 17:10-11

 10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

 11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

Saying goodbye to some of those from my zone:
Me with Elder Bautista and Elder Johnson

Elder Mamani is leaving the zone too.

Elder Bautista

#84: A Family of Investigators

Sorry for writing late!  We've been super busy tonight!  We cleaned our house REALLY good!! You can smell the spirit in our house!! haha  Then we played fútbol with the youth from our ward.  I have a picture from it so I think you will like it.  There were about 10-12 missionaries that played. It was fairly even.

(I asked him if he's still writing in his journal)  To be honest....I'm lacking on my journal writing!  I'm just always busy doing stuff when we get home at night, plus I'm super tired!!

(His dad told him about the 51st Football Super Bowl-and how the New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime 34-28)  Yeah!  I heard all about the Super Bowl. As much as I don't like Tom Brady, he is the best quarterback, that's for sure!!  haha Kyle Van Noy?!  Sweet!  He has a Super Bowl ring now!!  Impressive!!  Did his mom and dad go to the game??? (The Van Noys were in our old Stake)

(The last week of January there was a world-wide missionary training meeting. I asked him what changes he has seen in their mission)  We now have a new schedule.  Get up at 6:30am, start studies at 8:30-10:00am then we leave the house and don't return until 9:00-9:30pm, but nothing more.  But it's all good!  I like the changes! :)

This last week was Cool!!!  We brought 6 investigators to church from my area alone!  We met some new people we are teaching....A FAMILY!!!  Their names are Monica (the mom), and her kids Javier, Bryan, and Brisa!  They are awesome!!!  We saw some cool miracles this week as we fasted and prayed.  Then last night, we had a zone meeting where we had a zone council thing.  They told me and my comp, Elder Rojas, things that we are doing good, as well as things that we need to improve on.  I was a bit discouraged, but whatever.  Yes, transfers are next week.  I don't know how I feel... Like I wanna leave cause some of the missionaries don't want to work hard, but then again, we have really cool investigators!

Love ya,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize":

Doctrine & Covenants 62:3

Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.

These are the youth in my ward; Left to Right:
Ozzy, Haciel, Alexis and Jonny

Thought this was interesting!! :)
(AT&T is where his dad works, and IN-N-OUT Burger is
where he worked before his mission)

#83-(Package From Elder Fowler)

Feliz Cumpleaños Mamá!!!  How's your Birthday?  What have you done?
Hello Adoptive Mom, I'm Elder Sanchez. I hope you have a happy birthday :D 
That was sent from my old companion, Elder Sanchez from Guatemala.  He's here with me right now! :)
I'm so glad you got my package!!!  I really liked the nativity set with the indians.  They are called Tarahumaras. They are indigenous people from Mexico. :)

( I told him that he needs to be sure and bring home a Mexican nativity and/or Christmas ornament. This past Tuesday, we received a package in the mail that had a Nativity set, an SD card, his first name tag, and two bracelets. It was so fun to get)

(Last week I asked Preston if he could help me with my talk that I had to give in sacrament meeting this past Sunday. I asked him if he could share his thoughts about being a missionary and able to put aside the world for these now nearly 19 months that he has been serving and live such a Christ-centered life.  Here is his response:)

I love studying the scriptures each morning.  I love that it is a way to put on the armor of God, to be prepared for whatever temptation comes my way.  My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened tremendously because I am anxiously engaged in my studies.  The Book of Mormon truly was written for our day.  I am grateful for the opportunity I have to Read, Ponder, and Pray on the Words of Christ.

Love you tons,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to Ponderize is:
2 Nephi 32:3
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Elder Sanchez (his previous companion) and Elder Fowler
emailing home.

(The Nativity, bracelets and his first mission tag was
what he sent home to us)

(Love that he sent these to us)