101: Finishing Strong

Hey!

We had 4 investigators in church yesterday!  We might end the cycle with a baptism, if not, they will be baptized the week I leave. haha  I'm trying to finish strong because it is harder and harder each day; like I'm super tired and exhausted all the time!  haha  Dad-I want to have an "interview" with you, like 1 ½  hours!!! hahaha  And, I'd like to go to the temple; I'm thinking Friday or Saturday! It would be great if the whole family could go.  

Yep!  Elder Beeson and Elder Anton go home this week- on the 8th.  I am the only American flying to the U.S. on the 21st! haha  I'm gonna be alone for like 8-9 hours that day! haha

We went paint balling again!  It was fun!  I only got hit once-in the wrist. hahaha  I wanna go again after the mission.  That's sweet that Brecken went sky diving on his birthday.  How much did that cost?  Do you have pictures because he didn't send me any.  

(Last Week I gave him a challenge to take a creative picture of him and his companion-See below)

Here's my creative pic with my comp! :) Hope you like!!

(Love it!)

This week's scripture is: Alma 26:29-30

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

Elder Anton Elder Beeson and Elder Fowler
(These three all arrived at the CCM (Missionary Training Center in Mexico)
on the same day-July 8, 2015, however, Anton and Beeson are both
returning home two weeks before Elder Fowler to start their summer studies.
This is goodbye for now, but at the end of August, these thee, along with another elder,
Elder Larsen, will be roommates up at school!)

The family I am with is from my last area in Centro!  

The Gonzales Garcia family!  I love them!  The mom

is like my "mom" in the mission!  Her youngest daughter wants me 

to return and be there for her baptism my last week here in the mission. 

I think I will be able to attend because that last Monday and Tuesday

I won't be doing much other than an interview with President Montoya and 

having my Last Supper with President and Sister Montoya.

This is from paint balling today!  It was dope!!

#100-Mission Life is Good!

How are things going?  Happy to hear and see pictures from Matt's wedding!  It looks like he's really happy!  Woo-Hoo!  Soon, they'll have baby Herrons!! haha (Matthew is his close friend from high school that got married on May 27th)

I can't  believe it!!!  Just 3 ½ weeks!!!  I feel like I just left on my mission like a month ago!! haha

(His dad told him that he'll be taking 3 weeks off once Preston returns home)  

You're gonna take 3 weeks off?  That's nuts!!  Thanks for working your butt off all this time!  I can't wait to be with the fam bam again!!! We're gonna have to do a bunch of things this summer!!   

The mission life is good!  Actually, on Tuesday they took the sister missionaries out of my ward because of health reasons, so I have the same area plus the area that the sisters had!  It's HUGE!!! hahah  We have a couple that we can baptize hopefully the month of June before I go.  I hope to get one or two more baptisms before I say adios to Chihuahua!!! haha

(His dad asked him if he has heard from Elder Sanchez since he's been home)

I talk to Sanchez each week too!  Pretty soon it will be via Skype/FacetTime!!!

Yep, I was able to watch the video of Krew.  I hope that he doesn't have stranger danger with me when I come home!

I really try to find or do what you ask me to do as a challenge each week! haha  It's sometimes hard!  But, I hope you like the pictures.  (This week's challenge was: Find a cool sign that you could take a picture of)

Can't wait to see you soon!

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

This week's Scripture to  "Ponderize" is a scripture that I found last week in my studies.  Not sure if we have already done it but it is:

2 Nephi 33:10

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

This was the coolest dog ever! haha Usually all the dogs here
in Chihuahua bark and yap when we pass by, but he didn't
when we knocked on the door.  He also knows how to shake
like Rudy did!! :)

This week's challenge was to find a cool picture to take a picture of.
This sign says, "I want Tacos!"

Cool Walking stick carved to look like a cobra snake.

#99: Service/30 Days Remaining

Hey!
   I'm doing pretty good!  It doesn't even feel like my mission is coming to a close soon.  It makes me sad to think about that, but I'm ready to take what I've learned and apply it to those back home! :) Yesterday was cool because we have been struggling with bringing people to church, but yesterday we had 3 investigators from my area and 8 in the ward. (When we Skyped, he told us there are three sets of missionaries in his ward) That was pretty cool!  I'm hoping to put out one more baptism before I leave the mission field!  That would be the best! :)

(Last week I decided that I would start giving him a weekly challenge and have him tell me about it in the next week's email.  So, this week's challenge was to look for ways to give service and/or ways in which he has been given service)

So, I did think about the challenge you gave me last week about service.  I was able to give a blessing to a member who gave us food one day and then she had asked us to give her a blessing.  I pushed a truck because it needed a push start.  And, while I was on a city bus, I helped  a woman with her baby get off by taking the carseat thing from her while she and the baby got off.  There were others, but I don't remember them all. haha

Next week, I am planning on buying a new white shirt to come home in because mine are super faded and ugly. haha
(His dad asked him how his shoes are holding up)
I'm going to make them survive 4 weeks! haha  I don't want to buy new ones but i will bring them home because I think it shows a lot of hard work! haha

(His dad told him that after we pick him up at the airport, we will head to the stake center and President Baggett will release him as a missionary. Then on Sunday morning, he will report to the High Council)
I think that would be nice if President Baggett released me in Spanish, but you guys wouldn't understand anything!  Thanks for letting me know what my topic will be for my talk that Sunday. I think I will do fine with that topic! :)  That's  a major part of my life as a missionary!  I'm super stoked to see everyone soon!  Dad-what do I do when I report to the High Council? Also, I have a question for you dad as a bishop: How can missionaries in the ward help you and the ward council, because as a bishop, you have lots of responsibilities and tasks. As missionaries, our mission president told us we should find ways to make the bishop's calling lighter.

(His dad told him that in our ward, if he ever asks the elders to go visit someone, they do and then also report back what they found and usually it's good for them and for the ward)
Okay!  Sweet! I think this week we will ask the bishop who he'd like us to visit and then we will do it!

Love,
YOUR Missionary-Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
D & C 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.

The District Leader-Elder Portillo and Elder Fowler

Super cool maze!

My girlfriend "Maria"

#98-My Last Skype-Mother's Day

Hey!  

We went bowling today so our zone leaders wanted everyone to write a bit before we went, so that is why I emailed earlier than usual so that I could at least send you some pictures... so, I only have like a half hour left!

I really liked talking to everyone yesterday!!  Can't believe that was my last time Skyping!  5 weeks and everything will be in person!!!  That's weird, huh!  hahaha  Do you happen to have the picture that we took as a family yesterday?  I would like to have that one as well as the others.  

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Love your missionary,

Elder Fowler

(Some highlights from our time Skyping):

We learned that Preston, Elder Johnson, and Elder Harrison all got permission from the mission President to attend the Priesthood ordination for Nain who was baptized back in February. This was a very special occasion for all of them. Plus, they were able to all see each other again which I'm sure was fun.

Sometimes we had a hard time understanding him because of his accent.  He said his thoughts are in Spanish and he would have to then switch to English.  He's worried about speaking in church when he returns because he has a harder time talking about the gospel in English, than in Spanish.  

(The last Skype home for Elder Fowler.  He was able to see
his 21 ½ month old nephew Krew, and his new little
niece Baylor, who is 2 months old.)

(I like to think that the light that is by Elder Fowler
is just the glow of the spirit that is radiating from him.)

Met a less active member who then helped us learn to make some bread.

Elder Hernandez and Elder Fowler

Nain and his family on May 14, 2017 with Elder Fowler

May 14, 2017-Naine's Priesthood ordination
Elder Fowler, Elder Johnson and Elder Harrison were blessed
to have been able to be there for this special day.

#97: New Suit

Hey!

Last night I was talking to Elder Sanchez after changes (transfers).  By the way, we have no changes here, but he and I wanted to see each other one last time before he leaves to return home on Wednesday. So, today we went to a place called Fashion Mall where I did by a new suit!  It's super nice!  I like it a lot!  It's a blue suit.  It only cost me 1250 pesos, that's like $70 more or less!  I'm hoping you'll think I look super fly when I come home! :)  That's why I had Elder Sanchez email you the night before to see if you'd put some money in my account. :)  I was sad to say goodbye to Elder Sanchez.  I love that guy.  He says I'm his "adoptive brother" and that you mom are his "adoptive mother". He actually is going to try and go to BYU or somewhere in the USA for school so I will definitely see him very soon! :)  He says he's gonna learn English in Guatemala and then go the the U.S and study!

(In my email to him, I gave him the option of not Skyping on Mother's Day if he wanted to just focus on his last few weeks in the mission)

Umm...about Skype and all that... I definitely want to Skype!!  Plus, I don't think that President Montoya would not let me NOT Skype!!! hahaha  I think it will be Sunday in the afternoon, like 3:00-4:00pm my time.  Will Dylan be able to be there? And again, I only have an hour to see you guys.

(His dad asked him if he'd like to do a Fireside with the youth in our ward)

Sweet!!!   I would love to do a Fireside with the youth!!  That would be a lot of fun!!  I just want the youth to know they might need to be patient with me because of my English!! hahaha I hope the spirit fills my mouth with the things I need to say in English!!haha  Do you know yet what my topic will be for my talk when I return home?

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:

Doctrine & Covenants 88:119

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

I can't wait to see you guys on Sunday!! :)

Elder Fowler

Elder Sanchez and Elder Fowler

At Fashion Mall
Hermana De Avila, Elder Sanchez, Elder Fowler, Elder Farrera and Hermana Currey

#96: A Missionary Momma's Countdown

Hey!
  I really liked this week's update from you!  Brooke sent me a ton of videos from this week when you guys were there on the farm!

  (I talked to him about writing in his journal)
I'm really bad at my journal now to be honest!  But I told myself that I will finish the mission writing in it! :)  It's because I'm super tired at the end of the day that I just wanna lay down and sleep! haha
I will be sending videos from this week!  We bought some boxing gloves and had a couple rounds! hahaha  (The video file was too big and he wasn't able to send them)

Thanks for the update on Steph (His friend, Stephanie Lyons just received her mission call to Illinois Chicago West Mission-Spanish speaking) I didn't get an email from her, but thanks for telling me the news!  Huge, fat bummer though that I won't see her for 3 ½ years!!!  That sucks big time!! But that's so cook that all of us will be Spanish speaking! :)

The work in my area is slow, slow going.  I hate not seeing success on Sunday when we don't bring investigators to church, but this week, that's gonna change!!  Can you believe that in 2 weeks, we get to video chat!! :)  We were on divisions and my companion found some members that said we could do our video chat there at their house! :)

(His dad asked him what he would like to eat his first night back in Reno?)
I was thinking.....IN-N-OUT!!! hahahahaha  Brecken needs to tell Elia to work that night so I can see him too! :)

Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
2 Nephi  4:15

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learningand the profit of my children.

(I saw this idea on Missionary Mommas FB page-
It's a count down with chocolate covered cinnamon bears.
Eat one a day to count down how many days until Elder Fowler returns)
Preston's response to the picture:
"Do you know how many days I have left??  If so.... DON'T tell me!!!haha
I don't want to start counting!!

#95: Patriarchal Blessing-Seeing Things Come to Pass

Thanks for the emails!  The mission is great, but yet at the same time it's the hardest thing I have done!  I'm grateful for the  things which I'm experiencing because they are making me stronger.  The other day I was studying in this month's Ensign, the article about patriarchal blessings.  So, I read mine again and wow!!  It's cool to see how things mentioned in it, have already happened!!!  And, to see the promises that await in the future!  I think it would be cool if both you-mom and dad, read the copy of my blessing again.  I think you as parents can see the blessings as being great parents! :)

As far as Jahann, he couldn't come to church this week again because he had some things going on that made it so he couldn't, but who knows.... I really want him to be baptized because he will be a great influence in his family's life.

(I asked him what his thoughts are about his arrival at the airport; does he want just family there, or family and friends)
Umm.... I think I would definitely like all family possible to be there and if friends are available and wanting to come, Heck YES!!!  Like your FAB5 hahaha and all who would wanna be there!!!  Would Dylan be able to be there?  I would love to see everyone I can that day! hahaha  Everyone is invited!:)  I can't wait to see and hold Baylor and Krew! :) I'm freaking out about that!!  But I wanna make sure that everyone knows that YOU (mom) get the first hug!!!  Then everyone can try and beat the others first!! hahaha  I think I will mostly miss the people, the missionaries and converts.  Although, there's a boat load of things I wanna do before I head up to school, but there's so little time.

This week had it's challenges, but it's all working out nicely.  Tomorrow we have a special meeting with President because we are training, so it should be nice!!

(His dad asked him if he's getting excited to call home on Mother's Day in 3 weeks)
3 WEEKS?!?  Wow, that's it? I think we checked (our calendar) to see who we eat with on Mother's Day and there is still no one there. haha It' because here, Mother's Day is Wednesday, 10th of May!

(His dad told him which Sunday he will be speaking in our ward)
I'm scared I'm gonna start rambling in Spanish!!  That would be super embarrassing!  I hope Sister Wolf or Brother Perez is there to help me if I get stuck on a word!! hahaha

(His dad told him he can't wait to eat some of that salsa that Preston wants to make for us)
I can eat salsa like nothing!! haha  Like a whole jalapeño doesn't effect me!! haha
(Dad-how about a habanero pepper, is that too hot?)
I can eat it, there's some chips that they sell here that have habanero and I eat them just fine, but it's super expensive here so they don't use it that much!
( Dad-I really want to try the tortillas that you eat, they sound so good!)
Flour are the best!!  They don't taste anything like the tortillas in the states!  But, it's super east!  I wanna make some with the family as a FHE (family home evening) activity! :)

Love your son,
Elder Fowler

This week's scripture to "Ponderize" is:
Doctrine & Covenants 15:6
And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

(If you watched the Popcorn Popping video that I posted on
my FB page, these actions will look familiar-I asked Preston if
Elder Sanchez has a Fit Bit or if it is his.  He said, "Umm.. that
Fit Bit WAS mine, but I love the guy so much, I gave it to him!")

Elders:Bautista, Sanchez and Fowler
Taken at a conference with President Montoya and the assistants

Elder Fowler with a favorite comp of his, Elder Sanchez. 

Today we had carne asada!!  We cooked like 5 Lbs of meat as Elders
in the zone.  By the way, we are in my house! :)

Elder Bautista and Elder Fowler 

Elder Hatch, Bautista, and Fowler

Elders: Bautista, Hatch, my comp-Farrera, Portillo, Gordillo, White and Zamacona

Elders in the zone eating carne asada.