Jessica is made Sister Training Leader

Jessica with Sister Mack, and other sister Missionaries in Olongapo

My beautiful Jessica

Week 38 - Salve and Marian's Baptism

Hey guys! 

It's been another great crazy week of missionary work! I'm telling you the time here just flies because you are so busy all the time but it's fun and I wouldn't change it for anything :) This week we found 12 new investigators and had 10 investigators attend church yesterday! They all really enjoyed it and are excited to attend again next week. We also had Salve and Marian's baptism this past Saturday!! It was SO good and they were just so excited to get baptized! It was so cute :) Sister Paciano, Sister Jensen and I let them borrow some of our dresses and jewelry and straightened their hair because they said they wanted to look their best on their baptism day. They looked so nice and the members were so nice and welcomed them into the ward with open arms. There is nothing cooler than seeing people from the moment you first met them all the way to their baptism day. When they come up out of the water they just seem to glow and my heart is always just so full of gratitude to my Savior for the opportunity we all have to become clean from our sins and mistakes if we just follow him and his shining example. I seriously just LOVE being a missionary and I can't imagine my life now without it. Of course, there are hard days, we all have them, but when you look back and see the lives you have touched for better, those hard days all seem to disappear and everything is just right. 

So I was able to attend a leadership training meeting earlier this week and I was really touched by what the speakers said. They spoke of Jesus Christ and how he is our perfect example. We should strive everyday to pattern our lives after his and if we mess up, get back up and try again. I loved what Thomas S Monson said in one of his talks from this past conference when he said we all have trials and hard times in our lives, but what sets us apart from the rest is how we react. "Shall I falter or shall I finish?" If I have learned one thing from my mission it is that no matter who you are or where you are from or whatever your circumstances may be, EVERYONE has problems. everyone. But what we do and how we react to these problems separate the great ones from the weak. These sweet people here in the Philippines live in very poor conditions with hard circumstances. Many of them open up to us and poor out their souls about how they can't feed their children or afford to send them to school. But when we share the gospel and when they accept it into their lives as my recent convert just told me this sunday "kahit walang pagbabago sa buhay ko, pagatapos tinanggap ko ang ebanghelyo at nabinyagan ako, parang wala na akong problema" or "although nothing in my life has changed, after receiving the gospel and being baptized, it's as if all my problems are gone". 

I know this church is true and I know the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. I know it has changed mine. Love you all soooo much and I hope you all are happy and healthy!!

Love,

Sister Lowe

Lots of snow

Monday there was no school in honor of Martin Luther King day, but then it snowed over night and throught the day on Tuesday.  School was canceled again, and again on Wednesday and again on Thursday because of freezing temperatures.  

After it stopped snowing the sun came out and Betsy had a chance to shovel the driveway.  

The kids really enjoyed having three days off school.  On Thursday some AP teachers, namely Mr. Grimm emailed homework to Marissa and his classes so they wouldn't get behind.

The kids went back to school on Friday.  

Coconut Can Bites Betsy

Okay, so it was a great day… Robert won his basketball game against the Teachers of Crestwood 2 - big win, Marissa's team won their basketball game, even though Marissa had to be at work.  They really wanted her but they still won 13-7.

Robert had two FUTSAL games at Collegiate.  They won their first game - it was a blow out 13-6.  Robert scored the 4th goal, and the 10th goal.  

The second game was harder - against all seniors on the SUI team.  We lost 8-10.  

We came home and relaxed a little bit before Betsy started cooking dinner for him so he would could digest the food before his next activity - indoor soccer at 9:00 pm.  

She was trying to open the coconut milk can for Thai Pork, but it wouldn't open with the electric opener so she got out the manual push in, pull out one.  As you can tell by the photos below, that wasn't a good choice.  The can slipped while she was trying to get it open and instead of opening the can, it opened her finger.  She had to go to the emergency room (since the urgent cares were all ready closed) to get it glued back together.  It would have been about 14 stitches but because it went right down the fingernail, they couldn't stitch.  It was also her left hand - bummer!!!

after the trip to the ER 

After a few days - this is what it looked like.

Futsal Double Header

We had snow over night that canceled the girls and boys basketball games, but luckily not the Futsal or indoor soccer games.

Robert had a 2:30 and 3:30 Futsal game.  The first game was against the Javanon team.  We were crushing them 3-0.  Robert scored the third goal.  

The first half ended 3-1.  The second half was getting out of control.  The Jacobean boys were not happy to be losing ... And they started pushing and shoving.  Several were removed from the game for 2 minutes at a time, and a boy from our team and Adam from Javanon were ejected for breaking into a fight.  It was the worst I've seen at this age level.

With the switch of goalies Javanon came back to tie and finish with a score of 5-5 tie.  We clearly out played the Javanon team but didn't have a trained goalie the second half.

No school for 4 days

Monday holiday

Tuesday snow day

Wednesday snow day

Thursday freezing temperature day

We are going to be in school forever making up all the snow days.  At this point I've lost count.

Driving in the snow

Poor Marissa!!!! 

It snowed over night while we were safely sleeping in our warm beds, and still snowing when it was time to leave this morning.  Everyone was expecting school to be delayed or canceled and yet no call, text or post came ... So now to let Marissa test driving in the snow.  

She hadn't even got past one house when I saw her back tires slide!!!  I called Robert immediately and told them "slow" - you have to drive slow and steady in the snow.  Not too fast and yet not to slow.  You have to have momentum to get up hills but not going down hills.  Unfortunately for us, the way to seminary is very hilly.  There is more than one way but they are ALL bad!!!

I became even more concerned when Marissa really struggled to get up the hill in our neighborhood so I stayed on the phone with Robert the whole time.  Robert and I did something called FaceTime.  It is live video - do I could see what she was driving in.  It was terrible!!!

After 45 minutes, and passing two accidents Marissa and Robert safely arrived at seminary.  

That was too 

intense and scary!  I was scared for her knowing she had never experienced anything like this and she was on her own.  

So glad she is safe.

After seminary everyone left their cars there and walked over to the school.  The school was empty.  Marissa and Robert continued onto their classes, but hardly anyone was there.  Meg and Ben texted them to ask if they wanted to go home with them.  They both wanted to go home but school wasn't canceled and now Betsy was driving in those horrible conditions to substitute at their school.  

We didn't want Marissa driving home as it was getting worse.  There was a bad accident on route 42 (the main road and only access to the school).  Traffic was backed up for mile and the wait time was around an hour.  Betsy arrived at school just in time to teach second period.  She was there the whole day.  She had 3 students 2nd period, 1 student 4th and 5 students 5th period.  

Luckily the drive home was much better!!!

Jessica is called to be a Sister Training Leader

THE CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Philippines, Olongapo Mission

Km. 140 National Highway, Mangan-Vaca

2209, Subic, Zambales

Philippines

15 January 2014

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Douglas Lowe 
6104 Laurel Lane
Prospect, KY 40059
United States 

Dear Brother and Sister Lowe,

We are pleased to let you know the great job, Sister Jessica Maryn Lowe, has done here in the Philippines Olongapo Mission.  She has been working hard and we have recently called her to serve as a Sister Training Leader in the Dinalupihan Zone. Her companions are Sister Rubelyn Boyles Paciano and Sister Jasmine Leah Jensen.

Sister Lowe has shown great leadership ability and we know that with the service she will give, she will grow even more.  The service she will give to the sisters she is working with will be greatly appreciated.  We know she will do a great job.

Your daughter has a great testimony of the gospel and she is doing a great job here in the mission field.  She has helped many come unto Christ and we know that she will continue to grow as she serves those she is in contact with.

May the Lord bless you for the service you are giving to the Lord.

Sincerely,

Roberto Bayobo Querido

Philippines Olongapo Mission

Mission President

RBO/mfg

Indoor Team - On a Roll

We were told that the game on Saturday was good, but that the team we played wasn't the "best".

Tonight we are playing the "A" team of the team we played last Saturday (and beat 5-0).  Well, it was a blow out - we were up by 7 goals at the half time.  We were playing against Sophomores from OSC and they were much bigger than us.

Robert had a hat-trick before half time. 

The second half of the game, our team really brought the intensity down - maybe too far.  They allowed an easy goal right at end maing it 9-2, but then Matthew Longstreet from our team also scored making it 10-2 - right at the buzzer.

Ryan Danehy scored 1st, Can't remember who scored the 2nd goal, Robert scored the 3rd, own goal 4th, Longstreet 5th, Robert the 6th goal and the 7th goal, then the other team scored 1 just before the half.  Half time 8-1.

Final score 10-2.

Futsal against Seniors

The last "sports" event for the day was Robert's futsal game.  The game was held at the Fern Valley complex - a long way aways.  Mark had to take Robert early from his indoor soccer game which was being played in Buckner, KY so that Robert could get to the futsal game on time.

Robert would probably prefer the indoor game (Mark does) but we had to make sure we were there for the start of the game so the team didn't have to forfeit.  As it turned out we had the whole roster and it wouldn't have been a problem to come late - but you never know and you wouldn't want to be the one to let your team down.

Robert played a great game.  Again, we were playing a team of older boys.  This time Robert had to play against some of his "teammates" from his school's varsity team… in particularly, Sean William Harris.  He's a great player and scores several goals for NOHS.  We've often told Robert to watch his style of play because he's very quick and has a tremendous touch on the ball.

Anyway the game went back and forth - 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc.  It was tied up at 6-6 when at the last minute Sean shot the ball hard at our goal and scored!  We lost 6-7 but it was a GREAT game and extremely good competition.  We held our own against some great players (that also happen to be older and stronger than us).  NOT BAD!

New Indoor Soccer Team - Super Win Today

I didn't go to the game but Mark said it was a blow out.

Robert scored!  Ryan scored!  At half time the coach told them to play with their left foot.

Robert had to leave early to get to his Futsal game, but we were up 5-0 by the time he left.
Win 5-0

Boys Basketball "Bring IT" in their first game

What a great day for a game.  We knew going into this game that we had a chance of winning because it is the "C" team of Crestwood 2nd (hopefull that means it's the Deacon's team).  Last year our team was SO young.  With the exception of Devon we had an all Deacon team - we only won by forfeit.

 

Today's game started at 12:30 - perfect timing for Robert's schedule - it's his first game of the day (he has three). 

 

Robert started the game.  He was a point guard and trusted to bring the ball down. 

Robert was also key on defense.  He would stop the other team's point guard from passing the ball around.  In the first quarter Robert didn't steal the ball but he would deflect it so it wouldn't go exactly where they wanted it to go...

The boys game is much more fast paced and more physical than the girls.  What was nice was to see how well our team worked together.  Robert would bring the ball down and pass to Ben, Max, Brandon, Boston, Trevor or someone on his team!  We had a good chemistry going.

Robert did a great job handling the ball. 

Robert brought the ball down, then passed to Max - Max put it up for 2 points.  Sweet!

The next play we stole the ball, Robert drove down the right side of the court, ...

Stopped and did a jump shot ...

and swish!  2 points!  At the end of the first half the other team only had 4 points.  I can't remember what we had.

Second half!  Robert was good at bringing the ball down.  Either Robert would steal the ball or get the rebound and charge down the court.  It was very exciting and increased the intensity of the game.

Over and over again - Robert would steal the ball and bring it down.  You can tell he is getting bigger and stronger.  He didn't tire the entire game.

 

By the end of the game, Robert had 12 points and at least 10 steals (probably more).  We weren't keepting track until he just kept doing it.  He was on fire! 

We won 36-23

Girls Play GREAT in 1st Basketball Game

It's hard to believe that it's already time for church basketball, but it's here!!!  The season started today with the girls playing the first game at 8:30 am.  This year the girls have to play all their games at the Louisville Stake Center.  Today was a bit unusual for our family - somehow Mark's alarm didn't go off so … while I was laying in bed waiting for the alarm to go off (ignoring that earge to look at the clock) we were … oversleeping.  We woke up at 8:00 - her game is at 8:30.  We luckily made it in time for a little warm up time and the start of the game.  

Marissa is the tallest girl on the team so she takes the toss.  Can you believe it - both my girls are the tip girls!!!  Today's tip was perfect; the ball went up and Marissa batted it to the person on her team that was standing directly behind her - they drove the ball down for a basket.  2 points on the board in less than a minute!  EXCITING!

Marissa is the starting point guard.  She does a good job of bringing the ball down and distributing it to someone that is open on her team.

She also does a excellent job defending and blocking out.  It's so fun to see how much she has learned about basketball.  It's hard to believe she is 16 - this is her 3rd year playing.  She and Meg are leaders on the team!

I love this picture of Marissa!

Marissa was able to play the first half and part of the 3rd quarter before she had to leave to go to work.  She had to be at Tinseltown by 9:30 (leaving from the stake center).  She gave her team 4 points and many assists!

Taking the last shot - and making it!!!!  Up until the 4th quarter the other team was scoreless.  We completely were dominating this very low scoring game.  When Crestwood 2nd finally scored - everyone cheered!  We were all happy for them to make a basket.  They were able to get one more basket in the last 2 minutes of the game while girls can press.

14-4 Win

Ancestor Album

About a week ago I learned that the scrapbook store Archivers - where I always go to do my paper scrapbook"ing" is going out of business in February...NO!

I mean, I have switched to digital scrapbooks for the every day and current photos but I still love paper scrapbooking and I haven't finished all my old paper albums, so this has been an inspiration to pull out the old books and bring them up to date. 

I called my best friend and together we went to archivers on Friday for the day.  I am working on my ancestors photo and life stories album.  I love it - I love reading all their stories and preserving it for all our posterity.

It will take a few more trips to finish ... But tonight was a great start.

Christmas Vacation Over - NOT - 2 extra days of NO SCHOOL

Well, it was wonderful having the kids home for two weeks, but (to be honest) I was ready to get back to our regular routine - them in school, me getting some work done - either at school or at home.  Well, Sunday night brought extremely low temperatures … and by extremely low I mean below 0 with a wind chill of -22.

School was cancelled.

Okay - one more day of fun.  Actually we had a great day!

Betsy won :)

That night we were all wondering if there would be a delay or if school would be back in session, but before we even went to bed the TV announced that school was canceled yet again for the next day due to the extreme cold!  UGH!

Hard to believe!  For us, the weather isn't a problem because Marissa drives both her and Robert to seminary and school, but for kids that have to catch the bus (like we used to before seminary) it would be extremely dangerous conditions to be out there too long - especially if kids weren't dressed appropriately for the cold.

All the counties in the area closed school - both days!  some even the next - but we were back in school on Wednesday.

Robert's 3v3 Team - Speed of Light

Not to give it away BUT the boys did awesome - living up to their name.  It's a great group of guys this year…Robert, Aaron Green, Ryan Danehy, Trent Stigler  (friends from NOMS and Aaron has been Robert's best friends since we moved to KY), and a friend from St. X PJ Roadah (don't know the spelling of his last name).  Anyway - these 5 are the TEAM!!!

Against 5 Guys + 1

Game #1:  Verses team FIVE GUYS (their friends from NOHS Soccer) @ 8:00 am

Robert's team was unstoppable.  They played an amazing game and just held super positioning and focus.  Their passes were on and their shots were perfect.  They won the game 16-1.

Robert Lowe

Robert (with ball) and PJ Loheide

Trent Stigler

Aaron Green

Game #2:  Verses team LEXINGTON @ 12:30 pm

The guys on the Lexington team look to be at least one if not two years older than our freshman.  It's a HS league so it's anything from 14-18 years of age.  This game is much more competitive and the Lexington team has a strong defense.  The score was 1-1 when … Unfortunately, 4 minutes into this game the power to the whole sports complex was cut - actually the power to the whole area was lost.  We waited around for about an hour before they announced that the complex wouldn't have power for another hour.  We decided to leave and get some food.  The game started again at 2:30.  We held a very competitive game through half time 4-3 (down by one).  But then Lexington defended all our shots; one after another.  A shot that would have been beautiful was skillfully blocked just in the nick of time … our boys started to get frustrated and lost focus.  We fell behind.  The game ended 10-4.  That will cost them the championship opportunity.

Game #3:  Verses team MANUAL

This game should be like our second game.  They are bigger guys and seem to be at least a year older.  The boys will have to work together to win this.  WOW!  It was a great game.  Our boys started out strong and scored a goal immediately.  Then again … it was great.  The score at half time was ? - ?  The Final score was 8-4 (we let them have a last shot which they nailed).

Week 35 - Happy New Year

Hey everyone happy New Year!!!

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the New Year :) This week was pretty interesting. Tuesday night we had to go home early at 6 pm because apparently these Filipinos really know how to party when it comes to New Years, haha. New Years Eve was fun we had dinner at a members home and then came home to the apartment and did our normal planning and then had our own New Year’s party with the other sisters next door. We played some traditional Filipino games which I am so excited to teach you all when I get home and I made my famous mango float (its like my favorite dessert here in the Philippines). We actually have a terrace on the 2nd floor of our apartment so we got to watch the fireworks from there which was really fun. Our neighbors were blaring (and I mean BLARING) American music all night so we didn’t really get much sleep but, I did hear some new songs I’ve never heard before which was pretty weird. It was nice to do some reflecting back on this past year and see how the choices I made have led me to where I am today. 

I’m excited that for most of 2014 I get to be here in the Philippines spreading the joy and happiness of the gospel :) Unfortunately, my first couple days of the new year didn't go the way I had hoped, haha. I actually got pretty sick and had to stay home a couple days BUT (before you worry mom haha) I’m totally fine now and am back to work and loving life as usual :) I am super excited for this month and the next month because we have lots of people who are preparing to be baptized and they are so so excited! I just love them :)

And I love all of you and hope you have a super duper amazing week! :)

 Love always,

Sister Lowe

PS: how many of you had chicken liver cooked in chicken blood for New Years Eve dinner? no one?  huh you guys are missing out haha

pss: sorry this computer wont let me send pictures... :p next week promise!

Devon's Last Day

Friday night we took Devon out for a special dinner at Longhorn.  We waited for everyone to be home.  It was a great night - lots of laughs and good memories.

Saturday morning and all break it's been peaceful with very little on the calendar and then today, TODAY, of course, today there are events almost every hour.

Today Robert's 3v3 tournament starts with his first game at 8:00 am (more on that later), but luckily there are only two 12 minute halves so the games aren't that long.  Mom took Robert to his first game - they demolished their opponent FIVE GUYS +1 16-1.  They rushed back to the house to meet the family.  Marissa had to work, so she hugged and kissed Devon goodbye at the house.  Robert did the same - Mark and Betsy took Devon to the airport.  Today he is flying out on United through Chicago to Salt Lake.

Devon takes everything in stride and doesn't get too emotional but he understands that it's emotional for us.  When we got to the airport he would say things like, "It's not forever, don't worry", and "You'll see me again."  So true, but still it's hard to say good bye.  We will miss him.  It's been so fun having him home for the past two weeks.  He's grown so much!

We took him inside and walked him to security and said our good byes for good!  He's off to college!

He'll have a hour and a half layover in Chicago and should get into SLC at 4:00.  After getting his bags he'll catch the shuttle back to BYU.  Then, he can go to the BYU bookstore and get his books so he has them for the first day of classes.

ICY Road - Bad for Betsy

It was a very busy day...Devon and I had to drive out to Eminence to be at the Post Office by 10:00 am to apply in person for his Passport.  At that time it was nice outside, but the temperature was dropping fast.  By the time we left it had dropped 6 degrees.

On the way home Betsy worked hard to get Dr. Hefner's office to confirm if Devon needed any more vaccines.  Because we had switched doctors there wasn't a single sheet with all his vaccines.  Finally we heard back and he needed two:  the hep A, and a dTap. 

In the meantime Devon had arranged to spend time with his best friend, Norman Stumler.  We arranged to have Norman come over and then we would all go to the doctor's office to get his vaccines and then I would take them out to lunch.  Everything was going great.

Devon was strong and brave while getting his shots.  By this time tough, the temperatures had dropped again and the rain had changed to ice and snow.  The rain on the roads had turned to ice.  The roads were very slippery.

I had even texted Marissa not to go out because it was so dangerous driving.  I was only driving 25 miles per hour (even on a 45 mile per hour street) because there was so many ice spots.  Well, unfortunately for me, as I was approaching a red light with cars backed up, I hit a patch of ice and the car started to slide.  I was only going 10 miles per hour, pumping my breaks and still the car did not stop in time.  I probably was only going less than 5 miles per hour when my car slid into the car infront of me, but we bumped.  BOO!

There was hardly any damage to their car,

but my car's hood took a bash.

It could have been much worse if I hadn't been driving cautiously and taking preventative measures.

Luckily no one was hurt and the damage was minimal.  Both cars were still drivable.  Betsy took Devon and Norman to Guangus Grill for lunch and they spent the rest of the day together.

All in all - everything was okay.

2014 GOALS!

My goals for 2014

1.  Attend the temple as often as possible

2.  Raise enough money to pick up Jessica from the Philippines. 

3.  No yelling!!!!

4.  Go back to school - get MBA

5.  Update AMI

6.  Be kind to every one every day no matter what