Week 46 continued

Jessica is in the corner with her hand up

Photos from this week - some from the Monday activity!

Jessica sitting on the stand - she is a sister trainer leader

I'm not sure what they are doing but they are having a good time

some great friends:
Back row:  Sister Calaunan, Sister Hess, Sister ??, Sister Lowe
Front row:  ??, ??, Sister McKnaught, ??

Someone commented - why the pouty faces?  I think it is that their three-some became a 2-some.  They are sad to see Sister Diosan go... ??? maybe

Week 46 - met Mission Goal

Hey mom,

 We have an activity this Monday so I wont be able to email so president told me to email you real quick just so you know that I’m ok and theres no problem, I’m just going to be attending a mission activity on Monday, but just wanted to say I LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I hope you have a great day! You’re the best! 

Love Jessica

ps: we just had 2 baptisms today!!! whoop!

What Jessica didn't share is that the mission met several goals - 188 new member baptisms, 212 reactivations and maintained mission standards!  We are so grateful that Jessica is on this mission!  She is having such a wonderful experience and is being led by such a wonderful Mission President!

Robert and Marissa are on Spring Break

Starting officially at 3:45.01 on Friday 3/28 - Robert and Marissa are on Spring Break.  We aren't going away because Marissa got her wisdom teeth out yesterday, and she plans to work some of the week, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to enjoy our time off school.

Poor Marissa - her cheeks are very swollen, and there is even some bruising.  She's so amiable!  She' is taking it all so well in stride.

I plan to take the kids out for food (but Marissa can only have soft food) since we can't go away.  Our traditional "Spring Break" restaurants are IHOP, Steak and Shake, Olive Garden ...  I like Longhorn.

Robert was excited to have a whole week off.  He works so hard at school work, while managing two sports and scouts.  He's such a great son.

Marissa doesn't want to lose her whole spring break to the recovery of her surgery but it may be that way.  She has a lot of work to get done for AP GOV.  Even though she is off school, she will be doing a lot of school work.  BOO!!!  She is so very dedicated and diligent to her work.

Mark will be working the whole week, but continuing in his studies for the CPA exam.  He is very busy these days/weeks!!!!

Betsy is looking forward to sleeping in, taking the kids out and enjoying a week without stress!

Robert's First Tennis Match at SOUTH

Betsy spent the day with Marissa, but needed Mark to get home so she could pick up Robert from school to take him to his

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS MATCH...

It was at South Oldham High School.  Since I really don't play much tennis, I didn't have a whole lot of advise for Robert, but I did tell him this ... "look for their weakness and use that to help you.  It's not about great shots, it's about winning the point."

Well, After his warm ups, and waiting for an open court, he was set to play a doubles match with Conner Hicks, a junior at NOHS.

They did a great job together.  They were up 3-1, then let them come back a little, but pulled ahead to win the match.  They play PROS matches, so it doesn't go on for long.

We are so proud of ROBERT!  He did great and knew how to come back for the win. 

YAHOO!!!  GO ROBERT!!!

SOMETHING WENT WRONG in my back

I don't know how, what or why, but somehow I have severe pain in my left abdomen.

I can't tell if it's kidney stones, muscle pain, bowls ... but I know it's so painful.

I just am giving it a few days to try to find out what is the cause or exact location of the problem.

It might be that I practically carried 110+ pound Marissa on Thursday afternoon from the surgery room to the car, and then from the car to the family room.  Who knows, but I am in so much pain.

Marissa Gets her Wisdom Teeth Out

Thursday, March 27 was a very busy day for Marissa - she had to go to school and take three test before I excused her from school at 12:00 pm to take her to the oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth extracted.

She did great!  They said she was a perfect patient.  Her surgery was at 1:00 pm and they were done by 1:30.  They gave her laughing gas during the operation.  Marissa had to have 4 wisdom teeth removed, unlike Jessica whom only had two.

When she came out of the laughing gas she was very confused.  She couldn't feel her face.  She also couldn't feel her legs ... and consequently couldn't walk.  Betsy had to help (extremely) her to the car and then into the house.  

Marissa had some super thoughts while on the laughing gas - I recorded a few moments with her.  

She's so precious and cute!!!

Week 45

Magandang umaga sa inyo lahat! 

Oh my goodness... this week has just been another week of miracles! But before that, sister Diosan got emergency transferred to Sta Cruz so now its just the 2 americans here in Calapacuan! Holla! haha oh my gosh its so fun i love Sister Burt! She’s from Utah and so funny! There is never a dull moment in our day, plus we get 2 X the stares and comments now that there is no Filipino with us. Its hilarious. Go America!  Anyways, So for starters our investigator Saricris is probably the most amazing investigator I have ever had in my entire mission. Her desire to learn and seek truth is unmatched and her faith is incredible!!! She has had a horrible life growing up- her dad abused her and her 27 siblings (yes 27 because as she says... her dad is a very lovable guy when it comes to the ladies haha)  and he would tell them all the time that at anytime he could just kill them. He gave them life and could just as easily take it away. Then he tried to arrange her marriage to a 60 year old man!! (she was 16 at the time!) But even after all that she never doubted that God loved her and found peace and comfort in reading the bible. When we first taught her she was was a little skeptical about the Book of Mormon, but we promised her if she would just read it, pray about it, just give it a try, Heavenly Father would show her that it is true. That she would feel the spirit and peace enter into her life. So she did. And she said her life was forever  changed! She said as she read about Christ and the Gospel she felt like a hole in her heart was filled that she didn't even know was there before. She prayed to heavenly father asking him to help her truly know for herself if this is truly the right path for her. She said that if her mom got home the next day before 9 o'clock and had sold all of their fish (She usually comes home around 3 and sometimes still hasn't sold it all so if this happened it would be a literal miracle) then she would know that this is the true church. What happened? Yup thats right. Her mom was there before Saricris even got up and had sold EVERYTHING. God truly does love us. He is mindful of us and wants us to understand his gospel. He has given us the Bible , the Book of Mormon, Prophets, and Prayer to help us learn his plan for us. This experience made me realize that I as a missionary am not the real teacher here. Saricris told me when we first taught she didn't believe at all. But when she read the Book of Mormon and felt the spirit, she knew it was true. I LOVE the Book of Mormon and have made a goal to read it EVERYDAY for the rest of my life. Even if its just one chapter a day or just 1 verse, I have realized the importance of its guidance in our everyday life. We are not perfect but there are things in our lives that we can perfect. I can be perfect in my Bible and Book of Mormon reading, I can be perfect at saying my prayers everyday. And thats why i choose today to be perfect in my Book of Mormon reading for the rest of my life. I'm not saying everyone should, but everyone should try haha because I know you will see a change in your life. I have. I know this church is true! Im so excited for Saricris who is getting baptized April 12th! 

LOVE YOU ALL!!! MAHAL KO KAYO! INGAT PALAGI!

Love always,

Sister Lowe :)

John Talley Tournament #3 vs Armory

The last game of the tournament was against a team call the Armory 240.  I'm not sure what the 240 stands for, but not the worry!

The game started at 11:45 am.  Robert was there early to warm up with his teammates.

The game was going well, except around 15 minutes into the game we did an "Oops" and the Armory scored.  Then the scored again ... bummer:  score 2-0.  Robert wasn't in when they scored, but went in as soon as the second goal was scored.

He played until half time.  The second half was very tight but went scoreless by both teams.  Robert had some great connections with Michael and with Chidom, but they were unable to score.  Robert was switched to defense and did a great job!  It would have been nice if we could have scored in this game, but we are still learning how to play with each other.

End of game 0-2 - our loss.

John Talley Tournament game #2 vs MFJ (Mississippi)

It's a night game under the lights!!!  However it is playing a game against the second best team in Mississippi...the Mississippi Fire Junior.

This game started off with a good start for our team, but our spirits lowered after the first goal was scored against us.  IT was all unfortunate - mostly.  We didn't play as well as we should have - we didn't make good clean passes however we had the potential to match this team.  

The first goal was scored then Robert was subbed in.

Our goalie, Alex caught a shot on goal, but then kicked it directly at the center forward for the other team and that cost us goal number 2 because that person just took one or two touches and then fired it into the goal.  BUMMER - just a bad touch that cost us.

Unfortunately Goal #3 for the other team is similar - He was driving down the far side (opposite Robert), and we had two defenders on him, when the ball bounced up and touched his hand.  Our players sorta stopped playing thinking it was a hand ball, but the ref didn't see it so no whistle - then he's one on one with the goalie and he scores.  BUMMER

Goal #4 followed right after that because Alex went to catch a shot on goal, but dropped it and they kicked it into the back of the net.  It was such a devastating time for the team.  I didn't know but Alex swears (a lot)... I heard it directly ... ugh - not happy about that.

Robert on the left post

Robert helping to defend the goal

The second half was a disaster for us ... The coaches forgot about Robert and left him on the bench.  I kept wondering when they were going to put him in.  It is concerning because they see him as a "small player".  They say he gets pushed off the ball.  

Robert is working so hard and has gained so much.  He's now up to 105 pounds, but when playing against someone that is 150 it's no wonder.  

We came back with a lucky goal.  Chidom was driving up the middle with the ball, when the goalie came out to block but didn't stop the ball, the ball came loose and Michael advanced with the ball to score a goal.

Robert on the sideline

Worst loss of the tournament 4-1 (but very explainable)

John Talley Tournament - Game #1 vs Canton Celtics

Our first game is Saturday at 3:05 PM at Mike Rose soccer complex in Memphis Tennessee.  We are playing a team from CantonMichigan from just outside of Ann Arbor.  They have come along way.

Robert started the game and had a good game.  Ben Carper had a foul that gave them a free kick that unfortunately they scored on.  We are down 1-0.  

Robert started the second half.  We came right back and scored our own goal scored by Dillon 1-1.  

Unfortunately, the Celtics came back with a nice cross for a goal.  The game ended 2-1.  We had a good chance but just didn't get a last goal on.  

Marissa Runs at CAL - Harry Greschel Meet

Marissa had to work Friday night - bummer.  Today's meet starts at 9:30 am.  Luckily her coaches let Mark drive her directly tot he meet instead of us driving all the way to the school (which is the opposite direction) to get on the bus going to the meet.  Betsy is very disappointed that she couldn't be there to see and support Marissa, but luckily Mark got back from Dallas so he is there with her, while Betsy is in Memphis with Robert.

Marissa is running in the first event; the 4 x 800 meter.  She was the anchor last year, but this year she is running the second leg.  Christina Ausley with the first runner.  She didn't get a very good start and came in 2nd to last after the first 800, she passes to Marissa.  Marissa TAKES OFF!  Within the first 200 of her run she passes 6 runners and maintains her place.  She worked her way up to 6th place before passing the baton to Grace Dieterle.  Grace maintained our place and passed to Julia Ritz.  Grace and Julia and both freshman - and Erin is still out on the Biology trip to Florida.  The NOHS Girls finish in 6th place with a time of 10:47.  It's a great place for starting the season. 

Christina Ausley ran the first leg

Marissa sprinting to improve our place

finishing her 800 strong

Grace ran the third leg

After the 4x800 meter Marissa has a long break until the 3200 meter.  She will run that around 2:00 pm.  Mark went home to work on his CPA course work while Marissa rested and prepared for her next race.  SPOILER ALERT!!!  She did fantastic!!!

Gabi and Caroline are in first and second - they are both amazing runners, but Marissa breaks into third with a great start and maintains her place the entire race.  There are times in the race that Avery Fryman comes close to her and then Marissa sprints ahead.  She took control and never let Avery pass her.  She did amazing finishing at 12:14 for her first 3200 race of the season (and not having done any winter track).  So proud of you MARISSA!!!!

The Start

 

Marissa 3rd and Avery 4th for NOHS!!!

Way to run!  What a great day!

After her race, Mark took her home and she got ready for work - what a busy day!!!

Mark's Trip to Dallas

Mark left on Monday morning for Dallas.  He knew he would be gone for Betsy's birthday.

It was a long busy week for him.  He was gone Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

He arrived back home Thursday at midnight.

Betsy's 48th birthday

in one word it would be - anti-climactic!

Letter from Jessica for my birthday

MOM!!

Ok mom so I don’t have time to write a big email about the week today because my hour of time is running out ... because I had to report to president but there is no way I’m not writing you for your birthday!!!! What are you, 26 now?? dang and still looking good after 4 kids! haha :) aw mom I just love you so much and I can’t tell you how excited I am to come home and see you and give you a big hug and kiss! Of course i absolutely LOVE my mission but it has made me realize how much I truly do love and appreciate my family. Especially you. You have been my role model and example all my life. You were the one who was always there for me even when my friends or boyfriend wasn't. I cannot put into words who much I love you and want you to have the best birthday ever! know that i will be thinking and praying for you. You are one of the BEST gifts god has given to me in my life, maybe thats one reason why I am here on my mission, to repay heavenly father for the beautiful mom dad and family I have, to help other families enjoy the happiness that the Lowe family does. 

I LOVE YOU MOM!!! 

When I get home lets go get a full body massage and a pedicure and manicure bc man I am gonna need it haha! LOVE YOU!

love,

your daughter, Jessica

Week 44

No post from Jessica this week.  Instead I received a beautiful birthday email.  It is all I need.

I was blessed to receive lots, LOTS of photos from Brother Gorringe.

Jessica with Sister Barlow

Jessica with Sister Gorringe