Getting Devon Ready for his Mission

So Devon is now getting ready for his mission and now that he's home we have a lot of things we have to get done in order for him to go.  First on the list is getting a copy of his Driving record, so we drove out to LaGrange and ordered one.  We also need to update his driver's license but they won't let him do it (they said it's too early)... what????

Next on the list is clothing ...  Okay so we have been planning for this for a while so Devon already has two Suits, and Betsy ordered 10 non-iron white (5 long sleeved, 5 short sleeved) Shirts, and Betsy already bought 4 pairs of Pants (2 in black, 1 brown and 1 gray) and we will need one more before we are done.  Betsy also already bought 12 black socks, but we needed to get some brown ones and gray socks - so we got them.  We also needed to get black walking dress shoes, brown walking dress shoes and tennis Shoes for p-day, etc.  Devon was worn out by the time the day ended.  We also already have the 0 degree coat and winter wear (hat, scarf, gloves, etc).

However, there are still items on the list that we need to buy ...
a $550 Bike
and Winter Boots that are water proof
and flip flops for the shower

That's pretty good!

Week 50 - Huge Activity

Hey hey hey! 

So its been quite an interesting week! Usually people are just so willing and excited to listen to us, but this week was a completely 180 flip haha. Sometimes me and Sister Burt play a game to see who can invite the most people to listen to the gospel message we have in one day and its usually super effective, BUT this week people literally just rolled their eyes at us when we said good morning and some people would just laugh or yell out rude things to us which was a good experience, because obviously everyday can't be smiles and rainbows haha. It really pushed us to work harder and give our all even though it was super super hot and I literally had sweat just streaming down my face into my eyes (thats a pretty picture huh? haha) . But you know what? Even though it was a tougher week we still managed to get 23 new investigators and we felt peace knowing we worked hard and did our best. Sometimes the Lord tries us to see how far our faith in him will go. Plus, we really have been truly blessed the entire month of March and April with so many amazing investigators and now recent converts!! :) 

Hajie came out with us Saturday to our appointments and worked with us and Mhae took us to her grandma's house and her cousins house so that we can share the gospel massage with them as well! I'm just so proud of them and the changes they've both made in their lives, gotta love those two! Plus me and Sister Burt are trying to play matchmaker with them because hey would be so cute together haha. This week we found this new investigator named PJ. He is 18 years old and just moved here from the middle east, but he's Filipino. The thing that's funny about PJ is that he speaks fluent english! In fact he prefers english more than tagalog! I had such a hard time teaching him in english haha I'm just so so used to speaking non stop tagalog... it's weird haha 

But other than that life is good and I actually got to play basketball this morning at the mission home because it's P-Day and we live so close! I totally schooled the AP's it was awesome! (probably just because I'm so much taller than them haha) But I love you all and pray for you all the time and hope you are safe and well! Mahal ko kayo!

Love,

Sister Lowe

Championship Game in KFJ Louisville Tournament

We didn't know if we'd make it into the championship finals, but we did!  It's awesome but also challenging for Robert.  He would have to decided between church and the championship.  We also have a player down so Robert doesn't want to let his team down, but it's a huge sacrifice to miss during church service.  We will be playing the same team we lost to earlier in the tournament - we vs LSC (Lexington Soccer Club).

This gives KFJ a chance to redeem themselves!  The game didn't start until 2:45 and the boys had already played a game earlier that day.  Robert and his teammates worked really hard.  We must had had six shots on goal, with some "sure" to score - but somehow we shanked it, or hit it wide or right to the goalie.  We really could have won this game, but in the end we allowed two goals making the final score 2-0. 

After the game, the boys were awarded Finalist Trophies.  Great Effort!!!

Robert's third Game in the Tournament against Radcliffe Revolution (again)

Wow!  We play the Radcliffe Revolution again - we just played them in the conference game. 

This should be interesting because we beat them 2-1 in the last game, so I'm sure they will be playing extra aggressive to get that win.  It was an exciting game.  The game started at 8:00 am.  Robert went in at 8:23, not 5 minutes after that Michael scored on a huge play.  The goalie came out of the box, missed the ball and Michael carefully kicked it into the unattended goal.  NICE!!  We had another good shot, but the half ended 1-0.

As soon as the half started Radcliffe came out and worked super hard as a team and earned a goal.  The score is now 1-1.  Robert came in at 9:11.  About 5 minutes after he came in (again) Ian kicked a corner kick that he scored on 2-1.  We won 2-1.

We try not to play Sunday games, and both Robert and Betsy felt guilty for playing this Sunday, but we also didn't want to let the team down in the tournament (and he wouldn't be missing church).  Even still, after the game, even with the win, we both felt like we shouldn't have come.  Now, there is another game at 2:45 - for the championship.  That is during church.  This is the last Sunday we will play!

Robert's Second Game of the Day

The second game wasn't until 6:45 pm.  Betsy was able to get Marissa all ready for prom and take pictures before it was time to get Robert to his game.  She was so happy to be able to accomplish both tasks today.  She really doesn't like to miss a minute of her children's lives!  She loves to be a part of whatever they are involved in.

So, Robert's game started at 6:30 pm against Lexington Soccer Club (LSC).  They are a very good team out of Lexington and we played them once before in the Evansville tournament last November.  We tied 1-1 (Robert had a goal).

Today we looked a little tired, slow to the ball.  The score at half time was 0-0.  Robert started the second half.  During the second half Dillon had a corner kick that could have scored but we just missed.  Then LSC scored from one of our players accidentally knocking it into the goal 1-0, bummer, that really lowered the boys spirits.  We kept telling them they could get it back.  Robert had a nice shot on goal but the goalie got it, bummer.  Then, LSC scored it's second goal. 2-0.  We will had 10 minutes of the game, but LSC stacked their defense and even though we gave excellent effort, we didn't score. 

Final score 2-0

Marissa Attends Mormon Prom with JP

Saturday was such a busy day for everyone, especially Marissa, but after all was said and done, Marissa looked gorgeous for her Mormon Prom.  First item of business is photos!  Everyone loves Prom photos.  

We have the girls:

Meg, Marissa and friends from Crestwood 2nd

Meg and Marissa

Marissa alone:

Close up

She looks so beautiful in her gown

Marissa with her date JP:

Marissa and JP - looking great

Close up

Having fun

Ready for Prom

More of the girls:

Friends make the world a better place

The WHOLE group:

Everyone together - the group!

The Double Date:

Meg, Riley, Marissa and JP

Mom and Marissa:

Mom and Marissa before they head off to dinner

Socializing:

Socializing after photos

After photos the couples drove to Ichiban Japanese Steak House and then to the Louisville Stake Center for 6 stake Mormon Prom.

Marissa had a wonderful night!  I'm so happy for her.

Getting Ready for Mormon Prom

Okay there is a funny story that goes along with this prom and the last prom.  Marissa couldn't find a prom dress that she liked.  We had been to several stores (3 or 4) when we were still empty handed, so Betsy recommened ordering the one dress she found online at Amazon ... so we did, right there in the store.  It is cyan blue with light silver bling around the neck line.  It looks a lot like the one Elsa wears in "FROZEN."  Anyway, we didn't know if it would come in time, and in the mean time we kept looking for a dress, thinking we could always return the one if we found one we liked better.  Well, that's just what happened - Marissa finally found a dress she loved, but it was less modest than the one she found online, so now we didn't know what to do.  Make the one more modest, and return the other, or return the new one she found when the mail order dress came ??? what to do.  We throught we would wait for the dress to come; then we would decide which dress we liked better.  When the cyan dress arrived, it was beautiful, but so was the one we found at VAUNMAR!  Now, what to do.  Well, time made the decision for us.  I guess I "caved" and let her keep both - crazy (when each dress is around $200), but she was going to two proms, and I really liked the cyan dress for Mormon prom, but she really liked the tan dress from Vaunmar.  She wore the tan dress to NOHS Junior prom and the cyan dress to Mormon prom, the only problem was that she wanted the train taken off, and it shorted by about an inch.  She tells me this the night before the prom (on a weekend where Robert has two soccer games and Marissa is running in the Eastern Relays).  So, needless to I was up until 1:00 am on Friday night getting her dress ready for the next day.

Saturday she had to run in the Eastern Relays.  Her race was supposed to be at 12:00 pm, but it was postponed by the long heats of the 200... ugh.  Marissa has to be at Meg O'Brien's by 3:00 for her hair to be done... we are running out of time.  Finally, she finishes the race and races off with Mark.  Betsy meets them at home to help Marissa pack up and get to Meg's.

Just went Betsy thought she could get some cleaning done around the house, she gets a call from Marissa saying, "Will you get me silver flats because my feet hurt and, oh, by the way, I forgot to get a boutonniere for him ... and I don't think he'll have acorsage for me so could you get one for me?"  SERIOUSLY!  WOW,  I am driving all over and making phone calls from my car trying to find a florist that will make a boutoniere in just a few hours and find shoes.  She has no idea what she is asking, but I will try.  I found a florist that would do it, but I have to bring in the fabric of her dress.  While they are making the boutonierre and coursage I race down to Kohl's and find her some silver flat sandles (very cute).  Then I race back up to Prospect to pick up the flowers - while there she calls to say they are leaving to have pictures taken at the Torgeson's home.  GREAT!  Where do they live?  After looking on LDS.org I find them, and drive over to their house to meet Marissa - give her the shoes and the boutonierre.  When we get there we see that he has a coursage for her, so I leave that in the car (but I really love it). 

All is well - mission accomplished.  Now, it's time to just enjoy and take photos of the lovely couples!  Marissa is going with a boy from Crestwood 2nd ward named JP.
pictures

Marissa runs Mile at Eastern Relays

Today Marissa ran the 1 mile at Eastern Relays.  She ran at the hottest time of the day 12:30 pm.  Before the race Betsy asked her how she felt, and she responded, "tired!"  I told her "not tired; happy!"  But she repeated, "tired!!!"

She did a great job and sprinted the end to get 5:44.  

She had to leave right away to get ready for prom!

Robert's Team in the Louisville Soccer Tournament

Robert's soccer team is playing in the Louisville Soccer Tournament.  Their 1st game is against MUSA.  We haven't played this team in a while.  The game was very exciting for our team, but not so much for MUSA.

We won 4-0.  The first goal was an own goal, but we can give credit to Ben (1-0).  Robert entered the game at 9:43 (game started at 9:30).  We have a couple of shots, they have a couple of shots, Alex has 2 saves.  Half time is 1-0.

After the half Chitum scores the 2nd goal with an assist by Sam.  Tanner scored the 3rd goal.  Ian took a corner kick and Robert scored the 4th goal.

Win 4-0.

WAY TO GO KFJ.

Friday at Eastern Relays

Friday was a busy day for everyone.
Betsy subbed at OCHS.
Robert had a tennis match after school and
Marissa had a race in the Eastern Relays.


In order to run at the Eastern Relays you have to have a qualifying time.  Not just anyone can run there.  Tonight Marissa is running the 3200 meter run. 


Unfortunately, the 3200 m run is the last event of the night so she will be tired from a long day at school and then from waiting to run. 


Around 8:10 pm she was on the start line.  BANG!  The gun goes off and there she goes, but today she didn't get as good of a start as she usually does.  Bummer!  She is fighting on the outside lane for the first three laps, then finally makes a move and passes some runners, but only to fall back again on the 6th lap.  She settles her pace and on the last lap she sprints to pass a few runners and chase down her own teammate, Avery Fryman.  They are sprinting for the finish - Avery finishes first but Marissa is right behind her.

They both finish with a new season best of 12:08.  That is very consistent with Marissa's times from last year of 12:07.


Somehow I have to find a way to help Marissa not feel so tired during the race.  Sometimes she leaves too much for then end.  Every race is a learning experience. 


She ran a great race!  So proud of her!!!

Robert's First Singles Match

Friday after school Robert is in a tennis match against Oldham County High School (OCHS).  Funny thing, that is where I subbed today. 


Today is his first time in a singles match.  He looks pretty excited.  Unfortunately it is a very VERY windy day.  The ball is drifting quite a bit when hit high or light. 

The match goes like this:


1-0 OCHS
1-1 Robert
2-1 Robert
2-2 OCHS
3-2 Robert
3-3 OCHS
4-3 Robert
4-4 OCHS
5-4 Robert
5-5 OCHS
6-5 OCHS
7-5 OCHS


Robert was pulling ahead but then he just had some bad luck shots.

Week 49 - Holy Week

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!

Wow, we really all do have so much to be grateful for in our lives especially the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Over the coarse of my mission I have come to a greater understanding of his great sacrifice for us and how we can apply that enabling power to our everyday lives. So we've had another amazing week! I got to have exchanges with the other sisters in my zone because I'm the STL which means I'm kind of like the mom over all the sisters in my area. Exchanges is when I go to another area with one of the other sisters and her companion goes to my area for a day. It was really good to work with sister Adol (who is a newer missionary) and help her improve her teaching skills and see success in her area. They has been really struggling getting investigators to church for the past couple months, but yesterday they had 7 so we were so excited for them! 

Holy Week:  So this week is Holy Week and it is a pretty big deal here in the Philippines. But they "celebrate" it a little bit different than we do. So we were walking down the street to go to our first lesson on friday, and what do we see? a huge group of men coming our way with masks/ or black sacks over their head so you cant see their face. If thats not creepy enough, to add on to that they were flogging/ whipping themselves with chains and wood! Blood was everywhere and when you looked at their backs it was just covered in wounds or just red from blood. ya. happy easter haha. So I had one of my investigators explain it to me and they said the Catholics here every year do this to show Jesus their... faith or commitment to him. It was just really sad to me because they were causing themselves so much pain I just wanted to say, don't you know, the atonement already happened! Jesus already suffered for you! Some people here even drag huge crosses through the streets up to the mountain and get crucified! Yes they tell their friends to crucify them and then hang there until they can't do it anymore or some even die! most only do it for 3 hours but iv'e met some who did it for 5! I am so glad I know Jesus already sacrificed for us and that through him we can be free from our sins and live again :) 

Baptism:  So guess what yall??? Hajie and Mhae got BAPTIZED!!! ahhhhhhhh! oh my gosh, seriously one of the BEST days of my mission for sure. These 2 are so strong in the gospel and probably the most converted investigators that i've ever had besides Saricris. At the baptism they both bore BEAUTIFUL testimonies about how they both used to be SUCH different people, but how the gospel and the Book of Mormon changed their lives. I love them so so so much! Mom and Dad I cannot wait for you to meet them when you come out next oct or nov!!!! they are excited to meet you :) Yesterday at church Hajie gave the closing prayer and everyone was just amazed by him. President Querido attended our church service yesterday and personally came and congratulated Hajie and told him that in one year he would serve a mission. Oh that just made my day/year/mission/life! haha Just think, Me and sister Burt helped Hajie and Mhae and Saricris receive the gospel in their life, and now all 3 of them want to serve missions too! Just think of how many they will bring to the gospel, and how many of their converts will bring to the gospel and so on and so on. God really does love his children and is hastening his work. I love this work, I love Hajie and Mhae, I love my mission, I love my savior and my Heavenly Father, AND I love all of you :) 

INGAT!

Sister Lowe

PICTURES

The guys whipping their backs. This would stop traffic there would be so many of them. It is like a parade. Expect there were probably a total of 30 parades throughout the week.

They would also dress like the guards and Jesus. 

 The last one is one of the MANY guys that would carry crosses. he is the one in the white kneeling with it on his shoulder taking a minor break. 

Easter - "He is Risen"

We had a wonderful Easter this year, but it seemed quiet since both Devon and Jessica were not home.  We didn't do the traditional Easter Egg hunt, boo, but no one except Betsy really eats any variety of candy so it seemed wasteful.  Instead the Easter bunny brought Marissa a gift card to American Eagle and Robert a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory.  Marissa actually like his gift card More.  We had a wonderful Sacrament meeting and I had a super great class, using Easter eggs as part of my lesson!  After church we had our family picture taken.  It was a beautiful spring day.  The kids played with the petals of the trees like they were snowflakes.  Too cute!

Afterwards we had our traditional delicious Easter dinner of glazed honey ham with grilled pineapple, rolls, green beans, and Au Gratin potatoes.  Everyone loved it which made Betsy so very happy.  

Marissa's Junior Prom

Oh my gosh - I can' believe that it is already time to send my sweet Marissa to Junior Prom.  She is growing up so fast, and I mean that with the best of inflection.  She has developed into a beautiful young lady full of grace, personality, good humor, and righteous values.  I am so proud of her.

Tonight is Junior Prom --- but lets go back a bit.

Today Marissa got up to an empty house - Betsy had left to be at Robert's soccer game, and Mark had gone to the Ward Scrub and Grub.  She got ready and then Mark came home to take her to the Louisville Marathon where she was going to cheer on her best friend Makenzie Mullin.  Makenzie decided to run the full 26.2 miles Marathon.  I just can't imagine that.

Marissa intended on meeting her at the 24 mile marker and running the end of it with her, but security wouldn't let her, so she met up with other friends and cheered her on near the finish line.  After the race, Marissa had another race - a race to get ready before going to Makenzie's house to finish getting ready with all her friends.  She is going to prom without a date (and she is so happy about it).  All the girls decided to do the "girl" thing.

She got dressed at home, we did her hair and Betsy did her make up.  She looks gorgeous.  She went out to Kenzie's at 5:00 and Betsy came out later to take photos!!!  Here they are!!!

After pictures the girls drove to Martini's Italian Restaurant in The Paddock for dinner.

From there they went to Soiree's for Prom.  She had a wonderful time.  She said it was super nice!

After prom the girls went back to Caroline's house for a slumber party.  She came home on Easter Sunday around 9:00 am.  Kinda crazy that they scheduled prom on Easter weekend but it is what it is.