Marissa decides to go to Nursing School at BYU-I

It has been a hard summer for Marissa.  She has had to make some very touch decisions.

She decided to stay in Provo over the summer to work at the Provo Rec Center and be close to Jessica, Tate, and Devon.  They get together often.

She loves her job at the Rec Center.  It's is such a great job.  She rotates between taking care of children, managing the fitness area, or watching the pool area.

Over the summer she had to decide if she was going to stay at BYU but change majors to something other than nursing, or transfer to BYUI to become a nursing student.

She followed her heart and passion and decided to make a HUGE change; she is going to transfer to BYUI to follow her dream of attending nursing school.

She will start school in September there.

Her apartment lease in Provo runs out on August 17, so she will come home for a few weeks between terms.  Betsy wants to go back to Provo with her to help her drive up and move into her apartment in Rexburg.

Roberts 3rd week - Meeting Mission President Hammonds

Hey everyone, 

So week 3 just flew by and I can't believe I've been here over 20 days. The start of the week wasn't that great. On our first lesson this week I felt super confident and didn't bring any notes with me. Well, the lesson ended up going horrible even though  my companion and I were prepared, so we had to redo the lesson the next day. It kind of humbled me and made me realize how much I still have to learn in this language to be able to have a simple conversation with someone. 

Speaking of humility, someone in my zone that was called to Cambodia and spent the last 9 weeks learning the language and preparing to serve there was reassigned to Kansas like 4 days before he was supposed to leave. I felt so bad for him and could tell how disappointed he was but he had a good positive attitude about it and humbled himself. The next day he was assigned back to Cambodia and just flew off to Cambodia today. He was a great example to me of what it means to have true character. 

All the other older พี่ Thai elders left on Monday. We all got up at 3:30 am to say goodbye so now we got the whole dorms to ourselves which is gonna be super sweet. They were a great group of elders and I'm excited to see them again soon in Thailand. 

On top of that we got to meet our mission president for the first time this week. He is full of joy and happiness and I am really excited to serve under him. My district and I had hit a plateau in the MTC where we felt like we weren't progressing so much on the language. But meeting President Hammonds got us going again. He makes us want to become better and reach our full potential. 

But the coolest thing happened this week ... (I know for most people this won't make any sense) but the entire Quorum of the 12 apostles and First Presidency of the church all came to the MTC this week. A couple of elders and I got to see and visit with them firsthand, and even shake some of the apostles' hands. We sat outside a building we knew they were gathered in so they would have to walk past us. Elder Suarez, then Elder Cook, then Elder Holland, and then elder Ballard who stopped and told us "we love you." Then we shook Elder Christopherson's hand. I think we were all in shock after that, haha. 

One of the things I was able to work on and memorize this week was the first vision in Thai which is pretty long for those who don't know what it is. I realized how much the language is coming this week because of this thing called TRC. The people at TRC speak Thai incredibly fast and I was able to understand about 1/3 of the sentences they would say which sounds bad but that's way better than the previous week. 

Thank you to all who have been keeping me in the loop on the world cup and the NBA haha I definitely enjoy hearing what's going on in the world. 

What's been on my mind though is that my sister is about to be a mom, in like 2 weeks!! I'm so excited for you Jess and love you and my future nephew! 

Tomorrow I get to host for the new missionaries coming in and I'm really excited. I remember when I came in here like it was yesterday ...  ​ and now I'll be showing people around this place. Time moves so fast here I can't believe it. 

Here are some photos form this week.

1) me, Elder Schmitt, Sister Peterson, and Sister Vance 

2) me and some elders in my district with the Mission President Hammonds and his wife

3) me thinking about going to Thailand which was spelt wrong...sorry dad (correct spelling - ประเทศไทย) 

 4) Elders in the zone 

ผมรักและคิดทึงคุณทั้งหมด

Elder Lowe 

Robert's 2nd Week สวัสดีทุกคนครับ

สวัสดีทุกคนครับ 

Hey everyone! The second week here at the MTC was amazing and I'm truly growing as a person more and more each day. There are so many cool experiences here and I'm always always busy doing something. 

The beginning of the week was super cool. First, I got to see all the new missionaries coming in on Wednesday so now I'm not the newest missionary here anymore. They all looked so scared so I can't imagine how I looked that first day, haha. On Wednesday I met this elder who is going to New York but lived his whole life in Thailand. We had a conversation for a while in Thai and then he just went off and I had no clue what he was taking about! That's definitely what it is gonna be like at Thailand so it was really good to be exposed to a Thai speaking person. 

This week we finally got to play soccer as a district and let me tell you that will probably be the last time. My team destroyed the other team so bad that they just walked off the field when it was 12-0 lol. I got 6 goals and 3 assists so not a bad day haha. So now we just play basketball or anything besides soccer really :( 

By Friday everyone was exhausted and we all just were tired of learning Thai for like 8 hours straight each day but there was so much improvement this week it's just insane what the Lord can do when you are on his side. First, we taught our first long lesson of about 25-30 minutes all in Thai which wasn't that bad at all. Second, my companion and I are starting to read the book of Mormon in Thai faster and faster each day and instead of taking 30 minutes to read one verse it takes us like 15 minutes to read 5. I know that's still so slow but it's gonna take time!! 

Third, on Monday we taught actual members in this thing called TRC for two 20 minute lessons. We didn't know we were teaching anyone until about an hour before, so my companion and I just had to wing it and pray for the best lol. We actually did very well, but these people just talk so fast that most of the times I can't keep up and I can't understand what they are saying! 

Lastly, on Monday we took a vocab quiz of 217 words we have learned the last week with some different phrases. I've worked really hard on trying to learn all of them and retain them and I know the Lord has blessed me in my efforts because I ended up finishing about 30 minutes before anyone else and I was the only one in the class to get every single word correct!! I'm not trying to brag but it is an awesome feeling to know that hard work truly pays off! 

So this week my district and I met Donald Trump...or at least his twin. This man legit looks straight up just like Trump; my friend Elder Hodson and I have become good friends with the don lol. 

We got new zone leaders this week and they are good for the most part. 

On Sunday I taught about recognizing conversion in ourselves and others which a lot of times starts with recognizing the spirit and the impact it can have on our lives each and every day. The more we are able to recognize the spirit and adhere to it's prompting the more we will be blessed and have our testimony strengthened. 

Goals for this week:

Be a light to others

Work hard and keep grinding 

Recognize the spirit everyday 

I miss you all and thank you to everyone who has written me emails and letters. You all are the best!!

เจอกัน

Elder Lowe or เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

1) district with the don

2)  the Don mid pose

 3) at the temple 

4) Elder Hodson and I vacuuming like the Ghostbusters

4) some of my zone

6) my district including the sisters

Robert's first week at the MTC

Sawaadii, 

Well I finally arrived at the MTC on Wednesday and it's been a crazy week, let me tell ya. First, going to the MTC was super hard and it was really tough to say goodbye to all the people I love and care about so much. 

So the first day I ended up bumping into my best friend from college and I ended up seeing him a lot as well as a lot of my other friends this week at the cafeteria. I couldn't believe how many people I saw that I knew the first day. It was NUTS! But what was even crazier was that my teachers started teaching in Thai, and only Thai the first day which was super annoying to be honest, but now I really like my teachers. They really push me and my district to learn this language in 9 weeks - which is just insane! 

Getting up the next day was probably harder than the entire first day combined haha. I have to get up at 6:30 AM in the morning everyday or earlier, which was impossible to do the first couple of days since I wasn't getting up till 1pm everyday over summer. 

My companions name is Elder Ward and he is a top notch guy that is very in tune with the spirit and really pushes me to be better. He also knew his way around the whole place by the first day which was super clutch, 'cause I had no idea what I was doing. 

On the second day there everyone in our district had to meet with the branch president, which I really enjoyed cause he also served his mission in Thailand. After having an interview with a him and with a member of the branch presidency I was assigned to be the district leader. I was so happy that I could be an example and a leader to the elders and sisters in my district and help them feel included as much as possible. I've been pretty busy and I got way more work to do now, which is really overwhelming cause I still have to learn a language that makes no sense. My district consists of 10 elders and 2 sisters. They are all soooo funny especially Elder Davidson who seems to make anything anybody says really funny. Its really nice when we all are dead from being in class all day learning Thai and then Elder Davidson provided comedic relief. 

So the first 2 days we didn't get exercise time which really stunk because that was what I was looking forward too probably the most. Later, we played basketball 5 v 5 as a district on half court...not a good idea. The gym is so crowded but we made it work. Also, one of the elders in my district is like 6'6" and can yam no problem, which is against the rules here lol. 

So I have the best family ever. Its honestly the best feeling to see someone wrote me or that someone sent me a package or letter. Being the district leader I'm in charge of getting the mail for my district which is so nice because I always have a letter to pick up every single day. It's kinda funny that I always get mail and my companion, whom is standing next to me has yet to get any mail. So, shout out to Tate and Jess and Marissa and Devon, you guys are the best and make the rest of my district hate me cause I always get a package and they never do, but who cares haha. 

At the MTC we have to teach an investigator like everyday speaking only Thai, which is really tough, but I really enjoy them. Every time we go to teach someone, my companion blanks and I have to carry the conversation for like 10 to 15 minutes, which is one of the hardest things I have ever done.  

Learning Thai is super discouraging because just when you think you know a lot you realize that you really don't know anything and then thinking ahead - that when I get to Thailand I'm gonna not be able to talk to people for legit 6 months. 

Top 5 things I've learned this week:

1) be patient and don't give up

2) waking up early is the worst thing in the world 

3) Elder Davidson is one of the funniest guys I've met

4) I've got the best family in the world

5) the temple is so amazing 

For those of you who want to keep in touch just email me at lowe.robert@myldsmail.net and email me first so that I have your email. Send me an office meme, a joke or anything! 

Love you all and miss you a ton. 

Chog dii khrab,

Elder Lowe 

Photos:

(1) elders in my district 

​

(2) me and Elder Schmitt 

​(3) me and the other Elder Lo

​

(4) me and my companion 

​

Saying goodbye to Robert

Saying good bye to Robert was so hard.  It was hard with all of my children, but for some reason this was very hard.  I don't know if it is because we had such a fun last month together with him home before his mission, or if it is because he is my youngest, or if it is because he has looked forward to this for so long ...

We packed up the night before (like until 1:00 am) and still had to leave the house around 4:35 am because he had such an early flight (6:00 am).  Before leaving the house, Robert's friend, Max Sanders came over to go with us to the airport to say goodbye.  He followed us there.

There were no complications with Robert's ticket, next stop is security.  This is where we had to say goodbye to him.  I really didn't want to let go.  It was so touching and heartfelt.  I love Robert so much.  He is my youngest (my baby - although he's not a baby anymore).

We had our hugs, and kisses (and photos) ... and then he was off to the security line.  We stayed and talked to him while he walked through the line.  Then it was really GOOD BYE.  NOOO!!!!  But YES.  He had to go, I had to let him go.

We watched as he made it through security - he looked back and waved a few times and then we couldn't see him any more.  HE was gone.  HE will not be back for two years.  I'm so glad Max got to be there to say good-bye too.  Robert and Max became very close during the summer.  Max is a great guy and a great friend.  It was nice to share this experience with him.

Although I have tears in my eyes, I know he is fulfilling a dream - a dream that is now coming true!  I am so happy for that dream and for his desire to fulfill it.  He loves his family, he loves the Lord and he will be an amazing missionary.

Max and Robert on the way to the airport

Mom and Dad saying goodbye to Robert

Max and Robert - best buds

All ready

 Once Robert arrived in SLC Marissa picked him up and treated him to lunch at Cheesecake Factory... his favorite.  The also went to the SLC temple, and then down to BYU.

At the SLC Temple

best buds

Robert ran into a friend from freshman year

Missionary ready!!!

The best part of Cheesecake Factory is the Adam's peanut butter cheesecake!

At Cheesecake Factory

 That night Robert stayed the night with Jessica and Tate.  They went to Cafe Rio as his goodbye lunch as a group.  They actually ended up being a little late to the MTC, but it was okay.

All together!!!

Saying good bye in the MTC Parking lot

The host taking Robert to the MTC

Robert leaves for the MTC

Robert is so excited to finally go to the MTC.  He has been preparing for this for a long time, but he has increased his efforts over the last month as he has been learning Thai with his dad and with MTC instructors.  

Abby came to see Robert's farewell talk.  It was so nice of her to travel from Missouri.  We had a lot of fun with her, but that's for a different post.

Robert with Abby Deru 

Shannen and David Roy (D-Roy)

Monday night, the night before Robert left for the MTC he was set apart as a missionary.  That was such a wonderful and special blessing that was given to him.  Later that night the Roy's came to visit.  It was super nice of them.  They are moving to Pennsylvania so we will miss them, too.

Repeat prom poses

 The next morning at like 5:30 we left for the airport.  Max Sanders was at our house waiting to go with us to take Robert.  He is such a great friend.  Robert is excited but also a little apprehensive about what is about to take place.  He will be leaving for two years, no holds back.   Max goes into the airport with us.

Max and Robert

 It was time to say good-bye.  I never like good-byes.

Mom, Robert and Mark

Max and Robert one last time

Ready to go

Dad is so proud of him.

 When Robert arrived in Salt Lake City, Marissa picked him up at the airport.

   

 .

She treated him to his favorite food "The Cheesecake Factory".  He ordered all his favorites, Crusted Chicken Romano, Adam's Peanut butter cheese cake!  What a great day - the weather was perfect. 

He looks so happy to be there

Chicken Romano

 .  

 From there they went to the Salt Lake Temple and took some pictures.

 .

They also went shopping for some last minute items.  Robert fit in perfect with one of the store fronts. .

Where's Robert? 

While there, Robert ran into a good friends.  What a great surprise. That night Robert stayed at Jessica and Tate's place.

The next day the ate lunch at Cafe' Rio - tradition!!!  Marissa got one last photo of Robert alone.  Together Tate, Jessica, Devon and Marissa took Robert to the MTC.  

 . 

One last group hug - I'm sure it was a tight one.  Thanks for Tate taking the photo.

Marissa got one more hug in - they are like twins - I'm sure this is hard for her, but at the same time everyone is so happy for Robert because they all know what it is like.

 .  Off he goes.