Week 91: Complete Shock

This week was not like any ordinary one. First of all, I turned 21 years old a couple of days ago and I still can't believe it! I'm grateful for the person I have become over the last 21 years of my life. Also I want to thank all of you that wished me a happy birthday, posted on my timeline, wrote me personally, or sent me a package. I am so grateful to have such great friends and a wonderful family. So thank you! On my birthday the Senior couples made a big Mexican meal and my district got me an ice cream cake! I'm so lucky!!

However, the day after my birthday was a day that I will never forget.  Wednesday Afternoon we get a phone call that says all of the missionaries that have 2 transfers left will be going home this week, possibly the very next day. At first, I didn't know if that included me or not and I was just in complete shock. But, i came to learn that it was for all missionaries that had a release date before May 31st (or 90 days from that Wednesday). Also, the senior missionaries would be going home this past week as well. I still couldn't believe all of my close friends would just be going home out of nowhere. 

I had the opportunity to drive a couple of these missionaries to the airport, and all of the senior missionaries. I'm grateful for them and their service. 

Overall this week has consisted of making phone calls, answering phone calls, driving missionaries to the airport and teaching members and investigators on the phone. 

Also, we worked on our member board this week.

Last thing is that Brother Arm and Brother Arthur were both confirmed as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this past Sunday at church. It was wonderful and they were just full of smiles!!

(Church here was a little bit different this last week as well. The Bishop had all the members sit every other row so that those who passed the sacrament wouldn't ever give up their tray. This is due to the Corona Virus and the fact that everyone is terrified of getting this virus. Additionally we all had to wash our hands multiple times and wear masks during church haha!)

Love you all so much. have the best week!

Love, 

Elder Lowe

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The Ward Member Board - complete with photos

Senior Couples going home

Treat for Robert

Week 80: Back to Bangkok

Wow what a week! This week was full of surprises. 

On a p-day we met this one guy named Alex who had lived in Texas for 19 years and he knew that we were "Mormon" missionaries. He is a Thai person and was super kind to us, so he asked us to have lunch with him. So, we thought it would be with him and maybe 3 other people, but it turned out to be some sort of reunion. Overall, there was about 35 people there! It was insane!! 

I can really feel the spirit of Christmas here in Thailand. It's such an amazing opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with everyone! I have also had the opportunity to serve others and light the world. I got to cut a bunch of bamboo down this week which was way fun!! 

Our ward has also practiced singing for our Christmas program and for Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve!

My comp and I have continued to work on our member board and we made a ton of progress this week! We know it will be such a blessing to this mission and to the Thai people!

Brother Ping passed his interview and is totally ready to be baptized this Sunday!! Yayyyy!!

However, I will not be there :( I will be moving to Bangkok again to be President Hammond's Assistant. It's weird cause I've been to that area a billion times for transfers and switch offs, but now I'm the AP and it's my area. I'm excited for this opportunity to serve the Lord in a different way. New experiences and lessons await me!!

Love you all so much!!

Love, 

Elder Lowe 

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Robert is so happy that Ping can be baptized

Sad to see Elder Tu go

Member Board

The goodbye for Elder Tu

Cutting Down Bamboo

Week 78: Six months to sexy

Sooo yeah I am hitting my 18 month mark in like 4 days soooooo...I'm not ready for that! But on the bright side happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope everyone had a great week and got to look back on all the things you are grateful for.

My week was great and I actually had a really good Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving was actually on the same day as zone conference, so we prepared a really good traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Elder Despain and I gave a really sick training on working with members and we came up with a cool idea called, the Board of Members. Basically, I have been taking pictures of the members (with their permission) and writing their names underneath each picture. Then I've printed out these pictures and cut them out and taped them up to our wall at home. We are planning on taking pictures of all the members, so that no one gets forgotten. Many times, missionaries will teach people and they will be baptized, but shortly afterwards they will go less active. We want to implement this system so that each and every member is accounted for with a picture and a name! My district and I are currently working on a PowerPoint to present to our president because we really believe this could change the mission. 

After zone conference we were invited over for a fancy Thanksgiving dinner with the Mission President and his wife, the Stake Presidency, and the senior couple here. So in technically I got 2 Thanksgiving dinners!! 

Our goal this transfer is to simply love the members and those that we teach. We are working on developing relationships by helping them increase their faith in Jesus Christ. 

Lastly, it's the holiday season! I can't believe it's already December, which means Christmas is coming up!! I had 2 exchanges this week with Elder Thorn and Elder Meyer. We visited a ton of members and asked them about their relationship with the Savior. We made a goal to talk with more people about Jesus Christ since it is the Christmas season. Believe it or not, nobody in Thailand really knows the meaning of Christmas. We've asked a lot of people and they all just think it is the Christian's new year celebration day. It's been a wonderful experience to teach people the true meaning of Christmas as the day our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer came to this earth. I'm grateful for my Savior and for everything he went through for me! 

I love you all so much! I encourage you all to light the world this Christmas season by serving others, smiling, and sending an uplifting message to those you know. Have a great week!!

Love, 

Elder Lowe

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Member Board

What is that on your head?