Week 72: Marco's Spicy Wedding

Another week in paradise! I love Thailand so much and all the people here! It's been a wonderful week with teaching interested people, members, switch offs, and we made some cool videos! 

So this week I got to do something I never have done before. I ate this dish called Somtam (ส้มตำ) which is a famous Thai dish. It is basically papaya salad with peppers and it's always spicy. They usually put 2-3 smashed up peppers on a regular dish. But, I decided to get 40 peppers with 2 other missionaries. Me and Elder Tu just ate it as fast as we could and then practically died afterwards. The cook brought us a tub of ice afterwards because she could see that I was actually shaking and crying. Elder Despain, my companion, took one bite and was done. But he actually ended up finishing it like 30 minutes later. What a champ!

I had a ton of switch offs this week and got to work with Elder Laurence, a brand new missionary, a lot this week! We actually went to a Thai wedding and I got to sing a Thai song for the couple. Attached is me practicing the song before hand. 

Additionally, I switched off with Elder Cruz and we taught that one fire family. The dad's name is Giad, mom is Nid, and their daughter is Ingfaa. They are progressing so much and they all have baptismal dates for November 5th! I'm so excited for them and their desire to follow the Savior by being baptized! 

Lastly, I met this one guy named Mod (ant) about 2 months ago during the floods. He is a member who hasn't been to church for over 10 years. He was actually grown up in the church and he showed us a picture album of the day he was baptized and some of the missionaries that were around in his day. He told us he misses the Holy Ghost in his life! I'm excited to reactivate this 30 year old man and help him to feel the spirit again in his life!!

I love you all so much! I love being a missionary! I love the Thai people! I love the gospel! I love God

Love, 

Elder Lowe 

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Elder Tu, Elder DeSpain, and Robert with the cook that made them Somtom with 40 peppers

40 peppers - who is brave enough to eat them?

Elder Lowe :)

Elder Despain and Elder Lowe

Week 69: The Character of Christ

From Mark's Mom:  As you read Robert's email he will talk about his new companion, just FYI one of Mark's (Elder Lowe back in 1982) was Elder DeSpain.  NO WAY!!!!

From Robert:  Developing and emulating the character of Christ is the purpose of this life. I feel like I have been able to Draw closer and become more like my Savior, Jesus Christ, as a missionary. This week we had a wonderful district council about Christlike attributes. We talked about the character of Christ and what that really entails. One of the missionaries in my district shared a sentence from the talk entitled, "The Character of Christ." It says, "There would have been no Atonement except for the Character of Christ." I'm making an effort to become more like the Savior everyday in my thoughts, words, and deeds. I encourage everyone to do the same as well! If you are feeling down, sad, angry, stressed or anything I encourage you to turn outward like the Savior, not inward. Following the Savior brings pure joy and happiness!!

I just wanted to share that because sometimes in life we get so caught up on the little things. But what's most important is that we are becoming more like Christ and remembering Him at all times. 

This week has been a long one but way way good! I had 2 switch offs this week, but luckily they were both in my area! First, I switched off with Elder Sarabia, who is a Filipino. So many times I get stressed and I overreact to little things, but he would always say "don't worry, be happy." I like that type of mindset...just be happy!

I also switched off with Elder Freeze who is an older missionary than I am. He is a big dude and I mean like a big dude, but he was very good at making relationships with people. It turns out he has done 7 switch off with the Zone Leaders here and half of the time he would come to this area. So it turns out he knows the area pretty much as well as I know it! With both switch off days, I took these Elders to visit some recent converts and less active members and we took videos of their testimony. Like I said we are working on making a bunch of different videos and one of them will be centered on the members' testimony! We are so excited. 

In terms of new people that we will be teaching, we met this guy named Leon. He is way cool and we took him out to dinner on Monday. We had a casual conversation at first and then he switched it to religion. He mentioned the Bible and the Book of Mormon and asked what is the difference. We taught him such a fire restoration lesson and related everything to his own life. He says he is searching for the truth and we were able to bear powerful testimonies of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! Overall, he has a ton of potential!

The family we are teaching (Giad, Nid, and Ingfaa) are doing so so good! They came to church and we are able to meet with them every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. We have sent them the basic belief videos and the restoration video and they watched them all. We gave them the pamphlet to read and they read it! We are focusing this week on having them read the Book of Mormon. I have such a strong testimony that deep conversion comes through diligent studying in the Book of Mormon! 

Lastly, we are teaching this one person named ตุ้ย (Tui). He is doing way good and we have been reading the Book of Mormon with him lately. Recently he wanted to dress us up. He said I looked like a prince and wanted us to come back on Halloween so he could dress us up like the King. Haha what a guy!

  

  

Oh yeah, this was transfer week. I will be staying in my area, but my companion will be leaving. My new companion is Elder Despain who is way cool! I've met him before and we are pretty close. He is 3 transfers older than me on the mission just like Elder Ratelle. It's gonna be such a good transfer. I'm so excited!! Love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Lowe

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Eating Thai style

Great district and zone!!!