Robert starts Internship with Tate's company

Mark and I are excited for Robert.

After the Reunion, Robert went to Provo with Jessica and Tate to start an internship at the company where Tate works.  He will have the opportunity to see jobs in the "Finance" division.  It is a great experience for him.  We are so happy and grateful to Tate and Jessica for thinking of him for this position.  We are also so grateful to them for opening up their home to house him while he is there before school starts.  

Robert starts internship in Utah

Instead of coming home with us from the Family Reunion, Robert went to Provo with Jessica and Tate. 

Tate offered him an internship position at his company.  This is awesome!  It gives Robert an opportunity to build his resume and learn from Tate and his co-workers.  

It will be quiet around the house without Robert around.  We wish him the best!!!

Family Reunion at Bear Lake - Sunday (add photos)

 Sunday was such a fantastic day to have all the family together.  We were able to sleep in for the fist day on the vacation.  I love to sleep in - however I couldn't really sleep in so I went on the balcony overlooking the lake and read my scriptures in the solitude and solemnity of the beautiful morning air.  (I did have to spray for wasps once again).

That morning, Jessica and Tate made breakfast burritos - heavenly made!!  So delicious!!!  

After breakfast everyone got dressed for church.  Mark made assignments the night before so everyone knew their roll in the Sunday service.  I was so excited in anticipation of everyone being together and imagining the wonderful discussions we would have - more than just Mark and I (and Robert).  I was right - was a super spiritual experience.  Mark asked Tate, Devon, Robert and Michael to bless and pass the sacrament.  Then we shared a conference talk and discussed it.  What was really fantastic was dividing up the Come Follow Me discussion and listening to everyone contribute.  Church went a little longer than normal (2 hours) but it was fantastic, and I felt uplifted and spiritually fed. 

We had a bunch of left overs for lunch - salad, sliders, and sandwiches. 

Mark and I went for a lovely walk.  When we got back we ran into Jessica, Tate, and Cayson - we went with them to the playground where we played with Cayson and talked for a while.  It was so nice to have some one on one time with them.  I love our group, but I also love one on one time.  I am so happy for them.  They have such a beautiful family, that is rooted in the gospel and they share their love for each other and their child so admirably.  Tate is such a wonderful father and husband.  I feel so blessed that Jessica married such a wonderful man.  Jessica is truly a wonderful mother; she cares so much for Cayson.  She and Tate have a beautiful relationship!!!

For Dinner Tate and Jessica made the most delicious barbecue ribs for dinner along with fantastic sides of peas and potatoes.  We are spoiled - um um good!!!  Tate grilled the ribs outside - so good!!!!  

Tonight was also the perfect night to take family photos.

Tate picked a perfect spot on the lake shore.  As we arrived a family was just packing up - we quickly asked them if they would take the group photo, and they agreed!  It is one of my absolute favorite family photos!  Then we took a WHOLE LOT of photos of different groups!  So wonderful!  Everyone was patient while we rotated through the different combinations of photos wanted and needed.  

Hot hot hot 4th of July (add photos)

WOW!  Today is a hot one!

The house is all decorated festive for the 4th of July celebration.  

Mark and I did some things we needed to get done around the house before taking Robert with us to enjoy and bask in the suns rays at the Rancho Sienna Pool.  We enjoy the sun for a while, and then cool off it the deliciously refreshing water.  Mark, Robert and I throw the football around while wading in the pool.  There aren't too many people so it's nice to be able to enjoy the pool.  

Mark doesn't normally go to the pool with me so it's nice to be able to enjoy the day together. 

We went home and Betsy cooked some delicious steaks for the family.  We had baked potatoes, and green beans with herbed butter.  It was delicious!

After our afternoon dinner, Betsy and Mark took Robert to Top Golf.  We didn't think he had ever been, but it turns out that he had been to the one in Salt Lake City.  Robert was amazing - he could hit it as far as the White and Brown holes - that's wayyyyyy out there.

Fireworks went off that night too!  We were able to enjoy them from our front drive way.  We invited Shannon and Jason to watch with us.  Gabriel, their grandson came too!  He is so cute!  He has the curliest hair.  He's about 2 months younger than Cayson. 

All in all it was a super fun day!  

Happy 4th of July.

Marissa comes for another Visit

I'm so excited.  Marissa came back to Texas on April 8th.  She will be with us for almost two weeks.

Her nursing schedule has been terrible.  They scheduled tests, so she stayed at BYU-I, then they canceled them.  She was able to come back from Robert's homecoming, but while in Texas they sent her a notice that she had to be back at BYU-I to take a test on Tuesday morning in the testing center.

She got back to Utah on March 28 to take tests, but then was able to come back to Texas April 8th.

We had so much fun with Marissa being here with Robert, too.  Marissa and I would go running every morning.  We went to Rouse Middle School to run - of course, we had to jump the fence to run on the track - ooh.  Marissa was shocked that I didn't mind jumping the fence - I am supposed to be the rule follower.

Me in awe of Marissa's run

Marissa is an amazing runner.  She lapped me a few times.  My legs, knees, and hips aren't what they used to be - not even close.  Marissa ran 6 miles and I ran 3.1 miles.  I am super proud of her for being able to run such long distances.  I am pleased that I was able to run a 5K.  

In the evenings we would go play basketball at Rouse high school for Robert and Dad. They are amazing!  Robert has great skill.  The teams were always Mark and Betsy against Robert and Marissa.  Marissa is also pretty good at basketball.  Poor Mark - he had the one that everyone picks last. 

Sometimes we played soccer at night (sorry no photos).  

One thing that we tried to do each day was play volleyball.  When I took Robert to see the soccer field we saw the volleyball court and I remembered we had it here in the neighborhood.  It was super fun to play with them.   The competitiveness in our family has not gone away - not at all.  

Celebrating their victory over us

 Saturday's are the day we go for a long hike or we go play Frisbee golf.  There are two parks we can play at.  MorningStar has a challenging 6 hole course, and Georgetown Park has an exciting and challenging 18 hole course.  We like to go to this course even though MorningStar is closer.

Robert accidentally threw the frisbee into the pond

Robert - ready to go

San Gabriel river is along the course too

I love the landscape at the parks where we live.  It's so peaceful to me

It's so fun having these two home.  As kids they were inseparable - not much has changed.  They would stay up late at night talking.  Robert - it is so good to have him home, but I know he is thrilled to have someone else here besides his parents.  Especially during the quarantine period.  I feel for him so much because we now live in Texas and he really doesn't know anyone here (exception Jared Sudekum, Shawn Bentiti from his mission).

It was super fun to have Marissa home for Easter. 

Marissa flew back to Utah/Idaho on Sunday April 19.  We convinced her to stay one extra day with us, which turned out to be a super last fun day. 

I wish I could have taken her to get her nails done, go shopping, or any of our other fun pampering outings but for me it was just as great to her here to lay out and tan, play sports, and run with her.  She is such a joy to be around.

Easter 2020

We started out with a wonderful Easter Sunday ... but that turned quickly and it became one of the worst Easter Sunday's I have ever experienced. 

Saturday night we watched Courageous.  We thought it was a good thing because it is a spiritual movie, however, it had some sort of crazy effect on Robert - we found out later today. (but I'm getting ahead of myself)

Overnight the Easter Bunny came and left Easter Baskets filled with treats for Robert, Marissa, Mark and Betsy.  Mark was surprised that his basket was filled with all sorts of dark chocolate treats. 

We had our traditional cinnamon roll breakfast and then we all got dressed for home church. 

We had the sacrament and a wonderful discussion about the love of our Savior and his sacrifice - the blessed Atonement - that gives all of us hope.  It was weird that I could feel like something was wrong.  Robert seemed to be upset with us but didn't say anything.  He's been very judgmental since he's been home from his mission, but that is to be expected. 

It's always made me feel so sad that he doesn't like being home.  Marissa was the same way.  I feel like they loved their mission president and his wife more than their mom and dad - or at least their mom.  They say how wonderful their mission president and his wife were but then they criticize me or the way Mark and I do things.  We aren't perfect by any means but we do love them so much and show our love for them every day.  We love each other too - so much.  I don't know what our kids don't see - what they don't appreciate.

Anyway, we went outside for an Easter Photo and Robert blew up at us and said we didn't sustain the priesthood in our home, he yelled at us and made Betsy cry before stormed off to his room.

He disappeared into his room for the entire day.  He refused to talk to us, even to Marissa.  He blocked his door so that we couldn't get in.  He only came our for Easter dinner, and then he went back to his room. 

This is by far the worse, absolutely most terrible EASTER ever.  I felt horrible all day - all day - every second of every minute of ever hour!!!

Marissa and I were at a loss.  We tried to bring the spirit back into the home but we were all so concerned about Robert - we wanted to resolve whatever was bothering him.  We wanted to address whatever we had done to make him so upset, but then he just refused to talk to us. 

I wrote him a letter and slid it under his door.  I said I was sorry for being me.  Essentially - I think that is the most of it.  He doesn't like the person I am. 

It breaks my heart - it will forever - that's got to be the worst.  I will spend the rest of my life trying to be more Christlike, more humble, more obedient, more honorable but it won't matter. 

Robert's Homecoming

Robert drove all the elders to the airport for the last time along with President and Sister Hammonds.  They unloaded and said their final goodbyes to those that weren't on the same flight.  I'm so glad they got the "Coronavirus exit of Thailand"

Part of the last group leaving Thailand

Getting organized and saying goodbye to everyone!

Once inside they lined up - with protective masks ready to head back to America.

Ready to head out - just waiting to get through the line with Elder Robison 

 Robert flew from Thailand at 7:10 AM on Tuesday morning to Japan; from Japan to Denver; He landed in Denver before he left Japan because he went over the international date line.  Then from Denver to Austin.  Robert was so tired - he tried to sleep on the flight as much as he could.  When he arrived in Denver there were no restaurants open.  He arrived at Austin at 8:39 PM on the same day - even though he flew for 24 hours.

Arriving in Austin Robert got the biggest surprise.  So did his parents - Devon, Sierra and Marissa came to Austin to welcome Robert.  

Mom was so excited to see Robert.  She couldn't wait to hug him!!!

Together again with our son, so good for him to be home

Love - son - forever!!!

Pure happiness

The bros

Bros together again!!

Can we say Marissa is happy to see Robert???

Cayson is there!!!  What a precious time!!!

Cayson in the arms of Robert!!!

Reunited!  Jessica and Robert!

Robert and the baby's family!!!

Double trouble together again.

The whole group -
Jessica, Betsy, Robert, Mark, Marissa, Sierra, Devon

Siblings - Tate, Jessica, Cayson, Marissa, Sierra and Devon

BEST TWO YEARS - GREAT TO BE BACK HOME!
SO THANKFUL FOR FAMILY!!!

Jessica and Tate surprise us with Devon, Sierra and Marissa

Jessica and Tate were so nice to organize and help Devon and Sierra and Marissa travel to Austin to help welcome Robert home.

They did this without us knowing. 

As we arrived at the airport to pick up Robert, we walked in and saw, at a distance, Tate looking at a board, and a lady playing with Cayson.  We would have thought it was Jessica, but it didn't look like Jessica - it looked like Marissa.  As we walked closer we could tell it WAS MARISSA.  Holy Cow - Marissa came!!!

Then Devon and Sierra, Marissa, Jessica and Tate all came running towards us.  Hugs went on for a while.  What a HUGE and Blessed surprise.  We were all so happy to have everyone there.

Week 94: The Best Two Years

"All good things must come to an end." Believe it or not this was my last week in Thailand and I will be coming back home to America on Tuesday night. I still can't believe it, but I'm grateful that I got to serve as long as I did. I have had 22 months full of experience, happiness, help, knowledge, and so much more. I truly feel that the Lord has blessed me so much in these past two years. Even though the Corona virus is the reason I'm going home, I believe this is all part of God's plan; He is always looking over us and I know He is in charge. 

In terms of my last week, we had a transfer board meeting with President all of Monday and Tuesday to try and organize the mission and put them in new areas. We decided that I should get back in the field for my last 2 months and get to work in หนองคาย (Nong Khai). While I was packing on Wednesday morning we received word that we aren't allowed to travel or move areas. So I stayed as the Assistant I guess. However, we were hoping that that would only be temporary. We also had a new missionary from Myanmar come to the mission so we got to do a little training for her as well. 

We had MLC and a district leader meeting and some other meetings to start off the new transfer. However, we got news on Saturday that we are all going home :(( Our last day we had testimony meeting for all the zones and it was so powerful. I'm truly going to miss Thailand and all the people here!!

I've learned a thing or two in my time here:

1) The most important thing you can do for your life is to develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As a missionary in Thailand we have the opportunity to teach people so many people who don't know about their father in Heaven that loves them so much. I feel blessed to know that I am a child of God and for the relationship that I have developed with him over these 2 years. 

2) The most crucial and significant event that has ever occurred since the beginning of human existence is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ loves us and sacrificed himself for us. Nothing else even compares with the Atonement. In fact nothing else is important in life when we understand the Atonement more fully. As I have come to understand the Atonement better on my mission, my heart is full of gratitude and joy that someone came to this Earth to suffer for my pains and sins personally. I know without a doubt in my mind that Christ suffered personally for me on that night. If you haven't started your relationship with Jesus Christ, or if you don't know where he fits in your life I implore you to start now!

3) The Lord answers prayers. My mission has been full of ups and downs. Good times and bad times. Joy and sorrow. Accomplishments and Stuggles. But through it all I have always had a guiding hand in this work. As I turned to the Lord I truly saw His hand in everything. He has answered my prayers repeatedly and helped me in more ways than I can name on my mission. 

4) The Lord calls prophets. It is quite obvious that the Lord has called a living prophet to lead and guide us in these days. With the Corona virus, panic is imminent, however as I have looked to our prophet I have felt peace and safety in every phase of the way. 

5) The Book of Mormon is God's other witness. It truly is another witness to the glory of God! I have developed such a strong testimony that it is true and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I want to support the apostle Elder Holland in his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He stated, "I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgement bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the last days." I know it to be true!

6) The Lord is the master of the vineyard and he has a work for us to do. The importance of sharing the gospel cannot be overstated. God has a work for his servants to do in his vineyard and I have a desire to labor with the Lord. I'm so excited to continue to serve the Lord with all my might even when I'm back home. 

Just wanted to end this email with a quote by Dr Suess: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

Love you all. See you soon!!

Love,

Elder Lowe'

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Bunk mates for one night in Bangkok

Heading home

Temple progress

Working in the office

Companions to the End

Stop with Robert and Elder Robison
Stop is an entertainment reporter in Thailand that is also a member of the church
He's fantastic

Robert - a proud Thailand Missionary

Robert and Elder Robison in Bangkok
AP's to the End

Week 93: The End of the World

Just for your information, I'm doing fine but I am pretty bored. It's been about 3 and a half weeks of being in my apartment only!!

 It's been such a crazy week, but more for all of you who are in America. I have heard how insane everything is in America at the moment. But, don't worry!! Our prophet is very optimistic and as long as we follow his counsel and keep the commandments we will be fine. I'm praying for all of you back home and may God be with you.

 I marvel at the day in age that we live in. These truly are the last days, and although the second coming may not come for some time, I believe it's time for us to all prepare for our Lord, Jesus Christ and his glorious second coming. I had the opportunity to study in the book of Revelations and D&C 77 this week to understand the second coming a little bit better, and how I can prepare. All of you who have not yet started your personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I invite you to start now. Jesus Christ is the light and the light of the world (Mosiah 16:9) and through faith in him all things are made possible (Moroni 7:33).

 I have tried to develop my relationship with my Savior this week by listening and hearing him. I got to attend a zone conference this week (via video call) and 5 different zone devotionals. They were so uplifting and focused on how we can hear the voice of the Lord in our everyday lives.

 Oh yeah I also made some more progress on memorizing Mormon 9 this week. So far I have memorized 23 verses of that chapter!! But, I still got a long way to go haha.

 Last thing that I wanted to share is that I have been able to watch a lot of the Book of Mormon videos and other church produced videos. It has really helped me to feel the spirit and has strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

This week is transfers, so we'll see if I move or if I stay in Asoke! Love you all.

 Love,
 Elder Lowe
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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 90: Baptisms of Arm (อาร์ม) and Arthur (อาเธอร์)

This has been probably the weirdest week of my mission, but then again I still have next week. 

So for those who haven't heard, all the missionaries in Southeast Asia, or at least most of them, are on house lockdown. We are quarantined, meaning that we are restricted to only our houses/apartments until further notice. That is, unless we need to buy food or supplies. So yeah, we don't get to go out and do our usual missionary work, which is a big bummer. 

However, the Lord has blessed us with technology so that we can continue to do our missionary work through technological efforts. We can text and call members, less actives, and interested persons. So we are still able to teach, but we aren't able to teach or talk with anyone face to face. Needless to say, it has been a very interesting week. 

So this week started off great as usual. On Monday night we visited Arthur (อาเธอร์) and gave him a practice baptismal interview and he did awesome. Then we got to meet with our man Jim (จิม) that same night and we had the opportunity to teach him the word of wisdom! He had a problem with drinking tea and coffee, but by the end of this week he has given them both up!! He immediately quit drinking tea, and then a couple days later he quit coffee as well! He has so much faith and I'm grateful for his decision to keep these commandments.

The decision to have us stay strictly in our houses came on Thursday night and it said that Friday would be our last working day. We had scheduled a switch off on Friday with the Chiang Mai Elders and scheduled a ton of appointments! I switched off with Elder Taylor, and he is such a solid missionary! We were able to prepare อาเธอร์ and อาร์ม for baptism on Friday as well! 

On Saturday we were locked in our apartments and just did a deep clean day. Our apartment looks so so good now! It's awesome!! 

Lastly, on Sunday I gave a talk in church about the Atonement for about 10 minutes and it went really well! For church, we are only allowed to have sacrament meeting (1 hour) for like the next 2 months. However, we had a scheduled baptism for this Sunday, and luckily that was able to happen. It actually ended up being 4 people's baptisms - two people from us, one from the office elders, and one from the STLs. The pictures are attached below.  It was such a great day for everyone.  Look at all the people in white!!!

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for your prayers and your concern!

Love,

Elder Lowe

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Everyone in White:  Robert baptized 

What a great group of missionaries
Robert is in one of his new Thai suits

Robert teaching at zone conference

Elders and Sisters in front of the Asoke building

Time for some tennis 

Up in Chaing Mai

Robert in his new suit and Elder Robinson
and an investigator

Robert and Elder Taylor

Robert and Elder Robison with other members

Robert with Elder Robison loving that they are missionaries

Tomorrow is Robert's birthday!  Happy 21 to Robert Lowe!!!