Week 52: The 1 year mark is here

So yeah I've been on my mission for a year and I don't even know what to say. I have seen the Lord change, strengthen, and use me to do wonderful things. This past year I have learned so much and I feel so much closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The mission is seriously such a blessing; I get to share the gospel and bless people's lives and in turn the Lord blesses me with joy and happiness each day. Serving a mission has been one of the greatest decisions of my life and I want to thank everyone who has pushed me to get where I am today. I love the Thailand Bangkok Mission!!

I have also gotten a new companion this week and his name is Elder Burgess or Elder เจ็ด (which means 7). He is really cool and is actually from Gilbert, Arizona - the same place as one of my friends from college serving a mission right now, Elder Chase Peterson. Anyways, Elder Burgess is very chill and has a strong testimony so I think we will get a long great. 

We continue to see people that we teach come closer and closer to baptism each week. So many of them are close to being baptized, but are just not ready yet. I will keep you updated on all of them and their progression!

Love you all SOOO much! So grateful for all of you and your prayers and emails!

Love,

Elder Lowe

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Photos this week:

Love teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ

Most of these pictures are on p-day or after English class on Tuesday with all the members! 

- It turns out they have sick shoes in Thailand

- Also giant hats

- And sick furniture and mirrors and pianos

Week 47: Live your life as the Savior did ดำเนินชีวิตเหมือนพระผู้ช่วยให้รอด

This week has been such a great learning week. We had a Zone Conference this week and it was centered on the Savior, Jesus Christ. Our mission has made this transfer completely centered on the Savior. Teaching and studying should be focused solely on Christ and how He can help our lives and the lives of those we teach improve. We have made goals on how to "learn of Christ, teach of Christ, and rejoice in Christ." I've done a lot of studying this last week on the Savior and I have learned so much. We all share one thing we learn about Him everyday in my district!! I want you all to ask yourselves this question: Have I seen the Lord's hand in my life today? He truly loves us and everything that happens in this life is part of His plan. As you look to him, he will ease your burdens and give you peace!! 

As a result of the extra focus on the Savior this week, my companion and I made efforts to serve others and talk with as many people as we could. The entire mission has a goal for each person to talk to 10 people each day! Reaching out to others and being a friend is what Christ would do. I love trying to resemble the Savior and become a better representative of Him each day. I think living our lives the way that He would is the way we can have true happiness in this life. 

Okay now for the details of the week. We have been teaching this lady named Ratchani and she is one of the most interesting person that I have ever taught. She has accepted a baptismal date for the 12th and she is really progressing. She has told us she feels something really amazing when she takes the sacrament that she hasn't felt before. We told her that it was the Spirit bearing witness to her that this is where she belongs - this is the Lord's true church. Some background for Ratchani is that she has been studying other churches for over 10 years and doesn't believe Buddhism to be true either. She met us after English class and wanted to learn more so we set up an appointment and let me tell you she had over 100 questions (like seriously). However, as she has read the Book of Mormon and prayed she has come to a knowledge that this is the only true church! I can't wait for her baptism soon!!! Those that have questions I challenge you to read in the Book of Mormon and pray!

I also got to go to this buffet place with almost everyone in this ward which was way cool! All of the members here are incredible and I have come to really love them! 

This week we had 5 of the people we are teaching at church, one being มิน(min). He is doing great and will hopefully be baptized next week. He has progressed so much, the only thing that could be holding him back is smoking. He has almost completely quit, I think he just smokes one cigarette a day. He is way awesome though! 

That's about it for the week. Yesterday one of the people in my house found some bug spray and used it to make a giant flame with a taser. He was going a little crazy last night and burned some of the hair off my arm haha. 

Love this mission and doing the Lord's work!!! Have a great week!!!

Love, 

Elder Lowe 

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1, 2,6,7) District pics 

District meeting with food

Elder Gantt (left), ZLs, Member, Robert, Suprakit, and the Sisters

The sisters, Elder Gantt and Elder Lowe

3) Flooding after about 30 minutes of rain here. When it rains, it pours

4) Sports night with the Ward

5) One of the people we are teaching

8) Ice skating from last week!