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'

เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

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 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

เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

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 78 - Thanksgiving

Guys it's finally Christmas celebrating time!!! I'm so excited! I love the Christmas season on the mission, it is truly the best because we get to celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on CHRIST. Which is the real reason we celebrate Christmas! Also I think people are just a little nicer during Christmas time:)

Okay so great things happening this week:

We met this guy, he's 17 named Cameron and he has been going to seminary for a semester now and has some great LDS friends and so he told his parents that all he wants for Christmas this year is to be baptized...that's all he wants. And so his parents who aren't members and are pretty anti-Mormon actually agreed to let him finally. So already this week we are starting to have Christmas miracles!! Gary! Gary is so awesome like literally he is so prepared! He is still on date for the 16th and he said if they schedule him to work that day he will just quit his job. Wow the faith! I'm so excited for him! Alejandro came to church again all by himself, literally the best 9 year old I know! He is now on date for the 16th because his catholic mom wants to make sure he understands everything.

I went on two exchanges this week which was pretty fun. I've learned a lot this transfer as I've gone out with these sisters. A lot of them are struggling in the mission and so it's been cool to help them keep going and seeing their purpose here.

It was thanksgiving this week and that was just a blast. We went to the Bischoff’s family for thanksgiving and I just love that family! I have never eaten so much pie in my life. My fav was the pecan pie…so good!

We passed out a ton of Light the World cards this week. It's the Christmas initiative this year and it's about serving others and becoming more like Christ. To serve others in 25 ways over 25 days leading up to Christmas, pretty cool! I am just so grateful for my savior Jesus Christ who has literally given me everything, and everyday I have the chance to give him something back by serving the people here. It's the most joyful feeling.

Sister Lowe

1-3. Thanksgiving

4. Christmas lights for our door!!!

5. #LightTheWorld

Marissa's Testimony at Thanksgiving

HAPPY (late) THANKSGIVING!
# 1 The person I am thankful for most is my Savior Jesus Christ. He is everything to me. My goal each day is to become more like him. And although I have so many flaws and imperfections, I stand all amazed by the love He offers me. 

 # 2 I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon in my life. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ in every page I turn and every word I read. It answers so many of my questions and brings me so much joy and peace.

# 3 I am so so so grateful to to be a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and especially to be here in the Logan Utah Mission. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ has been the best choice I have ever made and has changed me for the better. Christ truly has changed my heart.
"My joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God." Alma 26:11-12