Week 64: Roi Et - The promised land

So as a missionary we get to move around to different areas in the state or country we serve in. I just moved to the Eastern side of Thailand and it is like a new world compared to Bangkok. First of all, to get to Roi Et (my new area), I took a bus by myself for about 8 hours, which was one of the strangest experiences on my mission. I'm so used to always having a companion around, but he didn't come down to pick me up. Anyways on the way there I realized how weird it was to see no cars on the street. In Bangkok the traffic is insane, but now I'm in the country part of Thailand. 

I'm in a biking area now, which I am stoked about. However, it rains every single day so I have been soaked and filthy the last couple of days. We are working with a bunch of Returning Members and apparently there are a ton of people we need to help reactivate. 

One of the people we visited this week bought some ส้มตำ or papaya salad right beforehand. Anyways I have been told that on the East side of Thailand the food is very spicy. So, I start eating this ส้มตำ and me and my comp are almost in tears from how hot this ส้มตำ is. I just open my mouth and saliva starts pouring out in like buckets. All in all, the food here is extremely spicy so I'm a little concerned for my life. Hopefully I will be alright! 

I love you all so much! I love serving the Lord in Thailand! This is a scripture that I really love in the Book of Mormon:

"And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children." I encourage you all to read the scriptures because they are for us. Don't forget the power of the words of Christ. No matter how hard life gets, answers and help are found in the scriptures! 

Love,

Elder Lowe

เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

(Sorry not too many photos this week)

Bus ride to Roi Et

Arriving in Roi Et

Week 50: Our District is on Fire

So this week was “way” good and my district is doing so good - we are on fire. For starters, I had the opportunity to interview four people for baptism this week!  So far I have interviewed nine people for baptism in the last two transfers! The success in this area is amazing.  It feels so good knowing that one by one we are sharing the message of Jesus Christ’s gospel with the people in Thailand and inviting more joy and happiness into their lives.

This week we taught a bunch of people and got to teach with Elder Khanakam (member of the Quorum of the Seventy). We had the opportunity to teach with him before, it’s such a spiritual experience.  He is incredible when he teaches. I have learned so much from his example about how I can become a better missionary and show more love to those I teach! 

We had seven people at church this week and the people we are teaching are progressing more and more. For example; Somsak and his daughter are really starting to accept the message of the gospel.  I am so happy for them.

This week both Min and Ratchani received the Holy ghost and became members of the true church. They radiate with a light from within.  It’s so incredible to see the changes they have made in their lives.  

Lastly, I went on a switch off with our zone leader, เอ็ลเดอร์เอกนิรันดร์. He is on his last transfer and he is Thai. He was such a good missionary and used these insane analogies that only Thai people would understand! 

Well that's it for this week. Sorry this is all over the place I just had no time … more to come next week.

Robert bikes this narrow concrete passage

Robert had fish for dinner at Sister Issaya Inlee.  He says she is the nicest lady.

The sisters in Robert's district and Him and his companion.  Robert is the district leader.

Week 48 - great week

Hello from once again the cold… It snowed twice this week... It's May...only in Utah.

Also I hit my 11 month mark of being on a mission today:( time goes by too fast...

This week has been eventful! We went to the temple as a zone which was so amazing.

We had exchanges this week. I went with sister Williams for the day since I'm her STL. It was a fun yet interesting day. I've never rode a bike on my mission until this week. And let me just tell you, biking in skirts....Worst. Thing. Ever. It was a fun exchange though and half of the day we were in her area and half in my area. We put this girl Kodie on a baptismal date for May 20th in my area so that was super exciting! Exchanges always bring miracles!

Lots of lessons this week:

We had two lessons with Matthew and both went so great! I remember when we first met him and we asked if he believed the Book of Mormon to be the word of God or of Joseph Smith was a prophet he said “I don't know yet I guess I've got to study it a little more." Well this week he told us he has a testimony in the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith is a prophet! He said he can feel it when he prays, reads his Book of Mormon, and at church. Man I just love the gospel so much it changes people for the better:)

We had a lesson with Ida who is the 86 year old we are teaching. She read the Book of Mormon and the pamphlet. She goes to church each week. Her only concern is that she thinks she doesn't retain all that she learns also she is scared of water... But we will fix that, haha. I love Ida so much and she is so ready we just got to help understand she is ready now.

We had a lesson with Yamile which I would say is a "dry Mormon," her son Matthew was baptized a month ago and her husband is an active member. She goes to church every week and lives the life of a Mormon. She's from Puerto Rico and said she just can't leave her Catholic heritage. We are working with her and hopefully we can resolve her concerns.

Okay funny stories so...

I had Tofu for the first time in my life this week. And let me tell you it is disgusting...I ate it all though but I'm definitely never planing to go vegetarian ever now, haha.

Also we went to one of our dinner appointments and she made a turkey for us and she put it on this glass plate that wasn't heat protective. So when she sat the glass plate down the whole plate shattered to pieces and the Turkey went flying across the counter and then had shards of glass all in. It was hilarious! Turns out we didn't end up eating the turkey but it made for a funny story.

Last one and this is super embarrassing and sad... So we met this man who is a member at church and he told me his brother went to Kentucky and Indiana on his mission. He said he was killed in Indiana. So first I though oh my gosh he died on his mission but then the guy said it so casually so then I said "oh you mean "killed" in mission terms like he went home after that area?" And he said "no he actually got hit by a semi in Indiana and died." I was so shocked and I felt so bad! He laughed it off but man I've got to watch what I say....

It's been a busy week, but an awesome one. For church yesterday we went to 4 different wards in 4 different buildings and spoke in one of them and the rest our investigators came to. Sunday's are soooooo busy! Not a day of rest for us missionaries, we don't even have time for tracting. I love being busy though, I just wish the time would slow down, I can't believe we are already in May and that I'm at 11 months:( I love being on a mission. It was the best decision I've ever made in my life, I love the people here and I'm so grateful to serve my Heavenly Father and walk with Jesus Christ everyday. It truly is a blessing.

Sister Lowe

Boys on High Adventure in Missouri

On June 9th, Devon and Robert took their gear over to the O'Brien's house and spent the night there so that the crew could get an early morning - 4 am early - start for their 

HIGH ADVENTURE!

In tow was 13 bikes and helmets, 9 boys and backpacks, 6 canoes and ores, 4 cars loaded to the hilt, 4 leaders - "what were we thinking", 2 Lowes (my boys), and 1 awesome trip ahead of them.

That first morning they drove to Sedalia, MO where they started on the Katy trail.  Today is the 50 mile bike ride.  They were the "fast and furious."  Ben and Max started at lightning speed with Robert, Brandon, Devon and Reece hovering right behind them.  Everyone had a great day.  

Starting out:  Riley, Jim Brovont, Ben, Reece, Ephriam, Robert, Max, Trevor, Dennis Hartin, and Devon
Rusty O'Brien taking the photo

Over half way the boys cross over a bridge in Cooper County!

Robert super focused

Brothers biking together
 - this is so cool!

Devon working at it

Robert having a great time
This is one of my favorite photos of the trip

After the long bike ride the boys set up camp near Rocheport and had a delicious chicken dinner.  After a well deserved nights sleep, they were ready for Day 2.

Day 2 started with a canoe ride down the Missouri River.  Devon was center canoe while Robert was in front and Riley was in the back.  

Robert, Devon and Riley - all checked off and ready to go

ready, set ... GO

heading over to meet us with the others

Everyone is ready to canoe the river!

After canoeing the Missouri River for 20 miles the boys camp - have dinner and head over to a indoor climbing facility.  They had a great time on what is called "bouldering"

Robert traverse walking

Robert - Tight rope walking

Scaling the wall

Devon did all the climbing as well, but chose not to be in photos - go figure :)

Day 3 Today the boys rappelled down the side of a cliff and climbed back up.  There were 9 boys to go.  They had a paid guide since Brandon While wasn't able to be on the trip - he's the certified climber.  At first the boys had to listen to all the instructions even though several of them already have their climbing merit badge.  Review is always good!

listening to instructions

Robert climbing up

see the steepness of the cliff - straight up

Devon rappelling down

further down

safe at a resting spot

Robert coming down

Robert climbing up - looks so hard

A view of the river from their camp site

Day 4 - the BIG DAY!!!  Today is the 100 mile bike ride.  They all look ready for the challenge.  Ben, Brandon, Reece, Ephraim, Riley, Trevor, Robert, Devon, Max, and the leaders Brian, Rusty and Jim are ready to head out.  

Steady peddling

They took breaks often to refuel their bodies and fix flat tires
Devon had 4 flat tires - ugh!!!

Robert at a rest area with Max's Dad, Brian Miller

Devon keeping pace with Ben and helping Trevor stay on pace

Day 5 - after eating breakfast and cleaning up camp, the boys start back towards Kentucky.  On the way they get to stop at Holiday World Amusement park for a few hours of fun.   Mark and I thought (as did the boys) that they would get to be there for 6 hours, but one of the leaders needed / wanted to get home early so they were only there for 3 hours before driving back to Kentucky.  They arrived at the church at 6:00 pm.  What a great High Adventure!!!