Week 92: no email

Instead - Robert asked us to send him our conversion stories.  I have a few, so here they are:

So when I was only 4 years old, (1970) my parents move my family to a very small town out in a dessert.  The town was called Ridgecrest, CA.  Since I hadn't started school yet, my mom wanted me to meet the neighbors to make friends.  I made friends with this cute girl that lived just a few houses down the street from me.  Her name is Stephanie.  She and I played together often.  One day she invited me to attend Primary (it was held during the week at that time).  I went with her - I had the best time.  I came home and I guess I acted differently.  My parents both noticed changes in me.  They saw me kneeling by my bed saying my prayers.  So, my mom called Stephanie's mom and wanted to know more about the church I attended with them. From that, my parents invited the Doermans' and the missionaries over to our house to hear the discussions.  Shortly after that they were baptized members.  I had to wait four more years but then I was baptized too.  The year I was baptized my family drove to Salt Lake City to be sealed in the temple forever. 

I’m so glad I went to primary with my friend.  I believe all the principles of the gospel are taught in primary and that we can be missionaries at any age!

Love
Your mom

Although I had a testimony of the church (and thank goodness I did) I was the only one in my family that did.  By the time I was 14 years old my dad had stopped going to church on a regular basis.  He would go from time to time but not very often.  By the time I was 16 my parents had divorced (again), my dad had taken a new wife, and both of them did not attend church.  I had to find my own way, calling for rides from friends.  Luckily there was a family that lived about a mile from my house, and I could get rides from them.  I did this every week until I could drive myself.  I paid for my own gas and church was not close, but I made it a priority to go to church.  I even got myself up for seminary and drove to seminary before church.  I never missed church.

Well, near the end of my senior year of high school, I started dating a classmate that was not a member of our church.  He was a nice guy and all but his family didn't go to church.  One Sunday, they invited me to go out on the lake with them.  I had turned them down before because it was Sunday, but for some reason I accepted this time.  It was the first time I missed church.  I felt guilty at first, but I also enjoyed the time with them, and the lake was beautiful.  I am ashamed to say, but that was the start of my inactivity.  One Sunday turned into two, and so on.  I was inactive from church for nearly five years.

Nearly five years had gone by, and I was now 23.  When I was 21, I had moved to Blacksburg VA to attend college there.  I worked two jobs and barely made ends meet.  Things were touch, and the budget was very tight.  The only way I thought I could survive was to work Sundays so I could earn time and a half pay.  I had been living this way for a while, and finally it hit me that I was not happy with the choices I had made.  

One night, a night I hope to never forget, I was sitting on my bed and my thoughts wondered to how I ended up where I was.  I wondered how long it would take me to get my degree at this pace?  Would I ever get my degree?  Would I have a future?  What would it be like?  

Then, my thoughts took me backwards to the turning point of "how I ended up here?"  I was reminded in my mind of a time when I knew the answer to those questions.  My thought was, "Everything I needed to know I learned in Primary."  I was reminded of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I felt the spirit testify to me of who I was, where I needed to be and what was important to me... my eternal salvation.  I contemplated what I knew was true and what would bring me true happiness.  

Right then and there, my Heavenly Father spoke to me through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost that I had learn the truths, I learned them in Primary, and in my activity in Young Womens.  I had learned the path to happiness at church.  My head started to fill with Primary songs that testified of the Love my Heavenly Father has for me.  My heart was filled with a love that is not equal to anything on Earth.  I was loved by my Heavenly Father and he wanted me to find true happiness. 

From that night forward my choices changed, my attitude changed.  I gave up everything that was not in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  At the same time I moved back to Northern Virginia (near where I grew up).  The first weekend I was back happened to be General Conference.  A friend from my high school days invited me to watch General Conference with his family.  I went to his house to watch General Conference.  I watched, and listened, and absorbed everything that was said.  I heard the counsel to repent, to seek forgiveness, to read the Book of Mormon.  I was touched by the spirit over and over, as it testified to me of the truthfulness of what I heard. I felt like every word said at that conference was for my benefit.  Words like: repent, forgive, hope, joy, blessings, forgiveness.  I started reading the Book of Mormon every night before I went to bed.  This book is such a true testament of our Heavenly Father's love for us and the love of our Savior.  Reading this book changed my life.  I have never looked back since.  

That was my turning point - sitting on my bed pondering life reminded me of the plan of happiness, and then while I sat and listened to General Conference, the spirit testified to me that I was in the right place, making the right choices and that I could be forgiven.  

From that day forward, I have not wavered from my commitment to the Lord.  I stand as a witness that Jesus Christ is my Savior.  He saved me - in every way.  My life would have been so different had I not stopped to hear the wonderful words of Primary songs fill my head as I questioned life's purpose.  

How grateful, very grateful I am that we can have personal revelation and that we have the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I now strive to have the Holy Ghost as my constant companion.  I am very blessed to have been able to raise my family in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I am so grateful for that moment.  Because of it, I was able to marry a man with the same beliefs and values.  We were able to raise our family in those beliefs and values. The most valuable thing I could ever give my children, give to you Robert, is that we were able to raise you in the Gospel and teach you about our Savior, teach you the Gospel, and share the Book of Mormon and other scriptures from the Lord. One other very important blessing in my life is that I believe in the Prophet of the Lord.  It was that first General Conference that testified to me that the Lord does love and know us.  He is aware of our situations and he blesses us with counsel and direction.  The teachings Jesus Christ and the Gospel are my foundation.  It is what governs my life.  

I hope you know how much I love you and how precious this gospel is!! We are so blessed to know the truth and the plan of happiness. 

I love you.

--

Thailand Storm headed to Robert

Robert is serving in Phuket at this time.  The news is tracking this huge typhoon that is going to hit right on the east side of the peninsula - just east of Phuket. 

I watched the new and saw all the destruction that happened to the islands to the east of the peninsula and the destruction to the land as it came ashore.  It took lives of people and caused massive destruction because the property is not built to withstand the wind.

The news is tracking the storm and it is projected to pass directly over the heart of Phuket, where Robert lives.  My heart sinks because we have a brand new Mission President and we don't what his awareness is of the storm.  It is concerning because Robert and Elder Tu are the most remote and southern placed missionaries in the mission.  Luckily the mission president does advise them to stock up on food and water and stay inside.  YAY!!!

The waves are massive and distructive

Here are photos from the internet of what people did to protect their property and stock up.

Boats ended up on the streets.  It's insane.

The storm was supposed to track directly over Phuket, but at the very last minute the storm took a turn to the north and just missed Phuket.  In the end Robert and Elder Tu and all the saints in Phuket didn't get put just a little bit of rain.  I'm sure Robert thought I was making a big thing about nothing, but it could have gone very different if the storm didn't turn north.  I'm so relieved that he is safe and ready to start working again.

They still had some destruction in their area, so Robert and Elder Tu were able to provide some service cleaning up debri and trash around their area.

I will say I am so grateful for the power of prayer.  HE was safe - I prayed every day, several times a day.  I didn't pray only for Robert's safety because that would be very selfish - I prayed for everyone on the island to be protected.   We were so blessed!!!

Week 12: Robert road an elephant

Gigantic Snake

Super crazy week! I have been working super hard this week studying even after we get back from a 12 hour work day. Just gotta keep grinding cause missionary work is tough but such an amazing experience and I have already learned so much. 

First, last p-day was insane. I got to put this gigantic snake around my neck and ride an elephant for an hour! It was so fun! 

Riding an elephant

Honestly, it was another humbling week, but not so much because of the language. Somehow we lost a couple of our investigators and we have only about 7 investigators that we teach now. So I did a lot of inviting in the rain. We just get rejected and laughed at sometimes. Thai people are super nice for the most part, so they will seem somewhat interested and then give us a fake number, lol. Also, many of the investigators that we do teach are struggling to understand the restoration of the gospel. We have taught it to them multiple times and they just don’t get it! 

This week we have been teaching a super solid guy named เบิร์ด. He has had a smoking problem most of his life and is super addicted. We asked him to read some really good chapters about true repentance and if we turn away from sin and humble ourselves before the Lord he will give us so much strength to overcome any challenge or addiction in our life. (Ether 12:27) I flipped open to a random chapter in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 26, and realized how perfect it was to share with him. The next time we met with him he opened up to the page we asked him to read and he had notes all over the page and he couldn't stop telling us how much he loved Chapter 26 of Mosiah. It's truly a miracle the way the Lord fills our minds with thoughts that we would never have other wise. I know that sometimes it gets discouraging here in Thailand, but God is always looking out for us and preparing people that will listen to our message. The only thing I can really do is just have a lot of faith, show my love for these people, and teach with the spirit, and then the spirit will do the rest. I know that through faith all things in this life are possible. 

Moroni 7:33

33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

We taught หล่อโซ, who is a Christian and doesn’t want to leave his present church. He believes the Book of Mormon is true, but has more fun at his other church. It just amazes me and my companion how much confusion there is in this world. There are so many good people around this world that have been led to believe in things that don't have the full truth. I love these people so much and just wish I could help them see how much the Savior loves them and wants how much he wants all of his children to come into him.  

Anyways, some of the food I got to eat this week:

- chocolate and caramel smoothie...so good

- gigantic bacon cheeseburger with fries...so expensive

- chicken feet...first time I have ever had it. It was kinda difficult to eat but honestly not bad. 

- Lot of fish

- KFC!! 

This week I just focused on listening and focusing on what others say and I can definitely see slow but steady progress. I also got to read a little bit more this week and I'm a chapter away from finishing second Nephi in Thai! I love this gospel and I love this work! I know with time I can be the missionary the Lord wants me to be. 

ผมรู้ว่าพระผู้เป็นเจ้าให้ปฎิหาริย์แก่เราเมื่อเราแสดงศรัทธาในพระบุตรของพระองค์พระเยซูคริสต์พระผู้ช่วยให้รอดของเรา

(I know that God gives us miracles when we show faith in his son jesus christ our savior).

Love,

Elder Lowe

Kids going to school in Thailand 

Devon - week 101 Cindy Hick's Funeral

Hey guys.  I am again sorry to tell you that I cant write much.  

Today I went to a funeral for my old Bishop’s wife, Cynthia Hicks.  It was so good to see familiar faces of friends from KY. The familiar faces gave me a glimpse of what it would feel like to return home, except without the funeral part. It was a great funeral.  The spirit taught us all.  Many people cried. She was a good lady that served so many people and made them feel appreciated.  

I have thought about Faith this week. Twice this week I taught about it and heard it taught at church this week.  Never underestimate the power of faith.  It is so powerful. 

We have done a lot of service in this area, which is good.  

Jessica's talk on Mother's day

Jessica spoke as the Youth Speaker (her last Youth talk) in Sacrament meeting on Mother's Day, May 9.

"Spencer W. Kimball once said that there is no greater calling or service in life than being a mother.  Today I would like to honor three mothers that have personally touched my life and made me who I am today.

The first one I'd like to speak on is Suzannah Merrit (my Great Great Great ….. grandmother). She grew up in Windsor Castle where her father was the head steward to the King.  She married a Lord in Grimsby, England.  She enjoyed a life of luxury with many servants.  She met the LDS missionaries in the early 1850's and was baptized along with her four children.  However, her husband was a devote member of the church of England and refused to have anything to do with the gospel.  She had a difficult choice ahead of her - whether to follow her heart and the spirit telling her to go to Zion in America with her children or to stay in England in a castle and life of luxury with her husband.  She ended giving up everything and left her husband and took her children across the ocean and across the Great Plains with only possessions that would fit in a wagon.  She had such great faith and courage to do what is right and be willing to give up everything so that her children could grow up in the gospel and be united with other saints in Zion.  Her husband paid their way and had no hard feelings for her choice.

The second mother that has made a great impact on me in my life is my Grandma Lowe.  She passed away approximately 9 years ago and I still miss and think of her often because of the type of person she was and the Christlike example she was to me.  She was such a giving and charitable person and I know many were touched by her sweet spirit.   When my father was 12 years old his family lived in Okinawa, Japan.  He had a ruptured appendicitis and the doctors were not able to remove all the infection as it spread through out his entire body.  The doctors told my grandma and grandpa that they were doing all they could but there was a good chance that my father was not going to survive as his temperature steadily rose - all the way to 106 degrees.  My Grandmother Lowe was not going to give up though.  That night, she prayed and pleaded to her Heavenly Father and made a covenant with him that if he would save her youngest son, she would dedicate the remainder of her life to Him and serving the Lord.  Now you have to understand my grandmother was already a very spiritual person but after this experience where my father regained his health, my grandmother kept her covenant and dedicated the rest of her life serving the Lord.  My Grandmother Lowe is the most Christ like person I know.  She was honestly a saint and had so much love and compassion for everyone around her.

The third person I would like to talk about is my own mother.  As many of you know I have played Varsity Basketball for my high school for the past three years.  The last two years my mother has been the "team mom" making sure my teammates and I are fed on game days, communicating to other parents, organizing the end of the season banquet, and many other duties that are very time consuming.  She also took stats for my team and has not missed a game for the past two years.  Not to mention she also goes to all my brother's soccer games and practices which he plays about 10 months of the year.  She goes to my brother's and sister's cross country practices and meets as much as she can.  Always driving us around to all of our multiple activities giving up hours and hours of her own time.  She cooks, cleans, works as a substitute teacher, has a church calling, was PTSA President of the middle school for four years, and is currently team mom of my track team!  I'm telling you the girl is wonderwoman!  When my prom dress needed altering to make it modest, she was there to fix it.  After I was accepted to BYU and stressed about where I was going to live, she took care of it.  If I come home late after hanging out with my friends or being on a date, my mother is always awake waiting for me to make sure I arrived home safely.  I could go on and on about my mother and how amazing she is but my time is limited.  To get to the bottom line, my mother is an amazing person.  She is sweet, kind, charitable, smart, funny, steadfast in the gospel and is fearless when it comes to doing whatever it takes to provide and be there for her children.  I love you mom :)

In conclusion, I know that behind every prophet and every great person, there is a mother who helped mold and teach that child.  The role of motherhood is often downplayed and taken for granted in todays society - which is such a shame because there is truly no greater calling or service in life than being a mother.

I would like to bear my testimony that I know that this church is true and that all you women and mothers of the church are such wonderful examples to me personally.  You are such a great strength and driving force in the Lords plan for his children and continuing growth in this gospel.  Make sure you go out of your way to let your mother know how much you love and appreciate her not just on Mother's day, but every day.  By doing this I know you will be blessed and your relationship with your mother will greatly benefit.  I am so grateful for the mothers who have influenced me and touched my life - I know I am a better person for it.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.