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

เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

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!!!

Week 79: It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

It's really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Believe it or not...Thailand is sooo cold right now. I've been freezing the last several days, no joke. It is usually around 90-100 degrees every day, but this week the weather dropped to the 60s-70s and let's just say I was not ready. My parents told me that Thailand would never get cold so I have no jackets, sweatshirts, coats, etc. Thank you mom and dad, haha, jk!

Right now as I am writing this email I feel completely exhausted. This week has felt so long and has overall been very tiring on me. Needless to say, it was an amazing week full of miracles and cool experiences.

I officially hit my 18 month mark on Friday!!

To start the week we went around to some different members and worked on our member board! We were able to share the wonderful Christmas message with some members in Roi Et before leaving to the other areas this week. As a Zone Leader I get the privilege to travel around the area often and visit other missionaries in different areas. This week I got to go all over the Isaan and I even got to go to Bangkok. I switched off in Ubon on Wednesday, Korat on Thursday, Sisaket on Friday, and Asoke on Saturday. These different areas are pretty far from each other, so yeah it was a week of traveling.

Traveling this week was brutal for 2 reasons. 1) we traveled at night so I probably got about 10 hours of sleep total this week and 2) I was so so cold. However, I am done complaining about this past week and I want to talk about all the cool experiences that happened. 

On Wednesday I switched off with Elder Fushee, who is on his first transfer. We did a lot of service, as we are trying to light the world, and we visited some members in Ubon. I want to talk about 1 member in particular that has been a blessing to me. Her name is Sister Tip (ทิพย์) and she is a recent convert to the church. I had visited her about 2 months ago with another missionary, before she was baptized, and at that time she had no desire to be baptized. She was drinking with her friends and family, and not really paying attention to us. Me and the other missionary decided to love her enough to help her, not JUDGE her. We read the Book of Mormon with her that day and applied every verse into her own life and she was amazed. She couldn't believe how this one book was "written for her." Anyway, fast forward to about a month ago where I got to interview her for baptism. She had changed a lot from that first moment to the day of her baptism and I was so proud of her. Okay fast forward to Wednesday this week when I went with Elder Fushee. We came to teach her follow up lessons about the restoration and she started crying. She had goosebumps and had another witness by the Holy Ghost at that moment that what we were telling her was true. She told us she has quit alcohol for almost 2 months now and that she wanted to help her family to do the same. She also told us that she has a desire to share the gospel with her family and she wants the missionaries to teach and baptize her family as well. Miracles really do exist!

On Thursday I was in Korat on a switch off with Elder Blood, who I first met in the MTC. He came to country about a month after I did, so it was really cool to spend a day with him and see how he is doing. This Elder is solid and is a very social man; he loves talking to people, so we used that skill and decided to talk with everyone we could. We visited a bunch of members and shared the message of Christmas with them. I love asking people what is the meaning of Christmas? Or what is the best gift you could ever receive? And after that asking them how is Jesus Christ a gift in your life? Or what role does He play in your life? I'm truly grateful for my Heavenly Father who gave his Son to us to be our Savior and Redeemer. I'm grateful for Jesus Christ that he did everything for me and allows me to return back to my Heavenly Father again.

On Friday, I was in Sisaket and I switched off with Elder Cruz. I got to interview another lady for baptism who just got baptized yesterday! We basically did the same thing in Sisaket and visited some Less Active members and got them excited for this Christmas season.

Lastly, on Saturday I was in Bangkok and I switched off with the Assistants. I switched off with Elder Sumsion who goes home in less than 2 months. He is a very talented guy and way humble about it too. He is by far the best Thai speaker on the mission, it is literally insane. But, what I learned from him is the importance of getting less active more involved in missionary work. We had an appointment with this one less active named เจดน์ (jade), and we got to show him a Christmas video. He felt uplifted and bore his testimony of the Savior. We were so impressed that we asked him to come with us to our next appointment and share his testimony again. He agreed and brought such a strong spirit with him into the next lesson!

We got back to Roi Et on Sunday morning, showered, and then immediately went to church! I have had absolutely 0 breaks this weeks haha. But, we had a miracle at church this week with one of the people we are teaching. We have been teaching this guy named Ping (ปิง) for a long time (he has been am investigator for about 2 years). He has been to church a billion times, received the missionary lessons all the way through 4 times, and has wanted to be baptized for such a long time. However, he is 17 and he told us that his mom didn't give him permission to be baptized. That changed today when she walked into the church and my companion and I got to meet her for the first time. We gave her a church tour with another member at our side and she immediately gave permission for her son to be baptized. I'm honestly so excited for him and his eternal progression. He is set to be baptized on Sunday, December 22nd, which is in 2 weeks! Yayyy!

Again so sorry this was so long, but I just have felt so blessed this week. I love you all so much and I hope everyone is doing good. I invite you all to remember the true meaning of Christmas this Christmas season. Take some time to think of all the things that your Savior has done does you!! Trust me there's a lot.

Love,
Elder Lowe
เอ็ลเดอร์โลว์

PUPPIES!

On the Road again!

Christmas Tree in Thailand!

Week 71: Saving one City at a time

It's been another crazy week in Thailand and I love being here. Unfortunately, I haven't been in my area like the entire week besides Sunday. 

On Tuesday night we traveled to Bangkok for MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference) on Wednesday. It's been one of those weeks where I literally got no sleep because I was on buses or trains over night. Also the AC in my room has been broken for the last week and now what I know what it's like to sweat all night. Shoutout to the missionaries in the Philippines! 

MLC was awesome and we talked about the impact we can have on Thailand through social media. We also talked about the importance of following spiritual promptings in all circumstances. After MLC we traveled to Ubon all night for a switch off the next day. 

I switched off with Elder Jensen on Thursday and we taught some really cool people. We taught this one guy named Winay who isn't ready for baptism because he won't give up smoking. Me and my companion ready in 2 Nephi 32 and talked a little bold with him about what he needs to do to be baptized. We made a schedule for him to quit smoking by next month. The lesson was full of the spirit and I'm excited to hear how he progresses in the near future. 

On Friday the entire zone came to Ubon to help clean up the floods from the month before. We literally had 20ish missionaries cleaning the floods up and building roofs, cleaning houses, and pretty much re-boosting the people's lives there. Service is so important and I learned so much about selfless service where we receive absolutely nothing in return. 

I have no time this week and my phone is about to die. love you all!!!

Buddhist Temples are amazingly beautiful.

Travel to Austin

Thursday Mark and I drove - me leading the way but staying at 75 or below the whole time so that Mark can stay with me (truck speed limit is 75).  We made it to Little Rock, AR where we stayed the night at a Fairfield Inn.  The roads are super crazy here.  You have to take access roads that parallel the interstate and then loop around to something on the other side.  It was very confusing at first.

We checked into the hotel and then went out to dinner.  It was nice to get a good night sleep before driving the next day.

The next morning we loaded up and continued to Austin.  We went through Texarkana, Dallas, Waco, and then down to Austin - all on Interstate 35.  Mark and I stayed close together.  We stopped in Texarkana for lunch at Shlotzski's.  I had cinnamon buns and he had a nice sandwich - delicious. 

Six more hours to go!  Dallas was crowded, Waco had construction (we got gas there) and saw Baylor college.  Next stop - Home!! 

We pulled into the driveway and the keys were there (in the electrical box) waiting for us.  I showed Mark our new house.  He didn't seem very excited, but he liked that it didn't cost much (oh well). 

I made a phone call to Elizabeth Loderup; she had organized for the EQ to come help us unload, but we really didn't have that much.  When she and her husband arrived to help, Morten - her husband -  saw that there wasn't much and canceled every one else that was coming to help.  It was so fun getting to know Elizabeth and Morton.  They were so kind and invited us to stay the night with them.

I was leaving the next morning to travel to Seattle, so it was nice to have a real bed to sleep in, instead of the air mattress we packed (which we later found out had a leak). 

We had an enjoyable evening with them.  Mark went to church the next morning after driving me to the airport.  I'll be back in Austin later this week.

Week 9: Travel to Thailand

We got to talk to Robert on the phone because today was the day he flew from Salt Lake City, to Los Angeles to Hong Kong, to Bangkok.

There wasn't an email this week.

He is very excited to leave the MTC and go to Thailand.  He made great friends in the MTC.  Thailand will be a whole new experience for him.

Week 98 - Family History

I got my departure papers :( this week.  It tells me when I get home and it gives me all my airplane info.

We had a really good week.   Lots of good stories that I don’t have time to share.  Things are going really good hopefully at the end of the month we will have 6 investigators.  

I did some family history this week found a name and I am excited to take it to the temple.  

gtg … See you next week

I'm Going to the Philippines!!!

I'm so excited!!!

I was at work on Tuesday and noticed that air fairs to the Philippines were going up by $500 dollars.  I called Mark to see if we should book now.  Normally we wouldn't book this far out, but we can't afford for them to continue to rise.

I booked our tickets!!!! 

We are going!!! 

I'm so excited!!!!

Mark from Brazil

Mark left for Brazil on Sunday, Mother's Day.  He was so happy to be able to SKYPE with Jessica before he left for Brazil.

He was gone all week.  He had to miss Regionals and Robert's game.

While he was there he had to avoid all the the boycotts and riots protesting the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.  They are bulldozing houses to build stadiums. 

He came back on Saturday around 12:00 pm  It is great to have him back.  It's been a long week managing all the chores, activities and Marissa's sickness.

There just isn't enough time in a day.  I don't know how others do it.

Mark's Trip to Dallas

Mark left on Monday morning for Dallas.  He knew he would be gone for Betsy's birthday.

It was a long busy week for him.  He was gone Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

He arrived back home Thursday at midnight.

taking Jessica to BYU

On August 24, 2011 Jessica and I flew to SLC to take Jessica to Provo, UT to attend BYU.  It's been a long awaited arrival to the college of her choice!  She's a little scare and very excited!  I am too.  This is the view from her plane window of the Great Salt Lake as we approached SLC.  There was so preparation that had to go into this so the following is an account of this week…

You know how I've been dreading the time that I would have to say goodbye to Jessica as she prepares to leave for college - well, those days have now come to face me square in the face.  This past week I have packed, traveled and left her at college - some 2000 miles away.  I thought it would be terrible, that it would be like ripping out part of my own heart.  How could I go on?  How could I pass her room every night without saying "good night" to her?

It's hard to believe but I not only survived leaving her at college, but I am thrilled for her to have this opportunity.  It didn't all happen at once.  It went like this …

Day 1-Monday:  I reminded her she needed to be packing just about everything she wanted to have with her for the next four months.  Suitcases, six of them, came up from the basement and were scattered all around her room and mine.  She packed up all the winter clothing - one down, five to go.  Slowly but surely she made progress.

Day 2-Tuesday:  She met with friends and then we finished packing - thanks to space saver bags. (which took forever).  Reality starts to hit home.  Little sister is crying - I comfort her, she is crying, I comfort her.  It was a wonderful talk, the right time and the right words.  I really want to thank my Heavenly Father for guiding me.

Day 3-Wednesday:  We load the suitcases into the van.  The family eats breakfast out together and then drives the younger kids to school.  We say our goodbyes there before dad drives us to the airport.  It was very hard for her dad to say goodbye.  Streams of tears came down his face, eyes redder then ever.  We flew out together. 

We arrived at BYU.  Check in.  Go to the room.  It's so exciting!!!  We haul the six huge suitcases up the three flights of stairs and stair at the blank room.  Where to begin?  Well, in reality we are both so excited to start decorating her room and getting her settled in.  She's scared but excited too.  Things get unpacked and a shopping list is created.  I'm in the zone - let's get this done.  We head out for dinner and for supplies.  Oh, My, goodness.  $480 later we come back from Target with everything she could possibly need.  She's set - the rest is on her.  We start in filling drawers, hanging up clothes, and arranging the big items.  Everything is done except for the two things that require a screwdriver - who knew.  We will have to borrow that from someone.  It's late.  She's decided to sleep in her dorm.  I head to my hotel room.  She loves her room and feels very good about being there.  I have no worries yet.

the view out her window:  hint hint

all set:  cutest dorm room on campus

Jenny finally arrives

Day 4-Thursday:  It's orientation day.  I meet her at her dorm along with Jenny and part of her family (friends of the family).  We walk over to check in together.  The students go off to their groups and the parents head in the direction they are to go - to the big conference center.  At the conference center it hits me - THIS IS THE BIG MOMENT.  I realize I am (in a day or two) just leave her here - alone - no family.  Her and the big campus.  Tears roll down my face.  I can't believe I can just leave her - how can I.  How terrible.   Reality is setting in - Mark faced it a day before, but now I, the one that was strong for everyone else, am alone to face my biggest challenge.  I go all day without seeing her or even hearing from her.  She's made new friends and is enjoying her orientation.  Reality is choking me and I miss her more with every passing minute.

BYU Cheerleaders at pep rally

We meet for dinner with Sandra, Darrin, Jenny, and Hannah.  What a great time.  That night they had a special celebration entitled "Tradition of Honor" which was all about the Honor Code at BYU and staying true to it!  I am so glad Jessica will be at a school that honors her values and morals.  Next is when it really hit me for the second time in one day.  Jessica, unknowingly really broke my heart.  After the "Tradition of Honor" the Freshmen were directed to the Football Stadium to have their Freshman Class Picture taken in the shape of a Y.  It is the first time they have ever done this.  We were all so excited to go (parents too) until Jessica said, "Are you going?" - emphasis on the Are YOU.  Here I've just spent $850 to fly us out, $457 on hotels to stay, $480 at Target for her supplies and I only have specific times that we can spend time together (Jessica has orientation all day tomorrow as well), and she doesn't even want to spend time together.  Wow - a dagger straight through the heart.  I am happy that she's made friends and wants to be with them, but what hurt is that she doesn't realize she has the whole semester/year to be with them and I've sacrificed a lot to be able to have these last 4 days with her.  I let her go off, but I too go to the stadium to get photos.  It was quite spectacular.  I'd never been to the BYU stadium.  It's a thrill.  That was it for the night - I went back to the hotel around 10:30.

BYU Dance team

Freshman class;  Jessica is in the middle

Day 5-Friday:  Jessica has orientation so I enjoy my morning.  I take a 5k jog, went grocery shopping for Jessica and then meet Sandra and her sister for lunch.  We share about our experiences.  I then go off to meet my niece Ali (Alex) Hodge at her apartment.  We drive over to the hotel to find my sister, Sandy and her fiance', Chris and two boys Hunter and Riker checking in.  Perfect timing.  We spend the afternoon together before I leave to pick up Jessica for dinner.  Now, I'm still feeling very removed from her life, but the reality that "this is what is supposed to be" is sinking in and I conclude that it doesn't matter how much time I have with her, as long as I make it the best.  We have a wonderful time with Sandy, Chris, Ali and her boyfriend - Chris, and the two cousins Jessica has never met - Hunter and Riker at Texas Roadhouse.

Day 6-Saturday:  This is my last full day in Provo.  Jessica works out in the morning at the field house with her friends so I get my 5k jog in again.  Feels great, but the air is thin.  I pick Jessica up at 11:45 so we can meet up with some of her other cousins.  I want to make sure Jessica knows that she has family close by.  At noon we visit Shannon (Weaver) now Pope and her new husband Nick.  They were married just 3 weeks prior.  They live just 6 blocks from Jessica's dorm.  Then we met Sandy and the crew for lunch before they headed back to Seattle.  It was great to see her and Ali!  Ali let us borrow a screwdriver so I put up Jessica's drapes and constructed her night stand (it took a whole 15 minutes).  We left Provo around 5:00 to meet Jessica's Uncle Alan and Aunt Laurel with Kaeloni and Mikayla for dinner.  It was so great to see them.  Alan and Jessica were very close when Jessica was a young girl (before moving to England).  It's great to know she has family close by!  We then drove as fast as we could back to campus so Jessica could attend the "Orientation Party and Dance" that started at 8:00.  I told her I had to be at the airport by 9:00 so I was going to say my goodbyes tonight.  She asked me to come back after the party so she wouldn't be crying before.  I said that would be fine.  I went back to the hotel until 10:45 and then drove out in the rain.  I texted Jessica and offered to pick her up since it was raining and she was walking but she said she would walk back.  THIS IS WHERE IT GETS SAD.  So, I go up to her room and wait in the hallway at 11:00, knowing it will take some time to get back but she should be there soon.  11:15 - no Jessica.  I text her - no answer.  11:30 - no Jessica.  I text her.  no answer.  11:45 - I decide she decided it was more fun to be with friends than to say goodbye to her mom.  I'm very sad, crying really.  I text her one more time saying that I had waited 45 minutes and really wanted to say goodbye but needed to get going.  She finally texted me back and said she was on her way.  I was so sad.  It truly felt that it was more important for her to be with her new friends than it was for her to say goodbye to me.   I just couldn't believe it.  I mean I'm happy that she truly seems well adjusted - at least I don't feel the need to worry about her, but really, to forget about saying goodbye to your mother.  Ouch!!!Well, she rushed over and we talked.  Her friends showed up needing a ride back to their place so Jessica and I gave Amanda a ride.  We then had a chance to talk, hug and say goodbye before she turned to go back in her dorm.  Honestly, I cried because I'm so proud of her and will miss her so much, but I wasn't sad (like I thought I'd be).  I'm really happy for her and know she is all set.  She's prepared, she's got a great schedule, great roommate, new friends, and seems to feel comfortable!  What more could I ask for (except that the college not be 2000 miles away).  Love her!  Miss her! Trust her!  Admire her!  Respect her!  and most of all Happy that she is confident, happy and ready for this next step in her life!