Great Wolf Lodge

Mark and Betsy decided to treat everyone to a trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  It is a resort facility with a water park inside the hotel.  We had to squish 6 people into one hotel room which was a little awkward with Jessica and Tate being married and Marissa and Robert being teenagers, but we all came to an agreement - Jessica and Tate had the pull out, Robert was with Mark, Betsy was with Marissa.    

Traffic was terrible so we didn't get there until 4:00 pm.  As soon as we were there we changed into our swim suits and headed to the water park.  Marissa had been there before, but none of the rest of us had.  We immediately went to the slides - they had several to choose from.  Marissa used her GOPRO camera to take amazing action shots while going threw the slides and tunnels.  

We all had a great time!  About 1/2 way through the night Betsy ordered pizzas and drinks.  We ate by the pool, then Jessica, Tate, Mark and Robert played water basketball while Marissa and Mommy did more slides and water activities.

The next morning we had Dunkin Donuts in the room and enjoyed the day!

Devon - Week 79 - Christmas Letter

Hey Guys I hope that you guys are having a great Christmas.  It is a wonderful time of the year.  Christmas basically means more Christ.  It is a time to give.  We meet a lot of people this last week.  One person had God give them a dream.  It was a crazy dream and I felt the spirit testify that what they saw was from God.  There are miracles all around us.  

We asked the Johnson to pray for a baptism date and they said they would.  I wish I could tell you more.  

I Love you guys.

I hope that you guys will have a great Christmas this year.  I know I will because this Christmas I am spending it with Jesus Christ. :)

Pre-Christmas Activities

We are SO SO happy to have Jessica, Tate and Marissa home for Christmas!  They are so funny!

Betsy decided to wait on decorating the Christmas Tree so that everyone could be here.  Everyone joined in and it was great fun - even Tate.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Presents galore

 Betsy added the presents - it's going to be a crazy Christmas.

On Sunday, Betsy, Jessica and Tate went to the Shawnee Branch were Betsy did sharing time and Tate and Jessica served in the Nursery together.  Betsy brought her Nativity Costumes and we had all the Primary kids dress up and act out the Nativity for the Relief Society Sister.  It was a very blessed day!

The same evening we went to the Friendship Mannor to sing Christmas Carols to the men and women that live there.  It was a great time.  I led the men, women and children down the halls. We sang carol after carol.  The spirit was so strong.  So many of our friends were there:  Theiss, Larsons, Hills, Lowe, Days, Gosnells and the missionaries.  What a great way to spend a Sunday evening.

While Betsy was in Shawnee, Mark, Marissa and Robert went to Harmony.  It was so cute - the branch president realized both his counselors wore sweater vests (and he didn't) so he took this great photo of Stock Longhurst and Mark. 

Jessica and Tate and Marissa arrive home

We got to the airport just as the kids were coming to the baggage area!  Their flight got in a few minutes early and we were running a few minutes late (my fault).  It was so so so so wonderful to have them home for Christmas!  

We were so excited to see them, hug them and never let go ... okay we had to let go.  We got their luggage and loaded up the van.  On the way home we took them to Chuy's restaurant.  It's become a tradition when Tate and Jessica come to town since Mark loves Mexican food and Tate served his mission in a Mexican speaking area, Arizona. 

We are so excited to have the kids home for Christmas!!!  It's so exciting.

Ward party - JESUS is the GREATEST GIFT

Betsy was so excited she had the opportunity to be of service by decorating for the ward party, however it came at a very busy time.

Mark volunteered me while I was away in Atlanta with Robert.  Unfortunately he forgot I was away that weekend, then I was busy with the Festival of Nativities the next weekend, and then the next DAY after the party was the DAY Tate, Jessica and Marissa came home, so literally I was squeezing it into an already hectic schedule.

12/5 & 12/6 - Atlanta
12/10 & 12/11 - Festival of Nativities
12/18 - Ward Party
12/ 19 - Tate, Jessica and Marissa arrive home!!!

So much to do, so much planning with so little time.  The first thing was to determine the theme and the budget.  Finding out that there was little to no budget really put a damper on the decoration plans.

I ended up going with "JESUS is the GREATEST GIFT" and did Red, Green and white as the colors.  I asked Becca Robison if she could help me.  We met up at the church around 2:00 to decorate.  The men came around 4:00 to set up tables.  We worked and worked - tables, table clothes, chairs, center pieces, balloons, wall decorations, food table decorations, etc.

I also brought all the kids costumes for the Primary's Nativity performance.  So cute!!!!

Camille Robison

Vicki and her girls, Meg and Molly

Jennifer Dobson and her younger two kids

Rosi McCall and Linda Wakild

Bishop and Susan Hill

Camille Stevens and Conner

The Powell Family

David and Becca Robison with Ivy (she's so cute)

The primary children in my costumes

Robert got a job

On Tuesday Robert interviewed at Tinseltown. On Thursday they asked Robert to come back for a second interview. On Friday Robert was hired. Robert now is the fourth child to work at Tinseltown from the Lowe home.   We are so proud of him. He will start work Monday and Tuesday training and then his first shift will be this weekend with the Star Wars Premier.

Festival of Nativities

On December 10th and 11th our stake hosted the 5th annual Festival of Nativities.  Betsy provided the costumes for the live nativity (3 wise men, Mary, Joseph, 4 shepherds, and 4 angels).

She also provided costumes from child to adult size for the photo room.  We had a beautiful backdrop of a manger.  Families came in every 5 minutes for photos.  It was so fun dressing everyone up.  

Betsy turns in her two week notice

On December 11 Betsy spoke to Steve Button and Rick Huckvale about quitting her job.  She has decided to go back to college in January to finish her bachelor degree in Business Administration!! She will attend Sullivan University - a privately owned university here in Louisville.

Week 77 -

Marissa and Ryan our some of the investigators that we are working with.  The previous missionaries tracked into them and started teaching them.  We have stared to teach them and help them progress towards the savior.  We had to extend their baptism date because they were not ready.  As we have taught the doctrine of Christ Marissa has followed the commitments and is much closer to baptism than Ryan who has struggled to keep some of the commitments.  We have the date set for the 19 of December.  We are confident that Marissa will be baptized on that date, Ryan on the other hand might be baptized the next year but we feel like he will be baptized. 

Long story short about the Dog because I don’t have time.  You guys remember Beethoven.  Well, Beethoven's got a bigger brother who chased us for a little while.  It made my heart jump to see something so big chase us but it was really funny as well.

Devon as a trainer to Elder Woods, with Mission President Windor and his wife

Elder Wood and I are getting along good.  Sometimes He is quite even in lessons.  I think he needs more confidence.  He is a great missionary and will become even better.

Championship game of the tournament

 Because the boys had won both their games on Saturday and tied the game this morning they advanced to the championship game this afternoon at 2:30 PM. The game actually started about 10 minutes early.  Robert started at left-wing again and played very aggressively. He was open when I needed to be open and on his man when it came to defense. Everyone played very well. However, we have a foul in the first five minutes of the game and they gave Pimedo a free kick that went through our goalies hands.  1-0

About 10 minutes after that there was a corner kick that was bobbled around and the goalie accidentally tipped it into our goal. The score is now 2 to 0.  Such a bummer both were very preventable goals.

The worst was the third goal that was scored against us because the goalie didn't even move for it. I think he thought it was outside of the call but it was right inside the goalpost. We are down 3 to  0 at halftime.

Nick comes in as our goalie for the second half. The boys are playing very strong and we are attacking the goal.  we must have shot after shot after shot or so it seems. However on one drive where we are attacking their goal it is deflected while our defense is up. No one is back to defend the goal. Michael Raybine rushes back but they get the shot off just before he can defend it and it gets passed our goalie. The score is 4 to 0. We continue to attack their goal but all of our shots are caught or deflected by their goalie. The game and a loss 4 to 0.

It was interesting to find out after the game that this team had zero goals scored on them the whole tournament. They have a very good goalie. Our boys did fantastic. They were a finalist in a very competitive showcase tournament. Congratulations to the OSC boys soccer team

The third Game is against Chelsea 99

The third game of the tournament was at 9:30 AM at the same fields against a team call Chelsea 99.  We had heard that this team lost 6 to 0 against the team we beat 2 to 0 so everyone was kind of counting on it being a sure win.  Right off the bat it look like it was going to be a blowout. Morgan Mendoza scored very quickly. Later in the first half, we scored off a corner kick from Robert Lowe to Scott Strait scored. The score is now 2 to 0.

I can't remember if it was in the first half or the second half but Chelsea came back and scored on a easy kick making the score 2 to 1.  Within five minutes after that they scored again on another easy kick that we should've had. The final score of the game was tie 2-2.

This game should have been a 4-0 win, but we will take the tie and advance to the Championship Round!

How exciting!!!  Congrats OSC!!!

Downtime while in Atlanta

In between the two games the boys went to Dave and busters. Dave and busters is a fun entertainment place with a very nice restaurant. After having a delicious lunch the boys were able to play video and arcade games.  This was a great way to pass the time between a 9:30 AM game and a 5 PM game.

After our second game Robert and I got pizza hut pizza and breadsticks and took them back to the hotel. Everyone just got whatever they wanted and then we ate together there. After dinner the boys went and played in the pool for a while. Around 9:30 Robert came back to the room to do homework.

Second game at Norcross tournament

The second game of the day was at 5 o'clock. We thought it would be warmer but it was actually much colder. Robert started on the left wing. The boys quickly learned that this team was much faster than the first team we played. The Game was very physical. Robert had three shots but they have a very good goalie.  At the end of halftime and many attempts, it was still 0 to 0.

In the second half Robert started in the same position.  At various times throughout the game, he moves Robert to mid, and then back.  I think he is trying him out in different positions.  David Marshall scored on a free kick just outside the box. Later in the game Aaron Green scored on a nice drive.

The game ended a win 2 - 0!!!

Norcross tournament first game against UFA

I got Robert out of school at 2:30 PM on Friday afternoon for our long drive to Atlanta Georgia. We arrived at the hotel around 9 PM and settle down. Robert found his friends and enjoy the pool. The next morning our game was at 9:30 against UFA. Robert is excited to be on his new team. Robert started as the left wing.  Right off the bat we scored a goal,  it was an own goal. Robert got off to a great start by scoring the second fairly quick in the game. 

Robert's first game with his new team

Half time was 2 to 0. Robert started the second half and scored the third goal of the game right inside the goal box!  It was an exciting goal.  It's now 3-0!  However, shortly after that, UFA scored back to back goals when our second goalie came into play. Time to get serious again and the boys did. Robert came back with his third goal giving him a hat trick. The final score of the game was 4 to 2.  

starting left wing

the scoring shot

back of the net

celebration

look at the change in just 2 years

Thanksgiving in Hilton Head with Betsy's Dad and Alison

For several weeks now I've been looking forward to spending Thanksgiving break in Hilton Head Island with Mark, Robert and my parents. We left on Tuesday night and spend the night in Knoxville. We continued our trip the next day and arrived at Hilton Head Island around dinner time. We stayed at the Marriott resort in the Sea Pines Resort on the island.  We had dinner with Dad and Alison at CQ's - a very nice seafood restaurant right on the harbor.  We stayed up late talking and getting reacquainted with each other.  After Dad and Alison went to bed, Robert, Mark and I went down to the hot tub and pool to relax and unwind.  It was so nice to be in Hilton Head.  The weather is amazingly warm - 70 degrees.  Perfect!!!

The next day, another perfect day, I went for a 5 mile run and Mark worked out at the facility. Robert slept in; fun!  I wanted to sleep in but couldn't sleep.  We all enjoyed corn hole and other games during the day before our Thanksgiving feast at 5 o'clock. It was a suit and tie occasion!  My dad made reservations for us at the Top Deck. We had a Thanksgiving feast while watching the sunset on the harbor of Hilton Head. Our dinner consisted of a delicious salad (Robert had seafood bisque), Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Pecan pie for dessert. We took a walk around the pier after dinner and then went back to the condo to talk about family history.

After my parents went to bed Mark, Robert and I enjoyed relaxing in the hot tub!  We need one of these at home (haha).

Robert, Mark and I decided to leave Saturday around 10:30 AM so that we could get a good start to our drive back home. It is about 11 Hour Drive, But it was worth it to spend time with my parents.

Card from Dixie Grant

A card arrived in the mail addressed to Betsy Lowe from Dixie Grant...  I wondered who was sending something to me... it read ...

Betsy,
What a fine young man is Elder Lowe!  So very polite and so very helpful!  He did several service jobs for me which I really did appreciate as I am a senior citizen.
His visits were always very interesting.  You can be so very proud of him!

Have a great day!
Dixie Grant

How sweet is that - that she would take the time to not only think of me, but the hand write a card and mail it to me.  This touched my heart so much!!!

Letter from Peterson's

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lowe and Mrs. Ray:

Your sons have been very generous in volunteering their strong arms to help my wife and I build a fence on the corner of our property.  On 16 Oct 2015, they (with two other young men on their Mormon missions) dug post holes and pulled out some of the old fence.  This was a huge help for me, as digging holes like this is challenging for my chronologically-gifted arthritic shoulders.  A few days later they happened by our next door neighbor's house and saw me working on the fence.  They had finished volunteering their help to someone else and had a little time, so they pulled out a temporary fence I had put up, saving me time.  To thank these four young men for their help, we had the four boys over one morning for breakfast and made them the things they told us they missed.  Elder Ray missed breakfast burritos with jalapenos and Elder Lowe missed bacon.

Later that afternoon Elders Lowe and Ray came back and helped me mix concrete for the fence and pour it into the forms.  This was also help gratefully received, as I had strained my right shoulder cementing in some posts a few days before from lifting the bucket with concrete in it.  We got the work done in a couple of hours and they got to put their names in some 4 foot-long sections of concrete.  I have invited them to return in a few decades and show their children the names and dates they wrote while on their mission.  Yesterday, they returned and mixed and poured the cement for the last part of the fence.  They now are confident in mixing concrete, pouring it into forms, and finishing it with a trowel and edging tool.  They'll probably make use of such skills later when they own their own homes.

Elder Lowe earlier admitted to me that he is not trustworthy around bacon (I have the same character flaw).  As the boys were leaving our house from the breakfast, my wife chuckled and commented to me that she saw Elder Lowe lag behind and go back to the dining table and eat the last three pieces of bacon.  When they were in front of the house, I opened the kitchen window and asked them, "Mr. Lowe, did you steal the last three pieces of bacon?"  In an absolutely priceless moment, he stood there like a deer in the headlights and couldn't say anything.  We all got a good chuckle from his reaction; I hope by now he realizes that we were just teasing him (the boys did so much work that I can't do that I'd have made them another pound of bacon if they wanted it).

Thank you for raising such wonderful young men and giving them your values. My wife and I would be proud to call them our own sons and we think the world of both of them.  Their generosity and selfless help have made them our friends for life.  I've asked them to ask us for anything they need and we'll look out for them as best we can as if they were our own boys.

Don and Glenda Peterson
Boise, ID

Devon - Week 76 - Temple

Many people last week asked us if they could reschedule for next week.  Therefore, last week Elder Wood and I had fun contacting people.  We had great experiences changing some people hearts as we bared our testimony and as they invited us back.

This last week I got a call which said that the Terry's were going to be sealed November 27 at 11 am and that I was invited to attend with them.  I was filled with Joy that the Terry's remembered me and invited me to come.  I had helped the Terry's become reactivated in my first area and I also helped them move out of the Ward.  Apparently they became less active again :( in their new ward and then got reactivated and made steps toward getting sealed in the Temple. They told us to get there around 10:30.  We thought there would be a lot of traffic for Black Friday Shopping but there was not, so we were the first people to the sealing.  We saw the parents get sealed and then we saw the children get sealed to the parents.  I don’t think I have ever seen so many people cry for joy in a place before. The spirit was so strong there and I got to say hi to the whole family.  The whole event made my year. 

I had my first Dog story of my mission.   We were trying to contact John Trydaleand as we approach the house we see a huge saint Barnard laying down on the driveway which we later nicknamed   Kujo.  I will tell you next week!

Week 75 - Save Kid - Sprained Wrist

I have had a crazy week this week.  Last Sunday on the way to church there was a kid lying on the ground that was unresponsive with the paramedics and member trying to help him.  When we arrived on the scene a member asked us if we knew the kid and where the kid lived.  We knew where he lived and with a member and fireman when to the house and told the Mom what had happened.  The day before that I saw the kid and I had a feeling that he was not alright and I was about to ask him how he felt but we had to leave because we were going to be late to an appointment.  I know it was the Holy Ghost and I am glad it told me because it caused me to want to know where he lives.

Monday I was on exchanges with Elder Newbarth.  We had a blast and some spiritual moments.  We got to really help out a member that was struggling with their testimony. 

Tuesday I picked up Elder Wood who lives in Greenwood, Indiana.  That’s like less than 4 hour from where I live.  We got him a bike, went shopping etc.  Elder Wood and I have a similar personality. 

Wednesday had my first district meeting.  I was worried because I could not prepare as much as I wanted to but the spirit helped me and I know that they felt the spirit.   

Thursday I had a leadership meeting training me to be a great district leader.  

Friday I went on temporary exchanges with another companionship because one was sick and the other had bad cabin fever and wanted to get out and work. 

Saturday I rode my bike and went to go up a curve.  When my bike hit the curve it stopped my bike and I was flung to the ground and hit the cement hard.  I now have a sprained left wrist.  I didn’t know how much I use my left hand.  Good news is that it is healing fast but I will be walking a lot more.  

District Leaders Letter

Dear Elder Lowe,

Congratulations on your call to serve as a District Leader in the great Idaho Boise Mission.  Your faithfulness and contribution as a missionary has been exemplary and this calling is a further expression of the Lord's trust and confidence in you to bless, lead, and strengthen, those in the district to whom you have been called.

As a District Leader, you must be exemplary in every area of missionary service.  You  must show absolute loyalty to the Lord and to your mission leaders.  You must continue to keep all the mission rules and encourage the same from all of those within your stewardship.  It will be your responsibility to help your missionaries set and reach their goals.  You must work hand in hand with local leaders to develop trust and confidence.

District Leaders have the responsibility to successfully "lead" their respective District towards excellence in all areas of missionary work.  You must love and reach out to every missionary within your stewardship, set expectations and account-abilities, and produce results that support the goals and vision of the entire mission.  Be sure to plan effective District  meetings that meet the needs of missionaries in your district.

Work hard, be diligent and ask the Lord for revelation as you lead out in your District.  I know He will bless you in this important responsibility.

Sincerely,

President John Q. Winder
Idaho Boise Mission President

Soccer Banquet

That and OHS boys soccer banquet was held on Wednesday, November 18 at the hunting Creek country club. Unfortunately there was a very bad fatal accident on the road prior to the event which made getting there very complicated. Luckily we were able to get there and enjoy a beautiful evening. Betsy was presented with flowers from the N0HS a boys.  That was so very nice. She was also presented with a poinsettia from the coaches for all her volunteer work during senior week.

Robert was presented with his second varsity letter actually has pin and he had a wonderful evening with his friends. Many of them play together on a rec team called FC Creasy.  Several of them also play together on the 0SC soccer club. Playing together off-season is really going to help them their senior year.

Letter from Devon's Mission President

Dear Elder Lowe,

We are so pleased with your call to serve as a Trainer in our Idaho Boise Mission.  Your dedication, obedience, success, and work ethic have made you worthy of this critical and important responsibility in the mission.

This is the most important calling any missionary will ever have.  Your influence on your new missionary will have a great deal to do with the eventual success of his mission.

As a Trainer, you must be exemplary in every area of missionary service.  You must be absolute in your observance and compliance to mission rules.  You must make effective use of personal and companion study time, and establish the skills, attributes work ethic, and other characteristics that help successful missionaries.  You must demonstrate absolute loyalty to the Lord and to your mission leaders.  

You will make all of the difference in a new missionary's life.  I encourage you to display an extra measure of love, confidence, faith and patience during this training and development time.

Please know of my great admiration for you.  I know I can trust and depend on you making the very best of this sacred responsibility.

Sincerely yours,

President John Q. Winder

Idaho Boise Mission President

Week 74 - District Leader

Transfers just happened.  Elder Ray just got transferred to Boise East.  President Winder must either really Trust me or have a great scene of humor because I am now a District Leader, Trainer, and opening a new area.  

The holidays are coming up :)

Last transfer I was stressed because of all the unknown that I faced being a trainer and opening a new area.  This transfer I am doing a little bit more but I survived the last two transfers and had a great time with Elder Ray and really did great work. With that under my belt I am confident that I can face the challenges ahead of my with Heavenly Father's help.  I can’t tell you how much I really felt like Heavenly Father helping and strengthening Elder Ray and I.  We did our part and God did his part.

Devon - week 73

I have been reflecting on these last two transfers and have realized that Elder Ray and I have seen some hardship especially the first couple weeks of last transfer and this transfer.  However, we have been so blessed to see great miracles in our area.  1 baptism already and possibly 2 more on their way.  Our Zone Leaders have also noticed this and asked us last week what we have been doing to get these miracles.  We really didn't know what to say beside that it is all the Lords not us.  We are just trying to do our best.  The field really seems white and ready to harvest.   We really have built up member trust and because of it I think these two wards have been some of the most supporting wards on my mission.  I am really glad to have been Elder Ray companion.  He is still learning as a new missionary, but he has become a great missionary in the time that we have served together.  I love his zeal towards missionary work and his diligence.  

Elder James B Martino of the 70 visited our mission. I learned from Elder James B Martino and I am grateful that he could come to the mission.  He taught us about changing our hearts and coming closer to Christ.  He also encouraged us to use members in as much phases of the work because it would accelerate missionary work.  He used the example of Alma and Amuleck to teach that principle.  A week later we had Zone meeting and it was very spiritual as many missionaries bared there testimony about missionary work and their belief in Elder Martino promise.

Our investigators are doing awesome and are recent converts are doing even better.  Next week Eric is going to be called as Young Men's secretary and he was only baptized three weeks ago.  We have an investigator named Hope that should be baptized November 21.  It has been a good week for missionary work.  

Transfers are coming up soon and I think I am going to be transferred.

Week - no email from Devon :(

Robert Receives His Patriarchal Blessing

It was such a special Day!  Robert had prepared himself by prayer and fasting.

After Church Robert met with Patriarch Charles (he is from the Bardstown area).  After a very nice introduction about how Patriarchal Blessings came to be and the lines of linage, President Charles laid his hands upon Robert's head and gave him his blessing.

It was SO amazing!!!!  Robert has such generous and specific blessings that were pronounced upon him.  His blessing was so special.  I hope he always remembers this day and the special spirit that was present at the time of his blessing!

I'm so grateful for his faithfulness and love of the Gospel.  Robert is such a wonderful young man, destine to be a great leader.

So proud of you Robert