Mark and Betsy go to Thailand

30 years in the making - Mark and Betsy finally get to go to Thailand.



Mark has wanted to go to Thailand since we got married, but we wanted to wait until after our kids were grown so that we would not miss any of their activities. 

Just to get out the door was a challenge.

Mark had been in Guadalajara since Monday and was due back into Louisville Thursday mid afternoon, but they had plane trouble and he got stuck in Mexico.  With a prayer and good luck he was able to make it out, then to Houston and on to Louisville arriving around midnight. 

We left for Thailand at 4:35 AM.  Flights from Louisville to Chicago, to Shanghai to Bangkok.  It was a super super long flight, and Betsy was squished between Mark and another guy for the 15 hour flight from Chicago to Shanghai - yuck. 

Hanging out in the United VIP Lounge in Chicago while we wait for our next flight

Shanghai Airport!

Landed in Bangkok!!  YIPEE!!

We arrived in Bangkok around 11:35 PM and it took about an hour to travel via taxi through Bangkok to get our hotel.  We stayed at the Riva Aron.  It was a nice small hotel with a restaurant on the roof.  It was right in the King's Palace district.

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

So amazing.

After arriving at the hotel, Mark was so excited to take his first shower in Thailand, even though he lived there for 18 months on his mission, that night was his first shower.

IT was a very small, but excellent room.  It met our needs as we knew we would not be in the room much.  We tried to get a good night's sleep, but really couldn't, so we got up and ready for our first Sunday in Thailand.

We had a delicious Thai breakfast on the roof of the hotel overlooking the River Aron and Wat Arun Temple.  Our hotel is practically next to Wat Pho Temple.  

The view with Wat Pho in the back ground - it's that close

The little street to our hotel

Wat Arun

River Boat

We took a taxi to the Asoke chapel.  Mark attended Church here in his last area.  It was Stake Conference, President Johnson (a missionary from when Mark served his mission is the Mission President).  We had a wonderful visit catching up with him and his wife.  After church we walked over to the Thailand Distribution Center and Mission office.  It's a grand building.  Many speculate that the new Thailand temple will be built there because of it's convenient access to public transportation. 

Monument Circle at night

At the Asoke Building

Distribution center and future site of the Thailand Temple

 From there we travel back via taxi to the monument center, enjoy a diet coke at McDonald's and then walk to find Mark's apartment from his mission.  He went straight way to it... no problems.  

Streets conjested

Tuk Tuk

Monument Circle

Yeah - Diet Coke

Mark at his last apartment in Bangkok, 33 years ago

From there we toured the Kings' Crematorium

And then to Wat Pho

That evening we met with Jern Jern.  She came to our hotel with her sister.  We enjoyed dinner at the nearby restaurant - we ate on the roof with a magnificent view of the Wat Arun across the river.

Jern Jern and her sister

Week 75 - my last transfer

So today is transfer day...and I get to stay with Sister Coakley!! 

Hallelujah! Also today is P-day! So that's why I'm writing to you now:) also this will be my last transfer in the mission:((((( crazy how fast it's gone.

So highlights of the week:

IT SNOWED!!! Which means it's getting super cold!!! But I love the snow:)))

Funny story: we were walking on the highway (the only way to get to our appointment) and it was dark and late at night and raining... and a car drove past us and literally it was like the movies. A big wave of water just splashed us and soaked us, haha. It was pretty hilarious but super cold, good thing we only had like 20 minutes till we went home.

We had a lot of Fourth four last door experiences this week... which means we would tract all day with no success and when we were about to turn back we would knock one last door and we would find someone interested. We found Marco, Casey, Brooke, Cindy and Armarndo (who now is on date for baptism for December 2nd!!!)

Tyler (recent convert) bore his testimony in sacrament and is getting his temple recommend soon!!! So excited for him:) We still had some rough patches this week with people cancelling or rescheduling on us but God still provides miracles despite the hard times.

This week in ADTM I had to give a training on the prayer of faith. This week I've been really working on strengthening my prayers with my Heavenly Father. I spend 15 to 20 minutes in the morning on my knees talking to my Heavenly Father. I've really seen this help me throughout the day even when we aren't having success. Prayer is a defining moment. It is the moment the world stops around you. You have the attention of the most powerful being in the whole universe.

He is listening intently to you and is waiting to answer you. Im so grateful for the conversations I get to have daily with Heavenly Father:)

Love you all!

Sister Lowe

1-2. MLC

 3. The Elders carved pumpkins for us and left them at our door... itsays KFC YALL! 😂

4-5. Return and report, got to see Schultz!!!

Marissa and Sister Schultz

6-7. Tracting pics... I had to wear my glassss cause my contacts were acting up:/

8. PROOF OF SNOW!! Sorry for the selfie but I had to get it on camera

 10. Newbury... I lived in Newbury England when I was little so I had to take a pic:)

11.  After District meeting

Pathway Connect program and callings

In early November, Mark and I were called into a meeting with President Blair.  It was right after the Harmony Branch was dissolved and there was much speculation and uncertainty about how Harmony Branch people would be absorbed into the Crestwood 1st ward.

Mark and I were extended a calling to serve as Stake Missionaries for the Pathway Connect Program.  We were both surprised.  Pathway Connect is new to this area and we would be the first missionaries to head up the program.  We would be teamed up with another missionary couple from the New Albany stake. 

There is so much to learn and so much to do, because they want the Pathway Program to start in January.  Wow, Mark and I are going to be gone for almost the whole month of November, then I am having surgery on my knee, then Christmas and the kids home ... it will be a busy December.

So, right now, Mark and I are missionaries too!!! 

We are excited about our new callings!!!