December 25,2012

Today we had the opportunity to Skype with Elder Lowder on Christmas day! At first we had a lot of difficulty because the internet in Mexico is very poor. The video feed and the audio were very poor. We finally gave up and called him on his landlords cell phone and continued to use the video feed provided by Skype. Our first impression is that he looks excellent. He has a bright countenance and a never ending smile. He spoke of how he misses us and the traditions we have as a family at Christmas, but that he was enjoying his Christmas there and the family he was celebrating it with, who have taken him in and treats him like another Son. We are extremely grateful to them. His accent is very thick and he struggles to remember English words. I asked him if he feels fluent and like he can speak all types of Spanish, conversational, slang and formal. He says that he can without difficulty. English is more challenging to him now. He told us of his many successes that he has had in his current area. We asked if he could share more about the specific people he is working with in his letters and he agreed to do so. He told us about a family that he got a referral for that when he and his companion went to their door, they were told that they were not interested in religion and slammed the door in their face. They went and saw some members who gave them a referral to the same family, so they went back. This time they were warned they would call the police if they returned. During a visit with the Bishop of his Ward, he asked them to go visit the same family. He told the Bishop of their experiences, but said if that is who he was inspired to send them to, they would go. They did and this time were invited in. They gave a very spiritual lesson and this family was baptized a week later and are now active members of their Ward. What a great blessing it is to have a Son on a mission who is magnifying his calling. Our Christmas was terrific, but mostly because of our Missionary of whom we are very proud.

December 17,2012

Hola Familia!! So I'm way excited for next week. I will Skype on Tuesday at 1 then! So this week was way tiring! I'm exhausted! But it went great. We baptized and everything. I'm very happy also that I have sister Mimi here to help me and to let me use and have a great Christmas! This week is going to be short and sweet because of time but I love you and miss you all!! I hope you guys are living the traditions and that they are making you feel as happy as I do when I do them! Elder Lowder

December 10, 2012

Hey Guys!, So this week was great! A bunch of work I’m exhausted! But I’m happy feeling exhausted. Everyday my companion and I are waking up at 6 to go and run and all that, so it’s good stuff. So this past week we didn’t baptize. But this week we have a family of 4 with baptismal date so that’s way exciting! We might be able to baptize 5 but we have to talk to a lady. So the other day I killed my first dog! I felt terrible! But what happened was my companion and I went running and we were on our way back home. While I was running there was a dog in the corner of the street. Well the dog didn’t see me coming and so when I got close to it I guess the dog got scared so it took off running into the middle of the street and a car hit the crap out of it! So I stopped running and I yelled, holy crap!!! I felt so bad! But anyway it was time for it to go. So I’m very excited for the Holiday season. I’m loving it and learning a lot about Jesus Christ! About the second coming, it’s for a member in my ward. But its not like I can read that book here because I don’t have it and I wouldn’t have any idea in where to find it. So if you can send me that info that would be great! I love you guys and miss you all and can’t wait to talk to you guys on Christmas! Elder Lowder

December 3, 2012

Hey Guys!! So this week was good. We baptized and we’re really happy about that. So I got your packages and i’m way excited about that!! hahaha. The tie is super sweet! So I’m exhausted because I was running around all week to help my district baptize as well and because today I started at 7 and finished a 2:30 washing my clothes! So can you guys send that money for the family for Christmas as fast as possible? Let me know when you send it. So this week, I did an interview for one of the elders baptisms in my district. It was awesome! We took a long time but it was way spiritual. We both cried for how good we felt and she was baptized the very next day! Going into the interview, she was very scared and she didn’t know what to do. So I talked to her and we read scriptures and prayed and a lot of things but she was still nervous. I didn’t know what to do to make her feel comfortable. I felt like I should share how I felt and what I did coming into the mission. When I told her the story, the whole room filled with the spirit and I felt the Holy Ghost testifying to her that it was true. It was amazing! I Love what I’m doing here and I love what the Gospel does to help other people! I love you all and miss you all. I’m way excited to talk to you guys on Christmas day! Oh and can you send me an email about the Second Coming! Elder Lowder

November 26, 2012

Hey guys! So this week was good! We had success and we’re feeling good about the season. The only thing that’s a bother is that the Catholics are coming out to worship a bunch their Virgin Marias. On the 12th of December they walk for miles and miles and days and days to go visit a Virgin Maria statue here in Mexico, so it gets pretty crazy and hard to find people. So the packages you guys sent just got here today. Did you guys send me 2 for Christmas and one before these or just these 2? Let me know so I can make sure. I didn’t have time to get my money. So I don’t know if they sent it back or not. So the pics look like you guys enjoyed yourselves a lot! I can’t believe how big Uncle Michael and Aunt Susies kids are, holy cow! So about that question you guys asked me about the money and helping a family here for Christmas, I would absolutely love to do that again if you guys want to. I have a family chosen already that needs a lot of help and if they don’t get it they wont have a Christmas. But you guys talk about it and let me know. I love you guys and Miss you guys very much and hope you’re safe and happy! Elder Lowder

November 19, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Happy Thanksgiving Jensen and Lowder family! I hope that your Thanksgiving Day is a special one and that it’s a spiritual one. This Thanksgiving, I will be working but I will finish my day with Martinellis apple cider that I bought in Sams club! hahaha. I’m way excited about that. So next Tuesday i will be called as District Leader here in my area. My Zone leaders told me that President called them and told them to tell me. Im grateful that the Lord is trusting me with more responsibility here in the mission. I’m way excited to help the district learn and get better and most importantly find and learn what the Lord wants me to learn. My greenie is learning a lot, We are having fun together. He’s pretty nerdy but im grateful that the Lord has helped me learn how to get along with everyone because if not I might suffer. So this week we have 4 people to baptize and the next week 6, so we’re way excited about that and that the Lord keeps blessing us. So I just want to wish all of you guys a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that you guys can take time to thank the Lord more than normal on Thursday and really enjoy the presence of the family. If there’s one thing I’ve learned here is that the Family is so special and so important. I really cherish the opportunity we have to be related and to be able to help one another. I ask you all to think of those that aren’t going to be with you all and think and talk about how you can help them come back. I love you all and I love this work. I love that I have the opportunity to help the Lord even the smallest amount I can but that I can help him. This is the truth! We have everything we need to get back to live with Heavenly Father! WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. I know that we are his children each and everyone of us is loved by Him. I know that things get hard in this life and that we sometimes lose focus. But when we keep holding on at all times to the Lords hand and never let go even for a moment, I know we will never get lost. I cherish this and give thanks every moment that I have a family that loves me and helps me stay strong and that knows what they need to do in this life and that we are a united family. There are so many that don’t have that opportunity. That have so many problems and that don’t know how to fix them. Thank you all for being who you are! I love you all and Miss you and just know that I am safe, happy and stronger then ever! John 3:16 I’m so thankful everyday for this. Elder Lowder

November 5,2012

Hey Guys!, So this week was great! A bunch of work im exausted! But im happy feeling exausted. Everyday my companion and I are waking up at 6 to go and run and all that so its good stuff.So this past week we didnt baptise. But this week we have a family of 4 with baptismal date so thats way exciting! We might be able to baptise 5 but we have to talk to a lady. So Dad if you guys want to send that many that will be fine with me but its your decision. But if you can let me know before the tonight that would be great! So the other day i killed my first dog! hahaha i felt terrible! But what happened was my companion and I went running and we were on our way back home. While i was running there was a dog in the corner of the street. Well the dog didnt see me coming and so when i got close to it i guess the dog got scared so it took of running into the middle of the street and a car hit the crap out of it! So i stopped running and i yelled holy crap!!! I felt so bad! But anyway it was time for it to go. So im very excited for the holiday season. Im loving it and learning a lot about Jesus Christ! About the second coming its for a memeber in my ward. But its not like i can read that book here because i dont i have it and i wouldnt have any idea in where to find it.So if you can send me that info that would be great! I love you guys and miss you all jand cant wait to talk to you guys on Christmas! Elder Lowder