I just want to say thanks for the emails every week

I just want to say thanks for the emails every week. They really are encouraging and I'm grateful for the support (personal cheerleaders) from home. I get so excited for P-days to hear from my family and how things are at home..  

I pray for you every day.. Please be safe and Mom! don\t trip and fall any more "sige"!!? (alright?)  I do know with all my heart that Mom has great faith. That is a huge theme in the Book of Mormon.. We need to have Faith in Jesus Christ, always be trusting in him and as long as we do our part by following his gospel and commandments, He will always hold up his end of the bargain. 

Earlier this week we heard about a big baha (flood) in Manila. Sister Patricio was worried about her family.. I wonder what is happening to the missionaries like Sister Stromberg. 

This Last week we planted rice in the deep deep mud haha. When we went there early in the morning all the workers were laughing and saying, what is an american doing out here? They thought we were crazy when we said we wanted to try it out, because it is difficult and your body doesn't feel too great afterwards. 

We baptized Carmela Catherine and Jennifer!! This last Saturday. They were all so cute in white!.. Jennifer is sister Jesebeth's daughter. Sister Jesebeth is the less-active member who we found, the one who we helped when they had no food.. Well Jesebeth has come to church ever since and we just baptized Jennifer because of it.. Before the baptism, Sister Patricio and I went to check on the font and it was so dirty! like a layer of dirt, so we spent the morning cleaning the font. It has been a year since anyone has been baptized in our ward so it was a pretty cool experience. Then they filled the font and the water isn't like the clean, swimming pool, chlorinated water.  It is tap water with a greenish tint.. I thought to myself.  Here they are washing away all their sins in this tap water.. But its fine, It's still the same baptism.. I loved watching them get baptized because it reminded me of when I was eight years old, being baptized by my father. With my Short Permed hair, haha Pangit (ugly)  I'm so grateful for my blessings, my family, the gospel, for chlorinated water. I've Learned So many lessons.. I can't begin to say and there are so many more to come..I'm grateful for the covenants I've made and for the blessing of helping others make those same covenants with their loving Heavenly father.

I love you all.

Lift where you Stand.

I'm always praying for you and for Mom.. Please tell me good news about the MRI

Love Sister Fowles

Maayong Umaga! (Good Morning)

Maayong Umaga! (Good Morning)

Or I guess I should say Maayong Gabi for you since it's night time.:)

I want to say Happy Birthday to Diana, I think it was last week!!

An amazing thing happened on Sunday.. Raymond walked into the chapel wearing Sundays best..  Ok I guess it's not that amazing but both Sister Patricio and I were speechless and sooo happy to see him wearing a shirt and tie. He borrowed his clothes from his Lolo (grandpa) so they were too big for him.. But still, I can't quite describe the feeling of seeing him walk into church.  He is doing so good! Reading the scriptures, we follow up on where they are at in the Book of Mormon and he remembers the stories. I really think that he reads in the Book of Mormon more than those who are already members. Which is sad.  We know that he is really trying to follow the Word of Wisdom. We tell him that when he has the urge to smoke that he needs to pray. 

Last week it rained.. and rained... and rained some more.  The streets were flooded. They told us that it was a level 1 storm. haha I thought, This is level 1???  I hope I never experience any of the other levels.  This week though the rain has stopped and it's amazing how fast all the water dries up. like within a day the flood in the streets were gone.  

This week we found the Cawaling family who is on our list of less-active members.  We met brother Liberato Cawaling and two of his granddaughters. Then this last Sunday, Brother Cawaling and his wife came to church for the 1st time since I've been here.. The power of one visit can do so much. I really know how important visiting teaching and home teaching is now. Before I hardly did my visiting teaching but that is what helps build strong wards and helps the work of the Lord progress. We are happy to continue teaching them and possibly finding non members in his family so we can make them complete.  I'm grateful for all of the lords blessings.. Sister Patricio and I have been trying really really hard to help our area. I look at how far we've come, I can see the blessings and the Lord's hand is guiding us. 

That is really sad to hear about Andy Reids Son... and about the thing that happened in Colorado that Jared Told me..

anyways I love you all  so so So much.

Palangga Taka LOve Sister Fowles

WoW!!!

WoW!!! Those are so cool, the pictures of Alli and Emma.. Alli's Hair is SOOOO long and Emma's Hair is SOOOO short haha.  and those are my old dance costumes.. wow.. MOM you still have those?? haha you never throw things away. ;) Just kidding. 

I loved hearing from everyone in the Email.. I'm happy everyone is still alive haha. I received Diana's Dear Elder!!!! Thanks I love you.. For Jessie's question about diapers... I've only seen one lady use a diaper for her baby.. usually it is just bare bums.. haha I accidently caught a bare bum on camera once, oops. I don't know how they deal with potty training because in the province I haven't seen a toilet yet.. The people kind of just go where they want.. 

So I suppose this last week I had a baptism.. It was Oliver but the thing is he left to Manila last Wednesday for work and texted us that he was being baptized on Saturday.. SO we did all the work in teaching him and then the missionaries in Manila were able to baptize him. I kind of have mixed feelings. It's great that he has been baptized because that is was Jesus Christ wants us to do. But we don't believe that he has a real testimony yet, that he was baptized because of his girlfriend April.  She wan't a temple marriage..  SO that's the story about that.. 

We are so excited for August!!  August 11 is the date for Catherine Magno and her Sister Carmela.  And for DenMark, Ronald and Raymond DelaCerna!!!   I love them!!  WE are excited.  This last week we are excited that Raymond Dela Cerna is trying to stop smoking.. So far he hasn't smoked the last two days so we are really trying to help him quit.. He really is progressing, he came to church on Sunday and we saw him reading the Book of Mormon during sacrament meeting.. It's funny because when we first met them I would have never thought that Raymond would enjoy reading the pamphlets, BoM, going to church. But now he is the first one to sit down and listen to us, He gets his brothers to stop watching tv and come for the lesson.  There is a change, because when we first met him, He tried hiding and escaping from us.  So I'm grateful for the change of heart that happens in our investigators and to really not judge an investigator because ANYONE can have a change of heart. Even though some reject what we have, there are others who will accept. and when they accept, you can see the change in their lives.  We see that Raymond NEEDS the gospel, He needs that repentance. He is just a young man who needs direction in his life because so far he hasn't had that direction.

We had interviews last week with President Pagaduan!!!  He is the Best Mission President.  He talked to me about the importance of decisions.. the decisions we make not only effect our lives but can effect others for better or for worse.  It's important to make Righteous Decisions because those choices could effect generations to come.  He encouraged us to make righteous choices every day. that even if you don't want to do something, Make the right choice and you will be blessed.

I love sister Pagaduan also.  She is so beautiful and simple.  She dresses so simply but she truly has a light about her that makes her stunning. She told me to always make the most of your time here because you'll never have an opportunity like this again.  She really was just talking about herself because they have a year left but I applied it to myself.. that really, I'll never do something like this again, that yes, after this i'll have all the time in the world to do what I want, watch movies, hang out with friends. But this time is precious and short and I shouldn't waste it. 

When we were done with interviews President Pagaduan mentioned that Elder Bednar will be here on Aug 30 for a conference with our mission!!!!!!!!! WoooHooo Elder Bednar is Awesome!  Sister Patricio is soooooo excited too, SHe's never been this close to an apostle before and she reminds me everyday how excited she is.. Haha

Sis Patricio is amazing, she is a convert to the church from Manila. She has only been a member for 3 years and she knows the gospel as much as I do, if not more. She is the only member of you family. She comes from a broken family and I truly can see how hard it is for her to be by herself in the gospel.. She loves being a missionary and doesn't want to go home.  She is the bravest girl I know. I look up to her so much, even though I might make her mad sometimes hehe. I just tell her that I'm helping her have patience. the attribute she desperately desires to have. She is the cutest Filipina I've met and She is an amazing missionary. She is persistent and isn't afraid of what people might say or think.  

So Salamat  I love you all so much I'm praying for you every day.. 

Palangga Ta Ka  (I LOVE YOU)

LOve Sister Fowles

YEAH BIRTHDAY KO NA (Yeah it's my birthday) Ako Pa (I'm the man)

YEAH  BIRTHDAY KO NA  (Yeah it's my birthday) Ako Pa  (I'm the man)

I received Mike and Jared's letters last week.  Jared, great timing.. you sent the birthday letter on July 2 and I got it July 21! It sounds like Colorado is way worse "heat-wise" then here.. 100 degrees yikes. just answering some of the question's i remember. We have illongo BOM and Tagalog BOMs even Cebuano too.  My district is cool we have 2 Elders E. Perez, Ferris and 2 sisters... sis Gantiles and Butler and then the couple missionary... the RObinsons.  THey are so awesome.. WE also have 2 other districts in our zone.  And we are starting to play volleyball on Pdays with them.. I'm trying to make our Zone more "Fun".  OUr church building is nice.. tile floors. it has two seperate buildings, one for the chapel and stage, and one that has all of the classrooms and bishops office.  there is a basketball court out side and it is surrounded by a gated fence.  and yes we have a ping pong table :)

MIke, I loved hearing about Drew sharing a talk in primary and his testimony!  That made me cry.  I saw the pictures you sent in the email too. they are sooo cute.  I can email to anyone in my family but I only have so much time to read and respond to emails so there can't be a lot of emails for me to read.  Congrats Mike on you calling too, YOu Da MAN! (Ikaw pa)

Happy Birthday again Pops.. I celebrated it here in the Philippines with Denmark DelaCerna.  I sent a picture of the DelaCerna Pamilya.  it has their grandma, Raymond, Rodel, Patricio then on the floor is sister Novilla, Bishop, Denmark, and Ronald, and me. Our bishop is sitting on the floor. haha he's way funny. 

The other picture is me and Carmela in front and Catherine and John lorence behind me.  Catherine is 10 and has a baptism date on Aug 11 with Carmela her sister who is 8 now!!!!!

ON my Birthday we had an FHE with the Gumban family and Sister Richie bought me a huge cake! ube flavor, what ever that is?? I was happy because the kids wanted cake and we weren't able to get one.. So it all works out in the end.  

Oh how you say sister is Kapatid, which means sibling and it is not gender specific. so it could mean sister or brother.  then there is "kuya" older brother or "atay" means older sister.  But You always say SIster FOwles in english.  

OKay Sorry I have to go...

Palangga taka..

Sister FOwles

Hello!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS!!!!

Hello!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS!!!!

We have an Investigator, Denmark Dela Cerna. I think I mentioned him last week.  But His birthday is on JULY 18th the same as yours!!!!  SO we are celebrating with him. It will be like i'm celebrating your birthday too Dad.  We are cooking Pancit and we are buying him a cake.  I hope it will be fun. He's pretty shy but we can tell that they are trusting us more and more each week.  

THis last week we did some service for a lady in our ward. Sister Benares. Her husband was in a motor accident and has been in the hospital. He's alright he just had surgery on his hand. They have been stressed with their financial expense. When we visited we saw the heap of laundry and choirs not yet done. So we came back to help her with her laundry and weeded her yard. She didn't want us to help but You could tell that she was grateful and that it was very much needed.  When I was weeding, Sister Benares asked if I have ever weeded before in America..  Haha I said, Oh yes, lots of times, my Dad would make me." So as I was doing service it brought back memories of home and i'm grateful that I wasn't this silly American who has never done yard work before.. 

That's funny that you looked up Balut.  It's Manami!!  I haven't had feathers yet.  But it really doesn't taste bad.. You just can't look at it.  I'm not a picky eater at all and I think that has helped.. I've eaten some weird things.. fish, squid adobo,  this stuff that looks like little tiny mino fish... they dry them and then you fry them and then you eat them..  Masarap!  

The people in the ward are great. I love my bishop. Bishop Cawilan. He's funny but you can tell that being a bishop is hard and that he can feel the weight on his shoulders. He likes us and is very grateful for us and our work. He expresses gratitude for us and he also is very willing to work with us.  

My District and ZOne are pretty cool. My old District leader was Elder Ordeniza and now it is Elder Perez... Elder Perez and Elder Ferris are companions which is pretty funny because the people pronounce their names the exact same way... Because P=Fs and S=Zs.  We don't really have time to get to know the other missionaries because we only see them on Tuesdays for District meeting and sometimes on P-day while we are shopping.  We have a couple missionary in our district Elder and Sister Robinson... They ARE THE BEST>  They bake us cookies and brownies because they have an oven in their home.  Elder Robinson reminds me of Mr. Rogers.. you know, that old T.V show.  That is him! He's so nice.  They came and did an apartment check to see if our apartment was "celestial" and before they were done he gave a prayer in the home and it was just such a good feeling. Especially with a priesthood holder. 

Good to Hear that The Cooks are home...  Ha ha you can borrow any clothes or shoes you want Kristi.. I'm glad to hear that you recieved the stamps I was nervous you had moved before you get them...  Love you

LOve you all soooooooooo Much.!!!! Palanga Ko Kamo!! GID!!!!!

So that is all.  Got to run and work... Love Sister Fowles

The rain is coming!

The rain is coming!

IT is beginning to rain more.. dun dun dun.  It's funny now because I'm starting to notice the change in the weather. I'm beginning to notice when it will rain or not.  The rain is nice at night time because it is cool but if it rains during the day and then stops, it gets hotter or more humid.  

This week we met with a referral named Oliver. His friend is the bishop counselor's daughter (April) and she has been talking to him about our church. He has been really interested and we've been teaching him every day.  He came to church the last 2 Sundays.  Pero, he is a sea-man and is leaving on July 25 or something. He seems genuine but we hope that he is converting to the church and not because of a pretty face.. (April) 

We also have been teaching the Dela Cerna Family and their 3 boys. Raymond, Denmark and Ronald.  They are all so cute!  THey were really closed the first time we tried teaching them. THey even tried escaping from us.. haha but now we teach them every week and all three came to church last Sunday!! We were excited to see eight of our investigators at church! The Dela Cerna Family, Catherine Magno, Cerezo Family (sheila and Jun), and Oliver.  It is always a great feeling when you see those you are teaching and care about at church. Not just investigators but those who are less-active. I didn't know that we have to keep track of everything so much, how many times people come to church, how many lessons you teach each week. How many people you have contacted for the 1st time, and how many members who are returning... There is a lot of paper work behind-the-scenes of being a missionary.

We are planning on extending baptismal dates to Catherine and the Dela Cerna boys around August 5. It's been fun building relations.  The Dela Cerna Family sell Balut every night.  We've been trying to help them in anyway we can so... we've been buying a lot of balut this past week. We are like their regular costumers haha. We had an FHE with them and it was way fun!  I had to share a talent and I did Jared's slap dance routine thing haha  And everyone wanted to learn it!

Ha ha so i've been messing up on some of my words.  IN practice teaching one time and mixed up the word Malapit (close) with malipat (forget) and I said our purpose is to help people FORGET  Christ. instead of  helping people COME CLOSE to Christ haha woops! at least it was in a practice run..

any ways I have to go  time is gonE!! :(  I'm so glad to hear about the family!!!!!  agh  i miss you all so much.  I love you TONZ  I'm greatful to hear about the nice ward and about your promise.  LOVe sis Fowles

Bad English

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDON!!! 

COngrats on CHADs Marriage!!!!

So we had Transfers this week!!!!  Drum roll please.....  Yay I'm still in Kalibo, With Sis Patricio Liwat (again).  I'm so grateful that the transfers didn't cause too much of a change.  Though, we were so stressed out on June 27th when they told us who would be transferring. We really had no idea if I would be staying or if Sis Patricio would be staying, because we came to Kalibo at the same time.  SO we will be here for another 9 weeks together.  

Sorry about how sad last weeks letter was.  Pero I learned that you have good days and you have bad days.  The good days are when you find a peso (coin) on the ground, TWICE in one day! The bad days are the ones where it rains a lot and you slip and fall in the mud while you are walking to an investigators house.  Haha yes this happened to me last week. THen there are the funny days where you come across a drunk man trying to ride a bicycle.  

HaHa I recieved Jared's letter telling me that I must be really working on the language because he can see my English suffer in my emails!!  SO pesensyia for my horrible English haha  The language is coming along better.  I can see where i'm improving.  I'm feeling more confident and my companion says that I really am sagad (good) at the language.  Pero I still feel far behind.  but it is good to know that i'm am doing better. She even told my last night that I was talking in my sleep and I said a few Tagalog words!!!  I pray everyday for the gift of tongues and to improve on my teaching skills.  I'm grateful for my companion, She is way persistent and outgoing when it comes to teaching. SHe likes to get things done.

P.S. THat's exciting that Kristi is coming in a week.  Mom, we don't go out of our area except on P-days because the grocery store and market are in the area next to us.  Also were you able to forward that email I sent a few weeks ago for sis Patricio??  also I have another email for you to forward to my friend.  THanks!!

I love your emails, thanks for you encouraging words every week.  I love you so much!  Stay strong and working hard.  I'll try to have better English haha but I can't promise anything.  

LOVE Sis FOWLES!!!!!!!!!!