Hello family!
Things are great here in Hamtic and this week seemed to just fly by for me. It is so crazy how fast time is going by and it is fascinating how it seems to only go faster and faster. I'm just trying not to blink! We had a cool Sunday yesterday as it was our Branch Conference here in the Hamtic Branch. President Pagaduan was there and another person from the Mission Presidency, the District Presidency, and the senior couples were all there. We also set a record 144 people attended sacrament meeting. It was so many people but also one of the most reverent Sacrament meetings I think I have attended here in the Philippines. The members were really showing off for all the visitors or something. We also had a primary choir which sang We'll Bring the World his Truth. That is actually the tune of our mission song here in IoIlo so it was fun to have the primary sing it for us. I was so impressed by them. Other than that we had an awesome turn out for less active people. The one family that has been my focus lately is now officially active again in the church and they are aiming to be sealed in the temple. They are the Ardenio family and they definitely have a special place in my heart. We have seen such a change in attitude over the past two months as they have overcome so many obstacles to get their ENTIRE family active again. I am so proud of Brother and Sister who sacrifice alot of time and money to get all 4 of their little kids prepared and ready for church every Sunday and Brother sacrifices work on Sunday mornings to be wit his family as they go to church. I am so happy that they have seen how the Lord provides for those who put Him first and rely on His arm rather than the arm of flesh. They sure are living witnesses of that right now.
We are also looking to have a baptism this weekend. Sister Marjorie Orquejo is preparing to be baptized this Saturday! We are excited for her and I really think she is ready for this next step. She has been so hesitant and sketchy about entering into this covenant but I think we have finally been able to resolve those concerns and I really think she will go through with it this weekend. She has been taught since last August and has been putting off baptism since like November of last year. She understands the doctrine and has the desire, but has been so worried about what others will think of her when she actually becomes a member of the church. She is also kinda paranoid that she will go inactive. I think that is actually a good quality about her cause it shows that she understands the gravity of covenanting with God. But I think she is strong enough of a person to stick to something once she begins it. I am ready to baptize her anytime she feels comfortable.. and I think she is there now. We have had lots of talks lately about disregarding others when it comes to our relationship with God and what things will be like when she is baptized... like what will be expected of her. She is awesome and I will be sure to get some pictures if all goes well.
We also found a cool new young family this week to teach. they are the Tibubos family and they seem to be so nice. We have gotten in tight with Brother Tibubos and we are welcome back to teach. We also invited them to church the first lesson we had with just him and even though he didn't come the first thing he did when we taught the whole family on Sunday night was apologize that he couldn't make it. They have 4 little kids and they are so cute. The oldest daughter just turned nine and absolutely loves the missionaries. So we went and bought her a teddy bear for her birthday cause that's what she asked for. Kids here want the cutest little things for there birthday. I gave a barbie to a little girl that just turned eight in the branch and every time I see her now she reports on the status of her barbie. Like if it has a house yet or not or is the barbie has found a suitable boyfriend. Apparently she just went through a tough break up... keep her in your prayers. Anyways, back to the Tibubos family, they are awesome and would make an awesome addition to the branch. Brother is one of those charismatic nice guys that you just like to be around and would make an exceptional leader. So I will keep you posted on them.
I am doing awesome here and loving my time with Elder Domincel. We have been working so hard lately and just trying to be out of the house as much as possible getting things done. It sure is tiring but it makes you really feel more entitled to the Lord's help when you are doing everything you can to magnify your calling. I sure hit the sack hard nowadays and have a hard time getting myself up to exercise. I am exercising alot though lately and have been doing well with my six months to sexy plan. I must say... not even one month has gone by and I LOOK GOOD. Not really... but I've still got alot of time left to fix that. I am really enjoying that nice jump rope Mom sent me. I never thought I would ever enjoy jump roping but I am an addict now. I feel lazy and weak if a day goes by that I haven't exercised and jump roped. It will be something I'll do the rest of my mission until I can go home and play tennis everyday and ride bikes. Those are the things I miss the most.
Well I love you all and miss you all so much. I am excited to talk to you all again next month! This will be the last time!!!! I think I look kinda different and you all might freak out a bit. Just a warning. But we are on the look out for good computer shops to chat with you all. We are looking for a nice place with fast internet. I am sure we'll find one. As for plans I imagine I will just talk to you all early morning Monday here... So Sunday evening for you all on Mother's day. That should work out well and I will just ask around if I can get any good deals for computer shops to open early for me so I can have a nice fast place... when all the kids are playing computer the connection slows down alot. So I think we should be good for probably 6:00 AM that I could talk to you all. But I still have to talk to some people. So that's that. Thanks for all the emails and support I receive from all of you. I really appreciate it!
Halong,
Elder Lowry
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
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Week 83
Hello Family!
It has been another great week here in Hamtic for Elder Lowry. The work sure seems to be progressing wonderfully and we are seeing the Lord's hand in all things. This last week turned out to be way busy with another Zone Leader's council and then the Antique zone had interviews with President on Friday. SO we were busy trying to coordinate everything and still get some good quality time in our own area. AS always the Lord provided a way and we were able to get everything done. We are excited for this next week when we should have no problems at all working in the area. The schedule is clear and we are excited for the time we will have to find new people and help the older investigators continue to progress.
Elder Domincel and I are having a blast working together and spending time together. He is a way cool guy and we have just had a blast being companions. I definitely have a lot I can learn from him. He is such a fun loving person who can have a good time with anyone. He really lives the principle that you can have fun no matter what happens around you. He really takes charge of the situation and always chooses to be happy about it. That is something I can definitely get better at... sometimes I depend on others too much on if I have fun. I am super thankful for this awesome companion that the Lord has given me.
The area here in Hamtic is doing well. We are still having the same crowd come to church and progress in the gospel. One thing that Leder Domincel and I have been trying to work out is find a family that has been prepared for us. It turns out that this is really hard and we are still on the search. I am confident they are out there somewhere and we will find them. This week looks promising for time that we can look high and low for that family. One thing that was awesome this last week was our work with less active families. A person that is deemed "inactive" means that they haven't gone to church in a quarter... at all. To "reactivate" them they have to go to church 4 consecutive Sundays... If they miss even one Sunday the count has to technically start over. Well we have had a FULL family come to church together for three consecutive Sundays now. I am so happy for them and they seem to just be getting stronger nd stronger. We had a good lesson about temple marriage/ sealing and even got to use Krista's picture of there family in front of the Atlanta temple and the Mom LOVED the "My Forever Family" that she had written on the back. Something Elder and I are doing well right now is reactivating. We have two other inactive families that went to church as well. I had one of those awesome moments while teaching an inactive family... Elder Domincel was teaching a little portion of the lesson just after I had given my little spill. I looked around... the sun was setting (sunsets here in Antique are the absolute prettiest things) and this family had gone out of their way together everyone together to listen to a gospel message and the Spirit was so strong. I just had a feeling that I was EXACTLY where the Lord wanted me to be at that time. I felt like I was called to help this family and that the Lord was pleased with where I was and what I was doing. It was such a feeling of peace and serenity and I was so thankful that I had the chance to be a missionary in Hamtic and to be on the Lord's errand. It was just one of those moments/ revelations where you are reassured by the Lord that everything I have gone through and will go through will be worth it and be for my own benefit. It was a time that I renewed my desire to go out and work harder. Overall, it was an answered prayer that has helped me keep up the zeal for the work. I am happy to be where I am.
I have thought lately about how long I've been out on a mission and it truly has been a long time now. I still have quite a bit left, too. It blows my mind that I haven't seen Mom and Dad for a whole year and 7 months now... just being accurate... not trunky. It makes me think of how much of a bond that families have and how they are so important to us. Elder Domincel and I have been studying alot lately about families and how we can help these families be stronger. The mission is really trying to be more family oriented. And it really has helped alot. The message we share is really aimed for families and how they can be stronger. The church is, of course, the answer and all of its programs are aimed to strengthen the most basic unit which is the family. I can see how the church has helped my family grow stronger and closer to one another and being on a mission has magnified just how much I depend on my support system from my family. I really can't imagine what life would be like without that support I receive from every member of my family. So basically I just wanted to brag a bit here and let everyone know that I have the best family. And I know it isn't a race or anything but if it was the Lowry's would be in 1st.
Well, I am doing great here, as always. I love my time here and I look forward to the time when I will be back in Georgia with my family. I am excited to see how everyone has changed and grown up in the past couple years.
I love you all!
Scott
It has been another great week here in Hamtic for Elder Lowry. The work sure seems to be progressing wonderfully and we are seeing the Lord's hand in all things. This last week turned out to be way busy with another Zone Leader's council and then the Antique zone had interviews with President on Friday. SO we were busy trying to coordinate everything and still get some good quality time in our own area. AS always the Lord provided a way and we were able to get everything done. We are excited for this next week when we should have no problems at all working in the area. The schedule is clear and we are excited for the time we will have to find new people and help the older investigators continue to progress.
Elder Domincel and I are having a blast working together and spending time together. He is a way cool guy and we have just had a blast being companions. I definitely have a lot I can learn from him. He is such a fun loving person who can have a good time with anyone. He really lives the principle that you can have fun no matter what happens around you. He really takes charge of the situation and always chooses to be happy about it. That is something I can definitely get better at... sometimes I depend on others too much on if I have fun. I am super thankful for this awesome companion that the Lord has given me.
The area here in Hamtic is doing well. We are still having the same crowd come to church and progress in the gospel. One thing that Leder Domincel and I have been trying to work out is find a family that has been prepared for us. It turns out that this is really hard and we are still on the search. I am confident they are out there somewhere and we will find them. This week looks promising for time that we can look high and low for that family. One thing that was awesome this last week was our work with less active families. A person that is deemed "inactive" means that they haven't gone to church in a quarter... at all. To "reactivate" them they have to go to church 4 consecutive Sundays... If they miss even one Sunday the count has to technically start over. Well we have had a FULL family come to church together for three consecutive Sundays now. I am so happy for them and they seem to just be getting stronger nd stronger. We had a good lesson about temple marriage/ sealing and even got to use Krista's picture of there family in front of the Atlanta temple and the Mom LOVED the "My Forever Family" that she had written on the back. Something Elder and I are doing well right now is reactivating. We have two other inactive families that went to church as well. I had one of those awesome moments while teaching an inactive family... Elder Domincel was teaching a little portion of the lesson just after I had given my little spill. I looked around... the sun was setting (sunsets here in Antique are the absolute prettiest things) and this family had gone out of their way together everyone together to listen to a gospel message and the Spirit was so strong. I just had a feeling that I was EXACTLY where the Lord wanted me to be at that time. I felt like I was called to help this family and that the Lord was pleased with where I was and what I was doing. It was such a feeling of peace and serenity and I was so thankful that I had the chance to be a missionary in Hamtic and to be on the Lord's errand. It was just one of those moments/ revelations where you are reassured by the Lord that everything I have gone through and will go through will be worth it and be for my own benefit. It was a time that I renewed my desire to go out and work harder. Overall, it was an answered prayer that has helped me keep up the zeal for the work. I am happy to be where I am.
I have thought lately about how long I've been out on a mission and it truly has been a long time now. I still have quite a bit left, too. It blows my mind that I haven't seen Mom and Dad for a whole year and 7 months now... just being accurate... not trunky. It makes me think of how much of a bond that families have and how they are so important to us. Elder Domincel and I have been studying alot lately about families and how we can help these families be stronger. The mission is really trying to be more family oriented. And it really has helped alot. The message we share is really aimed for families and how they can be stronger. The church is, of course, the answer and all of its programs are aimed to strengthen the most basic unit which is the family. I can see how the church has helped my family grow stronger and closer to one another and being on a mission has magnified just how much I depend on my support system from my family. I really can't imagine what life would be like without that support I receive from every member of my family. So basically I just wanted to brag a bit here and let everyone know that I have the best family. And I know it isn't a race or anything but if it was the Lowry's would be in 1st.
Well, I am doing great here, as always. I love my time here and I look forward to the time when I will be back in Georgia with my family. I am excited to see how everyone has changed and grown up in the past couple years.
I love you all!
Scott
Monday, April 9, 2012
Week 82
Hello Family!
Another great week here for Elder
Lowry. I actually have been really super busy here and this week seemed
to drag out a bit. Elder Arrieta DID get transferred this last week so
I have a new companion named Elder Domincel. I am WAY excited for
these next few transfers with Elder Domincel. I have known him for a
long time now and he is one of my good mission buddies. He is actually
the same batch as Elder Quinantoto!!! He is from Nueva Viscaya which is
in Luzon (the island Manila is on). He is a way cool guy and a way hard
working missionary. I can already tell that we are going to have some
real success together in Hamtic.
Transfer week turns out to be a really long week
when you are a zone leader. We had to get announcements out to everyone
and whenever anyone has a question they always come to the ZL's. We
also had a tough time because Tranfer day was on Good Friday. Like one
of the biggest holidays in the Philippines and a day when no public
transportation is available (apparently it is bad luck to drive around
on the day Jesus Christ died). That just added to our fun time planning
on how we can get all the LEders that had to transfer to and from
Iloilo. Everything turned out really well and it went relatively smooth.
However, General Conference definitely snuck up on us this weekend and
added a bit of stress on our already behind schedule. I absolutely
loved watching conference and learning at the feet of our Prophet and
Apotles... but we weren't able to get as much work as I would've liked
to this last weekend. I feel bad for poor Elder Domincel as his first
week of being a Zone Leader has been quite the hectic one. He is
holding up great and we are going to have this zone progressing like
nothing else over the next couple months. I am literally so excited for
this companionship.
Other news for transfers is that Elder Quinantoto
just left the office and is now in Antique. He has just been following
me my whole mission. It is so nice to have him around again. I love
that guy so much. He is just my bata in the mission and I love getting
to see him so much. He is actually a District Leader now so I will get
lots of opportunities to work with him. In fact, I will be attending
his district tomorrow morning. This last transfer we gained lots of
really experienced Elders in our zone and I really think things are
going to blow up here in Antique. I really hope to see some good
progress over the next few weeks/months.
Work here in Hamtic is definitely moving right along
and we had a great turn out for General conference. I am so happy when
investigators take those steps of faith to see if the church is true.
This conference was great for the investigators that attended. They all
had a revelatory experience and expressed t5hat they really enjoyed it.
I was so happy for that. We had one investigator even stay for both
Sunday sessions. I had an awesome time as well and thoroughly enjoyed
everything I heard and saw. I have no doubt that we are being led by a
true and living prophet that receives direction and revelation from God
daily. It is so apparent in his messages that he is a man of God and
exactly what he claims to be... a living prophet. Anyone who doubts it
needs to just see him speak and truly ask God if he is a true prophet.
I am so happy that god still speaks to us and guides us through his
servants the prophets. I don't know where I would be without the
guidance and moral direction I have received from Prophet Thomas S.
Monson. I really enjoyed the talk about the need to be converted both
to the gospel and the church. It brought up some problems that we
really see here in my mission and he gave some really good advice on how
to overcome these problems. I am excited to apply these into my work
here and see how much it can help the work progress.
Well I am short on time and I wish I could write
more and tell you all everything I learned from conference bt I can't.
Just know that I had an awesome Easter weekend watching conference and
trying to get as much work done as possible. I know that Jesus Christ
lives and loves us. I know that He rose again so that we all too can be
raised at the last day in order to stand before the judgement bar and
account to God how we used our time here in the Earth. I know that if
we follow the things He taught and the resources He has given us that we
can be accepted once more to His presence and receive our exaltation.
I am so happy to be a missionary and able to share this great to
message to anyone and everyone I meet. I love you all and can't wait to
see you all again. I pray for you all and think of you often. Keep on
Keepin' on.
Love,
Scott
Monday, April 2, 2012
Week 81
Hello Family!
This has been another great week here in good ol' Hamtic. We are seeing lots of progress in the work here and I am excited for this month of April to see what happens. The Antique zone is really working hard and we are improving all around. I love being the zone leader and being able to see progression as a whole zone as the individual missionaries really work on achieving the goals they have set. I was really happy with how this last week went and felt proud sending in the numbers to the AP's. I am really seeing a lift in morale here and the missionaries are working their butts off! This week is transfer week! I am pretty sure my companion will transfer and we will have a new zone leader here in Antique. Elder Sellers also went off to Iloilo this morning... he will be in America on Wednesday. Isn't that just crazy?!! I have a hard time believing that I will ever leave the Philippines. It has just become the norm to be a missionary and to be here in the Philippines. ELder said that he didn't feel like he was even going home. Even packing he said just felt like he was being transferred to a new area, not going home. I guess I'll see how it feels in a couple months, no?
Elder Arrieta and I have been working way hard despite being busy zone leaders. We had to go to the city again this last week to go on splits with the AP's in their areas. I got to work with Elder Andersen who is from my batch. It was the first time I have ever worked with him. He is a way cool guy. The area in Hamtic is doing really well, too... We have been working hard to help Sister Marjorie be prepared for her baptism on April 14. I am way excited for her because she has been taught by the missionaries for like 6 months now and she has just recently began to seriously prepare for a baptismal date. She has been to church every week for the past month and a half and is reading the BOok of Mormon consistently. She is in Alma... chapter 30 something. We are also working really closely with another sister named Chrispina Abella. he is like 60 years old and LOVES the church. She is deadly afraid of commitment and is really skeptical about being baptized. I like her alot cause she really understands that once she is baptized she has to keep going and she is a "fully pledged member" as she like to say. We gave her a goal date for her baptism for April 28 and asked her to pray to know if she should be baptized on that day. I think it will go through just because she is a sincere person and she has great fellowshippers in the church! I think those are the only two baptisms we can count on for April. Should be a good month!
I love being here in the Philippines and just soaking up everything that I have experienced. It has been such a ride to get me to this point and I trust it will be an even crazier ride to get me through the next six months and go home. One thing that is way nice about being in Antique are the sunsets here. We are on the west side of the island and the sun sets on the ocean. I cannot even describe how beautiful the sky looks EVERY night. About 6:30 every night I am just mesmerized by the sky and the awesome colors that colors the clouds. I think it is just the prettiest thing in the world and every evening I am so thankful to be where I am right now. I have just never seen anything quite like it and I don't think I could ever do justice to it.
This next week looks to be exciting and busy. I am excited for all the new adventures and experiences I will gain over the next 7 days. I will get some good pictures to send home and I will try to remember a specific experience that will be cool to share. I love you all and I miss you all so much! I hope every has an awesome week and don't forget to write me! I love letters!
Elder Lowry
This has been another great week here in good ol' Hamtic. We are seeing lots of progress in the work here and I am excited for this month of April to see what happens. The Antique zone is really working hard and we are improving all around. I love being the zone leader and being able to see progression as a whole zone as the individual missionaries really work on achieving the goals they have set. I was really happy with how this last week went and felt proud sending in the numbers to the AP's. I am really seeing a lift in morale here and the missionaries are working their butts off! This week is transfer week! I am pretty sure my companion will transfer and we will have a new zone leader here in Antique. Elder Sellers also went off to Iloilo this morning... he will be in America on Wednesday. Isn't that just crazy?!! I have a hard time believing that I will ever leave the Philippines. It has just become the norm to be a missionary and to be here in the Philippines. ELder said that he didn't feel like he was even going home. Even packing he said just felt like he was being transferred to a new area, not going home. I guess I'll see how it feels in a couple months, no?
Elder Arrieta and I have been working way hard despite being busy zone leaders. We had to go to the city again this last week to go on splits with the AP's in their areas. I got to work with Elder Andersen who is from my batch. It was the first time I have ever worked with him. He is a way cool guy. The area in Hamtic is doing really well, too... We have been working hard to help Sister Marjorie be prepared for her baptism on April 14. I am way excited for her because she has been taught by the missionaries for like 6 months now and she has just recently began to seriously prepare for a baptismal date. She has been to church every week for the past month and a half and is reading the BOok of Mormon consistently. She is in Alma... chapter 30 something. We are also working really closely with another sister named Chrispina Abella. he is like 60 years old and LOVES the church. She is deadly afraid of commitment and is really skeptical about being baptized. I like her alot cause she really understands that once she is baptized she has to keep going and she is a "fully pledged member" as she like to say. We gave her a goal date for her baptism for April 28 and asked her to pray to know if she should be baptized on that day. I think it will go through just because she is a sincere person and she has great fellowshippers in the church! I think those are the only two baptisms we can count on for April. Should be a good month!
I love being here in the Philippines and just soaking up everything that I have experienced. It has been such a ride to get me to this point and I trust it will be an even crazier ride to get me through the next six months and go home. One thing that is way nice about being in Antique are the sunsets here. We are on the west side of the island and the sun sets on the ocean. I cannot even describe how beautiful the sky looks EVERY night. About 6:30 every night I am just mesmerized by the sky and the awesome colors that colors the clouds. I think it is just the prettiest thing in the world and every evening I am so thankful to be where I am right now. I have just never seen anything quite like it and I don't think I could ever do justice to it.
This next week looks to be exciting and busy. I am excited for all the new adventures and experiences I will gain over the next 7 days. I will get some good pictures to send home and I will try to remember a specific experience that will be cool to share. I love you all and I miss you all so much! I hope every has an awesome week and don't forget to write me! I love letters!
Elder Lowry
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