Losing our Lives to Found Them!

Querido Amigos y Familia,

This morning I woke up with Spanish words and phrases running through my mind.  I realized I was trying to figure out how to frame the sentences to bare my testimony in Spanish.  I spent some time lying in bed trying to organize the phrases to talk about what was in my heart.  It is still pretty frustrating to me to only be able to speak in simple kindergarten Spanish when I have so very much I want to say.  But I have come to realize that the workings of the Spirit can easily cross over the language barrier.  Our new friends, both in and out of the church know that we love them.  It comes down to relationships.  We can't share any doctrine or testimony until they know we sincerely care about them.  We try to show that love through service... on many levels. That can be evidenced by hauling junk, doing repairs, teaching them about a loving God and inviting them to come to Christ, or simply wrapping them in a big hug.  It is still so stunning to realize that God truly orchestrates every interaction, every detail and prepares the way before us.  The joy of our work is very tangible but impossible to describe.  Perhaps the following pictures of our beloved members and new friends will give you some sense of the joy we get to feel everyday!

Hna. Mariano (a member) and her friend

Hna. Fidela (an investigator, on my left) who is joyfully 

receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sofia, an 8-year-old friend who I have been teaching to prepare her for baptism.  

Our granddaughter Sophie helped us by sending a special letter to Sofia with her 

testimony and this CTR necklace. Sophie's thoughtful gesture has made such a difference.

 

                                             Meet the Gonzalez family.  

 

They have become such dear friends. While little sister Sofia has  been preparing for baptism, her older brother Martin has been ordained to the Priesthood and their non-member Dad, Hector is receiving the lessons to prepare for baptism. 

                         Hna. Trasvina, whom we have been helping with

                                     her family history work, along with several other sisters 

                                     in our ward.  We had an amazing break through finding 

                                     her great grandparents in Nayarit Mexico

We continue to give a great deal of time and effort to finding, inviting and loving the youth of this ward  back to activity by helping them feel the strength of righteous friends.  Over the last couple of weeks we can feel the shift in momentum as more and more youth are choosing to return.  These are awesome youth who are fighting to stand strong.

Just looking at this picture brings tears to my eyes.  For so many, it was their first time in the temple!

Sacred time in the San Diego Temple with the Vista Barrio Jovenes.

Elder Fowers instructing the newly activated YM in how 
to prepare and pass the sacrament.

Practicing their Priesthood duties.

Spring break pool fun and Hermano Flor's home. 
Please notice: no snow!

Hna. Aguirre, YW's President, catching the perfect photo.

 

Service is an important part of our work.  During Christ ministry, he didn't just serve those who he thought would hear his word and follow Him.  He served everybody, in every circumstance.  That is what we have been trying to do in our service to the residents of Vista Manor mobile home park, a non-profit organization to support low-income housing.  The park was developed in the 1960's and many of the residents are as old as their trailers!  We organized a zone of missionaries for a Helping-Hands day in the park.  These awesome missionaries worked for three hours hauling junk and pulling weeds in about 25 different mobile homes

Our Vista Zone super service heros!

I took a hard fall about 10 days ago.  I was walking over to the church along on a cold, rainy night because Elder Fowers went early to set up.  Since we live next door to the church, I thought I would just come later.  I stepped off a curb that I didn't see and rolled my ankle and fell like a sack of bricks.  Several people came running to help me up.  At that point I was more embarrassed than anything.  As the evening worn on, not only was my foot throbbing, but I was having trouble taking a deep breathe.  By bedtime I couldn't even roll over in bed and had bruises all over.  The mission nurse diagnosed a fracture rib, so I have been moving pretty slow the last little bit.  I am getting better everyday and even played a bit of Pickleball this morning.   

We love the other Senior Couples who serve along side us in the work.  Every month or so we have a gathering.  Saturday morning, 12 couples met up for a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Mission San Luis Rey.  The guide was stellar and we were delighted to find out about the role that the Mormon Battalion played in it's early development.  By far the best part of the day was just chatting over lunch and getting to know these amazing couples.

Mission San Luis Rey, built in 1798.

200 year old Pepper Tree, the seedling was imported from Peru in 1790

Monument to the Mormon Battalion 

In the summer of 2009, I was hired as the founding Principal of the Goethe International Charter School in the LA Unified School District.  I worked for two grueling years to launch the school and then retired to serve our first mission to Africa. The school has not only survived but it has thrived!  It was just awarded the California Distinguished School Award. I was invited to their Annual Gala as an honored guest.  With permission of our mission president, we drove 2 hours north to attend the celebration on Saturday evening.

Founding Board of Directors (Roaring 20's Theme)

Dear friends and colleagues. 

Fancy Affair!

If you have never had the chance to attend the beautiful oratorio, The LAMB of GOD, you should do so.  Last evening we attended this moving production of the last week of Christ's life, performed by the San Diego Saints Choir.  The Escondido Stake centers was filled to the walls with standing room only.  It was deeply touching. A beautiful way to prepare for Easter.

Love you all,

The Fowers

P.S.  After publishing our blog a few hours ago.  Becky (our daughter-in-law) excitedly sent the following text:  ...the monument to the Mormon Battalion on the mission property was built by the YM and YW of the Riverside West Stake in 1996. I was there and helped to put it together.  There is also a time capsule inside!  

Here is the photo of Becky and Friends (Becky is level with the top of the monument to the right, poking her head out by the guy in a white t-shirt.  Thanks for sharing Becky!  What a cool connection after 27 years.

Riverside West Stake Youth 1996