Mom of a Missionary. Emails from Mexico. December 10, 2018

And remember... NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ether 12:6

Hello, Family and Friends! It's me again, Elder Bowlby! Today I'm accompanied by guest star "Cat" (Yes, that's the cat's name. It's named Cat.)

There's a member family here who has a really friendly and talkative cat named cat. Man, I love cats! CATS

!So, I bought a tiny-little memory card to take some pictures for you of my area. This week brought some

 new surprises for me!

On the left is the chapel fence... and on the right... Boxcars!! The trains pass by every day in my area. Boxcars, gondolas, hopper-cars, and tank cars are frequently pushed arround by the Ferromex diesel-locomotives. This week I got to see one really close as we were returning home from a district meeting. We were waiting at a level-crossing as they were doing some "shunting" work. There's a chemical plant here and also plastic factories that need a lot of resources, so that's why there are the trains. I'm really happy that the cool trains are here in my area hahaha.

I'll send you a few photos in the attachments about my area and the COOL TRAINS!!!

So, this is my companion Elder Ramos! He's from El Salvador. He's full of energy, likes to work, and is always positive! Once, an Elder in my district lost the USB of Elder Ramos, and lost all of his music files... and he wasn't even mad! He thought it was really funny, actually.

We work really well together. Sometimes I think that an old dinosaur like me can't learn new tricks but woah okay I was wrong, in fact, I'm constantly learning. We're finding and teaching some really cool families, and I have faith that out of all of the people here in Miramar, at least 10 are ready! More than 10 even! The world is filling with knowledge of the Gospel!

So, why the scripture about faith? Hey, faith is more than just a passive belief. Faith is getting out there and learning! Doing something about it! Put your heart into believing that Christ loves you, then showing that love to EVERYBODY! 

I'm doing well. We've moved houses, and that reminded me a lot of LAST year when I moved houses with Elder Estrada. This year was much easier, and a lot less cold.

So, here's me! Everything is going to be okay. I hope you're all doing well, staying strong, and living the good life! I love you all so much!

-Elder Bowlby

Mom of a Missionary. Emails from Mexico, December 3, 2018

Who is the dinosaur? I am the dinosaur.

Hello, Family and friends!
Quickie this week :) Don't have a lot of time.
Well, this week has certainly been very interesting. My first week as a district leader! I've been working hard to make phone calls, keep track of indicators, give lessons, and even plan divisions!! But WOAH, the other Elders are so RAD! They're way cooler than I am 😅

My companion Elder Ramos and I are working H A R D!! We are giving it all we've got so that in these last transfers, we can find people to teach and baptize. I'm working towards the goal of baptizing a family... the one thing I haven't been able to do as of yet.

I love this area of Miramar. I'm constantly hearing and seeing freight trains in motion, theres sand everywhere, and there are even members I've known from last year in my ward! I'm happy to see them again.

Well, this is just to let you know that I'm working hard. I love you all! I miss you, and I hope you're all feeling the Christmas spirit. It's already DECEMBER!!

Here's a scripture that's helped me this week:
Ether 12:4
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.  

Hope comes from faith. It helps us seek for a better future, because when we believe thet future will be better, we can MAKE it better.

Love you!

-Elder Bowlby

One thing you will typically realize is that my son's emails all seem so up beat and positive.  This email was what he calls his "Sugar Coated" email.  He actually had a very stressful incedent happen, of which I have not be given all the details and was not as happy as this email sounds.  We get a separate more real email.  I don't share them as they tend to be more private.   I'm glad to say that things did get better.

Mom of a Missionary. Emails from Mexico, November 26, 2018.

Miramar... means Look at the Sea!

Hello Family and Friends! Its me, Elder Bowl...BOT!! 

Beep Boop! Transfers happened, but before I give you details about where I am, how about we talk about what happened last week.
So, remember that I said we were going to have a baptism?
Oops. We didn't have the baptism, but rather, they're preparing for another day in December. We can't baptize if they're not fully prepared, you know. I'm sure the addicional time will help them.

I focused really hard this week in enjoying the time I had with my companion before we split for the transfers, so we worked hard and had a lot of fun. My area in Mante is looking much better than when I arrived. We have a lot of people that we are teaching, so Mante is gonna be really happy.

I was able to say goodbye to all of the members and surprisingly everything I have was able to fit into my suitcases, including a few oddities I've gathered up on the mission... namely the boxing gloves, an unused 2018 calendar, all of my agendas, a recorder (it's a flute), various journals... and yours truly (The cardboard Bowlbotbox (bowlbox?)(Botbox?))

I think I'm in my last area. I probably won't be going to another area before I finish the mission. Probably.

I'm in Tampico again. I've been transferred to Miramar! It's here, in Altamira/Tampico. And they say that in my area, you can see the BEACH! (Note: We can see the beach. Not go to the beach.) There are trains that pass by close to the house and the ocean is nearby. I feel like I'm back in New Jersey, more or less. This is going to be a fun transfer. I'm also in a leadership position now, so I have MORE responsabilities. I have to actually call people. Wow!

So, here I am! Stay tuned for my adventures in Miramar, Altamira.

Here's a scripture that I really liked recently:
Doctrine and Covenants 98: 11,12,14

11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.

12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.

14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.

Ever feel like the Lord is trying us? The Lord gives us trials so we can progress, depending on our faithfulness in him. We need to work hard at becoming more converted to him, because he is our perfect example. He needs to prove us, and we need to live by every word which proceeds from him. This is a lifetime struggle. You can do it! We can do it!

I love you, Miss you, and will see you later! Have an excellent week!

-Elder Bowlby

Mom of a Missionary. Emails from Mexico, November 19, 2018.

It's Sugar-Cane Season!

The cold of Mante was bruptly interrupted by sugar-cane season here in Mante. I think two times per year, there's a bunch of people with their huuuuge trucks that go out and haul sugar cane to burn it. It's what makes Mante an infamously hot area in the mission because the times to burn the sugar are in May and November, more or less. We saw all the smoke rising up into the air... it's incredible.

This week... well, I've been working on a little project that's called "Choose to be happy!" Yes, one can choose to be happy. The circumstances might be bad, but one chooses how they feel! I uh, did well for the majority of the week. I'm not perfect, but this week will be better! When one chooses to be happy, it really makes a difference in their life.

We had stake conference here in Mante and many of the themes revolved around the fact that God has not abandoned us! He is ever aware of us, he loves us, and wants us to succeed, be happy, repent, and return to him. Not always an easy feat, but it is made possible when we believe that it is what Christ desires of us.

Thanksgiving is coming up. No, I probably won't be celebrating. There is no thanksgiving here in Mexico, it's a purely American Holiday. 

Other than that, we are planning a baptism for this saturday, and we hope all goes well. :)

Here's a scripture I liked from my studies recently: Alma and Ammon, once sinners and seekers of the destruction of God's church, repented and served missions. Many years later, they have a re-encounter after much success, and the scriptures say that Ammon collapsed because of they joy he had, knowing that Alma was still faithful and that he too had much success in the work of the Lord. The english scriptures read this:
Alma 27:16
Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.   

Now the scriptures in spanish are very clear to me, I think I understand them better than the english versions! The spanish scriptures say that those who recieve this immense joy are those who truly repent and humbly seek happiness. It's amazing! We can all recieve this peace that comes through Christ.

I love you, I hope you all stay strong and that you're all happy. Enjoy Thanksgiving! Eat some turkey (or steak, or ham, or whatever you normally eat at thanksgiving) but roll it up in a tortilla for that authentic mexican feel because you can put anything in a tortilla and it will be some form of taco. By the way, I have no idea how many tacos I've eaten. Sprinkle a little bit of lime juice on it. Good tacos.

-Elder Bowlby

We don't do a big Thanksgiving dinner, and so we made steak for dinner and I made a steak taco and put lime juice on it.  I sent a photo to my son so he would know we were thinking of him on Thanksgiving day.  

Mom of a Missionary. E-Mails from Mexico, November 13, 2018

Cold Wave, Round 2.

Hello, Family and Friends!

Your cold weather is arriving here to Mexico. There is no such thing here as a "natural cold". For those of you who don't know, the cold winds of cold weather from the cold north run south... and arrive here. It's strange becacuse a cold, North wind passes by, and there's a sudden cold week or so... and then it begins to heat back up again... only to recieve ANOTHER cold blast. Needless to say, i'm a bit tossed because it goes from hot to cold in a matter of a few days and back again.

So, I'm working hard. There has been a little less art this week, haha. I'm talking to many people, sharing what I know... and working to CHANGE. I'm trying to boot my fearful and timid personality out the window, and it's really hard. I take faith in the scripture in Alma 14:26 where Alma and Amulek, imprisoned and afflicted, pray to the Lord for strength to become freed.

26 And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them.

While we may not have ACTUAL cords binding us, often times there are spiritual, mental, or emotional cords that are binding us. These cords are real too! They limit us from progressing forward. Our faith in Christ can break these limiting cords, and we can have the power to overcome our enemies!

I love you, I miss you, but I know that soon we will see each other again. Stay strong! Know that you are loved.

-Elder Bowlby  

This was the week where we got our email a day late.   Usually when the e-mail is going to be late we have warning and this time there was no warning.  I had a very hard Monday night and was glad when we finally heard from our son. 

Our Bowlby Family Christmas Letter. Merry Christmas 2018

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

     It is hard to believe that another year is coming to and end.  I hope this year has treated you well.
Here is a little of what our family did this year. 

Our Daughter graduated from high school in May with high honors.  She is still in Karate and earned her red/black belt this year.  She is now working towards her black belt which hopefully she will achieve this goal in May of 2019.  In August we moved her to college.  She is in the business scholars program for her school and in October she went on a trip to Chicago with her class.  She is thinking of doing accounting or quantitative analysis.  She loves math.  She has had a great first semester, and is excited for all the possibilities the future holds for her.

Our Son has 4 months left to his church mission.  He has had a good year.  He has served the people of Tampico Mexico in many ways, from teaching the gospel, to teaching English classes, also giving service by cleaning yards and caring for the people who live in the areas he has lived in.  We are glad to have an actual date of return, April 1, 2019.  Once home he will work and then attend college for animation.

My Husband on his free time always has a friend with a car that needs repair and so he spends a lot of time with his friends doing car things.  He changed his old car from and automatic transmission to a 4 speed manual transmission in hopes that it will go faster. (or change the driving experience to be more fun as he says, which to me means faster.)  One thing not car related that he likes to do is go to Utah Lake and spend a relaxing evening with me, listening to the waves and watching the fish jump.  He also got to go surfing at an indoor surfing place this year in Provo Utah and we took a trip to California with my Brother and Sister in-law and they did a little surfing on that trip too.

I enjoy my job, I work most mornings doing the accounting for a really nice grocery store.  This summer I spent many of my days off visiting flower gardens, I enjoy being out in nature and the different gardens in the area are beautiful.  I also enjoy doing photography and was able to get many great photos and have put together a few photography books.  This winter I plan on learning more about the plants I photographed, I may take some free online botany classes.  I also planned lots of mini summer adventures for my husband and I to go on.  We had a lot of fun exploring Utah.  Another project for this winter is to plan out more adventures for the new year.  I really enjoyed seeing Utah and there is so much more to see.
Merry Christmas to you all, have a healthy and happy new year.  Be sure to make each day special.
From,
The Bowlby Family

My Weekly Garden Walk, Flower Focus: The Passion Flower.

While walking this summer a flower that I really enjoyed photographing was the Passion Flower.

I just found it to be an interesting looking flower.  This winter my goal is to look through my photos and learn about the flowers I have photographed.   The Botanical name is Passiflora incarnate L.

It's plant family is Passifloraceae.

When I can I like to photograph the different stages of a flower as it blooms. 

I'm always amazed at the transformation of the flower bud to the actual flower in bloom.

I have a book idea that I hope to work on this winter. 

The Passion Flower is a vine flower. 

Here it is just starting to open.

I found an interesting history of how it got its name.

The story goes that in 1569 in Peru,  Nicolas Monardes ( discovered) this plant.

It eventually made it into the hands of Spanish missionaries who saw the flower as a physical 

representation of the crucifixion of Christ.  The three stigmas represented the

'nails of the crucifixion', the coronal filaments were the 'crown of thorns', the five stamens were the wounds, and the ten sepals were representative of ten of the Saviors disciples.   The missionaries used this flower as a teaching tool to tell the story of Christ.

People have used this plant as a magical charm to attract friendships and to bring peace,

the leaves can be placed in a house to illicit harmony and lessen discord.

I also like to learn about the Victorian era meaning of flowers.  It used to be

if you gave flowers to someone you could be sending them a secret message.

The two meanings I found are:

Faith

and

Mourning over the death of a loved one.

Here is a photo of the flower in a potted plant arrangement. 

I look forward to learning more about flowers this winter as I await spring and

the gardens opening again.  Although I have found a year round garden that 

I plan to visit this winter. 

Do you have a favorite flower? 

G.G.

Websites about this flower:

https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/passionflower/profile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora

https://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/daley-victor-j/passion-flower-0039023