June 24, 2013 Letter

Hi Family,

 

Holy cow! It sounds like some crazy things are going on back home. A lady in our stake actually just asked me yesterday if I knew anything about the flooding up in Alberta. That is crazy! Did we get water in our basement? Where do the people go when they have to be evacuated? Sounds interesting. But that is Canadian weather for you. Robbie it sounds like you are having some interesting experiences at work. That is funny. A little poop never hurt anyone. Keep up the great work. Is it hard being away from Cammie?

 

So there is a ton of stuff I want to say. I will try to remember everything and type quickly. Grandma and Grandpa Low served a mission in Washington in the late 1980's right? The Bishop's wife down here said she thinks she served at the same time as them. That is pretty cool. And Mom I don't know if I really need my Canadian passport. I should be good with my American one right? Karen I do not know my mailing address. But I am in the library right now and I am going to go check out your locker sometime! And if you do see me by accident feel free to say hi. I really only come up to campus to write emails home. Other than that I am not on campus very much. Karen and Alvin are you in the Summer term?

 

So when is everybody going to head to Echo? Sounds like Mom and Dad got some cleaning done. Can you boat on it this year?

 

One thing that I keep forgetting to mention is music! I was wondering if you could send me some music sometime. There was an Elder in the MTC who had a tiny ipod and a really small speaker. And I love music. It really brings the Spirit. I love EFY music and here we are allowed to listen to Jon Schmidt as well. Jason also had some really good church music. Don't feel rushed on that though. That could be like a cool Christmas gift. Or I could even buy something here or when I go to Australia.

 

Well this week has been very interesting! We taught almost 40 lessons this week. So we were pretty busy. Most of them are less active members. But that is just as good! There is one family that we are teaching, the Christensens, who are super nice people who have felt the Spirit, but they just don't realize it. It is really sad. I really hope they come around someday. Yesterday me and Elder Harpole spoke in two different wards. I am starting to enjoy speaking a lot more. I think they went well. And yes I was able to go to the Mariott Center to watch the meeting. It was amazing! One of my favorite parts was when the Apostles walked in. Eleven out of the twelve were there. Only Boyd K. Packer wasn't. As soon as they walked in, there was a special spirit there. I love that feeling. It was a great meeting. And it is so true that everyone needs to be involved in the work now. It is so much more effective when we get help from members. Especially here in Utah. The more we serve others and help them come unto Christ, that happier we will be. And it doesn't even have to be none members or less active members. We should always be trying to strengthen everyone around us.

 

So I have some news. I am being transferred! Not to Australia though, just to Payson. So I will be heading down there on Wednesday morning. I have very mixed feelings about it. Even though I have only been here a few weeks now, I really love this area. I have met a ton of people that are so great. It is going to be sad to leave everyone I am teaching right now. But I am also excited to meet new people and serve in a new area! It will be interesting to see what my new companion is like.

 

I have really learned here that the Lord knows each of our weaknesses and each of our strengths. And He loves us so much that He wants our weaknesses to become strengths. But we cannot do that alone. The Lord's hand is always stretched out for us. We just have to do our part and He will give us strength. And just like He loves us, we have to Love everyone around us. The more Christ like we become, the happier we will be. I have a testimony of that. I love you all and hope you have an awesome week. Travel safe to Utah and good luck at the reception down here!

 

Love,

Elder Low

 

P.S. Are my emails too long or too short?

June 17, 2013 Letter

Hey Family!

 

How is it going? I can't remember if I said this last week but it sounds like the wedding went great! That is awesome. How was the cruise Karen and Alvin? Was it everything you dreamed of and more? It sounds like everybody is gone and things are calming down. How are you feeling mom? Is the stress gone? Robbie it sounds like work is killer. I am sorry. That is a lot of work. Your probably making pretty good money though right? Cammie are you excited to babysit? Maybe I will run into you down here. Sounds like Waterton was a blast. I love that place.

 

Well I am not going to lie, I am still trying to get use to serving in Provo. Every time I look at the big Y on the mountain I feel like I am at school again. I am actually in the library at BYU right now. I already saw Ryan Quinton and Meghan Hartley. They both thought it was pretty funny that I am here. But I am loving it! I am getting a ton of opportunities to teach. Most of the people we teach are less active or they are about to turn eight. The less active members here always get there missionaries to come teach their children when they turn eight because they know that they need to be baptized. So we do a lot of that. We do have one non-member we are teaching though. Her name is Robin. We got her to come to church yesterday! So that was awesome. We already had 2 baptisms last weekend. I only got to teach a few lessons with them but it was awesome to see them get baptized. We also had one man we are teaching receive the Melchezidek priesthood. It was amazing. His wife was so happy. There is so much to do in Provo. It really surprised me.

 

Well let me tell you about my trainer. He is a very interesting person. Elder Harpole definitely has a unique personality. He is from Texas so that helped explain a lot. Just kidding. He loves to sing, especially Les Miserables. I often find him starring at me while he is singing weird songs. It is a little creepy. But what can you do. He has a great heart though! I think he has been a little less motivated the last couple of months, but we are getting back on track. We have been working really hard this week. And unfortunately we do not get a car. We are in the Provo west area so we have bikes. I am getting a pretty sweet tan. And don't worry, I am wearing sunscreen. It has been so hot down here! I am not sure how I am going to handle Australia.

 

I have not heard anything about my visa yet. They said it could be days, weeks, or even months. So I guess I will just have to wait and see. But that is ok. Provo is awesome! I love teaching. There are some amazing families around here.

 

Dad it sounds like you had a good Fathers Day. I wish I could have been there. I just wanted to say thank you for everything. You work so hard every day and you expect nothing in return. You are the kindest man I know. You are always thinking of others and are willing to serve. The biggest thing I notice about you is how much love you have for everyone around you and especially your children. You are the most Christ like person I know. You have been such an amazing example to me. I hope some day I can return the favor. Thank you so much for everything you do. I love you.

 

Well I hope everyone has a great week! This Gospel is so true. The Lord has a hand in everything we do. We may not notice it at the time, but the Lord is always putting people or other things in our path to help us become better people and ultimately prepare us to live with him again. He wants us to succeed, and that is why he is always helping us. And just like it says multiple times in the scriptures, his hand is always stretched out. We just have to let him help us. Love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Low

June 10, 2013 Letter

Hey Family!

How is everybody doing? How was the wedding? Richard how does it feel to be graduated? Sounds to me like it was a pretty awesome week back home. I am glad everything went well with the wedding! And Leslie that is an amazing story about your diamond! I am so glad you found it. That really is a miracle. The Lord loves us so much and really has His hand in everything. Robbie and Cammie, that is some exciting news. How does if feel to be a Canadian Cammie? Best feeling ever? Have fun with work Robbie! And good luck studying for the MCAT!

So when are Karen and Alvin coming back to Provo? I am here now! I left the MTC this morning. It was a little sad but exciting at the same time. I grew so close with my district there. It will be great to see them again in Australia. The MTC really did teach me so much. The Spirit is so strong there. I just hope I can keep that Spirit with me out in the field. So this morning my mission president came to pick me and one other Elder up at the MTC. My mission presidents name is President McCune. He seems pretty young. probably around 50 I would guess. He is a great man. My new companions name is Elder Harpole. He is very energetic!! Should be fun. I am excited.

Well I haven't had a whole lot of new experiences out in the field yet. I have only been here for a couple of hours now. It is super different though! But we start teaching tonight when our Pday is over. I am excited for that! In the past week at the MTC I have just been going to class and everything else we do there. We had a great lesson with our branch president, President Willes. He had us have a conversation with our companion in front of the class. What we had to do was think about a Christ like attribute they and talk to them about it. It was an amazing experience. It is amazing the Spirit that comes when we look for the good in other people. Our Savior loves everyone, and He is the ultimate example, so we should love everyone too.

This Gospel is so true. I love being a missionary. I can't wait to teach the people in Provo. It will be a great experience for me! With faith in the Lord we can do all things. I am here in Provo for a reason and I know that as I submit my will to the Lord He will put people in my path to teach. God is preparing people all over the world to feel of His love and happiness. This Gospel really does bring happiness. Have a great week and I love you all!

Love,
Elder Low

June 4, 2013 Letter

 

 

Hey family!

 

How is everything going? Are you ready for the wedding yet? It sounds like it is a blast up there with everybody flying in for the wedding. Don't let Mom get too stressed. Jason and Kamry congrats on blessing another baby! That is awesome. I wish I could have been there. How does Alvin think the MCAT went? I bet it feels good to have that over with. Karen you are going through the temple tomorrow right? Congrats! You will love it.

 

Well you have probably all heard by now that I am not going to Australia as soon as I thought. The flight plans that we got did not mean that our visas came. They told us last week that our visas have not come but they will let us know when they do. I am not the only one though. There was suppose to be 33 Elders and Sisters flying out at the same time as me but only 3 of them got their visa. That is crazy! Hopefully it comes soon. In the mean time we are still here at the MTC. They are putting us in the "holding zone" and continuing us on the schedule they had before the MTC shortened the time missionaries spend here. That is ok though! I just get to practice and learn that much more. From what I am told, we should get a re-assignment either this Thursday or Friday if our visa has not come and probably leave sometime early next week. I also heard that I may be able to call and tell you where I am going. So hopefully somebody is home if I do. If not I will just email you. With the switch in our schedule we actually have another P-day on Thursday. So if I have some exciting news by then I will let you know. If not, I probably won't send an email. Another thing I heard was that if my visa does not come within 3 months or 2 transfers out in the field, that becomes my permanent mission. I'm not sure if that is correct or just rumors. I guess we will see.

 

Mom the Elder Zemp I was talking about was Matt Zemp. Dahl Zemp's son. And yes Elder Gregson was Tarren. I don't think I can print off my emails. There is no printer in the lab that I type my emails. So sorry if I don't remember all your questions. Robbie and Cammie congrats on moving to Cardston this week! It's a dream come true right? Just kidding. But really I think you will enjoy it. Karen and Alvin I can't believe you are getting married this weekend! It is crazy to think that just over a year ago Karen hadn't even talked to a boy and now she is marrying one. Miracles do happen!! You two are perfect for each other.

 

Life here at the MTC is pretty much the same. I love it! We get fed great, teach lots, and learn lots. I still love my companion and my district. One thing that did happen though is that I tweaked my shoulder pretty good. Last night I decided to try and play volleyball instead of basketball for gym time. It was going really good and my shoulder felt great until I tried to reach behind my head to hit a ball. Bad idea. I don't know if it popped out or not but it kind of hurt. It is feeling a lot better today though. So I am sure it is fine. I just need to do my exercises. I had another chance to go to the temple today and I get to go again on Thursday. So that is great! I love the temple.

 

Well I hope everyone has a good time at the wedding this weekend and travels safe. Congrats again Karen and Alvin! Mom I hope you aren't too stressed and are able to enjoy it. Let people help you. You should be able to enjoy your last daughters wedding. This Gospel is so true. God loves us and knows us personally. I have felt His love so much for me this week. I can't wait to see if I am re-assigned. And if so, where I am re-assigned. I know that it is not where I serve but how I serve. God has a plan for me. There may be someone somewhere else that I need to teach first. I know that as long as we put the Gospel first in our lives and live the way He wants us to live, He will help us be where we need to be. Thank you so much for all your love and support. I love you all! Have a good week!

 

Love,

Elder Low