We found the snow! - May 13, 2019

This week has been a little crazy... we did a WHOLE lot of things. For example we cleaned out our entire house this week in preparation for all the people who were going to come stay with us during the week. (It was transfers on Tuesday.  She and her comp are staying together for 6 more weeks.  They are happy about that.  They have worked through some personality differences and are doing really well together.She will only have one more transfer after this one.  We will see if she stays in the area for her last transfer or goes somewhere new to end her mission.)  On Tuesday we had to go pick up some new sisters who had just recently gotten to Cochabamba from the MTC, so we fed them trancapecho *i´ll send a pic* that is super good, and then in the morning we made them pancakes and sent them off to go find out who their trainers were. Then that morning we had to watch a bunch of safety videos that i guess the church has put out recently, but there are 12 of them so we only watched a few and will slowly but surely watch them every week. 

These are from zone conference last week.  Proof that she wears pants occasionally...

We got to visit a few people on Thursday, and it was cool to just contact in between appointments and see all the cool people we could meet. Right now in our area we don't have a ton of investigators, but those that we do have are progressing pretty well and we are super excited for them! We had our first intercambio of the cambio (transfer) this week, and it was cool because literally ALL of the appointments we had fell through, but we contacted a BUNCH of doors and i am SO excited to do follow up with these people. I really felt like we contacted a street of gold! So cool! Aaaaand of course on Sunday we had church, we ate lunch with the bishop and then chatted with the fam because it was Mother´s Day! I hope all of the wonderful mothers I know had a wonderful day :) We had a Family Home Evening afterwards that was awesome because 2 of our investigators went, and it was SO COOL because we decided to do a testimony meeting and the members shared things that our investigators NEEDED to hear, and they didn´t even know the situations of our investigators. So so cool. I love how the Spirit uses us in ways that we don´t even know. Today was fun because we road tripped up the Tunari *it´s a mountain close by Cochabamba*  with a bunch of other missionaries. Some of them have never seen snow before *like my comp* and got to see and play in it! Super cool

It was a pretty good week, I know God blessed us so much, and i´m excited to see what blessings he´ll send and the miracles we´ll see in the next one. :)

Hermana Rowe

Semanas de Locuras - April 29, 2019

It´s been pretty crazy here in Cocha this week. 

On Tuesday we had Leader´s Council, and I loved that they talked about how we need to be missionaries that are better at giving challenges to investigators and always be extending commitments to investigators, members, and ourselves. It was awesome :)

This week my hija hna muñoz (the sister she trained and is serving in a neighboring area) was really really sick and had to go to the hospital for a few days, so we took a pic together the night that i spent in the hospital with her:) (As part of her duties as a sister training leader she and her companion help other sister companionships when they are struggling.  In this case she was on an extended intercambio so that the work could move forward in both areas.  While she stayed with Hma Muno her companion was with the other Hma and worked in both areas.)  

Then we had our district meeting which was kinda funny because the elders from that chapel were going to have a baptism that day and the font overfilled and we all cleaned up the water. Also, my leather scriptures cases got delivered, (it is a thing there to have leather scripture cases hand made.  She has been talking about this for a couple of weeks) and they are so cool! I love them.

One of the days we were basically with the elders the whole day since there was a primary activity that the ward asked us to help out with which actually turned out really awesome because they gave us a bunch of references of the moms of the kids that other kids had invited, so we took a pic together. Also, that morning (Saturday) i cut my comp´s hair. :D 

That night the people that live next to us had a bunch of parties late into the night. The music was so loud that we literally could not sleep, our windows shook and everything. Sunday we were super tired, BUT! we had 2 investigators come that are AWESOME!!! they are so prepared for the gospel, they already are talking about how they want to come every week, now all we have to do is reaffirm their baptismal date and they´re in jaja!! (This is the woman and her daughter that she street contacted at the beginning of this transfer (so almost 6 weeks ago.)  

Jessica said she felt impressed to talk to her and she (the investigator) cried when she told her about the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy.  The woman taught sunday school in her own church but was feeling like something was missing. Jessica said they felt very welcomed at church and it felt right.)

Today hna navarrete and i basically went shopping for our p day. It was fun to spend time together without a bunch of other missionaries. I bought a hat that i´m thinking about giving to my dad (if he likes it...) when i get back. But meanwhile i´m going to use it :) 

I know it´s short but i´m out of time. Sorry i can´t seem to get in a full letter since they started up the whole skype every week thing. I love talking with my family :) 

¡Qué tenga una semana super chala!

Hermana Rowe

100 Days Left - April 22, 2019

(She said she is not counting the days but other missionaries keep reminding her of how long she has left.  She doesn't seem to be trunky.  She is trying to focus on the work and finish up strong!)

Happy Week!! (And Happy Easter!!) Wow I am so happy that I could talk with ALL the members of my family today!! That was the best ever. (She got permission to call late (8pm her time) because they went as a zone to the jungle.  So the kids were home from school and I was dropping Ella (a niece) at home and so she got to say hello to the Jorgensens too.)

This week was Holy Week for Catholics, so they had a lot of school and work off, so it was a good week to go find people :)

This week we had 2 intercambios, and for one of them i got to be with my hija (mission slay for the girls she trained), Hna Muñoz! That was a super fun day. It was fun to see the trust we have in each other, that it´s still there :) The other intercambio was with another sister who is finishing her training this transfer. We had kind of a mix up about what are new investigators and what are contacts, so we got all that straightened out and we had a great time :)

Today for p day we went to a place called la jungla in villa tunari (basically we went to the jungle) and we had some fun times :)  (She went on a "zipline" and a rope swing.  I am pretty sure neither of them were mission approved... She said the zone leader said it was ok so... You know Jessica... always up for an adventure!  You can probably see from the picture why I put zipline in quotes...)

It´s been a good week, I love you all, and I hope your week is filled with love and spiritual experiences.

Con amor,

Hermana Rowe

Happy 13 Months - April 15, 2019

This week has been crazy, we had 2 intercambios and i´ve been a little stressed and now I´m kinda sick. But! The work of the Lord keeps on going with or without me, so i choose to try to keep up with everything. :) 

This week was Kids Day in Bolivia, so we went and did a service in a poorer part of the city where we brought them food and toys and we painted faces. It was super fun :)

I´m so sorry for keeping it so short but today was dad´s 48th birthday and my grandparents were there to talk too, so i haven´t had time to write because i talked so much... i really am sorry. I´ll try to be better in the coming weeks :)

We are entering winter right now since there isn´t really fall here, so...  (We are finally having some sunny days so we asked her about her weather.  She said it is chilly in the morning and gets hot in the afternoon and cold at night...)

Lots of Love and Bipolar Weather from Cocha,

Hermana Rowe

Pics from the intercambios 

These are some things she found funny...

Intercambios and Fun - April 8, 2019

Sorry that sounds like a really good title but there isn't going to be a lot of text behind it...

I got to see Ronal (the one from Sucre) an extra day because he went to the temple on Tuesday, and we got permission to take him to lunch with us after since the temple is close to our area.  The smile on his face when he came out of the temple was the biggest one i´ve ever seen on him. I know the temple really brings peace and happiness into our lives. :)

We did 2 intercambios with some new hermanas, and i have pics :) We put some fechas this week, and we are still working super hard to get 10 contacts in every day. :) Today for p day we played volley, sorry no pics from that.

Conference was the BEST!! I seriously feel like the 2nd coming is coming QUICK, and we need to get prepared and repent NOW ;) I´m excited for when our zone leaders will give us the liahona from this month so i can go back and read all of the talks. I love the Becky Craven's talk about true happiness and things like that-You can´t buy happiness for just 15 dollars :) There were a few of the Sunday talks that i thought about some family members who have left the church, and friends who aren´t members. I hope somehow these inspired messages get to them.

I love this gospel, i know it´s true. I love being a missionary :)

Hermana Rowe

PS  The last pic is because i love you all :)

New Cambio, New Comp! - April 1, 2019

It has been a pretty good week! I was super sad to see Hermana Curtis go (she went to Sucre, but it was a fun week with my new comp Hermana Navarrete! 

I didn´t really feel like a lot of things out of the ordinary happened, but it was cool to see her teaching style and how it compliments mine. I like that she is very direct, and that she really asks a lot of questions so that she gets to know the investigators.

Today a YSA from my first ward in Sucre came to Cochabamba because he is going to the temple tomorrow because he is going on a mission to Portugal (yes, that´s Europe) in May. It was fun to see him and talk with him a little bit. 

Sorrrrrrry for being a short email writer now. I just REALLY enjoy chatting with my family :D

Lots of Love from Cochabamba,

Hermana Rowe

This has been an awesome crazy super full week, but i´ve talked with a lot of people this week and i´m out of time so sorry!! (I guess this is starting to be a common theme... yikes rip sorry sorry lo siento y lamentoi mucho no soy perfecta pero estoy tratando mejorarme!!)

To start out the week we had the zone conference which was awesome!! I love Presidente Montoya, he really knows like everything! (She said he knows the old testament really well and has a great understanding of gospel principles.  He had a question and answer session and she said he explained some things in a way that she had never heard and it made perfect sense.)

Then we also helped out some of the sisters in the zone to switch houses, and I got to help a little even though with latinos feminism isn't much of a thing so a lot of the latino elders didn't want me to help with the heavy stuff, even though i´ve got it... but whatever it´s all good :)

A sister that is going home this week stayed with us for a few days which was fun!

Today we went back to the same water falls from a few weeks ago, but with other people. Still fun, but i´m tired :)

The person they were teaching and hoping would be baptized this last weekend had to travel for work so they are hoping he will be baptized this weekend.  Sister Curtis is being transferred today and Jessica will get a new companion but that is the way it goes with missionaries...  Jessica is still doing well on her goal to contact 10 people everyday.  The woman they found last week through this extra effort couldn't meet this week so they are hoping she is reading the Book of Mormon and that they can meet with her in a few days.)

Basically my week! Love you all! Hope it´s a great week!

Hermana Rowe 

Happy 1 Year to Me! - March 18, 2019

This week I hit 1 year in the mission! We made french toast for breakfast that day to celebrate, so i´ll send a pic! 

We´ve been working really hard at contacting lots, which has been awesome!! (My mom will fill in some blanks here... sorry!!)   (She went to leadership council on Tuesday.  It is where the Mission President meets with the zone leaders, assistants and the Sister Training Leaders.  She said it was a great meeting and that the meeting the President said every missionary should be contacting at least 10 people everyday.  So she and her companion have been working hard to meet that goal.  Since it is a goal they have really worked to talk to everyone.)  WE had consejo de lideres, y yo canté con una otra hermana ---- aaah sorry Spanish. I sang with another hermana, and it just so happens that we have the same clothes from missionary mall, so we dressed up the same. She is going home in a week, her name is hermana Ballard. (She´s the best!!) 

We´ve had some awesome lessons this week (mom... sorry!) and we´ve just been rocking the area this week! When we show the Lord we are willing to work hard, he uses us REALLY WELL :) And it´s the best. (They have a man that they have been working with that is scheduled to be baptized this Saturday.  There is a possibility that he will have to travel for work and they are anxious to find out if it will happen this weekend.  Her comp will be transferred next week and may miss it if it has to be postponed (as often happens with missionaries...)  Also another sister that has worked with him would be in their area (because she is going home this transfer) and could be there for the baptism if it happens this weekend.  One of the great discussions she had this week was with a woman they met as they were pushing to make their contacting goal.  As they taught her about the restoration and Joseph Smith she starting crying.  She was also so excited to learn about the Book of Mormon.  She serves in her church and is dedicated to Jesus Christ.  They are so excited to meet with her and teach her more about the gospel.  Jessica is seeing instant rewards from being obedient and opening her mouth to talk to everyone.  She said she and her companion are still trying to work out how to do it some days.  If they stop and contact on the way to appointments then they are late so they have to set aside time to contact.)

(She also said that she was so excited to be able to do laundry.  There are sisters that are in the area next to theirs that have a washing machine.  So they went over and did a couple of loads.  They don't have dryers there and everything is hung up to dry.  So she said they go over and do laundry while studying in the morning.  Then they do their errands and go to the internet cafe.  On their way home to change and get ready for evening appointments they stop by and pick up their wet clothes and take them home and hang them up to dry.  She is also feeling much better.  She has finally kicked whatever illness was lingering for 2 weeks.  I asked about parasites and she said they have them there and lots of missionaries get them.  They have been given counsel about what to eat and drink but sometimes members give them things made with regular water (instead of bottled) and it is rude not to eat it.  She said she is fine and doesn't have one but she said she has eaten a few things that her system did not agree with...)

I know Joseph Smith really is a true prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is true, and that it really changes lives.

Con amor,

Hermana Rowe 

Jessica and Sister Curtis

Jessica in a trufi (local cheap transportation)

This Week:) - March 11, 2019

This week has been pretty crazy, but I talked way to much today (like every week) so the letter will be short again, but Mom told me that she´ll fill in some stuff, so that´s good. :)  She and her companion had a scary experience this week.  They were in one of the other sisters' zones for the day.  On the way home they had some guy follow them (they didn't realize that until later.)   When they got back to their area and were walking toward home this man approached them and started talking (which she said is unusual.  Men don't approach them and try to talk unless they are drunk.)  Her companion recognized him as the same guy (from when she served in the other area) that she had had a run in with (he acted inappropriately...)  They immediately ditched him and called their district leaders.  The Elders told them to come to their pension and not go home.  As they redirected where they were going they saw that this guy and turned and was on a path to intercept them if they had continued the course they were on.  They made it home safely eventually and they haven't seen any sign of him in the area since.  They are definitely on high alert.  Jessica hasn't ever had an experience like this so it has opened her eyes.  She (and we) are very grateful for the Lord's protection and the Spirit that warns of danger!

I was pretty sick throughout the whole week, but we still went out and worked hard, so that was good  (but maybe not for my health haha). We went to the clinic to get more meds, so now I´m getting better little by little :) She said she has been to the clinic 3 times and been given different medications each time.  She has had a bad cough (exacerbated by climbing hills in her area) and it moved into her sinus.  She is finally felling better and is happy to not have that distraction.

I´m grateful for the little miracles that God gives us everyday. Really we can find people if we just open our mouths and talk, and God really does protect us. I´m so grateful for my many many blessings. I know God loves us, and wants us to be happy!  She said that they have a great girl that they are teaching.  She has lots of thoughtful questions and they are excited to continue teacher her.  They have a few others learning about the church that seem to be interested but maybe aren't too serious.  So they are always looking for more people to teach.

This week for P day we had a zone activity where basically we hiked and then we had a barbecue. It was fun! I´ll send a pic of the whole zone next week if I can get it.

I´m grateful for the mission and the many things the Lord is teaching me :)

Lots of love and weird weather from Cochabamba, (She didn't say anything about weird weather so I'll have to ask her about that next week.)

Hermana Rowe

She said... 

since we can wear pants. one day this week we decided to dress up like the elders,

 and they gave us ties to take the picture haha!!

The group picture is all of the missionaries from my zone that are going home in July.  

And that is just my zone.There are a lot of missionaries going home in July!!

(Her mission pres gave her the choice of coming home a full transfer early so that would

be July 31/Aug 1 or to come home mid transfer in Aug. I think she has decided to 

come home a whole transfer early.)

So fun I was SICK (literally) - March 4, 2019

This was a pretty fun week. I started it out PRETTY sick, and actually was sick all week (she said she was achy and feverish.) Sick enough that I had to go to the clinic to get antibiotics (and they gave me a shot... in the butt!! I didn´t know they even did that anymore!!) so that wasn´t super fun, and I was pretty achy and had a fever for like the whole week, but it was pretty fun because we did 2 intercambios! The bad part is that we were working HARD this week, so i didn´t really get time to rest up. The bad part about my area is that it is one big hill, so my body has been working a lot. I´ve been nonstop coughing for the whole week too. BUT! It´s not getting me down. 

I think one of the things i´ve been realizing about myself is that I really have the spiritual gift of bearing a very firm and strong testimony. I´m grateful for the spiritual gifts my heavenly father has given me. I know he has given spiritual gifts to everyone, we just have to search them out!

Amo la obra misional, estoy tan agradecida por mi compañera y por este area. Sé que este es un gran obra, y ¡¡cualquier persona que quiere participar está bienvenida!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Hermana Rowe

We got to visit with her again this week.  So Great!!  It is Carnival so they have to be a little more careful.  She said it wasn't bad over the weekend.  Just that people in the streets randomly spray you with colored foam (or maybe silly string?) or water.  She said they like to go after the gringos even more.  She is having fun with it.  She bought her own can to spray back.  HA HA.  She said they expect today (Tuesday) to be the worst of it and so they have been told to stay in all day today.  She bought some ingredients so she could cook something great and make some no bake cookies.  Apparently that is what the missionaries there make (most likely because their apartments don't have ovens.)  She talked about how much she is enjoying this companion.  They are both pretty easy going and they don't have to work on getting along.  It comes naturally.  She LOVES that this comp is obedient and they don't have drama and can just focus on the work.  

I asked a little more about her area.  She said she is about 20 minutes from the temple it isn't in her area.  She said it takes about 20 minutes to walk from one side of her area to the other.  She loves this time in her missionary service.  She has a grasp of the language (but is still trying to learn and improve.) She loves her companion.  She is a seasoned missionary (although I don't know that she would use those words to describe herself) and she loves the people of Bolivia.  I have reminded/asked her to continue writing longer letters so that you all can still get insight into how she is doing.  I think we are still adjusting to the new communication guidelines and she is also feeling that her mission is winding down and it is natural to write less.  

On P day they had other sisters who are serving around them come over for breakfast.  They made pancakes.  Apparently one sister was disappointed that Hermana Rowe wasn't making eggs (because she is known in the mission for her love and mastery of making eggs many different way.) :)