What an exciting day of news from Dusty.
"hey guys
Sorry about the tape its still sitting in my room and all i have to do is go and mail it. but I've been busy this week. Monday my whole district except me and Elder Christensen got called to see the Consulate so it was a bummer for sure. But yesterday we were called and I have my visa for Mexico.
I don't know when we'll be leaving. We're hoping tomorrow, but I'll be allowed to call home and tell you guys when i call from the airport. So its been exciting. We're going to the travel office right after I'm through emailing to see if we are going out tomorrow.
The Lord has blessed us. Let me share the miracle that He has done for us. Remember i said that all those Elders left to like Georgia and other places in Utah? The ones that were delayed and what not. I guess with them leaving they bumped us up towards the front. And remember President Dickersons run in with the Nephew of Mexico? Since about last Monday the Consulate has done about 18 visas a day. My district and I never realized it until Monday when I wasn't going to the Consulate, it hit me all the blessings that the Lord had given us. I remembered that the those other Elders that had been sent out a couple weeks ago were going to be there for a whole transfer, so they went behind us in line. The Lord has truly answered our prayers, we had faith that He would bless us to receive our visas on time and He did it. It such a blessing. This has taught me a great lesson of faith and patience. And I'm grateful for that!
So we are anticipating getting our plans today! I hope that we do so that we can start. The other Elders that got their visas last week, left Tuesday and are probably doing their thing in Mexico.
Everything else is going great, the language is going fine and we are all working hard and enjoying ourselves. But we are ready to go and serve. We've been doing Spanish calls in the referral center and its such a blast. The people are so patient with us.
I hope all is well at home and that everyone is in good health. Continue to stay faithful. i love you guys and thank you for your support and letters and I hope to continue to hear from all you. I hope that everything goes well with Lynette's baby and that she has it and that its healthy. Rely on the Lord during this time of hardship with the girls. Obedience and hard work can solve almost any problem, one of our speakers said that, i think that it was Elder Steven Snow of the Seventy on Tuesday, that has been what has helped me.
Love
Elder Howard"
Then Later today we got the following email:
"OK, big news. After i emailed you guys we went to the travel office and we are leaving tomorrow morning at 6 am. we'll get to Mexico about 230 tomorrow. My flight is at about 935 so I'll call between 7-8 tomorrow your guys time. so i know its early but i guess if you don't want to talk to me you can just sleep and not answer. but I'll call tonight just to reaffirm that I'm going to be calling at that time but i only get 5 minutes. so there's the news i just sent the tape. lo siento. But I"M GOING TO MEXICO!!!!!!YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY!!!
Love Elder Howard"
So he is on this way. What a wonderful turn of events for him. We are so happy and grateful that the Lord has made a change in the heart of the consulate allowing this to happen. Dusty will be five days late into the field, rather than the months we had worried.
He is so excited he can't even contain himself!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Dusty's Email -- 8/21/2008
Hey family
First off, apologize to mom for me, because, I couldn’t talk to her but also because I called your cell on purpose so that I wouldn’t like break moms heart. lo siento.
Anyway, yesterday after I got off the phone with you found out that we weren’t going anywhere for 2 weeks. ya, so we were all bummed out, mostly at the travel office because they have told us about 3-4 different things this week and its really annoying. But it all presses on and we continue to study and practice. But great news this morning....3 Elders in my district are going to see the Consulate today. They aren’t going to Mexico City, they are going to Oaxaca(I think I spelled that right) and the other is Tuxtla Gutierez, so they will leave for sure on Monday, but we have no idea what the heck is going on, whether we leave next week or are here for 2 weeks or if we are just going to spend time here for 2 years or what....that last one was a joke. haha I will try and keep you guys updated the best that I can.
But it was so awesome to get a package from you guys. I loved it...and the big guy Deklerk that snores, he hasn’t left yet, that was my other roommate, so we all got a laugh when you said that about him, he was like...."what, your family is giving you advice on how to stop me" it was pretty funny. But he leaves next Wednesday for Peru. The food is awesome, I'm downing these corn nuts like crazy, thanks for that. I'm hoping to respond and send it out tomorrow.
Ok our devotional on Tuesday was so sweet. It was Elder Oaks...yup, Dallin H. Oaks. It was so good , he talked about the importance of the sacrament and it was really, really good. I took a ton of notes and set some goals to improve. Oh and thanks for sending that letter from Mike, i got the package yesterday, and like i said that was the day that we were told that we were gonna be here another 2 weeks, so we were all bummed out, but the tape and the letter made it all better. and thanks for forwarding the letter from Todd, that was so, so awesome to read, and I laughed for like 10 minutes over some of the things.
I have no idea when I'll be outta here, hopefully I'll get to talk to all you guys and that the new baby is here when I call. So but I hope that all goes well health wise for Lynette and the baby. oh the pictures I loved. all three babies have grown up so much since the last time that i saw them. I can’t even believe it.
Let’s see, not much new, still just doing my thing in the MTC, today we went to the temple, good session as usual. but thanks for all the letters and all the news about what’s going on. I really appreciate it. I hope that all is well and that you continue to recognize the Lord in your lives.
Paz
Elder Howard
First off, apologize to mom for me, because, I couldn’t talk to her but also because I called your cell on purpose so that I wouldn’t like break moms heart. lo siento.
Anyway, yesterday after I got off the phone with you found out that we weren’t going anywhere for 2 weeks. ya, so we were all bummed out, mostly at the travel office because they have told us about 3-4 different things this week and its really annoying. But it all presses on and we continue to study and practice. But great news this morning....3 Elders in my district are going to see the Consulate today. They aren’t going to Mexico City, they are going to Oaxaca(I think I spelled that right) and the other is Tuxtla Gutierez, so they will leave for sure on Monday, but we have no idea what the heck is going on, whether we leave next week or are here for 2 weeks or if we are just going to spend time here for 2 years or what....that last one was a joke. haha I will try and keep you guys updated the best that I can.
But it was so awesome to get a package from you guys. I loved it...and the big guy Deklerk that snores, he hasn’t left yet, that was my other roommate, so we all got a laugh when you said that about him, he was like...."what, your family is giving you advice on how to stop me" it was pretty funny. But he leaves next Wednesday for Peru. The food is awesome, I'm downing these corn nuts like crazy, thanks for that. I'm hoping to respond and send it out tomorrow.
Ok our devotional on Tuesday was so sweet. It was Elder Oaks...yup, Dallin H. Oaks. It was so good , he talked about the importance of the sacrament and it was really, really good. I took a ton of notes and set some goals to improve. Oh and thanks for sending that letter from Mike, i got the package yesterday, and like i said that was the day that we were told that we were gonna be here another 2 weeks, so we were all bummed out, but the tape and the letter made it all better. and thanks for forwarding the letter from Todd, that was so, so awesome to read, and I laughed for like 10 minutes over some of the things.
I have no idea when I'll be outta here, hopefully I'll get to talk to all you guys and that the new baby is here when I call. So but I hope that all goes well health wise for Lynette and the baby. oh the pictures I loved. all three babies have grown up so much since the last time that i saw them. I can’t even believe it.
Let’s see, not much new, still just doing my thing in the MTC, today we went to the temple, good session as usual. but thanks for all the letters and all the news about what’s going on. I really appreciate it. I hope that all is well and that you continue to recognize the Lord in your lives.
Paz
Elder Howard
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Dusty's Email -- 8/14/2008
hey Que Tal??
So its coming down to the wire here. This is my second to last P-Day in the MTC. My branch President said that whether we have our visas or not we're heading out August 25th. But great news, you know the story that I told a couple weeks ago about my Branch President at the store with the guy who's Uncle is President of Mexico. Yeah, 50 visas went through this week:) He usually only does 10. So we're hoping and praying things will continue to move along. But President Dickerson says that if we don't get our visas we'll probably go to Georgia. That's what he said but we have no idea.
So we're doing another week of week of Spanish and its actually really hard to type in English because I keep coming up with the Spanish words.haha, but esta bien. Anyway things are going great here, we're teaching in Spanish, not just the task that everyone has every week but a progressive investigator also. We're doing both in Spanish and so we're teaching almost everyday on Spanish, its really sweet. There are times that the words just come and also thoughts to switch the subject or to ask a question and there is just some way that you're able to say it. Its amazing, the Spirit is so strong here.
I'm still a little sick. I feel fine but i have a sore throat and I'm coughing a bit and have a runny nose. But I'll take that over anything else, if this is the extent of the sickness i get here, that's fine. Others have had worse so I've been blessed.
I hope that you guys got my tape back, I sent it on Monday so it should be there any day. But how are things going? It sounds like its getting tougher as time presses nearer to the babies leaving. That's been tough for me too, and all I can do is just work my butt off in Spanish and trying to learn something at times to get my mind off it. But it will be for our benefit, I don't know what that is, but know that the Lord is aware.
One of my companions parents sent him part of a sports page about the Olympics the other day, yeah we were wrestling to all read it first. hahaha, but its fun. my district is so awesome, this last week everyone left that was older than our district, so now our district is the oldest and there are three below us. So we're getting to help them out a lot.
Well again time is just flying by, its time for me to finally be in the field and then I'm sure time just flies right on by.
Quick story, the other day my companions and I had to teach the investigator(member just acting the part) about the plan of salvation, and the situation was that his brother had died and we were teaching him about where he goes and what not. Well after we finished, he decided to share something with us. When he walked into the room we noticed he had a crutch and come to find out he had polio. He's from Peru, and so when it came to the age to serve a mission he wanted to serve so badly, but the church wouldn't let him because he was disabled and they didn't have missions like that back then.
He wanted to serve so badly, and when he was 21 he was called to serve in the bishopric and the bishop handed him a letter and told him to read it in Sacrament to the congregation, and in the letter the first Presidency announced that disabled members could now serve missions. He was so happy because one of his deepest desires was to be a full time missionary. He went to his Stake President to ask if he could serve as a full time missionary, and was praying that no matter the answer he would accept it as the Lord's will. The Stake President said no! He was so sad but was still able to serve somewhere in Peru but not as a full time missionary. But in a blessing a little while later it was said that how blessed he is, because he has put the Lord's will first instead of always being bummed about not serving a full time mission. Of course he was crying as he told this story, and so were we, the Spirit was so strong.
He then looked at us and said that you are healthy. Don't waste your time, enjoy it, but get to work, Because one of my greatest desires was to be a full time missionary like you, and I was never allowed. It really left an impression with me and it really changed the way that I study and do things now.
I hope that all is well and I love hearing about whats going on.
Love you guys
Paz
Elder Howard
So its coming down to the wire here. This is my second to last P-Day in the MTC. My branch President said that whether we have our visas or not we're heading out August 25th. But great news, you know the story that I told a couple weeks ago about my Branch President at the store with the guy who's Uncle is President of Mexico. Yeah, 50 visas went through this week:) He usually only does 10. So we're hoping and praying things will continue to move along. But President Dickerson says that if we don't get our visas we'll probably go to Georgia. That's what he said but we have no idea.
So we're doing another week of week of Spanish and its actually really hard to type in English because I keep coming up with the Spanish words.haha, but esta bien. Anyway things are going great here, we're teaching in Spanish, not just the task that everyone has every week but a progressive investigator also. We're doing both in Spanish and so we're teaching almost everyday on Spanish, its really sweet. There are times that the words just come and also thoughts to switch the subject or to ask a question and there is just some way that you're able to say it. Its amazing, the Spirit is so strong here.
I'm still a little sick. I feel fine but i have a sore throat and I'm coughing a bit and have a runny nose. But I'll take that over anything else, if this is the extent of the sickness i get here, that's fine. Others have had worse so I've been blessed.
I hope that you guys got my tape back, I sent it on Monday so it should be there any day. But how are things going? It sounds like its getting tougher as time presses nearer to the babies leaving. That's been tough for me too, and all I can do is just work my butt off in Spanish and trying to learn something at times to get my mind off it. But it will be for our benefit, I don't know what that is, but know that the Lord is aware.
One of my companions parents sent him part of a sports page about the Olympics the other day, yeah we were wrestling to all read it first. hahaha, but its fun. my district is so awesome, this last week everyone left that was older than our district, so now our district is the oldest and there are three below us. So we're getting to help them out a lot.
Well again time is just flying by, its time for me to finally be in the field and then I'm sure time just flies right on by.
Quick story, the other day my companions and I had to teach the investigator(member just acting the part) about the plan of salvation, and the situation was that his brother had died and we were teaching him about where he goes and what not. Well after we finished, he decided to share something with us. When he walked into the room we noticed he had a crutch and come to find out he had polio. He's from Peru, and so when it came to the age to serve a mission he wanted to serve so badly, but the church wouldn't let him because he was disabled and they didn't have missions like that back then.
He wanted to serve so badly, and when he was 21 he was called to serve in the bishopric and the bishop handed him a letter and told him to read it in Sacrament to the congregation, and in the letter the first Presidency announced that disabled members could now serve missions. He was so happy because one of his deepest desires was to be a full time missionary. He went to his Stake President to ask if he could serve as a full time missionary, and was praying that no matter the answer he would accept it as the Lord's will. The Stake President said no! He was so sad but was still able to serve somewhere in Peru but not as a full time missionary. But in a blessing a little while later it was said that how blessed he is, because he has put the Lord's will first instead of always being bummed about not serving a full time mission. Of course he was crying as he told this story, and so were we, the Spirit was so strong.
He then looked at us and said that you are healthy. Don't waste your time, enjoy it, but get to work, Because one of my greatest desires was to be a full time missionary like you, and I was never allowed. It really left an impression with me and it really changed the way that I study and do things now.
I hope that all is well and I love hearing about whats going on.
Love you guys
Paz
Elder Howard
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Dusty's Email -- 8/6/08
Hey
Ok, so I got your watch that you ordered for me today and its really nice. I only wanted one from like Wal-Mart. But thanks anyway. Oh and all the Elders in my zone say thanks for the gummys and the candy.haha, they've been pigging out on them all week. But anyway, this week has flown by, but we found out some news yesterday. There have been a ton of rumors going around about the Consolate. But i guess he's like froze up visas because parents have been calling and complaining to him. So please if you hear of any or your doing it to him, please don't because its only hurting the missionaries.
But what they are doing now, instead of having the missionaries wait at the MTC for their visas there are sending them out. So all that were waiting are gone, and at our 9 week mark, we'll be gone too, to Mexico or to somewhere close. Or far.... two Elders in our zone got sent to Georgia. but most are going to somewhere in Utah. so I don't i know whats going to happen. We thought because of President Dickerson's run in with that guy at the restaurant that they'd all go through here soon, but its at a hold now. So I don't know, I can only prepare myself to serve in Mexico or wherever before that.
Question....have you guys talked to Mike at all? I haven't heard from him, but I hope that there is someway you guys are. And I hope that your sending my emails to Todd and Jake and Kenny, so that they have my email so that when I can email, i can hear from them.
But the MTC is great. Its rained a couple times here, which has been nice. Oh yeah...guess who i ran into here??? Chris Olsen. Remember him from our ward in Chandler. Yeah he's headed to Jake's mission, and his brother is actually serving in Brazil now. My companions and i were out testifying to other Elders and i ran into him. Crazy. But i appreciate all your letters and everything. Its been so nice to hear from you guys and everyone else that has written me. We have an Elder here who came in about 2 weeks ago into the zone and he reminds me so much of Jake,haha, its funny, but he leaves Tuesday for the Guatemala MTC. So I'll have no one to play with now.haha.
I've been extremely blessed with so many things i cant even name them all, I'm speaking and teaching in the language well. I'm working on it everyday for a long time. But thank you guys for your support and love for me.
How's Dad? I haven't heard from him in a awhile. And tell Lynette and CJ i will write them a letter because i gotta go to get some laundry in. And there is no time to waste. I love you all and think about you all the time. I hope that you guys are safe and healthy. oh i did sealing for the dead for the first time today. I'm excited to get married now.hahaha, broma, just kidding. but it was really sweet. well i love you all and hope that God is with you till we meet again.
Love
Elder Howard
Ok, so I got your watch that you ordered for me today and its really nice. I only wanted one from like Wal-Mart. But thanks anyway. Oh and all the Elders in my zone say thanks for the gummys and the candy.haha, they've been pigging out on them all week. But anyway, this week has flown by, but we found out some news yesterday. There have been a ton of rumors going around about the Consolate. But i guess he's like froze up visas because parents have been calling and complaining to him. So please if you hear of any or your doing it to him, please don't because its only hurting the missionaries.
But what they are doing now, instead of having the missionaries wait at the MTC for their visas there are sending them out. So all that were waiting are gone, and at our 9 week mark, we'll be gone too, to Mexico or to somewhere close. Or far.... two Elders in our zone got sent to Georgia. but most are going to somewhere in Utah. so I don't i know whats going to happen. We thought because of President Dickerson's run in with that guy at the restaurant that they'd all go through here soon, but its at a hold now. So I don't know, I can only prepare myself to serve in Mexico or wherever before that.
Question....have you guys talked to Mike at all? I haven't heard from him, but I hope that there is someway you guys are. And I hope that your sending my emails to Todd and Jake and Kenny, so that they have my email so that when I can email, i can hear from them.
But the MTC is great. Its rained a couple times here, which has been nice. Oh yeah...guess who i ran into here??? Chris Olsen. Remember him from our ward in Chandler. Yeah he's headed to Jake's mission, and his brother is actually serving in Brazil now. My companions and i were out testifying to other Elders and i ran into him. Crazy. But i appreciate all your letters and everything. Its been so nice to hear from you guys and everyone else that has written me. We have an Elder here who came in about 2 weeks ago into the zone and he reminds me so much of Jake,haha, its funny, but he leaves Tuesday for the Guatemala MTC. So I'll have no one to play with now.haha.
I've been extremely blessed with so many things i cant even name them all, I'm speaking and teaching in the language well. I'm working on it everyday for a long time. But thank you guys for your support and love for me.
How's Dad? I haven't heard from him in a awhile. And tell Lynette and CJ i will write them a letter because i gotta go to get some laundry in. And there is no time to waste. I love you all and think about you all the time. I hope that you guys are safe and healthy. oh i did sealing for the dead for the first time today. I'm excited to get married now.hahaha, broma, just kidding. but it was really sweet. well i love you all and hope that God is with you till we meet again.
Love
Elder Howard
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