Dusty's Email -- 12/08/08

Hey,

Not a whole lot to say. We had a baptism this last week and we also confirmed her on Sunday. We have interviews this week with President so I’m looking forward to seeing him and possible getting my package. My companion and I are getting along well again. He’s actually changed a lot the way that he talks around me. We talked one day after our planning session and I told him everything and that things have got to change, and he’s really tried and I’ve recognized it. I really appreciate it, and I’ve told him that.

Things are well, I’m healthy and just pressing on every day. We found a family of 6 this past week, and we were excited because we put them as part of our goal for December to baptize and then on Friday they told us they needed some time because they have some problems within their family. We understand, but now we will pray for some kind of a miracle to complete the goal for the month.

Spanish is coming great and I’m excited to talk to people and to learn the new words. The people here actually make up words and people know exactly what they are saying. It’s confusing at times. Especially if a Mexican wants to say something that he doesn’t want an American to know he’ll do it. So my companion has been teaching me how to do it and how to understand it. It’s pretty sweet.

I saw the Christmas Devotional last night and it was good to hear from the Prophet and his counselors.

This last week I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in Spanish. I’m also about 50 pages from finishing “Jesus the Christ”. Man, that book is powerful. There are a lot of great insights that I really enjoy reading.

Family and everyone.....I have a challenge for you.....so I finished the Book of Mormon as I said this last Wednesday. I just started it again today. Here is the challenge......read three chapters a day. You’ll finish it Feb 25 or so. This is the goal. Family start today and read together every night. I know that its difficult with the schedules but do it. Everyone else, if you’re in the midst of reading it great, then start it with your family. Every night or day 3 chapters.

I promise that you will see a greater peace in your life, there will be greater peace in the home and between you and your children and spouses. The problems that come into life you will know how to handle and help each other. I promise a greater strength of your family. I know this to be true, only because I have seen the change for me. When my comp and I were having trouble I was wondering how to deal with it...the best way possible. It came to me everyday what I needed to do that day. Finally it came one morning to talk to him about it after we planned that day...and I did. He laughed it off when I told him, but since then I have seen the change in him. I have seen the change in me. I have grown more patient, and have learned to trust in the Lord more. I know the blessings are real and that we can’t miss them. so I hope that you all take this challenge and are able to fulfill it also.

Hope all is well. I love you all and pray for you.

Elder Howard