Hey,
This last week was filled with a lot of rain and mud. I`m glad that I have those big boots because that’s what I had on this whole last week, there is just a ton of mud everywhere here. It rains just crazy. I was told that about 2 years ago it flooded, that the water got up to 3 feet high. The problem is that Tulancingo is at the bottom of a couple hills and mountains. So when it rains all the water comes down the hills into the town. But they`ve built these big canals to prevent the flooding but believe it or not they are starting to fill up.
This last week wasn’t to exciting, this was the first real week that we had to work in the area, so we got to know it better. Even with the amount of rain that we got during the week. The members are starting to help out and give references. Yesterday we had a good turnout at church of investigators. We should be able to baptize two people this week if all turns out well. I don’t know if I told you guys that even though there were Elders here before us, they didn’t leave us any investigators, so we`ve had to start from scratch. They left us one person that we baptized our first week. The work is tough here, its probably the hardest area that I`ve been in because in almost all the areas you can just knock doors and contact people. But here there is hardly anyone in the streets, and the people here are more closed. Life is a lot slower than in Mexico City. But also the members are better. The key here is to work with the members. That’s the best way to find people. So we have a bit of work to do, but the Lord has really blessed us in our time here.
Tell Ron that I said congrats about his award....and Lynette I`ve already said it, but happy early birthday. Tell CJ to keep his head up and to do his part...that’s the best that he can.
I was excited yesterday because they announced that General Conference is going to be broadcasted here in our church building. Usually what happens here in Tulancingo is they tape the sessions then the week or two after they show the sessions of conference. So I`m excited to see the broadcast live and see all the sessions.
My companion and I are getting along well and are just trucking along doing our best. I`m excited to see what can happen here, not just here but in the zone. There is a lot of potential. Almost all the missionaries are just flat out awesome missionaries. What my companion and I are trying to do is to take away the discouragement that comes with coming here to this zone. There are a lot that come to the zone and hear that the zone has a reputation of failure. And really it’s all in the attitude, the Elders that come here and have a ton of success is because they really have the faith to do....so Dad I appreciate your comment that you made about faith.
That’s about it from here, we had a Mexican Night in the ward on Friday to celebrate the Independence Day, it was really cool, we saw a bunch of different dances from the culture..it’s something that I thought you`d guys enjoy.
Love ya
Elder Howard
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Dusty's Email -- 09/21/2009
Hey,
Ok, this last week was extremely busy. On Tuesday we had to be in the house by 6 because it was Mexican Independence day, and for safety reasons we had to be in the house early. Thursday and Friday we were in President Bulloch’s house for the council meeting with him. His house is about 5 hours from where we are at, so when we got back home we were super tired from all the traveling.
Saturday we had a bunch of interviews to do all over the place...this zone is enormous....it covers part of the state of Veracruz and the state of Puebla. On Saturday we went to Puebla to do 2 interviews. The area is extremely cool. It’s up in the mountains and its all green and foresty. It rains everyday there or is really cloudy, threatening to rain. I will have to take some pictures and send them because it’s really cool.
The Bishop on Saturday asked me to speak in Sacrament meeting Sunday on missionary work and how the members can help with the work. So I talked about the responsibilities that missionaries have of service. Then shared the quote from President David O Mckay “that every member is a missionary”, and said that we all have the same responsibilities - the members and the missionaries. I then shared an experience. I take it that it went well because the members started giving us referrals of families and friends that they have been thinking about sharing the gospel with. So it went well.
Mom the ward doesn’t have a pianist so I played yesterday:)
The ward is really cool here, the Bishop is super excited and wants to help and so do many of the members. The zone is good, we have a lot of good missionaries that just need to be instructed how to work more effectively. 2 of our 3 district leaders are ex zone leaders and the other one was a district leader with me in Tecamac. We had a council meeting last night with the District leaders and the 2 that are ex zone leaders made a lot of comments that just led my companion and I to think that they were happy with the change of the Zone Leaders, and real excited to work this cycle.
Mom, I know that you are going to do well in your new calling, just keep working and keeping your life in harmony with the Gospel.
In the council meeting this last week President Bulloch shared a thought that I had never honestly thought of. In the scriptures it mentions in a couple places the eye of faith....and he explained what is the eye of faith. Its seeing what we want to achieve in the future, but really being able to see it our minds. He talked about the importance of faith. In Alma 5:15 it talks about “seeing your body raised from corruption to incorruption but with the eye of faith”. He asked if we had thought about that day, when that would happen. Do we have the hope and faith that its really going to happen. It was real powerful. Made me really change the way that I look at things and how I’m using my faith. When I get back I’d like to share it with you guys.
That’s about it here. We have to head out. I love you guys and take care.
Elder Howard
Ok, this last week was extremely busy. On Tuesday we had to be in the house by 6 because it was Mexican Independence day, and for safety reasons we had to be in the house early. Thursday and Friday we were in President Bulloch’s house for the council meeting with him. His house is about 5 hours from where we are at, so when we got back home we were super tired from all the traveling.
Saturday we had a bunch of interviews to do all over the place...this zone is enormous....it covers part of the state of Veracruz and the state of Puebla. On Saturday we went to Puebla to do 2 interviews. The area is extremely cool. It’s up in the mountains and its all green and foresty. It rains everyday there or is really cloudy, threatening to rain. I will have to take some pictures and send them because it’s really cool.
The Bishop on Saturday asked me to speak in Sacrament meeting Sunday on missionary work and how the members can help with the work. So I talked about the responsibilities that missionaries have of service. Then shared the quote from President David O Mckay “that every member is a missionary”, and said that we all have the same responsibilities - the members and the missionaries. I then shared an experience. I take it that it went well because the members started giving us referrals of families and friends that they have been thinking about sharing the gospel with. So it went well.
Mom the ward doesn’t have a pianist so I played yesterday:)
The ward is really cool here, the Bishop is super excited and wants to help and so do many of the members. The zone is good, we have a lot of good missionaries that just need to be instructed how to work more effectively. 2 of our 3 district leaders are ex zone leaders and the other one was a district leader with me in Tecamac. We had a council meeting last night with the District leaders and the 2 that are ex zone leaders made a lot of comments that just led my companion and I to think that they were happy with the change of the Zone Leaders, and real excited to work this cycle.
Mom, I know that you are going to do well in your new calling, just keep working and keeping your life in harmony with the Gospel.
In the council meeting this last week President Bulloch shared a thought that I had never honestly thought of. In the scriptures it mentions in a couple places the eye of faith....and he explained what is the eye of faith. Its seeing what we want to achieve in the future, but really being able to see it our minds. He talked about the importance of faith. In Alma 5:15 it talks about “seeing your body raised from corruption to incorruption but with the eye of faith”. He asked if we had thought about that day, when that would happen. Do we have the hope and faith that its really going to happen. It was real powerful. Made me really change the way that I look at things and how I’m using my faith. When I get back I’d like to share it with you guys.
That’s about it here. We have to head out. I love you guys and take care.
Elder Howard
Monday, September 14, 2009
Dusty's Email -- 09/14/2009
Hey,
This last week, as you know, I had transfers. We got to the transfers meeting and found out a zone leader went home.....like last week....just returned home. His companion was transferred as well. President reopened this area, which means he took both out and put two new elders in this area, and I was one of them.
Both my companion and I are both newbies here in Tulancingo. My companion’s name is Elder Hernandez. He is from Oaxaca and is about to complete a year in the mission. This is his first transfer as a zone leader, so I get to train him. He´s really cool and works really hard. He is ready to work.
We got here this last week and don’t know where anything was; we´ve gotten lost like 10 times. But at least we´ve gotten home every night. Tulancingo is in the zone Pachuca Centro. If you remember, about 9 months ago I was brought up as a district leader in this same zone, but over in Pachuca. Pachuca is about an hour southwest of us. So I´m pretty far out here.
There is a lot of work to do here. Not just in the area but in the zone. The elders that left did leave us a baptism so we had a baptism on Sunday. The service was nice and the ward is very supportive of the missionaries. We decided that the best way to work out here is through references from the members. Both my companion and I have served in Pachuca already, and that was what brought us success. So we are starting to visit the members and do more service for them.
I can’t believe that I´m back in this zone. I thought that I´d never return, but here I am...ha ha. I´m excited for the opportunity and I know that I will learn a lot.
Things are well here in Tulancingo and really calm. Tomorrow is the Independence Day here in Mexico so we have to be in the house early.
Thanks for your letters.
Love,
Elder Howard
This last week, as you know, I had transfers. We got to the transfers meeting and found out a zone leader went home.....like last week....just returned home. His companion was transferred as well. President reopened this area, which means he took both out and put two new elders in this area, and I was one of them.
Both my companion and I are both newbies here in Tulancingo. My companion’s name is Elder Hernandez. He is from Oaxaca and is about to complete a year in the mission. This is his first transfer as a zone leader, so I get to train him. He´s really cool and works really hard. He is ready to work.
We got here this last week and don’t know where anything was; we´ve gotten lost like 10 times. But at least we´ve gotten home every night. Tulancingo is in the zone Pachuca Centro. If you remember, about 9 months ago I was brought up as a district leader in this same zone, but over in Pachuca. Pachuca is about an hour southwest of us. So I´m pretty far out here.
There is a lot of work to do here. Not just in the area but in the zone. The elders that left did leave us a baptism so we had a baptism on Sunday. The service was nice and the ward is very supportive of the missionaries. We decided that the best way to work out here is through references from the members. Both my companion and I have served in Pachuca already, and that was what brought us success. So we are starting to visit the members and do more service for them.
I can’t believe that I´m back in this zone. I thought that I´d never return, but here I am...ha ha. I´m excited for the opportunity and I know that I will learn a lot.
Things are well here in Tulancingo and really calm. Tomorrow is the Independence Day here in Mexico so we have to be in the house early.
Thanks for your letters.
Love,
Elder Howard
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Dusty's Email -- 9/08/2009
Hey,
Thanks for the pictures of Brady’s birthday, sounds like it was good. I like the Suns jersey that he has...it’s a cool one....actually I want one like it. but when I get back.
Ok yesterday ended the transfer...so we got the call last night and yes I have transfers. I don’t know where I’m going to go...until tomorrow. A lot are saying the I`m going to return to the city...I hope so....but I’m excited for the change. I`ve been here for 5 almost 6 months.
That’s cool that you ran into Buffy. I hope that she does write me, it would be fancy.
No, labor day is not celebrated here.....so things just continue to move along.
Today as my last day in Tecamac. we played Soccer, bowled and we are going to see some members and converts now to say bye. I can’t believe how fast the time has passed. I feel like I don’t have that much time here, but then I realize that I’ve had 3 companions, completed a year in the mission and turned 20 here.....haha.
I`ve really learned a lot here. I`ve had 3 of the best companions in the mission. I`ve learned a lot more about missionary work and how to be a better missionary and person. I made mistakes but I have learned and have grown from them.
The week went well. We baptized and it rained a lot. On Friday we got completely soaked and it was fun. (No, I`m not sick:) Mom, I can make cookies here at the church. There is an oven there.
Well I gotta take off and prepare my suitcases and visit some more people.
Thanks for your letters and love.
Love,
Elder Howard
Thanks for the pictures of Brady’s birthday, sounds like it was good. I like the Suns jersey that he has...it’s a cool one....actually I want one like it. but when I get back.
Ok yesterday ended the transfer...so we got the call last night and yes I have transfers. I don’t know where I’m going to go...until tomorrow. A lot are saying the I`m going to return to the city...I hope so....but I’m excited for the change. I`ve been here for 5 almost 6 months.
That’s cool that you ran into Buffy. I hope that she does write me, it would be fancy.
No, labor day is not celebrated here.....so things just continue to move along.
Today as my last day in Tecamac. we played Soccer, bowled and we are going to see some members and converts now to say bye. I can’t believe how fast the time has passed. I feel like I don’t have that much time here, but then I realize that I’ve had 3 companions, completed a year in the mission and turned 20 here.....haha.
I`ve really learned a lot here. I`ve had 3 of the best companions in the mission. I`ve learned a lot more about missionary work and how to be a better missionary and person. I made mistakes but I have learned and have grown from them.
The week went well. We baptized and it rained a lot. On Friday we got completely soaked and it was fun. (No, I`m not sick:) Mom, I can make cookies here at the church. There is an oven there.
Well I gotta take off and prepare my suitcases and visit some more people.
Thanks for your letters and love.
Love,
Elder Howard
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Dusty's Email -- 8/31/2009
Hey,
Don’t have a lot of time so I`ll make this quick. I got your package this last week. Thanks for the snacks....and the pictures and the tape...I was cracking up over when Alenna walked up to CJ and yelled these are my panties....and he was like ok I don’t want them....haha.
Everything was there, so don’t worry.
Here they don’t do an apartment inspection. President Bulloch’s attitude is that he and his wife will teach us correct principles and let us govern ourselves. That if we don’t clean the house we will only hurt ourselves. HE said that he nor his wife have time to go out to the houses to check them. He usually asks the leaders when we do divisions to check the houses. Our house is usually clean.
Bueno, we had 2 baptisms this last week, we baptized a dad of a family that was all members except for him. So it was great, to see the changes that he`s made.
I sent you guys the wrong picture last week. The Mom, Dad and the boy are of that family, the little girl isn’t. She showed up to church in a white dress so one of the pictures has her in it. But only 3 got baptized last week. The family we just baptize the daughter turns 8 in like 2 weeks, and the dad is going to get the priesthood the week before. The plan is that he baptizes his daughter. cool huh? I`ll send you the right picture next week. Sorry.
Right now I`m studying the chapters of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I`m trying to study what each missionary did in their own area, Alma, Amulek, Aaron, and Ammon.....what they did to be such great missionaries and leaders. I`ve learned a lot.
Mom, Happy Birthday. I hope that it went well and that you are excited to start a new year.....hehehe.
Well I gotta run. I love you all and Dad Mike did tell me that Cory returned from Korea about a week ago. That’s crazy, I remember when he left.
Elder Howard
Don’t have a lot of time so I`ll make this quick. I got your package this last week. Thanks for the snacks....and the pictures and the tape...I was cracking up over when Alenna walked up to CJ and yelled these are my panties....and he was like ok I don’t want them....haha.
Everything was there, so don’t worry.
Here they don’t do an apartment inspection. President Bulloch’s attitude is that he and his wife will teach us correct principles and let us govern ourselves. That if we don’t clean the house we will only hurt ourselves. HE said that he nor his wife have time to go out to the houses to check them. He usually asks the leaders when we do divisions to check the houses. Our house is usually clean.
Bueno, we had 2 baptisms this last week, we baptized a dad of a family that was all members except for him. So it was great, to see the changes that he`s made.
I sent you guys the wrong picture last week. The Mom, Dad and the boy are of that family, the little girl isn’t. She showed up to church in a white dress so one of the pictures has her in it. But only 3 got baptized last week. The family we just baptize the daughter turns 8 in like 2 weeks, and the dad is going to get the priesthood the week before. The plan is that he baptizes his daughter. cool huh? I`ll send you the right picture next week. Sorry.
Right now I`m studying the chapters of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I`m trying to study what each missionary did in their own area, Alma, Amulek, Aaron, and Ammon.....what they did to be such great missionaries and leaders. I`ve learned a lot.
Mom, Happy Birthday. I hope that it went well and that you are excited to start a new year.....hehehe.
Well I gotta run. I love you all and Dad Mike did tell me that Cory returned from Korea about a week ago. That’s crazy, I remember when he left.
Elder Howard
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