Final Post

Well,

It’s been 730 days, 104 emails, 4 hours of phone calls, a swine flu scare, earthquake worries, flooding concerns, a mugging, and a flight delay, but he is home!!!

Dusty arrived on Friday afternoon with three other returning missionaries – two of which were from his mission. The four families made quite the display at Sky Harbor, but who cares?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in his talk entitled “The Hands of the Fathers” spoke of a moment ‘almost too sacred to mention’ when Heavenly Father welcomed home is holy Son, Jesus Christ, when his early ministry was complete. That moment at the airport was the closest thing I have ever experienced to that incredible reunion. What a blessing it has been to have him serve honorably, and what a blessing it is to have him home.

Seeing HOME through his eyes is incredible, and teaches us great lessons of how blessed we are to live here in the United States. As he sat on the floor in his room he commented how wonderful it was to sit on carpet again – and having an actual flush toilet. (Don’t get him started on having a hot water heater!)

This morning as we drove to hear one of the other returned missionaries speak in church, he said how good it was to be able to see the mountains around the valley – something that the smog of Mexico City prevented him from doing.

As I write this email, Dusty is sitting playing hymns on the piano, something the he grew to love doing in Mexico. There were many times that he played the piano for his district or for the members of the church. He has grown grateful for all those years of piano lessons. He told us that members of the church would ask him if he was the missionary that plays “Piano Man” and that he wound up playing at church activities his version of Piano Man.

He loved his time among the wonderful people of Mexico, but is happy to be home again.

Thank you for your ongoing support and love.

I will be posting three videos that I made with his photos. Look for an email with links to view these videos. I put them together for his Welcome Home party last night.

It is an amazing testimony to me that a church can thrive by building its missionary force on the backs of 19 year old boys. Think of how counter-intuitive that is! If that was to only testimony that I had of this work that would be enough. But the Lord not only grows the membership of his church, he also grows the next generation of faithful husbands, fathers, and leaders. What a great return on the investment of two years.

Love,

John and Judy Howard

Dusty's Email -- 5/31/2010

Hey,

Dad sounds like you had an eventful week. That picture is so cool, I can’t believe you got to go down there and shoot a bit. That’s so sweet. Also that you got to see Jake and Josh. I´m really excited to see them and to hear about their time in the mission field and how it was in their areas.

So Doug’s family is coming into town??' That’s cool, even though it´ll only be for a night.

Sounds like the office is turning out good, I’m excited to see it.

The week went well here, we found some new investigators that are pretty solid that came to church and are progressing very well. We baptized two people yesterday. The service went really well. But, I won’t lie, its getting so hard to keep focused. Any member that I talk to begins to talk about how exciting it is that I’m going home. I am excited though.

There are some pieces of advice that I’ve gotten from some members that are really going to help me. I´m writing them down as I get them and from which member it came. But the time is coming, we´re already entering in June. I can’t even believe it.

I´d like you guys to tell all the members about the party that we´re going to have when I get back. I don’t want to leave anyone out like the last time, if you can make a general invitation, I think that´ll be good. But I’m really excited to get back and see everyone.

I was told today by Elder Miller (one companion from the MTC) and Elder Rasmussen( went to school with him) that Elder Tanner and I are the ones that have changed the most here in the mission. I think they referred to just about everything, how I look, I don’t want you guys to be surprised when I get back, but I’m losing hair....well I’m starting the process of becoming like Dad, and other changes, I mean Elder Rasmussen has known me since high school and Elder Miller was my comp in the MTC. So you´ll have you wait and see.

Thanks for writing me and always supporting me, it hasn’t just been you guys but a lot of people and I thank all of you for the support that I’ve gotten.

And yes I found out about the Suns....stinkin Lakers. I was pretty bummed out when I was told. Lakers and Celtics...again??....ugh....

Gotta run, Love you guys and see ya

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 5/24/2010

Hey,

Dad you are just so lucky, that's so cool that´ll you´ll be at the game tonight. If you meet Dwight Howard, I´d like you to get his autograph for me.;)

The week went well, really hot, I´m looking forward to jumping in the pool when I get back. Its getting really hard, getting all my plans and everything for the trip home. Its just getting hard to work. hahaha, just a ton of distractions, but we've been blessed for the efforts that we´ve made.

This last Saturday was a really special day for me, I forgot my camera so I´ll have to send the pictures next week. But in January of last year when I was in Pachuca, we reactivated a family, and baptized the dad of the family. They called me this last week and said that Saturday they would enter the Temple to be sealed together. I got permission from President Bulloch and went to the Temple on Saturday and actually was the escort of Jorge, the dad. For me it was so great to see this family in the Temple. To see them and their children getting sealed together. And knowing that a year and couple months before the mom and kids weren't active and the dad wasn't a member and didn't really think about becoming a member. But after a few powerful lessons with him, he was able to get baptized. Now he´s got the Mel. Priesthood and they´ve entered the Temple.

I´m happy that CJ was able to get so many awards for Volleyball this year, that's so awesome that all his work is finally rewarded.

Sounds like the Temple dedication went well, I´m also excited for them to start construction on the Temple in Gilbert.

But that's about it for me, we had a good stake conference yesterday with Elder Walter F. Gonzalez. and a couple other seventies. It was a good week of learning from a couple general authorities of the church. I gotta go, we got some plans for tonight.

Love,

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 5/17/2010

Hey,

I`m attaching some pictures that I`ve taken lately. One is a baptism that we had yesterday, and one is of a wrestling mask that I bought here. The other ones are pics from the meeting that we had today with Elder Bednar. I didn't get a picture with him, but with other missionary buddies that i might see until they get back from the mission.

The meeting with Elder Bednar was really really good. There were so many things that he taught that I really loved and will help me out. I learned a ton today about faith and agency and ways to teach etc...the list goes on. Something interesting that he said is that the point of having meetings with the leaders of the church is so that we can be inspired by the Spirit, but if we are just taking notes on what they are saying, we aren't listening to the Spirit, thus aren't learning what we should be. There are just a ton of things, we`ll have to talk about it when I get back, because its just a huge list of things.

This last week went pretty well and this week looks good also. My last transfer calls came yesterday and I`m staying here, not a big surprise, I was pretty sure I`d finish in this area. I`ll leave here with almost 8 months here. That's just a ton of time. I left Tecamac with 6 months, this time it`ll be almost 8. But the work is going good.

Disappointing to hear about the volleyball game, that they lost a game that they could`ve won, but do congratulate CJ for his season and also his awards that he got in band. I cant believe that he`s gonna be graduating in a week. Weird!!!

That's exciting that the dedication is this Sunday, its unfortunate whats CJ will miss out on, but be patient all will work out well...I know its disappointing, but all will be good.

I gotta run, thank you all for your letters and what you write every week. Only a couple weeks left, I cant believe that the time has gone by so quick, I`m happy with the work and the changes that have been made in me in this time, I gotta finish the mission as i started it, with a strong push....just gotta give the second breath and push to the end and finish strong.

Love

Elder Howard

P.S. These are the two of the four new ties that i bought...you guys already saw the other blue one, these are 2 other ones and I got another one that is just sick. But you cant have them CJ.

Dusty's Email -- 5/10/2010

Hey,

It was really good to talk to you guys yesterday. It was nice to hear all the kids and know that soon I`ll be back.

Not really much to say, everything is moving along here, we have a baptism on Sunday. The transfer also ends on Sunday and then Monday starts my last transfer. Next Monday we have a meeting with Elder Bednar, so I`m looking forward to seeing what he`s gonna say to us. He`s only invited our mission and the MTC to come, so it`ll be a good one.

I heard from ex-Elder Pickup today, he`s in Utah right now trying to figure out what he`s gonna do about school. It was so good to hear from him.

I got package this last week from the Berkheimers, they sent some pictures of Marcus and his wife and their kid. His kid looks like a really happy baby. haha, he just had a huge smile in the picture that she sent me.

Don't worry, I`m trying to get everything worked out with souvenirs and all. I`ve got a couple things, but there are things that I haven't found yet that I gotta keep searching for, but don't worry, I got that part covered.

Heard that the Suns swept the Spurs, all I got to say is, Booya baby.

But other than that all is well, just getting along here, and enjoying Mothers Day here in Mexico. We`ve been invited to eat with a couple of families so we are gonna be pretty busy tonight.

Mom, I think that i forgot to tell you Happy Mothers Day yesterday. Sorry, i got caught up the emotion of the call, and forgot that it was your day.
But i gotta run, talk to you guys in a week.

Love ya

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 5/3/2010

Hey,

First things first. The call is going to be this Sunday. Only the Mexicans can call on Monday because that is the official holiday. But we have to call Sunday. So at 6 my time I`ll be waiting for your call. It is a house phone, the same one that i talked to you on the last time for Christmas.

The pics look really good from the volleyball game, I`m glad that they got the victory over Higley. I remember how it felt beating Apache Junction in the playoffs my senior year, and it felt good to beat them finally on their home court, after my junior year with Cody Anderson and we couldn't beat them, then my senior year we beat them at Higley, but couldn't win there in their house. It was a sweet victory.

Congrats for CJ on the game and getting into State. State is a lot of fun but a ton of work.

So Bishop Allred is now the counseler in the Stake Presidency, how cool. That`ll be super fancy.

I was wondering if you guys could talk to the new Bishop and see if I can speak in sacrament my first Sunday back. The 27th of June. I`d like to do it right away getting back, the first Sunday, just so he can plan out that Sunday.

Things are moving along here, today we went to central Mexico, and the things that i wanted to buy weren't there, there are a bunch of protests going down there, about the light and power company. I thought that it was about the law that was past in Arizona, but not at all.

I was really sick this last week, i had a throat infection in the beginning of the week, then it passed down to my stomach, and i had a stomach virus. So you can just imagine being out in the sun with that. It was quite the week, but i got medicine and treated it, rested a bit and now i`m fine.

but its also weird for me to think that these are the last 2 months. This is my last full month as a missionary. And its gonna fly by, because we are gonna be really busy. Oh, the 17 of May we are gonna have a meeting with Elder Bednar. I`m really excited and anxious to see what he`s got to tell us. Its gonna be a 3 hour conference, so i hope its good things that he`s got to say...

I will mention that I was looking forward to getting released by President Pugmire....but I guess I doesn't really have any say in the matter. ;)

But its starting to feel weird getting to this point in the mission. I`m excited and anxious to go on to the next chapter of my life, a little sad just because I love being a missionary, and all that comes with that. But all will work out well, i gotta finish strong and finish well.

but i look forward to talking to you guys on Sunday for the last time....weird to say. But i gotta run. I love you guys and thank you guys for everything.


Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 4/26/2010

Family,

So you got my plans this last week?? I only know the rough sketch, I know that they´ve finalized them now, but my ex-companion isn’t one of the secretaries anymore, so I don’t got the scoop on a lot anymore.

The 9 of May is Mother’s day, so I’m going to be in the same house that I was in for Christmas. I don’t know the key and what not to make call, or better yet I don’t remember, but it’s the same number you called for Christmas. I was thinking that at like 5, or 6. It’s up to you guys. Let me know next week, because it´ll be the last P-day before the call. You guys decide on a time and I’ll be at the house.

My b-day went well, some members and investigators invited us over for cake and tacos and all that good stuff. So it was a good day. So CJ´s grand day went well, good to hear. I can’t believe how grown up we all are. I still can’t believe that CJ is going to graduate. Oh, by the way, in his graduation invitation, is he wearing my purple tie???? I saw it and I recognized it and then after examining it, I was left with the doubt. I mean I´m not mad...or anything, I mean you could´ve asked for permission...or something;)

I did get my package this last week, and as of Saturday all the El Fudge cookies were gone. Yep I ate them all pretty quickly. But thanks for the things that you guys sent me. Also the letter from Kelsie.

I have a list of things that I´d like you guys to get before I get back. I´ll tell you guys the list on Mother’s day!!!

The week went by pretty fast, but it wasn’t one of the best weeks I´ve had in the mission. Almost the whole week I had a sore throat, and congestion. Yesterday I woke up with a stomach virus and a bad headache. My stomach still kinda hurts and my head has chilled out a bit, but it was so bad this morning that I could barely open my eyes without it just bugging me. Just an awful migraine. I feel alright now, but I still feel really tired and my body is achy, but it’s a little better.

Oh and next Monday I´m going go to Central Mexico for the last time. So I´d like it if you could put some money in my account, just the last souvenirs. Oh and Dad, what is your favorite scripture about Christ??? Just one scripture that is your favorite?? Please send it to me by next week. Thanks

Gotta run, the Zone Conference went good, President Bulloch is really focusing on the fact that when the new President comes, we can’t rebel against him, thinking that we know more....because that’s what happened when he got here. All the missionaries turned against him, and it was a horrible situation. So he´s starting to focus a lot on the importance of being obedient. I mean it doesn’t really apply to me, I’ll be home when he gets here. But the concept is an important one. But the interview went well, President talked a lot about not getting distracted these last couple months and finishing strong. I´m doing well, I mean dad you know how it is, but I can’t afford to get distracted, because I got a greeny with me. So I have to keep working.

Thanks for your letters and all, I´ll talk to you guys next week.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 04/19/2010

Hey,
This last week went really well. We had a really good baptism service on Saturday. The dad of the family didn’t get baptized but his daughters did, so we focused a lot on the importance of a spiritual service and I think we got it. The family asked that I baptized the two girls, just because I’ve worked more time with the family.

Last Monday I forgot to tell you guys but I bought 4 new ties, they are so cool....they are light blue and just really cool. Guess you`ll have to wait to see them. haha.

I would imagine that any day now they`d be calling you guys to let you know about the plans - remember that there are 26 of us going home, so maybe it’s taking a little longer than expected to advise everyone. Tomorrow we have our zone conference and I have an interview with President Bulloch, he`ll give me the letter that here in the mission is called the ‘carta de muerto’....or the letter of the dead. President gives this letter to those that are 2 months or so away from finishing the mission. IN the mission one of the things we say is that when a missionary ends, he dies....that’s why it’s the letter of the dead, because I’m going to die as a missionary in 2 months. That’s why I’m getting the letter.

My kid is doing well, he`s learning a lot. I`m trying to teach him everything that I know, all that I’ve learned from my companions over these last couple years. But he`s progressing fine.

I`ll be anxious to find out who the new Stake Presidency will be. In May, on the 22nd, Elder Bednar, Seventy and a member of the presiding Bishopric is coming here to Mexico. They will be visiting a couple of the Stakes in the area, so we`re hoping that we`ll get a meeting with Elder Bednar. But he isn’t coming to our stake, so we’ll see.

I think they are all coming to put some order in here, because there is a bunch of disorder in this stake. So I think in these three stakes they are going to visit will have some big changes. Imagine getting chewed out by Elder Bednar, not fun, but I think that’s what is going to go down. But I guess we`ll see what they do.

I should get my package tomorrow in the zone conference. I can’t believe that I’m turning 21. I got a letter from, now Casey Fillerup, and I totally forgot, but tomorrow is his birthday, he`s turning 22!

Tell CJ I say good luck this week and that I hope all turns out well. Sounds like things are moving along back home.

Dad, sounds like your speaking topic was a good one, but I go agree with you, we either harden our hearts or we decide that we`ll believe, then after that we must follow it up with what you said, a diligent faith, which leads to works.

I gotta run. I am attaching some pictures. In one I`m wearing one of my new blue ties - I`m mopping up the bathroom after the baptism service. Another one I`m with my kid right after the transfers meeting, in the other one I`m with Elder Duce and Elder Christensen after the transfers meeting, and the last one I`m with the two girls that we baptized Saturday.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 04/12/2010

Hey,

Sorry i`m getting to this so late, we had a lot to do today, seeing as it was my comps real official P-day in the mission. Things are well, my comps name is Elder Garcia from Tijuana...he speaks a bit of English and he`s real cool. He has a lot of potential, so i`m really excited for this time that i got with him. I`m pretty sure that i`m gonna finish the mission with him.

This last week we saw a miracle....Elder Vargas and I were teaching a lady that finally wanted to get baptized, so we were gonna baptize her Elder Vargas`s last Sunday here, but we couldn't find her. But this last week she called us, and got baptized yesterday. SO my comp got to baptize his first Sunday in the mission. How cool is that??

This week we are gonna baptize 2 girls of a family where only the mom is a member, we`re also working on the dad and hoping the he too will decide on Saturday to get baptized with his girls. Its a really cool family, they have a lot of potential. The Bishop and a lot of the members know the mom, they have told us that back in the day when she attended she was just awesome, that she was gonna do awesome things in the church, but they she got married and fell away. So for many of them to hear and see that she is attending again and that her kids and possibly the dad are gonna get baptized, has really excited them. The bishop said that she is like the Prodigal Daughter of the ward. haha.

But we had a good first week that we are looking to build on, a lot of people let us pass and teach them, and we had some good new investigators in the church yesterday. So i`m really excited for these next two transfers.

I`ve seen a huge change in the members this last week, seeing that Vargas is gone now, a lot have really changed their attitudes. There were some that yesterday at church, when they saw me with my new comp they said, Its a miracle.haha. I hope they don't say that about me when I leave.

Dad it sounds like your lesson went well, some of things that you mentioned in the letter are really interesting. I liked it a lot.

Yeah and the days are coming to an end for Elder Butters and Elder Helding, hahaha.
But i gotta run, Thanks for your letters. I appreciate all of them. I love you all.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 04/07/2010

Hey,

So last night transfer calls came, and my companion, after 7 months, finally has changes, and i´m staying here. I´m going to train a new missionary. Tomorrow I´ll meet my 2nd ¨kid¨. Don't know if you know that in the mission, when you train a new missionary you are his ¨dad¨. For example, Elder Mora was my ¨dad¨and Pastrana was my first ¨kid¨.

But I´m really excited to be able to train again. Last time I trained I had 7 months in the mission and still was trying to get the grip of everything. Now I have a little better grip on the mission, so I think that I´ll be able to help this missionary out more than the last one. I imagine that I´ll finish here, seeing as I have 2 transfers left. Its a good area and I´m excited to work it with someone that is gonna work.

Dad, that's a weird dream that you had, but i don't think so...one of my ex companions is the secretary in charge of making flight plans....I just found out this last week about the whole flight plan stuff....They should be calling within the next couple weeks to tell the plan to you guys. But basically, I´ll be back the Friday the 25th of June, I imagine in the afternoon...we´re flying from here to Texas, then from there to AZ. But they will give you guys more info.

I loved the conference this lat weekend. I felt like they really concentrated on the family. The talks from President Uchtdorf I loved - about true love and patience in the priesthood session. I enjoyed the talk about the scriptures by Elder Christofferson. I really enjoyed the Sunday morning session, first with President Uchtdorf, then Elder Scott, I really enjoyed both of their talks. I really like the topic of love and how President Uchtdorf teaches the principle. I think that I´ve mentioned before that I´ve read and listened to his last talk from October about love just a ton of times.

Elder Holland just tore it up, I´ve never ever picked up that love and lust are opposites, but what a talk it was, we had some investigators that said that with the Prophet and the Apostles, they knew they were men of God, they could just feel it as they were talking, and its true. The spirit truly carries the words they speak straight to your heart. It was a rally good conference and i look forward to reading the talks when they come out in the Ensign. Oh, and for your info, yes i watched every session of conference in English:)

Mom I´m glad that it looks like things will lighten up a little bit with the babies, that they are sleeping more, and that Casey isn't on the sleep machine anymore. So Dad you got out a played a little volleyball the other night?? That's what i´m talking about, we´ll play some ball when i get back:)

Its so sad that there are so many people that don't believe that God reveals His will to His prophets....referring to your comments on Isaiah...it´d be interesting to sit down and listen to those discs that you got.

Did you guys get my pics that I sent last week?? Hope ya did, I´ll be looking for my package in the next couple weeks and i´ll tell you when i get it.

The time is just ticking away, the time is just getting shorter and shorter, I know that these two transfers are going to go by quick, because the first transfer that you have with a new missionary that you´re training always flies by. Then everyone has told me that the last one just goes by so so fast. That's what we´re down to. Of course I´m going to miss being a missionary, but I´m happy with the work that I´ve done so far. I will keep working so that there are no regrets at all.

I love you guys alot, and appreciate the packages and the letters that you send me.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 03/29/2010

Family,

To start off, Dad...don't be hating, I never got suspended during the regular season or playoffs, just got thrown outta a game after I graduated for running my mouth. (I think it was the same Assistant Principal but at Higley. hahaha, but at least mine was after i finished playing, oh and church ball doesn't count;)

Sounds like things keep moving along there at home. Transfers come up this next week, so Sunday after the conference they will advise us of transfers...these transfers will depend where i finish the mission. Honestly, I would like to stay here, just get a different companion. My companion has the maximum time that a missionary can have in an area in this mission...so he´s got changes for sure next week. Even though we get along, I´m excited for the change. Excited to be with a different missionary, also one that is ready to work.

I would imagine that the mission would be advising you guys about my date here soon, i know that on the 25 and 26th, the secretaries bought the plane tickets...so they should be calling here soon.

The ice cream contact...haha...this is a good story, so he has a huge drinking problem, but we started to help him and he was at a week without drinking, nothing!! Clean! So we call him to talk about going to church the next day, and he was completely prideful...because he hadn't drank, he decided that all was well because he hadn't drank in a week, and that he didn't need our help anymore...it was a bummer, but everyone has to make their own decisions. When he humbles himself more he knows where the church building is at.

Dad, you´ve lost 40 pounds??? Dang, that's so cool, congrats, I´m sure that you look a lot different now, i´m excited to see it!!

I´m excited for the conference this weekend, I´ve been listening to the talks from the discs that you guys sent me...and by the way it is in English, but my companion kinda understands it, doesn't really speak it, but can understand more or less what is going on.

But I´m really excited for this weekend, we have a couple baptisms lined up. We had a good baptism yesterday, it was a daughter of a family that is getting ready to enter into the Temple, now the family is just short another son, and they will all be members. But it was cool, because her brother, who is a member, is 16, got to baptize her, and her dad confirmed her. Her mom shared her testimony in the service and it was really special.

I´m gonna send some pics i took today with Pickup, this is his last P-day, he goes home on Friday. This was the last time i get to see him until we go to Texas. Also i´ll send one of the district, but from last transfer, so two of the missionaries aren't actually in the district still...one Mexican and the other American....they are seated with my comp and i in the chairs, but the other four behind us are still there. The other is the baptism of the girlfriend of Alfredo...he´s the one that we baptized about 2 1/2 months ago and already has the Mel. Priesthood and is actually Young Men's President, he baptized her.

There is one where I have on a soccer jersey..this is with Alfredo, our neighbor Fernando, and me and my companion in the morning. The jersey i have on is of my favorite soccer team named the Chivas(Rams), and the other two have on jerseys of the Pumas, that day those two teams played against each other, the neighbor invited us all to eat, the other pic is all of together in the house right before we ate in the night time and right before the game started.

Things are all good, this week is gonna be a good one. All is well here in Mexico City.

Talk to ya later

Love

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 03/22/2010

Hey,

I hope that all turns out well for the Blanchards, of course don't know what happened, but i hope that it all goes well.

This last week was a good one. We had a lot of work and things went well for us. My companion and I are doing well. He is still having his character problems, but like I told you, he gets along with me. He just has such a strong personality, that at times its difficult to work with the members and others due to his words and actions. But all will turn out well. Transfers are in 2 weeks.

I think I told you guys that Elder Christensean, my comp from the MTC is an Assistant right now. He asked me if i´d like to finish here or in another area, he told me what area I could go to and its a really good area. We´ll see what goes down in the transfers. I told him that it doesn't matter to me, I like this area and I feel like there are still things that i can do here.

Dad I am really excited for the general conference in a couple weeks also. I´m looking forward to the messages that we´ll hear.

One of my comps, Elder Alpuche, last night notified us( his ex companions) that he is gonna get married in July. He is just barely got home in January. He actually is getting married to a sister missionary that served here in this mission. They served in the same district for like 11 months. hahaha. But he´s engaged and they have planned the wedding for July. He wants Fillerup, Pickup and I to come back to Mexico City to attend his wedding. I guess we´ll see what goes down as that time gets closer.

Don't really got much to say today, things are just going normal. Oh, this last week Elder Ochoa, the first counselor of the Young Men's General Presidency came here to Mexico and met with only our missions - actually only 4 of the 8 zones - and ours was one of those zones. He and the 2nd counselor of the Area Presidency talked to us. It was really interesting to hear several of their comments and I think that what they said will help our mission to have more success.

But that's it. Sorry if this letter is really short but i gotta run. We´ll talk more in a week.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 03/15/2010

Familia,

Hey, another week comes and goes and here I am again writing you guys a letter.

Dad thanks for the story that you put in your email, I really like that, Joseph Smith was a very inspired man. The lesson is one that I´m gonna try and apply.

I´m glad that things seem to move along good back at home, despite the demands of the babies. Its good to hear that volleyball season started out well for CJ. Hope fully it´ll continue that way. I hope that they beat the snot outta Seton..I still haven't grown much love for them either.

I did get your package this last week, thank you for all the candies. The people here love the candy from the states....I do too:) Mom, I usually pass out the things that you send but there are times when I forget, but for the most part, I do it.
Things were good this last week with my companion, a lot more relaxed. I think that his chat with the Bishop helped out a lot, and I talked a little with him too. He apologized for getting mad and frustrated at certain times, I asked him if there was something that I´m doing recently to spark him...he said no...that he´s just felt more frustrated since he didn't have changes this last transfer. But things will be good. Its not like we´re fighting, there are just time when he explodes...and its like, uh what happened???

We baptized the mother in law of the Bishop this last week. It was a really nice service. Her grandson baptized her.

After the service the Bishop pulled us aside and said that he didn't honestly think that she would get baptized. But he was happy that she did it, and that all work out well.

On Saturday we did divisions in the morning with the Zone leaders. Elder Heward came with me, and did the baptismal interview for us, then I did an interview for a companionship in the district. After the interview we had an appointment, but it was so hot, that I told Elder Heward that I wanted ice cream...even though we had this appoinment. We went across the area to buy some really good ice cream that is sold cheap on Saturdays in my area. I don't know why, but that ice cream seemed more important in my mind than the appointment.

As we were asking for our ice cream, a guy came up to me and started talking to me in English. He was a little drunk but was telling me that he wanted our help. That he had lost everything, family, friends, everything because of his alcohol problem. Then when he saw us the thought came to his head that we could help him.

So he gave me his number and I called him later and told him about church on Sunday and he said he´d come. On Sunday we met up with him and he came to church. He met the Bishop and the counselor, and we made a plan on how we are gonna help him. So we´ll see if we can help him get his life back. I was thinking about it, and I don't know why I was thinking that my desire for ice cream was more important than going to the appt...but through small and simple things the Lord brings to pass great things. I¨ll keep you updated with how this goes with Julio.

Gotta run, thanks for your letters and everything. I´ll talk to you guys in a week.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 03/08/2010

Hey,

This last week went pretty well, but not the best of weeks. We had an investigator that the whole week kept changing her mind, that she was going to get baptized, then she wasn’t . Even up until yesterday. Then she decided that she was going do it, but she didn’t pass the baptism interview. So we`re going to have to wait a few weeks. She’s just a super indecisive person She`s really cool, she signed up on the list yesterday to feed us this week, and she really loves having us around, just kinda stressful.

Wow, Shalae is getting married. When is her wedding??? I imagine that it’s here soon.

Sounds like things are calm and just moving along. The same here. The time continues to move on and the work continues to grow. My comp has still kind of continued with his attitude and the Bishop of one of our wards noticed and yesterday talked to me first and then him. I really appreciated what the Bishop said to me. He`s helped me out in this situation. But my companion misunderstood a comment I made during a lesson and thought that I was making fun of him. I wasn’t even talking about him or to him. But he got up and stormed out of the house. It was real embarrassing and awkward.

He walked home almost alone because he was pretty much running to the house...and I couldn’t really keep up. After about the first 20 minutes in the house I asked what the heck happened. He told me that I was making fun of him with my comment and all. I explained what I said and apologized if he thought I was talking about him, because it was a remark that I made towards the investigator...about the investigator and had nothing to do with him. He continued to be mad. He went to bed mad and got up mad. I was fine. All smiles because I knew what I said. The whole time I was thinking back to the talk by President Monson from this last conference, his talk in Priesthood meeting. There was a certain quote that he said that I liked, “a mans a fool who takes offense to an insult that wasn’t intended”. But all got better.

I have to run. I hope that all is well back home. I hope that I get my package this week, because we have Multi zone conferences this week. We`re going to take the mission picture where all the missionaries get together and we take a huge picture. Do you guys remember we did this last year too.

Love ya,
Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 03/01/2010

Hey,

I´m glad to hear that everyone is good and that things are well. I´m sorry to hear about Grandpa...please keep me update on his condition. Also wish Pop a happy birthday for me!!!

Things are going well in the area. I can tell that my companion is sick of the area. He´s got another 5 weeks to go here....at the end of this transfer he´ll have 30 weeks here – that’s about 7 months. So yeah, he´s ready for a change. I´ve seen him a bit different the last couple days, like quicker to anger, I don’t know if maybe he´s mad that he didn’t get transferred or what. But just seems like a small thing can just spark him into being mad. We haven’t fought at all, but just some things that I´ve noticed.

Oh and yes mom I did go to drivers school one time. I remember that it was a day that rained a lot, and I was thinking, “Wonderful, the one time that it rains, and I´m trapped inside this dumb class.”

So Alfredo, a 25 year old guy that we baptized the 10 of January, was given the priesthood and ordained as an Elder last night. It was really cool to be there and watch him as he received it. He also gave a talk yesterday in church on prayer and did really well. It really motivates me to see the progress that he has made, I’ll have to tell you more about his story later...but know that the first time we saw him, we were a bit scared. But how the Lord can change a man that gives all his heart to Him.

The work continues to move on here. I saw Elder Pickup today and we talked a bit. He´s in his last 5 weeks as a missionary. I can´t believe that its getting close for him to head out.

But I’ve continued to study more about the Gospel and its really cool the things that I’m learning. As I study each topic more in depth, I’m reading scriptures that I’ve read a bunch of times, but understanding different things from them. I´ve really learned how to focus myself and study a certain topic. I think that it’s something that´ll help me in school when I get back.

But all is well and the Work continues to progress. Thanks for your letters and all. I´ll talk to you guys later.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 02/22/2010

Hey,

Mom, don't worry this last week was alot more calm. I didn't get robbed again. Just remember that i went through 19 months without getting robbed.

So we found out about transfers last night, and my companion and I are both staying again here in this area. It's a good thing that we get along, because at the end of this transfer we´ll have 4 months together. He´ll have 7 months in the area. ha ha ha... That's just a ton of time. But now that we know that he won't have changes until April, I think that this is the area that I´m going to finish in. Because once he leaves, I´ll be a short 2 transfers. Can you believe that???

Well, Casey Fillerup got home on Saturday in the afternoon, I can't believe that he´s already back, and that Elder Pickup heads out in about 5 weeks. I got to talk to Fillerup the night before he left for home, we talked for about 45 minutes....and said good bye. It stunk because I didn't get to see him at all these last 6 weeks, but at least I got to talk to him.

Today we ate with a companionship in the district and I told the American Elder Johnson that one of the first things that I´m gonna do when i get back home is jump in the pool. Its just blazing hot today, and that's what came to my mind...in 4 months, I´m going swimming.

Dad, sounds like your talk went great, this last week i´ve been studying D &C 121:34-46, and I´ve been searching for certain things, and its incredible how many times that i´ve read that passage of scripture, but have never pulled the things out that i am right now. That's something that i´ve learned here in the mission. The meaning of passages of scriptures change depending on what your looking for or what you need at the moment.
Well the week went well and all is well, we´re getting prepared to start another 6 weeks here in Mexico City.

Mom, its true what Sis. Hulet said, we all got our agency, gotta remember that you cant force anyone to do anything, that's something that i have learned here. I can read all the promises i want from the Bible or Book of Mormon to the people, but in the end its their decision....but it hurts alot more when it someone that is close. But all will be well Mom, don't worry.

Gotta run, talk to you later.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 2/8/2010

Hey,

This last week was a wet one. It rained a lot, for a long time. Luckily my area didn’t flood. I don’t know why, but the sewer canals that go through Neza, in our area it’s a river, but it didn’t overflow. So all is well. But in the area of the Zone Leaders, they are in Neza, the water got up to their hips! So they were out of their areas for a couple of days, while they got everything cleaned up. But it’s all pretty much back to normal, and hasn’t rained. It has just been hot lately. The Zone Leaders say that their area smells like a sewer. They say that it stinks really bad. Thank goodness I’m here, and not there.

The Zone Conference went fine, but President and his wife had to take a different longer route to the stake center. But the conference went good. There was something that really impressed me, when President showed up and during my interview, he kept saying, in Spanish of course, “Elder Howard, my good friend”. He referred to me as his good friend a couple of times. It impressed me because he really only refers to a couple missionaries as his “good friends” and I remember that’s how he talks to Alpuche and Fillerup, some of his more trusted missionaries that have served with him.

It just hit me because I have served by his side for a while, and he had never said that. But then the other day he started saying it. He shared a scripture in the Zone Conference from the Doctrine and Covenants, where the Lord refers to a couple of his servants as His “friends” and said that one day he hoped to be called friend by the Lord. He then gave us another scripture from the same book, that explained what we need to do to be the Lord’s friend. He said that it’s a great trust that the Lord has in those that He calls friend....and so is it with him too. It gave me a smile to hear that from him.
On Sunday we baptized an investigator that has had 10 years attending church with his wife and children. The wife had always dreamed of seeing him in baptismal clothes, and yesterday was the day. During the last hymn, “Families can be together forever”, the whole family, and ward were in tears. It’s a baptism that everyone has been waiting for a long, long time. I truly felt the joy that comes from missionary work yesterday.

I gotta run , all is well. Thanks for keeping me updated on everything, and have fun with Toddly this week.

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 01/25/2010

Family,

Wow, sounds like the week was a very eventful one for you guys. For us it wasn’t as eventful. It was actually one of those weeks that you like to forget, because it didn’t go to well. We didn’t have much success, my district did, but my comp and I didn’t have much!

I hope that all turns out well with Sylvia and that she doesn’t have another episode. If she does hopefully the doctors can find something this time. Does the family even know??? Or are they completely out of the picture??

It’s starting to heat up again here. The days have actually been really hot lately. This last week we didn’t have any appointments in the morning so we spent it knocking doors...for about 4 hours...and not finding anyone.

But on the bright side a family, which I had baptized the dad of this family a year ago, is going to enter the Temple in February or March. They are still taking the temple prep classes, and haven’t put a date yet, but that’s the time that they are shooting to enter. What a blessing for them. They say that a lot of things have changed over the last year. They have been blessed a lot more because of the decision of the dad to get baptized. I`m really excited for that day when they enter...because I’m going to go in with them!!!

I hope that this week goes smoother, and that there isn’t as many bumps. I hope that the babies improve and stay well. I don’t like being in another country when you guys have weeks like the one you just had, because there is nothing I can do.

I gotta run. I love you guys!

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 01/18/2010

Hola,

Well Dad that stinks that you didn’t pass your test. But at least now you`ve got a better feel for what you need to study.

Sounds like your office is coming together nicely. I`m excited to see it.

Yeah, it’s time for Toddly to be coming back here in a couple of weeks. I can’t believe that him and Jake go home here in the weeks to come.

Mom, the picture of the nursery looks good. I`m sure that it has taken a big effort.

We`ll see how the season turns out this year for CJ. Hope that it goes good for him.

The week went good for us. We had a good baptism this last week of a 14 year old kid. His mom is going to get baptized this week. They`ve known the church for 10 years and the last 4 years they`ve asked the missionaries to come and teach them so they could get baptized. No one has ever gone! But we got the referral and visited them, and now their moment comes.

Thanks for sending me those quotes - except for the Matilda one (UGH Mom! … jk). I really liked them. They are ones that make you think about different topics of the Gospel.

As for the new twins, we`ll see how round 2 goes. Hope all turns out well for them and that they grow the way they should.

That’s it for me, gotta run!

Elder Howard

Dusty's Email -- 01/11/2010

Familia,

It’s great to hear from you guys and that all is well. Thanks for the letters. I’m excited to see how the playroom will turn out, now that it’s going to be dad’s office, should be pretty fancy.

This last week went well. The last couple days it’s been really, really cold. I’m glad that Mike sent me this sweater, because it really keeps me warm. It’s just been cold and rainy here, but the week went really well. We had a baptism this last week of a man named Alfredo. He is one of those guys that you never think would do it.

We baptized his brother a couple weeks ago, and then we started to teach him. It’s amazing to see the changes that he has made to be able to be baptized. The first time we saw him, he was in all black, smoking, and had this big piercing in his ear. But now he’s completely different. He has given up smoking, he dresses differently. He refers to the Book of Mormon as a magical book, because it changed his life. The person that he has become is such a difference.

But all is well, yesterday we got the call for transfers and Elder Vargas and I are staying together another 6 weeks, which is fine, because he works really good and we get along awesome. So we are expecting a lot more success these next 6 weeks.

Gotta run. This week is going to be a good one! But we’ll talk in a week.

Bye,

Elder Howard