November 26, 2012

BIG NEWS!!! I HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED !! I am now in São Luis, my new comp is Elder KING!!! My District Leader from the MTC!! Haha

So basically what happened is the President went to a meeting with the Area Presidency and they said that he could not have a zone with less than 8 elders... so my zone was probably the smallest... IN THE WORLD!!! Haha so they reduced the # of zones from 8 to 6 and now I’m in São Luis as a Zone Leader.

I had a good trip in my bus (no it’s not an old school bus, it is really nice with AC, recline chairs, and even TV’s that I can’t watch! haha)  

I got my Christmas package!! WE LOVE THE X-MAS DECORATIONS!!! THANK YO MOM!!!! Also got like a BILLION CARDS 3 months’ worth that was so nice :)

This week I had a cool experience with one of the Elders in my old zone. 6 weeks ago I had worked in such a way that I had zero respect and zero trust from this Elder... basically he hated me. So 6 weeks ago I went about to change this, TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I WAS DOING, so that HE could change the way he looked at me. I listened to the talk from last conference...http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/first-observe-then-serve?lang=eng  I went about to observe the things I needed to do to serve him. For 6 weeks I had a conscious goal in mind, I truly felt that I was having success only after 2 weeks but then last night it really showed in our good-bye he came and gave me a huge hug (not normal, he does not even like being touched) and said, "Elder Howe I have waited a while to say this... but you’re a great guy." I learned that the TRUE way to lead is by LOVE, PATIENCE and service.

Thank you all for your love and support!!!

Elder Howe

November 19, 2012

Alright this week we had another baptism in the branch a mother and her 2 kids, her son had been taught in another city and was living all the commandments and everything when the elders found him. So basically his family just followed it was a really good service. 

This week we got on the bus to go to lunch all four of us missionaries... so we are standing and this old man in a black cow boy hat leans over and says in a loud whisper "they are just Mormon’s don’t worry" haha he was just trying to comfort the lady at his side but it was oh so funny to me. As we continued on our journey many more people got on the bus among a few were 2 old men also wearing black cow boy hats. Strange... none of them said anything to one another... so I have 2 theories. 1) There is a new law in Araguaina; on your 65th b-day you must receive a black cow boy hat. Or 2) there is a secret society of old men here in Araguaina... I will have to investigate more. Haha

This week we also were able to teach a new family Aguinaldo and his wife Christina. It was such an awesome experience. We were talking to them and after getting to know them Agnaldo said, "that day in the street you two said something interesting to me you spoke about eternal families. And you know I would really like to eternalize my family. Man the lesson that followed was guided by the spirit and what a joy it is to be an instrument in the hand of the lord, he accepted to be baptized.

So I got to thinking about this a little bit and honestly if anyone has this desire an ETERNAL FAMILY, there is only one place on the face of the earth where it is possible, you will not hear this taught in another place let alone taught how to make this dream a reality. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the ONLY place. Please don’t construct a family here on the earth just to have it "until death do you part" men only have power to bind on earth. BUT GOD can bind on earth AND in heaven. Don’t be so busy with thing that in the next life seem so small. PLAN TODAY FOR YOUR ETERNAL HAPPINESS!!!! Do whatever maybe necessary do whatever possible so that in the next life you don’t utter the words... "If only..." 

I invite all to read the talk from this conference by President Ucthdorf (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng ) and think what you need to do TODAY to secure your ETERNAL happiness. 

I know if we do not, as President Ucthdof states on day we will regret it. I know that Eternal happiness is only found on one path that path is Jesus Christ he is the LIGHT the LIFE and the WAY, choose him and LIVE in eternal happiness, I plead. 

I love you all and thank you for the support!

I know that.

November 12, 2012

This week was a good week we had the baptism of Laodicea, she has a 2 year old son, she is the sister of 2 members, and at one point we had cut her. we went back one day and she had changed... I don’t know what it was she said it was because she missed the missionaries... so we told her about how serious baptism is and that she needed to keep all the challenges we left with her.... and she did 2 weeks later she was baptized.

Sunday in church the 2nd counselor in the presidency said the closing prayer in sacrament... at the end he only said "Amen"... no one moved I peaked and saw him looking at everyone with their heads bowed and eyes closed... he paused for a min, then quickly bowed his and closed his eyes and said "in the name...." with those magic words every one said "amen" in agreement. Haha

We had a cool experience at a less actives house we ate lunch and we just talking with her about her life in the church what calling she used to have and all that stuff we began talking about her baptism... she got teary eyed remembering the sweat feelings of forgiveness that special day... we then invited her to give a prayer at church the next day. She quickly accepted and the next day she was there with her son. I hope we can continue to help her return to full activity in the church.

This week I was listening to pres monsons talk from p-hood sesh I would invite all to listen to that talk again and think about how you can improve. I know that doing this will give all more strength and courage to complete your responsibility as a member of the church in helping your brothers and sisters receive more joy in their lives.

I know Jesus is our savior and that this is his church restored here in these last days... do you want joy? Do you want lasting peace and happiness? Then learn, and follow the teachings of this church because they are the teaching of Christ.

Love you all!!! 

Picture descriptions in backwards order:

11) Sky after rain

10) A church.... it says ITP which stands for Igreja (church) Templo (temple) Profetas (profits)

8+7) our district... and André a soon to be missionary.
6) Baptism of Lãodiceia.

5) The church was locked so my comp had to brake in... Haha

4 Me with Brother Trazibulo a less active.... who has a cool hat

3) A bread store with Marlene’s name!

2) I found a leaf... I can’t remember the of the leaf from littlefoot.

1) Marlene’s bread store!

November 5, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLENE!!!! Sorry I couldn't be there but you understand :)

So I’ll just say it... I HIT ONE YEAR!!! Haha the sad news is that the last half always seems faster than the first half, I just hope that I continue to learn this last half and prepare a good base for the rest of my life. I have been so amazed at the blessings that I have received. 

I made a cake and also bought pizza to celebrate with the other elders here. It was a good day. 

WE had a huge rain storm this week CRAZY HUGE!!! The other elders room flooded the good news is their beds stayed dry... one of the little mericals haha. So today the elder went o the roof to see why... turns out the drain we clogged.... With CAT POOP!!! BAHAHAHAH. One more reason to not only not have a cat but also not live anywhere nears them. Haha

We working on helping the leadership here and the members gain a vision of the church... like think about it only a few have ever seen a chapel... how do you help them understand the importance of their calling? it’s rough, and right now the branch president he is always working, basically we are in a sticky situation and we need to get out of it... if the sheep are not being fed they will go to another place to eat. 

Well that’s all I got for today... happy voting!!

Elder Howe