First Area

 Buddies at the MTC

 Hello Family

This email is gonna be long, so be prepared! there might be some spelling mistakes, so I apologize before hand, I'm in a rush kinda!

So, we left the MTC at like 3;30 am. We flew to Detriot, I was gonna call, but there were no phones open and I didnt have enough time, but I arrived safley. We met the pres, he is sure awesome. We got well looked after at the mission home Tuesday night,  and reading that letter from all of you really comforted me and made me miss you guys! I love you so much! 

So, on Wednesday we went to Kirtland. It was like the most amazing spritual experience I've had! In our mission song (to the tune of armies of helaman) it says "we have been called to serve in the place, where Christ our Savior has shown his face" I sing that to myself all the time when Ifeel down and it brings me right back up! then I met my trainer and he is awesome, his name is Elder Thomander, he's helping me so much!

We went back to our area which is Ashtabula East. It's such a big area and its the place in the mission that gets the most snow! haha so, I thought that was kinda funny cause I dont like snow! um the rest of the week was pretty much the same. We taught investigators had dinner appointments and visited less actives and taught and stuff. The ward here really looks after their missionarie, so I'm really blessed the ward/area is huge though and they only have like 100 active members, so im hoping to change that as best I can! 

Sunday I had to introduce myself and then bear my testimoney which was kinda scarey, but also cool. I am speaking next week and idk what im gonna speak on, so could you SEND ME MY FARWELL TALK PLEASE haha I'm serious I need it or I"m gonna die! 

To be honest, I didnt really know what the gospel of Jesus Christ was before I got out here, but now I"m out here, I really understand what it is and when we need it in our lives. It,s amazing what the saviour did for me and everyone and I'm so grateful for it! and know I what it meant to be grateful for this gospel and love it. My testimoney has really grown and I LOVE to read the BoM now haha always! 

My address is 1208 Columbus ave Ashtabula, OH 44004 and its safe to send stuff! I look forward to hearing from you again i hope this email addressed all your needs! I'm doing so good, so dont worry about me! love all of you, and tell Jude thanks for the dollar. I'll keep it my whole mission! and I put the pic of the fam in my scriptures, so I can look at it all the time! Love and miss you guys

Love Elder Howard

Life in the MTC

Hello Family!!!!!!!!!

I have been in the MTC one week pretty much and I've only just got a P day! talk about ridiculous! but its been fine haha. I' ve had a kinda slow but fast week. I really cant believe its been a week already! I miss you all and leaving you was the hardest things I,ve ever done, and Iwouldn't have done that if i didn't know for a fact that what I'm doing is the work of the Lord, and that through me I can hep his children get back to him.

Being here has really strengthened my testimony of this gospel and the power of the holy ghost. So, what I've done so far..... Alot of class time! so, days we spend like 12 hours in the class room and lot of study time and not much personal time! haha but thats all good cause im on the Lords time now! um well my comp is Elder Ravston and he's a baller. He's super chill and we get along so well. I can tell we are gonna become real good friends after our service. I am also really close with everyone in my district especially my room mates, we have a good laugh, but we also study really hard aswell! and I love them all! It's just me and my comp that are going to Cleveland the others are going to Canada. We are yet to find some other elders going to Cleveland. 

Yesterday, a sister in our district had to leave us because of medical problems. We had a mini testimony meeting for her and afterwards she asked me to give her a priesthood blessing!!! I was so shocked and scared cause that has been my one fear - giving blessings! so my response was "OH SHOOT" I was so frightened and so embarrassed I turned bright red and I looked speechless. But, I gathered myself and cool and composed. I listened to the spirit and gave her a blessing of comfort and council.

 The food here is good. I eat alot apart from breakfast cause it sucks haha but lunch and dinner is always good. I dont think i'm putting on weight though! We have had some opportunities to teach our teachers who impersonate investigators and what not and its really a good learning experience! its hard but its good! 

 We had the opportunity to watch a talk by Elder Bednar called character of Christ. It really was the biggest testament to me about why we should be out here. I would invite you to read or listen to it.  It just talks about forgetting yourself and putting off the natural man and just to think about others when times get rough. Also, you are out here because you need to tell the people that haven't heard the gospel about how they can get back to their Heavenly Father. The only way they can know that is if we forget yourself and go teach and serve them! and I know that to be true will all my heart!

I love and miss all of you. I pray for you everyday! cant wait to Skype on Christmas and keep writing me dear elder and stuff, I love getting them and the packages it makes my day!

Well I'm out of time. I'm doing so well so you dont need to worry

 I LOVE YOU ALLL SO MUCH

Elder Howard                  

Kick Off

Elder Adam Howard

Cleveland, Ohio Mission 

5th November 2014 - November 2016

Dear Mum, Dad and Family,

I just want to let you know I am doing well here in the MTC. It is so crazy that I'm here, it's staring to sink in slowly. I'm sitting on my small bed on the second night here. I only just fit on this bed. It's really weird not seeing all of you. I really miss you, which I didn't think I would, but I do. I am doing fine, so don't worry about me!

So, a bit about the MTC. The food is actually pretty good, I'm not going hungry. The days are so long, I'm so exhausted by like 6pm, and realize I have to endure another three more hours! The mental exhaustion is the hardest part, but I know I can make it through it, It's just going to take a while to get used to it.

The spirit that I have felt here is amazing, and I know every time I feel it I forget about how hard things are and focus on why I am out here and why I am doing what I'm doing. I love this gospel even more now and my testimony is growing so much.

My Companion is Elder Ravston, he is such a cool guy, and I am really happy he is my companion. Today, I got made senior companion, and then we will switch half way through. I feel I don't have much time to some of the thing I have to do, but I know the Lord will provide a way! The time when I get back to my room is the best, it's from 9.30-10.30(bedtime). I get to change, prepare for bed, write in my journal, then read the scriptures or missionary handbook. This is such a peaceful and calm time, and I love it. 

Tell everyone that I love them so much and that I miss them, and that I am doing fine.

Love and miss you all, 

ELDER HOWARD