Trainer

WOW the world of Elder Howard just got flipped upside down! I will start with last Wednesday, I was able to burn my 6 month tie! But what??? where in the world did that time go? I feel like Ive been in the mission for like a few weeks. So that was a fun experience, Elder Keele and I have been together since the mtc and so we were able to engulf our ugly ties in flames! It was a special moment that's for sure, at least until we had to take of running because someone said were calling to police. hehe. Nah but everything worked out just fine. But that was the start of the wild week. My companion Elder Carlos Garrido from Constitution, Chile finished his mission and left yesterday. And I'm going to be honest, in the beginning of our companionship, I was hoping and praying for a new companion. I had such a hard time with him the 1st 2 weeks... I legit hated to be around him. He was lazy, didn't like to work, was fairly disobedient, left every responsibility on my shoulders and was just a tool. But then something changed. I stopped praying for a new companion, I stopped stressing about the stupid little things that bugged me, And I told myself I just need to love the guy, nothing more. And little by little things started to change. I don't really know what really changed, he still had the same faults, he didn't change himself, But this last week I came to realize that he really has been one of my best friends and I ended up being one of his best friends too. We got along incredibly well, we didn't have another confrontation for the last 4 weeks. And yesterday it was really difficult to say goodbye. To me, I was a miracle. I found a best friend out of an enemy.. thanks to the act of prayer and love.
And the reason my life got flipped upside down... Obviously I'm going to have a new companion right.. its transfer week and all. Well I get the phone call Saturday night from the Assistants.. they said " Elder Howard... are you ready?.. this next transfer President Bruce has received the inspiration for you to be TRAINER'' and I thought oh fetch.. what I'm I getting myself into? Well i guess I am pregnant, I will be having my 1st child in the mission this transfer.. I have to travel 7 hours to Antofagasta to pick him up, then return to Alto Hospicio. it will be cool to be a 'papito' but its going to really difficult because the responsibility is all up to me. If this new missionary starts off with bad habits, they will only pile up over time in his mission. and this isn't it.. They closed the other sector that we were working with. So Elder Zangara and Ruiz are leaving.. that means we have the whole workload of the 2 sectors on our shoulders. Which is a lot. I know I'm going to be overwhelmed in the beginning, but I'm preparing myself right now. With the strength I receive from my Heavenly Father... I will be able to fulfill his will.. and do it with successfully! I'm grateful for your support and love.. I'm gonna need it right?? But really, you have the happiest Elder in the world sitting right here in the great county of Chile. Elder Buck Howard. 

Love Elder Buck Howard