"Everyday Isn't a Good Day, But There is Good in Every Day."

I am obviously behind on posting but I wanted to continue on.  I will try to catch up as soon as I can.

Here is what's going on with him right now with excerpts from his email sent today,  June 17, 2013.

Elder Houghton with his companion, Elder Montero.  

The Branch he is serving in had an activity for Father's day and he was really happy to see some of the recent converts helping and participating and enjoying being with the other members. He said, "This week was also cool because we had a branch activity for Father`s day and it was put on by the relief society and it was SUPER AWESOME to see Hermana V there helping out and talking with all the sisters and participating in everything. Also the jovenes (the youth) in the branch helped out and it was SUPER COOL to see S and C (Hermana C`s kids) there helping out and participating too. And then yesterday at church, S gave a talk and it was SUPER GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She bore a VERY powerful testimony!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man I was SUPER excited to see all of my converts progressing so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man it`s GREAT!!!!!!"

 He's really hoping he gets to stay in his area for one more change. 

He loves the people there! 

Things are well but he still has struggles. He has had a little bit of a difficult time lately but he always has a good attitude and carries on. He said, "There's a quote (I think it is by President Monson) that says,

 'Everyday isn't a good day, 

but 

there is good in every day.' 

So, I've been putting that to use in my life and it's REALLY helped me through the hard times!!!!!!!!!! Also there's a talk that I read the other day by President Uchtdorf from the last Young Women's conference in April that I HIGHLY suggest to everyone because it is SUPER GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's called Your Wonderful Journey Home . Also, his talk from the priesthood session called Four Titles is SUPER GOOD too, and I HIGHLY suggest that you guys read them because they seriously are a good help when things are hard." 

Because of all the changes in the mission field, his homecoming date is going to be changed.  He was asked whether he wanted to come home 4 weeks early or stay 2 weeks later.  He said, "Yeah, I was thinking that if i went home early, I would have more time to work to save up for school but then I realized that if I stayed longer the Lord will help me WAY MORE than the few extra weeks of working so I`m going to stay longer." So, he will be getting home the first part of July 2014.  This Thursday, June 20th, is his one year mark.  I can't believe it's already been a year!  It's been so incredible to see the change in him and to see all that he has accomplished in just a year! 

He closed his email with this:

"Anyway, like I said, things here are pretty good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still ABSOLUTELY LOVING Panama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SUPER GLAD that you all are doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whenever I talk to the other missionaries about my family, I always remind them that my family is WAY BETTER than their's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D 

Anyway, keep up the good work and I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

We sure do love and miss him but we know he is where he needs to be!

Here's a quote that helps me remember this when I am missing him:

"A missionary leaves his family for two years so that those he teaches may be with their families forever."

So thankful for his service!