Elder Karlton Howlett and Elder Brandon Howlett

Elder Karlton Howlett

Our grandson, Karlton Howlett, the first son and second child of Eric and Christina (Chris) Howlett, had some very important milestones happen in his life May and June 2013.  Luckily we, Grant and Pat Howlett, were able to be there for our grandson.  On May 24 Karlton was able to receive his endowments in the Columbus Ohio Temple.  These are special covenants we make with the Lord to live righteously the rest of our lives.  The Lord promises to give us great blessings to help us as we are obedient. It is important for missionaries to have these special blessings to help them on their missions. It was a very special evening with many of his extended family members attending from both sides of his family.

Mom Chris, Karlton, Dad Eric at Graduation

May 30, 2013 was the day Karlton graduated from Eastland Career Center.  He had been taking a special course in electricity and electrician's work.  During his last semester he was able to work with an Electrical Contractor in wiring buildings.  It was very good training for him and he said it really taught him a lot and he enjoyed the experience immensely.  Karlton also received some special honors for perfect attendance.

Elder Karlton Howlett and President Mark Meldrum

Later in June Karlton's family held parties and a special Family Home Evening with his extended family to say good-bye to him.  Then on 25 June 2013 he was set apart by our stake president, Mark Meldrum, as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His mom Chris, Elder Karlton Howlett, his dad Eric, his sister Clarissa, and his sister Eliza (his two brothers were at scout camp).

Elder Brandon Howlett

Elder Karlton Howlett flew out to the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center (MTC) the next day on 26 June 2013.  He is our second grandchild to be serving as a full-time missionary from our family.  He will be serving in the California Roseville Mission--Spanish speaking.  Elder Karlton Howlett is thoroughly enjoying the MTC experience and learning a ton of things, including a lot of Spanish. He'll be leaving for California on August 6, 2013.
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Our other grandchild serving as a missionary right now is Elder Brandon Howlett.  He is the first of five children borne to our son Mark and his wife, Sherlyn Howlett.  Brandon has been serving in the Brazil Vitoria Mission for about 22 months now.   He speaks fluent Brazilian Portuguese almost exclusively, even with all the other American missionaries there.  They are all immersing themselves in the language of the people.  Elder Howlett has served as a Zone Leader before and he is now a District Leader again.  His current companion is from Argentina.  What a marvelous job he is doing there because he loves the Lord and he loves serving the people in all the eight areas of Vitoria, Brazil that he has served in.

Elder Howlett by the seaside in Vitoria, Brazil

As usual, his mission will seem to go very fast now.  We heard a senior missionary once say, "A mission is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer to the end, the faster it goes!"  It may sound kind of silly, but it is certainly true.  Elder Brandon Howlett will feel like it is racing to the finish, but he is an excellently trained missionary now and he can do his greatest work in these last weeks.  His release date may be as early as the end of September 2013 and his family eagerly awaits his return.