Celebrating the 40th

Janeen and Roy Howard, 21 Aug 1970

The week of our anniversary, we worked the morning shift, which meant getting up at 4 or 5 am and staying at the temple until 2 or 3 pm.  Janeen cannot handle a schedule like that, so she has been exhausted.  I have been working extra hard getting the arrangements and rehearsals done for two upcoming stake conferences.  To see the hymns I have prepared for choir, piano, and string quartet lately, see:
http://www.cantos.org/music/ecuador/sagrada.html

Our best friends invited us to a nice restaurant at a big hotel downtown across from the Iguana Park.  Janeen was cheered to be with loved ones: Margarita, Walker Andrade; Emmy, José Vera; Leidi, Carlos Sánchez; and a surprise guest: as the Sánchez rolled up to the hotel, they were greeted by a relative in military uniform who is assigned to that hotel while the Ecuador Vice President is staying there.  The soldier pushed Carlos's wheelchair, and we made sure he had a great dinner.

Hermano Sánchez finally had his surgery that had been put off so many times.  He was released from a 4 week stay in the hospital on Friday, and was anxious to get out.  The timing was perfect.  He has 10 more surgeries scheduled to rebuild his femur.  In the meantime, he is well appreciated as a leader wherever he goes.  For example, he has been elected as the president of the Machala Disabled Citizens Association.

Janeen was relieved of her suffering Friday night by taking time to love and be loved by friends.

Singing with Emmy, Margarita, and José

Saturday morning it was tough to get up at 4 am for the extra session requested by the Durán Sur stake.  However, the Quito stake that was scheduled for baptisms did not arrive, and we had a relatively slow morning, so we were offered the opportunity to go home at 9 am.  Janeen was uplifted and revived by passing this chance for rest on to another couple she thought needed it even more.

She spent the afternoon with beloved friends who needed her attention, while I was taking care of music duties at the Puerto Liza stake,

We were blessed on our anniversary by actively serving others.

Sarah and Zane in California

Sunday of our anniversary weekend starts early when the driver comes by for me and the string quartet and piano player I recruited for stake conference.  At least the piano is tuned (last Thursday after 2 hours of group piano lessons).  In the afternoon we attend our ward, and then choir/string quartet practice to get ready for the Kennedy Stake conference.  We are also invited by some other friends, the Pinos, for a celebration lunch on Monday. and a walk through the Ecuador National Historical Park on Wednesday with the Andrades.

Roy and Janeen Howard, 21 Aug 2010

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

"Only those who know and love God can best love and serve His children.  For only God fully understands His children and know what is best for their welfare.  Therefore, one needs to be in tune with God to best help His children.

The Urbanor Ward Choir preparing for Stake Conference

"Therefore, if you desire to help your fellowmen the most, then you must put the first commandment first" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 352-353).