Culture Quiz

This is the dollar coin in circulation in Ecuador

I am trying to learn the culture of Ecuador by talking to the people and asking questions: 


Tell me the color of Simón Bolivar's white horse.


What is the significance of the Battle of Pichincha?


Who is buried in the tomb of Abdón Calderón. 


I remind them of how Manuela Cañizares hosted in her home the discussions about independence. After the leaders of the Independence signed the documents, they went outside shouting "¡Viva la Independencia!" In whose home in Quito did they sign the documents? 


Ecuador uses U.S. Currency since the end of the Sucre on September 11, 2000


Tell me about the face that is on the dollar bill


Who is that lady on the dollar coin and why is she famous?


Name her son and her husband.


Name her tribe.

Good People Get Blessings

Campesinos live in stilted shacks
above the flood waters and the animals

Many in Ecuador work long hours for low wages, resulting in humility.  "And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word." Alma 32:6  "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts 10:34-35

Howard W. Hunter, 14th Church President

When people see my name, they try to imagine some other Howard, such as Howard Johnson Hotel, or the Prophet Howard W. Hunter, the 14th president of the Church.  They wonder if I am related.  Maybe I should claim him, as he had a great haircut and, was a professional musician.  His band played on a cruise ship in Asia before his mission.

"To save even our material prosperity, we must show more interest in moral and spiritual values.  When civilizations have a decline in moral and spiritual values, material greatness begins to disintegrate.

Fishing at Taura for Tilapia and Catfish

"If we want to conserve our economic security, we must focus an increased amount of time and interest on strengthening our human values. A nation is not made great by its fruitful acres, its great forests, and its rich mineral deposits, but by the men who cultivate the farms, fell the trees, and operate the mines.  That nation is greatest which produces the largest number of men dedicated to the loftiest ideals of the human race" (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 168).

Members from Esmeraldas
serve often in the temple

Our fishing guide at Taura and the owner of the Shrimp Farm are Pentecostal Christians, who live correct principles and teach their families to love and serve God.  They are happy.  True humility prepares people to receive the Gospel and the blessings of the temple.

Fishing

See http://fishitah.blogspot.com for more information about my latest fishing trip.

Tropical birds and vegetation are appreciated more on a fishing trip

We caught hundreds I think, all by hook and shrimp bait

Friends

Dear friends Walker and Margarita Andrade,
Diana Linda Verduga with Sister and Elder Howard

Our friends come often to visit, or we visit them, or we go with them.  Today the Vera and Sánchez families dine at our place.  Monday I go with with 4 hermanos to fish while Sister Howard is with the ladies. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity". Proverbs 17:17

"And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Alma 38:5

"I will try to be contented with my lot, knowing that God is my friend.  In him I shall find comfort.  I have given my life into his hands.  I am prepared to go at his call.  I desire to be with Christ.  I count not my life dear to me [except] to do his will" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 243-244).

Templo de Guayaquil, Ecuador

Elder and Sister Howard, Temple Missionaries, Ecuador

This is where we work every day, except Sunday and Monday.  This Sunday we attended the Kennedy Stake Conference in Guayaquil and learned that we should take care of the elderly. Of course, mostly the testimonies were about the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Elder Howard plays in a string quartet

I tuned the piano and arranged the music for string quartet and piano to accompany the 50 voice Urbanor Ward Choir.  I wish I had a recording or photo.  Everyone really enjoyed the beautiful music.  Since there is no organ, the strings help make the accompaniment better for such a large gathering (900).

Since there was no violist in the stake, I bought a viola, and played it for the conference.  Until now I have been playing second violin, like I did in Deming.  I don't have a bass violin here like I did from 1976 to 2008.  Now I have to teach someone else how to play the viola.  I teach music lessons about 6 days per week now: piano, guitar, violin so far.

We live in the Alojamiento on the temple grounds.  Hundreds
of people from all over the country stay here when they come
to work in the temple, usually for one, two, or more nights.

Here is where I am gathering the arrangements and compositions I create in Ecuador:
http://www.cantos.org/music/ecuador

I have made arrangements for several choirs since arriving, including a choir in Kansas.

My new Viola along with a borrowed violin.

Happy Birthday Cate

Happy Birthday, Cate.  I am glad I got to see you tonight in San Francisco.

Here is my new fishing video: http://www.youtube/drrhoward
I am going fishing next Monday also.

Julian is doing Water Polo and Crew in high school.  It is very difficult compared to junior high school athletics!

Cate is swimming.  She might get into water polo.

Zane plays basketball on Wednesday nights.

Making Mistakes

The plastic bowl melted on the burner

Every ordinance in the temple is officially observed by "witnesses" who listen and watch for mistakes.  For example, any baptism must be repeated if the person is not completely submersed.  Yesterday I was complemented by a brother who was baptizing, as I was able to immediately correct him if he left out a word or made a small change.  He said I was a good listener.  I responded: I recognize the mistakes, as I am so used to them, as I make so many myself.

Did you ever fall out of bed?

When I first arrived I told people that I was a fast learner, because I am not afraid to make mistakes.  I don't worry about what people will think of me or say of my mistakes.  In a new situation I just make as many mistakes as possible, and try to learn from my mistakes.

Cameraman chooses a poor pose

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seen times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

It tasted good.  The next day she learned
that it was a mistake to trust the food
bought from a street vendor.

I do make mistakes.  I try to learn from them, but sometimes I just get in the habit of making the same ones over and over.  My father called that "our favorite sins".  I teach my piano students to work and study and change until the section is played without mistakes, then repeat it over and over.  Practice that makes perfect is repeating it after you finally get it right.

It is a mistake to think that every smile
reflects a friendly soul and a safe friend.

Once you can do it right, practice that.  If you notice that others make mistakes, you will be happier if you do not take responsibility for correcting them.  However, if you are the teacher, it is your responsibility to look for mistakes as clues for how to correct the problem.  I tell my music students that I want to hear their mistakes, so I can see how to help them find solutions.

If you repent, you can qualify for the temple

"There are those who will make mistakes.  There are those among us today that have gone astray, but they are the children of our Lord and he loves them.  He has given you and to me the right to go to them in kindness and love and with patience and with a desire to bless, seek to win them from the mistakes that they are making" (The Teachings of George Albert Smith, p. 145).

Jaguar, el Silvestre

My eating habits and tastes are wild

I always introduce myself as "Raul Jaguar, de los jaguares silvestres del desierto".  There are many reasons for my identity as the wild tiger of the desert.  Of course, it starts with my name.  If I pronounce my name for a Spanish speaker (Howard), they spell it as jaguar.  That is how you pronounce my name in English and spell it in Spanish.  But there is more:

silvestre.

(Del lat. silvestris).

1. adj. Criado naturalmente y sin cultivo en selvas o campos.

2. adj. Inculto, agreste y rústico.

I would rather be fishing

To understand it completely, read 3 Nephi Chapter 20.


Behold now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel.
   And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.

I really get involved in my work

And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance. And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the bblessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people— Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

I buy musical instruments
(they are the tools of my trade)

 Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
  And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.

I adore my wife
with all my heart and soul

For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.

 And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles.
And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.

I go with my wife to all the world, preaching the Gospel
of the Prince of Peace.

Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye. Then will the Father gather them together again, and give unto them a land of their inheritance.

Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Father hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!