Trying to make sense of it...

I found out yesterday that Bishop Dan Howells, my seminary teacher, was killed in a car accident in Utah. This took my absolutely by surprise and made me a terrible mess most of the afternoon. I don't know if I've ever met a more humble, gentle man.

Bishop Howells was my seminary teacher for 3.2 of my 4 years at CDO (and you have no idea how mad I was when I found out he wouldn't be there for all 4 years). I will never, ever forget how his lessons impacted my life. The ones I remember in particular were sweet, solemn occasions where the class was invited to share their testimonies. He had a gift for bringing the Spirit to a discussion that I've rarely seen paralleled.

I know how much he cared for each one of his students (there's no way he would have put up with all of us otherwise). One of the rare times I saw him get upset was when Laura managed to break the microwave (again) by trying to microwave her shoe (didn't work). But he could never stay mad long--he was so naturally happy.

The lessons he taught me in seminary laid a firm foundation for my testimony. I am eternally grateful for his patience, long-suffering, and absolutely pure charity. My one regret is that I didn't pay nearly as much attention as I should have. If there were some way to go back, I would just sit and listen for hours, absorbing everything. I still remember how I teared up when I realized he had come back for our seminary graduation--it didn't matter that he'd ditched out on my senior year; he was still my seminary teacher and the occasion wasn't complete without him.

I hope that his family can understand how much he touched my life and how I will never forget him. They will be in my prayers.