End of 2013

Hey mom!

Well this was a fun Christmas. We didn't see as much of the fireworks as we would've liked. Guatemala is a very mountainous place. The capital has lots of valleys and  Zona 21 isn't a very high point. The fireworks I saw in Palin last year were way better. It's all good though. We ate some reallly good turkey and tamales. They gave us so many tamales! It was a genuine Christmas, though. I'm gona miss all the Guatemalan traditions. We will just have to use them at home.

I don't need any clothes at all. I will probably leave all my clothes here when I go home. No worries. I'm good to go. 

We loved all the stuff from the packages. The protein bars are delicious. No worries. The hygiene products were of high need. We loved everything. Thanks for everything!

I can't believe you guys didn't take any pictures!!!!!!!!! Well, the ward didn't do anything. Normally, they have a convivio. It's like a dinner and a dance. It's usually super fun and lively and all that stuff but we didn't have one this year.

I feel really focused on the task at hand. I've only got a few months left to go out and do what God wants me to do. We're really struggling in our area. We have nobody to teach right now. Members have to help out now. God changed the rules of missionary work. You can't go out and knock a ton of doors and have a ton of baptisms. We need to have members helping us now. We're going to start teaching and training members to know how to share the gospel.

Well we've got changes next week. This is the week where missionaries think a ton about who their next companion will be. Everything will be fine though. 

Well thanks for everything! you guys are so awesome. Love you guys with all my heart! Happy New Year!

Con Amor Eterno, 

Elder Butler

Another baptism

Hey mom!

We had another miracle baptism! J. is super pilas. Super glad, at the end of her baptismal service, she got up and bore her testimony voluntarily. Man, it was so awesome. I'm super glad to be here.. I read this week in Alma that when Ammon was brought before Lamoni the first time he said he wanted to stay there, "maybe until the day I die". Every missionary should have that attitude. I love reading about Ammon and Lamoni. I learn so much more about them everytime I read those chapters. Just grows my testimony even more that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book upon the face of the earth.

I'm super sad about Ellie it's like hearing  a sister died. I don't want to sound like a little girl but I'm just devastated. At least animals are automatically saved. It's still super sad, though. O well. No use sobbing over it. Maybe I'll take a dog from the street and bring it home with me. sheesh. I just feel super sad. I don't know what to say now. mannnnnnn...... Well it's all good.

I loved the pictures of you guys in Disney! I can't believe how big J. is! I loved all the pics. I want a beard like S's. He and G. always look happy. Loved the Family photo.

Well, I really don't know what else to write. I'll be talking with you guys on wednesday, the 25th, at 11. The whole Ellie thing's kind of sapped me.....

Well love you guys a lot! Send pictures from Christmas morning and everything! Love you guys!

Elder Butler

Package arrived before Christmas...SCORE

Hey mom!

Well we had 5 baptisms this weekend! It was great! The only problem is that we have to go back to square one and try to find new people. It's all good though. God's definitely hastening His work. I love the atmosphere in the church now. The barrier between missionaries and members is finaly dissolving. That's a great thing about the work. The bishop's going to send in goals for the next year soon, so we're going to work together with him to put in effective goals. We're really trying to focus on the work with Bishops and it's really paying off. THe zone right now is doing really well. We're half way through the month and we've got 8 baptisms. Hopefully we can finish with 16. It's great because our zone isn't too big. There's only 8 companionships. It's definitely a marvelous work and a wonder here. 

We had a great zone conference. We talked about the importance of teaching the people about the Godhead. We talked about repentance and the necessity  to be repentant. The best part was that we watched a movie called "Ephraim's Rescue". I think it was made by the same people who did 17 Miracles. It's a great movie. You should watch it! It talks a lot about believing in miracles, but it also talks about the importance of being worthy, obedient, and faithful. It definitely inspired me to go out and work even harder and believe in miracles. We should do our best to always beleive and ask for miracles, and be worthy to act at the needed time. 

So glad to hear that W. graduated! Do you guys have any pictures? 

Be thankful that there's ice and snow! There's nothing Christmasy here! I did get the package! We loved the candy and food and all the stuff! Thanks a ton for everything. Also, tell thanks to Bro. L. and Bro. S. for sending letters. Some of the Sisters from the ward sent letters as well. I think it was Sis. F. and Sis. M. and S.L. Sister T. from the stake sent the letter about the missionary appreciation activity. That was great to hear! I loved seeing the pictures of all the missionaries we have in the stake!

How's everything in the ward?

O, about communication, we have the option to use Skype. I really don't care either way. You'll see me in 3 months anyway. But it's up to you guys. We'll email you guys next week to let you know what's going on. We don't exactly know because we have to sort out the mess about who's going to use Skype or not. 

Well love you guys a ton! Hope you're week goes well. We'll be talking for the last time next week. Wow. I'm super old......... 

Sois mis queridos amigos. (vosotros is not used at all in Central America, just using the scriptures)

¡Feliz Navidad!

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler

News from the new area

Hey mom! 

Well we're going to have 5 baptisms this weekend! I'm super excited. La familia and A. are super awesome. I'm super glad. We're working a lot with the bishop and it's helping a ton. We're working hard here. I'm glad for your advice because my companion and I are both dying soon, these truly are the defining moments. It's not about how you start, it's about your finish. 

We got to go to the Christmas devotional. We took investigators and they loved it. I loved it how almost every speaker talked about the true way to find peace is through Jesus Christ. We live in such a tumultous world. People need true peace in their life. I love seeing how the Gospel works in the lives of people. 

Well here they're going to be some people that are going to use Skype. I don't think I want to. I don't know. We're going to have zone conference with President this week so we'll get all the details sorted out this week and I'll be able to filll you in. 

That's so great W.'s graduating! What an inspiring moment for not just him, but for all of us! What a great lesson of enduring to the end. I'm super proud of him. I know he's gone through a lot, but it's so wonderful to see how we receive grace from the Atonement of Christ!

Well Pres. gave me the green light to fill out an application, but I can fill one out in April. I got permisison to go on the website. If you want to fill one out now then that's fine. maybe I didn't read the details well enough. But I would like to work in some that are close. The only problem is that you don't get paid a lot. Who knows. but anyway, I'll leave it in your hands. 

I haven't been able to talk with Coach but he's gotta know that if I'll play for them it's going to take a while for me to get in shape. I'm totally not lineman shape anymore. I'll try to write him an email right now. I've been thinking about it a lot and I would like to keep my options open. Sister S. gave me some advice that I should only focus on it if there's deadlines involved. Winning. 

Hey, trunky doesn't exist here. IT's Baggy. Lol trunky sounds weird. 

Well I hope you guys enjoy you're vacation. Soak up the sun. Be nice to Hispanics. You have no idea what they do and sacrifice so that they can come to our country. 

Love you guys!

Elder Butler

Short and sweet

Hey mom!

 

E. was baptized this week. He's super awesome.

 

Well we're starting to meet a lot of problems. It's all good. If I want to experience joy,I have to see opposition. We had interviews with President this week. He's so awesome. I'm so glad to have him as the President of this mission.

 

Great to hear about the missionaries in the Philippines surviving. There are so many miracles that happen in the field, I can't even start to list all the miracles that I've seen here.

 

Thanks for sending the package! My companion is anxiously awaiting the candy.

 

Sorry this email is so short. The computers here are so doggone slow. I can't write that much because the computer freezes.

 

Almost done with the New Testament.

 

Love you guys so much. Hopefully the next week I'll get a better computer. Love you guys. I'll be praying for everyone.

 

Love,

 

Elder Butler

This and that

Hey mom!

 

Well E. is going to be baptized this Saturday! So glad, he's changed a lot. It's great to see the gospel work in people's lives. I'm super stoked, and hopefully we'll have another one the next weekend!  Please keep praying. 

 

Thanks for contacting the coach! I need to keep my options open. I got the email from the coach and I'll talk with him to see what I could do. Thanks for doing that for me. I can't rule out BYU either, although I'm still kind of weirded out from the last Utah experience we had. No worries. If God wants me to go there, I'll go.

 

I've learned a lot from the scriptures this week. Paul said in 2nd Corinthians that if we sow a little, we'll reap a little. If we sow  , we'll reap a lot! Love it. It can be applied to so many things in our lives. I just want to finish my mission on a good note. We're working hard here and I feel that God is satisfied with what I'm doing. I'm not content with all that I do, but I know that I repent and apply the atonement constantly. I work on being humble and not judging others, and I feel more at peace in my life. I'm so thankful for this time that I have. It's so short, and this won't be my profession when I get home but it's truly the most important thing in the world.

 

I'll definitely pray for the missionaries in the Philippines.

 

Send my love to everyone in the family. Love you so much, Mom! thanks for doing so much for me and for others. You truly are my hero.

 

Con amor eterno,

Elder Butler

A month of Thanksgiving

Hey mom glad to hear everything is going well! thanks for sending the dough!

Well one of our fechas fell through. O well. Faith Hope Charity. the others are doing fine, and we found a part member family this week. Elder V. and I are working extremely hard here.

I read a lot of cool stuff this week in the scriptures. A Christlike attribute I've been working on is charity. Like you've told me, it's not worth it to judge. Christ speaks so clearly about it on the Sermon of the Mount. If we want to help other out, we need to start with our own selves. Moroni warns people of passing bad judgement upon other's rapidly. I've done that wayyyyyyyyyy to often in my life. Before I come home, I truly want to be a more charitable person. In order to accomplish that, you must first have faith, hope, obedience, and diligence (teaching of Pres. Brough.) That's one of my goals before I come home. .

I'm sorry to hear that you still havne't found a car yet. Don't worry. God requires trials before we can feel true joy. I'm glad to hear John has his expectations high. I'll play plenty of bball with him when I get home.

I'll make sure and pray for R. and for Mrs. P. They're fighters.

Well, hope everything goes well this week. Before you know it, you'll be eating  Thanksgiving. What day is Thanksgiving?

I like what you said about having an attitude of gratitude. Prayers are so much more meaningful when we take time to look at how the Lord has blessed us. I always love the example of the 10 lepers, and how only 1 went back to thank Jesus for healing him. He told that leper that his faith had made him whole. The others were made whole physically, but for being grateful, the other was made whole spiritually and physically.

Well I love you guys a ton and wish the best for you this week!

Love,

Elder Butler

New area is GREAT

Hey mom!

 

Well we had a great week this week! We've got 4 baptismal dates set! Hopefully we'll be able to have some more this week. My companion and I are working hard and we're united. Couldn't ask for anything better. The area that I'm in is extremely dangerous. There was an 18 year old girl shot on Saturday. We hear gunshots almost every night. The truth is, I really don't care. I have a direct promise from God that we will have angels on our siniestra and diniestra (right and left hand?) The area is great, though. people here are way more humble than my last area. I still miss it, though. O well.I feel extremely blessed to be in the mission. Temptation is trying to make me drop the diligence because I have such little time left. I've been blocking it out and just working, and it's been great.

 

Elder L. left for Uruguay last week. He was the other missionary in the trio. Great guy.

 

Answer 1. No we don't have ways to make cookies.

            2. It would be 10 times easier for me to just get an umbrella here. I also need a cheapo watch and alarm and an umbrella all of which would just be way easier to buy here. This will be my last Christmas in the mission. I don't need a lot of stuff. Just body wash! If anything it would be better to just send something for my companion and some candy from the states. That's pretty much all I need. I think we'll be taking out money Thursday or Friday.If  you would like you could put it in then. Thanks for everything.

 

I'm sorry to here about your concussion. I hated having it. I had a hard enough time studying, but you're a secretary! You're the busy bee. I'll be praying for you this week.  The driver was drunk wasn't he? I know we need to have patience and love but he needs to learn something so he doesn't go out and do it again. O well, I'm not the judge.

 

I really appreciated your advice about how to deal with the disobedience here. I just need to worry about being an example and working as hard as I can. You always have been my best mentor!

 

That's crazy that it's already snowing! We have big plans for something good for Christmas!

 

Please pray for J. and C., E., and J.. They're our 4 fechas for November. You know what to pray for!

 

I'm so glad the ward has so many missionaries! I always feel sad for how much of a chambon I was for not helping out the missionaries more. You can promise them, a favor de mi, that I'll help them when I get home!

Change is in the air

Hey mom!

Well we had some surprising news last night, Elder B. and I are both leaving the area! I don't know why. We haven't been lazy or disobedient at all. I think they might put sisters in our area because it's relatively safe. I'm super sad, though. We had an investigator that finally accepted a baptismal date for the end of the month. Now the both of us are going! O well, God ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Even though the past 6 months have been extremely difficult, I'm still extremely, even eternally grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve in Venezuela [name of the community]. Now I'll start one of the last chapters in the story of my mission. Hopefully everything goes well. I'm so thankful that I was able to train Elder Bailey. He's a winner. He's a way better missionary than me, and that's  the goal of any trainer.

President Z's quote and insights really do make sense. They receive revelation for the stake, and if you think about it, in Ohio there are very few latter day saints. We will have to stand for our beliefs, but I thank God that He found me worthy to come and preach the gospel so that I'll be able to defend my faith in the future.

Christmas things: 1. Body Wash 2. American candy. That's about it. I would really appreciate it if you could send me some money because I need a new umbrella and watch, both of which broke in the last week. This mission doesn't give us a lot of money for extra costs and things like that, ex: umbrella. I would really appreciate that. I never like asking because I feel like I'm adding an extra burden. I'm sorry.  

Hey, anybody else that wants to write can.

I wonder where I'm going to go. In this mission President doesn't do interviews for missionaries who are going to go up to another leadership position here, so you really are just left completely speculating where you'll go. O well, I'll enjoy it while I can. 

I'll send some pictures next week from Elder B. and I saying goodbye to everyone. I love you a ton and am eternally grateful for all the sacrifices that you have made and are making for me. I just hope there's some way that I can pay it all back in the future. Love you guys!

Conference Time

Hey mom!

I'm stoked for Conference. it's been a complete 180 for me. I used to just sleep through conference, but I'm glued to the screen actively scribbling my notes. You're right, it just might be my last one [in Guatemala]. I looked at the change schedules and my last one ends at the beginning of April. Who knows!

My card still hasn't come yet. I'll find out Thursday because that's when the zone leaders get letters and packages. I wouldn't worry, though. It'll be fine. 

Not a surprise they invite people to retire here. Things are dirt cheap here. The old people could go live in Pana or Antigua. That's where a lot of the foreigners live. And in zona 10. Guatemala's beautiful, but the captial is super dangerous. 

That's a shame the football team hasn't been doing so hot. How's J's soccer team been doing? Maybe he'll be the future of the football program lol.

That's crazy what happened to Mr. D. You are so right, we can't procrastinate the day of our repentance. We taught a member's husband yesterday who still can't grasp that concept. That's one of the hardest parts of mission work, respecting people's agency. Nephi exhorted his brethren constantly and they even  saw an angel, but in the end it availed them nothing. Agency is just such a crazy concept. I just think that's why it's our job to work diligently so their sins don't fall on our heads. O well. Learning a little, everyday.

I got that copy of that talk you sent me. It's pretty true. We have to be valiant, not honorable. Loved the examples. Brother S. sent me a letter as well. It's so weird seeing the ward handout and seeing Bishop L. It still seems like Bishop W. is bishop. I will always be grateful that hew was the bishop for me. 

We've been finding some super awesome people this week. God blessed us with a great new ward mission leader. He's been so pilas by helping us out. He's super diligent and loves mission work. We're starting to see some fruits. Hopefully we'll have some baptisms at the end of the change. 

We had zone conference on Friday. Pres. S. is awesome. I'm not going to lie, I'm still trying to get used to the differences between him and Pres. B., but nonetheless he's still an awesome guy. The biggest thing I took out of the conference was how our principal motivation as missionaries should come from our love for the Savior and for the people. It really helped me put into perspective what I need to do to really end on a good note here. 

Well I love you guys a ton. Las familias pueden ser eternas. Les amo!

Elder Butler

No change this change

Hey Mom!

Elder B. and I are together for another change! Super stoked. We're going to tear up the area. God has been answering our prayers. Really learned a lot this week. I've almost finished reading John. I just want to finish the New Testament,  and I'm on my 4th read through on the Book of Mormon. Loving the scriptures!

I've really enjoyed being in this area, even though it definitely is a difficult area. We're not too concerned, though. There's potential in every area. We've decided to quit knocking doors. All of the church leaders always encourage missionaries to work with the members. We've hatched a plan to work with the ward better. It'll be a stretch, but that's better. When there's more suffering, there's more joy in the end. It's essential that there's an opposition in all things.

We've got a fair number of investigators that are reading the Book of Mormon now. I love it. Have you had any good experiences with the Book of Mormon? 

We have an awesome investigator named A that made us jello cake this week. I'll send you some pictures of it.

I've love  reading the New Testament. It helps me connect with other people. It's super important for me to know because having more knowledge helps draw the parallels between the BoM and the BIble. I really regret all the time I wasted sleeping in seminary. If you could pass a message along to the youth of the church from me, it would be that they actually need to participate in Seminary. 

Glad you're helping the missionaries. That's crazy they've got so many there now. I guess the work should be booming now. How many baptisms are you having every month? Glad to hear the work is moving along. I'm going to help out a ton once I get home!

How's school going? Back in the swing of things again? How's the Pride of Bethel Marching Band and Mr. E? Football? Soccer team?

Love you guys a ton. Thanks a ton for you support and persistence with me! Love you! 

News from Nimajuyu

Hey mom!

I got the birthday package! I loved it! thanks for everything. We ate a lot of the stuff with the zone leaders. Elder G. freaked out when he ate the sour patch kids! hahahahahaha Loved all of it! thanks you so much!

Hey I think it would be good to put a little money in my account, just in case the new card takes a while to get here. We get wayyyyyyyyy less money than we did in Central. No worries though.

Wow, you had a quite a temple week. I can't wait to go back. I like to reflect on the sessions and just the great feeling there. The work really is speeding up. I love hearing that term. It brings such a great sense that our hope really isn't in vain. I know that this is the work of the Lord. Elder B. and I learned a lot this week about hope. We just needed to endure and actively wait. We're starting to see some fruits of our labors now.

We had a baptism! J. is way awesome. She truly is wonderful. She got baptized in 3 weeks. She immediately received a testimony about the Book of Mormon and was baptized, even in the face of opposition from her family. I'm super honored that God used us to help bring her the news of the restored gospel.

So is it still super hot? We're starting to have a heat wave here. I'm fine with it. The heat helped me lose close to 40 pounds in the coast! Even though I have lost a lot of weight, I'm still not where I'd like to be. I  sat down and made a list of exercises and a mini diet plan. Please pray that I'll be able to lose more weight!

I've started to study about Christlike attributes more. I've realized  I've just been so focused with finding the most effective way to work that I forget how important it is to be a Christ-like person. Like I said earlier, we've been learning a lot about hope. I read a ton of great scriptures about hope that have helped me put in perspective everything that Pres. B.taught us. He talked so much about hope and suffering, and they just go hand in hand. I really do miss him, but I know that I'll honor him and God through diligent work here.

It just hit how little time I have left. I'll only have 4 changes left after this change! I've got to do the best I can.

Well I love you guys a ton. Thanks for everything that you've done for me! I am super grateful for all of your sacrficies! know that hthey haven't been in vain!

LOVE YOU GUYS

Elder Butler

Hit the 15 month mark!

Hey mom!

I'm glad to hear that you're just going to keep working even more with the youth. They sure do need you. Literally fulfills the prophecy of the hearts of the children to their fathers, because you're literally helping children (teenagers anyway) hahahahahaa. 

I can't believe I hit the 15 month mark last week! I'm getting super old. 

Everyone's been talking about how hot it is in the states right now. Is it like that for the whole country?

The size of the mission was reduced drastically. They lost 6 zones and only gained 2 from us. Before they covered the Atlantic and the Pacific, now it's only the Pacific. A lot of it's just Capitol and coast. I'll be able to come back here in the future and get to know the rest of the country. 

We've been visiting a lot of less active's lately, and 3 of them came to church for the first time yesterday.  We're still trying to help a lot of our investigators, but we're getting better hear little by little. Elder B. and I are staying together another change! I'm super stoked. It's been pretty fun, and we're going to be working hard and baptizing! 

I'm sorry my emails have been so poor lately. I don't really have a lot of new things to update, but nonetheless it's been great. I love the mission! 

Love you guys a ton. Keep serving with all your heart might mind and strength. Please gives the Elders of the ward a reference! Love you guys!

Elder Butler

Mision Sur, it's all about change-

Hey MOM!

I truly appreciate that advice. That's been a big temptation from Satan to lower the bar, but we can't do that at all! We're going to go and work super hard. We truly appreciate the support from the fast that you're doing. We're planning an activity for this month so we hope that we'll have some good referrals from that.

We had our first interviews with President S. last week. He's incredible. Fountain of knowledge. 

Sorry if this is a bad email, it's just that not a lot has changed. This is the last week of the change, so we'll find out next week if we'll have changes. [change of area, change of companion or both].

That's super sad Bro. B.'s leaving. It's a good thing, though, to have change, because it allows us to grow. The wards going to be completely different when I get back, though.'

i hope John loves his first scout camp! It's easily the best part of scouts!

Ummmmmm, mision sur has completely changed! I don't think we have a lot of tourist places here. I'll keep you posted though.

I'm sorry to hear about Bro. F. It's kind of hard to be sad about death, though, because we all know that the plan will work, and that families can be together forever. I'll send an email to Bro. B.

We're teaching an investigator or two.. We had really good lessons with them this week, in that we simply taught them the nature of God. They were really powerful lessons, and we were able be bold without offending because we used the Spirit and the scriptures. 

Well, I love you guys. I promise I'll write something a little more interesting next week. 

Love you guys! 

Hard work in the South Mission

Hey mom!

We definitely had a tough week. We couldn't find anybody to teach, and to top everything off, there was a shooting outside of a neighborhood we were teaching in last night. It was just two houses down. Super crazy. Everyone's fine though. It was pretty loco. I'll definitely tell you about it when I get home. 

Hey, in two weeks I'll have 15 months in the mission! wow time is just flying by. Just trying to do the best the we can. 

Well President Stay is a nice guy. Way more relaxed then President Brough, but they're great people. I'm looking forward to learning more from him. It'll be a good opportunity to apply what I've learned from Pres. Brough and learn new things from Pres. Stay. This truly is a great blessing.

I noticed something interesting in my personal study this week. One of the first things that Ammon taught to Lamoni was about apostasy. Guatemala is a very traditional society. Lot's of people are only motivated to do certain things because of tradition, whether it be right or wrong. I think that's something that we need to explain to everyone here. Ammon was able to successfully teach it, and they were able to convert the entire pueblo. I hope that I'll be able to learn how to effectively teach that concept throughout my mission.

Hey i just realized something, my debit card expires at the end of august. Not a terribly large problem. Maybe you could forward me an application to fill out another one, or could fill it out for me or something like that. Nonetheless, I don't know how to go about that, not a big deal.

I'm sorry that I'm lame and haven't been able to send a lot of emails to people. I'll try to email  soon. Glad you enjoyed your time with Anita! She's awesome. She told me that she's planning to retire in 4 years! wow! Hey next time you go to Jungle Jim's, see if they've got things from Guatemala. I'll have to find a place where I can buy some of the exported snacks when I get home.

Elder B. is awesome. He's learning Spanish so quickly. He'll be speaking it fluently by the time he's done with his training. But anyways, it's always a challenge to train, but it's way better training a brand new missionary than continuing training. It's a great opportunity to be his companion and trainer. 

I know you'll do better in whatever calling you have! Es bien pilas usted!

Do you guys have any special plans for the summer! oh, how was the 4th!?

Well I love you guys a lot! Hope everything goes well. Pray that we'll be able to find new people to teach this week! Love you guys!

Elder Butler

Un capitulo nuevo en la mision de Elder Butler

Well, I'm in the South Mission now. It was extremely difficult to say goodbye to President B. Words can't describe how much I admire him. I've always respected  the father figures in my life, and he's just a huge example of what it takes to be successful. I will never forget him and Sis. B. It's all good, though. I know that I'm supposed to be in this mission and I've had time to mentally prepare. Plus, my companion from the CCM and another elder from my district are in the South Mission. I already know some people there.

Elder B. is my new companion. Do you want to hear something funny? HE'S FROM MICHIGAN! hahahahahahaha  He's super chill. He's picking up Spanish so rapidly! I can't help but feel a little jealous, lol, He's awesome. 

We're working hard here. We had a hard time finding new investigators last week, but we're going to go and get after it this week. I'm super stoked to just go out and work!

Not a whole lot of new things to report! We're slowly getting integrated into the South Mission. This is our first day being in the Mission, so it's going little by little. Tomorrow we have a meeting with the AP's about the rules, and Thursday we'll be meeting President Stay. This should be an exciting week. 

Well I love you guys and hope everything goes well this week! Happy 4th of July! My companion and I will find a way to celebrate it!

Con Amor Eterno, 

Elder Butler

President, Wife of President and Elder

Loving the new area

Hey mom!

Thanks for the pisto!  Antigua was pretty cool. All the Americans there are hippies and aren't friendly  I got everyone some tiny bags made out of corte (authentic Guatemalan material). I definitely found some pretty great things for you guys. I'm not going to lie, though, I had an anxiety attack because I didn't know what you guys would want. Nonetheless, I was comforted knowing one day you guys will come with me to Guatemala, and we'll be able to go and look throughout all of Antigua together. I did the conversions and everything here is dirt cheap. You guys will like what I got you. I didn't buy you or R. big purses because women go through purses like clothes.....You'll like what I got for you guys.

Well it's pretty much set that I'm going to Mision Sur. Elder D. left last night for Bolivia. Now I've got Elder A. He's from the Capitol. Really good guy. Sadly, he's also waiting for his visa to go to Venezuela. For as much time as he's waited, it's very likely that he'll be leaving soon. I'm positive I'm going to Mision Sur. It's alright, though. 

Hey we've got 2 baptisms this Sunday! (T. and G.). T. is 89 years old. G. is his SON....lol just had to clarify that. They have been 2 of the biggest miracles in my mission. Elder D. and I were walking down the street, and I saw T. outside just sitting there enjoying the sunlight. We contacted him and asked if we could share a message with  him. He let us into his house, and there we met his son, G. G. had been praying that God would show him where the true church was. He had always seen the missionaries pass by. He wanted to talk with them but never was able to. He said when we came in he felt such great joy. He felt something special. We taught him the restoration, and left him with the commitment to read the restoration pamphlet and to pray. We also invited him to get baptized and said that he would do it without a doubt if he knew these things were true. He prayed that night, asked if this was the true church, and later on had a dream. He said that his sister who died hace años appeared to him clothed in white. He told her of his desire to know if it was true and that he wanted to be baptized. She told him to go and follow this church and be baptized. He truly followed his answer and has come to church with us that past 2 weeks with his dad. As if none of those things are a surprise, we left him an invitation to read the Book of Mormon a little under 2 weeks ago. As of yesterday, he has read all the way to Alma 1! What a champion! It's been such a blessing to be able to teach them. God truly does answer prayers. When I got to the area, we had nobody. Now, we're finding people who are positive. Our area is really tiny. Nonetheless, God's been merciful unto us and has given us people to teach. Now we just need to do everything in out power and depend on God to help these people take the celestial steps.

I'm so glad to hear about J's  success in baseball. That's so crazy he's hitting home runs! No one hit's home runs in little league! So glad to hear that he's developing his talents. You can tell him that I'm jealous of him lol. What are his plans for the summer?

Well I've gotta return email. I love you guys and I hope the best for you. Anyone who wants to write is more that welcome. If there's anyone i should email let me know. 

I love you guys a ton. Thanks for all the sacrifices that you have made for me. Know that they have been worth everything and more. 

Con amor eterno,

Elder Butler

Where in the world is Elder Butler now?!

hey mom!

 

Well, I'm in the zone Nimajuyu. If you look on a map, it's z. 21. My area is called Venezuela 1. I'm in charge of my area and Venezuela 2. The area is really small. The ward is incredible here. They give so much support to the mission work. President only had me train one missionary due to missionaries receiving their visas, and a few had to have surgeries. My comp's name is Elder D. He's from Chimaltenango, and is waiting for his visa to go to Bolivia. He got some bad news yesterday, though, that they rejected his visa. It's because he changed his last name, and it's different from the paperwork that he presented to get his visa.......they have to restart the process. Pray that it will be able to go through. He really wants to go to Bolivia.

 

We had a great first week, though. The area was kind of tattered when I got here, but Sunday we had 9 visitors at church! For a lot of them it was their first time. I feel like we're working with a lot of faith right now. On the 2nd of June, we're having a "white sunday (domingo blanco)" for the stake, in that every group of missionaries is going to have somebody ready to baptize that day. Basically, a giant baptismal service for the entire stake. it's going to be amazing! We've got a couple that we're going to try to have baptized that day. Pray for us so that we'll be able to help these people make good decisions and make covenants. 

I've been trying super hard to be focused and faithful. I feel like I've been doing good with that. I forgot to tell you, the zone that I'm in is one of the zones that the South Mission is going to take at the end of June. It's very likely that I'll be going to the South mission. It's sad because I love this mission, I definitely won't be able to see my converts, and Pres. B. is one of my heroes. If God needs me in the South Mission, that's where I'm supposed to go. It'll be alright, though, because my companion from the CCM and many other friends that I made there are serving there. It will be fine. It's not set in stone, but it's very likely. President B. hasn't told me directly that I'm going to that mission, but it's really probable. Oh well. I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord!

 

Well the phone call was great! I can't believe how old John is. You all look great but the time is too short, though. We'll do better for the Christmas phonecall! jajajajajaja I can't believe that I'm now heading onto the 14 month mark. Jeez I'm old. I feel like time in the mission just doesn't exist.

 

I took a bunch of pics when I left Palin, but I can't upload them because there's no attachment here. It's all good. I'll try to send them over next week. It was pretty sad leaving. Saying goodbye to The R. Family and the G. family was super difficult. After visiitng all the time for the past 8 months, it was really hard to do. But that 's the mission. Luckily, I was able to say goodbye to all of my converts. Some of them weren't home or were really hard to track down, but I ended up running into them in the street! I know God answers our prayers. Elder R.was really sad, too. We got along really well at the end of the change  It'll be fine, though. President put a really good missionary there who's getting ready to go home soon. He was a zone leader for about 7 or 8 changes, so it'll be fine. I'm so thankful for the time I had there.

 

Well I love you guys a ton! Hope everything goes well for graduation. I know it's a hectic time, but everything will go well. Make sure to help out the missionaries! Give them a reference or 3.

 

Con amor eterno,

Elder Butler

Well I'm movin' on up.....

Hey mom!

yes, I'm going to be training 2 missionaries at the same time! it's going to be a pretty big challenge, but I welcome it with open arms!

I'm definitely bummed that I'm leaving Palin. This place is my home. I tell everyone that I'm "palineco". I'm going to take some more pictures of the area before I leave. I just love it here. The bishopric is super awesome, great ward. I'm truy going to miss this place. 

Thanks for everything! I've been packing a little bit, and it cracks me up that I've received 4 or 5 packages here lol. I'm soooooo old. 

Well tomorrow will be super crazy. I'm wondering where they'll send me.....who knows. All that President told me is that it's gong to be a big challenge.....challenge accepted!

It was absolutely great to talk with you guys. It goes by so doggone quick though.....It's all good though. John sounds super old now.... time just absolutely flies. But i want to see some photo evidence of that first!

Well I am going up! I have interview with President Brough which means I'll be going into another leadership position! I'm stoked, it'll be a good time for me to learn. 

So what's going on in the NBA? 

Well I'm excited to start another chapter in my mission. I hope that I can keep growing and progressing. Love you guys so much! thanks for all of your support and for not giving up on me.

Love,

Elder Butler

One down, one to go.....

Hey mom!

 

I couldn't believe it either that it's been a year. This time last year we were eating Chipotle and taking teary eyed pictures in the airport (btw, i still remember your joke about the 1 eyed security guard and you said that he was a pirate......lololololol). It's gone by so quick, and you're oh so right about the refinement. I think one of the scriptures that goes through my mind the most is Mosiah 3:19. Putting off the natural man is easily and will be the most difficult challenge for me. I sure did need that time to get better, though. I have to be thankful for every one of my challenges. the mission has been such a great privilege spelling?). I love every opportunity that I have been given to serve, and I'm so excited to see what the next year will bring. I thank you all so much for the help, love, and support that you've given me to come on this misión. It has changed, is changing, and will change my life.

 

Hey what happened at the Boston Marathon?

 

I loved what you said about the questions. That's easily one of my biggest weaknesses. There's a term in the misión called Preguntas Inspiradas, or inspired questions. I have had some experiences where these types of questions have completely helped change someone's perspective, and the lessons has been able to truly come unto their heart. That advice you gave me really cheered me up. I've been trying soooooo hard. We'll both get better in time lol.

 

Well I've got one more month in Palin. We have 2 baptisms set for this Saturday! Our Ward misión leader, J.(who is also one of my converts), has given us so many great references. I think we've had 6 baptisms through him. I just want to go out with a bang from here. I've been here so long. I feel like a Palineco. I know the culture and the people so well now, and I've even learned to speak a Little bit of the local dialect that they speak here (pokomam). It'll be exciting to see where i go next!

 

I'm sorry that my emails aren't very good. It's just that the brief time we have doesn't let my go into detail about Guatemala. I'll be ready to talk your ears off when i get home. lol

 

The weather stays the same here in Palin. It gets hot in the afternoon, but in the night it cools down. Palin has the perfect climate.

 

How's work going? Getting ready for the graduation i imagine. I always remember that this time of year is super stressful for you. But just think, you've lasted all these years with the graduation planning, I'm sure there's many more to come.

 

Well I've started reading the New Testament. I love reading about the life of Christ.  I love the example He sets and I'm really trying to be more like him.  We are all progressing as long as we are headed in the right direction, do all we can to improve and are kind with others our lives will be awesome.

 

Well I love you guys so much! I'm so glad that you all are doing well. i hope W's internship problems can get ironed out. I pray for you guys all the time and know that you are in His hands. Love you all so much.

 

Elder Butler

 

P.S. one year down, one more to go! One celestial minute down, one more to go!

One year down...

Hey mom!
Glad to hear the vacation went well. I just hope grandpa can just relax and enjoy his family. I hope Nana can relax too.

Conference was great! We saw 3 of the sessions in English. I saw the final one in Spanish It was super hard to concentrate, especially with Elder Holland. The translator didn't have any inflection in his voice. But nonetheless I'll read the talks when the conference issue of the Liahona comes out.

That's so crazy Ms. J. got a hold of you. Such a small world, huh? I still remember her and the class.
We didn't baptize in March but it's still been fun. We have plenty of people progressing. I just think this month is the time to reap the rewards. It's sad, though, because I'm sure this is my last change in Palin. I've spent over half of my mission here. Its all good though. W. spent a lot of time in Bakersfield, right? They're going to open up that mission this year! President knows where we need to serve.

Hey got a letter from Bro. S. again. If you could get his email for me that would be great! I'd really like to send an email to Bishop W., too. 

Well things have been great. Next week I will have 1 year in the mission. Wow, where has the time gone? It's so true that this time just flies. I think I feel like this because these two years are dedicated entirely to the Lord and to service. His time runs so much faster than ours. We did the math yesterday in zone conference, and our mission comes out to roughly 2 minutes in God's time. Wow.......(But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8)

Well, I love you guys a lot. Thanks for all the support that you've given me. Just another year......whoa. You guys are awesome. Love you so much.

Elder Butler

Eleven months and the work is great

Hey mom!

 

The package came last week! Elder G  and I thoroughly enjoyed the goodies! The alarm clock wakes up instantly! lol Tell Mrs. South the candy was delectable  and Elder G especially loved the sixlets. He hasn't be able to try a lot of the American candies. The Girls Scout cookies were also incredible. Thank you for sending everything Mom! You're my hero!

 

I love hearing about the bi(polar) weather of Ohio. Whenever people ask me what the weather is like in Ohio, I always tell them it's a little bit of everything, but you can never know what's going to come!

 

Well Elder G  left today for D.F., Mexico. It was a great month I had with him, and it was such a great privilege to train him! We had 0 problems, had fun, and worked hard. What else could a missionary ask for? Now I'm with an Elder from Honduras, Elder R , another great guy! I'm finishing his training this change and the next here in Palin!

 

I still haven't got any more letters from Bro. S. The mail is sketch sometimes.

 

But things have been going great here. We've been patient and now there's plenty of people who can get baptized. The Lord will help us if we just trust in him and work super hard.

 

I'll send something for you guys next week with the details about the mission. It'll be nice for me to take some time to meditate and see how blessed I've been and how our youth can prepare to serve missions.

 

Glad to hear your lessons went well. President S  is such a great guy. Bishop M  taught about achieving perfection too. Man. he's a spiritual atomic bomb. Incredible.

 

Sis. P is awesome. her husband works here for Dometec. They're building a giant sugar dome in Santa Lucia. It's super crazy.

 

How's W  been? Let him know that I hope he's doing well in school.And J? I know he's doing well in life, never have to worry about him lol. he's awesome.

 

Man, I can't believe I've been in the mission for 11 months! So crazy! it's gone by so quick. Hey how was your birthday!??? I prayed that you would be able to enjoy it and see how much of a positive influence you've had on so many people's lives, including mine. I owe everything to my Savior, but i feel likeI owe a lot to you guys as well. I'll always been indebted to you guys, and I promise that this time next year when I  get home I'll be a blessing, not a burden. Love you guys soooooo much.

 

Elder Butler