Conferences and more

Buen dia-

Como esta mi moma querida? Sorry to hear the dreary winter has set in. Sorry that everyday I leave to work with a nice, big, beautiful blue sky. You can see volcanoes in the distance. It's just incredible here. Although, I can't lie, I miss a little bit of snow and having to heat the car up lol. Well, Thursday we get to see D. Todd Christopherson. I'm so excited! I'll be able to understand every word he says because he has to use a translator! WINNING.

Well the lesson I learned this week was following God with a ¨full purpose of heart¨. I bumped up my work ethic and fasted twice to have the Spirit with me more. I really felt it a lot. My testimony of fasting has grown so much in the mission. My first week in Puerta de Hierro I wanted to die. The thirst I had was horrible. It was like going through 2-a-days and soccer conditioning at the same time and not drinking water. Some days later, I read the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus's teachings about fasting have stuck with me. Ever since then, my fast Sunday's have been done without complaining how hungry or thirsty I am. Rather, I focused and spiritual things and gave thanks that I was able to fast. I know we gain spiritual strength from fasting.

Glad to hear Bro. B. is doing better. I prayed for him a lot!

Hey before you send the package I need some things.

1. Zebra Pens! I gave some to people I've met and one of my comps threw mine in the road and it got run over by a semi.

2. I have an Adidas duffle bag that I used to use to go to the gym. If you could send that it would be great. When we have divisons I never have room in my backpack to fit everything.

3. If you can send my Nike hoodie it would be great. As well. I know there are weight restrictions so if you can't send any of those things no worries.

We have zone conference the 29th, so I'll be able to see if i got my license. Thanks for all your support. I'm going to be more like an old time missionary and send some letters home to you guys! Prepare to read even more of my horrible English! You can give it to Mrs. South to edit lol!

The analogy about cell phones and the Spirit was great! I love it when we receive insight about the world around us. I'm trying to learn more and more everyday and  to see life in a symbolic, spiritual way.

Please pray that our friends will be able to come to stake conference! I know everything is possible if we take the chance, especially with faith in Jesus Christ.I know miracles are possible through Him because He performed the biggest one of all.

Man, I just feel like such a different person. Thank you so much for all the support that you gave me to come on a mission. This week I'll complete 9 months in the mission. CRAZY! I love every moment. I feel like I'm truly living up to my full potential here, and that I'm paying back what I can to you guys and to the Savior for what He's done for me.

Love you guys so much! Just 15 more months and I'll be back to bother you guys even more! Nah, bromas. Solo quiero decirles que les ame con toda mi corazon. Ustedes son un bendicion tan grande en mi vida, y puedo sentir el poder de sus oraciones cada dia. Yo se que Dad esta bien feliz, y que vamos a vivir juntos para siempre si vivimos el evangelio. Les amo!

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler

Short and sweet

Hey mom!

You're right, the new teaching curriculum is pretty incredible. This truly is a work and a marvelous wonder. I know that this program will help the youth. Man it's sad to think of the Huber Heights Ward without Bishop W. His example  made a huge impression on me along with President B, they're my modern day heroes. I know that if i serve diligently and faithfully in the mission I will be a great father and leader just like them. 

Well here's something cool. We get to see D. Todd Christopherson the  on 17th! I'm stoked! It will be incredible to see an Apostle. I'll finally be able to see a General Authority and understand every word . Man, I'm excited.

As for the package, please send CHEEZ IT'S and sour patch kids por favor. The don't sell any type of cheddar cheese snack here. 0. Nada. Everything you've sent has been great, so i trust your judgement. I'm just fine here.

 I saw some of the pics from Reilly. You guys look great! Looks like you all had a great Christmas!

Well we need your prayers here. We've gotta work hard this week. Sorry this week doesn't find me with lot's of things to say. I'm just trying to get focused on the work like we should be doing. Nonetheless, you guys still occupy my thoughts, not to the point where I can't work. Rather, I reflect on the lessons that you've taught me, and how I know that you are praying for me. I find strength in my family, because we serve the Lord. Love you guys with all my heart.

Your Son,

Elder Butler

Happy New Year

Hey Mom!

Man, the phone call was way shorter than i thought. The time just absolutely flew. It's alright though because May will be here before i know it. Time just doesn't exist here in the mission. All i know is that it was great to hear you guys. Definitely was a booster for me. You still have to tell me what everyone got for Christmas!

New Years eve/day was/is just fireworks. Guatemaltecos son bien increativas en sus maneras para celebrarse. I don't think they celebrate 3 Kings Day here. If something happens I will let you know. I don't know if you saw it or not, but in the picture I sent of Elder R  and I at the temple, there was a nativity in the background. The church was probably the only place were I felt the Christmas Spirit. Hopefully next year will be better. 

Well it's a New Year! What are your resolutions? I've decided that i want to lose another 30 pounds. And I want to read all of Doctrine and Covenants before summer starts.

The weather here is really different. Guatemala is a country that has a lot of different types of weather. Cold in the mountains, kind of cold in the Capitol, and hot in the coast. 

Thanks for the money! I absolutely love all the gifts, especially the folk songs from the MOTAB.

Will already told me about his car. Glad everything is good to go. 

Tell everyone I said "Feliz Año Nuevo!" Please pray for us that we can have our investigators come to church this week! Love you guys with all my heart. 

Elder Samuel Forrest Butler

Christmas Eve

Hola! 

Well i got a new comp last week. His name's Elder M. He's from Lima, Peru. Interesting fellow. Doesn't talk a whole lot. He's a good guy.

Ya the kidnapping was crazy. Hermana T. is a Chicana (person from the US with Hispanic roots and speaks Spanish . We haven't heard any details about the kidnapping, just that she's alright. She's a trooper. All the members were flipping out and asking if we had to go home early or not. We all fasted and prayed as a mission. The next day she was found. Really show's the power of faith on an individual level and as a mission.

I need to follow the example of Nephi. When he received the instructions from the Lord to build a ship, he didn't complain or make excuses or say holy cow that's crazy. All he asked was, "where do i go to make tools?" Man i need to be more like that. I really just have to take the lemons and make Dr. Pepper. There's so many things i can do better. Humility is somethings that's always been difficult for me. I hope that as i go throughout my mission i can truly turn my weaknesses into strengths. I read my blessing the other day, and it says that i will be a kind and loving father. I think right now I'm someone who doesn't fit those categories, but i know that the Refiner's fire is the best method for any person to truly become a better servant and human being.

Well Christmas here is way different. No one celebrates. It's not because of poverty. It's because the whole country has been brainwashed  into thinking that God is a secondhand thing. Tomorrow is our P day.  Looking forward to a nice quiet day. 

Well love you guys and can't wait to talk with you all tomorrow. Remember. I'll only have 40 minutes to talk, so be orderly and don't fight or anything over the phone. Love you all con todo mi corazon.

Con Amor Eterno, 

Elder Butler

ps digale a J que quiero ir a costa rica porque toda la gente que conozco yo de alla son pilas.

Email mix-up

Hey mom!

Don't worry about last week. It was just a random mix up. No worries.

The Christmas activity was great. Going to the temple was great. After the temple, we went and painted a school, had lunch, played b-ball, had a devotional, then had dinner. It was really fun.

Hey, I got the package! Thanks a ton for all the gifts. I love the mini-preach my gospel. I love it how you know exactly what i need. The gospel art book I had got wet and ruined, so the new one was definitely an answered prayer. Socks are always great, especially since the hermana that does our laundry usually mixes up our stuff. Loved the food! The goldfish were gone within 2 days. Loufas and shower gel were perfect. Thanks a ton for the cd's! now all i need to do is get a stereo or music player of some sort. Thanks a ton for all the presents once again! Tell Mrs. S. thanks for the delicious candy. My comp loved them! (don't worry, we shared LOL)

Well Elder R left yesterday for Chile. He's a great guy. When I come back to Guatemala we have a giant list of things to do, including watch wrestlemania and go to Peten.  

Well, we just started up a new challenge in the mission. We're reading the BoM as a mission. We're going to finish it by Easter. I'm loving it a lot. It's hard to realize that I've been in the mission for almost 8 months. It's crazy how fast time flies. This week is going to be crazy. Valle de las Flores, a town just outside of Palin, will be a new area tomorrow! We're going to have 3 sets of missionaries here in Palin. It's awesome to see how the work of the Lord simply can't be stopped. Literally, its the stone cut out of the mountain.

I think we get to email again the 24th, so i'll give you more details. If for some reason we can't get a hold of you before then. Call us at 11 in the morning. It's going to be our P-Day, so we'll be in the house for most of the day. If you can't get a hold of us at that time, just keep calling! lol

So what happened with this shooting. I heard it was super tragic. We didn't get a lot of details about it, only that it was children that died. So horrible. God will send the Spirit to comfort them.

Well hope you guys enjoy the photos! Elder R. loved the tie and all the other things. Thanks for all of your love and support. Coming on the mission has been the best decision of my life. I don't know what i would do or where i would be without you guys. Love you guys with all my heart.

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler 

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey mom!

Time is just flying. I remembered the other day that it was the day after 

Thanksgiving last year when i got my mission call! man it's just crazy how fast time flies. We'll my comp's knee is pretty bad. He's going to have to have an operation. I'll probably have a new companion this week. I feel bad for him. I don't know if he's going home or if he'll rest at the CCM in zona 15. I just wish the best for him. Hey, baptized J R  last week, we're baptizing another family this week and a family member of one a member family, and another family next week! Hopefully we'll have more by the end of the change. We had the best numbers last week in this area since earlier this year because we're working with the members. 


Well i took a funny picture of my thanksgiving feast. I even made a cornucopia. I just forgot to bring my camera this week. i'll send the pic next week. 

This mission has changed me, and will continue to do so. Man, I'm so blessed. Well, President told me I'm going to be in Palin awhile. 

Well it's starting to get a little cold here. There's a lot of heavy winds at night, but it's nothing terrible. It would be considered great weather in Ohio. 

Glad you guys are learning a lot from the scriptures  I'm in the end of Mosiah, and i love reading the different struggles that the different groups had, and how they repented an overcame their situations by depending in God. Once i finish Alma, i will have read the BOM completely in Spanish. Que Bendicion!

Well I love you guys a ton. Tell R  to keep working hard on her nursing and J to love life. Send my love to the Brimhalls, Aunt Suzy, Uncle Mike, and all of my beloved friends and family. Love you guys so much.

Con Amor Eterno, 
Elder Butler

New companion

Hey mom!

 

¡Santa vaca!, escucha como ustedes tuvieron un buena conferencia de estaca. Really remember the words that all of them spoke. Even if it's just peeping at the notes you took, it will help you leaps and bounds. I'm so glad that you guys had the opportunity to hear all those great servants of the Lord! 

I'm the senior companion. It's definitely hard work. Our ward has had over 100 converts in the last year.  I'm really trying to step up my game here and really rise up to the challenge. 

Thanks for all that you do mom. I hope I'll have some more crazy experiences to share with you guys in the coming months. I still have to send an email to R. Tell W that i hope he's loving the work! Tell J that I know he truly is growing up right now, and taking more responsibility and being a man. Sorry if my English is really bad. Love you guys with all my heart and wish the best for every single one of you.

 

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler