Guatemala City

Hola mama Bootler!

A mi me gusta la organizacion de tu correro. Muchisimas gracias!  (To help get more information in the emails he sends I was inspired to ask some questions he could answer to help things along.)


What do you love about your new area?

What I love about my new area is that there is a lot of work to do.  Our goal is to have 10 baptisms this month. The mission's already got 93. We want to do out part and more. It's strange to actually have people that are willing to hear our message and do their part to know that it's true!

What has been the hardest to get used to in the new area?

Easily the hardest thing to get used to in my area are los grados, or the stairs. It's unbelievable. I'll have to send you guys a picture later on (we're using public acess, and the computers are a little outdated and i don't have a usb cord, I'll try to figure something out!). The stairs are getting easier, but the city is literally built into the side of a mountain. That's how a lot of Guatemala is. At night you can look out and see all of Guatemala lit up, absolutely incredible.

What are 3 characteristics you admire in Elder C?

 Hey, only 3 good things to put for Elder C!? He's awesome. He knows how to be a friend to everyone. He's upbeat and really diligent. He's got a lot of patience too. We're amigos, we talk, we joke, and the members like us (not trying to sound prideful or anything). We work really hard together, and we see eye to eye on a lot of things, but we aren't afraid to change our approaches. What I like about him is that he can correct me, or himself, but do it in a manner where it's not counter-productive. He really wants to be a trainer. I hope more than anything in the world that he's blessed for his efforts.

How far do you think you walk on an average day?

Wow, we walk a ton everyday. Our area isn't remote, so we walk, and walk, and walk. The thing is I've found a lot of motivation in reading "Our Heritage", and just thinking about all the sacrfices of the early Saints, and more importantly, Jesus Chirst. I really do find strength in Him and His atonement. For example, my first Fast Sunday in the mission I literally thought I was going to die. But I changed my attitude, especially reading the Savior's teaching about fasting, and how when we complain and talk about our thirst and our hunger, we have our reward. But when we really focus on why we're fasting, we're blessed in so many ways. Now I can get through a Fast Sunday with our uttering a word about hunger or thirst.

Is the food different now?

The food is food here. The only thing distinct about Guatemalan food is  tortillas are present in every meal. I eat ceral and apple for breakfast, lunch I go to the comedor and have some type of chicken, rice, and salad and to close everyday I eat beans and tortillas. The food is delicious here though. There are panaderias (bakery) everywhere. Had pache, basically a tamale but with potato, absolutely incredible!

How are your shoes holding up?

No se precupe, mis zapatos estan bien ahorrita.

Do you need anything in the next package which will probably be a Thanksgiving/Christmas combination?

As far as packages go, whatever you want to send I love everything you send! I would love to have more pictures of the family. A lot of members and people we are teaching love seeing our families, so I  guess only that. Oh, and a new calender for the next year. Anything you guys want from Guate for Christmas!?

What is your new apartment like?

Apartments fine. I have a bed to sleep on, and we're in a nice neighborhood.

Well for me I'm still focusing a lot on Jesus Christ, as far as studies go. I'm also studying the lessons a lot so I can teach more natutrally. I've been reading in 1 Nephi a lot. Man, what a great example of work ethic from Nephi, and what our attitude needs to be. I love chap. 17, and how Nephi just goes out and gets it done, and it's even a little funny how he shocks his brothers. I'm learning so much about the gospel it would literally take up all my time to write about every single thing I've learned.

Well I'm still lost in the work. I love the questions, helps me focus and give a little more detail about what I'm doing here. I love every minute here, even when things aren't exactly going our way.

But I love you! Glad to here everything is going well out there! oh by the way, tell M I got his letter! I'll try to send one soon. It's easier to just have you guys forward emails for me. Ill send you one for him next week and you can print it off and give it to him. Finally, I've decided that i want Alma 29:9 as my scripture.

Well I hope everything's going well for you guys! I look forward to your emails every week! I find strength in reading all your emails, and know that I really pour out my soul for you guys everyday! Wow,  how fast these 5 months have gone. I'm almost a quarter of the way through! santa vaca!

I wouldn't trade this opportunity to serve for anything in the world. Man, I love this mission. Thank you for every sacrifice you've made for me, monetarilly, emotionally, temporally, in time. Love you all!

Con amor,
Elder Butler