Shaking up the work

Hey Hey Hey,

I imagine you're all wondering what's going on with the earthquake. I was studying my scriptures, when all of the sudden the room started to shake! it only lasted for about 10 seconds, but it was nuts! It's sad that the people died, but if they haven't heard the gospel yet, que suerte tienen ellos.

Well my hair's steadily coming back. My scalp got burnt really bad the first 2 days but now it's fine lol.

As for transfers, I'm staying and Elder Sanchez is leaving. I have an interview tomorrow, which means i'm going to be Sr. Companion! I never thought i would be progressing that quick, but i know i've got work to do. I've only been able to help 4 people make covenants with God during my first months here, but i think it's time to change that. This area has been blessed tremendously, and i'm ready to get to work.

At the end of the changes, we always have time to reflect on how the past 6 weeks have gone. As i've been reflecting on it, I realized that i lost sight of my goals. To be honest, i really didn't focus on any of my goals. This next change, I have to set goals for myself and for our companionship, or we simply just won't progress.

All we have to do as saints, is continue to be active in our communities, and remember the sacred covenants that we made. You sure are right about the blessing it is to have prophets and apostles on the earth again. These happenings just aren't mere coincidences, and we know why. It's important for us to be prepared and serve others. 

We had a stake mission work meeting Sunday. It was really great. President B  was there, and we really learned about the importance of having the members in the work. Did you know that they just made it a rule in Mexico that the elders can't contact or knock doors?  President told us that we have to have more lessons in the houses of members, and he gave us a challenge to have 1 every day. Challenge accepted. But you could really feel the Spirit during the meeting. I received some important promptings about how we can have the work progress in our area. I just hope we can do better this change.

Glad to here everyone is doing well. I'm so glad you guys get to hear from Russell M. Nelson. I really hope you guys get a lot of spiritual strength from the conference. Make sure you discuss as a family what you learned. I've been reading in Mosiah lately the King Benjamin chapters are powerful. There's so many plain and precious truths in those chapters. You just can't deny the Book or Mormon. 

Thanks for helping me with the drivers license documents. I scheduled a visit with the optometrist here, and he speaks English. It's gonna be 400q, or around 50 bucks. I already took the money out to be ready, but i'm running low right now. Just a heads up. Sorry, I hate talking about money on the mission.

Love you guys with all my heart. i hope you guys enjoy stake conference. Keep doing the simple things as a family, and i can promise you that many blessing will come. Love you guys, and i pray for you everyday. Hasta luego!

Con Amor Eterno, 

Elder Butler

Life is good...

Querido Mama,

ay yi yi!!!! estaba casi a preguntarles como estan las elecciones.  podan moverse aqui en Las Victorias! The area we live in is really nice. Gated community, swimming pools, basketball courts, tiendas (shops) that deliver to your house! you would love it here. Yes, none of the houses have ventilation because they're made out of concrete, but they're pretty nice, and we have other gringo families that live in the ward! (there's a big project in santa lucia and there's various mormon families that came here to work). But i understand the dilemma. I loved following the elections. The scriptures have the blueprint on how to have a succesful people. They fight for freedom, families, and protection. If someone is going to be running our country in a way that's against these teachings, say amen to him and his authority! 

thanks for sending that information! I talked with the nurse yesterday and there's an optometrist i can visit for 150q that speaks engish. WIN

Well we had stake conference this week. We got to here from 2 70's, Elder Cesar Gonzalez y Elder Carlos Amado. I love listening to General Authorities speak. The new stake was organized in Frutal, so now we have 10 zones. We're working hard to baptize families this month. We've got plenty of people to work with, and the Lord will bless us if we're obedient and diligent.

Well changes are next week. who knows what's going to happen with Elder S. and I. This change has gone by really quick. It seems like yesterday i was in Peronia packing my bags. That's just mission time. everything flies! 

So what's this I've been hearing about New York being flooded? 

thanks for sending all those things for me. I know i'm high maintenance, but you've just gotta love me!

I've been reading Jesus the Christ a lot. I can now see why you like to study Jewish society and history so much. I just read about the classes of the Jews, the Pharisees and Sadducee  It's interesting to see how them putting more emphasis in the law than it's meaning is really interesting. I would love to study more about it when i get home! Funny story. Some of the footnotes that James E. Talmadge uses are from the Apocrypha. I tried looking for the book of the Maccabees in the Bible, but couldn't find it anywhere. It was driving me nuts trying to find that book, until i realized that the apocrypha isn't in the bible. I felt like a real dweeb lol. That's another book i would like to read when i get home from the mission. 

So i decided to save some money and develop a new talent. I bought a set of clippers yesterday and cut my own hair. Although my intentions were good, the results were disastrous  I didn't blend the top of my hair very well (actually, i just didn't blend it at all), and i shaved it on a 2. I screwed up the back of my hairline, which is now crooked. My comp couldn't help because he's really sick, so i was left to my lonesome. It's not horrible or distracting, but it's definitely not barbershop quality. 

Please pray for my comp. He's not doing so well right now, health wise. It's hard for him to work and teach. Your prayers were definitely answered last week. we had a better week, and we're really trying to push the work along here. 

Glad to hear everything's going well at home. November is always the difficult month for lawn/house work. How's Ellie doing? i just realized she'll be 9 or 10 when i get home. I just hope she can stick it out until then.

W. forwarded me an email that i didn't understand. Nonetheless, i'm still proud of him and the progress he's made.

J. is always going to be an awesome guy. I can't believe he's as tall as R, now! Stop feeding that kid!

I'm sending an email to R. after this.

How's the B. clan doing?

Well I always hate ending these emails because there's always a looming sense that i forgot something or that i didn't include enough. Forgive me for being boring with my emails. I promise we'll have may stories to share when i get home. I'll save that one for next week. Well i love you guys a ton, and your examples have played such an important role in my life. I hope that someday i can payback everything you guys have done for me. Love you guys with all my heart. Hasta la proxima semana!

Con Amor Eterno, 

Elder Butler

P.S. How are the Buckeyes and the Eagles doing

Weather's fine

Well, we had a baptism last week!  I remembered how in the scriptures how it says how great your joy will be if you can just bring one soul unto repentance and baptism and it's true.  

I can't believe it's already snowing in Ohio! that's just crazy. Ohio's always going to be really random with the weather. The weather here is perfect. Not too hot, and it only rains once or twice a week. There's two sets of Elders here in Palin. The other pair run the other side of town that heads in to Escuintla, and we take everything else. My zone leader from Escuintla is the district leader here. Elder V. is awesome! I had divisions with him a couple times and I learned a lot. He's probably going to train a new Elder the next change to end his mission here. His companion, Elder H., is awesome! He's got 1 change less than me, and he's speaks good Spanish. He's had a ton of baptisms and he's only been in the mission for a little bit. I've learned a lot from him about the simplicity of the gospel, and the importance of diligence. We've got a strong ward here. The bishop is a good guy, and our ward mission leader helps us at the drop of a hat.

I don't know if i told you or not, but they're opening a new stake this week. Estaca Frutal. It's going to be crazy, and I'm pretty sure we're going to be opening a lot of new areas. I'm almost positive we'll be receiving a lot of new missionaries too. This mission just keeps getting better and better. It's great to see and hear how good of a job Pres. B. has done, and continues to do here in the mission. 

How's W. liking his new life in Utah? Does he like actually doing PT work?! How's Reilly doing? Is her health getting better? How's work and school going? 

What's John been up to? Does he like the 6th grade? Is he playing basketball yet? 

Hey, I hate to bring this up but there are some things I forgot to ask for......my wind up alarm clock broke, and I've been using my watch, which isn't exactly the loudest thing in the world. I haven't seen any in the stores here, so if you could send a cheap one it would be great. I would also love to have a family calender for the next year! I would love to have all of you guys in the calender!

Thanks for sending all of the paperwork to renew my license. I got the forwarded email from the office with the copy of my social security card. Once it gets here I'll get right on it! thank you so much for doing that. Tell the rest of the family i'm sorry for not sending emails. It's just a little difficult to keep all my thoughts together. I told Will last week (in spanish...hehehehe) that really, there's SO MUCH that i want to tell you guys about Guatemala, but the problem is i just don't have time and I don't know where to start. I'll try sending some letters home, and we'll have plenty of time to catch up in 17 months! i can't believe that this month we'll be starting November. My English is getting worse and my Spanish is getting better, still loving every minute of what I do here, and learning more and more every day about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Love you guys with all my heart, and i know without a doubt that we're going to be together forever. Dios les bendiga!

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler 

Six months out, where did the time go.....

Hola Madre!

Si, ya he recibido la carta de Obispo Williams. Eran cargas de todo de su familia! Los ninos le gusta a jugar con John mucho. Me alegra escuchar que John es bien divertido con todos las personas. Lo siento por no respondiendo! Tengo un gran debilidad con mis correros, pero como lo dice in Eter 4 27, Dios nos da debilidades para humillarnos, y si realmente lo hacemos. podemos convertirlos debilidades a fuerzas!

Hey, the ability to play music is different in every area. There was a CD player in one of my areas. You can send CD's,  or put them on a USB memory stick. There are different types of players here where you just plug in the USB and play from there. 

Well, I, am in shock that I've been out for this long. I'm already half way through the change here and it seems like yesterday I was leaving Peronia. We have some big goals for the mission and  we've got our work cut out for us, but i welcome it with arms wide open.  I love the challenge.

I didn't have an opportunity to upload photos this week, but be prepared to see some "monkey business" ç

B. will be a great missionary. I just want every youth in that ward to think about all the sacrifices Bishop W. makes for them, and afterwards think about the Savior. If they would truly do that they would see how much of a blessing it is to serve. It's crazy to reflect on how much I've grown, not just in Spanish, but spiritually. When i started my mission, I really didn't know the scriptures very well. Now I've memorized more than a few in English and Spanish. I truly know how to follow spiritual impressions to help our investigators. I've learned to teach people, not just lessons. I could write until the end of time about all the things I've been learning. We had zone conference last week, and i'm still blown away by how spiritually strong President B. is. I guarantee we're going to see him in General Conference in the future. 

Well send my love to everyone in the family. I'm going to try to have some letters to send home for Christmas  We haven't had any time during our P days because we've had various activities and what not.  Love to hear about how things are and what you learn spiritually. Sorry i'm lame sometimes and don't really know what to write, but know that reading your emails really make me glad and want to serve more wholeheartedly. Love you guys with all my heart, and I'm always praying for you.

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler

Change of area

Hey mom!

Sorry about last week. My emails didn't send and i had pictures attached. I think it was because the files were too big. I'm using a place where I can't send pictures right now. hopefully I can send some next week. I'm glad to hear everything is going well.

Man conference was great! the mission age announcement was crazy!!!!! Vamos a tener muchos jovenes en la mision bien pronto! 

Man, I love hearing about how much it helps to follow spiritual promptings. Thomas S. monson is such a great example to all of us. I've been praying a ton to have more promptings and opportunities to serve others. The  General Authorities really want people to understand the importance of the family. 

What I really liked was the talk from Elder Bednar. It really is food for thought do we just have a testimony or are we really converted. I can't wait for the conference issue to come out so I can study all the talks again. I thought it was amazing how literally every speaker quoted either Peter or Paul. Maybe that's a sign that we really need to put a little more time into studying all the standard works. 

I'm glad you're excited to teach the new curriculum. You've already trained two missionaries, and a third one on the way in just 6 years. Man, it would take me years to put all that I learned about conference into this email, but what really hit home to me was the importance of true conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

How did John like his first Priesthood session?

The Reds are in the playoffs! Hope they win the series. I bet Anita is just lovin' it! I miss her and the clients and all of you guys, but I really do know what I'm doing is the work of the Lord. 

My area is called Palin, in zona Amatitlan.  I'm being humble and really striving to do everything I can to continue the tradition here. We live in a really nice colonia, and we have one of the nicest houses in the mission. We even have a tienda that delivers to our house for free. Que suerte!

I was really sad to leave Peronia, but one of the Elders from my group, Elder Watts, was transferred there. He's a hard worker and a great guy, soI don't have to worry about the families and investigators that I left behind. 

By the way, Elder Yates got your letter and wanted me to thank you for it. You really made his day!

Well I'm almost through the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi. Although they're still confusing, I love studying them. I always remember the promise that Nephi made at the beginning of writing that section. That we could apply them to ourselves, especially since we're part of the house of Israel. With patience I know in time I'll learn many things from them.

Well I got yelled at by one of the bus drivers today because we were contacting the bus. Guatemalan buses do not know the word, space. They truly do rival a can of sardines. The people here really don't worry about personal space. It's always really difficult for me to move up the aisles because I'm so big and there's literally no room. Always an adventure here in Guatemala. 

Love you with all my heart. Thank you for all the updates. Hope the Eagles, Reds, and Buckeyes and Bees continue to find success. Thank you for everything you do and continue to do for me. You truly are a great example of someone who has been converted to the gospel, Regan Butler. Love you with all my heart!

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler

Transfers coming up-

Hi mom!

I've really been feeling like my Spanish hasn't been in full swing. I've been putting in an hour of language study everyday, and have been praying for the gift of tongues and spiritual strength.. I've only been reading the Book of Mormon in Espanol, and just putting in that extra effort all across the board. 

President sent me an email last week saying he was really glad that I was being obedient with exactness, and that when we had our zone meeting he could see how much the Spirit is changing me. It was motivational and I really bumped up my effort in inviting the Spirit. It's absolutely essential for everything. 

 We had a lesson with a really cool family, and after explaining we had to leave to be obedient to our  rules concerning time, E  told us he really admired our obedience. Que bendicion!!!!!! Literally an answer to my prayers. More than that, I can feel a change in me. I can speak better, and I feel guided by the Spirit more. I can communicate better with people. Wow! how blessed am I to be receiving all these blessings. Words can't describe it.

35  degrees already!?!?!? yikes........Glad to hear everything/everyone is doing fine. I thought W was already at his internship, so thanks for clarifying that situation. I sent J an email for his birthday. Did he read it? 

Thanks for doing all of that to help me with my license. I have a really strong feeling I need to keep my license current. 

Well right now we teach a lot of lessons. No shortage whatsoever. We've got several families that we're working with. A lot of our of them are from part member families. The people here are great. The members help out when we ask, and the Bishop is a great guy. 

Well I got jipped out of sending pictures this week. I'm using a computer without a USB port.  It's always something...... I'll send some next week. 

Just one week until changes! Every missionary speculates about changes and I'm not sure what to think. I think i'm going to stay in this area but I'm not sure.  

Trust me, time flies when you're  on a mission. I find myself always saying where did the time go! I'm really excited for General Conference. I'll be able to watch in English! I'm stoked! I've been reading conference talks everyday. Man, what a blessing. 

How's OSU doing? Has the NFL started? I need to hear how the Eagles are doing.  Keep me updated.

Well mom i love you. tThanks for everything that you have done and continue to do for me. Man, how fast have these 6 months gone by? It just baffles me. But know that I pray for you guys everyday. Know that I'm serving with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. Once again mom, thanks for everything and i love you con todo mi corazon.

Con Amor Eterno,

Elder Butler

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