This last week was really amazing. Tuesday night we went and taught
Ja* part of the commandments. We taught him obedience, pray often,
study the scriptures, keep the sabbath day holy, follow the prophet,
and the law of chastity. We were kinda nervous about the law of
chastity because he isn't married and his girlfriend lives with him.
So our goal was to teach him the law of chastity so that he would want
to be married and baptized. We went in and we started teaching him
some stuff. Part-way through the lesson my companion asked Ja* "how do you feel when you read the Book of Mormon?" and Ja* said
really good. Elder Guymon then asked him "where do those good
feelings come from?" Ja* said the spirit. Elder Guymon then asked
"what does that mean?" Ja* then told us that it means that the
Book of Mormon is true. Right there we had our investigator tell us
that he had a testimony that the Book of Mormon was true. Thus meaning
that he had a testimony that this church is true and that Joseph Smith
was a prophet and that we have a prophet on the earth today. We went
on to teach the law of chastity and then asked him if there would be
anything stopping him and his girlfriend Ne* from being married.
They told us that beside the money there would be nothing stopping
them. So we scheduled their marriage for Friday which was Christmas
Eve. Then the baptism would be on Sunday.
The rest of the week went on and I was in Manassa for exchanges on
Wednesday. Thursday came around and we did our weekly planning and
then some tracting. Later that night we went and finished teaching
Ja* the commandments. He accepted everything and it was wonderful.
Then Friday came around. It was supposed to be a really awesome day
with Christmas Eve and the marriage and everything but in the morning
we were gunna go and get a marriage licence but all the courthouses in
the county decided to take the entire day off instead of a half day
like everyone else. So we had to move the marriage and the baptism to
Monday. We had district meeting and then came back to our apartment
and had lunch. The zone leaders then came over so that we could go to
Ja*'s house for the baptismal interview. Everything went well and
he"s good to be baptized on Monday after the marriage. After the
interview we went back to our apartment and spent the rest of the
night there because we had to have our car grounded by 6. So we
talked and listened to some Christmas music and then went off to bed.
Saturday morning was CHRISTMAS!! we woke up and opened all our
packages. We had a ton of fun playing with our little toys and things
people sent us and eating all the candy we received. After opening
our gifts we got dressed and went to a members house for Christmas
breakfast. We had breakfast with their whole family and then made our
phone calls home. It was really nice to talk to everyone again. We
talked for about an hour and then I had to get off the phone per
mission rules. We then went to the Manassa Elders house and hung out
with them. On Wednesday when I was in Manassa for exchanges me we
"stole" a few of their things. We wrapped them up with wrapping paper
and on Christmas gave it to them as gifts. They started opening them
and they laughed and yelled at us. It was pretty funny. We don't
really ever have anything to do on P-Days, now that all sports of any
kind have been banned, so my whole district has gotten into Pokemon.
We all have cards and we play each other because we have nothing else
to do. Later Christmas night we went over to a member in one of the 3
Manassa wards for dinner. It was really weird because they had
already eaten so it was just us four eating while the members talked
to us. But it turns out that their son is now serving in the Chicago
mission. He just left the MTC and is in an area downtown. They said
that Soldier field is in his area? I don't know but his name is Elder
Norton and hes prolly the only one from the San Luis valley in
Chicago. After dinner me and Elder Guymon went to the Sanford Elders
house and spent the night there because Elder Guymon and Elder Smith
have meetings together with the stake president every Sunday morning.
At their house we watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration.
Sunday was pretty normal. We went to church and Ja* came but Ne* didn't which was a bummer. We came home from church and had lunch and
then talked on the phone with our branch mission leader making sure
that everything was good for the baptism. Oh and by the way. I was
asked to be the one to baptize Jammie so I'm really excited about that.
And that's about it for this week. I hope everyone had a wonderful
Christmas and I would like to thank everyone that sent me a card or a
package or anything like that. I love you all and I miss everyone!
Elder Butler
A blog for close friends and family to keep in touch with Elder Butler while he is serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
12-13-2010
Hey everybody,
This will prolly be a quick letter cuz both me and my companion aren't feeling very good. The past week has been rough. Tuesday i got sick so we stayed in all day. We spent most of the week tracting but we did have quite a few lessons. We have 2 new investigators. One is going to be a work in progress. The other one came to church with us yesterday so were really excited about that. I got a present from Kristin and Andrew and some pictures from them. I really enjoyed that. If anyone wants to send me something for Christmas it needs to be sent by the very latest on Friday cuz mail takes a week or more to get here. Anyways not too much happened this week. I wish i was feeling better so i could write more. I love you all and miss you
-Elder Butler
This will prolly be a quick letter cuz both me and my companion aren't feeling very good. The past week has been rough. Tuesday i got sick so we stayed in all day. We spent most of the week tracting but we did have quite a few lessons. We have 2 new investigators. One is going to be a work in progress. The other one came to church with us yesterday so were really excited about that. I got a present from Kristin and Andrew and some pictures from them. I really enjoyed that. If anyone wants to send me something for Christmas it needs to be sent by the very latest on Friday cuz mail takes a week or more to get here. Anyways not too much happened this week. I wish i was feeling better so i could write more. I love you all and miss you
-Elder Butler
Monday, December 6, 2010
12-6-10
This week has been very interesting. We have had very high ups, and very low downs. On Tuesday we taught Fr* again. We taught some of the commandments, obedience, follow the prophet, keep the sabbath day holy,... and the Law of chastity. We weren't sure how it would turn out but it actually went pretty well. We resolved mostly everything but we got to make sure on some of the stuff. Anyways later that day we had a lesson with this guy named An*. We had tracted into him like a week or more ago. We started teaching him and he was really interested and didn't really have any religious knowledge but did believe in God. So that was really cool.
On Wednesday we spent most of the day weekly planning and cutting more wood for service. And that was pretty much it not a lot to that day. Thursday wasn't too exciting either. We went by Fr*'s again and then did some tracting. Friday we had district meeting. After that we went home and decided to try and see Ju* who we used to go over and see all the time. We read 2 Nephi 31 with her which talks about the doctrine of Christ. Then we got on to the topic of church. We asked her to commit to come to church. She brought up every excuse and concern why she wouldn't and we smashed them all. Then a the end she agreed to take a church tour with us.
This is where things start to get bad. Saturday we were supposed to see Fr* at 1. We go over there and theres no answer. So we walk around for a while and try again. No answer. We left him a note and stuff to tell him that we came by and to give us a call. Then we had one of our members come with us over to Ju*'s to go to the church building. The member picked her up and we all drove over to the building in Fox Creek. We get there and show her the building and the sacrament table and sing a hymn and show her the baptismal font. It was one of the most spiritual things ever. Then as we are leaving our member invited her to come to church and she said no. She basically said that she would never change from catholic. And that she may have received her answer but that she wasn't listening to it. We came back home from that and we were both pretty mad, sad, disappointed, discouraged. We then tried to see one of our investigators, An* but her car wasn't there. SO we went back to the apartment and did a little bit of cleaning. We decided to try her again so we went by and she was home. She finally said that if she got better that she would come to church (because she had a cold). So we gave her a blessing and later called a bunch of missionaries to pray that she would get better. After teaching An* we went to La*'s house to read from the book of Mormon with him. We were on 1 Nephi 19 and he decided to just finish the book of 1 Nephi which is 4 chapters, two of which are Isaiah chapters. So we read all 10 pages and that took about an hour. We finally got home at like 8 and ate dinner.
Then came Sunday. We called up An* at 8 to remind her of church and she said that she wasn't coming because she had been up all night coughing. That put a huge damper on us. We were both pretty down because that happened. We get to church and the branch presidency chastised us because we had brought Fr* to church last week. They were mad because he is apparently a health hazard. The health department said that he wasn't allowed near the hot deli in the grocery store that's owned by a member. So that was real helpful for our day. After church we went to our apartment and had a few hours to work before the Christmas devotional started. So we tracted a little and tried to see some people. The Christmas devotional was really good. I liked how president Uctdorf referenced the Grinch in his talk. Any ways that was pretty much it for me this past week. Hopefully this week will be better.
I did get the package today. Thank you. I'll be printing out pictures at walmart today so ill send you my card soon. other then that there's not much to write about. I love you all and cant wait to talk to you on Christmas!!!
Elder Butler
On Wednesday we spent most of the day weekly planning and cutting more wood for service. And that was pretty much it not a lot to that day. Thursday wasn't too exciting either. We went by Fr*'s again and then did some tracting. Friday we had district meeting. After that we went home and decided to try and see Ju* who we used to go over and see all the time. We read 2 Nephi 31 with her which talks about the doctrine of Christ. Then we got on to the topic of church. We asked her to commit to come to church. She brought up every excuse and concern why she wouldn't and we smashed them all. Then a the end she agreed to take a church tour with us.
This is where things start to get bad. Saturday we were supposed to see Fr* at 1. We go over there and theres no answer. So we walk around for a while and try again. No answer. We left him a note and stuff to tell him that we came by and to give us a call. Then we had one of our members come with us over to Ju*'s to go to the church building. The member picked her up and we all drove over to the building in Fox Creek. We get there and show her the building and the sacrament table and sing a hymn and show her the baptismal font. It was one of the most spiritual things ever. Then as we are leaving our member invited her to come to church and she said no. She basically said that she would never change from catholic. And that she may have received her answer but that she wasn't listening to it. We came back home from that and we were both pretty mad, sad, disappointed, discouraged. We then tried to see one of our investigators, An* but her car wasn't there. SO we went back to the apartment and did a little bit of cleaning. We decided to try her again so we went by and she was home. She finally said that if she got better that she would come to church (because she had a cold). So we gave her a blessing and later called a bunch of missionaries to pray that she would get better. After teaching An* we went to La*'s house to read from the book of Mormon with him. We were on 1 Nephi 19 and he decided to just finish the book of 1 Nephi which is 4 chapters, two of which are Isaiah chapters. So we read all 10 pages and that took about an hour. We finally got home at like 8 and ate dinner.
Then came Sunday. We called up An* at 8 to remind her of church and she said that she wasn't coming because she had been up all night coughing. That put a huge damper on us. We were both pretty down because that happened. We get to church and the branch presidency chastised us because we had brought Fr* to church last week. They were mad because he is apparently a health hazard. The health department said that he wasn't allowed near the hot deli in the grocery store that's owned by a member. So that was real helpful for our day. After church we went to our apartment and had a few hours to work before the Christmas devotional started. So we tracted a little and tried to see some people. The Christmas devotional was really good. I liked how president Uctdorf referenced the Grinch in his talk. Any ways that was pretty much it for me this past week. Hopefully this week will be better.
I did get the package today. Thank you. I'll be printing out pictures at walmart today so ill send you my card soon. other then that there's not much to write about. I love you all and cant wait to talk to you on Christmas!!!
Elder Butler
Monday, November 29, 2010
11-29-2010
So this week was pretty bland. Not much happend because we havent been able to meet with anyone really. So we really dont have many investigators so weve been tracting a lot lately. Joseph, one of our investigators, completely dropped us out of no where. We were walking down the street and he pulls off to the side of the road and honks at us. so we go over there to talk to him and this is what he said. "hey guys its been really nice to meet with you but i want you to leave me alone." and that was that. but whatever its his own salvation.
But we do have like 2 new investigators. more like one. Ill talk about him later. So Thanksgiving. It was an all day P-day so the night before we stayed in Sanford with those elders because we had to pick them up in the morning for turkey bowl. At like around 9 we went to manassa and played football for a few hours. It was a lot of fun. It was like 10 elders (total) and then some men from both Manassa and Sanford. After that we went home and took a nap because we were completely beat. We went to our branch presidents house for dinner at around 1.30 ate food talked with their family and stuff, tried not to watch the football game on the tv. Afterwords we went back to our apartment and slept some more. We woke up and were super bored cuz there is nothing to do so sanford called us up and we went over to their place and watched the testiments at their house (we borrowed a tv from the church). and that was basically thanksgiving for me. Not too exciting but still pretty good. Ever since then though ive been really sore from playing football.
Alright so this sunday was way awesome because I had my first investigator at church!!! His name is Frederick Sanchez. Some background on him. Hes this short 70 year old man. He kinda reminds me of a mexican yoda. He has grey hair and hair comming out of his ears. He talks very strange kinda like yoda too. Hes really educated in religion becasue he studied to become a catholic preist. He knows a lot of church doctrine but not the basics. The big catch is that he's gay. So that will be the big challenge but hes the only progressing person we have.
Mom ill send you the answers to those questions next week cuz i dont have a lot of time. I would also like some thermal garments just to add a little more protection from the cold. And some jeans. I told dad about that. Oh and by the way i didnt get transferred today and im still with elder guymon. Ill send my memory card as soon as i get to walmart next so i can print them out. I love you all and tell everyone i say hello and i love them
Elder Butler
PS thank you for fixing the picture on the blog =]
But we do have like 2 new investigators. more like one. Ill talk about him later. So Thanksgiving. It was an all day P-day so the night before we stayed in Sanford with those elders because we had to pick them up in the morning for turkey bowl. At like around 9 we went to manassa and played football for a few hours. It was a lot of fun. It was like 10 elders (total) and then some men from both Manassa and Sanford. After that we went home and took a nap because we were completely beat. We went to our branch presidents house for dinner at around 1.30 ate food talked with their family and stuff, tried not to watch the football game on the tv. Afterwords we went back to our apartment and slept some more. We woke up and were super bored cuz there is nothing to do so sanford called us up and we went over to their place and watched the testiments at their house (we borrowed a tv from the church). and that was basically thanksgiving for me. Not too exciting but still pretty good. Ever since then though ive been really sore from playing football.
Alright so this sunday was way awesome because I had my first investigator at church!!! His name is Frederick Sanchez. Some background on him. Hes this short 70 year old man. He kinda reminds me of a mexican yoda. He has grey hair and hair comming out of his ears. He talks very strange kinda like yoda too. Hes really educated in religion becasue he studied to become a catholic preist. He knows a lot of church doctrine but not the basics. The big catch is that he's gay. So that will be the big challenge but hes the only progressing person we have.
Mom ill send you the answers to those questions next week cuz i dont have a lot of time. I would also like some thermal garments just to add a little more protection from the cold. And some jeans. I told dad about that. Oh and by the way i didnt get transferred today and im still with elder guymon. Ill send my memory card as soon as i get to walmart next so i can print them out. I love you all and tell everyone i say hello and i love them
Elder Butler
PS thank you for fixing the picture on the blog =]
Monday, November 22, 2010
11-22-2010
Well I haven't got an email from mom yet so I guess this will be the email for the week. Today isn't our P-day but we still email cuz thanksgiving is an all day p-day and libraries (where most missionaries email) aren't open that day.
So this week was pretty crazy. I spent maybe a total of 2 working days in my area. Monday was pday and we went to manassa to play some basketball. And at the end of pday i stayed in manassa and was on exchanges for Tuesday. On Wednesday i was back in antonito but we spent the first half of the day cutting and splitting wood for service. After that we tried to see a whole bunch of people but no one was really home. Thursday was way awesome. I went back to Manassa again for exchanges and we got to help some members do some branding. Me and the missionary i was with didn't actually do the branding but we were pushing the calves down the shoot and gave some shots to them too. We got covered in cow poop and it stained my pants. Theres some big green spots on them now. Ill send pictures after i get them printed out for myself. Then on Friday we had district meeting and then me and elder Guymon got to do some work finally in our area. But it wasn't very accountable because we weren't able to see anyone cuz nobody was home again. Saturday we did some weekly planning and tried to see people again and did a little bit of tracking. It really stinks that it starts getting dark at like 430 because if we don't have a set appointment we can be out after dark. But there is this one less active guy that we go over at like 6 or 7 and read the book of Mormon with him and explain it to him cuz he's a little slow. Everyone here kinda is. Yesterday was jam packed though.
We had church like normal and then since Elder Guymon is district leader he meets with the stake president every Sunday and this week it was after church. So we had that meeting and then went took the Sanford elders home and had lunch there for a little. then we had a baptism to go to in Manassa. They baptized this girl named Jordan who i actually taught half of the lessons to because they taught here when i was on exchanges there. After the baptism there was a recent convert fireside at that building. It was pretty neat. A few recent converts were asked to speak about their conversion and bear their testimony and stuff. It was really neat. then after the fireside we had a dinner and went home. This morning we woke up and there was about a half an inch or so of snow on the ground. Almost enough to cover all the grass. But yeah that was this week. Transfers are next week so we'll see what happens.
I thought of things i would like for Christmas
-ties
-new jeans
-long sleeved dress shirts
-sweaters
-Chicago stuff (sports)
-pictures
that's all i can think of right now.
Well it sounds like the bears are doing really good. and the same for the rest of Chicago. What kinda stuff do you guys want for Christmas that i could get you? Being in Utah sounded like a lot of fun. I miss you guys and I love you
Elder Steve Butler
Oh and by the way, go to store.lds.org and order a copy of the doctrine and covenants visual resource DVDs. It has the movie Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration on it. And get me a copy too. Its only like $4.50
So this week was pretty crazy. I spent maybe a total of 2 working days in my area. Monday was pday and we went to manassa to play some basketball. And at the end of pday i stayed in manassa and was on exchanges for Tuesday. On Wednesday i was back in antonito but we spent the first half of the day cutting and splitting wood for service. After that we tried to see a whole bunch of people but no one was really home. Thursday was way awesome. I went back to Manassa again for exchanges and we got to help some members do some branding. Me and the missionary i was with didn't actually do the branding but we were pushing the calves down the shoot and gave some shots to them too. We got covered in cow poop and it stained my pants. Theres some big green spots on them now. Ill send pictures after i get them printed out for myself. Then on Friday we had district meeting and then me and elder Guymon got to do some work finally in our area. But it wasn't very accountable because we weren't able to see anyone cuz nobody was home again. Saturday we did some weekly planning and tried to see people again and did a little bit of tracking. It really stinks that it starts getting dark at like 430 because if we don't have a set appointment we can be out after dark. But there is this one less active guy that we go over at like 6 or 7 and read the book of Mormon with him and explain it to him cuz he's a little slow. Everyone here kinda is. Yesterday was jam packed though.
We had church like normal and then since Elder Guymon is district leader he meets with the stake president every Sunday and this week it was after church. So we had that meeting and then went took the Sanford elders home and had lunch there for a little. then we had a baptism to go to in Manassa. They baptized this girl named Jordan who i actually taught half of the lessons to because they taught here when i was on exchanges there. After the baptism there was a recent convert fireside at that building. It was pretty neat. A few recent converts were asked to speak about their conversion and bear their testimony and stuff. It was really neat. then after the fireside we had a dinner and went home. This morning we woke up and there was about a half an inch or so of snow on the ground. Almost enough to cover all the grass. But yeah that was this week. Transfers are next week so we'll see what happens.
I thought of things i would like for Christmas
-ties
-new jeans
-long sleeved dress shirts
-sweaters
-Chicago stuff (sports)
-pictures
that's all i can think of right now.
Well it sounds like the bears are doing really good. and the same for the rest of Chicago. What kinda stuff do you guys want for Christmas that i could get you? Being in Utah sounded like a lot of fun. I miss you guys and I love you
Elder Steve Butler
Oh and by the way, go to store.lds.org and order a copy of the doctrine and covenants visual resource DVDs. It has the movie Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration on it. And get me a copy too. Its only like $4.50
Monday, November 15, 2010
11-15-10
Alrighty then so this week was kinda really slow. I spent Monday and Tuesday in the Manassa area because my companion and one of the missionaries from Manassa were at a training thing in Pueblo. So I was with Elder Schumacher for two days. Here's a funny story about something that happened while i was there.
So we had to ride bikes from the town of Manassa to Romeo which is about three miles. It was super cold and really windy that day so I had my big coat and gloves on. We were riding in the wind on a dirt road and we go past this house and this dog comes running out chasing after me on my bike. On the way back we were going past that same house again and Elder Schumacher was riding in front of me when the dog came running out again. But this time the dog went for him. Because he was in front of me the only way for the dog to get to him was by cutting me off. The dog runs directly in front of me. I pull on my back break. My back wheel locks up and my bike slides out from underneath me as the front tire hits the dog. I fall off the bike and skid across the dirt road and basically tackle the dog. The dog runs away and i stand up. the whole right side of my body is covered with dust. We finally get back to the apartment and i check myself for injuries and my white shirt is torn with some blood stains on it. My knee and ankle were also a little scraped up. But now i have to go to the doctor today by mission rules because now if you fall off you bike at all you need to be seen by a doctor.
So that was the funny story of the week. Wednesday we had P-day. Thursday we did some service by cutting some logs for firewood. Friday i was on exchanges with a zone leader. Saturday we tried to see people but no one was home or they were "busy". So apparently, i learned this a while ago, conejos county is one of the poorest counties in the US. Most of the people in Antonito are on welfare and everyone is pretty lazy and/or drinks.
But yeah were really struggling to find people to teach and teaching those that we consider investigators. We spend most of our time tracting, street contacting, or trying to meet with potentials. But everyone has their agency just as long as we do our best to share the gospel. Elder Nelson is so smart. He was busting out all this Greek and Hebrew translations and stuff. He read this story about a guy who went to his neighbor to ask for a book to read and they gave him a book of Mormon. The guy started to read it but didn't get anything and went back to return it and the neighbor asked if he had prayed about it. The guy said that he just wanted something to read casually but the neighbor insisted that he need to pray about it while he read. So the man did it and read the whole book of Mormon and then was baptized. Jay E Jensen talked about hymns and about ways to study. Its was really cool. Elder Nelson also let people ask questions and stuff. I wish it could have been longer but its OK.
Anyways that's about it for me. I'm still thinking of what i want you guys to send me for Christmas. Chicago sports gear is always welcome and maybe so sweaters and ties. Ill prolly send some pictures soon. I cant wait to hear from everyone!
Love Elder Steve Butler
So we had to ride bikes from the town of Manassa to Romeo which is about three miles. It was super cold and really windy that day so I had my big coat and gloves on. We were riding in the wind on a dirt road and we go past this house and this dog comes running out chasing after me on my bike. On the way back we were going past that same house again and Elder Schumacher was riding in front of me when the dog came running out again. But this time the dog went for him. Because he was in front of me the only way for the dog to get to him was by cutting me off. The dog runs directly in front of me. I pull on my back break. My back wheel locks up and my bike slides out from underneath me as the front tire hits the dog. I fall off the bike and skid across the dirt road and basically tackle the dog. The dog runs away and i stand up. the whole right side of my body is covered with dust. We finally get back to the apartment and i check myself for injuries and my white shirt is torn with some blood stains on it. My knee and ankle were also a little scraped up. But now i have to go to the doctor today by mission rules because now if you fall off you bike at all you need to be seen by a doctor.
So that was the funny story of the week. Wednesday we had P-day. Thursday we did some service by cutting some logs for firewood. Friday i was on exchanges with a zone leader. Saturday we tried to see people but no one was home or they were "busy". So apparently, i learned this a while ago, conejos county is one of the poorest counties in the US. Most of the people in Antonito are on welfare and everyone is pretty lazy and/or drinks.
But yeah were really struggling to find people to teach and teaching those that we consider investigators. We spend most of our time tracting, street contacting, or trying to meet with potentials. But everyone has their agency just as long as we do our best to share the gospel. Elder Nelson is so smart. He was busting out all this Greek and Hebrew translations and stuff. He read this story about a guy who went to his neighbor to ask for a book to read and they gave him a book of Mormon. The guy started to read it but didn't get anything and went back to return it and the neighbor asked if he had prayed about it. The guy said that he just wanted something to read casually but the neighbor insisted that he need to pray about it while he read. So the man did it and read the whole book of Mormon and then was baptized. Jay E Jensen talked about hymns and about ways to study. Its was really cool. Elder Nelson also let people ask questions and stuff. I wish it could have been longer but its OK.
Anyways that's about it for me. I'm still thinking of what i want you guys to send me for Christmas. Chicago sports gear is always welcome and maybe so sweaters and ties. Ill prolly send some pictures soon. I cant wait to hear from everyone!
Love Elder Steve Butler
11-10-10
Dear The Family and such,
So this week has kinda been crazy. I can never remember if i have said stuff already but oh well you get to hear it again. So Monday i got my shots, Hep A in one arm and Flu in the other. One of them hurt but i don't know which one cuz i don't know which arm they put each shot. So on Tuesday we went and finally finished tinning that roof. On the way there we got stuck behind this heard of cows going down the road. It was so gross cuz they kept pooping right in front of our car. it was nasty. later that day we went by to try to catch an investigator and the weirdest thing happened. so I'm knocking on the door and my companion is behind me listening to this lady talk to someone else at another door. So we knock like three times and no answer. We turn to leave and that same lasy from the other door says to us "if they don't answer the door they re not home" Then we told her we were missionaries and we were seeing if our friend was home. Then she was trying to convince me that i was somebody named Duran. I was like ..no I'm Elder Butler. She didn't believe me and asked what my mom's name was. So i told her and said that I'm from Chicago. then she said "maybe you are maybe you aren't" Then i got really confused and as she walked away she said that I must have a twin. Most bizarre moment of my life.
On Wednesday my companion had to give a baptismal interview so we went to this house and they had pizza for dinner and told us to eat with them. so we had a few pieces and then we went to our real dinner appointment. Having two dinners is not fun. I swear i was gunna throw up. The rest of the week was pretty normal. A lot of tracting and stuff like that. The best part of the whole week and the best part of maybe my whole mission so far was on Sunday we drove up to Colorado Springs and Elder Russell M Nelson and Elder Jay E Jensen (presidency of the 70) gave a little fireside thing to the whole mission. I got to sit way up in the front row. It was way awesome to be in the same room as him and to shake his hand and to hear him speak to us. It was amazing. I don't really have much time to write what he talked about and stuff but maybe on Monday. But that was this past week. I'll save the past two days from the next letter cuz theres a good story to go with it. I love you all and can't wait to hear from everyone.
Elder Butler
So this week has kinda been crazy. I can never remember if i have said stuff already but oh well you get to hear it again. So Monday i got my shots, Hep A in one arm and Flu in the other. One of them hurt but i don't know which one cuz i don't know which arm they put each shot. So on Tuesday we went and finally finished tinning that roof. On the way there we got stuck behind this heard of cows going down the road. It was so gross cuz they kept pooping right in front of our car. it was nasty. later that day we went by to try to catch an investigator and the weirdest thing happened. so I'm knocking on the door and my companion is behind me listening to this lady talk to someone else at another door. So we knock like three times and no answer. We turn to leave and that same lasy from the other door says to us "if they don't answer the door they re not home" Then we told her we were missionaries and we were seeing if our friend was home. Then she was trying to convince me that i was somebody named Duran. I was like ..no I'm Elder Butler. She didn't believe me and asked what my mom's name was. So i told her and said that I'm from Chicago. then she said "maybe you are maybe you aren't" Then i got really confused and as she walked away she said that I must have a twin. Most bizarre moment of my life.
On Wednesday my companion had to give a baptismal interview so we went to this house and they had pizza for dinner and told us to eat with them. so we had a few pieces and then we went to our real dinner appointment. Having two dinners is not fun. I swear i was gunna throw up. The rest of the week was pretty normal. A lot of tracting and stuff like that. The best part of the whole week and the best part of maybe my whole mission so far was on Sunday we drove up to Colorado Springs and Elder Russell M Nelson and Elder Jay E Jensen (presidency of the 70) gave a little fireside thing to the whole mission. I got to sit way up in the front row. It was way awesome to be in the same room as him and to shake his hand and to hear him speak to us. It was amazing. I don't really have much time to write what he talked about and stuff but maybe on Monday. But that was this past week. I'll save the past two days from the next letter cuz theres a good story to go with it. I love you all and can't wait to hear from everyone.
Elder Butler
Monday, November 8, 2010
November 1, 2010
Unfortunately we didn't get much work done this week. we dont really have any investigators to teach so we have been tracking most of the time. We did find one new investigator named Joseph Sisneros. His wife passed away recently (i don't know how recent it was) but we taught him the restoration and he accepted baptism. Hes been really busy though working on his trailer. So we helped him Saturday put some insulation underneath it and start putting the skirt on it. But we had another service thing to do so we had to leave. We then went to go finish putting tin on the recent converts roof. We almost finished it we just have the tiniest bit left to do which were gunna do tomorrow i believe. But yeah that's pretty much it for the missionary work this week. We've been really busy and trying to find which is hard. It was really cold for a while and you could see all the mountains topped with snow. But lately its been really warm and the mountain snow is almost all gone. Its been like in the upper 60's almost lately. The weather here in the valley is outta control. But today I'm getting the Hep A shot and Polly the flu shot too. So i really hope you guys put enough money in my account. Anyways, my finger is doing just fine and Ive been staying warm. I bought a light zipper hoodie to wear for service and P-days and stuff just so i don't have to wear that monster trench coat thing haha.
Halloween sounded like a blast. We had to come in at 6 last night and we only had like 7 trick or treaters. It was not that exciting. But i did get to go to a convert baptism yesterday. The other elders from our district, Manasseh (birthplace of Jack Dempsey), baptized two people and one of the guys that they baptized asked me and Elder Guymon to be witnesses. So we had the privilege to do that. It was really awesome. I don't think I've ever been to a convert baptism before. It was much different then any baptism I've ever been to. You could feel the spirit so so strong. Then after the ordinance while they were changing i gave the missionary moment which is basically where you talk about the restoration (aka the first lesson) it was really cool. I always love giving the first vision. It has such power to it. I always feel the presence of the Holy Ghost when anyone says it.
As for the Christmas thing, i haven't even thought about presents or anything. Your gunna have to give me some time to think about that. Have you told everyone to send everything to the mission office?? because i still get things directly to Antonito. You need to tell everyone to send things to the mission office because i don't want anything to get lost and have to give out all kinds of addresses to different people all the time. If it goes to the mission office it will get to me. If you send it to my address it might not, due to transfers or a emergency transfer. You never know what could happen. So just to be safe have everything sent to the mission office.
But anyways that's all I can think of for now. I miss everyone and love letters and packages (even though my companion doesn't like me getting them). I cant wait to hear from you next time.
Elder Steven Butler
P.S. the primary program for our branch was this past Sunday and it was full of comedy as usual. One especially funny part was when this little girl had just finished her little line she had she was stepping off the booster step at the pulpit and she totally biffed it and everyone in the congregation gasped. Me and my companion were trying so hard not to laugh.
Halloween sounded like a blast. We had to come in at 6 last night and we only had like 7 trick or treaters. It was not that exciting. But i did get to go to a convert baptism yesterday. The other elders from our district, Manasseh (birthplace of Jack Dempsey), baptized two people and one of the guys that they baptized asked me and Elder Guymon to be witnesses. So we had the privilege to do that. It was really awesome. I don't think I've ever been to a convert baptism before. It was much different then any baptism I've ever been to. You could feel the spirit so so strong. Then after the ordinance while they were changing i gave the missionary moment which is basically where you talk about the restoration (aka the first lesson) it was really cool. I always love giving the first vision. It has such power to it. I always feel the presence of the Holy Ghost when anyone says it.
As for the Christmas thing, i haven't even thought about presents or anything. Your gunna have to give me some time to think about that. Have you told everyone to send everything to the mission office?? because i still get things directly to Antonito. You need to tell everyone to send things to the mission office because i don't want anything to get lost and have to give out all kinds of addresses to different people all the time. If it goes to the mission office it will get to me. If you send it to my address it might not, due to transfers or a emergency transfer. You never know what could happen. So just to be safe have everything sent to the mission office.
But anyways that's all I can think of for now. I miss everyone and love letters and packages (even though my companion doesn't like me getting them). I cant wait to hear from you next time.
Elder Steven Butler
P.S. the primary program for our branch was this past Sunday and it was full of comedy as usual. One especially funny part was when this little girl had just finished her little line she had she was stepping off the booster step at the pulpit and she totally biffed it and everyone in the congregation gasped. Me and my companion were trying so hard not to laugh.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October 26, 2010
Cano's Castle
Elder Guymon
Steve's Missionary Tag
Hey the Fam!
Everything is doing pretty well here at 7000+ feet elevation. Its getting colder and colder everyday but thanks to you guys I'm all set with coat and gloves and ear muffs. Thanks for the package. the sweater is sweet. I Cant wait to wear it. Guess who else i got packages from? Rachel Gibson's family and Mark and Margo. I totally wasn't expecting either of them. It was way awesome.
So this past week a lot and not a lot has happened. On Tuesday we got dropped by Judy which really really really sucked (sorry mom). We did like two days of full service and then tracted a lot. We found a few potential investigators and one new investigator that's gunna miss his date because he'll be out of town till Sunday. Yesterday we had zone conference and it was way good. We talked about how everything we teach should relate back to baptism so that when we invite them to be baptized they wont be surprised. They also talked about personal conversion and follow up lessons and just things that we need to work on so that we can be better teachers, missionaries, and representatives of Christ. But besides that not much else happened. In Antonito dogs just roam around. The whole town is their backyard. Theres this one dog, moon, that will just follow us everywhere. When we tract it comes and sit in front of the door and stuff. its just super annoying. We have tried so many times to lose it or run away but it always seems so catch back up to us and find us. We have even tried going to visit members and then leave out the back door but she still finds us. But yeah that's it for me this past week. During zone conference it snowed but by the time it was over and we went outside it was all melted.
Its really good to hear about everybody and to know that they re all doing well. As for Andrea, that guys name is Alan Snow and I know of him. he's not a trouble maker or anything. he was always pretty quiet when I saw him but yeah he's in orchestra.
Its good to hear that Max is doing good. How is he adjusting? I haven't heard from Sean yet and i got one or two letters from Josh. I'll prolly write a bunch of letter today. And that memory card i sent home, leave the pictures on there and send it back. I do have another one till you send the one you have to me. Funny story. OK so our microwave has been broken, where the plate doesn't spin but it still cooks, since elder guymon has been here, so for at least 6 months. The other day he wanted to pop some popcorn but couldn't cuz it doesn't spin. So we took a look at it and figured out that the motor worked fine but the plastic that made the plate spin was broken. So i was like, That will be easy to fix, we just have to melt it back together. So we heated up some butter knives on our electric stove and i melted the plastic back together and... Now it works!! i fixed the microwave. We took picture and stuff of it so ill send those soon prolly.
As for they guys in the ward, someone needs to crack down on them. Tell Neal to get his butt in gear and finish his dang papers already. I'm pretty sure Steve will cut his hair and go on a mission. In our branch and most of the other wards around we teach a Preach My Gospel Classes once a week. Its really awesome. You guys should start something like that and get those guys to go. The Elders or whoever should teach it. Really its a class for anyone. I think it would be really good.
Anyways I'm out of time. I Love you all. Send me letters!!! (to the mission office)
Elder Steven Butler
P.S. on the 7th Elder Russel M Nelson is speaking to our mission in the Springs
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18, 2010
Your lucky that I didn't get transferred. or else I wouldn't get that package for a few more weeks. Tell everyone just to send things to the mission office so nothing gets lost or sent to the wrong place. So tell jeff, kristin, amy, the aunts and uncles, and Spencer and Neal, and Sean, Josh and Max. By the way how is Max? have you guys seen him yet? he should have gotten home like 2 weeks ago. I got a letter from Jeff and Tahlia with a picture from Lily. its was really funny. Ive been getting letters every once in a while. I got one from Rachel Gibson a little while ago. Feel free to write letters too. Packages are the best, then letters, then emails. But any contact is way good.
So I'm still in the fox creek area with Elder Guymon. We figure he will leave after this new transfer. so i might be here for a few more transfers but who know what will actually happen. This week went by fast and not much happened. I went on exchanges with another elder cuz my companion is the district leader. So i was in Manassa, CO which is like 15 min/10 miles north of Antonio. Its actually the birthplace of Jack Dempsey the boxer. So in Manassa we mostly tracted and stuff. Pretty boring. Then on Thursday we helped put metal roofing on this lady's house. That was pretty cool. Then Friday and Saturday we did a lot of tracting because all the people we wanted to see either weren't there or were busy. We kinda realized this week during weekly planning that our investigators kinda stink. None of them are progressing and the one golden investigator we have is being hindered by her fellowshipper. Her fellowshipper is a less active who apparently has a history with recent converts. Anyways we think he has a thing for her and he cancelled our appointment with her so that made us pretty mad. I gave a talk on Sunday and that went well and everything. But yeah not a whole lot to report on. Ill be sending you pictures prolly pretty soon. Oh and in Antonio there's this really cool place called Cumbers and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Its like a train museum and the have old steam trains and stuff and they take people on rides and stuff all the time. I hear its really expensive though. But anyways that's all I can think of right now. I'll be looking for that package. I love you all!
Elder Butler
So I'm still in the fox creek area with Elder Guymon. We figure he will leave after this new transfer. so i might be here for a few more transfers but who know what will actually happen. This week went by fast and not much happened. I went on exchanges with another elder cuz my companion is the district leader. So i was in Manassa, CO which is like 15 min/10 miles north of Antonio. Its actually the birthplace of Jack Dempsey the boxer. So in Manassa we mostly tracted and stuff. Pretty boring. Then on Thursday we helped put metal roofing on this lady's house. That was pretty cool. Then Friday and Saturday we did a lot of tracting because all the people we wanted to see either weren't there or were busy. We kinda realized this week during weekly planning that our investigators kinda stink. None of them are progressing and the one golden investigator we have is being hindered by her fellowshipper. Her fellowshipper is a less active who apparently has a history with recent converts. Anyways we think he has a thing for her and he cancelled our appointment with her so that made us pretty mad. I gave a talk on Sunday and that went well and everything. But yeah not a whole lot to report on. Ill be sending you pictures prolly pretty soon. Oh and in Antonio there's this really cool place called Cumbers and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Its like a train museum and the have old steam trains and stuff and they take people on rides and stuff all the time. I hear its really expensive though. But anyways that's all I can think of right now. I'll be looking for that package. I love you all!
Elder Butler
October 12, 2010
Hello everybody!
Im doing just great. Everything is going pretty good out here. Transfers are a week from today so please tell everyone to send to the mission office. Are you sure it was uncle Dave? and not uncle mark? cuz i wrote mark and margo but not dave and karrie yet. But i definatly want mail.
Thats way awesome that the roof got done and stuff and that everyone came and helped out. Its starting to get way cold everyday here. I got my coat so thank you so much for that. I think the weather was waiting for me to get it before it started getting really cold. If you want to creep me more fully our appartment complex place is on state street across from this place called Cono's Castle. Its this guys house that he build out of recycled metal and it has these two tall towers that he says is where christ is gunna come.
I forgot about the reading the book of mormon in a month thing. I wish i had more time so i could start that and catch up. maybe ill do it another month. Oh and by the way we have Pday today because yesterday was columbus day. Did you guys do anything fun for it? Did andrea have a good time at homecomming?
So since last time i wrote we have a new investigator. We were driving by a less active/recent convert's apartment and saw that she wasnt there so we decided to go see another less active that lives in the same complex. So we go in and he had his friend who is the landlord of the apartments over. So we ended up teaching her a first lesson and she accpeted baptism on the 24. She didnt go to church this week but if she shows up the next two she can still hit her date. She was really solid. She asked all the perfect questions and everyting. She is really busy though cuz she manages the apartments and she is going to school but tomorrow is the last day of one of her classes so we are gunna meet with her again on thursday and hopefully pretty often after that.
besides that the week was pretty slow. I went on exchanges with a bunch of different missionaries cuz my companion hit his year mark like a few weeks ago so he went up to the denver temple with all the missionaries that came out with him. So yep that was interesting.
I cant wait to hear back from you all. I love all you guys.
Elder Butler
Im doing just great. Everything is going pretty good out here. Transfers are a week from today so please tell everyone to send to the mission office. Are you sure it was uncle Dave? and not uncle mark? cuz i wrote mark and margo but not dave and karrie yet. But i definatly want mail.
Thats way awesome that the roof got done and stuff and that everyone came and helped out. Its starting to get way cold everyday here. I got my coat so thank you so much for that. I think the weather was waiting for me to get it before it started getting really cold. If you want to creep me more fully our appartment complex place is on state street across from this place called Cono's Castle. Its this guys house that he build out of recycled metal and it has these two tall towers that he says is where christ is gunna come.
I forgot about the reading the book of mormon in a month thing. I wish i had more time so i could start that and catch up. maybe ill do it another month. Oh and by the way we have Pday today because yesterday was columbus day. Did you guys do anything fun for it? Did andrea have a good time at homecomming?
So since last time i wrote we have a new investigator. We were driving by a less active/recent convert's apartment and saw that she wasnt there so we decided to go see another less active that lives in the same complex. So we go in and he had his friend who is the landlord of the apartments over. So we ended up teaching her a first lesson and she accpeted baptism on the 24. She didnt go to church this week but if she shows up the next two she can still hit her date. She was really solid. She asked all the perfect questions and everyting. She is really busy though cuz she manages the apartments and she is going to school but tomorrow is the last day of one of her classes so we are gunna meet with her again on thursday and hopefully pretty often after that.
besides that the week was pretty slow. I went on exchanges with a bunch of different missionaries cuz my companion hit his year mark like a few weeks ago so he went up to the denver temple with all the missionaries that came out with him. So yep that was interesting.
I cant wait to hear back from you all. I love all you guys.
Elder Butler
Monday, October 4, 2010
10-4-10
Hey Fam,
This week was pretty good. most of our appointments fell through so we really didn't get much done this week. We did a lot of service though so that's good. Conference was way awesome. my favorite were both morning sessions and priesthood. Funny story. Our branch is way unaccountable. We assumed that conference would all be set up this weekend and we could go over and just watch it cuz we had invited some investigators to come (which none did). So we get over there and there are no cars in the parking lot. The doors are all locked. So we go unlock the doors get in and nothing is set up. So we go across the road to a member who has all the keys to the church. and we ask him what we have to do to get it ready cuz it was like already started. So he tells us what to do so we go over to the building and get the tv out, hook it up in the chapel, and turn it on and it was there thankfully. We watched all the sessions at our building by ourselves. like 2 other people came for priesthood and a few from out of town came for Sunday morning. It was pathetic.
Other then that we taught Judy and Toby again and i don't remember if i told you this but they almost dropped us. So we went back the other day and talked about temple work, mostly baptism for the dead. just explaining to her that like she can do that work for her dad and that everyone needs that proper baptism. We committed her to make a priority to read and pray about the book of Mormon. We have a very large print one for her cuz she has medical problems and has trouble reading. Between sessions on Saturday we went tracting for a little bit and met this kid named Dane. he told us to come back so we went back over between sessions yesterday and taught a 1st. He accepted baptism for the 23rd. He has long black hair, a lip piercing, and like those creepy metal bands. So we'll see how it goes. We had an investigator drop us. We went over to teach him the stop smoking program and he didn't like anything we were saying and was disagreeing with us and then was like im not interested in learning about the Mormon church anymore. It really sucked (sorry mom). But yeah that was this week.
That"s such great new from Kristin and Dan! Tell them both congrats from me. Thais just weird with the web-cam thing. Was sterling not there? That's really strange but then again it is our family. Ok so the memory card you sent me was 2GB. I thought the one we bought was 8. maybe that's just me. it doesn't really matter but whatever. I don't take that many pictures anyways. Its starting to get colder. The trees are starting to turn and it dropped from the 80's to the 70's. So winter is on its way. I haven't gotten the coat as of today but it should be here soon. I don't really need a scarf but defiantly the ear cuffs and gloves.
Since this is my first transfer and I'm being trained we have a guide kinda of the things that we do during study time. Right now I'm reading a little in the book of Mormon but mostly just going through the lessons in preach my gospel and learning them and finding scripture to help teach with. Transfers are in two weeks? its the 19th so the week before that send stuff to the mission office just in case. and let everyone else know that too. i don't want anything getting lost. But yeah me and Elder Guymon (my companion) are doing pretty well. We have mostly the same interests so its really easy. Hes been out for a little over a year. and hes been in this area for 6 months at the end of this transfer. We had interviews yesterday and that went well. I got the name of the doctor that sister Pfile said to go to for the shot. Its Doctor Sowards in Alamosa. So I'm gunna get the number for him from the zone leaders and set up an appointment sometime. Sister Pfile said the shot is gunna be like a hundred and something I'm not really sure. But yeah that's pretty much it. I love you all and I'd like to hear from everyone.
Love, Elder Butler
This week was pretty good. most of our appointments fell through so we really didn't get much done this week. We did a lot of service though so that's good. Conference was way awesome. my favorite were both morning sessions and priesthood. Funny story. Our branch is way unaccountable. We assumed that conference would all be set up this weekend and we could go over and just watch it cuz we had invited some investigators to come (which none did). So we get over there and there are no cars in the parking lot. The doors are all locked. So we go unlock the doors get in and nothing is set up. So we go across the road to a member who has all the keys to the church. and we ask him what we have to do to get it ready cuz it was like already started. So he tells us what to do so we go over to the building and get the tv out, hook it up in the chapel, and turn it on and it was there thankfully. We watched all the sessions at our building by ourselves. like 2 other people came for priesthood and a few from out of town came for Sunday morning. It was pathetic.
Other then that we taught Judy and Toby again and i don't remember if i told you this but they almost dropped us. So we went back the other day and talked about temple work, mostly baptism for the dead. just explaining to her that like she can do that work for her dad and that everyone needs that proper baptism. We committed her to make a priority to read and pray about the book of Mormon. We have a very large print one for her cuz she has medical problems and has trouble reading. Between sessions on Saturday we went tracting for a little bit and met this kid named Dane. he told us to come back so we went back over between sessions yesterday and taught a 1st. He accepted baptism for the 23rd. He has long black hair, a lip piercing, and like those creepy metal bands. So we'll see how it goes. We had an investigator drop us. We went over to teach him the stop smoking program and he didn't like anything we were saying and was disagreeing with us and then was like im not interested in learning about the Mormon church anymore. It really sucked (sorry mom). But yeah that was this week.
That"s such great new from Kristin and Dan! Tell them both congrats from me. Thais just weird with the web-cam thing. Was sterling not there? That's really strange but then again it is our family. Ok so the memory card you sent me was 2GB. I thought the one we bought was 8. maybe that's just me. it doesn't really matter but whatever. I don't take that many pictures anyways. Its starting to get colder. The trees are starting to turn and it dropped from the 80's to the 70's. So winter is on its way. I haven't gotten the coat as of today but it should be here soon. I don't really need a scarf but defiantly the ear cuffs and gloves.
Since this is my first transfer and I'm being trained we have a guide kinda of the things that we do during study time. Right now I'm reading a little in the book of Mormon but mostly just going through the lessons in preach my gospel and learning them and finding scripture to help teach with. Transfers are in two weeks? its the 19th so the week before that send stuff to the mission office just in case. and let everyone else know that too. i don't want anything getting lost. But yeah me and Elder Guymon (my companion) are doing pretty well. We have mostly the same interests so its really easy. Hes been out for a little over a year. and hes been in this area for 6 months at the end of this transfer. We had interviews yesterday and that went well. I got the name of the doctor that sister Pfile said to go to for the shot. Its Doctor Sowards in Alamosa. So I'm gunna get the number for him from the zone leaders and set up an appointment sometime. Sister Pfile said the shot is gunna be like a hundred and something I'm not really sure. But yeah that's pretty much it. I love you all and I'd like to hear from everyone.
Love, Elder Butler
Monday, September 27, 2010
9-27-10
SO not a lot has happened since Thursday when i emailed last. Friday and Saturday we were trying to play catch up and we got to see a few of the people were working with. Judy and Toby tried to drop us but we were like you have to read the book of Mormon and pray about it before you can really know. We kinda did the same with one of our other investigators. No one came to church. Its so hard to get people to do the stuff we ask. No one seems to be reading and praying and no one wants to promise that they'll go to church. its really dumb but we cant do much except for invite them to do so.
I can get packages at the post office but it might be a good idea to send them to the mission office nearing transfers just in case it takes a while or something so i get it for sure. The pants are great i needed them so bad. And thank you so much for the ties. Its kinda missionary tradition that people can trade ties if they want. They take ties really seriously. But yeah get me some ties from the cupboard and stuff and feel free to send ties out whenever. We went the other day to a JC Penny outlet and i got two ties for like $6. It was really awesome. The thing with the USPS is that the mission home can forward them for free that way. So if your sending stuff directly to me UPS or FEDEX is fine just when it goes to the mission home it needs to be USPS.
I know just how you feel with Peter slacking off. That's pretty much everyone that we are teaching. Its all really up to intent. Does he really want to know that this church is true? Is he Willing to act on that answer? Does he know how to get his answer? Does he know why the book of Mormon is so important? The whole thing is that the priesthood authority of god was lost from the earth. If the book of Mormon is true then Joseph smith was a prophet and restored that authority because he used the power of god to translate it. If the book of Mormon is true everything else we believe is true because we have that authority and a prophet that speaks to god.
I'm not sure how much the shot is but sister Pfile said it was like 100 and something. Ill talk to her again and see which doctor she recommends and how much it will cost and stuff. Ill be waiting for that coat. I was thinking about getting like a hoodie jacket thing just for the in between till it gets really cold. Early in the mornings its like low 40's then by the middle of the day its like upper 70's mid 80's its ridiculous. the other day our windshield was covered with ice and then later in the day we were like sweating it was so hot. It would be nice to have some gloves too. that are wind and water proof and that are warm. Ill def need that and i want some of those wrap around ear muff things that dad uses. But besides that i think I'm good. Thanks so much for the packages. Everyone was jealous of me.
I cant wait to hear back from everyone and i love you all
Elder Butler
Questions I asked Elder Butler:
1- Do you get Dinner Appointments with the members in Antonito?
every once in a while we do but not that often because there are only like 40 active people in our branch
2- What have you cooked for yourself?
Mostly just like raman noodles and some pizza, sandwiches, eggs, cereal
3-Do you and your comp eat together (ie cook meals together, you cook one night he cooks another) or separately?
We eat separately
4- What is your apartment like? What do you see out of your living room window?
the apartment is really small and kinda trashy. it smells a lot but we don't spend much time there. The window faces more apartment on the other side. but we keep the shades shut all the time
5-How far away is the grocery store?
theres a grocery store in town but its kinda expensive so two or three times a transfer we go to a town that's a little bigger called alamosa where theres a walmart and we buy stuff there
6- What kind of car do you drive?
We have a Subaru Impreza. Its really weak and we only get 1250 miles a month and everything is pretty far away so we save miles as much as we can
7- When are you going to send home some pictures?
Ill send pictures home soon. Theres a couple pictures i wanna take first before i send the card home. Are there any specific picture you want?
8-What is a typical day like for you? (give details)
We wake up at 630 exercise, shower dress and eat and then start personal study at 8. companion study at 9. leave the apartment around 10, 10.30 and go out either tracting ITLing or go to appointments we set up. We do service every once in a while. we go see recent converts and less actives sometimes. We have an hour lunch where we eat for half and take a short (much needed) nap. we come in at 9 or 9.30 if we have an appointment. but they want us in at 8.30 cuz its starting to get really dark outside early.we usually come in an hour early and take dinner then. Then we plan the next day out and get ready for bed. we usually get to bed between 10 and 10.30 and that's about it
9- Do you travel outside your little town? How far and are the other towns as small as the one you are in?
We live in the main part of antonito but there are a bunch of small communities that we go to like san rafiel, and conejos, lobatos, ortiz, and we take a car there and tract around on foot. Theres a lot of farm fields. most people grow hay but some people have sheep and cows and chickens. its a 5-10 min drive to most places at 65mph
10-Are there any lakes, rivers, mountains, cactus or any other cool things in your town?
antonito is in the san luis valley so theres mountains all around. Theres the worlds largest free standing mountain just south of us call the San antonio mountain. theres like one little river thing called the conejos river but were basically in new mexico so its pretty deserty with sage brush all over the place and its dusty and gravel roads most places
I can get packages at the post office but it might be a good idea to send them to the mission office nearing transfers just in case it takes a while or something so i get it for sure. The pants are great i needed them so bad. And thank you so much for the ties. Its kinda missionary tradition that people can trade ties if they want. They take ties really seriously. But yeah get me some ties from the cupboard and stuff and feel free to send ties out whenever. We went the other day to a JC Penny outlet and i got two ties for like $6. It was really awesome. The thing with the USPS is that the mission home can forward them for free that way. So if your sending stuff directly to me UPS or FEDEX is fine just when it goes to the mission home it needs to be USPS.
I know just how you feel with Peter slacking off. That's pretty much everyone that we are teaching. Its all really up to intent. Does he really want to know that this church is true? Is he Willing to act on that answer? Does he know how to get his answer? Does he know why the book of Mormon is so important? The whole thing is that the priesthood authority of god was lost from the earth. If the book of Mormon is true then Joseph smith was a prophet and restored that authority because he used the power of god to translate it. If the book of Mormon is true everything else we believe is true because we have that authority and a prophet that speaks to god.
I'm not sure how much the shot is but sister Pfile said it was like 100 and something. Ill talk to her again and see which doctor she recommends and how much it will cost and stuff. Ill be waiting for that coat. I was thinking about getting like a hoodie jacket thing just for the in between till it gets really cold. Early in the mornings its like low 40's then by the middle of the day its like upper 70's mid 80's its ridiculous. the other day our windshield was covered with ice and then later in the day we were like sweating it was so hot. It would be nice to have some gloves too. that are wind and water proof and that are warm. Ill def need that and i want some of those wrap around ear muff things that dad uses. But besides that i think I'm good. Thanks so much for the packages. Everyone was jealous of me.
I cant wait to hear back from everyone and i love you all
Elder Butler
Questions I asked Elder Butler:
1- Do you get Dinner Appointments with the members in Antonito?
every once in a while we do but not that often because there are only like 40 active people in our branch
2- What have you cooked for yourself?
Mostly just like raman noodles and some pizza, sandwiches, eggs, cereal
3-Do you and your comp eat together (ie cook meals together, you cook one night he cooks another) or separately?
We eat separately
4- What is your apartment like? What do you see out of your living room window?
the apartment is really small and kinda trashy. it smells a lot but we don't spend much time there. The window faces more apartment on the other side. but we keep the shades shut all the time
5-How far away is the grocery store?
theres a grocery store in town but its kinda expensive so two or three times a transfer we go to a town that's a little bigger called alamosa where theres a walmart and we buy stuff there
6- What kind of car do you drive?
We have a Subaru Impreza. Its really weak and we only get 1250 miles a month and everything is pretty far away so we save miles as much as we can
7- When are you going to send home some pictures?
Ill send pictures home soon. Theres a couple pictures i wanna take first before i send the card home. Are there any specific picture you want?
8-What is a typical day like for you? (give details)
We wake up at 630 exercise, shower dress and eat and then start personal study at 8. companion study at 9. leave the apartment around 10, 10.30 and go out either tracting ITLing or go to appointments we set up. We do service every once in a while. we go see recent converts and less actives sometimes. We have an hour lunch where we eat for half and take a short (much needed) nap. we come in at 9 or 9.30 if we have an appointment. but they want us in at 8.30 cuz its starting to get really dark outside early.we usually come in an hour early and take dinner then. Then we plan the next day out and get ready for bed. we usually get to bed between 10 and 10.30 and that's about it
9- Do you travel outside your little town? How far and are the other towns as small as the one you are in?
We live in the main part of antonito but there are a bunch of small communities that we go to like san rafiel, and conejos, lobatos, ortiz, and we take a car there and tract around on foot. Theres a lot of farm fields. most people grow hay but some people have sheep and cows and chickens. its a 5-10 min drive to most places at 65mph
10-Are there any lakes, rivers, mountains, cactus or any other cool things in your town?
antonito is in the san luis valley so theres mountains all around. Theres the worlds largest free standing mountain just south of us call the San antonio mountain. theres like one little river thing called the conejos river but were basically in new mexico so its pretty deserty with sage brush all over the place and its dusty and gravel roads most places
Friday, September 24, 2010
9-23-10
So there is a reason why i didn't email on Monday. Simply it was because i was out of my area for a Leadership Training in Pueblo. Basically They taught us a simplified curriculum (er however you spell that) for the new Preach my gospel essentials which is the new eight lessons. So starting in May at the MTC they will only teach the eight new lessons which basically teach how to be a missionary. So stuff like how to give commitments, the doctrine of Christ and how to teach people not lessons. It will help missionaries more effectively teach investiators to their needs instead of just reciting the Three lessons in PMG (preach my gospel). So when missionaries get to the field they will learn the gospel lessons from their trainers and such.
OK now to try to answer some of your questions. Yes Antonito is very small and its dusty and theres abandoned broken-down houses everywhere. There's stuff all over the place in peoples yards and pretty much everyone has a dog(s). Dogs walk around the street and some are pretty nasty and most are super annoying. We have a branch but its in Fox Creek which is like 15 min drive from Antonito and im pretty sure its the one west of us. The members are unreliable and same with the branch leaders so we have to do all the finding on our own. We Tract and ITL most days and try to go see people that were teaching.
So all the people we had baptismal dates for before aren't following through and pretty much don't have a date anymore. But the good news is that we have three new investigators that we found last week. Two of them are this old couple and have baptism dates for the 3rd or 10th. We taught the plan of salvation first because we found a teaching record for them and on it it said that Judy didn't want to go further basically cuz her dad was Catholic and she didn't want to disrespect him. So we emphasized the spirit world and she says that she agrees with everything we've taught and we have answered all her questions. We also taught them (Ju* and To*) the restoration. Were hoping to get them to church this week so they get into the habit of that. The other investigator is this kid named Gr* who is the son of a recent convert. We were just talking to him about like sports and video games and stuff then my companion said to him, can we practice a lesson on you? So we taught him the restoration and committed him to baptism on the 10th I think. He says hes pretty interested. We'll only get to see him on Saturdays cuz that's when he comes home from the college he goes to.
Besides that, that's whats been going on. I found the scripture i want on my missionary thing. Its Alma 28:9. Umm for the coat the 3 in 1 sounds good cuz then i coud use it in the rain and stuff. I finally got the pants at leadership training cuz they were sent UPS so they couldn't forward them to me. If you are gonna send a package to the mission office for me it has to be US mail cuz they can forward it to me for free. And today i got three packages. one from jack and two from you guys. I haven't opened it yet but i will as soon as i can.
That's so awesome about Peter. I sent him a letter but i don't know if he got it yet. I heard Neal is working for Brother Milner. You know what kinda stuff he does? Apparently Sister Pfile has some Butler relatives so maybe you guys could look into that. I need money in my chase account cuz i need flu shots and Hep A shot. so just keep that in mind. I hope you guys have fun at the BYU game that sounds like a blast. There's this one elder in La Hara which isn't too far from us in Antonito, but hes from Hawaii and hes and amazing artist. HE is a convert and was 15 days away from getting married in the temple when the bishop asked him to think about going on a mission. Him and his fiance prayed and now he's here. Hes been out almost 6 months and hes like around 24. He is such a cool guy. He left his company back home called Hawaiimaco or something like that. They make custom shirts and surf board and snow boards. Hes an amazing artist. Its way cool.
Well anyways I'm doing really good and I cant wait to hear from everyone soon. Ill be emailing again on Monday. I love you all
Love, Elder Butler
OK now to try to answer some of your questions. Yes Antonito is very small and its dusty and theres abandoned broken-down houses everywhere. There's stuff all over the place in peoples yards and pretty much everyone has a dog(s). Dogs walk around the street and some are pretty nasty and most are super annoying. We have a branch but its in Fox Creek which is like 15 min drive from Antonito and im pretty sure its the one west of us. The members are unreliable and same with the branch leaders so we have to do all the finding on our own. We Tract and ITL most days and try to go see people that were teaching.
So all the people we had baptismal dates for before aren't following through and pretty much don't have a date anymore. But the good news is that we have three new investigators that we found last week. Two of them are this old couple and have baptism dates for the 3rd or 10th. We taught the plan of salvation first because we found a teaching record for them and on it it said that Judy didn't want to go further basically cuz her dad was Catholic and she didn't want to disrespect him. So we emphasized the spirit world and she says that she agrees with everything we've taught and we have answered all her questions. We also taught them (Ju* and To*) the restoration. Were hoping to get them to church this week so they get into the habit of that. The other investigator is this kid named Gr* who is the son of a recent convert. We were just talking to him about like sports and video games and stuff then my companion said to him, can we practice a lesson on you? So we taught him the restoration and committed him to baptism on the 10th I think. He says hes pretty interested. We'll only get to see him on Saturdays cuz that's when he comes home from the college he goes to.
Besides that, that's whats been going on. I found the scripture i want on my missionary thing. Its Alma 28:9. Umm for the coat the 3 in 1 sounds good cuz then i coud use it in the rain and stuff. I finally got the pants at leadership training cuz they were sent UPS so they couldn't forward them to me. If you are gonna send a package to the mission office for me it has to be US mail cuz they can forward it to me for free. And today i got three packages. one from jack and two from you guys. I haven't opened it yet but i will as soon as i can.
That's so awesome about Peter. I sent him a letter but i don't know if he got it yet. I heard Neal is working for Brother Milner. You know what kinda stuff he does? Apparently Sister Pfile has some Butler relatives so maybe you guys could look into that. I need money in my chase account cuz i need flu shots and Hep A shot. so just keep that in mind. I hope you guys have fun at the BYU game that sounds like a blast. There's this one elder in La Hara which isn't too far from us in Antonito, but hes from Hawaii and hes and amazing artist. HE is a convert and was 15 days away from getting married in the temple when the bishop asked him to think about going on a mission. Him and his fiance prayed and now he's here. Hes been out almost 6 months and hes like around 24. He is such a cool guy. He left his company back home called Hawaiimaco or something like that. They make custom shirts and surf board and snow boards. Hes an amazing artist. Its way cool.
Well anyways I'm doing really good and I cant wait to hear from everyone soon. Ill be emailing again on Monday. I love you all
Love, Elder Butler
Monday, September 13, 2010
9-13-10
HEYY!!
ok so this is the first time ive been able to email in like two weeks. my new address is PO box 922 Antonito CO, 81120. Im pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I havent gotten any letters. Hopefull they didnt get lost and ill get them in the next few days. But yeah im way down almost in new mexico. There arent very many members and most everybody is catholic which is really annoying. So i got to the mission on monday and they took us to the mission office and they gave us all the stuff about cars and money and that type of stuff. Then we went to the mission home and had dinner and the mission president talked to us about all kinds of things. Then the next day we got our companions. My trainer/companion is elder Guymon from roseville CA. Hes really cool and we pretty much like the same kinda stuff. When i got here we had like 3 investigators with a baptismal date but none of them came to chuch so we have to recommit them. Its really dissapointing. Since its such a small town we live in theres not that many people to contact on the street. There are no stop lights in town its that small. So we tract and dont get much success from that. The other day we were walking around and saw this old lady racking up some rocks so we offered to help. As we did we started teaching the first lesson. Just as we were about to start the first vision it rained so she went inside. We set up an appointment for sunday but when we went over there she wasnt home which really stunk. But im still gettin used to being a missionary and being in a tiny little town. But im liking it so far.
Its already starting to get cold. like in the mornings theres frost on the ground but then in the afternoon itll get up to like 80. ive heard snow is coming soon but then i havent. i have a hat but i need a winter coat and gloves. and maybe earmuff things like dad gets. Just send as many ties as you can cuz i only have like 6 and everybody else has a ton and they trade ties and stuff. thanks for the addresses. Oh and dad i didnt for get your birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I still have a lot to learn but hopefully itll come quick. Weve been having trouble getting people to church. How is school and seminary andrea?? Kristin/Andrew - what was the name of the CD with the guitar hymns? and do you think i could have a copy? I got my bike any everything but we dont use it much in our area cuz everything is so far apart and we have a car. I havent gotten the pants or anything yet. But yeah im doing great and i cant wait to hear from all of you!
Love Elder Butler
ok so this is the first time ive been able to email in like two weeks. my new address is PO box 922 Antonito CO, 81120. Im pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I havent gotten any letters. Hopefull they didnt get lost and ill get them in the next few days. But yeah im way down almost in new mexico. There arent very many members and most everybody is catholic which is really annoying. So i got to the mission on monday and they took us to the mission office and they gave us all the stuff about cars and money and that type of stuff. Then we went to the mission home and had dinner and the mission president talked to us about all kinds of things. Then the next day we got our companions. My trainer/companion is elder Guymon from roseville CA. Hes really cool and we pretty much like the same kinda stuff. When i got here we had like 3 investigators with a baptismal date but none of them came to chuch so we have to recommit them. Its really dissapointing. Since its such a small town we live in theres not that many people to contact on the street. There are no stop lights in town its that small. So we tract and dont get much success from that. The other day we were walking around and saw this old lady racking up some rocks so we offered to help. As we did we started teaching the first lesson. Just as we were about to start the first vision it rained so she went inside. We set up an appointment for sunday but when we went over there she wasnt home which really stunk. But im still gettin used to being a missionary and being in a tiny little town. But im liking it so far.
Its already starting to get cold. like in the mornings theres frost on the ground but then in the afternoon itll get up to like 80. ive heard snow is coming soon but then i havent. i have a hat but i need a winter coat and gloves. and maybe earmuff things like dad gets. Just send as many ties as you can cuz i only have like 6 and everybody else has a ton and they trade ties and stuff. thanks for the addresses. Oh and dad i didnt for get your birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I still have a lot to learn but hopefully itll come quick. Weve been having trouble getting people to church. How is school and seminary andrea?? Kristin/Andrew - what was the name of the CD with the guitar hymns? and do you think i could have a copy? I got my bike any everything but we dont use it much in our area cuz everything is so far apart and we have a car. I havent gotten the pants or anything yet. But yeah im doing great and i cant wait to hear from all of you!
Love Elder Butler
Monday, August 30, 2010
8/30/2010
Hey Fam!
I totally forgot my journal and letters so sorry if i dont include everything. Im Still pretty busy. Were starting to learn the second lession (plan of salvation). Me and my companion have the first one down pretty good. They have teaching appointments here where a member will come to the MTC and pretend to be an investigator and then you get to teach them. Its really cool and it helps so much. I got to go to the temple again today. it was awesome as always. On tuesday Elder Jeffery R Holland came and spoke at the devotional. It was so awesome. Weve watched a couple of his talks here and the one he gave was really good. Every sunday we get to watch a church film. Last week it was mountain of the lord and this week we watched the joseph smith movie they play at the visitors centers. I got my travel plans and i leaveon Monday the 6th. were flying frontier to denver then frontier again to the springs. I dont know anything about bag charges but if there are any i have money for it. I met this missionary named Elder Herrera. Hes said that he met rachel a few weeks before coming to the MTC. Hes going to colorado springs spanish. I wanna know how everything is going. Andrea how has the first week of school been? have you started seminary yet? And for jeff i got your dear elder and i believe it said something about cookies? i never got them. but i did get the ones dad sent. Thanks! and i got the dear elder from mom and family last week too. I got a note saying that they recieved the shot record and everything so that should be all good. Theres this one missionary that is from canada in my district that is going to the springs too. We tease him about his accent but hes cool with it. Hes really funny. im excited to get out in the field and start teaching real people. I cant wait to hear from you all!
Love, Elder Butler
I totally forgot my journal and letters so sorry if i dont include everything. Im Still pretty busy. Were starting to learn the second lession (plan of salvation). Me and my companion have the first one down pretty good. They have teaching appointments here where a member will come to the MTC and pretend to be an investigator and then you get to teach them. Its really cool and it helps so much. I got to go to the temple again today. it was awesome as always. On tuesday Elder Jeffery R Holland came and spoke at the devotional. It was so awesome. Weve watched a couple of his talks here and the one he gave was really good. Every sunday we get to watch a church film. Last week it was mountain of the lord and this week we watched the joseph smith movie they play at the visitors centers. I got my travel plans and i leaveon Monday the 6th. were flying frontier to denver then frontier again to the springs. I dont know anything about bag charges but if there are any i have money for it. I met this missionary named Elder Herrera. Hes said that he met rachel a few weeks before coming to the MTC. Hes going to colorado springs spanish. I wanna know how everything is going. Andrea how has the first week of school been? have you started seminary yet? And for jeff i got your dear elder and i believe it said something about cookies? i never got them. but i did get the ones dad sent. Thanks! and i got the dear elder from mom and family last week too. I got a note saying that they recieved the shot record and everything so that should be all good. Theres this one missionary that is from canada in my district that is going to the springs too. We tease him about his accent but hes cool with it. Hes really funny. im excited to get out in the field and start teaching real people. I cant wait to hear from you all!
Love, Elder Butler
Monday, August 23, 2010
8-23-2010
Hey Fam!!
Today's P day so its the first time i get to use the email. its been kinda crazt this first week. Lots of classes and lots of learning. My companions name is Elder Justus from West Virginia. He actually Grew up in the colorado springs mission so thats kinda weird haha. The days have been going by pretty slowly but theyre starting to pick up now. I was really surprised to get that card from you mom. It was really great thank you! My district is split between Colorado Springs and Hawaii missions. All the elder is my district are really cool though. Its a lot of fun being with them. Ive been learning a lot about the gospel and stuff here. They jam pack the days with classes and firesides so were pretty much always busy. We have practiced teaching a few times and its really helped. Its a lot easier then i thought it would be. I thought i would freeze and have no idea what to say ever. It really helps to have the spirit because without it there would be no way id be able to get anything done here. Theres an elder in my room thats has been getting tons of letters and packages and stuff. Its crazy he gets like 3 or 4 letters a day. His companion though hasnt really got anything. Im actually doing my laundry right now hah. But yeah things here are great and i love it so much. I cant wait to hear from everyone!
Love, Elder Butler
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)