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 =]
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
Monday, November 29, 2010
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.
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