Merry Christmas!!!

 

Merry Christmas Family!!  I had so much fun Skyping with all of you on Christmas!!  I love my new Legend of Zelda tie that you got me!!  Thank you to all of the family that put money in my account for Christmas and sent me gift cards too.  Also thank you for the care packages for Christmas and for my Hump Day!  I'm finally at my half way mark.  Thank you to everyone for all of your support, and thank you to everyone who has contributed to help pay for my mission.  Especially the Canon City 1st Ward.  

 

 

I bought a new camera with the money that Mom and Dad sent me for Christmas.  I will be sending some more pictures soon.  Elder Bishop and I had a really good Christmas.  We spent the day at a members house and watched Inside Out and Cinderella with the Sister Missionaries.  It was a good day.  

I'm really glad that we got to spend so much time Skyping on Christmas!!  I loved seeing everyone and especially seeing how big Abby has gotten.  She is talking so much and I can't believe that she has learned to write her name now.  I'm so excited for Mom and Dad to be going on a European vacation.  I know you aren't going until summer, but I hope you guys have a great time!!

 

We currently have two new investigators in my area, which is really exciting.  We haven't been able to teach them in the last week because they are both students and they both went home with their families for Christmas, but they should be back sometime this week and we will start teaching them again.  Please pray for them.  I love you all so much!!

 

Love Elder Butler

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Elder Butler

19 Nov. 2015

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Things out here are still difficult.  The work has come to a screeching halt because of the unwillingness of the people, and also because of my own mental state and the attitude I have concerning the people.  Sometimes I feel there is no hope with the people we regularly talk to.  They either avoid us, or pretend to listen but have no interest at all. 

 

Lately things have not been so good physically for me either because of the cold and all the walking we do.  My muscles and joints hurt and are sore.  I use the Biofreeze a lot, but the relief is only temporary. 

 

There are times when emotionally I have been down and haven't had a very bright outlook on things.  I am working to make positive changes.  There are times I feel unable or incapable of completing the work that has been given me. 

 

It's nothing to be too concerned about.  I just wanted you to know that I am having some difficulties, but I am getting help for it.  I hope that I don't worry you guys to much, even though I'm going through a tough time, promise me that you won't worry about me too much. 

 

I have been thinking a lot about Zackary and Rose.  I hope they are well.

 

I love you all very much,

 

Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

 

 

11-30-15

 

Happy Thanksgiving to Family and Friends,

 

I had a really good Thanksgiving.  We had three Thanksgiving dinners!!  One at the Melton's, one at the Garrett's, and one at the Hares's. 

 

Elder Coka is going home today.  I don't get my new companion until Wednesday, so i don't know who it is yet.

Elder Coka (Choka) from Albania

 

 

I am working on finding new tools that i can use to deal with stress.  I am feeling better than I did when I messaged last week.

Alex's collection of important things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have one new investigator now. He is from Japan.  Hard work pays off!!  I'll let you know more about that when I email next Monday.



Our daily reminder "Forget Yourself and Go to Work"



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love you all,

 

Elder Butler



Happy Halloween

Hello Family,

I miss you guys a lot.  I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes.  For Halloween we went to a members house and hung out there.  Then I carved a pumpkin.  It was a lot of fun!  President called me to let me know about the health problems that Grandma Marie is suffering with.  Tell her I love her.  Attached are a few pictures of my Halloween night with Elder Coka (Ch-o-ka) and the members we spent the evening with.

Love Elder Butler

 

Lots of tracting

Hello Family and Friends,

Things are doing OK here in my new area Charleston, IL.  Things here are kind of tough for missionaries.   Most people "have a church" or "are good where [they] are at".  Other than that, we have just been trying to find new investigators because all of the people we are teaching are not really progressing.  Because of that, we have been tracting a lot. My new companion and I are getting along OK.  Sometimes its hard to understand some of the things he says, not because of his accent but because he uses the same tone of voice all the time.  I can't tell if he is joking with me or if he is serious. Its OK if you all share the letters that I send with each other.  I would not say any thing to my mother that would not be OK for you to see.  I really enjoyed conference this past weekend.   I especially liked President Uchtdorf's first talk about building faith, what about all of you?  What where your favorite talks from conference.  I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share this time but i might on next Monday.  Love you all.

Another Transfer (Charleston, IL)

Hello Family and Friends

I'm doing OK.  I got pretty sick recently so that was not fun. The money you sent came just in time to pay the copays and things. I'm glad things are doing good with you.  I am moving to a new area so don't send me any thing until I give you my new address. I'm so glad to hear about how the members of the word are helping you guys out so much with the Anderson kids.  Hopefully they kids can form a bond there with ward members. 

My new area that I've been transferred to is Charleston IL.  My new companion's name is Elder Coka (ch-o-ka).  He goes home in two months. He is from Albania. It is a small country just above Greece.  Charleston is pretty cool.  I have been put back out in the country, so mostly just a lot of cornfields and soybeans.  Charleston has a ward, not a Branch, but it is pretty small. 
  
I just want everyone to know that I'm doing OK.  I'm fairly happy. I just have the regular mission stresses.  Things are getting easier for me just because I'm accustomed to mission life now.

Talk to you next week

Elder Butler

Parental Pep Talk

Dear Mom and Dad,

My week was OK.  It has been really slow but we are not sure why.  Hopefully this next week will pick up. 

So did Rose's Dad louse his kids for good or what's going on with that?

I'm glad that she is with you guys, that way she still has contact with the church. What church does Jacob go to?  How old is he?

Just remember that they still have the agency to choose.  Be careful on what you limit but be an example to them just like you are and example to us, for that is the best way to communicate what is important.  If they come to love you they will emulate you. Especially her brothers, you are the true example of manhood and fatherhood,  I know that you are because you taught me how to be a man and a father.  Don't slack on prayer and on Scripture study both personal and as a group, The spirit is essential in that home, They deserve to feel the spirit while they are there. The spirit also needs to be with you because now you have to direct this new ship.  You are its captain and patriarch. Don't fail to go to church every week because you need that spiritual rest for the rest of the week, because it will be spiritually draining.  I will be praying for you, that you will have the strength that you need to bear the load that has been given to you and also that mom will be able to give nurturing where there was none for them before even though she has her current trials physically. I will also pray for my siblings, that they will be able to be a help aid you and Mother, but that they will still feel loved by you and Mom. I know that you can do it, you were sent to Colorado as saviors to these children.  God sent you there and don't forget that. I know that I had a hard time when we first moved, but over time I have only seen good come of it, and that means that it is of God.  I know this because only good things come from God. Please remind mother of that as well because I know of her homesickness, but remind her that you and her are there from God.  You were available and He used you to fulfill his purposes. It fills me with joy when I think of you, because you were righteous, and because God was able to use you.  That you made yourselves available, and because of that, the blessings that await you in the kingdom of The Father .

 Until next week

                                                                                    Elder Butler

Working Hard and More Investigators

Dear Mom and Dad,

Things have been good for me. This past week was pretty slow but good.  Things out here have been ok in the area I'm in.  We don't have a car so we do a lot of walking.  We have been working really hard.  We have some new investigators that could come into the church, which is really exciting.  We have not had a chance to meet again with Nathaniel, but we see him this week.  They are progressing, but I think I will probably be transferred out of this area before any of them are baptized. 

Like I said last week, I have a new companion.  He is cool. I like him, he is from Utah.

How are your studies in Preach My Gospel?  I hope that you learn a lot from it, because its not just for missionaries, but its also for members.  How is the study of the Pearl of Great Price?  What have you learned from that?

Love Elder Butler

New comp, new investigators

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week on P-Day we went and visited the St. Louis Arch.  I have included some pictures.

This week has been really good.  I got a new companion named Elder Bird.  I'm in the same area, Hazelwood MO,  but we have found new people to teach.  One of them is named Nathaniel.  He is a Seventh Day Adventist.  They are similar to us but the worship on Saturdays instead of  on Sunday because that is the day that the Jews worshipped.  He is interested in why we worship on Sunday and he agreed on taking the rest of the lessons.  Please keep him in your prayers that he will be able to discern the truthfulness of what we are teaching him. 

 

I had a good birthday last week.  Thanks for all you do for me.

 

Love Elder Butler

 

 View of Busch Stadium from the top of the Arch (Where the St. Louis Cardinals play)

 

 The St. Louis Arch

 

 View of the Missouri from the top of the Arch

 

 View from the bottom of the Arch

 

 It must have been pink hat day

 

 The Arch

 

 Base of the Arch

 

 Downtown St. Louis from the Arch overlook

 

 Downtown from the Arch overlook

 

Funny Experiences

Dear Family,

I really like the T-shirts that you sent me for my Birthday.  There are a few people in the mission that have them too. 

How is everyone doing at home?  Are all the kids behaving?

What's going on with Kevin?  I have not heard anything from him and I know that Jessie is back home from her mission.  How is that going? 

So, you know how when missionaries come home and tell you that they had so much fun on their missions, and it all went good?  They are not telling the whole truth!!  It is very hard to be a missionary, and it is something that you should spend two years preparing for!  I wish that I had prepared better for my mission before I left. I think I would have started out my mission a little bit smoother if I had.

Being a missionary is a different experience, definitely, and I am learning a lot.  I'm sorry for keeping everyone in the dark but I don't want you to know how hard it is out here.  Most people just don't want to talk to us, but the ones that do either want to argue, or don't know much about what they are talking about, or both. 

It is actually kind of funny when we get on the bus.  Sometimes, we get drunk people.  One time there was a drunk Jehovah's Witness that came onto the bus and gave us a "What does The Bible Really Teach?" book that was sopping wet. 

One of my first days in Hazelwood, we went to go see an investigator, but when we got to his house he was higher than a kite and he started to just spout out random stuff like "Satan's girlfriend is actually running Hell!" and other really weird stuff like that.  I hope that my stories have given you all a laugh. 

Love Elder Butler

Old Testament studies

My week was pretty good this week.  We did not do much last P-Day, just played some cards.  I got the package you sent. Where did you get the shirts from?  I love them!! Today we are planning to go to the Arch, but I don't know if we will still do it because it is thunder storming here right now.  I will make sure to take lots of pictures if I go.  I'm glad to hear that you guys are studying the scriptures the scriptures together as a family.  My scripture studies are still going really well.  I'm reading the Book of Mormon again.  I'm currently at Alma 43, just after Alma talks to his son Corianton.  The Old Testament will be tough for you guys to read as a family.  I didn't know that they boys had to read every page of it to pass Seminary now.  That's kind of funny.  Good luck with Numbers and Leviticus.  Thanks again for the shirts!

Love Elder Butler

                    

Super Missionary

Hello family,

 

My week has been good.  We have just been mainly running around trying to stay in contact with all of our investigators and the less actives that we have been teaching. I got the package that you sent last week.  All the candy that you sent was gone in like two days. How are all of you doing?  I think about all of you a lot.  I hope that the boys and Evelyn are getting along and not fighting.  I saw the Dropbox pictures.  Ben needs to learn how to take a selfy right.  It looks like Josh and Ben had a good time at Trek.  I added a video to my file.  I got bored so I  made a one.  Also a few fun pictures from my adventures here.

 

 

BELIEVE

 

Stop for the Hogwart's Express at the Train Station

 

My companion (Elder Stowe)

 

Not a very good picture, but this is downtown St. Louis.  You can see the Arch in the background.

 

Love you all,

 

Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

Tornados and Painted Sky

I was happy to hear that our old neighbor David is going to the Temple.  That is so great.  I know that I have been really not up to sending news home. That's just because sometimes I get frustrated and I don't have much to say that is good.  This week I've got something cool to go on the blog. Yesterday we had a tornado touch down close to where I am living.  It did not come close enough for me to see it, but the sky did some cool things.  First the sky turned green. YES GREEN!!! Then to a muddy brown, to orange, to a bright red!. (that's when the tornado got close to me) then as it left the sky came down to a straight pink, then back to normal. 

I love the members here.  They are very nice.  They feed us all the time, so don't worry about that.  I am also still getting along really well with my companion.  All in all I'm doing very well. Just send me more letters. 

Love Elder Butler

 

Mission Conferences!! Hearing from The Lord's Apostles!!!!

Dear Family,

I have been taking lots of pictures.  I will take even more today because I am going to the city museum today and I will take lots of pictures there.  I like the pictures you sent me of Ben tell him I am very proud of him.  Below is a picture of our fun Baseball game from last P-Day.

 

 

I really appreciate the things that you sent to me.  Especially Das Duetsh Buch Mormon (Book of Mormon in German).  I read from it all the time.  I am learning a lot from it.  I'm not only learning new German words, but things out of the Book of Mormon that I don't normally get out of the English text.  In German it says the same thing but some of the German words mean even more.  One word in German can be said in up to five words in English. 

 

Here is a funny story for you. Recently, we had a Mission Conference.  We had one in April, and Elder Cook came and spoke to us. 

Elder Cook

 

 

On June 1st, we had another, but this time we had Elder Christoffereson come. 

 

Elder Christofferson

 

 I will send you some of the notes I took from it later.  At the end, he had a

Q and A session with us, but for one of the questions, he asked our Mission President (President Morgan) if he wanted to answer the question.  He said that he did not want to but Elder Christofferson said to him "Of course you do!!" and he made him get up and do it.  It was pretty funny. 

 

Love you all,

 

Elder Butler



Loving Hazelwood

Hello Family and Friends,

How are all of you?  I'm doing pretty good. I really like my new area.  I got the package that you sent, and I really appreciate the extra money. I will try to save it better. Dad, that's really cool that you spoke in church on Sunday.  Thanks for sending me the talk you gave.  I will read over it and see what I think.

All I can really say is that you meet a lot of weird people on the bus.  Mostly people that are high, or not taking the medication they are suppose to be taking. One time we got on the train and a guy was talking to no one, saying weird things like that he had went to school and stuff.

I have been doing some teaching,  but we don't have a very big pool of people to teach. We spend some time with members, mostly helping people move, or going over to their houses for dinner. Not much really happens, other than we get told to go away a lot.  :P

I feeling thankful because my heartburn has gone away, and I'm dealing pretty well with my stress.  Tell the kids that I'm really proud of them.  I'm so glad that Evelyn likes school and got good grades, and I'm proud of Josh and Ben for working hard and passing all of their classes. 

I have included some photos.  Some of them are kind of old. 

My First District Meeting

I liked this quote

I have been working on my German skills.  Still love it.

My Bike :)

 

I love you all and will write again real soon.

 

Love Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the Work

Hello Family,

I am doing well here in Hazelwood, MO.  Thanks for the packages that you sent last week.  I still need to go pick one up from the Post Office, but it will have to wait because we are so busy.  It is an hour bus ride to get there and back.  I will make sure to go pick it up soon.  I feel like I'm dealing with stress a lot better now.  I really enjoy being in this area because we get to see the members all the time and it is really a lot of fun.   A lot different than my first area.  I also really like my companion Elder Stowe.  He is a really great guy and a lot of fun to be around. He is really tall, like 6'7". 

Hazelwood is pretty cool.  I like being here.  The thing I notice the most is that the clouds move really fast, unlike in Utah.  There are no mountains in the way to slow them down.  Don't tell Mom, but two days ago we had a tornado warning.  The sirens did not go off.  :(

I'm glad to hear that as a family you finished the D&C.  I told Josh to study the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price to help him out a little.  He should study the first chapter carefully so that Josh gets what he needs out of it.

 

I'm glad that Ben is doing so well.  Tell him that I am very proud of him for being advanced to a Teacher in the Priesthood and that if he continues, there is nothing stopping him from reaching exaltation.

 

Love Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

 

Hello from Hazelwood Missouri!!!!

A very happy Mother's Day to my mother today. I was able to call my family today and Skipe with them. It was so great to see and talk with all of them. I especially liked it when Abby said the prayer all by herself!!! Well as you all can see from the picture I shaved my own head! Looking good don't you think? In my new area we travel around on the bus and on our bikes. There was a bike here for me when I got here. We attended a mission conference and heard Elder Cook speak. My new companion (Elder Stowe) is from  a small town in Utah and is very laid back. It was very different going to church in branch before coming to my new area. It was held in a small house and we would prepare the sacrament in the kitchen of the home. I have continued to experience stress related to getting used to the missionary life, but I am doing much better after reading a book that I was given. My stress is not related to people telling me to go away or that they don't want to listen to the gospel it's when they are interested I still get afraid to talk to strangers. Not a sparrow falls that God does not notice, how much more valuable to God is our soul? Love and God Bless you all!!

Thoughts about Sparta Illinois

Dear Family and Friends,

I just wanted to write you a letter and tell you all some of the details about what I am doing over here in Sparta Illinois. 

Elder Keel is my companion now, and has been for a few weeks.  He is a really good guy.  I am having a little bit of a hard time with him though because of my dyslexia.  He is trying to help me out and make me have good habits but because of my dyslexia, I just take it that he is trying to be mean or rude when he is really just trying to teach me. 

My area is not doing too good.  This area is very old and most of the people know who we are and try to avoid us.  There are many churches, and a lot of people just think that we are out to convert them and nothing else.  Many of them think that we are Jehovah's Witnesses and are afraid of us. 

We don't really do anything on our P-days except clean the apartment and the car.  There is not really that much to do here in southern Illinois.  The only thing that we have talked about planning is to maybe go golfing, but that might be too expensive. 

Elder Keel and I are both pretty tired of working in Sparta.  All we have done is work in Sparta because we were low on miles.  We are pretty burnt out and don't want to work in Sparta.  We have been trying to go see some of the other towns that we have never visited.  Today we went to a town called Cutler Illinois and tried to meet some new people. 

There are a lot of less actives here and a lot of excommunicated members.  It is kind of funny because most of them don't know very much about the church at all.  It is starting to get very green here.  Some of the places are very pretty, but most places here are baren.  Our area is very big.  Some of it is really hilly, but everywhere else is super flat. 

I was wondering if you could send me my Book of Mormon that is in German.  I am trying to keep up with the German that I have already learned and that would really help. 

Soon I will be sending home some things that I have collected and can't pack around with me.  I just wanted you to know that I did not go out of my way to get the things I have sent home.  I either got them for free or for less than $5. 

Write me back as soon you can and I think that it would be cool if you guys would write me hand written letters.  The DearElder letters are cool and all, but it is more special to me to have them hand written.  Don't forget to tell Josh and Ben to write me back too.

Love,
Elder Butler

P.S. I have reported to my new area in Florissant, MO.  Like I said, my new companion is Elder Stowe.  I know that I told you I would only be able to call on Mother's Day, but I have just found out that I will be able to Skype.  I should be able to Skype Sunday afternoon.  My new address is:

940 Torero Lane
Florissant, MO 63031

I look forward to getting lots of letters from you all at this address.

Love Elder Butler

Transferring this Week

Hello Family and Friends,

I just sent a letter home asking for you to send me some stuff.   Don't send anything yet, I am being transferred to a new area.  Please wait until I get my new address.  I am transferring to Hazelwood, Missouri, and my new companion will be Elder Stowe.  This will all happen on Wednesday.  Hazelwood is a bigger city.  It is on the north side of St. Louis.  I have met Elder Stowe once before, so hopefully we will get along well.  It will be nice to be closer to the church and to members.  I will also be closer to the temple, but that is still a little disappointing because we really only get to go to the temple twice on our whole mission unless someone we are teaching goes through.  Then we can go with them.  I'm not sure how to feel about the change of area and change of companion.  I'm torn, because I don't want the change, but at the same time I do.  I'm looking forward to calling home this weekend for Mother's Day.  I'm not sure if I will be able to Skype, but I will definitely call.

Love Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

More Tracting

Hello Family,

I wanted to say thanks for the pictures that you sent last week.  I'm glad that you have had a good time with Grandma and Grandpa Price.  Sorry I haven't sent more pictures back, but like I said before, my camera is broken.  I'm glad to hear that Josh, Ben, Evelyn, and Abby are doing so good. That is a real burden taken off my shoulders. They have been on my mind a lot lately.  It's so cool that Josh and Ben get to here from Elder Holland in a few weeks.  Tell them to take notes so they can remember what he has to say.  Also, please have Josh and Ben email me this week so that I can save their email addresses and start talking to them that way from now on.  Thanks for the added money this month, I've had to replace a lot of stuff this week.

I know that you guys have been reading and studying D&C as a family.  When you get done, you should really study Preach My Gospel and Jesus the Christ.  They are Great!!

My companion and I are still having a hard time talking to anyone new.  But, we did have 3 lessons this week.  Less active people, nobody new.  We are still getting used to each other as companions.  We get along ok, so that is good.  We spent most of this week visiting some new towns in our area.  We have been walking around knocking on doors and being told to go away.  I will continue to have faith and work and I know The Lord will send me in the right direction.  Please keep praying for us out here in the mission field.

Love Elder Butler

Making Adjustments

Hello Everyone,

 

President Morgan called me this morning and let me know that Grandpa Stan had passed away.  Just wanted you to know that he had talked to me about it.  We watched conference last week at our Branch Building.  What have you heard about the people that gave that opposing vote to sustaining The First Presidency?  My new companion is Elder Keel.  He is from California.  We get along OK I guess, but we don't really have anything in common.  We are working and trying really hard to get along.  He is like the smartest person that I have ever met.  Everything he does and the way he looks at me makes me think three times harder about everything I do.   

 

I have not been doing so good lately because of stress and my body is falling apart because I was not physically prepared to do what I am doing.  I miss the mountains.  I feel kind of exposed here.  A lot of the people here have not been very nice to us.  There are a lot of people here who are Pastors or training to be Pastors, or are related to a Pastor.  They don't treat us very nicely.  We have come across a lot of people that seem slow to remember The Lord their God.  So many of the people that do remember God fear Him and are motivated by fear rather than by love.  So many people that have been converted to the church end up leaving because they feel that the church expects too much out of them.  They don't understand God and His dealings with the children of men. 

 

Thanks for the encouragement and for the money that you have given me.  I don't like asking you for stuff but I am tight on money this month because none of the members feed us, so i have to pay for all three meals per day.  I have some thing wrong with my feet, so I had to buy shoe inserts.  All my stuff is breaking.  I broke my first watch, then my last comp said i could have his watch, then I broke that one and had to buy a new one. Now my camera is broken. It seems like all the things I use on a regular basis are falling apart. Even one of my suit pants is busting from the seams because of my fat butt.  :)

 

Family, some of the things I have learned on mission; seek truth from the book of Mormon, pray always, seek counsel from God, He can help you remove any stumbling block placed in front of you.  Please do not worry about me, but continue to pray for me.  That I will be able to adjust emotionally, physically and mentally.

 

Love Elder Butler

 

 

 

 

The Fight is Real

Hello Everyone.

Sorry I haven't written more lately.  I haven't had a lot to say.  As far as what I am doing, it is very different than what I expected it would be before I left.  I find my self constantly fighting the adversary every step of the way because he does not want me to do what I am doing. He is exerting all the powers that he has to stop me but so far he has been unsuccessful in stopping me from continuing  with The Lord's work.  He has tried to pull so many tricks all ready that I can not count, but most of the time he tries to scare me, telling me that if I go and do the work, he will make life absolutely terrible.  Fairly recently, we were praying and when I looked up, and I could swear that  I saw a demon down the hall. It looked at me and then went into the back bed room. My companion and I blessed our apartment and it is gone but the fight is real and it has been a struggle because Satan doesn't want us to continue and will stop at nothing to make us give up.  But, the work will never stop, not until the sons of  Levi give an offering of righteousness at the last day.

This past week has been a little hard because my first companion Elder Branham is going home, and I will kind of be left here to my own devices because I will have a new companion that won't know anything about the area and I will have to teach him.  Elder Branham and I have had some struggles lately because we are teaching quite a few people, but we are just struggling to get them to keep the commitments they make. 

Life here in Sparta, Illinois is ok.  I'm not used to the humidity.  It saps the life out of you :)  Missionary work is very hard, but that is mostly because I make it hard on myself.  Elder Branham has been a big help to me mostly because he has been so willing to put up with my crap :)

I miss my friends and family.  I miss all of the encouraging and comforting words.  I hope that you all are striving to come closer to Christ.  That you are using His atonement to be changed by Christ and to become a new creature in Him.  For no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God, but no unchanged thing will want to be with Him.  I want you all to want to be in the presence of God and to be changed by His grace.  I know that I have said a lot of strange things, but I know that these things can help all of you and I want the best for you all because I love you with all my heart. 

Love Elder Butler

New Companion Coming

I'm so glad to hear that you are all doing so well.  I lost my companion today.  His mission is over.  I will miss Elder Branham, but I am excited to meet my new companion on Wednesday.  The worst part is that now I don't have a GPS because Elder Branham took his home with him.  :( 
I love you all, and will write again to you all soon. 

Still Working in the Midwest

 

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Things are going really good here.  I got a letter from Dad today and I will try to reply to it. We aren't really teaching anyone new lately because we are trying to focus on the people that we have already been teaching at the moment.  We have a current teaching pool of about 13 people/families.   So many people here really like what we have to say but they don't want to do anything about it, especially going to church. We have been experiencing this phenomena where we work really hard to get someone close to baptism, and then they seem to just drop off the face of the Earth.  This can be frustrating but we are thankful for the opportunities to teach.  Please pray for us that we might help our investigators come to church and reach baptism.  We are feeding ourselves very well, but we don't often eat with members because most of the active members live so far away. It takes about an hour to get to most of them.  One funny thing that has happened is that our stake canceled  church for two weeks in a row, even  though there was no snow.  I'm glad that you guys got the package I sent.  I thought that the boys would like what I put in there.  I just saw everything at Wal-Mart and thought of you guys.   I mostly bought the book as a souvenir for when I get home but the things I sent are for all of us and I will continue to occasionally mail stuff like that home. 

 

Love Elder Butler 

New letters from Elder Bulter!!!

Today Elder Butler sent two new letters home that we will share with you here:

Dear Dad,

There has not been much new going on as of late.  Please don't worry about me.  I am doing just fine.  I have been stressed out lately, but that is only because I don't know how to relieve stress very well, but I am doing better.  The Mission President has given us a book for new missionaries to learn how to relieve stress.  I am getting all of your letters and I have ben meaning to reply back.  It's just hard to right hand written letters.  As for E-mails, it seems very hard only for the reason that I don't know what to say.  As far as what I'm studying, I have just been reading in the Book of Mormon and through the Missionary White Handbook.  I am glad that you are taking your calling so seriously.  The Prophets have told us to magnify our callings and all that means is to do our jobs.  To the our best to serve and do what our calling is asking for.  I just wanted to let you know that as you stay with the church and magnify your calling that your whole demeanor will change. 

"Those lives touched by the Gospel change to resemble Christ's life" Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

 I know as you try to have those Christ like attributes, that your life will be impacted for the better. 

Love you Son

Elder Butler


Dear Mom,

I am sorry for not writing as you as much as you write to me.  It's just that its hard for me to write sometimes as you know.  Me and my companion get along just fine.  He has helped me out a lot and I have helped him.  I enjoy the letters you guys send me and they give me great comfort, especially when you tell me about Abby.  I love to hear about her, and about what Josh, Ben, and Evelyn are doing. 

With all my love,

Elder Butler

Umm... Hi...We are Marman Mercinaries....

I attended a district meeting on February 24, 2015. We sang Called to Serve in Japanize for the opening song. I gave the opening prayer. Elder Branham did the training. We discussed the biggest obstacle for an investigator and what their next step should be after a date is set for baptism. We also discussed our personal reading goals for the Book Of Mormon by March 3rd. We had some fun making companionship flags! Love to you all!

Elder Butler

BIG Cookies!!!

Hello Everyone, 

 

It has been another ok week.  I have been a little down because of sickness and the weather, but other than that it has been good too. I still have not got anything in the mail from you guys because of the couple of holidays lately, but I did get the package. Thanks Mom and Dad!  Those were some BIG cookies!!  I have attached some cool pics of Elder Brinham and I playing around.

 

Love Elder Butler

If ye love me, fill my mailbox!!

It's really great to hear that you guys are doing better. So, why haven't Josh and Ben written a letter back to me?   I am really exited for more letters!!  Lately my mail box has been empty.   My life has been really slow, there are not very many people we have been teaching, and Elder Brinham and I have been sick lately so we have been in the apartment a lot as of late.   Sorry I don't right you much, I will send you a big letter soon ok?    

 

P.S My new favorite scripture is Amos 3:7 

 

Surely the Lord God‍ will do nothing, but‍ he revealeth‍ his secret‍ unto his servants the prophets.

 

If ye love me fill my mailbox.

 

Elder Alex Butler

100 South James Street #2
Sparta, Illinois
62286

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Love,

 

Elder Butler 

Great Experiences

Well it has still been very slow because of the Holidays but we have been teaching some very cool people. Mostly less active members. Sorry I wasn't able to message you on Monday, the library was closed.  I love hearing from you guys. I've got to tell you about an experience that I had last Monday. We are teaching a less active family and the Father does not want to come to church.  He is breaking the Word of Wisdom by drinking tea. We were have a family home evening with them and that went really good, but after we were talking with him and I was filled with the spirit.  The words that I said to him were not of me.  I spoke to him with such sharpness that his very frame shook, just like when Lehi talked with Laman and Lemuel in the Valley of Lemuel.  It scared me. He acted like he was going to flee before me, but the next Sunday he came to church.  He had not been in 7 years.  Please everyone, keep writing me and praying for me.  I have attached a few photos from me and Elder Brinham messing around and having some fun.  I know Ben will love them.


Love,

Elder Butler