A New Area and a New Companion

Hello Friends and Family,

I have moved on from Charleston to a new area.  I am now covering the Shiloh Illinois Ward and I'm living in O'Fallon IL.  My new address is:

109 Melissa Ct. #5
O'Fallon, IL 62269

I really like my new companion.  His name is Elder Lolo, and he is from Samoa.  He has been out almost as long as I have.  He is at 10 months.  Yesterday was my first P-Day in the area.  We went to St. Louis and went to the Science Museum.  It was great.  This area is pretty cool.  O'Fallon is kind of like a bigger city, but a lot of my area is small towns.  We have a car so that we can get around. 

I watched the videos of Abby and Ben that you posted on DropBox.  Thanks for posting them.  I have taken a lot of pictures and will share them with you all soon.  Tell Josh and Ben that I am very proud of them for passing all of their classes this last term. 

I heard about the Broncos making the AFC Championship game.  I will be rooting for them from here!!  Please let me know next week if they win and make it to the Super Bowl. 

I love the color of the new suit that you sent me.  Thanks so much.  I am still working on finding someone who can tailor it for me. 

I love you all,

Elder Butler

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