Dear Family and Friends

Dear Family and Friend:

Ok, I’ve been a little busy.  One week I totally forgot to email my son.  Can you believe it?  I had to send a post card, but it was really cute (Politis’ Mansion). So here it is.

5-12-12

There was this one cool experience we had in church yesterday in sacrament meeting, The youth speaker spoke on being temple worthy, and she shared an experience from school. She said during lunch, she and her friends were talking about school and the various things that go on in that environment. As they talked the focus on the subject shifted to one girl that tended to be a little on the negative side of things. Before they new it, she and her friend began to gossip about all the different people in the school that had made them angry. The feelings had changed to something that this young women didn't like. So as she got up to dump her trash, she said about one person they were talking about:"I don't know this girl, so I probably shouldn't be talking this way about her, but I bet she makes good cookies." After that, she and her friend’s, never bothered with gossiping about the others around them. They all understood the principle over charity, and how everyone is a child of God, always remember that! I love you and hope you all have a great week.

Elder Butler

PS. He has been transferred to Richland WA.  They are teaching a 9 year old child. We are needing to build our teaching pool from the very beginning. My bike was stolen the last time I was in the Tri-Cities area and now I’m looking for another one.  The one here is so small it doesn’t really fit. I need another one.  (Mom called the mission office and Elder Wilson is going to work his magic and find him a bigger bike.

March 26, 2012

This week was great and full of awesome experiences. First off we had a specialized training on Saturday. President and the assistants talked to us. Also we had a guest speaker come and talk to us. President Greer’s nephew Spencer Larsen, who played for the New England Patriots, came to speak to us. I took lots of notes in my notebook, but it's too black and blue from all the writing. But I did have a couple points to share with you.

The first point is the "true happiness does not come easy. But, when attained, it brings to ones self a true assurance that he has done exactly what his maker has requested."( keep in mind that this is in the words of Elder Butler, so it might be a little off. But it works for me.)

Second, I'd like to ask a few questions: "as missionaries/members..."

-What are we to do?

-Who are we like?

-When did we become? (pertaining to the first 2 questions)

-Why did we choose?

And third, starts with a scripture in Alma 29:4-5. Another question, with my answer.

-Do we desire Good or Evil? Why do we desire Good?

-Answer: Yes, remember the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. He died so you and everyone you teach will and can live with our Father in Heaven. Salvation does not come cheap! It does not come easy, but it is essential. Jesus Christ was and is the only perfect missionary. It wasn’t easy for Him, so why would it be easy for you? "Press forward with steadfastness in Christ [and His Atonement]" That is the only way you will be able to fulfill your purpose as a disciple of Him.

3-12-12

Hey parents, so i got of things to talk about so hopefully O can do it quick...

First off, we had a great finding experience on Monday night. At the beginning of the transfer, we were invited to pray and ask heavenly father to have him put someone in our path that we could help come back to Christ. Monday night He did. Originally on Monday nights, we get picked up and go to a recent convert’s house to read the Book of Mormon with him and his family. But, he got stuck in traffic and thus we had to walk to our next appointment, which was in the other direction. So as we are walking through the high school parking lot (our members live behind the school) a small little dog pops out from behind a tree. It was limping and looked like it needed help. But we figured it's owner were right behind it so we didn’t stop. As we kept walking, a woman and her daughter came over and asked if us Elders could help with catching this dog. She wasn’t its owner but she thought it had gotten run over and it needed help. We tried to get it but we couldn’t catch it. But we did talk to her. It turns out that she was a less-active member, and hadn’t been back for a really long time. This statement was second by her daughter when she said "a really, really long time" (sounded a lot like Alyssa for a second). So taking this as an opportunity to help, we ended up setting up an appointment for the next night and went on our way.

    The next day we came over with one of our ward missionaries, we got to know them more, and learned a little about her past. Turns out she hadn’t gone to church since she was in young women’s. And now she has 2 unbaptized children, (14) (11) and a un-baptized boyfriend. So we invited them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, come to church, (and mutual for the kids) and take the missionary lessons. After the lesson, back in the car, we offered our thanks to Heavenly Father for Him putting someone in our path that we could help. And as we did i got a confirming blessing of the Spirit that this was indeed a heaven sent family. I loved that.

Also, we were able to meet and learn from none other than Russel M. Nelson!!!! We didn't know until Thursday or i would have told you last week. But, it was such an awesome experience. At the end of him speaking to us, he gave us an Apostolic blessing. These are some of the things he blessed us to:

1.      Come to love Jesus Christ and His Atonement for us.
2.      Be a true disciple.
3.      Feast upon the word and always apply those teachings in your lives.
4.      Have health, strength and safety on your missions.
5.      Continue in a lifetime of service to the Lord
6.      Love your families and bear testimony to them to bring them closer together.
7.      Have a shield of protection and to avoid accident and injury.
8.      Be a force for good.
9.      Be completely obedient.
10.  Know God lives.
11.  Finally, he blessed you with his testimony as a special witness of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Again, I was very happy and privileged to sit at the feet of a apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and I am so very grateful for all i have been able to experience here on my mission. I love you all and hope you have a great week.

2-27-12

Stake Priesthood meeting yesterday, it was an exciting experience to see and feel all the Priesthood in the chapel. We sung "Behold a Royal Army" and when we started you could use a knife to cut through the air. The Spirit was so strong, and it confirmed to me that this is God's royal army, and that He has given man the Authority to use His power on the earth again. And i love it. i love you all and hope you have a great week.

2-21-12

Hey you guys,
these past couple weeks I've really been focusing on staying obedient to the white handbook. It definitely helps me understand how important this work really is. But, as i was reflecting on my past year and the things I have done so far, i came to a conclusion. And i feel that this scripture in Mosiah 3:19 helps illustrate this, along with D&C 20:30-31.

When we listen to the natural man, and justify our wrongs, we un-sanctify ourselves and loose our connection with the Spirit. But, when we follow the counsel of King Benjamin and become a saint through the Atonement of Christ, "...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Then do we become sanctified through Christ's Atonement, and then are we able to see miracles in our work.

I feel like M and her two daughters are a great example of this. Many times throughout their conversion process was there complications. But, they knew what was at the end of the road, and they wanted it, so they pressed forward. It was a great experience being able to see them get baptized and to have them enter into this wonderful gospel. It really is a marvelous work and a wonder. And I can understand why our Heavenly Father's greatest glory is to see His children make such righteous choices. And i love it. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Till we meet again...

Elder Butler

2-13-12

So sorry for the short email, but we did have a great experience this week. First off, M and A did pass their interview, and they are set to be baptized this Saturday. Also, transfer calls are this week too. So, I'll have that info as well next week. But back to M. I don’t know if I mentioned this, but she had some past mishaps that required her to be interviewed by the 2nd Counselor in the mission presidency. So when ever that happens, we always have extra anxiety. But she passed. When she came out of the room, she was in tears. It took her a little time to regroup, but after she did, she shared why she was so emotional. The thing that got to her was that she had been carrying the load of that past transgression for 21 years. But now that she has been passed for baptism, she’ll never have to worry about it ever again. She's free of all of the weight that would bring her down, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To me, it was one of the best experiences of my mission to date. I love the Savior, and I'm eternally in debt for His sacrifice. I hope that in my last year for this mission, i will be able to have many more instances like this one. I love you, and wish you all a wonderful week.

Well, it finally happen.  They got baptized the weekend before Elder Butler was transferred to Richland, CA

My District with Elder B, S, M

End of Jan 1-30-2012

Hey guys,

I had a really good week. Zone Conference, my first district meeting, baptism news, I read a really good book, temple, and I busted my ankle.

So first of all, Michelle D and her daughter A will be baptized on the 18th of February. I will perform the baptism of Michelle and E. B will baptize A. This is such a great example of how when we do what we're commanded, God will lead us to those that have been prepared.

Zone Conference was awesome as well. I got to lead the music there, which was pretty nerve racking, Sister Greer didn’t tell me until opening exercises. But I got through it. We also sung a special musical number, the song was called "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." It was so nice, we sung it as the closing hymn also. Ha ha. But the reason I love Zone Conference so much is because I get to be with all these other great missionaries. And I get to feel of their spirit and build my testimony from it.

And District Meeting was fun. We had a training on the Importance of the Book of Mormon. We read it straight from Preach My Gospel. Then we watched the talk given by Jefferey R. Holland titled "Safety for the Soul." It is one of the best talks ever given on the Book of Mormon. I love it and would invite you to read and study it.

I read The Christmas Sweater. It's a book by Glenn Beck, I really liked it. If you have a chance, read it.

I finally got to go to the Portland Temple, we did a endowment session. It was raining, so we didn’t get that many pictures but I have some.

Oh and last but not least, I messed up my ankle. We have a lot of apartments in our area and I was walking down a flight when I tripped down them. There were a lot of shoes, so as I tried to dodge them, I also missed the step. So down I went. But it's on the mend, and I'll be more careful when walking down stairs.

Anyways I hope you have a great week.

Till we meet again.

Elder Butler

Transfered to Vancouver, WA

I'm in the Vancouver 3rd ward, serving in the Vancouver West Stake. I serve with Elder B, he came out with my last greenie, who is training now. Elder B is a basketball junky. He and I talk so much about it. He's from Linden Utah, and hopes to go back and play for UVU. We live with the Christensen family. He's a former mission president (Halfax Canada Mission) he also went back and served as a temple pres. But he's now the ward mission leader and has the ward really pushing for missionary work. We don't have a car, which bites because I have no good rain jacket. I'll probably go get one at Ross at the beginning of the month. The ward is awesome, we have great families, and they are all so willing to do missionary work. This is the 1st time I've seen the Focus 5 Family list at full work. It's awesome to have good support.

Being district leader rocks! I have one other companionship in mine. The weird thing is, that I'm the oldest in the group. One of the other two missionaries came out with Elder B, and the other is just 2 transfers older than him. I just had my first district meeting yesterday and it was fun. It really was just fun. I love teaching, and when I get to do it with the Spirit, it makes it so much easier.

  

Oh and for the more serious side of it this was a dialog we had with one of our investigators last Thursday. Her name is Michelle D, she has 2 daughters A and K. She met with missionaries in Alaska but nothing ever happened. But WE knocked her door my first week and this went down last Thursday. This was one of the most intense moments of my mission. It was just too good to be true. 

Us: "Hey Michelle how are you guys?"

Michelle:" Hey we are doing okay... struggling a bit... How are you guys"

Us:"Good"

Michelle:"That is good. We are doing okay...struggling with some things"

Us:"What’s wrong?"

Michelle:"Oh everyday life and trials, can't catch up financially, so

I'm stressed, but I keep trying to stay positive"

Us:"That’s half the battle, how are the girls?"

Michelle:"Yes I know it's not easy, girls are doing okay. A is trying my patience this week"

Us:"Ha ha it'll happen. Plus, it'll make the quiet moments that much more enjoyable. Have you been able to read any of the Book of Mormon?"

Michelle:"yes a little not much as I would like to"

Us:"Anything stick out? How did you like it?

Michelle:"I like it... yes a few things about knowing this is real."

Michelle:"That video opened my eyes and answered questions I’ve had for a long time"

Us:" Great, have you prayed and asked God if these things are true?

Michelle:"Yes I did that night"

Michelle:"I knew they were true. It’s always something I knew, just willing to accept now and understand"

Us:"That’s great to hear, I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith was God's chosen prophet and that he has restored the fullness of His gospel back onto the earth. And I know that He loves us and wants us all to return back to Him. And we can do that by keeping His commandments."

Michelle:"Yes that is so true. I think I know why I was meant to be here and that was to help people. I am not sure how but I know that is my path and reason."

Us:"Michelle by knowing that these things are true will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God?"

Michelle:"Yes, we will talk more Saturday."

Ha ha! I love being on my mission. Take care guys.

Elder Butler

Update from 1-9-2012 thru 12-12-2011

Dear Family and Friends:

It was so great to speak to Taft (Elder Butler) via Skype on Christmas day.  He is doing great.  He’s happy and loving the mission experience, especially the people.

Here are some of his emails from Dec and Jan.  I hope you enjoy them.

1-9-2012

Hey so I'm shipping out. Just found out that I'm going to Vancouver 3rd ward(on the other side of the mission-about 2 hours from where he has been serving). I'm going to be greenie busting and district leader as well. I can't wait. (We also found out that he will be biking it again.)

On Sunday I got to confirm Andrew, the little boy we baptized last week. He would've gotten confirmed last week but they forgot about the time change because of the New Year. We went from 1pm to 9am. So they got caught off guard. But, they came yesterday, and i got to confirm him :) As i said the words"...receive the Holy Ghost." I felt this incredible rush of the Spirit. It was one of the most un-forgettable instances of my mission. As i pronounced the blessing, the Spirit would continue to remind me how important this boy was. He's had a lot of "hard" moments in his life. But, he has been such a great example of hope and optimism. I was grateful to have taken part in such a wonderful experience. I hope you guys all have a wonderful week. I love you and take care.
Till we meet again...
Elder Butler

12-19-2011

Hey thanks for the money, and yes i did get the presents. Can't wait to open them. If there is a tie, can i wear it to the Christmas zone conference on Wednesday??? I know it'll be before but it's just one present. Anyways I'll be skyping @ 2:30 pm Christmas day. So i hope that can work, if not then we can try a different time. Sadly i didn't get presents for you or dad. But, i do have presents for the 3 kids. They're in the box i sent home. There's a white watch, a carnigan sweater, 3 CD's, and a camera. The watch and sweater are for Kimball, the CD's are for Alyssa, and the camera is for joseph. I was hoping you could wrap them for them and they could open them when we skype. I'd like to add that there is a sweater and also a nylon jacket. The jacket and everything else in the box stays mine. Those things are things i'd rather not have them have. There's a pair of headphones that i found in the appartment (probably from the last missionaries), a pair of nike shoes ( i had those given to me for my birthday by Pedro the kid i baptized), and the jacket i had before i left but Kimball doesn't need it. If you could wrap those things i would be very thankful. If not then we can just give them to them on Christmas. I love you mom thanks for all that you do. Take Care

Elder Butler

12-12-2011

Read this : Mark 9: 14-27

This last week has been full of fun and packed with great experiences. I want to talk about one specifically though. A little background information first though. About 2 months ago, when Elder La Rue and i were first put together. We were tracting, and one day as we turned a corner to go down a street we met a woman standing outside, with her 18 month old son, smoking. Just standing outside, talking with a one of her friends. We, being missionaries indulged ourselves and talked with her. As we talked with her , and i say only her because her friend walked right inside the house once we came around the corner :(. As we talked with her, we got to know a little bit about her. Her name was Tasha, she played football in High school, she has 14 siblings, etc. So we talked with her, gave her a book of Mormon, and went on her merry way. And till now we've been going over on and off teaching her about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. We also later found out that she was great friends with our ward mission leader, Rob Bready. And as we kept teaching her, she would come up with questions, then we'd answer them, and then she's go study more of it. Long story short, she texted us on Saturday and had some pretty heavy questions about faith. So we had a sit down with her at Bro Bready's house and taught her a little more about faith and how "faith without works is dead." She accepted, and figured she'd go and study a little more on the subject.

Then, yesterday in ward council, she texted us. She had told her dad about what she was doing with the missionaries and that she was going to church with the Mormons. Her dad had grown up in small town Idaho, and had a couple bad experiences with Mormons. So you can imagine how concerned her dad was when he found out that she was meeting with us. And yes He was mad, He flipped, and basically warned her that if she went to church with us, he would disown her. This was definitely not what we wanted. So we went to resolve the concern. We took with us the Young Men's president from the ward, Les Evans. He had had the same experience when he joined the church.

When we got to Tasha's house, she was already waiting for us. It was definitely inspired to bring Pres Evans. He bore strong testimony of what God's eternal plan was for all of us. And how much influence She will have on her family, if she follows what God tells her to do. Sadly he had to leave for a Priesthood meeting, but we stayed a little bit longer. And we continued to talk with her and help her through the situation. We all thought it was funny how she had had questions on faith, and how she could make it stronger. Then God in his miraculous timing throws up this road block in her way, resulting in her having to exercising the most faith she probably has ever had to use. I love God's Irony.

As we continued to help Tasha, i received the prompting to share the story listed up at the beginning of this email. As I rehearsed the experience, the Spirit came upon me very strongly. It's funny because it's doing the same thing right now, even as i write this email. You should have seen Tasha, it was obvious she was feeling the Spirit. Needless to say, she came to church. And wholly acting on faith. BTW, Her Dad to my knowledge still hasn't talked to her. The sacrament meeting talks were self molded for her. They were on Joseph Smith and the First Vision, and faith in Jesus Christ. She loved church. I'm grateful for Tasha's faith, and the desire she has to make her life better, even if this results in her parents leaving her. I hope i will have that same type of faith when God calls me to use it. I know that He loves all of us, and that
He does know best. I know as we have faith in God's commandments, and hearken unto the Holy Ghost, we will be blessed. I know this to be true because I have felt His love, and seen the blessings. I love you all.

Till We Meet Again...
Elder Butler