"This Week has been Weird"

Dear friends and family,

This week has been weird, and its had its ups and downs. Sunday, I had my appendix taken out.

So Saturday night we had dinner at a member’s house. During and after the dinner my stomach was hurting.  So we came in early and I tried to sleep it off. But, after not being able to sleep for a couple hours I said a prayer. In the prayer I asked Heavenly Father to help me get through the night so I would be able to rest up for Monday. Sadly once I closed the prayer I had a strong urge to through up. So I did. After doing so I could sleep, but only in small bursts. So the next morning, I woke up and threw up again. this time it was just dry heaves.( cause I threw up my whole stomach the first time.) So I called Sister Greer and told her what had been going on. After speaking with the mission doctor we concluded that my appendix might be in question. So our host members rushed me to the hospital. So long story short I got my appendix taken out on Mother’s day. hahaha. But, I'm doing fine, if it wasn't for the 9 staples in my stomach i might be playing b-ball today :)

Yesterday we had a specialized training.  We missed the first session with the rest of our zone cause Sister Greer made me sleep in. Plus president told the whole mission during the first session about what had happened to me, so once we got to the church building everyone already knew about it. But, at the training we watched a talk by Elder Jefferey R. Holland which he gave at the MTC in Jan '11 so. He talked about the blessing we have as missionaries to serve a mission and how we need to be converted to the Gospel before we can teach it. The main line was the question "Do you love me?" I'm sure you all know where that question can be found. Jesus asked Peter that exact same question. And after answering him yes 3 times, Christ said "feed my sheep"

As missionaries we need to Love the Lord. And feeding his sheep is how we can do that. But, the only way we can do that is by being converted to the gospel ourselves. And we do that by planning better, studying better, and being strictly obedient to the commandments given to us. So, when we do that we can become the best teacher God wants us to be. "And when we "feed his sheep" with a testimony of the truthfulness of His gospel we can bring people into the fold of the good Sheppard." I pray and hope to be able to teach to the potential my Heavenly Father has for me. And, I know that when I plan, study, and obey, I will be able to.

I love you guys and thank you for all your prayers.

Elder Butler

Mother's Day Call from the ER

Today while in church we received two phone calls and one text message.  After reading the text we realized that Taft's mission president was trying to contact us.
Taft was in the ER because of abdominal pain.  After tests and consults results showed his appendix needed to be removed.  When we called he was waiting to go into surgery.  He wished me Happy Mother's, said he will be going home later tonight and then wanted to know about his cousins Josh and Gil. I told him Josh received his call to San Deigo, CA ASL June 1 report date.  Taft was excited.

After he went into surgery Sister Greer called me back.  He got sick the night before after eating a member's house and had Costco hot dogs.  He became really sick and couldn't keep anything including water down. Then he called Sister Greer Sunday morning and after discussion with medical professionals he was told to go to the ER.

President and Sister Greer, Bro and Sis. Richardson (where they live) and all of the missionaries from his Zone came to the hospital.  After about 1 hour he came out of surgery and 1 hour later Taft called and talked with me again when he was admitted to the hospital.  The doctors said he would be able to come home later.

Sister Greer said he could call and Skype us later in the week. 

So grateful the Lord has a watchful eye on his missionaries.  I know that because the Lord is in control that Elder Butler will heal fast and will soon be walking and talking with people about the gospel.  He is doing what he loves and he will not let something like this stop him from his work.

May 3, 2011

Hey, so we finally had the baptism. We baptized a Mom and her 11 year old daughter. I'll send you some pics. We had a really fun time and it was very spiritual. Regarding the package, just send it to my house I'm here for another 6 weeks :). Also I'm wondering if you'll be putting that money in my account. I need it for some small office supplies and such.

The week has gone by kinda fast. We have been teaching a lot of the same people, except for last night. We were referred by the bishop to come teach their neighbor's. And now we have some new investigators :) But it's just crazy to think that the first 2 months are gone. I'm getting to see what they meant by the mission goes by so fast ha ha. But, I've started writing in my journal now so i can look back on the past. Any way I cant wait to Skype you.
Love YOU,
Elder Butler

April 22, 2011

Received letter by snail mail.  It was great.  Here's what he said.

Got your package for Easter.
They live in the home of a family in their ward, the Richardson's.  Not related to our family. He got Aunt Sue's letter and pictures she sent.  He was very happy to receive them.

In his letter to Alyssa he told her that he hurt his hand playing basketball but she was not to tell us, mom and dad.  But he later told us that he didn't break his hand but it still hurts.

He is in a car area but sometimes use their bikes to keep their miles down.

We have a baptism scheduled for a mother and daughter.

President Greer talked to us about keeping a journal and so I have started doing so.  Journals are like our own personal Golden Plates.  Someday our own kids may read them to help them.

Happy Easter, Elder Butler

Two Weeks of Emails

April 11, 2011

Hi:
We had zone conference yesterday, so p-day was on Wednesday this week. We have a bbq planned later today, then we'll play bball also. (most of the missionaries aren't very good haha)
We've been teaching a couple new families this last week and we're hoping to get them on date for baptism soon :) we have a baptism this Saturday planned for the guys I talked about a couple weeks ago he's really excited to finally get it done. I guess his parents didn’t want him to at first but now they are fine with it.
I hope you guys have a fun Easter :) take care

April 4, 2011

Hey Dad,
That's way cool about the woman wanting to get baptized. I hope all is going well at home, Alyssa says that you guys are doing some legit landscaping haha I'm glad i don't have to help with that. Anyways, Conference was great, i really like elder Oak's talk about priorities, it really stuck out to me regarding missionary work. He said "priorities dictate decisions, decisions dictate choices, and choices make us who we are." i just really liked that a lot. we had a less active bring her kids and mother with her to the last session of conference, it was a really good learning experience for them. The mom seemed to really like the talks, we have a return appointment with her this week. It’s a tough area, i think we are teaching 6 single moms right now, but they seem to be really determined to learn about the gospel. Thank you so much for the email, I'm probably gonna write the siblings this week so could you tell them that for me??? LOVE YOU GUYS

Elder Butler

My house address is:

 4607 Hilltop Drive, Pasco WA 99301

April 4, 2011

Hey Mom,

I took out money is for the bike I bought from a missionary. It was originally 500 but the guy's gonna leave it here when he goes home, and the church will sell it for more and he really doesn't care so I bought it I’ll send some pics of it later.
I'm trying to make smart choices in what I buy, luckily there's a super Wal-Mart here so I don't spend much on things. The sheets are great as well, I really like them, my companion's are quite jealous.
Conference was great, I really liked priesthood session. President Monson was really funny when he spoke, same with President Uctdorff. They really are inspired men, with a sacred calling. Which talk stuck out to you??? I want to look over the talks and cross reference them and stuff.
Anyways thank you so much for writing me, I Love hearing from you. Take Care.
Love,
Elder Butler

March 29, 2011 - PASCO, Washington

Hey guys,

I’m doing great here. Right now I’m in Pasco. I serve in the Pasco 2nd and 4th wards in the Pasco stake. My comps name is Elder Salmon, he’s from Willard, Utah.  I have my first baptism next week. He's a tennis player named Marco, he's 18 and has a strong conviction to the gospel. He seems so willing to do what the lord wants him to do.

The 2 wards I’m serving in are great also. They just split the Stake so everyone is getting used to each other. My companion and I are the first missionaries to serve here so we are all in the same boat. My mission president has asked us to make sure we are diligent in our work. When we follow the lords will we can be blessed in ways we never would have imagined.

I love it here in Wazu. I can’t wait to hear from you guys, thanks for the emails. Please keep missionary work in your prayers. Love you

Elder Butler

President and Sister Greer

Leonard Dare Greer, 55, and Julie Neville Greer, four children, Washington Kennewick Mission, Gilbert 6th Ward, Gilbert Arizona Highland Stake. Brother Greer serves as a stake president and is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop and counselor, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission. Attorney/Shareholder, Raymond, Greer & Sassaman, P.C. Born in Mesa, Ariz., to Menlo Dare and Barbara Fernanda Turley Greer.
Sister Greer serves as the stake music chairman and has formerly served as a ward Relief Society president, Young Women adviser, stake and ward Primary music leader and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Rapid City, S.D., to Robert Taylor and Maxine Burton Neville.
(From the Church News)