Week 29 - Houston, We Gotta Problem

Hey everyone, hows is goin. First off , I titled this email what I did partly because I love Htown, but also because I we may actually got a problem. Let me tell you about my problems:

Well this change has been quite a tiring one. I have been in my first area in Honduras for 6 Months, and let me tell you, that's a long time. I only lived in Utah for 10 Months and I lived in Houston for about 19 years and a few months, so 6 months to be in one area just for me is pretty long. WELL, This last Friday I asked my mission president permission to stay in my area for 6 weeks longer. 

Afterwards I sat down and meditated about why I would do that. I'm tired, my leaders kinda bug me, there's a lot of hard things about my area. There are 2 things that I have come to an conclusion: One, I love the people, and We are about to have a bunch of success; Two, I think I just don't like change. I never have. When I was little and my parents would change the TV provider, I would have a fit. Just the thought of having to pack my bag, get to know new people new comps, I'm honestly comfortable where I'm at! I actually enjoy my area despite the difficulties. I have honestly noticed a love that I have grown for the people here. It hurts when I'm let down, but it brings indescribable joy to see other people find Christ. That is why I am here serving this mission, that's why im spending 2 years in a foreign country, to help others find the joy that I have found through the light of Christ and this gospel.

Well there's a spiritual message right there, but for real I am pretty nervous about myself in the future with this struggle I have with change LOL. I don't know what's gonna happen when like my future wife decides to switch from whole milk to skim milk, I'm gonna snap or something. 

This week we have plans to baptize 3 people and 2 more the next week. For the first time In a long time, I feel like we have found some "escogidos", or chosen people. One of them is a kid I have known for months, named Elbin, but we call him " Choki". I went a while without teaching, just thinking, nahhh hes not interested. Well one day I just invited him to church. He accepted, like all people do, but he actually came. I was like hmmmm interesting. Well this kid came to church again, follows us to lessons, went to baptisms that happened in another area yesterday. Its crazy, but God is good.

Also I attached some pictures of a carnival that came to Ciudad Espana, but its the most sketch thing I have ever seen. I might be hitting up the ferris wheel, so pray that I don't somehow die.

Here's something my mom sent me that I wanted to share with you guys. Love you all

"Elder Renlund and his wife talked on how to deal with doubts.  They used the allegory of someone who falls out of a boat in an ocean and is all alone and struggling to unsuccessfully to get to the shore.   A lone fisherman in a small boat sees him and comes up to him and pulls him in his boat and gives him water and crackers.  At first the water and crackers seemed like heaven and were so satisfying.  But then, the boy realizes that the water tastes bitter and the crackers were stale and plain and wishes he had better drink/food.  Then he looks around and sees the boat is old, paint faded, the fisherman isn't that well kept or great looking.  The boy decided the boat/food wasn't good enough so jumps out and probably drowns.   They likened this to someone who comes into the church and at first everything seems great, then they look around and start seeing faults with  with leaders, see imperfections with other members, and dwell on their doubts instead of concentrating and building upon their faith.etc.    They spent the rest of their talk describing difference between doubt and faith.  The two cannot exist at the same time within us. One or the other at a time.  Questions and research (at appropriate avenues ie, not non-lds stuff)  are good and can help our faith grow, but having a doubt (negative) and seeking to prove our doubts with whatever we can dig up just feed the doubts."     

Elder Butler