Well, the Month of April has come to an end, and for the last 3 days I have completely ducked, dodged and dived just about every person who has tried to spoil the new avengers game for me. I only have 13 months and some change to continue.... pray for me.
We had 16 in Church this week and a handful of little kids, and fit like 22 into one van, so that was wild. We also played a version of pong today for pday, but with cups of coke and a bunch of hot'suace and avengers cups. It was horrible, but funny.
I'm Happy.
This week was a reallly really successful one. As some of you may know, my chemistry in teaching and working with my last comp was not my best, but I persevered to the end and God has blessed me tremendously. I love my comp, and we are a workin´ like donkeys, and takin names. Literal names. In the month of May, we have baptisms for people planned every weekend, for a total of 8. I have joked with Elder Austin that God just decided to throw all of these people in our path like darts, because I seems like almost literally everything has just fallen into place in the blink of a eye. We have 2 full families of 3 each, and 2 separate people, and it is awesome that I have seen most of these people start out with such a small faith, but a true sincere desire to follow Christ. Seeing this change and growth has really allowed me to appreciate the blessings in my life and has helped my testimony grow in this gospel. The gospel is the key to our happiness, and I have really learned that a lot here on my mission. You don't need a great or large testimony, or stockpiles of faith, all that is required is a desire to belief, and a desire to change our path for something better. I testify that if we are lost or confused, if we turn to God he can help us in ways unimaginable.
Short, but what I wanted to share this week. Love you all, always feel free to send me a quick shout out or update in your life, I would love to hear from y'all.
Peace my dudes,
Elder Butler
Monday, April 29, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Week 43 - Diarrheas since Easters
HAPPY EASTERS!!!!!! Hey there everyone, this week was pretty great. Shout out to the rockets for being awesome, there's literally nothing I love more than jazz fans crying.
One exciting thing about this week was on Tuesday I received a new comp, POR FIN!! He is pretty awesome, another gringo from Brigham City Utah named Elder Austin. Pretty dope guy and we get along super well! Not only that, but he knows how to work hard, and just in this week I have learned a ton and have been more motivated since my last comp was dead and was always a fight to get him to want to work hard. To say the least I'm thankful and relieved.
This week was Semana Santa, or Holy Week here in Honduras. Supposedly it’s a religious week, but the truth everyone just uses it for vacation. On Thursday and Friday just about every business, including buses and taxis, and restaurants, and just pretty much everything shuts down and everyone goes to the Beach. Then on Easter Sunday, all of the businesses open back up and get to working. Very ironical and hypocritical but oh well.
Because it was semana santa, EVERYONE was gone, which also meant the members that usually gave us food, and the restaurants too, and all the places to buy snacks at, LITERALLY NOTHING.. well almost nothing, but God decided to bless us with one Restaurant called Entre AMigos, and its the dopest place I have found in all of Honduras, and the food was dank. We had to go eat there 3 days in a row due to the lack of other options, but we are loyal customers now. (They sell Ribeye steaks, for only 10 bucks but that's expensive here so if anyone wants to donate to the cause, y'all can hit up Marjorie-butler on Venmo, love you guys)
This week we decide to start running like 2 miles every other day, so I'm pumped about getting into running shape again. My calves have been sore but it gives a sense of pride I guess. I'm also super excited and sad about the new avengers movie, just 14 more months and I can see it ;)
The truth is I ran out of time this week and lost my thought process on my letter, so next week Ill make it better. Just wanna let you guys know that I love each and every one of you, and I think about most of the 100 and something people that I send this letter too believe it or not. If you ever need a prayer, let me know and Ill put you in my thoughts. Also if you ever have a funny memory together that you would like to share, send it over to me, I love remembering funny times! Love you all, don't forget to pray!
Elder Butler
Monday, April 15, 2019
Week 42 - Jenny
Hey people, I would like to start off today by laughing at all the Jazz fans and their 32 point loss, maybe in a few buddies. Gosh do I love my city, Go Rockets. Also shout out to T-Woods??! Crazy, never thought that dude would ever come back, and now I'm really hoping Gatorade brings back their Tiger Woods brand Gatorade with the tiger flavors. Exciting stuff coming up guys.
Well this week was neither the most exciting or boring, but I feel like there are some things I can try and squeeze out in this email for the few but loyal readers, love my fans, y'all stay groovy.
To start off, this week was my last week with my very-just-okay comp, Elder Clavijo, as I will be receiving a new comp tomorrow. I cant say that he will be sorely missed, but it was a good learning and humbling experience for me. Also the excessive amount of push-ups a day is starting to show too, so blessings blessing blessings right? Now we gotta look into who could be the lucky guy to come down to be my companion and accompany me in taking over Siguatepeque and baptizing the world? (lol I'm kidding), Well there are a few possibilities, but it wold be really sweet if my old comp from St. George, Elder Sullivan, comes to be my comp to end off his mission. We both have experience, hes a Rockets fan, and one of my favorite comps that I have, so it would be really fun! I will find out tonight at 9:30, whoever it is, is gonna here about the rockets a bunch.
Well right now Im gonna tell y'all about two people we are teaching. They are named Jenny, 42 and Alfonzo, 49. They live together in a dirt floor tiny room-house, and are super humble. Although they live together, they are just "companions", and have like a brother and sister relationship, and just live together for convenience. They have a strong testimony, but have some other processes they have to do before they can be baptized and confirmed members of the church, but I wanted to talk more about Jenny. Hermana Jenny is a hefty lady weighing in at a rough eye guess-timate of 280 pounds, with the facial hair of James Harden. Quite the sight I might add. Makes it really distracting sometimes, and what blows my mind is that she throws on lipstick and makeup ever week for church, but keeps the facial beard. I have wanted to donate a razor blade head so she could shave it, but I'm not 100%sure if I would offend her or not. Can't tell if the lady is just too poor, or enjoys scratching her chin hair while shes in deep thoughts. Either way I respect it, and we love Jenny haha!
This week we found a restaurant called "Tex-Mex" and of course I made the gringo that was with me on interchanges go with me to see if it was actually authentic or not. IT WAS GOOD! 100 Lemps for 4 tacos, which is like a dollar a taco, but they are authentic taco truck tacos, and the restaurant was actually really cool! I took a pic with the cactus shaped glass with my all natural strawberry juice that I got, all in all a 5 star experience in Honduras for sure.
I don't ever really have anything planned when I write these things, I just kinda go with whatever flows out of my fingers. Today I feel like I wanna express my gratitude to a ton of the people and blessings in my life:
I am so very grateful for my parents and all the sacrifices that they have made for me time and time again in my life. For driving me to practice everyday for my entire childhood, always letting me use the better car (or the car with more gas in it ;)). Too my mom who always had a glass of chocolate milk on the counter after fighting me out of bed to go to seminary every morning, and always making me food. Too my dad who always was willing to go out and practice with me, no matter the time or hour. 10 o clock at night in the Woodlands HS parking lot, in the scorching heat or blistering cold, early Saturday mornings or late nights after long days at work. My parents are the best
Shout out to my siblings, who are all very very different, but I love each and every one of you. Thanks for always making me laugh, and for surviving the John Butler 24 hour non stop hell ride to Utah countless times. #WEARESURVIVORS. Love y'all.
I am grateful to the friendships that I shared in high school, and all the people who were able to fill my life with memories that bring a smile to my face and my life. I love each and every one of you.
My best buddies in college, that have been in the business of respecting women since '98, love you guys and cant wait to live all together when we reunite in about a year.
My amazing friends from church, the majority being older than me, but always were great examples for me, and always excepted me despite my young age. I owe everything to y'all and more. real role models.
My puppy, Reggie James Kyle Phillip Butler, who's just a little guy. Don't know What Id do without my best friend, and miss him more than my family for sure.
My best, and forever life long friend Brody Koerner, who meant more to me and my growing up than just about anyone. Taught me how a friend should be, never thought of himself, and always had my back no matter what. I am grateful and honored to have had a friend like him, and have no doubt in my mind that he is always with me, and that we will see each other again. Love ya buddy.
Grateful for hot showers for the first time in like 10 months, cold bucket showers have been hard haha
I'm grateful with my God that I have the opportunity to put my life on hold for two years and loose myself in the service of others. Definitely not easy, but its probably the best thing I could be doing with my life, and has helped me grow in many ways.
I'm grateful for my God for putting each and every one of you in my life, and for never leaving me or giving up, and always putting the people that I needed in my life! If you feel like life is hard, try and focus on on the blessings and people God has put in your life. There are no coincidences, God has a plan for everything, and I am a witness and testament to that. Love y'all and stay safe people
Elder Butler
Pics:
1.Tex Mex baby
2. My weird district
3. Somehow, I BEAT TETRIS on my Nokia phone :)
Well this week was neither the most exciting or boring, but I feel like there are some things I can try and squeeze out in this email for the few but loyal readers, love my fans, y'all stay groovy.
To start off, this week was my last week with my very-just-okay comp, Elder Clavijo, as I will be receiving a new comp tomorrow. I cant say that he will be sorely missed, but it was a good learning and humbling experience for me. Also the excessive amount of push-ups a day is starting to show too, so blessings blessing blessings right? Now we gotta look into who could be the lucky guy to come down to be my companion and accompany me in taking over Siguatepeque and baptizing the world? (lol I'm kidding), Well there are a few possibilities, but it wold be really sweet if my old comp from St. George, Elder Sullivan, comes to be my comp to end off his mission. We both have experience, hes a Rockets fan, and one of my favorite comps that I have, so it would be really fun! I will find out tonight at 9:30, whoever it is, is gonna here about the rockets a bunch.
Well right now Im gonna tell y'all about two people we are teaching. They are named Jenny, 42 and Alfonzo, 49. They live together in a dirt floor tiny room-house, and are super humble. Although they live together, they are just "companions", and have like a brother and sister relationship, and just live together for convenience. They have a strong testimony, but have some other processes they have to do before they can be baptized and confirmed members of the church, but I wanted to talk more about Jenny. Hermana Jenny is a hefty lady weighing in at a rough eye guess-timate of 280 pounds, with the facial hair of James Harden. Quite the sight I might add. Makes it really distracting sometimes, and what blows my mind is that she throws on lipstick and makeup ever week for church, but keeps the facial beard. I have wanted to donate a razor blade head so she could shave it, but I'm not 100%sure if I would offend her or not. Can't tell if the lady is just too poor, or enjoys scratching her chin hair while shes in deep thoughts. Either way I respect it, and we love Jenny haha!
This week we found a restaurant called "Tex-Mex" and of course I made the gringo that was with me on interchanges go with me to see if it was actually authentic or not. IT WAS GOOD! 100 Lemps for 4 tacos, which is like a dollar a taco, but they are authentic taco truck tacos, and the restaurant was actually really cool! I took a pic with the cactus shaped glass with my all natural strawberry juice that I got, all in all a 5 star experience in Honduras for sure.
I don't ever really have anything planned when I write these things, I just kinda go with whatever flows out of my fingers. Today I feel like I wanna express my gratitude to a ton of the people and blessings in my life:
I am so very grateful for my parents and all the sacrifices that they have made for me time and time again in my life. For driving me to practice everyday for my entire childhood, always letting me use the better car (or the car with more gas in it ;)). Too my mom who always had a glass of chocolate milk on the counter after fighting me out of bed to go to seminary every morning, and always making me food. Too my dad who always was willing to go out and practice with me, no matter the time or hour. 10 o clock at night in the Woodlands HS parking lot, in the scorching heat or blistering cold, early Saturday mornings or late nights after long days at work. My parents are the best
Shout out to my siblings, who are all very very different, but I love each and every one of you. Thanks for always making me laugh, and for surviving the John Butler 24 hour non stop hell ride to Utah countless times. #WEARESURVIVORS. Love y'all.
I am grateful to the friendships that I shared in high school, and all the people who were able to fill my life with memories that bring a smile to my face and my life. I love each and every one of you.
My best buddies in college, that have been in the business of respecting women since '98, love you guys and cant wait to live all together when we reunite in about a year.
My amazing friends from church, the majority being older than me, but always were great examples for me, and always excepted me despite my young age. I owe everything to y'all and more. real role models.
My puppy, Reggie James Kyle Phillip Butler, who's just a little guy. Don't know What Id do without my best friend, and miss him more than my family for sure.
My best, and forever life long friend Brody Koerner, who meant more to me and my growing up than just about anyone. Taught me how a friend should be, never thought of himself, and always had my back no matter what. I am grateful and honored to have had a friend like him, and have no doubt in my mind that he is always with me, and that we will see each other again. Love ya buddy.
Grateful for hot showers for the first time in like 10 months, cold bucket showers have been hard haha
I'm grateful with my God that I have the opportunity to put my life on hold for two years and loose myself in the service of others. Definitely not easy, but its probably the best thing I could be doing with my life, and has helped me grow in many ways.
I'm grateful for my God for putting each and every one of you in my life, and for never leaving me or giving up, and always putting the people that I needed in my life! If you feel like life is hard, try and focus on on the blessings and people God has put in your life. There are no coincidences, God has a plan for everything, and I am a witness and testament to that. Love y'all and stay safe people
Elder Butler
Pics:
1.Tex Mex baby
2. My weird district
3. Somehow, I BEAT TETRIS on my Nokia phone :)
Monday, April 8, 2019
Week 41 - Santificaras las fiestas
1. We are never too far off the path. No one is ever too far gone to come back. Christ already paid the price for us, and just wants us to come to him and choose to follow him.
2. Small and Simple are the most Powerful. A small and simple testimony of Christ sometimes is best.
3. We need to continually grow our faith in Christ, it is a living organism. Doesn't matter how small it starts out, it can grow to be large.
4. To do this, We MUST ask God for help to continually grow in our faith.
5.We must view things through a perceptive of FAITH not doubt.
6. Sometimes we must proceed with trust. God will not let us proceed too far if it is incorrect. Trust the promptings of the spirit when you receive them.
Those are only a few notes I liked, but there are so much more!
We had to go on a 3 hour bus ride to Tegucigalpa for a leaders meeting, and ended up staying an extra day at the house of the secretaries, with was a chill party. This week I found a place that had the 10 commandments painted outside. I thought it was normal, but as I looked at number 3 it said "Santificaras las fiestas". Whereas normally where it would've said God Sanctified the Sabbath day, it translated to say "Sanctify the Parties". Well that's the good word I guess, we must all have messed up, but I guess God just wanted us to sanctify the parties. I'm GLAD we all got the confusion cleared up ;)
One thing I've noticed in my life, and just in case y'all don't know, is that I am. A. TALKER. Its a gift and a curse. I was always the friend that communicated with the parents of my friends whenever we were young in the cars and we had girls with us to avoid the awkward silence, and can make a friend in minutes. But sometimes, even I realize I talk too much. Well I've made it a personal goal to learn and listen a lot more. Listen with my ears and my heart. I am very much that same Steve that all of you remember, and also very different, but in a good way. I'm still fun, but in the first time since I was 14, I don't feel like I'm only 14 years old. Crazy right haha? That's good because I'm comin up on 21 in a few months and that;s wild. I feel like my patience and ability to listen has improved tremendously, and with that I can become a better person to love, listen, and care for the people I teach at a higher capacity than I could've 3 years ago.
I can look back at the crazy 18 year old I was a few years ago, and see a little Christlike version of myself, and honestly I'm happier than I could've ever imagined Id be, and I know without a doubt its because God hears and answers my prayers, and has never left me. I know these things to be true, I love you all and want you to know that.
If you ever have written me and I for some reason didn't respond, please forgive me and send me another and I promise to respond! Also I'm available to chat on google hangout if anyone is interested one day! Love you all!
Elder Butler
Pics:
1. The updated commandments: PARTY!
2. Texas- Houston Boys
3. My area
4. Rest in peace Don Chepe
Monday, April 1, 2019
Week 40 Funny Encounters of Elder Butler
April 1, 2019
Whats up people. This week I'm just going to think of some funny stories that have happened and attach some pics along to it, so I hope that those of ya'll that read can enjoy it.
Last week I shared an experience about playing a game where I was chasing a chicken. It was the first time I have chased a chicken in my life, and it was disappointingly easy. It kinda hurt my image of rocky training his speed with catching a chicken in the streets to get faster, but it was so easy for me that I could do it blindfolded? Well I wanted to know if Rocky was a spoof, or if I just had a dumb chicken, so I have put it to the test. I have begun taking videos of me attempting catching some chickens that wander the streets, and I will admit I get a kick out of it. As missionaries we are representatives of Jesus Christ, but also we are still just young stupid guys and goof around sometimes.
On Sundays we have a huge moving truck with a massive truck bed, and we have a member drive us to pick up all of our investigators, and we picked up some random people on the way too! It was super funny, like we just said "Need a ride? Come with us to the church and after you'll be close to where you need to be!" and they saw it as a better idea than walking for like 3 miles to the center of the city. lol, pretty cool right?
The Story of the Two Drunk Dudes (this one is funny): Well here in Honduras, there are some very funny experiences and conversations that I've had conversing with drunk people. Its kinda just something inevitable, they are in the streets, and LOVE to talk with missionaries and ALWAYS love to talk about "the word" with us. I know 99% they will not remember anything nor understand, but its entertaining sometimes, and hey, aren't we are children of God?
In the States, drinking is something that everyone does, but here in Honduras it is a very fine line. There are the drunk-sleeping in the street- beat the wife for coming home to tuna casserole type of drunk people, and there are the people that don't drink at all. Partly because its expensive and they don't have the money, but also because they see all the drunks in the streets and don't wanna drink haha lol.
Well me and my comp were waiting for a bus one day just chilling and we noticed two drunks across the street. Being just wasted at like 2 in the afternoon, they seemed to be homeless and have one bottle between the two. One of them asked for it, but the other one told him "no we need to save it" and preceded to put it in his pants to avoid the temptation of using what they had worked for quickly. They struggled and took a seat on the ground, and sleepiness fell upon one of them. Well, the other one saw the opportunity, and snuck away while the other one was sleeping and we presume because he didn't wanna share. It was a very entertaining experience to view for a few minutes, and we can learn that alcohol can make us greedy, and can ruin our lives too, but it was entertaining haha.
Yesterday we also saw another drunk dude grab a tarp, find a nice place on the ground and decide to take a nap. Funny and sad, but I have to say that sometimes when I'm tired I wanna do the same thing, so shout out to this guy I guess. These examples also help us teach kids not to drink because they don't wanna end up sleeping in the streets, hah, so I guess that helps.
Okay so I've realized that I've talked too much about drunk dudes, so ill tried to balance it with a spiritual thought. A quote from the President of our Church and living Prophet today, Russel M Nelson, says:
"Prayer is a key. Pray to know what to stop doing and what to start doing. Pray to know what to add to your environment and what to remove so the Spirit can be with you in abundance.
Plead with the Lord for the gift of discernment. Then live and work to be worthy to receive that gift so that when confusing events arise in the world, you will know exactly what is true and what is not.
Serve with love. Loving service to those who have lost their way or who are wounded in spirit opens your heart to personal revelation.
Spend more time—much more time—in places where the Spirit is present. That means more time with friends who are seeking to have the Spirit with them. Spend more time on your knees in prayer, more time in the scriptures, more time in family history work, more time in the temple. I promise you that as you consistently give the Lord a generous portion of your time, He will multiply the remainder.
Even though I have been a member all of my life, I am far from perfect and just about everyone of you know that to be true. I cant say I have been perfect in my life with prayer, and there was even a time where I found myself not praying or reading just because I was tired. I am a witness that God does hear and answer our prayers. He is there. The little things like praying daily is one of the most powerful things we can do in our lives. The only way we can grow our relationship with our friends is if we talk with them more. Obviously, the only way we can grow our relationship with God is through Prayer also. If we sacrifice only 3-4 minutes every night on our knees, sacrifice a portion of time to God, " He will multiply the remainder."
Love y'all, stay groovy
Elder Butler
Last week I shared an experience about playing a game where I was chasing a chicken. It was the first time I have chased a chicken in my life, and it was disappointingly easy. It kinda hurt my image of rocky training his speed with catching a chicken in the streets to get faster, but it was so easy for me that I could do it blindfolded? Well I wanted to know if Rocky was a spoof, or if I just had a dumb chicken, so I have put it to the test. I have begun taking videos of me attempting catching some chickens that wander the streets, and I will admit I get a kick out of it. As missionaries we are representatives of Jesus Christ, but also we are still just young stupid guys and goof around sometimes.
On Sundays we have a huge moving truck with a massive truck bed, and we have a member drive us to pick up all of our investigators, and we picked up some random people on the way too! It was super funny, like we just said "Need a ride? Come with us to the church and after you'll be close to where you need to be!" and they saw it as a better idea than walking for like 3 miles to the center of the city. lol, pretty cool right?
The Story of the Two Drunk Dudes (this one is funny): Well here in Honduras, there are some very funny experiences and conversations that I've had conversing with drunk people. Its kinda just something inevitable, they are in the streets, and LOVE to talk with missionaries and ALWAYS love to talk about "the word" with us. I know 99% they will not remember anything nor understand, but its entertaining sometimes, and hey, aren't we are children of God?
In the States, drinking is something that everyone does, but here in Honduras it is a very fine line. There are the drunk-sleeping in the street- beat the wife for coming home to tuna casserole type of drunk people, and there are the people that don't drink at all. Partly because its expensive and they don't have the money, but also because they see all the drunks in the streets and don't wanna drink haha lol.
Well me and my comp were waiting for a bus one day just chilling and we noticed two drunks across the street. Being just wasted at like 2 in the afternoon, they seemed to be homeless and have one bottle between the two. One of them asked for it, but the other one told him "no we need to save it" and preceded to put it in his pants to avoid the temptation of using what they had worked for quickly. They struggled and took a seat on the ground, and sleepiness fell upon one of them. Well, the other one saw the opportunity, and snuck away while the other one was sleeping and we presume because he didn't wanna share. It was a very entertaining experience to view for a few minutes, and we can learn that alcohol can make us greedy, and can ruin our lives too, but it was entertaining haha.
Yesterday we also saw another drunk dude grab a tarp, find a nice place on the ground and decide to take a nap. Funny and sad, but I have to say that sometimes when I'm tired I wanna do the same thing, so shout out to this guy I guess. These examples also help us teach kids not to drink because they don't wanna end up sleeping in the streets, hah, so I guess that helps.
Okay so I've realized that I've talked too much about drunk dudes, so ill tried to balance it with a spiritual thought. A quote from the President of our Church and living Prophet today, Russel M Nelson, says:
"Prayer is a key. Pray to know what to stop doing and what to start doing. Pray to know what to add to your environment and what to remove so the Spirit can be with you in abundance.
Plead with the Lord for the gift of discernment. Then live and work to be worthy to receive that gift so that when confusing events arise in the world, you will know exactly what is true and what is not.
Serve with love. Loving service to those who have lost their way or who are wounded in spirit opens your heart to personal revelation.
Spend more time—much more time—in places where the Spirit is present. That means more time with friends who are seeking to have the Spirit with them. Spend more time on your knees in prayer, more time in the scriptures, more time in family history work, more time in the temple. I promise you that as you consistently give the Lord a generous portion of your time, He will multiply the remainder.
Even though I have been a member all of my life, I am far from perfect and just about everyone of you know that to be true. I cant say I have been perfect in my life with prayer, and there was even a time where I found myself not praying or reading just because I was tired. I am a witness that God does hear and answer our prayers. He is there. The little things like praying daily is one of the most powerful things we can do in our lives. The only way we can grow our relationship with our friends is if we talk with them more. Obviously, the only way we can grow our relationship with God is through Prayer also. If we sacrifice only 3-4 minutes every night on our knees, sacrifice a portion of time to God, " He will multiply the remainder."
Love y'all, stay groovy
Elder Butler
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