Week 41 - Santificaras las fiestas

This week was a very just kinda normal type of week. BUT the weekend, we had the opportunity to listen to our president and Prophet Russell M Nelson. I would just like to start off with my testimony that I know that that man is a prophet, and that he receives revelation directly from our Heavenly Father! Listening to General Conference before my mission just meant I could sleep a little longer, and chill in my normal clothes all day long in the house. Now as a missionary, I couldn't have been more excited, it was kinda like what we all feel about the new avengers movie. (VERY EXCITED BTW). I learned a lot of things from our living prophet an apostles:

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