Week 12

We have been waiting patiently to hear from Jacob this week. The last thing we heard from him was that he had arrived in Mexico safe and sound. We finally heard from him today and what a wonderful email it was. He is so excited to be working with the people I can almost hear the excitement in his email. Here is a little of what he has to say about his surroundings.
"Well it's been one week in Mexico and I´m absolutely loving it. Here's the story: on Monday we got in pretty late, went to eat, and went to bed for the next day. Tuesday, we got out assignments and had our interviews with the President. Remember how some missionaries were transferred to Villahermosa? Well that was because an area in the Veracruz mission was transferred to the Villahermosa mission. That area, called Los Tuxtlas, was the dream area for all of the missionaries to have. Anyway, on Tuesday, President Hansen announced that we got that area back in our mission and that some of us would be going to serve there! He put me in a trio with an Elder from California and a native Mexican Elder. One is the Zone Leader and the other is a District Leader. We are in a city about 3 hours from Veracruz called San Andres Tuxtla. It's a city of about 300,000, but you wouldn't think that if you visited. It's covered in jungle and rolling hills (huge hills that are tough to walk up). So, we've been here a week and we already found 3 people who were ready to be baptized. Not wasting a second, they were interviewed and I was fortunate enough to baptize one! Her name was Amelia, and I baptized her in the font in the meeting house. Ironically, the church is under construction, so the whole building is lacking a ceiling, floors and parmanent fixtures. But the baptismal font was nice and clean once we finished cleaning it. I'm absolutely in love with the area and the people especially. It´s not too hot right now, and it rained all one day. It kinda feels like early summer in Wisconsin, but more tropical. Everyday, we've been fed by members and it's been delicious! This area is heavily Catholic, so sometimes it's tough to get in houses, but I know that there are a lot of people to be found. We teach very simply down here, and I normally teach the Restoration section of the first lesson. Interpreting is a lot easier than talking, but I know it won't be long before I'm more confident in speaking. Mexico feels pretty safe, and most people respect the missionaries. Just about all of the houses are concrete blocks, lightly funished and pretty open. People leave their doors open, which makes it easier to contact! The people are very humble and courteous, and I wish Americans were like that a little more. My address is posted on my Facebook, I think it says, ''use after November 1st.'' I'll try to get some letters written next week, and we'll send them up pretty soon. Just know that I LOVE this work and my mission President and his wife are superb. You can just feel the love and respect coming off them. I'm loving Mexico, check out San Andres Tuxtla on Google Earth, by the way, we're about 10 miles from Lake Catemaco, or the witch capital of Mexico! I'll be safe, I know the Lord is with me and that my mission is the best mission in the world! We have a goal for everyone in our area to baptize on one Saturday in December, we call that a Bautizona! If we keep working hard, we can baptize EVERY WEEK! It all depends on our faithfulness. Well I love you all, please keep us in your prayers and continue to ready the Book of Mormon (I just finished Alma today)."

Much Love,
Elder Butterfield (Campo de Mantequilla en español)

Week 11

Jacob left the MTC on Monday, November 15th to travel to Veracruz. He was able to call from the airport in Salt Lake City. Blake and Lesley both got to talk to him before he left. They said he was so excited to finally head to Mexico. We received the following email late Monday evening.
"Hey everyone! Well I made it here safely, and customs wasn´t that bad. I will get my assignment today, and I know it won´t be in the city. Well I don´t have a lot of time, but from now on, you´ll have to email me each week! Love you all, my Mission President and his wife are absolutely wonderful, and I´m doing the work of the Lord!" We are anxiously awaiting his next email.

Week 10 He Is Off To Mexico

Friday, November 12th we received a special surprise. Jacob was able to call home and tell us that his visa had come through and he would be leaving for Mexico on Monday morning. He was so excited as he has been patiently waiting for this day. He told us that he would be able to call from the airport on Monday before he left. He indeed did call around 10:30 or so. I was at work so I didn't get the chance to talk with him but Blake and Lesley did. They both thought he sounded great and is so anxious to go out and preach the gospel. I think I am kind of glad that I didn't talk to him. It was a hard day for me knowing that he was no longer going to be in the US. He was able to send this short email when he arrived in Veracruz.
"Hey everyone! Well I made it here safely, and customs wasn´t that bad. I will get my assignment today, and I know it won´t be in the city. Well I don´t have a lot of time, but from now on, you´ll have to email me each week! Love you all, my Mission President and his wife are absolutely wonderful, and I´m doing the work of the Lord!

-Elder Butterfield

I am sure for here on out there will be all kinds of stories and adventures to write about.

Week 9

It is hard to believe that I am looking at week 9. The other day I thought before too long he will be 1/8 of the way through his mission. Not that I am counting or anything. After his phone call home we received a very inspiring email from Jacob. I have posted just a portion of his email.
"My extra week in the MTC has probably been the best week on my mission thus far. I sang in the devotional choir and Elder Ballard came and spoke to us. He shared a story about a meeting he had with the second in command at Berkshire Hathway and how he turned a cordial meeting into a missionary moment. He also set up another meeting with this man and his wife to talk soley about the Gospel. On Wednesday, I obviously got to talk to my lovely parents, although the phone cut out early. I'll be able to call once I get my travel plans and possibly at the airport. It was a great 5 minutes though, and I thanked Heavenly Father for that opportunity. On Sunday we had an inspired Mission Conference, where the MTC Presidency and their wives delivered messages I needed to hear before I was sent out to the field. Our fasting was very spiritual, and I've received countless answers to my prayers. There's just no way I could deny the miracles I've seen in the last two months. For the Sunday Night Fireside, Sheri Dew came and spoke. I didn't know much about her, but her message capped off a wonderful Sabbath day. Afterwards, I got to shake her hand, look her in the eye, and thank her personally for her message. The temple today was highly informative, and I received witness of ideas I couldn't create on my own. I don't mind being at the MTC, I know the Lord is keeping us here, and I see more of the reason everyday! Anyway, thank you all so much for everything you've done! I love my mission and I'm patiently waiting my flight to Mexico! I know the Church is true, and I can't describe this week with words. The Spirit is plentiful here, and I see the love of God and the Atonement in everything!

With love,
Elder Butterfield

First Phone Call

What an exciting week. Jacob was able to call home on Wednesday, November 3rd. We had decided on 9:00 pm Wisconsin time, which was 8:00 pm Utah time. The phone ran just around 9:15 and Blake and I both ran for the phone. I answered and asked, "Who is this?" to which I replied, "Your mother". He told me that it seemed like a long time since he last heard my voice. He sounded so mature and so happy. He expressed how much he has learned and that a lot of things have changed for him. I am not sure what all that means. He said goodbye to his first companion, Elder Craig, who departed to Bolivia. He stated that he is with 5 other Elders all waiting for their visa's to arrive so that they can go and preach the gospel in Veracruz. He thought that his visa might arrive within the next 2 weeks. With that being the case he will stay in the MTC until that happens. He ended the conversation in Spanish and I have no idea what he said but I think it was his testimony. It was so nice to hear his voice and the excitement his has for the gospel. He should be able to call home once his travel plans are in place.
We also received another very pleasant surprise in the mail this week. The companion of whom I spoke about earlier, Elder Craig, had written,Blake and I a very nice letter about how much he enjoyed being Jacob's companion. He told us what an example Jacob was to all those around him and how excited he is to preach the gospel. I was so touched by the letter that Lesley had to finish reading it to us. I miss him terribly, but I sure am glad he is where he is suppose to be. That's it for now. Watch for the latest email.

2 Month Mark

Well 2 months have passed since Jacob left only 22 more to go. He has not left the MTC as of yet. We are excited to hear him this week. He gets a 5 minute phone call so I will update the blog after that phone call. I think he is calling to tell us what is happening with his visa but I am not sure. He just continues to amaze us with how much his testimony has grown. Here is a little from his latest email.
"I had a busy, but wonderful week in the MTC and I'll share some of the experiences I've had. On Monday, we sent off another missionary to the field. He's going to Ohio Spanish speaking. On Tuesday, I sang in the choir "With Faith in Every Footstep" for the devotional. Elder Richard G. Scott came to the MTC and spoke on the importance of the Hold Ghost. He also bore one of the most touching testimonies I've ever heard. What a great servant of the Lord. On Wednesday, we got to "teach a lesson" in front of the brand new missionaries at the MTC. We were hooked up to microphones and the "investigators" were really great actors. On Thursday, we met with an "investigator" we've been meeting with for the past 6 weeks. Even though she was acting, it was amazingly spiritual. Also on Thursday, my companion got his travel plans for Bolivia; I know he'll do great there. On Friday, I received an amazing package from you all! Thanks so much for your support, and I especially loved the beef jerky. On Saturday, we taught two missionaries who had been in the mission field for 5 months, but returned to the MTC to sign their visas for Mexico. The lesson was on the Law of Tithing and went really well. On Sunday, we had to conduct, preside and teach the lesson in Priesthood meeting. We had quite the responsibility, but it was a great lesson about the Atonement. We taught from Preach My Gospel, which is an excellent resource for all members of the Church. Also on Sunday, we were released from our responsibilties as Zone Leaders. I really enjoyed the opportunity to serve our zone! Well today we attended the temple and now my companion has to go pack for tomorrow. I'll join another companionship after he leaves.

How was your birthday mom? I heard about a special surprise ;) Hope everything is going well, did you all have a good Halloween?

Well one other thing, I'm alloted a 5 minute phone call this week. Please send me a DearElder that tells me when a good time to call home will be! I'm excited to hear your voices, even for only a moment! Well, the Gospel is true. The Doctrine of Christ is the only true doctrine of the Father. The Atonement can be applied to everyone and everything. I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you soon!

-Elder Butterfield

p.s. I'll be sending home a package very soon, so be on the look out"