I can't believe that we are at week 21 before I know it Jacob will have been out a quarter of his time. With each email that we receive from him we see the growth and progress he is making. Sometimes I can't believe that this is that little blonde haired boy. Well here is his latest email with some interesting news.
"Wow, sounds like quite the week back home! Our week was certainly no less exciting here. I heard right away that the Pack are headed to the Super Bowl this year, so I was pretty happy about that. It would make sense that they would make it all the way the year that I'm on a mission! Thanks for the package! Can't wait to get it! Well, I got my new assignment this week, and I'm a beyond excited for it! President told me that I'm going to an area in the city of Poza Rica, called Petromex. My trainer (Elder Schilhabel) was just there, and he said there is something special about that area. From what I've heard, it's an area that's much more modern than San Andrès (it has a Sam's Club) and the ward is very strong. I'm going to get a native companion, and we're going to work our butts off! That's the big news this week, so definitely something to look forward to. Anyway, this week, we also married (set up the marriage) an investigator and baptized her with 6 members of her family! In total, our companionship baptized 10 people this week! And on top of that, we had a ''bautizona'' or when everyone in the zone baptizes in the same week! The mission as a whole has really been uphill this month, so things are really looking up. I attached a photo of this family, so you can see how much the Lord has blessed us. It has really been a special week, I'm going to miss this area a lot. Some of the members put together a little going away party for us, and I promised them that I would return! One day, you might get to meet these great members and experience the special feeling for yourselves! Well, I can't thank you all for the love, support and prayers you've given me. Love you all!
-Elder Butterfield
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Week 20
This week was another milestone for us. It was Jacob's 20th birthday on Friday and the first birthday that we haven't been able to talk with him on his big day. I just keep focusing on all I have left is one more birthday and then he will be home. I know that is another year but it will fly by right? Well here is his latest letter and sometimes I am so amazed at how much he has grown as a person.
"Ya, it's tough to believe it's already my birthday, and my 6 month mark is nearing next transfer. My companion shares the same birthday, so our investigators are going to throw us a little fiesta. Haha, President filled us in that the Pack are headed to the NFC title game (I say they're going to win it all) but it's going to be quite a game against the Bears. That's great that you two are doing this wonderful work for those who don't have a chance. I really want to go through the Veracruz temple with you all sometime in the future. Anyone who asks about me can send a letter for 79 cents and it will definitely get to me. I'm going to send some letters home, can you distribute them to who I write? Well, this week was something else. I feel like the writers of The Book of Mormon, not a hundreth part of what I've experienced can be written in this letter. Here's a summary though: On Tuesday, there was a flash flood. Water completely filled the streets up to six inches, and the one appointment we had wouldn't let us in her house. The next few days were very chilly and rainy, I actually wore a long sleeved shirt! We received a reference from the sisters on Friday, and we were led to an area about 20 minutes away from the center of our area. We took a camineta (ride in the back of a truck) up to the top of this community. No missionaries had ever touched this community of roughly a few thousand. From the summit, you can see all of San Andrés (I'll send pictures next week) and a lot more too. Anyway, we had a little trouble finding the reference, but we tracted into her parents and they let us in to teach. As we sat down, 11 other members of this family showed up, a total of 5 generations! Appearently, there are 30 members of this family in total, and all of the ones that we taught accepted baptismal dates. We gave them some money, and all of them showed up to church on Sunday! The members greeted them with a warm welcome. We might end up starting a branch in that community, but we'll just have to see. As we walked down the street in this community, everyone was staring at us like they had never seen missionaries before. I really would like to get to work up there, but on Saturday, President Hansen was in town and told me that my next area will be Petromex in Poza Rica. From what I've heard, it's on the complete opposite side of the state (3 hours north) and it's a very strong ward. Great things await as Heavenly Father continues to pour out his blessings upon his servants. I've decided to solely study the misionary lessons this week, to get my Spanish to a higher level, and I know Heavenly Father will bless me as I continue to strive. Finally, this week we were privileged to have two baptisms of youth. I baptized a 16 year old chica named Paloma (means Dove in English) and my companion baptized a 16 year old chico named Ruben. I look forward to filling you in about all of our converts more fully, but just know that the Lord can touch a person's heart and change them in an instance. I know because I've seen it happen in so many people, and I've felt it in my own heart too. Miracles literally happen in these last days, I can testify before anyone that I have seen them. Even when I've doubted, my eyes have been open to a greater understanding than I could have ever known by myself. I'm a different person than I used to be, and it won't change when I take off the tag in 19 months. I love you all, and I can't express the gratitude for the blessing I've received and miracles I see daily. Thank you for all that you have done in my life, and I've never been happier before!
Con amor,
Élder Butterfield
"Ya, it's tough to believe it's already my birthday, and my 6 month mark is nearing next transfer. My companion shares the same birthday, so our investigators are going to throw us a little fiesta. Haha, President filled us in that the Pack are headed to the NFC title game (I say they're going to win it all) but it's going to be quite a game against the Bears. That's great that you two are doing this wonderful work for those who don't have a chance. I really want to go through the Veracruz temple with you all sometime in the future. Anyone who asks about me can send a letter for 79 cents and it will definitely get to me. I'm going to send some letters home, can you distribute them to who I write? Well, this week was something else. I feel like the writers of The Book of Mormon, not a hundreth part of what I've experienced can be written in this letter. Here's a summary though: On Tuesday, there was a flash flood. Water completely filled the streets up to six inches, and the one appointment we had wouldn't let us in her house. The next few days were very chilly and rainy, I actually wore a long sleeved shirt! We received a reference from the sisters on Friday, and we were led to an area about 20 minutes away from the center of our area. We took a camineta (ride in the back of a truck) up to the top of this community. No missionaries had ever touched this community of roughly a few thousand. From the summit, you can see all of San Andrés (I'll send pictures next week) and a lot more too. Anyway, we had a little trouble finding the reference, but we tracted into her parents and they let us in to teach. As we sat down, 11 other members of this family showed up, a total of 5 generations! Appearently, there are 30 members of this family in total, and all of the ones that we taught accepted baptismal dates. We gave them some money, and all of them showed up to church on Sunday! The members greeted them with a warm welcome. We might end up starting a branch in that community, but we'll just have to see. As we walked down the street in this community, everyone was staring at us like they had never seen missionaries before. I really would like to get to work up there, but on Saturday, President Hansen was in town and told me that my next area will be Petromex in Poza Rica. From what I've heard, it's on the complete opposite side of the state (3 hours north) and it's a very strong ward. Great things await as Heavenly Father continues to pour out his blessings upon his servants. I've decided to solely study the misionary lessons this week, to get my Spanish to a higher level, and I know Heavenly Father will bless me as I continue to strive. Finally, this week we were privileged to have two baptisms of youth. I baptized a 16 year old chica named Paloma (means Dove in English) and my companion baptized a 16 year old chico named Ruben. I look forward to filling you in about all of our converts more fully, but just know that the Lord can touch a person's heart and change them in an instance. I know because I've seen it happen in so many people, and I've felt it in my own heart too. Miracles literally happen in these last days, I can testify before anyone that I have seen them. Even when I've doubted, my eyes have been open to a greater understanding than I could have ever known by myself. I'm a different person than I used to be, and it won't change when I take off the tag in 19 months. I love you all, and I can't express the gratitude for the blessing I've received and miracles I see daily. Thank you for all that you have done in my life, and I've never been happier before!
Con amor,
Élder Butterfield
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Week 19
Another week has flown by and we are to week 19 already. Not much to report on our end this week. It truly is like people say the time passes by quickly. Here is the latest email from Jacob.
Is"s been quite a week here in Los Tuxtlas, and only two more weeks until my next transfer! It's assured that I will be transfered, but I know nothing more than that as of yet. I only have 5 pages left in The Book of Mormon, then I get to read it in Spanish! Certainly another week of miracles. Well this week was certabeat me when I get home! inly enjoyable, but somewhat stressful at the same time. President Hansen came and visited us in our district class on Tuesday, his message was very inspriring, and the whole zone got to work this week. We had been waiting on this one sister to get baptized, but she never could because she worked ever Sunday. Last week, she was able to come to church for the second time, so she was set for her baptism. This woman, her name is Rocio, is a single mother (her husband lives in Mexico City) and we baptized all of her boys already (except for Max who's only 6). She works everyday for 60 pesos per day, which is about $5, and lives in a very humble abode. This Saturday, as we went to get her for her baptism, we found out that she was very ill. She had a high fever and a headache, and didn't know if she could make it to her baptism. My companions (I was at the church with other missionaries waiting for them) gave her a blessing and brought her down for her baptism. After the ordinance, we sent her home to rest. This Sunday, she showed up to church completely healed and received her comfirmation. The Lord prepares people in every circumstance imaginable, blessed are the humble and the meek. Rocio and her family know the truth, and whatever their circumstance, the Lord will bless them for their faithfulness. I feel great when I write and share these experiences. I hope you feel great too when you read them. Love you all, can't wait to hear from you soon!
-Elder Butterfield
Is"s been quite a week here in Los Tuxtlas, and only two more weeks until my next transfer! It's assured that I will be transfered, but I know nothing more than that as of yet. I only have 5 pages left in The Book of Mormon, then I get to read it in Spanish! Certainly another week of miracles. Well this week was certabeat me when I get home! inly enjoyable, but somewhat stressful at the same time. President Hansen came and visited us in our district class on Tuesday, his message was very inspriring, and the whole zone got to work this week. We had been waiting on this one sister to get baptized, but she never could because she worked ever Sunday. Last week, she was able to come to church for the second time, so she was set for her baptism. This woman, her name is Rocio, is a single mother (her husband lives in Mexico City) and we baptized all of her boys already (except for Max who's only 6). She works everyday for 60 pesos per day, which is about $5, and lives in a very humble abode. This Saturday, as we went to get her for her baptism, we found out that she was very ill. She had a high fever and a headache, and didn't know if she could make it to her baptism. My companions (I was at the church with other missionaries waiting for them) gave her a blessing and brought her down for her baptism. After the ordinance, we sent her home to rest. This Sunday, she showed up to church completely healed and received her comfirmation. The Lord prepares people in every circumstance imaginable, blessed are the humble and the meek. Rocio and her family know the truth, and whatever their circumstance, the Lord will bless them for their faithfulness. I feel great when I write and share these experiences. I hope you feel great too when you read them. Love you all, can't wait to hear from you soon!
-Elder Butterfield
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Week 18
Four months have passed and it really has gone by quickly. It seems that I no sooner get done emailing him for the week and it is time to do it again. I feel that we past a major mile stone by getting through our first Christmas without him with us. There were several times where someone would say Jacob would do this or say this. He is really our comic relief sometimes and we all missed that this year. I was able to purchase a few things for him at Christmas and they will be waiting for him when he returns. He latest email is one full of miracles and I can definitely see the Lord's hand in directing his life. I sure once you read his letter you will agree with me. Here it is.
"It was a wonderful Christmas and a great New Years too! Mexico is a little crazy from mid-December to mid-Jan, but definietly still paradise. I'm all set here, nothing I could really use, unless other people want to send letters with the package. Well anyway, it's been a week of miracles for me. I'm considering keeping a separate record of the miracles I've come to see every day. Earlier this week, we were going to our lunch appointment in a taxi, when we arrived, we saw an elderly man on the ground convulsing. There was no one around to help him. We got out of the taxi and flipped him over, then carried him to some shade and rested his head on a bag. A group of people formed and we waited until the ambulance came. Appearently, he fell, bumped his head (it was bleeding) and couldn't get up by his own strength. Two days ago, we found out that a yound girl we taught was sick in the hospital with appendix problems. When her neighbors brought her to the hoispital, she asked for ''los Mormones'' even before her parents. We arrived to give her a blessing, but we couldn't see her immediately. As we waited, a man came running in with a teenage girl in his hands, she was visably weak. He set her down and we gave her a blessing, before they took her in. Finally, this Sunday, Carmen bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting. She said we knocked her door when she needed the most help. Later that day, we went to visit with her for a short while. Her friend Daeli (who we also baptized) was there too. Carmen and Daeli shared with us their experiences at their baptismal service. When Daeli touched my hand in the font, she said that she saw spirits around us and they were congratulating her decision. Likewise, when Carmen came up out of the water, she saw angels and sprits all around. They were blessing us missionaries. It's absolutely true. I know it and Heavenly Father knows it too. I'm exactly where I need to be, as one of God's army!
-Elder Butterfield
"It was a wonderful Christmas and a great New Years too! Mexico is a little crazy from mid-December to mid-Jan, but definietly still paradise. I'm all set here, nothing I could really use, unless other people want to send letters with the package. Well anyway, it's been a week of miracles for me. I'm considering keeping a separate record of the miracles I've come to see every day. Earlier this week, we were going to our lunch appointment in a taxi, when we arrived, we saw an elderly man on the ground convulsing. There was no one around to help him. We got out of the taxi and flipped him over, then carried him to some shade and rested his head on a bag. A group of people formed and we waited until the ambulance came. Appearently, he fell, bumped his head (it was bleeding) and couldn't get up by his own strength. Two days ago, we found out that a yound girl we taught was sick in the hospital with appendix problems. When her neighbors brought her to the hoispital, she asked for ''los Mormones'' even before her parents. We arrived to give her a blessing, but we couldn't see her immediately. As we waited, a man came running in with a teenage girl in his hands, she was visably weak. He set her down and we gave her a blessing, before they took her in. Finally, this Sunday, Carmen bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting. She said we knocked her door when she needed the most help. Later that day, we went to visit with her for a short while. Her friend Daeli (who we also baptized) was there too. Carmen and Daeli shared with us their experiences at their baptismal service. When Daeli touched my hand in the font, she said that she saw spirits around us and they were congratulating her decision. Likewise, when Carmen came up out of the water, she saw angels and sprits all around. They were blessing us missionaries. It's absolutely true. I know it and Heavenly Father knows it too. I'm exactly where I need to be, as one of God's army!
-Elder Butterfield
Week 17
I can't believe that it has been 17 weeks all ready. This was a very special week because we got our first official phone call from Jacob. He was able to call on Christmas day and talk for a whole hour. He skyped with us because it was much cheaper than calling. He was able to go to a members home and use their computer. What a very special time to hear the excitement in his voice and the love he has for what he is doing. He loves the people of Veracruz and knows that he is where the Lord wants him to be. He talked about how gracious the people are and how he is fed at least one meal everyday by a member and it may not even be an active member. He said he loves the food which to me was very surprising. He can be a little picky in what he chooses to eat. He told us that they usually teach up to 30 lessons a week. He has gained so much in such a little time. He emailed us with this email. I for one cannot read it because he thought it would be funny to write it all in Spanish so here ya go.
"Se llaman ''memelas,'' voy a intentar a hacerlos o conseguir una receta de ellos. Mi Navidad fue muy bien; despues de nuestro plactica, mis compañeros hablaron con sus familias y fuimos a la casa. Esta semena, tenemos que trabajar hasta el principio del año. Podemos ver dos peliculas en el primero de enero (esta sabado). ¿Stryder puede hablar? ¿Porqué no habló conmigo? Está bien, fue muy especial a hablar con ustedes. Gracias por las cajas que me has dado y por el amor consigos. Es cierto que los misionero vaya a dar su gracias por la comida. Cuando regrese, voy a tratar los misioneros mucho mejor y trabajar consigos para continuar en la obra misional! Quiero enviar mis photos, pero esta computadora está bien loca. No está aceptando mí camera, entonces la semana próxima voy a enviarlos. Fue una semana muy especial, y un poco difícil. La obra es real, es verdadera, es la obra y la gloria del Señor. Les amo mucho, y sé que me aman tambien. Nuestro Padre Celestial nos ha bendicido en todas aspectos de nuestras vidas. Continuen seguiendo a Jesucristo.
"Se llaman ''memelas,'' voy a intentar a hacerlos o conseguir una receta de ellos. Mi Navidad fue muy bien; despues de nuestro plactica, mis compañeros hablaron con sus familias y fuimos a la casa. Esta semena, tenemos que trabajar hasta el principio del año. Podemos ver dos peliculas en el primero de enero (esta sabado). ¿Stryder puede hablar? ¿Porqué no habló conmigo? Está bien, fue muy especial a hablar con ustedes. Gracias por las cajas que me has dado y por el amor consigos. Es cierto que los misionero vaya a dar su gracias por la comida. Cuando regrese, voy a tratar los misioneros mucho mejor y trabajar consigos para continuar en la obra misional! Quiero enviar mis photos, pero esta computadora está bien loca. No está aceptando mí camera, entonces la semana próxima voy a enviarlos. Fue una semana muy especial, y un poco difícil. La obra es real, es verdadera, es la obra y la gloria del Señor. Les amo mucho, y sé que me aman tambien. Nuestro Padre Celestial nos ha bendicido en todas aspectos de nuestras vidas. Continuen seguiendo a Jesucristo.
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