Week 54

Well here it is week 54 and this week Jacob sent a picture. I am so worried about his skin. When you look at the picture notice how red his face is and his hands compared to his feet. I sure hope he is wearing his sunscreen.
"Hey there everybody!  Well, we didn't have much time to think about the tradegy that occured 10 years ago, but there was no mention of it here.  No, we were busy in the first Stake Conference of this recently split stake.  President Treviño and his wife came out to speak along with the President of the Veracruz Temple and his lovely wife (they're both Americans).  We had a little scare with the hurricane, but nothing happened and we were able to have a wonderful baptismal service of 4 people from our Ward!  All were very chosen and prepared before we ever talked with them and the baptisms were very special.  I got to baptize the larger woman, named Maria de Jesus, who was very afraid of water, but she jumped in the font and outran her nerves.  That's so wonderful that grampa will be entering the temple in such short time, how great are the blessings of the Gospel.  I can't imagine how much the Lord has blessed us for our faithfulness. Elder Holland truly has a presence, I will share with you all some of his words in a talk that changed my mission when I get home.  I know this Work is true and that Jesus Christ lives.  I know that His Church is upon the earth right now with all the power and ordinances to save a soul in the Kingdom of God.  I love you all and I can't thank you enough for the support and blessings you have been for me this past year.  I hope this letter can be a strength to you all as well as the other 52 letters I write you in these coming weeks!
 
-Elder Butterfield

Week 53

Well we are officially one year in and counting the next 12 months. Not a lot has happened this week so I will get right to the letter from Jacob.
"Hey there family!  Well, yep, I've passed the hump, but not a whole lot has changed.  I mentioned to grandma that I don't remember much about home, and it's really all focus on the mission.  Thanks for the update, you got my heart up when you mentioned my Aggies, haha, we'll have to see what happens this year.  Don't worry about updating me though, just tell me how the family is more importantly.  I got my garments today in fact, and I also got another letter from my buddy in Japan (two weeks ago).  This week ended up being pretty special because of the opening of our chapel.  I'll tell you all that it's beautiful and very big.  I'll send pictures next week, but we had a neat activity in which we met a lot of people from all over the city and now we're ready to harvest.  We have some excellent, excellent investigators this week and are finding more every day it seems.  I received some very special new regarding one of my first converts, Carmen.  She's almost prepared to enter the temple this December and my trainer and I are invited to attend the sealing of her and her husband (who died a few years ago) for time and all eternity.  There is no greater joy I've felt then describing this opportunity right now.  This special sister has adopted the fullness of the Gospel into her life and is now in preparation for the blessings and convenants of a higher nature.  Oh how I wish I could see all of my converts enter the House of the Lord to redeem their ancestors and to make these sacred convenants with God.  I know I'm where I should be and I know that it's going to cost me a lot this next year, but I know the blessings are great that we will receive.  Thanks for all your support in ever aspect of my mission, I couldn't thank you all enough for putting me in this position and sustaining me every day.  I love you all and I know this next year will fly by and we will see each other again in a very short time!
 
-Elder Jacob Blake Butterfield
 
p.s. Thanks for the beef jerky

Week 52

Well it is official. Jacob has now been out 1 full year. It has gone by fast in some respects but in some way it seems like it has been forever. I sure hope this next year goes as fast as the first one. I can't wait to have him back home and entertaining us with his fun personality. Here is his latest letter.
"Hey there family!  Sounds like everything is going great back there in OK, but 5 days straight of work would have to tire out even mom.  Ya, the time really flies when you are just getting settled in. Haha, oh, what I would give for some fresh baked cookies, out here no one bakes, but I must admit the banana's foster I made last week was pretty delectable...  Let's go Cougers, well maybe not, we'll see how they do before i just on the bandwagon.  I would love to read his book, I found a little biography written by Elder Holland about our beloved prophet in a Liahona we had in the house.  There are countless spiritual experiences that President Monson has lived, that all should hearken to his counsel.Well you can eat at Taco Bell while one of our investigators volunteered to feed us this special day.  It really goes by fast, but there's not a whole lot of time left.  I'm working for my goal, but trying to improve in every way.  Well, we've been greatly blessed here and we have a really neat district, things are going great.  I'll probably have another 6 weeks here and then I'm off to another part of the mission!  Well, I love you all and I thank you for your support and prayers.  Keep studying the Scriptures and living in peace with others.  I know I'm where I should be and that Heavenly Father knows what he's doing.  I'll talk to you in one week!
 
-Elder Butterfield