Week 74

Here it is week 74 can't believe it. I look back at the last 18 months and can't believe that we are almost to the last leg of this journey. It is hard to believe that the time has past so quickly. Here is Jake's latest letter and a picture too!
"Well, I have at least another 6 weeks here, it's alright because we have a number of investigators that are almost ready to get baptized, it should be a pretty good transfer.  The week was pretty good, although a little chilly and wet.  There's always trials and tests with every investigator and even with the members, there's even more personally, but you just have to take it one day at a time.  There's an opportunity to grow everyday and there are also many opportunities to make mistakes.  I feel like Mormon, I can't even relate the hundreth part of everything I have experienced, felt, seen and heard in these 17 months.  Everyone has a story and it's a privilege to listen to the experiences and ideas of others.  Well, I love you all very much, I love the mission and I love the Lord.  Every young man must serve a mission, I can't even tell you how many people are waiting out here.  My area has more than 20 small ranchos, there are only enough missionaries for a fraction of that and all the people waiting for us.  We need more missionaries, and better ones.  Thanks for helping me be a soldier in God's army.
 
-Elder Butterfield
 

Week 73

I am right on time this week with this post. It looks as if he isn't quite done with the work in the place he is currently serving as he is going to make it through another round of transfers and he is staying put. Here is his latest letter.
"Hello! Well, tomorrow there are transfers and guess what... I'm staying! That means that I will have at least 6 more weeks in Gutierrez Zamora! The work here has been flying, we've been seeing a lot of investigators everyday and the time is just flying by. We had a baptism in the little branch, I baptized a young man who's been going to Church since September. Later, we started working in the little beach town called Tecolutla, we have a goal to start a branch out there, but we need the Lord's help to do it. There are some great opportunities to preach the Gospel and build the Lord's Kingdom. We've got our work cut out for us, but it's going to go by very fast. It's going to cost a lot of work, bu it will be done. Sorry I don't have any pictures, but the computer is kinda slow. I love you both for giving me this great opportunity to preach the Gospel and serve and love others. Hopefully everything is alright at home, I hope Lesley and Keith have a good time, that's great to hear that everything is going well for them. I love you all, I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, this Church is based on Their foundation, I know because of the Holy Ghost, of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Elder Butterfield

Week 72

The time is passing so quickly and soon it will be only 6 months before Jacob will be home. A lot has happened this last week as we have moved back to Wisconsin from Oklahoma. Poor Jake won't know what his address is. Well here is his latest letter.
"Hello family! Sorry to hear it's chilly in Wisconsin, but it's a sacrifice for a large blessing that you will receive. Your last decision to move to Oklahoma turned out alright, I'm sure this one will too. The family is going to be very spread out, wonder if we'll all return to Utah someday, haha. That's something different from Mexico, when someone gets married, they usually live with their parents or other family and all of their kids. They don't spread out much over here. Last week was great and this week was also wonderful, we've been finding a number of people to teach, and yesterday I went to sacrament meeting in the little ranch community while my companion stayed here. We taught an investigator who has been going to Church for months and yesterday he accepted the goal to be baptized this Saturday. My companion stayed here in the city and 6 new investigators came to Church! Everything has come to pass by faith and diligence. We're very spread out these days, but everything is going well. I must admit that working with the members is the greatest way to advance this work. I have been able to announce the program from our Mission President in sacrament meeting and the members have truly responded. I would like you to think about sharing the Gospel with our neighbors, it will certainly bless your lives. Well, I am very excitetd to continue in this great work, and when I return, it will just be the beginning. I love you all, and I will be expecting your package with eagerness. I hope you all (especially dad) enjoy these pictures.

-Elder Butterfield

Week 72

Well I always have good intentions to get this letters on as soon as I get them and I just get busy with life and forget. So here is week 72 can't believe the time is passing so quickly.
"Hey there! I'm still in one piece after the big golden birthday and things are going well. One of the recent converts did a little surprise party for me, it was pretty cool, I felt pretty special turning 21. There was still a lot of work to be done though. We had 4 baptisms yesterday and the whole ward was pretty excited. We were also chosen to speak in Sacrament Meeting which we used as an oppoprtunity to encourage the members to give us more referrals. Everyone that has been baptized here has been a referral since I arrived and it's just like President Hinckley's talk ''Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep.'' So now you return to the frozen tundra and the large house, I'll never experience Tulsa, but maybe that's a good thing, haha. That's interesting news about grandpa, certainly I'll be praying for him earnestly in these coming days. I think he'll be pretty resilient, but how blessed that he's found the true path so late in life! I didn't feel any earthquake, I think those are more common in the capital ofthe country, normally there aren't earthquakes in Veracruz I believe. I'm not craving anything, but I would appreciate letters from the family, friends and the Church. What's dad going to call his book? Let me know how everything turns out, I wouldn't mind writing a book when I get home too, it would be a great experience and testimony builder. Well, I love you all, take care and talk to you in a week!

-Elder Butterfield

p.s. I hope you enjoy the pictures!