....Hey! I'm here. The best way I can describe everything here is
crazy. I will tell you what has happened since I talked to you last.
ok here we go.
We left Hong Kong at about 7:30 am. We got to the Philippines at
about 9:00. I walked outside and the humidity I thought wasn't that bad, but then it got bad. Haha It is SO hot. We met the members who were there to pick us up, and wow, what happened after that I will never forget. Picture this. Take away all traffic laws in Utah and that is what you have here. I seriously thought I was going to die. Everyone driving just goes where ever. They don't stay in the lines, its a free for all, but somehow they manage to not get in crashes, except for last night, but I will talk about that a bit later.
Ok. So we got to the mission presidents house which was good. We met the President Delamare and his wife. They are pretty cool. Very nice people. We got our companionships. My companion is Elder Smith from California. He is so tight! Way cool guy. Ok. So then we went to our areas.
We are in the city.
There wasn't enough room in the cars for everyone, so my comp and I and two other elders decided to go by taxi. After about an our of standing on the street with all my luggage we finally got one.
We got to the general area of where we live and then we started walking the rest of the way. Quezon city is SO Dirty and it is basically looks like complete ghetto. You would not believe it. So it was completely dark and I have all my luggage out on the street and there are sketchy people everywhere. Ha. I was a little scared. We finally got to the house and got settled. E. Smith and I got there last and there are only four beds. So we are sleeping on the ground. Don't worry, we have mattresses. That was a rough day.
Here's the next day. I had my interview with Pres Delamare and he is awesome. He gave me a lot of comfort. After that, we began tracting.
We are basically opening this area cause it got white washed. That means that every Elder who had previously been in this area got transferred out. No one who is here has been here before so it is like we are starting from scratch, but it is good. We tracted and talked to a cool guy. I can't understand anything...Ha I pick up tiny bits and pieces, but I am getting better. Our ward missionaries are the BOMB. They work with us a ton. They are tight. The Philippino people are so nice. Everything and everyone here looks sketchy, but once you talk to them and get to know them, they are so gentle and nice.
Anyways so we were tracting trying to get to know the area and we asked these people for directions. They got in an argument and started duking it out. I know that contradicts everything I just said,
but they are the exception. One day they will be Elders quorum Presidents. Haha. It is so crazy here.
We were in the bishops house and a rat decided to fall down the stairs. So far my trainer said that this has been the weirdest transfer he has ever had. None of these sort of things have happened to him since he's been here and he has been here for 18 months haha. I guess weird things are just happening around me. Also we saw a bakla. That is a cross dresser. So my first day of tracting was pretty eventful. I think I have had a whole Philippino experience already except I haven't tried Balut yet. Man, Philippino food is so good! Also it can be pretty bad. haha. But yeah. Sunday was super good. We worked with the Bishop and the ward missionaries. I'm sorry this email is all over the place. Its just been crazy.
Wow. What else. Oh, We had an investigator at church so that was good. Oh this new training program we are doing is tight. It's designed so that if needed, all trainees could be trainers by the end of 12 weeks. What? Crazy! Ha but that's the goal of the church.
Oh yeah! The crash we got in last night. We were in a Jeepney and he crashed into a taxi. both of the zone leaders I was with said that was the first time that has ever happened in their missions. They have been here for like 17 months. Man, I just got to experience the fun stuff my first couple of days. haha. It's pretty fun. I'm beginning to love it a lot here. It's pretty fun when the people are like "Hey Joe!" That's what they call Americans. Its great :)
The church is still true all the way over here in the Philippines. I know the Lord is caring and watching over all of us. I got to bear my testimony to my ward on Sunday. It was sweet. Trust in Lord and look to him in all thy doings. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Ingat po
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Aug 5th, 2011
Hey Family!
So yesterday we got our travel plans! Woo hoo! Except it's gonna be a long one.... Haha ok Here it is. On August 16th. I will be on a plane to San Fransisco, then I will be on a plane to Hong Kong arriving August 18th. That is like a 15 hour flight.....Oh joy. I will be on a plane from Hong Kong and arriving in the Philippines on August 18th. Sounds like an adventure to me! Haha. I'm so excited!
Alright, um so bad news is that I am sick again, but recovering. You wanna hear about a little miracle? Ok I will tell you. So I finally got to perform the song I auditioned for back on week 2. haha. The only bad thing was that I came down with this sickness right before it. I was so bummed. And usually I don't have a problem with singing when I get a little cold or something, but this was a chest cough and it was affecting my voice. So I had been getting progressively worse that day ( this is on Wednesday), but I just kept praying to the Lord. Here is the Miracle. I sang. It wasn't as great as I would have liked it to be, but the Lord helped me get through it. Right afterwards, I basically lost my voice. The Lord blessed me to be able to get through the song before losing my voice. I have never lost my voice before, so this was kinda interesting. I have always wanted to for some unknown weird reason. So the fun of not having a voice lasted about a day. Now I really want it back haha. Yesterday was a kind of a downer cause my companion got sick too. We stayed in our residence all day and just slept and read. It was awful, but spiritually enlightning. We didn't even get to go to the temple today cause we want to make sure we kill the sickness so we can be healthy and strong before we go to the Philippines. I am feeling much better today, and for the most part I think I am on the rise of this rollercoaster.
So yesterday we got our travel plans! Woo hoo! Except it's gonna be a long one.... Haha ok Here it is. On August 16th. I will be on a plane to San Fransisco, then I will be on a plane to Hong Kong arriving August 18th. That is like a 15 hour flight.....Oh joy. I will be on a plane from Hong Kong and arriving in the Philippines on August 18th. Sounds like an adventure to me! Haha. I'm so excited!
Alright, um so bad news is that I am sick again, but recovering. You wanna hear about a little miracle? Ok I will tell you. So I finally got to perform the song I auditioned for back on week 2. haha. The only bad thing was that I came down with this sickness right before it. I was so bummed. And usually I don't have a problem with singing when I get a little cold or something, but this was a chest cough and it was affecting my voice. So I had been getting progressively worse that day ( this is on Wednesday), but I just kept praying to the Lord. Here is the Miracle. I sang. It wasn't as great as I would have liked it to be, but the Lord helped me get through it. Right afterwards, I basically lost my voice. The Lord blessed me to be able to get through the song before losing my voice. I have never lost my voice before, so this was kinda interesting. I have always wanted to for some unknown weird reason. So the fun of not having a voice lasted about a day. Now I really want it back haha. Yesterday was a kind of a downer cause my companion got sick too. We stayed in our residence all day and just slept and read. It was awful, but spiritually enlightning. We didn't even get to go to the temple today cause we want to make sure we kill the sickness so we can be healthy and strong before we go to the Philippines. I am feeling much better today, and for the most part I think I am on the rise of this rollercoaster.
Oh, Real quick, we got to host the new missionaries on Wednesday too. That was fun. Tearing away missionaries from their sobbing families and such. I remember those days. haha. Jk. but it was fun.
Ok. what else. Gusto ko pumunta sa Pilippinas ngayon! (I want to go to the Philippines right now!) That is awesome about inviting two people to come see the show. Thanks for being an example to me of a life long missionary. For that is what we should all be.That's pretty awesome. And you all made it home safe?
Hey so I don't know if you guys know... but the Church is True. I just thought I would tell you, ya know since I am a missionary and all that, it's kinda my responsibility. So there you have it. I have said it, and I will not deny it. By the way, Joseph Smith is the man. Along with all the other prophets and apostles. I love this Gospel with all my heart. There is nothing else that I would rather be doing right now. Something you should all do is look up "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" By President Henry B Eyring. As latter day saints we should all be like what he describes. Read it. It's sooo good! Elder Brady Johnson sent it to me and it has be come one of my favorite things ever. The Church is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Love Elder Butler
Ok. what else. Gusto ko pumunta sa Pilippinas ngayon! (I want to go to the Philippines right now!) That is awesome about inviting two people to come see the show. Thanks for being an example to me of a life long missionary. For that is what we should all be.That's pretty awesome. And you all made it home safe?
Hey so I don't know if you guys know... but the Church is True. I just thought I would tell you, ya know since I am a missionary and all that, it's kinda my responsibility. So there you have it. I have said it, and I will not deny it. By the way, Joseph Smith is the man. Along with all the other prophets and apostles. I love this Gospel with all my heart. There is nothing else that I would rather be doing right now. Something you should all do is look up "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" By President Henry B Eyring. As latter day saints we should all be like what he describes. Read it. It's sooo good! Elder Brady Johnson sent it to me and it has be come one of my favorite things ever. The Church is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Love Elder Butler
July 29th 2011
The Lord is Amazing
- July 29th
Hey guys!
Communication is SO important in missionary work, and if you and your companion are not getting along, then the spirit will not be with you. If you don't have the spirit, then you "Shall not teach." (D&C 42:14 Read it). It's not saying you shouldn't teach, it says you SHALL not teach. that is a commandment. So just know that communication and getting along and loving everyone is so important. Sorry for that little soap box dealio.
Ok, we got a new district this week. They are pretty tight. There are 8 Elders and 2 sisters. All are going to Quezon City. BOO Ya! Can I just tell you all something? Ok,Thanks, I will. Being Zone Leader is quite a humbling thing. The blessings that have come from it are just amazing. To be in this position and know that other missionaries are looking up to you as an example is a scary thing. However, I am so grateful for the opportunity. Elder Farnsworth and I have had some amazing experiences with some elders in our zone who have been having a tough time. The Lord truly guides us and cares about us. I know this without a doubt.
Communication is SO important in missionary work, and if you and your companion are not getting along, then the spirit will not be with you. If you don't have the spirit, then you "Shall not teach." (D&C 42:14 Read it). It's not saying you shouldn't teach, it says you SHALL not teach. that is a commandment. So just know that communication and getting along and loving everyone is so important. Sorry for that little soap box dealio.
Ok, we got a new district this week. They are pretty tight. There are 8 Elders and 2 sisters. All are going to Quezon City. BOO Ya! Can I just tell you all something? Ok,Thanks, I will. Being Zone Leader is quite a humbling thing. The blessings that have come from it are just amazing. To be in this position and know that other missionaries are looking up to you as an example is a scary thing. However, I am so grateful for the opportunity. Elder Farnsworth and I have had some amazing experiences with some elders in our zone who have been having a tough time. The Lord truly guides us and cares about us. I know this without a doubt.
We didn't really have a celebration for the 24th. We did have a cool fireside though. It was Stephen B. Allen. He is Hilarious. He showed us a bunch of homefronts with some pretty good one liners that the church has produced. It was pretty awesome. On Tuesday we had a devotional from Elder Dennis E. Simmons. That was a super good Devo. The main thing I learned is that the mission is a process of sanctification. While we are helping others come closer to Christ, We are also sanctifying our selves and becoming closer to Christ. Its awesome.
I GET MY FLIGHT PLANS THIS THURSDAY! I have about 2 weeks left here. So stoked. But I also love it here! Everyone in my district is going to Quezon city except for one. He is headed to Laoag.
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