Photos from Thanksgiving Week!

The elders gather in the lobby for stretching and exercise classes before bedtime study.

Someone fell mid-stretch......practice makes perfect.

The paragraph written in English by Elder Thacker and translated into Chinese below by Elder Butters!  Wow!

Thanksgiving Dinner in the MTC - looks pretty tasty - all reports are that it was good and he had plenty but it didn't quite compare to the feasts he has at home.  That smile says it all, though.  This son of mine is flourishing in the MTC doing exactly what his Father wants him to be doing.

The lights come on at the MTC - this is the Tree of Life!

District 2A

The zone walked to the temple on Sunday and had to hide under a giant tree from the storm raging around them.  Benjamin got everyone to sing hymns under the tree while they waited for a break in the blowing snow.

Yes, there they are....under a tree in a snowstorm heading to the Temple.....can anyone imagine how much I miss that smile?  But, can you imagine how wonderfully grateful I am to see the sparkle in his eyes, the enthusiasm in his words and the happiness in his letters?  So very blessed!!

One Month Along - Loving Life in The MTC

Wei NiHao Everyone!

What a crazy busy and fun week this has been! Its also been one, especially in the past few days, of a lot of learning. 

I know everyone is dying to know about Thanksgiving! It was wonderful! We had a devotional with Elder Niel L Anderson of the quorum of the twelve, and he shared a great message on gratitude. It made me think of all of the little things in life that I take for granted, and don't give my Heavenly Father credit for. He said that the very reason we can move, walk, breath, find joy, and LIVE is all because of Him! When I thought about that, it helped me to feel grateful for all the things that Heavenly Father has given me, things that I will never be able to repay Him for. Puts a lot of things into perspective!

Food was good, as decent as MTC cafeteria could do Thanksgiving dinner. That was followed by a service project. We worked with an organization called "Feeding Children Everywhere" and helped to prep, bag, and box 359,000 meals for children and families in need! I scooped more rice than I ever have done before in my LIFE! I was grateful to be working with food again, seeing as that will be the closest I get to cooking until I'm in the field! The day ended with a little program of musical numbers and skits that was fun. There is also a tradition of turning the MTC Christmas Lights on Thanksgiving Night, and we had some time to be outside and sing and look around! I cannot wait for Christmas!

The rest of the week was pretty crazy, and COLD! On our temple walk, we got to the temple just as a snowstorm hit, so my entire zone huddled underneath one of the massive trees on the temple grounds and sang carols. It was a lot of fun, but cold....very cold....

This week I've had a lot of opportunities to realize that in order to be a missionary, I need to be confident in who I am first, before I can assist my Investigators recognize and feel of their divine potential. I'vealso learned the importance of getting to know them a people instead of just treatign them like a spiritless body I need to fill with testimony and then check off a baptism.

We had some good lessons with our investigators this week, and our teachers shared some very sound advice and reminders to us. Because we are instruments in the Lord's hands, we can expect Him to help us. Isn't it wonderful to know that your Heavenly Father loves you and knows you and wants noting more than for you to be happy? What a miracle! We had a devotional this week where one of the speakers shared with us Mufasa's infamous quote from the Lion King; "Remember who you are!" I challenge you all to try this week to remember who YOU are; and Son or Daughter of a loving Heavenly Father! I'm working on keeping this knowledge in my mind, and I hope it really changes my approach this week!

Also, as the title suggests, I completed my first full month of missionarty service as of Saturday! WHAT? Fastest month of my life!

I love you all! Thank you all for all the mail, pictures you've drawn, the packages and emails you've sent, and the prayers you say for me! 

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from Week Number 4

The color-coded instructions used by Benjamin's District on Saturday night while they played a Get To Know You Game .....wish I could have heard some of Benjamin's answers, especially the "green" one.

The District has grown in size and responsibility for this District Leader - this is Sunday at the Temple.

The tripanionship still going strong.....love that smile!!

A cloudy Sunday but nothing seems to be able to cloud the spirits of this missionary.

Perhaps he is happy about the hidden treasures in the box of exercise clothes Mom sent this week.

Study, study, study.....friendships are being made.

Thanksgiving Letter From This Amazing Missionary!

NiHao Everyone!

Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! Its been interesting preparing for this holiday here at the MTC, all of us being encouraged to express more/think more about gratitude. Its a really nice atmosphere to be in. We have a great day planned for tomorrow, I'll share more in detail next week!

Our District is doing great! Our Saturday night schedule has us with a massive studying period from 5:15 - 8:50pm, just before we head off to help set up the gym for devotionals. We've grown to call this period "Grand and Spacious Time." Its long, but we try to be effective. This week we spent the last hour as a district, bringing treats and doing a little "get to know you" session with everyone. We brought pictures of our families and talked about what we want to do after we complete our missionary service. It was so great, and a really nice way to spend an evening. 

We've been teaching a lot this week! On Saturday mornings, we go to TRC, which gives us an opportunity to give short 20min lessons to members who speak our language. Its been challenging to try to find ways to "teach" members a gospel they already know, or who have served missions as well. My companions and I shared scriptures and testified of the power of personal revelation. We were told we did a good job, but need to smile more...yeah, we're all just very focused on trying to understand everything being said. Thank goodness for patient teachers/volunteers! We've also received a new investigator, and have memorized the First Vision and Moroni 10:4-5 in Mandarin. My throat sometimes gets really sore because of all the tones I'm using to speak!

 I gave the lesson in Priesthood on Baptism/Gift of the Holy Ghost, emphasizing the importance of committing to live the covenants we make, and we have a sacred opportunity to weekly renew them. Think abut that the next time you partake of the sacrament!

The devotionals were great this week! Brent H. Nielsen of the 70 was here, and his wife spoke to us. She said that the Lord has been preparing us our entire lives, and that we are entitled to His help as we are on His errand. Its comforting to know how close we can be to the Lord. It replaces my fear with Faith!

I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Jia You!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from Week 3

The District as it now stands.

The study room - seems they have all had enough Chinese for the day.  This mom is glad that the cute girl with the happy smile is the one going to San Fran with my boy.

Studying after breakfast - grammar morning - ugh!!

The California missionaries purchased a flag to show their new allegiance.

And, the box from Dad arrived!  The Zone and District are all trying to be best friends with this lucky missionary right about now.

Three smiling faces greeting Benjamin "every single place he goes"!!

Dried fruit from Grandma and Grandpa Butters hit the spot for this kid! A great week and he is still going strong.....1/3 of his way through the MTC!!

Third Letter from the MTC - But Who's Counting!?

NiHao Everyone! 

Its been a good week here at the MTC. There really isn't a defining point of weekend or weekday here, so it all kind of bleeds together. Its kinda crazy. Sometimes I need help figuring out what day it is. There is always something to do

We're doing well here. The Companions are doing good. We have delved into the relm of discovering all of our funny accents, impressions, and voices this week. Some time it drives me up the wall, but other times I enjoy it. It's particularly entertaining to hear them do their "british" or "scottish" voices...they both sound like really creepy posh Elmos.....We also have a bunch of sayings that we use in our district as expressions of frustration of surprise. My favorite is "Shen Me Dong Xi!" Directly translated, it means "What Stuff," but its still fun to say!

Just some clarifying info that people have been wondering about, Elder Thacker (Louiston, UT) and Elder Anderson (Springville UT) and I all share a room and do everything together. Same classes, same schedule, same EVERYTHING! 

We've had the chance to teach a few more lessons this week. Our teachers play investigators they themselves taught while on their own missions. Learning this week has really involved the Spirit. Sometimes we aren't too sure what the needs of an investigator are, which makes teaching a little more of a challenge. We've had several devotionals and class discussions on the importance of letting the Spirit guide. Elder Gary E Stevenson came to speak to us last night, and he talked about how important it is to follow Spiritual promptings. He told the story of the conversion of a family he knew whilst serving as mission president in Japan. The father wouldn't allow his two daughters to be baptized. Upon inviting them to Sacrament meeting, Elder Stevenson felt prompted and asked the father if he too would be baptized. After the meeting, he accepted the invitation. I'm really anxious to see what happens and how the Spirit guides my heart and the hearts of those I teach once I'm in the field. 

Speaking of which, we had nine elders and two sisters depart from our zone this week to their actual missions. We are getting one new elder in our zone today. Seeing everyone get packed and receive travel initiatories and bidding farewell at the travel office put my mind in thinking about Oakland and San Fran this week. 

The language is getting there, slowly but surely. China allowed me to come in with a great mindset on pronunciation and tones, which was a huge bonus. There is a lot of talk about the Gift of Tongues here. I've been frustrated this week, trying to memorize vocabulary and apply it, but coming up short at times. Its a struggle, but I need to have faith that I will get it eventually. 

I love you all. Thank you for all of your support, packages, prayers, and well wishes. I've had a couple of surprises this week, which I'm very grateful for. That's my challenge this week! Be grateful! Sis. Stevenson taught how important it is to have a Spirit of thanksgiving, not just define gratitude by an upcoming holiday. Say Thank you and I Love You!

Wo Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao) 

Second Week MTC Photos!

Studying with Elder Thacker and Elder Anderson means listening to them "play" their missionary name tags like kazoos!  Benjamin has expressed his "love" for this new skill they have developed.

The Classroom

The zone takes outdoor walks during Saturday study time - good way to get outside.

The service project for Benjamin's zone is setting up the chairs in the gymnasium each Saturday for Sunday's devotional and taking them all down again on Tuesday.

The elders in the zone - love that my boy is on the end looking at the camera - almost like a look right at me.

Elder Haden and Benjamin attended the same branch in Shanghai together before we moved to America!  Small world!

Some things never change!  The boy stretches each night before bed and provides entertainment to his bunkmates while they watch his moves.

Keeping his sights on performing when he returns!

The MTC Name Tag!

Second Letter from MTC!

The amount of anticipation that goes into my Wednesday from Wednesday cannot possibly be satisfied with one letter from my busy missionary.  But, I will be grateful for what I am given.  He is content and working on feeling the spirit - I couldn't ask for anything more.  He knows the importance of his own happiness and he is learning where that happiness will come from.

Enjoy his latest update.


NiHao Everyone!

This week has been a good one. We have had a lot of opportunities to teach and feel the Spirit. 

I hopefully will answer everyone's questions through this email. 

Companions: 

Elder Anderson and Elder Thacker both have very strong testimonies and are very committed missionaries, however, it is sometimes evident that I am the older one of the three of us. Its definitely been an opportunity for me to work on my patience. They are both accomplished volleyball players, a favorite activity of our zone during exercise time. I, of course, am not the best when it comes to sports, coordination, or anything related to the use of a ball...so I kind of stick to my running and push-ups, sit-ups, and the casual entrance into a game. We've had a couple of good lessons this week, and a couple of ones where we learned a lot. I learned this week that teaching by the Spirit doesn't necessarily mean that the lesson can't have a direction. It is my job as a missionary to focus on the needs of the investigator, and if their questions could be answered at a later time/when they are better ready to receive the answer, the Spirit will guide. 

Food: 

There is a LOT of food at the MTC, BUT I CAN'T MAKE ANY OF IT! I'm desperate to make a batch of cookies right now, or a pound cake, or ANYTHING!!! Elder Thacker is also a chef of sorts, so its been cool to hear what he likes to make as well. 

Classes: 

Classes are tough, but there is always a chance to learn something. My district has learned how to recite the missionary purpose and Moroni 10:5 in Mandarin already! We are also working on the First Vision right now, and have a goal to memorize it by Saturday. We have some great teachers who always bring the Spirit with them. They also act as previous investigators they taught on their missions in role-play type scenarios for us to practice. I have a lesson to teach with each of my "investigators" tomorrow. 

One of my teachers said something that I've been thinking about a lot lately. Sis. Wood (Wu Jie Mei) walked into class and asked what miracles we've seen today. We also learned in a devotional this week that it is our choice to be happy, and if we choose not to be, we are basically refusing the Atonement. I have been praying lately to feel happier and see the miracles that happen everyday, and I challenge you all to do the same.

District Leader: 

As a DL, I have to attend a weekly meeting in Branch Council. We have a recently called Branch Pres who just got back from being a Mission Pres is El Salvador. Pres. Young is a good guy. I also have to conduct twice-weekly district meetings and call on people to say prayers and assign them to teach classes on Sunday. Its been a good opportunity for me to lead and I hope will provide for good experience in the field.

Fun Stuff: 

Language is coming along. I have learned this week the importance of using proper tones in Mandarin. Every word has a specific way it needs to be pronounced/influnctated in order to make sense, or give the proper definition the speaker intends. I learned that we need to be very careful how we share the First Vision; "This is my Beloved Son" sounds much better that "This is my Midget..."

We have two weekly devotionals, and one of them was given by Jenny Oaks Baker and her family. She is the daughter or Dallin H. Oaks and is a Juilliard violinist. She performed and bared her testimony through scripture and music to us all on Sunday. I love the power of music, and seeing people pursue their talents with the help of God. It gives me hope for my future, and reminds me the reason God gives His children their talents. 

Also, I ran into a few people I know from my Hale days. Shaunna (Catch Me If You Can) and Rob (Mary Poppins) were at last night's devotional, and I couldn't believe I was seeing them. I miss my theatre people so much. In fact, I miss everyone!

Your prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated. I am so grateful to have people at home thinking about me. I love you all! 

Wo Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Someone Found My Boy!

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211510885674172&id=1424955166&set=a.10200158750197880.2198519.1424955166&source=48

Shanna found Benjamin in the halls of the MTC!  That is one lucky woman and I am thrilled for Benjamin.  These two became life long friends while doing shows at Hale together.  She thinks the world of Benjamin and loves him almost as much as I do.

Photos of the First Week In the MTC

Captions provided by Elder Butters:

Second Day

The Zone

First Walk To The Temple - The San Ban Tuan - Tripanionship (He has two companions)

Time to Release Some Fun Together

District A - District Leader: Benjamin Butters

Halloween treat package received from Grandma and Grandpa Butters!  The item in the photo is supposed to enlarge in water.....it takes 72 hours.....Benjamin joked that he wasn't sure how long it would last floating in the MTC sink but he would give it a try!

Selfies while enjoying computer time - guess who he was sending a letter to.....ME!!!

So happy to have heard from this boy!  So proud of him.  So glad that he is letting the Lord touch his heart and that is time is being spent doing such good things!

Waited An Entire Week For This!

Without any idea when his P-Day would be, I silently waited for the first letter to arrive.  An entire week went by and at exactly his ONE WEEK MARK, on Wednesday, November 2, I got my letter!

Here it is:

JiaTing he PengYou NiHao!!  *(This means Family and Friends, How are you? - I added the translation (Mom))

Hi Everyone! I cannot believe that I am emailing you all from the MTC right now. Thank you all so much for the support and love you have already given me. This past week has been a hard one, and a whirlwind of an experience! I'll try my best to include everything.

Companions: I have TWO! Elder Thacker, Elder Anderson, and I are the only three Elders in District A. Its been cool to be able to rely on two people and two testimonies instead of just a single companion. They are fun guys, both recent high school graduates. Our district has missionaires called EVERYWHERE!, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Oakland/ San Fran (Sister Ellis and I). I love how wide-spread the Mandarin language is.They are a great group of people who are really hard working. I'm very proud to be their District Leader. Yup. Got a new calling my second day here. As if learning to be a missionary wasn't hard enough! Its been great to represent them and love them. 

Classes are challenging. Mandarin is hard. REALLY HARD! But I have learned so much already over the past few days. Our district has learned to say simple prayers, recite the Missionary purpose, and we've all already taught three lessons! That's crazy, let me tell you! Our teachers are loving and supportive, and encourage us to SYL (speak our language) meaning that we are constantly trying to use words we know and add on from there. 

We are able to do a lot here. We have a choir that I got to sing in this week. We also go on walks to the temple every Sunday, and I just got back from going to the temple with my Zone. There is also a lot of food (I'm CRAVING to make a batch of cookies right now...) and a lot of special opportunities to feel the Spirit. Just last night we had a devotional with Pres. and Sis. Nelson (Its cool to think that they are in my ward, watching everyone else freak out at the sight of him. Spoiled) He talked about how missionaries are the "Epistles of the Lord." It made me realize just how much faith and confidence my Heavenly Father has in me. 

I miss you all very much. This week has been a real test of my faith. I thank you all for the prayers and love and DearElder letters. 

I love you all. Hurray for Israel!

Elder Butters