Well, I think the title says it all...this week we served, served, did service, and then served some more. It was absolutely NUTS! We did just about anything and everything, from passing out free groceries to the needy, to writing a book and running shopping errands, and helping load and unload two different moving vans in the span of about three days! Needless to say, when there's a job to be done in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Elder Mitchell and Elder Butters, THAT'S WHO! We are glorified handy men, and specialize in writing complicated manuscripts and working irrigation systems, among others.
Not to say that this week hasn't been spiritually uplifting, of course. Actually, this week has led me to thinking a lot about my testimony and personal spirituality. While going out finding, I was thinking a lot about some potential and former investigators we've had, and their unwillingness to commit to do things like read the Book of Mormon, pray, or go to Church. It's frustrating, but I realized, that I was being somewhat hypocritical. I've been expecting to find new investigators and get our area booming, but at times find it hard to motivate myself to do the essential things necessary to do that, like knock more doors, open my mouth and talk more, etc. It was a needed wakeup call, and I was grateful for the small reminders of the Lord. He really wants us to become better. I invite all of you to figure out something that you could be more willing to do to have the blessings of the Lord more abundant in your life.
Also, I learned a great lesson from a High Council member this week. Bro. Neumann serves in our Branch, and had us over for dinner on Friday. We talked a lot about how choosing to apply yourself is something that makes all the difference in the end. It can change your work ethic, motivation, and general attitude. I am becoming more and more aware that we as people are the decisive element to our success, temporal AND spiritual. I want to do better at choosing to apply myself in everything I do, and I started doin just that this week. For example, I chose to run harder and faster and got better exercise one morning. I chose to spend a little time pondering Ensign articles this week. And I chose to make every time we went finding count. We had a miracle of receiving a referral from SLC as a result! It was an important lesson for me to learn, and one that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life!
In other news, we made fun dinners at home, went contacting less-active Elders and Branch members with our Elders Quorum President, Elder Frandsen, and kept on knocking! We also went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders, and I had a fantastic day with Elder Steinke! He had a lot of great advice for me on diligence and love of the work, and we just had a fun time talking to each other. We also had the chance to answer the call to give A priesthood blessing in the hospital while we were together. A great Elder and leader.
Elder Mitchell and I are having too much fun! He's a great guy, and I am enjoying Oakland with him. We sometimes need to be more focused, but this week helped us to grow together. I loved it.
I love you all! Have an amazing first week of June. It's hot and sweaty here, but it's nice to get some sun.
我知道耶稣是基督!
加油!
Elder Butters/包长老
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