大家好!
It's weird to be coming to you on a Wednesday, but we had a busy week full of projects. As I've said in previous emails, the Antioch Stake is hosting an event involving a life size replica of the Tabernacle the Children of Israel used when they travelled in the wilderness for 40 years. This past Monday, I was off helping a ton of other volunteers set up the massive structure. It's beautiful, and will definitely lead to some unique spiritual experiences over the next couple of weeks. It is a project that will continue to involve us very heavily, and will take me up to practically the end of my mission.
The past week has been filled with meetings and conferences, and lots and lots if sitting, so we haven't been up to our typical proselyting activities as much as we normally are. We haven't seen Chad in a while. He's gotten suddenly very busy with a job that takes him out to Oakland. Diego sprained his thumb earlier this week, but we still were able to meet with him for dinner, which was fun. He's way into comedy and satire, so that made for interesting conversation. Unfortunately, neither of them were able to watch General Conference, but Sylvia was. She watched it with some members at their home, which we were really happy to hear. We were also again able to do some service for our friend Pam, who has had a really rough couple of months, with lots if deaths in her family circle happening suddenly. It was hard to see her in such pain, but she knew that they were all in a better place now. Christ can really bring us all so much hope.
Jumping back to an earlier thought, Conference was spectacular! One of the Stake Presidnecy counselors made a comment to all of us watching it at the Stake Center that Conference in essentially the "Missionary Superbowl" and I couldn't agree more! Some of my favorite message included those by Sis. Bonnie H. Cordon (how I can best "feed His sheep"), Elder Robert C. Gay (See as He sees, serve as He served, and trust him), and Elder David A. Bednar (recognizing how all things are one rather than simply checking things off of my spiritual To-Do list). My favortie talk in particular was by Elder Ronald A. Rasband, whose message on living with courage and faith as opposed to fear and doubt touched me. I have been experiencing some significant fears of life after the mission right now, and his message of continuing to stand in a Holy Place and to not be troubled was one practically written for me at this time. Most importantly, I learned I need to remember how the Lord is always with us, and I need to do better at trusting Him. There have always been doubts, but Heavenly Father is helping me, and I know He will help all of you as you take seemingly impossible steps into the unknown. I know that we are led by men called of God. I admire His chosen servants, and aspire to emulate their goodness. Also, 12 NEW TEMPLES!!! We have missionaries serving in our mission from such places as Puerto Rico and Cambodia, so it was so fun to be able to celebrate an amazing and unexpected spiritual milestone with all of them.
Speaking of an international missionary, I went on exchanges this past week with Elder Saengsevarng. He is a hard worker, but is very worried about his English speaking and how it will affect his mission. He is nervous about a lot of the "unknowns" in his life, too, especially because he is still so early on in his mission. We were able to have lots of good talks as part of our day. I love giving advice to people. I don't mean that to sound conseated, but it's something that has brought me a lot of joy and deep relationships on my mission. Elder Saengsavarng is a good missionary, and I have no doubt he will work wonders in both the Laotian and English languages.
The Lord is building me up. It's strange, as the weeks of missionary service come to an end, I can feel Satan working on me. I am trying to maintain the place that Heavenly Father has built me up to, but it's proving to bring unexpected challenges. Mostly just lots of questions. Regardless, I am grateful for the Gospel, I am grateful for the scriptures, a great companion who cooks, sings, trains, prepares trainings, and laughs with me (not to mention is great himself a providing council) and my Savior.
Love you all, and thank you again for another week of prayers and thoughts and pleas on my behalf.
下个礼拜间!
Elder Butters/包长老
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