Keep Looking Up

Cousin Kathy(far left) ran into Alisha and her companions while at the provo temple.

With Kathy and an interesting photo bomber...

Hello Dear Family and Friends!

Where do I start? This week felt like it has been a month long! Much of my time has been spent sitting in class, studying, or sitting in class. :) But it has been great!

Sunday was just wonderful! Not many missionaries get to spend fast Sunday here. I count myself lucky! In my branch we had testimony meeting. Later the Branch presidency commented on how pleased they were with how everyone who bore their testimonies kept them sweet, simple, and sincere. My favorite part of Sunday was hearing from Sheri Dew. She is such a gifted speaker. Something that stuck out from her talk was that if you struggle with understanding how to receive revelation, ask God what it feels like to you personally! I actually have another favorite part. On Sunday we have MOVIE NIGHT! Haha, it was actually really awesome. I watched a talk by Elder David A. Bednar called, Character of Christ. I am so sad they only show it in the MTC because you get to see Elder Bednar impersonate the cookie monster.  :)

Tuesday was really great too! I participated in the MTC choir (really fun!) and we sang a special song, Be Still My Soul, in honor of Elder Nelson coming to speak to us. While we waited for him to arrive/to keep a spirit  of reverence, we sang two or three songs. As we were singing the song Our Savior's Love, Elder Nelson walked in. We all stood up, and he went to the stage to find his seat. But he didn't sit down! We all kept on standing singing hymns to the Lord. The spirit was so powerful in that room. Something that resonated with me during his talk was that we need to have the gospel ENGRAVED upon our hearts. It is so important, especially when you are a missionary of the Lord.

Anyway, to wrap up, this week was challenging. There is just so much to learn and understand! Sheri Dew's and Elder Nelson's talk, along with the temple this morning, and everyone's prayers have kept me looking up this week! So thank you!

BROOKS! I saw a fellow mission companion of yours yesterday! He was one of the teachers for In-Field Orientation this week and he mentioned that he served in the Philippines Bacolod Mission! I went up to him and I said my brother served there too. He asked what your name was and was so excited when I told him it was you. His name is Brother Doane and he says hi. 

Well, that's it for this week! Btw, thank you everyone for sending me letters! Letters are really a missionary's only connection to the outside world and it makes their day! I'm always smiling so big whenever I read a letter from you guys. So thank you! 

I love you all!

oxox

Sister Butler

Line of the Week:

*This past Sunday Elders in my zone were talking about how rowdy some of the other missionaries are in their dorms. A wife of one of the branch presidency members was trying to help them find ways to confront these elders and encourage them to be more reverent, but my district leader offered his own idea.*

Elder Mattsen: "Hey, so we'll just get the elders to come outside of the dorms, and then we'll have Sister Butler tell them what's what. That should knock 'em into shape.” (not word for word, but it's the main idea)

*I have no idea where he gets the idea I'm a tough cookie. All I do is tell them to focus when he and the other elders aren't focusing on their studies! :)*