I'm Back

Hello!

I now have p-day on Thursday because I'm back on Temple Square! Ahhhh! Talk about being in shock. Ever since I've gotten back I don't think I've had time to breathe.

I'll give a brief update of the beginning of this week. This is a picture of me and my fellow Temple Square sisters on our last day with President and sister Mella. :( I learned so much from my time in San Jose and I learned a lot from this great couple! I feel like they're my second parents!

We went out to dinner and later had a discussion on our vision for the rest of our lives. It was great prep for when I do go home, but I have notes safely tucked away until then--which won't be for a good, long while. :)

The next morning they dropped us off at the airport and we said our goodbyes. As we were walking to our gate we ran into the new Temple Square sisters coming to the mission. It was so good to see them. I was so excited to tell them how much they are going to love it!

Once we landed in SLC we headed to baggage claim and guess what we came upon as we rode down the escalator? Low and behold, the families waiting for the impending return of their missionaries. What was their reaction to three sisters with no families to greet them on their "return home"? Haha, all three of us were smiling so happy that we weren't actually coming home. Some ladies felt bad for us that our families didn't show up so they cheered "welcome home!" for us. Haha!

Upon returning I've noticed I don't know many of the sisters. Most of the sisters I do know have GONE HOME. :( Over half the mission is all new faces to me, but it's been fun getting to meet them. 

I came back a day earlier than planned because President Risenmay has a mission president seminar all this week starting on the day I was supposed to come back. Because of that the flight was pushed back and I was able to see most of the departing sisters for this transfer. I'm still not sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I got back early because I've said enough goodbyes to last me a lifetime. One of those sisters was my trainer, Sister Gattud! We didn't think we'd be able to see each other again once I went outbound. But I got to be in a trio with her and my new companion for a day before she went home. What makes goodbyes so hard here is that most of the sisters are from foreign countries and the chances of seeing them again is small. 

The morning she left!

So, it's time to turn a new page! My new companion is Sister O'Reilly from Southern CA. She is one of the funniest people I've ever met. She wins people's hearts so quickly just by being herself. I'm so thankful for her because she has been helping me transition back into Temple Square mission life. I took my first tour yesterday and I felt like I was stumbling through all the facts. It's a joke between the sisters to ask the outbound sisters if they still remember how many pipes are in the Tabernacle organ. We say it so many times it's hard to imagine ever forgetting it. I still remembered. 11,623.

Sister O'Reilly!

I feel so blessed to be in full-time service of the Savior. I've felt an urgency to make the most of every day, every hour, every minute. Time is so fleeting and we only have so much of it until the day of our Savior's coming. Let us prepare, and let us help our brothers and sisters prepare by inviting them into the fold. I want to be a tool in the Lord's hands to bring about His purpose. He is always in control and will bless us as we let him mold and and shape us. 

I love you al!

xoxox,

Sister Butler