Week #2

Hello Everyone,

My second week went well. Things are going well with my companion and we even have a baptism coming up of a convert we have been working with, and it will be on the 15th of April. Things were rougher this week with some muscle pains, but everything else has been fine. The muscle pain is gone. It just came from over-exercise. I'm fine now.  Thank you for all the email addresses.  I will make sure to email everyone. Sorry that I don't have any pictures, my camera broke. I will try to get a new one next Monday when I get more money from the mission office and we go shopping again. Chubby's was really good and they gave us some extras to eat, and it's very, very, spicy. We will be watching General Conference at several different places with members and investigators. I will make sure to look out in for when they announce the Tooele Utah Temple. We went this week to an action center to help sort food for people who needed it. There have not really been any surprises.  The mission has been just as hard as I thought it was going to be.  I have gotten half way through Alma since I have been out and I have been writing in my journal every night. I haven't been able to have a discussion yet with my Mission President but I will meet with him again at zone conference. I am glad about what I am doing, but personally its been a struggle. It's hard to keep the spirit with you when you keep thinking about home, but I will be OK.  Don't worry.  Talk to you next week.

Love Elder Butler

Elder Butler's First Week and A Letter from the Mission President

Hi Everyone,

My first week as a missionary was good. I got to meet the Mission President and was invited into his home for the evening along with the new elders. The Mission President is a great guy and follows the rules closely. I have mostly been taught things pertaining to how to teach and the basic rules of the mission. I met the ward yesterday and they are great people and some of the people here in Denver are nice (even though most smoke weed). I serve in a car mission, but we still do a lot of walking. I serve in the Mountain View Ward.  Living a humble life of a mission has been fulfilling and I feel better about myself each day. All week last week and most of this week the ward has signed up to feed us except for tonight. We plan to go to a restaurant that gives free food to Elders named "Chubby's". My new companion is named Elder Holland (not related to the apostle).  He is from California, he is reserved, responsible, and is going home in April. I like the quote you included of Gordon B. Hinckley about when things get hard, "Forget yourself and go to work."  I have a scripture for you about that witch is in Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I plan to send a package today and I hope you get it before next Monday. I love you all and I will talk to you later.

Elder Butler and Elder Holland at the Denver Temple

We also received a letter and some pictures from Josh's Mission President today.  I have included them below.  

Elder Butler with President and Sister Gifford

Josh's Initial Call...A Two Transfer Mission & Reporting for Service

On January 28, 2017 Elder Josh Butler received a two transfer mission call to serve in the Colorado Denver South Mission. 

Josh will serve for two months at which point he and his companion will be interviewed by his Mission President to determine how Josh is handling the rigors of mission life, what effect his Autism is having on his ability to serve, and if Josh would like to continue to serve for another 21 months.  If at this point it is determined that Elder Butler is willing and able to continue to serve, his Mission President will resubmit his mission application requesting another 21 months of missionary work.  Elder Butler will then receive a new call possibly to continue to serve in Colorado Denver South Mission, but most likely to serve elsewhere.  He will complete the remainder of his 3 months in Denver and then return home to receive his endowments in the temple and report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) before heading out and serving his remaining 21 months.

On March 13, 2017 Elder Butler said goodbye and reported directly to the Colorado Denver South Mission to begin his adventure.  Please keep Elder Butler in your thoughts and prayers.

Getting Packed and Ready to Go

Family Goodbye Selfie

Elder Butler and Alex

Dropping Elder Butler off at the Mission Home

God Be With You Until We Meet Again

Goodbye Hugs From Abby Too

On Josh's first day at the Mission Home he was given training with all of the new missionaries reporting to the mission, ate dinner, and attended a Fireside

The New Missionaries with President and Sister Gifford

Getting to Know Each Other