Hey,

     Sorry i wasn't on earlier, we just got back from the temple. The Mexico City Temple is absolutely stunning! Its based on Mayan architecture inside and out and its awesome! Couple cool things about it though, its one of five temples in the whole world where Moroni is holding the golden plates! So cool! Also the whole temple is on an hydraulic foundation so if one part starts sinking it can even itself out because well all of Mexico city is sinking! 

     My comp is doing alright, still struggling a little bit, but working on it! He and i got called into the CCM Shrink because I on my papers i put that i have ADHD and he got called in because he used to have depression so they wanted to check up on us. While I was talking to Elder Packer (the shrink) he was like "you don't need to be here talking to me do you?" Then we just started talking about my district and being DL and stuff and at one point he said "Elder Butler you're a great man and i feel prompted by the spirit that you will be in leadership positions throughout your mission".

     My Spanish is coming along pretty well so far, getting better at testifying without reading anything. Its crazy how much the Spirit helps while in our lessons! The Holy Ghost really can bring things back to our remembrance! I know the gift of tongues is real because I am able to understand what our investigators are saying even when i haven't learned the words they are saying. I still cant wait till I'm fluent and can hold a conversation with a Latino! We had some Latino elders in our dorm with us and me and my comp started teaching them English but they left yesterday as well! But one of them gave me a tie so that's cool! Its also way crazy how much you begin to love those you teach and lead! 

    Hope Mom is doing better! You guys are in my prayers every night! Its funny to see how my prayers get longer and longer every night, my comp always laughs at me! ha-ha But Mexico is great and hasn't rained here yet, well we got a light sprinkle Sunday but that's about it! 

     Oh speaking of Sunday, Sundays are the best days here at the CCM! We watched a devotional from Elder Bednar, and well let me tell ya, Best talk I have EVER heard. took probably three pages of notes! He challenged us to get a paperback Book of Mormon and read it cover to cover with a certain question or principle in mind and mark it up with scriptures pertaining to the question! And keep doing that throughout your life. I'm going to start doing that and you guys should too!

Love You!

Elder Butler

Pic's from Week 1

Nastiest Soda ever, tastes like straight up vinegar.

Latino Elders and Me, selfie Style

Mexicans love two things, super spicy things, and super sweet marshmallows covered in everything. 

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1st P-Day

Hey Guys! Its P-Day!!

First off let me tell ya, its way more difficult typing on a spanish keyboard.

Anyways, first week went really well! Got here safely and with all my luggage! I was actually really surprised! In LAX I got on the plane with two Elders, Elder Mix and Elder Black. I slept through most of the flight though, and everyone spoke spanish so I did't get the chance to talk to anyone about where I was going and why. 

Customs was... Easy. Dad made it seem like it would be scary and tough. I waited in line, handed a lady my passport and a paper i had to fill out.She stamped it, then went to a booth, I had to hit a little red button and then doors opened up... Weirdest thing ever! 

Mexico city is so crowded!! Its insane! The bus ride over i felt like we were going to kill someone or get killed ourselves, traffic is absolutely insane! 

My companion is Elder E... and he is pretty cool, but struggles a little bit. He is way spiritual, just lacks some living away from home skills. Had to teach him how to study, iron, wash clothes... that kind of thing. 

Class has been great this past week, super spiritual devotionals and meetings! They get even better now that i understand most of whats being said in spanish! We have gospel and language study classes and they are both pretty easy and straightforward and i feel like by the end of the 6 weeks here at the CCM I will be able to speak pretty good spanish! 

Although class has been pretty easy these past few days have been slightly stressful because I've been called as District Leader and I feel so much responsibility for all the Elders and Hermanas in my district. Some guys are struggling (including my compañero) so I've been praying and studying the scriptures on how to help them. Any help is greatly appreciated!! 

The CCM is absolutely beautiful here though! So green!!

 The Joseph Smith or recepcíon building

This is an old tablet found inside old Aztec/Mayan ruins that depict Lehis vision of the Tree of Life. If you need proof of the validity of the Book of Mormon here it is! There is a big Mural of it in the Joseph Smith building and I'll send a picture of it next week.

We took a bunch of pictures as a district today but I forgot my camera in mi dorm, so I'm going to have one of the guys just send them to me and I'll send those next week.

Hows everything over there?? Did you have your surgery Mom? How did it go? Miss you guys tons!

Love,

Elder Butler

First Email Home - Oct 14

Hey,

Well I made it to the MTC here in Mexico City, well technically its called the CCM but ya know. Im just as surprised as you are that I actually made it on the right flights and everything! Although I did get lost in LAX for a good 20 minutes. Mexico City is so packed! Driving is absolutely insane! We are supposed to keep it brief for today, we still have other things we have to do apparently. But my P-Day is next tuesday so ill write you guys then!

Love You Guys!!

Elder Butler