August 7, 2013

Dear Family,

Let me just start out by saying I LOVE THE TEMPLE!!! We just went this morning and the Palmyra Temple has the new movie and it is SO GOOD! I'm not sure which temples have it yet or not, but go to the temple ASAP  to see it!

Anyway, it's been a really good week but I know Satan is fighting unbelievably hard to get those we are working with to give up. Regardless, we've seen a lot of miracles. I feel like the theme of what I've learned this week is that it's OK to ask for help. This quote from President Kimball keeps going through my mind this week, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But is usually through another person that he meets our needs." I've had the great opportunity to be a part of answers to people's prayers this week and see other people be answers to prayers too.

I got to go on exchange back to Newark North this week. It was so fun! We had district meeting at the Lyons Ward building and there was a wedding going on later that day so there were a lot of ward members there setting up while we were there. I was so happy to see all of them! It's crazy that it's been a year since my first weeks in the Lyons Ward. I feel so blessed for the time I spent in that ward. It was a really surreal feeling to go back and see how much I've changed and grown. President Christianson talked all the time about how sections 4 through about 12 of the Doctrine and Covenants all have a variation of the phrase, "Laborers in the vineyard receive salvation." He talked about how coming on a mission is to get us fully converted so we can get others there as we labor in the vineyard. I'm so grateful for how much Heavenly Father has molded me throughout my mission. I'm a completely different person than I was a year ago when it comes to my conversion. I'm so grateful God sent me on a mission!

Mission Leadership Council last week was all about using members in missionary work. It's the way of the future for missionary work! I'm so excited to get members more and more involved and then be more and more involved when I get home.

Anyway, I'm about out of time for the week. Don't forget to hold onto your testimonies with everything you have and do all you can to help them grow. I've come to learn on my mission that testimonies are either growing or they are decaying--there is absolutely no way for them to stay stagnant. Keep up the good work and look around you for how others are answering your prayers. I know you all certainly answer my prayers ALL THE TIME!!! I couldn't do this without you!

Love you all times a billion!

Love,

Sister Butters