Random Thoughts 2

Well, things have been pretty busy as of lately. I've been working hard at doing well in my classes during the time that I don't get distracted at my apartment. Its an ongoing battle. Classes are taking the lead though, well they are currently. Right now I am also trying to ward off all of the sickness that has been going around campus. 2 of my roommates have been sick, and several other people that I associate with. I have avoided it so far, but yesterday started feeling a little under the weather, and probably had a fever. This morning I didn't feel too bad, and didn't feel like I had a fever, so I went to class and treated it like a normal day. The weather was gorgeous which was nice.

I've been doing my best to try and go on a date every weekend, and have been mostly successful at at least doing something with a girl on the weekends. Its been pretty fun. I'm getting a little more used to doing things with girls. I'm also getting more used to being back at home and at college. I still find myself frequently thinking in chinese and having to catch myself from responding to people in Chinese. Every Asian person I see I want to speak Chinese to them. I'm getting better at it though.

I went hunting on Saturday with Dad and David, it was fun. We hiked around in blowing snow, and didn't see anything except for three moose on the drive there. It was nice being out in the snow and mountains though. I enjoyed it. Good time spent with Dad. I came back up Saturday night and played games at my apartment with a girl. It was pretty fun. Sunday morning I woke up not feeling the best, so went to church and went home teaching, then came home and slept until about 5:45. Some girls in our ward had cooked after church until then getting ready for a pre-thanksgiving thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious and I'm glad they made it.

Well, this is probably enough random thoughts for right now. I'm getting excited to have a thanksgiving dinner in America. The last thanksgiving I had was on the East Coast of Taiwan, and I had a chicken that was cooked, with the head still attached, and had duck. It was delicious. I'm looking forward to some good pie in Colorado next week. What I'm looking forward to even more is playing with Rohan and Bruce.

Well, I'm going to go sleep, or do homework. Probably go and read in bed.

Random Thoughts

Well, Things are going pretty well for me. I've been back from Taiwan for a transfer now, or for those who don't know how long that is, its 6 weeks. I have had a pretty crazy 6 weeks. My sisters wedding, speaking in church, going to California for a reception. Working in the mountains doing road construction, moving up to Rexburg, buying a computer and all of my books for school, going on my first date, and getting used to things again. It is a rather odd feeling being back. I have really happy times, and times when I really miss the mission. I miss being out in Taiwan, and just sharing the gospel with everyone and only have to worry about others needs. I find it interesting having to worry about money, and other things again. It was nice in Taiwan. I loved being able to have the privilege of doing the Lord's work, and helping others come to him. Now I have to figure out how to keep that moving here, and how to be a normal member of the church, and not a full time missionary. I will miss that time, but I'm excited for the opportunity I have now to keep learning. Classes are going well. I'm keeping up with all of them, and having a lot of fun. I like being Rexburg, and love the finished temple here. It is a gorgeous building, and truly has the spirit of the Lord there. I have been blessed to be able to attend twice already, and plan on going often, to spend time thinking, and pondering. It is such an amazing place. Temples truly bring peace to me.

Well, I need to go and finish some reading for my bio 200 class in the morning. I will post more about my mission, and about my recent adventures later, I will also try to spend time putting up mission memory pictures.

Letters for the MTC

Daniel is off to Taiwan! He was excited about leaving the MTC to finally meet the people and see the country. Although he is confident that he will be able to find his way around well enough....Edwin and I fear that he may become disoriented in a large city with millions of people and unable to read the street signs. We wish him the best!

Here are some of the things Daniel had to say about his experience in the MTC:

September 10, 2007

Companion- Elder Lewis

Language- The grammer is simple but the pronunciation is complicated. He can pray, bear his testimony, and introduce himself in Mandarin.

Choir- He joined the choir so he could sing the songs in English!Food- Let's just say he's still eating it

Fun- He is still playing soccor, but has learned that playing in his dress shoes is not so good!

October 15, 2007

He taugh his first lesson this week in Chinese. He enjoys learning but is concerned that he is gaining weight (it's okay...he can afford a few more pounds on him before he goes to Taiwan). He enjoyed conference and loves the gospel of Jesus Christ.

October 29, 2007

Daniel sounded a little overwhelmed by the things to do during his day. However, he is taking Edwin's advise and sleeping. He seems a little frustrated with his language skills. He has a great desire to know and understand everything and wants to know it all now. He is confident that with time he will learn to understand, speak, and read the language. Whenever he doesn't know what to say he opens up his scriptures. I think that is a great way for him to share what he is feeling and allowing other to understand him.

Daniel shared three scriptures with us this week.

2 Nephi 33:10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

2 Nephi 9: 38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

Mosiah 1:6-7 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.

November 12, 2007

Daniel is looking forward to sharing the gospel with people. Although he has appreciated the learning experiences at the MTC he feels they are no substitute for ordinary people who feel the spirit. He is currently in a threesome and it is "interesting" as he puts it. He says it will help him to grow, so I feel that it has been a bit of a struggle for him. Overall...Daniel is SUPER EXCITED to go to Taiwan!

Entering the MTC

Well yesterday Daniel entered the MTC. There was crying and smiles. I bet you can guess who the smiles were coming from, Yep thats right Daniel was smiling, and everyone else was crying. He was super nervous and also super excited. It was so good to be able to go and see him off. It is also kind of crazy for me because he is just up the street, but I can't see him. He is off to do the Lord's work and is going to be great. Mom, Dad, Rachel and Anthon, Joseph and Suzanne and Ali and Ethan, David, and I were all there. We went to breakfast at Mimis Cafe and ate super fast. Especially Daniel. He scarfed down his food. I thought he was going to be sick, and he kind of was, but that was because he was so nervous to be going on his mission. The food was great and once we were done, we headed off to the MTC. Daniel is the sixth in his family to go on a mission. He has had four brothers and one sister serve before him. So he has many great examples to look up to. We love you Daniel and know you will do awesome. Oh yeah I almost forgot his name tag is so cool. Lets see you read it!

Uncle Daniel Where are you!

Well, I just got back from my trip to Houston a little while ago! it was a really fun trip, I enjoyed it a lot! We went and saw some fine art, looked at a huge mall, went to the beach, saw some gators, had tons of fun playing with nieces and visiting family. It was great!

I leave in 2 days for the MTC, so I don't think there will be very many more posts made by me on my blog, but I did ask Jennifer to post some stuff about my mission, and I need to ask leonora to do the same! thanks everyone, I love all of you!

Elder Butler

talking and such

Well, today was the last time I went to my home ward for 2 years. I spoke in church of course, both Brent and I spoke because we are going to be leaving for 2 years on our missions! I am getting so excited to go and serve the Lord for two years, and to represent him to the people in Taiwan. It is going to be very interesting though, because most all of the people of Taiwan know nothing of God or Jesus Christ, so I will have to teach them from the very start, and in their own language, which I do not know yet. I know the Lord will bless me according to my faith though, because I am on his errand and doing his work.

I would like to thank everyone who came and supported me, there were a lot of people there in sacrament meeting. I would also like to thank everyone who would have loved to have been there, but who live to far away, or who had prior commitments. Thank you to all!

bathroom,

well, we finally finished the bathroom, here are some pictures of it all done. well, mostly done.