Linda Vista, Mexico

Braxton is in Mexico, and his first area is in Linda Vista. He is serving with the zone leaders because they got there in the middle of transfers. He will get to serve with them for a week or so. Their names are Elder Robonson form North Carolina, and Elder Moreno for Northern Mexico (right below Arizona) He says they are both awesome and are teaching him a ton.

Now a description of Mexico in Braxton's own words: "Wow, Mexico is so crazy! I didn't even know a place like this existed. There are so many people. It's like as packed as Disneyland everywhere you go. The traffic is crazy. I'm not even sure if they have traffic laws. They just drive where ever they want and apparently it's okay. Speed bumps are the only thing that there is to enforce the law here, and police cars....weird, the police cars always have their lights on and they are all over the place. It is just a totally different world! I got tapped (hit) by a car but it was just barely."

"There are so many people, dogs, and cars and it's absolutely crazy! But, I love it! The rats are like small cats. I saw a huge dead dog on the side of a (river?) The river seriously looked like tar, just black and really thick. It was gross and stinky!" (I'm (mom) pretty sure the 'river' was sewage)

"Under some of the overpasses in the middle of like three streets there are basketball courts. It's like the only place they could put them. Their soccer fields are just dirt and the game is played a little different."

"I didn't ever think I would say this but, I like the City." "It's really cool!" "There are drunks and homeless everywhere, but everyone is really nice." "The members are awesome, they are so nice and friendly and just fun to be around."

The missionaries eat a lot. Braxton thought that once he got to Mexico he might loose some weight, but he says the members feed them a ton. More than he's ever eaten in one meal at home. He said he has ate some different things, but isn't exactly sure what because his comp just told him to eat and not ask. The members are always giving the missionaries referrals and all sorts of stuff. Braxton already has a great love for them.

Braxton's apartment is like the size of Jaydan's room. The missionaries need to fit three Elders in it. There are only two beds so Braxton gets to sleep on the couch (which is old and crappy).

"I love Mexico and the work is cool. I walk so much in a day it's scary. We walk more than we are in houses. The majority of the day is just spend walking."

"The storms here are crazy. They come out of nowhere. One day we were walking and I said to my comps-wow, it's a beautiful day, and not five minutes later it was pouring rain and hail. It was bigger than any storm I have ever seen in my life!" "The hail was huge and the rain drops were crazy big as well."

Braxton's says he loves everyone and HE LOVES BEING A MISSIONARY!

Braxton is Headed for Mexico

Braxton is leaving for Mexico bright and early August 13th on Delta Flight 912 at 6:00 a.m. He just recieved the information on the 12th. He spent an extra month in the MTC, but he enjoyed it and had some really good experiences. He is really excited though to leave and get to Mexico and experience all that is waiting for him there. He has to get up early because he is leaving the MTC at 3:00 a.m. His Grandpa is also leaving his house at 3:00 a.m. to meet Braxton at the Airport. This is kind of a tradition for Gramps to go to the airport and see his grandsons off. He say's it's because he's not sure he'll be here when they get home. (you never know) It's his time with them, as short as it is, and he likes to do it. He always asks me if I want to go and I quickly reply "no". I already said "good-bye" and couldn't handle doing it again. :) Braxton is an awesome missionary, and a great example to everyone. He'll love Mexico and Mexico will love him.

Phone Calls from Braxton

Wednesday, August 6, Braxton called and told Jaydan (because I was at Youth Conference) that he was going to be reassigned to the Provo mission until the visa's were okayed. We got another phone call today, August 8th and things have changed again. I guess they (The Consolate) are going to let 10 more missionaries come and so now Braxton gets to go to Mexico instead of Provo. He will have his flight plans on Monday. He sounds wonderful and has a great attitude about everything that has happened. He has found the bright side of this situation and is happy because of it. He listened to alot of Elders complain and he just didn't. He's excited to move on now.

Leaving Soon

So, I think Braxton got his visa. He said he got his "permisa" and is going to send home letters and a few things so I'm assuming he's preparing to go to Mexico.

He said being there (in the MTC) for a week extra weeks hasn't been bad. In fact, he says it was actually great! They have been working in the the RC all day and he's had some great experiences teaching the investigators and being able to be an instrument in changing their lives. The other day he made 330 phone calls plus a few chats, and sent 6 or 7 missionaries to homes. He mentioned talking to an awesome Catholic lady for an hour, in fact he's even calling again on Saturday (last week). With the good always comes some bad (or trials) and he got a call from an "anti" trying to get him to go home and know the "truth" and she even said she would testify against him in the the last day. She even told him that Christ would say "Braxton on July 26th 2008, so & so, tried telling you and you wouldn't listen." (Wow) Braxton felt really bad, but it was for her because it will be the other way around. He's really hoping she will have a change of heart and that his testimony will touch her some how. So, he say's "there are ups and downs, but the ups out way the downs."


This is Braxton and his friend from Australia that he met on the cruise. Elder Raife Cambell.

He mentioned that he loves everyone, and He Loves Being A Missionary!

Captain Who? And to end with Braxton being a Lemon Head! :) (he has a big mouth huh?)