Braxton's district leader is Elder King. Elder King's Aunt lives in Hooper. Her husband is Bishop Foster, and before he was Bishop he was our wards High Councilman. They had Kevin come to dinner and one of their family home evenings to talk about his mission to their family. (small world)

Braxton saw some really cool lightening the other day. He said it lit everything up for like 3 minutes. He thought it was crazy and cool.

While Braxton's comp was taking a picture of Braxton in front of their church and when he bent down he ripped his pants all the way up the seam. Ya, they took a taxi back to their apartment and got new ones. :)

Braxton has two baptismal dates right now and this weekend they found a couple of really good investigators. He is really hoping that things work out. They had an appointment with a lady named Lucia this week and when they went walked in her husband was standing against the counter. Now Braxton has seen that before and it isn't a good sign. He was thinking, oh great he isn't going to let her accept anything. But, it turned out that he was more interested than Lucia. He told the missionaries how he had took a nap and when he woke up he felt like he needed to do something. He wasn't sure what or how. He thought he might need to go to church and then that is when Braxton and his comp (Elder Rangel) knocked on his door. He thought the things they taught were great. He said he didn't know a lot of the things and he thought it was great that there is a Prophet today and was just excited with the things that he had learned. Braxton is praying that he will keep the faith now. Braxton said "normally we have to tell them that sometimes their traditions are false, but this guy brought it up that some of his families traditions and his wife's families might be wrong." He actually wants to go to church with the missionaries now.

This week there was a document on TV about Joseph Smith. However, it was sponsored by another sorce other than the Church. It seems like many people watched it and now they have false ideas and don't want anything to do with the missionaries.

Braxton taught the Gospel Principles class on Sunday. He said it was a first for him, but he got good comment back so it must of went well.

Braxton has also started exercising and so except for having a cold sore he looks good. (He then told his dad he could send the Pride talk if he wanted to)

(this is their weight set-bottles of water and a broom stick)

Braxton wanted to make sure that everyone knows that he loves you.

Still Smiling

February 16, 2009

Braxton was transfered and has a new comp that he really likes. His area is Culturas and his comp is Elder Rangel. Him and Elder Rangel entered the mission the same day. Elder Rangel is 23 years old and likes to work hard. He is from Tampico Mexico (or somewhere near there). Braxton says the work is really different here. There are mostly appartment buildings and it's a lot easier to get lost. It frustrates Braxton and he'll yell and then they just laugh.

They had another baptism this week of a 12 year old girl named Karla. The font was cold because the boiler won't heat that much water. It will heat only 9 liters of water a minute.

(these are pictures of Karla and her family along with Elder Ropelato and Elder Rangel)

Braxton's church is a brand new Stake Center and very big and nice. The chairs on the stand are like theatre style.

Braxton has been a little sick this week. He said it wasn't too bad just a sore throat, headache and cough. It didn't stop them from working.

His house has a washer and dryer. He thinks that is sweet. His bed isn't sweet though. He can feel the springs through it. Oh well, he said it is doable.

New Area

Braxton was right about the zone leaders taking over his area. Braxton is being transferred to Culturas (he thinks) with Elder Rangel. Braxton's comp is being transferred to the zone leaders area and Braxton feels like he (his comp) is being shafted. Oh well, you roll with the flow.

This week they were able baptize a way cool girl. Braxton said that when his comp had contacted this girl she didn't seem like someone who accept the Gospel. But, she did and it is really cool to see the changes she has made in her life. He is really glad she has the Gospel now so that she can continue to move forward and be happy.

Braxton is excited to go to a new area, but says that it is hard. He is moving from his first area where he has grown so close to people. People who have nothing, but give everything. ("it's a real eye opener!")

Peace Out Y'all

That's how Braxton ended this weeks letter. "Peace Out Y'all." (I think he is feeling good.)

Braxton thinks the weeks are just flying by. They had a Conference with the President last week and he just thinks they are the coolest things ever. "I love them." "I am just blown away at how lucky I am to be a missionary." "Life has been so good, it scares me a little that is has been so easy and filled with blessings, and I'm scared that something crazy hard or terrible will happen." "I hope not." "As each day goes by I realize how blessed I am."

Braxton feels like he knows what a true missionary is now and how to do it. He said that his president is awesome and that he simplified the preach my gospel to fit on a card that they can refer too. It's really sweet and powerful. He said it makes the lessons so much clearer and spiritual.

Funny thing: Braxton contacted a girl that was like 28 years old and she said that she couldn't talk to the missionaries because she had a boyfriend. He thought that was hilarious, and wondered what the heck that had to do with talking to them.

Braxton thinks that Satan is a "fetcher". For Christmas, Braxton got some caramels in his package and had eaten them all long ago. Well, magically on Fast Sunday one just happened to appear in his pocket. He was strong though and threw it on the desk so that when he came home later that night it would be waiting. (he said he was such a man)

Braxton is pretty sure that this will be his last week in Ticoman. He said that him and his comp have been having a lot of success. In fact, better than the zone leaders. Maybe that's why the zone leaders are asking about how their (the missionaries)house is and how the area is and how many families are being taught. Braxton said they even came and worked with him and his comp the other day. Braxton thinks they are moving right in on his area and will probably baptize all the families they have been teaching. But he said "it's cool, as long as they are baptized."

Braxton was told that he looked 25. He has decided that it's because he has a ton of muscle, and he means a ton, and it is covered with a tiny bit of fat, thus making him look fat. (or just older)

The Days Blurr Together

(this is a picture of Braxton's little hill, yeah haha, it's not so little)

Braxton said it is good that the days blurr together now. It means that time is going fast and all is well. He was thinking back when he first got to Mexico and how it was really hard. He had no friends, he couldn't talk to people (because he didn't know their language), and he was in a crazy, busy place with tons of people. (He wasn't loving it then.) He even thought that it was going to be a long two years. But, now he is settling in and loving it. Now his mission is more what he imagined it to be. He still misses the things back home, but he says things are great and the work is awesome!
(this is Brax showing someone about technology)

He loves going to the Temple and thinks it is just amazing. He was able to go this week and says that he learns so much every time he goes. "I'm always blown away with how perfect the Church is. It's so fetchin true!" He had a cool experience in the Celestial Room and was able to see his companion as his brother and felt a real love for him.

(this is Braxton in front of a train, and the only reason he isn't directly in front of it is because his camera was being slow and the train was coming at him fast)

He mentioned that he was going to go back to the Visitor Center with some investigators and thought that was going to be cool. He also said that there is a guy there that makes scripture cases, in fact cool ones, and so he was going to get some of those too. (I hope that is in his budget, and that he's not over spending)

Braxton said he loves us all a ton! So with that have a good day!