Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Still Growing!

Braxton started his letter off this week expressing his love for everyone. He loves us all a lot! Brax wasn't sure where to start as far as explaining all that he has learned over this week. He then said "I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON". "It's amazing and the things you can learn from it are without number." Braxton particularly studied Mormon chapters 8 and 9 and knows their love for us. He said that Mexico if very well described in these chapters and he has no doubt that the prophets of old really did see us, in our days and wrote directly to us for these days. They are pleading with us to change our ways. They know that the time is close and that the time to change is now!

Jeffery R. Holland reminds Braxton of how the ancient prophets probably spoke. That is with boldness, straightforward, clearly and with lots of love. Braxton just loves it! Braxton was thinking of the scripture that talks about asking in Faith nothing doubting and how it shall be given. He said he never quite understood that before his mission but is now catching the vision of it. Braxton said that Satan is attacking the Branch through the family really hard. (here too) Braxton was reading the scriptures and realized that he could and should pray for each family individually and ask for them to be blessed with their specific needs. He knows that Heavenly Father will bless them and be with them. That brought real comfort and peace to Braxton.

Braxton feels that before his area was opened up to the Gospel that it was Satan's kingdom. Satan was the one ruling there and now that the truth has been brought there the saints are being attacked like the ones were in the early days of the church. Braxton has really learned a lot through this experience and he testimony has grown tremendously.

Braxton has never felt happier, but at the same time never felt so sad. The happiness because of his family and his increased understanding of the Gospel and the joy that comes through working diligently. The sadness comes also from the his increased understanding that everyone doesn't have the Gospel in their lives and that many will not except it, but reject it for worldly things and loose eternal blessings. "As Moroni in Mormon asked...how do you think that eternal happiness is worth less than misery without end?" (he said not word for word but something like that) "Agency is a gift that will never be taken away..." Braxton feels great about his mission even though they are not baptizing a lot right now. He is giving it his all and doing his best. The missionaries were reminding by the Stake President that some people plant seeds and others harvest. Braxton knows he is planting a lot of seeds. The missionaries and members have helped the Lords work by activating 30 members. They are hoping to see more baptisms soon as well. Braxton asked that we all pray for him and his comp and the members and people there and throughout the world with similar situations. Braxton loves the Gospel and this church and knows that it is true!

Pictures of Home

Braxton requested that I send him pictures from home. He wanted the tractors and cows and his truck, all the things he misses. So, here they are Braxton. I added a few of the family too.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

No Changes for Braxton

Braxton isn't going anywhere again this change. He said this is the fourth change with the same companion and area which just never happens. In fact he hasn't ever heard of it in his mission. He's excited though. Braxton really likes his comp, Elder Flores.

Braxton continues to learn a lot all the time. He said his favorite subject right now is repentance. It is just amazing! He has found that if he can teach the principle of repentance well people have an easier time with commitment. Because "a commitment is obligating YOURSELF to do something and if people understand repentance they really do obligate themselves to change and no one has to force them." "It is really neat." Braxton admitted to not paying attention in his English classes and so he has a hard time explaining things the way he'd like.

"I love, love, love the mission! It is the Best Thing to happen to me. Well after the Atonement, and family. But yeah it has been wonderful and keeps being wonderful to me each day."
Braxton is teaching Cecilia and if everything goes well, she will be bapitzed on Sunday. She needs to go to Church though before she can get baptized. Cecilia is progressing very well and understands all that the missionaries are teaching her. Braxton is praying for everything to go well.
On Monday (p-day) the missionaries went to Tenancingo with the zone to go fishing. But, the place was closed so they couldn't. Then they went to the pyramids and they were closed too. (bad luck still happens to the missionaries) The pyramids were on the other side of their zone which is the biggest zone in their mission. So, they traveled all day and didn't get to do anything. Braxton at least took some pictures of cowsBraxton also had a little decussion with an Elder King (from Bountiful, UT) about Pirates and Ninja's and which one was better. Elder King thinks pirates are better and Braxton doesn't agree at all. They took pictures to prove it. (if that really proves anything....it looks like they had fun though at least) Braxton is the pirate in one picture. The other ninja's are Braxton.
(I love the wooden leg. :D)

"Last but not least, and yes worse of all.....I picked my shoe up to put it on and a wolf spider came flying out of it. If you know Elder Ropelato at all, you know he HATES spiders, but likes wolves. Anyway the spider in dead and I am happy now."
Braxton again mentions that the mission is the greatest gift that he has been blessed with. He loves teaching the restoration of the Gospel. He is seeing miracles constantly and it is clear to him that God is behind the work and that "the Gospel it TRUE! The Book of Mormon is TRUE! There is a living Prophet today. Prayer is real. God and Jesus Christ love us!"

Brax loves all of us....grandma's, grandpa's, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, sister in law, nieces, nephew, friends, neighbors, cousing, aunts, uncles.....farm and tractors too. He ends with..."take care everyone and know that Elder Ropelato loves you and that he is a representative of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am constantly praying for each of you and ask for your prayers as well to give me and extra boost to this great and marvelous work."

PS from Braxton's comp....les amo y se cuiden mucho y que orara por todos ustedes
(translation-I love you (them) and take care and I will pray for you all)

Friday, October 16, 2009

Crazy Kid



And last but not least......missions don't change the person completely!