kind of a rough week

A older lady that Braxton had come to love passed away this week. (on Thursday) She was the mother of Cosme and Maria Dela luz. She just loved he "guero" which was Braxton. Braxton had promised himself that he would go back to her area and baptize her. Braxton got the call just as they had walked in for lunch. Needless to say he didn't eat much at all that day. It was really hard on him and he couldn't do door knocks either because he would choke up every time he went to speak. The next day he was much better.

Braxton said that everyone seems to be sick and him and his comp have been giving a lot of blessings. A lot more than normal. They gave like 10 just this week.

Braxton experienced another hard thing this week too. A 15 year old mother had a very sick little 4 month old little girl. The baby was in terrible condition. She was having a hard time breathing, and even a hard time crying or coughing. Braxton got frustrated because the mom didn't want to take the baby to the hospital and instead was waiting for her husband to get home. Even then because of insurance reasons she wouldn't take her to the hospital that was close but was going to take her to one that was like an hour away. The mom said it wasn't convenient. At that point Braxton said "have you that about what's convenient for your daughter?" Braxton was sure the baby was going to die, but the family got in a taxi and he hasn't heard anything since. Braxton said it was a good thing he was a missionary because he wanted to smack her. (he wouldn't smack her even if he wasn't a missionary) It just really frustrated him to see a child with a child.

A good thing that happened this week was......the missionaries got a Christmas package from a family that has a missionary in the field. The missionary had told his mom to treat the missionaries good and she did. She sent shirts, deodorant, razors, food and candy. It was really cool for the missionaries to receive that package. (I love having others spoil my kids).

Another good thing that happened was when Braxton weighed himself he was down 10 lbs. (5 kilos) He was pretty excited about that! They got to play baseball for the first time since he's been out. He had a great time but got scratched up pretty bad.

"All in all things are going great and I couldn't ask for anything more. I just love the Church so, so, so much as well as each of you"

ps. Braxton found a guy that has been teaching English over a year and a half and they have an appointment with him for Wednesday.

Not Much This Week

Braxton's new companionis Elder Salinas. Elder Salinas has only been in the mission for 3 months. Braxton said "all is well."

It's weird for Braxton to be in an area with so many members, but he thinks it is way cool too. The missionaries are working a ton with the members and Braxton is excited to see what will happen.

This week they really didn't have much time to teach since they counsel with the President on Wednesday and a conference on Friday. Braxton always enjoys the conferences though and always learns a lot.

This morning Braxton played basketball on a wood floor and said that he can still grab the rim. (he thought that was great!)

He had an appointment and so didn't have time to write much else. He ended with " all is really, really excellent!)

pics

Transfer & Win-Win Situation

This week Braxton spent a lot of time traveling. He said more than he has ever traveled. Sometimes it was 3 hours and still in his area. They were interviewing a lot of people this week.
In one day Braxton went to Colorines, then Otzoloapan, then Zuluapan, then Zacazanapan, then Luviano (which is said to be the most dangerous place in then mish, but Braxton didn't know until after) and then to Tejupilco. Needless to say it was a very long day. While he was in Otzoloapn Braxton bought a few knifes. A cop told him it was a Federal offense to carry them, but didn't to anything about it so Braxton now has them put away in his bags.

Braxton bought some bread this week that had bugs in it. He just picked out what he could see and enjoyed his bread.

In Santo Tomas de los Plantanos the missionaries taught a girl and prepared her for baptism on Saturday. They needed to take her to church (for baptism) but they already had a full car and so they needed to let one of the members kids out so that this girl would fit. Braxton said that they were only like 10 minutes from the house but it wasn't visible and there was absolutely nothing around. It was the middle of no where. As he drove away he looked in the rear view mirror and the little kid was waving. The little kid had cut his finger a week earlier and had a brace on it so when he was waving it looked like he was flipping them off.

The baptism was amazing! It's really cold right now and everyone wears coats and a few sweaters and the baptism was in a waterfall. It had rained everyday this week and Braxton just kept praying that the sun would shine on Sunday and that the water would be warm or at least bearable. When it was time for the baptism it was sunny, but cold. By the waterfall everything is shaded but when they stepped into the water it wasn't near as cold as it should have been. Braxton baptized the girl and when they walked out of the water they weren't cold. There was a breeze and the others who were watching were cold but Braxton and the girl never were. They even walked back to the car which took another 15 minutes but still didn't get cold. It was a really neat experience for Braxton.

Braxton is leaving Valle de Bravo. He is fine with leaving the area (since it's so big) but he was said to leave the members. It was a really great experience for Braxton to serve there for so long and he grew a ton while serving there. Valle de Bravo is the smallest branch and in the area farthest south and he is going to an area with 4 wards and the most dense place in the mission (as far as member go) and it's almost the farthest north in the mission. The area is Acueducto and it is in the Tenayo Zone. It will be a big change but Braxton is way excited.

Braxton enjoyed Sunday. He said it was really spiritual even though once again the speakers didn't show and the missionaries were asked to speak about 3 minutes before the meeting. It amazes Braxton how the Holy Ghost will just guide you when needed.

Braxton said "I honestly feel happier than I've ever been in my life right now for being able to share the Gospel with others and to progress myself." "Reflecting on last year and what I did and how Happy I was. It was the happiest year ever and I learned that by being apart of the missionary work is a Win-Win situation. we grow and others grow. The Lord blesses all of us."

"I just love the Gospel and I know that God blesses the family!!! I love you all so much and my for each of you grows as each day passes."

New Years & Goals

Braxton went to the gym this morning and after working out he just wanted to throw up. That's what happens when you don't exercise for 20 years and then go full force all at once. :)

Braxton had an enjoyable week. He said he learned a lot about.....life. He has been thinking about goals since it is the first of another year. As he got his goals down he realized that the majority of them are family oriented and that living the gospel is the only way to achieve them. Which means they are good goals.

Braxton has been reading the Miracle of Forgiveness and just loves it. He thinks it is one of the best books he has ever read. The book if full of advice on everything including how to have a happy family. Another goal that he made was to do a back flip off a bar, a swinging bar. I believe that is happening today so hope all goes well.

There is a volcano outside the window and it is covered with snow. Braxton wasn't prepared to be serving in the cold. Nothing in his packet told him to bring anything warm. So he's cold but loving life anyway.

One of the thoughts that came from the book "Miracle of Forgiveness" is:....it's easier to stay away from sin than to pay the price later. (so true)

Oh and Braxton did have a baptism this week of a 16 year old kid. He said it was really spiritual .