Merry Christmas

Braxton received his Christmas Package! He said it looked like everything was in it. (oh, good) He told us the plan for Christmas, how and when we could talk to him. We will call him and can talk as long as we have calling cards. :) Oh, I can't wait!

Braxton has been sick again, but he reassured me it was only a cold and that he is fine.

The Elders are working hard. This week they didn't find new people, but still worked hard and hopefully planted some good seeds.

Braxton is looking forward to going to the Temple on Tuesday. It makes him realize how much we take things for granted. Because we are so blessed, sometimes we neglect the important things.

Braxton was sick this week! :(

Not a lot happened this week as far as missionary work went. Braxton was down in bed wishing to die. He was really miserable from Tuesday to Saturday. He was suffering from a constant migrain which got worse when he stood up or sat up. And, because he was laying in bed so much his back started hurting too. And to top that off he was visiting the restroom very often. He also had a sore throat just to top it off.

On Wednesday he decided to walk four doors down to a neighbor who has a friend that is a Doctor. The Doc checked him out. (like all the girls do, says Braxton) After checking him out she went to the Hospital to get some supplies. She checked his temp and blood pressure and all that fun stuff. Then she got out the needles. (Yikes!) She put one in Braxton's hand to hold (I think) and then tries to find a vain. She had a hard time and got "good american blood" all over the couch. She finally puts it in the vein in the crook of his arm and about that time Braxton has a real need to visit the restroom. She told him to wait a minute while she taped it on him. (easy for her to say) So, as soon as she is done taping it up Braxton runs to the restroom. He's all hooked up without a free hand and so that causes a bit of a problem in the restroom. Thank goodness for Comps. His comp took the medicine from one hand so Braxton had a free hand. Whew!

Braxton started feeling better after putting two different medications in his arm directly in his blood stream. Now he just needs to take some pills for another 6 days. He still doesn't feel himself, but is improving.

While he was laying sick and complaining he had time to think about Christ and all the He went through for Braxton personally. He realized that he wasn't going through much at all and that he could suffer a little more for HIM! It was a real eye opener and a blessing!

Even going through all that Braxton say's "I still love being a missionary!"
(oh, and he is feeling a little smaller too. Dropped a few pounds.)

Feeling Good

Braxton got a new comp a few weeks ago. He said he is pretty cool and they have some things in common like being the middle child, dads are Bishops, and they like to have fun. His family lives in the East Mission so it isn't far, but Braxton promised to be good and stay where he should.

Elder Ropelato has been working really hard teaching the people and hopes to see some great results in the next few weeks.

On Thanksgiving they had interviews with their President and meeting in the afternoon. He said the meeting really help him a lot. He had a cool experience about testimonies and how quickly Heavenly Father will bless you, even before you ask. Braxton had a neat experience this week with finding a family. They had a reference and the address was chiquihuite # 176. They were looking down a long road and some how found out the there are actually 5 roads with that name and the houses aren't numbered in order. The decided to walk back a different way after checking all the houses and they had another reference for nino jesus (the name of the street) so they decided to check it out. When they got there they could hear a lady tell the person who answered the door that she wasn't there. Braxton thought that was funny. Then they saw one house on chiquihuite that they hadn't seen and guess what number it was? If you guessed # 176 you are right. The lady was thrilled. She is a member but her husband isn't so the missionaries will start teaching him. Braxton is amazed at how the Lord guides a bunch of unintelligent 19 year olds in the biggest city in the world. He laughs and said "and you thought you were busy!"

Braxton had a drunk come up and shake his hand and then pass out right there on the sidewalk. Brax said he looked dead and then a little girl walked by holding her mothers hand and had the strangest look on her face. Braxton thought is was funny. :)

The people in Mexico think that Braxton is BEAUTIFUL! He doesn't care why they think it. It makes him feel good no matter what the reason is.

Braxton and his comp went to the Heart of the City and Braxton said "holy cow, there were a ton of people." His comp said that was the least amount he has ever seen in the center, but Braxton was blown away. He sure misses Hooper!

Braxton ran into some other white kids doing missionary work or pioneering as they called it. They were all about the Bible and after meeting them Braxton actually had one of his best study times yet. He realized just how much the Bible testifies of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. It was awesome for him. His testimony is growing all the time and He LOVES BEING A MISSIONARY!

I'm filled with a little too much joy and don't know why

Braxton loves hearing from everyone. He loves e-mails BUT would really love a letter from home. Either use the dearelder.com or just write one and fold it in 3's, tape it and mail it. (no envelopes) He has requested this MANY TIMES! So, if you are reading this go get out a pencil and write him a letter!

Elder Ropelato was teaching a 19 year old that he said was "Golden". The kids girlfriend had chased the missionaries down to teach him. Braxton was enjoying teaching him, but now the boy is moving to another area. Braxton says that happens a lot.

Braxton is working hard, having fun, and really wanting letters! Hey it's Christmas time-make his day and write him a letter!

Rededication of Mexico City Temple

Elder Ropelato had a great week. On his p-day they were able to play football (even tackle) and he had a great time. He was plenty sore after but enjoyed it.

Braxton texted me on Saturday night to watch KBYU. It was about the Temple dedication and he thought he was on it. We weren't home but it was so fun getting a text from him. :) He said they had a big (huge) program ath the Aztec Stadium which is the 2nd biggest stadium in the World. Our dear Prophet came and sang a solo in Spanish and Braxton said you could feel the "spirit" so strong! Then at the end of the Program all the missionaries (Braxton said like a thousand) came out onto the stage and sang "Called to Serve". It was so cool he said and the "Spirit" was wonderful!

(this is Braxton's stake for the program)

The next Sunday was the best thoug. It was the Temple Dedication Broadcast and Braxton said

even though they weren't there it was just "WOW"! What a wonderful experience!

Braxton has been out on his mission for 6 months!

A funny thing that a lady said. While Braxton and Elder Cruz were teaching her she asked Braxton if he missed cute kids. Braxton told her that there were plenty of cute kids around. Then she said "no there isn't, look at my son and granddaughter, they are ugly." (and she was serious) Braxton thought it was funny. He said they weren't ugly, maybe not beautiful, but still cute! (he told us that not her)

Ivy's Grandparents

This week Braxton saw both of Ivy's grandparents. Braxton was so excited. He saw them in the parking lot of the Temple. He went over to talk to them and they turned off the car, got out and gave him a hug. They talked and then they gave Braxton their phone number and said to call them if he ever needed anything. How cool for Braxton. Ivy's grandparents are really neat! It was really fun for Braxton to see them. Like I said in the last post he was hoping that some time during his mission he would. They don't live in the same mission, but with the Temple, he was able too.

(Elder Michael and Elder Ropelato)

He spent this week in the Temple parking lot. He was able to go inside too and again said how amazing it is. He was helping a lady in a wheel chair and almost dumped her when the wheel got caught. It scared him, but was really glad she didn't fall out.

He taught his companion what a raisin was. His comp had never heard of one before. Oh and Braxton met some guy that we met at the Senior Olympic, and he also met his cousin Jeff's mission president.

Braxton is doing good and knows how to iron, wash his clothes by hand, and even fold them. He does chores and studies his scriptures. (What a catch he will be)

Braxton saw Ivy's (his neice) Grandma

Braxton has been at the Temple this week from like 6:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night. He said the Temple is really cool. He saw a few friends from High School there and some from the MTC. He said the Temple is kind of like the Ogden Temple as far as the lay out goes, it's just square and a lot bigger. And he saw Ivy's grandma who lives in Mexico. She was helping at the Temple too and when Braxton saw her he asked her if she was Daniel's mom. He was so excited, he really was hoping that some time in the two years he would get to see them. This is a picture of them together.

Some crazy things this week, or at least random things:
*He drove a truck in Mexico City, he was doing service and he said it made him feel cool.
*He saw a spider eat a fly.
*They shut the door for the first time at night because it was cold.
*He was asked if he wanted candy, and said "yes" and was given a cough drop.
*A parrot lives at their house. It's a members and bites Braxton's finger.

Braxton informed me again that Missionaries really do like letters! So if you are reading this feel free to write him. Use the dearelder.com it's free and easy. :)
The people are nice. They were teaching a lady the first lesson and even though she didn't want anything to do with it she gave the missionaries some really good bread and coffee. They told her they didn't drink coffee so she heated them up some milk.

Church goes over time on Fast Sundays. Everyone wants to share their testimonies and so there is always a long line. (how cool)

At a dinner the people had to tell Braxton to eat with his hands. I was so hoping he wouldn't be sent anywhere like that. He loves eating with his hands.

Elder Ropelato is working hard even though the results are slow. He loves being a missionary!