Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings

This week was full of meetings and hard on the missionaries. Braxton loves meeting with his mission President because he loves his president and thinks he is awesome but this week was hard. Braxton's area is so, so, so far away from everyone. Sometimes it takes 6 hours to get to a meeting. This week was full of them.

Sunday he went to Metepec for a meeting with the stake to teach them how to help the missionaries. They taught the members what the missionaries are doing and how they need help. After that meeting they met with the zone leaders. Braxton stayed there that night because on Monday they had a zone meeting. Then they went to the Federal District Center and did things from 9 in the morning until 9 at night. That night they went back to the Metepec, getting there around 11:30 pm and stayed the night there. Braxton woke up sick and didn't dare try to ride the bus 3 hours to get home. So they stayed longer. It was Thursday that Braxton and his comp finally made it back to their area. They were able to teach one lesson before they had to leave again to go to the Metepec for Zone Conference that was friday morning..

Braxton went on divisions with the zone leader and brought him to his area for interviews. They did the interview and go back to his house late. Saturday morning they had to go back to the Metepec for Braxton's comp. When they got home again they had to clean the house for Church and prepare their talks. They had Church on Sunday and then went back to Metepec again and that is where Braxton was when he sent his e-mail. He said he spent like 4 hours in his area this week is all. He said he did learn a ton but is really excited to get back to work this week.

Today for P-day Braxton went to the zoo. They went to a show at the zoo where people were dressed in animal costumes. Braxton was playing around and kicked one in the face. Braxton said it wasn't hard, he was just messing around. Everyone watching the show thought it was funny and worth the money they had to pay to get in. Braxton said it was fun! "The Church is so flipping True!" Elder Ropelato

Lots!

Braxton loves his area so much and thinks it's just way awesome. It is far away from everything though and takes a lot of time to get to all the leadership meetings. Braxton thinks that is why the Lord is blessing them with such awesome members. Braxton said that he thinks everyone paid their tithing this week. They haven't been paying it because of inactivity but they are all jumping right back into being the best members ever!

The members there are all helping with the missionary work. Everyone wants to share the Gospel with their neighbors and because of that they are having so much success. It makes Braxton wonder what the heck is wrong with us. Seriously we just don't get involved in the missionary effort like they do in Mexico. If we did the Lord would bless this area just as much. He is just waiting for us to put forth some effort. Braxton said "members are too worried about their own well being and don't understand that if they unselfishly serve others they will be blessed." Braxton also shared a quote he heard once. It is...The most selfish thing you can do for yourself is forgetting yourself and helping others. "THAT IS SO TRUE."

The missionaries were able to confirm Jose yesterday. (he was baptized on Thursday) They have 2 more baptisms lined up for this Sunday. ("they are just awesome, humble people.") Braxton just "freaking" loves the work there. He says he flat out can't explain it, but it is truly awesome. There are also two 10 year old girls that are waiting for a baptismal date. The work is just extraordinary there. There are so many miracles happening all the time. Another new family came to church yesterday, and they even gave the missionaries a referral, which is just so neat. Braxton said "the Lord has just prepared all these people and they have people for us to teach. They have just been waiting patiently for the missionaries to come."

Braxton hauled 544 bales of hay, in a wheel barrel, up a muddy hill, while wearing missionary clothes. First though he jumped into a John Deere tractor to get it out of the way. (he thought that was so awesome. He loves tractors) When he pulled out his planner today there was hay in it. (oh, happy days)

Braxton had some guy in the street shine his shoes. He said the guy did a really good job and he also admitted that it tickled his feet a little. :) It was cool though.

Today while the missionaries were riding in a bus they had the crap scared out of them. (not really, but almost) There were 20 missionaries on it and Braxton thinks that's why the bus didn't roll. They were on 2 wheels, twice! The driver just kept going like it was nothing. At first he tried slamming on his brakes but he still would have slammed into the car in front of him so he chose to swerve hard and in the process hit a speed bump. ( A*h*C*r*U*d*) Braxton never did think about his or the other missionaries well beings. He was focusing on two mothers with four children under the age of four that were sitting next to him. That scared Braxton the most. Everything turned out fine though and everyone was okay.

He loves us all and loves the Lord. He is working so hard and said that we will all know that when we see how smokin hot and awesome his life will be. (he really just wants a pretty wife.(:)

Thing are Great!

Thing are awesome in Valle de Bravo. This new branch will have it's first baptism on Thursday. They are planning on having a few more later. There were 20-25 people at Church this week. It was testimony meeting and it was just way, way, way awesome. (as Brax put it) Braxton's companion taught a class for the members on tithing. Braxton taught the investigators the plan of salvation. It was a great day and way cool. (again from the mouth of Brax)Valle de Bravo has a prayer house. (church) The missionaries live in the prayer house too. There are 3 bathrooms and four bedrooms and it's a cabin. It's awesome and one bathroom even has a jetted tub. (which the missionaries found out doesn't need very much soap to get bubbles)All is way sweet and Braxton loves it. Even though so much is happening, Braxton can't quite find the words, or doesn't know what to share for sure. Braxton received the first tithing slip yesterday! (sweet beans)The Church is True!

Miracles and More Miracles

(they travel 2 hours every week for meetings. Braxton is looking a bit tired)

Braxton said he has a hard time remembering and explaining all the wonderful experiences that he is having. He did say "it is just awesome!"

It was really cold and hailing yesterday and Braxton could see his breath. (who would have thought that would happen in Mexico City?) But he wasn't really complaining, just saying. He thinks it is beautiful!

He had fresh Trout this week. (oh, that he caught)

For Church this week there were 23. (woot, woot!) Nine of those were investigators. Still no building or place for church so they all crammed into the missionaries little room. (still not complaining, just saying)

Braxton said that he is seeing so many miracles in this new area and that it is just crazy awesome. Him and the branch are going to make a book of the church there in Valle de Bravo. Brax says it will be awesome, and I have no doubt it will be.

(I'm thinking he must really be busy because that was it for this week. I'm not complaining either, just saying. (:)

(Braxton is needing some new shoes. He must be working hard)

This is just in someone's house. Interesting!

All is Good

Braxton didn't remember much of what happened this week. He said it went really fast. They are teaching a lot of people though and staying very busy. They found 11 new investigators this week and taught the restoration 15 times. Things are going good though.

It was just Braxton and his comp for church this week. (I'm betting it wasn't a very long meeting) They still haven't found a place to hold church but hoping this week they will find some place. They are hoping for some baptisms soon so they can get their branch going. He's learning more about patience through this though.

He went to a waterfall today for their p-day and said that was really cool. However, the batteries to his and his comp's camera died. (so I guess, no pictures) The missionaries get to go to the Temple tomorrow and he is excited for that.

He absolutely loves his new area. He says it is gorgeous and a great place to visit.

pinas a las ocho

Braxton is in Valle de Bravo. Him and his comp are the first missionaries to ever preach the Gospel there. They have been chosen to set the foundation for Valle De Bravo. Braxton thinks that is really neat but said it is really hard too. They are looking for a prayer house. (church building) Yesterday, Braxton experienced the best sacrament meeting of his life. He knows it's because he prepared himself so much spiritually and prayed a lot for help. There was only Braxton and his comp and a family of 5. The family isn't even from Valle de Bravo. They live in the North Mission, but they have a time share there and found the missionaries. They only come one week every year and this was there week. They held the meeting in the missionaries home, which is TINY! They sat on the beds facing each other. The father is one of the counselors to the Stake President where he lives. (Jordan Bowden from the 5th ward is in his mission). Braxton said he really didn't learn anything from the talk his comp gave but was filled with the spirit and realized how true the church is. It doesn't matter where you have a church meeting as long as you do all you can do. "It was amazing." Braxton said he knew the Lord knew that I would need some help and so he sent this wonderful family.

In the two days that they have been working in this new area they have taught the restoration 13 times and a few other lessons too. They have about 7 investigators right now too. It makes Braxton so excited to see so many people interested in listening to the great message the missionaries have to share.

Braxton just loves the work and wished he could describe his feeling better but can't find the right words to describe it. His new area is beautiful. It's a tourist attraction and is in the mountains with trees and rivers everywhere. The houses look like little village houses. He absolutely loves it!

Braxton's comp is Elder Flores. His parents are mission presidents in Chiuahua, Mexico, but are originally from Puebla. Braxton is training Elder Flores because he just barely got out there. Braxton says "I Love the Mish, it's the Best!" "I've learned a lot about how True it all is."

He signed out as......a struggling missionary in Mexico.
he also added this ps......without struggles you can't grow. You should be proud your missionary is struggling. (I thought that was exactly right, and what a great attitude!)

New Area

I'm not going to tell much of Braxton's e-mail this week. I will say that he has been tranfered to a new area (Valle de Bravo) and is a bit nervous with the responsiblities he will have. He is excited though and asked us to keep him in our prayers.