Week 61: The Uphill

Hey y'all! I hope y'all had a great week and wasn't destroyed by the Area 51 raid XD. But this week for was me was another great turnout, rough bumps in the beginning but it was great at the end! But enough talk and let's get into it!

Monday we had District P-Day in Starkville and we played a lot of games, well really it was Uno and Phase 10, but still. And I had no luck in either of those games so I totally got just rolled over by +2s stacked on each other and +4s stacked on each other and all that. But thankfully the 0 7 rule helped me out enough to not get totally rolled but still. It was a lot of fun though I enjoyed spending time with the District. Afterwards we came back did some other stuff for the rest of the day.

Tuesday was a pretty good day overall. We did our studies and went out and started visiting people, we had a few lessons at first fall through, then we had lessons for the rest of the day. I got to meet more of the people we have been teaching and had some cool experiences through that. We also did some contacting to kind of see if people are interested or not so that helped out, mostly. It's hard to tell sometimes when people here in the south don't particularly like taking calls for a local number they don't know. I mean yea everyone does it but the South is more.. Into it that the other areas. So that's always exciting. And we also were able to setup a few return appointments throughout the day so we are able to keep ourselves busy.

Wednesday was like a bust blessing, weird I know but let me explain. We originally had planned to go up to the Houston/Okolona (oak-o-low-na) and have a lesson with a referral we've been trying to meet since I got here and go visit people in the area. But, with our luck, we couldn't find a ride worth to save our LIVES. It was rough, so we had to reschedule the lesson and we contacted the people we wanted to try and see up in Houston. Afterwards we went to the Library and did some Online Pros/Studying at the Library for about an hour. Then while we were outside some guy comes up and sits down on a bench and starts talking to us and we started talking with him about a few things. Then we were able to share about the Book of Mormon and why we share it and he was interested in learning more and coming to Church! So that was a cool experience. Then we biked around and tried to contact a few people but that didn't work, then we had a lesson fall through sadly, so we decided to make some cookies for people and drop some off. And that was about it.

Thursday was another bust blessing. We had a lot of lessons planned and even a church tour but sadly all but 1 fell through, and we were starting to get real bummed about it but then when we had the lesson with one of our friends Miesha it got better because the lesson was super good. We answered a lot of questions she had as we were talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, The Sacrament and the importance of it weekly, and Enduring to the End)! We also had the opportunity to talk to some of her family members and they were super cool. We talked to one about all types of things and he really enjoyed talking to us! It was awesome! Then we just finished the day and went in!

Friday was something else. We started off by doing the Food Pantry and that was pretty good as usual. Then we came back and had Lunch. Elder Judd did a a call and then we had Weekly Planning and that was pretty good actually. Then we walked good old Bella, such a good doggo, I enjoy walking her. Afterwards we planned to go a little west of West Point and try to contact a few people. Well.. That was an experience and a half I will tell you that. Just getting to that area, GETTING to some of the people required us biking in a space the size of 6-8 inches and with rumble strip on my left and dirt with an inch drop on my right, overall (there and back) I possibly did around 3-4 miles of that, and I was a little scared but I'm alive. Also hit the rumble strip quite often so that was a bumpy experience (HA I'M FUNNY) but sadly all the contacts didn't work out but yea. That was a fun experience.

Saturday was pretty good. We had a lesson with someone we are teaching and we read in Mosiah 15 and talked about a lot of things. Then we came back and finished studies. After that we went to Wal-Mart to get a few items for more cookies for Sunday and then we came back and started making cookies. We finished Elder Judds cookies, had a lesson fall through so we came back and made my cookies(photo below for results) and it was a lot. We were figuring out what we needed to do to find people and we prayed about it and we felt like we needed to go to an area and knock a few doors. And because of that and a follow up we found 2 new people which as awesome. Then after we had an amazing lesson with Neelys mom and helped answer her questions and concerns she had and she really appreciated it.

Sunday we sadly had no one at Church, but because we now have the Air Force Base in our area we had 62 people at Church! It was amazing! We also had a potluck and it was super good, there was a lot of good food there. Afterwards we did our studies and planned out the rest of our day. We had to find 3 people to achieve the goal we wanted so we planned and prayed and found an area where we felt like we should go. And then we proceeded to find 3 people, and it was awesome. We were super happy about that and being able to hit our goal. We followed up and talked to people as much as we could and it worked out! It was exciting! Then we came back in and did Call Ins and had dinner.

This week was great, and it's helped me out a lot with my faith and putting in my best effort. I'm grateful to continue to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and I'm excited for this area to progress to what it needs to be! Have a great week!

May God be with you all, and know that I am here. I love you all!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Cookie Extravaganza
-Walking Bella

Week 60: Tables Turned

Hey y'all! I hope y'all are having a good week so far, this week for me was a lot better and we were pretty excited about that. But we will get into it more during the week! Let's get into it!

Monday after P-Day we decided to make cookies for someone and then after that we took them down to our friends house and the mother actually was praying for us to stop by and we talked about the Plan of Salvation with her a little bit as I also talked with the daughter who we walk dogs on occasion for and now the mother is a new person and that was really exciting.

Tuesday we had District Council here in West Point and we had to bike in our suits and that was no bueno. But District Council was good. After District Council Columbus blitzed West Point and I was with Elder Phillips and we visited a few people before meeting back up at our apartment. Then we drove all the way to Tupelo for Mission President Interviews, which were pretty good, and also we dropped off my bike (we switched it to the crappy tires and put it on the other bike) at a bike shop to get it fixed. Then we drove back and I grabbed my gear and started exchanges with Elder Phillips and we drove to Columbus and we went to the Air Force Base and we got picked up by a member and we went to their home and had dinner, and the dog was young and anxious and almost attacked me but it was nice a little later. Though the dinner was mega good. Then after we went finding for a little and we ended up finding 2 new people and it was awesome. Then afterwards we came in for the night and did studies.

Wednesday we did our studies and such and then we went out and did some contacting and follow ups. Sadly we didn't have too much success but we were able to have a pretty good lesson with someone they are working with. Then we back to West Point and ended exchanges. Then we had dinner and then we headed out to the outskirts of West Point near the Food Pantry we help out with and we see someone who is mowing her lawn and we ask if we can help and she said we can. And while I was mowing the lawn, Elder Judd talked with her for a little and come to find out she is a daughter of a less active in the Branch which was super cool to find out! After mowing we talked with her some more and set up a return appointment. Then we biked back and ended the day.

Thursday we did our normal studies and such and did some Online Proselyting a little bit. Then we went out and tried contacting someone before a lesson and we ended up finding 2 people out of it which was awesome! Then we had a really good lesson with a married couple that we are working with which is awesome. Then we went around tried contacting a few more people but it didn't work for us so then we went back inside and had dinner and also I called my parents since it was their anniversary and they enjoyed it which was good.

Friday we did our studies and had lunch, then we got into a long weekly planning session regarding more things but it was overall super good and it was needed. Then we went out and tried contacting a few and sadly some of them fell through, then we came back, ordered pizza, and finished more weekly planning. Not much came out of it.

Saturday we got some Electrical Tape and finished off what we needed to do after we did studies. Then we went to an appointment and they sadly weren't there. Then we walked a dog for a little bit and then we found a person which was pretty good. Then after we came back to our apartment where we ate dinner and then started a mission fast(we got permission to drink water, but limit it so we don't die)for missionaries health and then we went and helped build a fence and that was pretty cool. Then we biked home and ended the day.

Sunday I actually spoke in Church about why I chose to serve a mission and how it's blessed my life. That went pretty well. And then after Church we went home and studied for a while. Afterwards we biked out and tried contacting a few people but nothing worked out except we saw someone drive by that we are working with and then we biked to their house and set up a appointment for us to come by and that was good. Then we biked back to our apartment, grabbed some food, and biked out to the Church. We broke our fast and watched the Young Adult Face 2 Face and it was super good. Then we biked home and I got a headache, did call ins, and ate dinner and went to bed.

I'm thankful to see the success we had this week and I'm excited to continue to help this area grow and see many miracles as we go out, have faith in the Lord, and help others Come Unto Christ. Thank you for the support!

May God be with you all, and know that I am here. I love you all!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Our board that we made
-Me and Elder Phillips

Week 59: Rough Week

Hey y'all! How are y'all doing! This week.. Was pretty rough to be honest. But that's ok. It happens. Hopefully this week goes better, let's get into it!

Monday after emails we were taking groceries back and Elder Judds bike got another flat and we tried pumping it but to no avail. So we then proceeded to walk the bike and groceries back home. Then we walked to visit someone we were teaching and talked with him for a little, then we walked back home and ended the day.

Tuesday we got picked up by Columbus and we took Elder Judds broken bike and we had District Council which was pretty good. Then after we took it to a bike shop and it got fixed pretty quick which was super nice. Then we went back to West Point and got picked up at a members house and we drove up to Alberdeen and had some pretty great lessons with 2 people that we are working with and they wanted to come to church! And then after he dropped us off and we visited a few more people and then we walked to our Branch Presidents house and had dinner with him and his wife. Then he took us to visit a member that moved in and we got to speak with him a little bit. Then we came back and he took us home for the night.

Wednesday was rough. We were only able to have one lesson that went OK, could've been better but it was just rough. The rest of the day we tried contacting people and nothing went through sadly. And we were just bummed by the end of the day.

Thursday was about the same repeat, but slightly different. We were walking a dog for one of our friends and a stray started following us. And then it followed us back to our apartment. And we called our friend and she told us what to do so we were waiting for Animal Control to come pick it up and as we were holding her she keeps wanting to move so we named her Free Spirit haha. But after that for the rest of the day was all failed attempts. Brother Wilson picked us up for a lesson but that fell through too so he took us to his place and we had dinner with them. When he dropped us off we visited a member and talked to him for a little bit, and it was a pretty good visit. Then we came home.

Friday we biked over to a food pantry and we did service there for an hour. Then we did studies and then Weekly Planning. And then we go through the day having everything fall through sadly.. But in all of that we found 1 person! Which we were super happy about. And the we stopped by one of our friends and helped them out with a few things and they fed us burgers haha. Then we biked home and tried calling people.

Saturday was pretty decent. We got picked up for a baptism for a members daughter and that was cool to watch, then we went and had some food after that. Then we got dropped off at our place and did studies. We then went out and tried visiting people. We visited a few and got a return appointment with one. Then we got called to help someone move things and we did that for a while and we are going back next Saturday to help trim bushes. Btw, the place there is in a Country Club and it's crazy nice. Photos below. And then we went out and visited a few more people, had a good discussion with someone missionaries have been working with for a while. Then we came back and ended the day.

Sunday was ok. Sadly to no avail, we couldn't get a ride for those 2 people who live up in Alberdeen, so we had no one at Church, which sucked a lot. Then after Church we learned the ways of setting up for broadcasts and such. Then we biked home (we had to bike to church which was rough) and we did our studies. After we left to go visit people and before we got to the 1st person, guess who's bike had to break during gear shifting, me, your boy! Thankfully some nice people helped us take it back to our apartment, and I switched tires to another backup bike we had and we went and tried visiting a few people and nothing worked out. We couldn't even get a return appointment with a few people. Then we came in and had Call-Ins

This week was sadly rough. But I'm hoping the Lord will bless us this week with success. I'm still grateful to be able to serve, because I know it will help not one the people I work with and myself, but my friends and family. I hope you all have a great week!

May God be with you all, and know that I am here. I love you all!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-A photo of a street named James(You're welcome James my boy)
-Another view just in the middle of nowhere
-Our stray friend Free Spirit
-Some sweet country club view and a humongous chime
-Big Spooder
-Broken bike😭

Week 58: Change of Events

Hello from West Point, Mississippi where camo reigns from what I hear! This week was really a interesting week for a lot of reasons, so let's jump into it. 

Monday I got a lot of my packing finished. We went shopping for a few things and I got a haircut as well. I also said goodbye to Rene as well (photo from previous week). We went to the Church to do a few things then President Stephens picked us up and we had dinner at his house. It was nice, I am going to miss that bunch. Then he took us back to the Church and did Call-Ins with our Zone Leaders and ended the day.

Tuesday was a very interesting turn of events. Brother Toronto picks us up and takes us to breakfast and then down to Bartlett for transfers. We get there and I see some good ol Missionary friends and I meet Elder Judd, my new companion. He's a pretty cool Elder that's for sure. He told me that we were stuck here in Bartlett for a few days due to a few things falling through plus he had a meeting to go to up here on Wednesday. So then I grab all my gear and load it up to Bartletts temporary car and we drive to the apartment. We unload the stuff at the apartment and we start doing studies. Elder Conner from Millington was there too so there was 5 of us. After studies we split up and went out and visited people. I went with Elder Ashworth on my bike and we had some good success. Got a service opportunity and some return appointments. Then I took the car and dropped off Bartlett for a dinner appointment and me, Elder Judd, and Elder Conner with to a super good place called Fat Larry's where missionaries (individually) eat free once a week. It was super good. Then we went to the Church and had Book of Mormon class and then we all went home and played some good old Pool.

Wednesday was somewhat of a repeat. We did our studies and got ready for the day. We split off again, mixed it up a little, and visited people. We got a lot done through that, which was pretty good. Then we switched again and got ready for dinner. Me, Elder Conner, and Elder Ashworth got ready and we biked down to our dinner appointment. We had a good experience with the member and his nonmember wife, it was awesome. We answered some questions and talked about the Gospel, it was cool! Then he took us back to the apartment and then later on Elder Cleverly and Elder Judd got back from Elder Judds meeting and we played pool and I kept losing because I kept scratching when I hit the 8 ball in when it's the last one I need.

Thursday was a little slow but it was good. After studies and all that we went out and did some service finding. And it didn't workout, at all. Sadly no one was interested. It kinda sucked. We also contacted formers as well. Then after we had a lesson with someone Bartlett is going to baptize soon so that was cool. Then we came back to the apartment and had dinner, and then as Elder Cleverly and Elder Ashworth were at a Correlation Meeting, we were messaging people and playing Pool, and Elder Conner kept losing due to the 8 ball scratch 3 times in a row and it was hilarious. Then the Elders came back and more Elders showed up from Little Rock and they stayed the night with us in Bartlett.

Friday was pretty good. We were able to load up all of our gear and actually head down to our areas! We were driving with the Columbus Elders and it was a long 3 ish hour drive to say the least haha. We even drove through Holly Springs! It was nice to see the area again. I missed it so much. Then we were able to get to Tupelo, and had a pit stop. Then we stopped at a Bike shop for Elder Phillips new companion to get a bike. And Me and Elder Judd took the car and got pizza, then we loaded the bike and we ate and drove down to West Point. Then we unloaded all the stuff inside and got picked up by a member and went out ot visit people. One wasn't home and the other was and we visited them for a little bit. Then we came back and did Weekly Planning and ate dinner. Then we visited someone who missionaries help out a lot and she and her family is awesome. I'm excited to help them out more! Then we came home. 

Saturday we fixed up Elder Judds bike and we walked around the Prairie Arts Festival going on, and it was really fun. We talked with a few people and all that good stuff. Then we hopped on our bikes and went around. We ended up finding 3 new people doing it and it was awesome! Then we came back and got picked up for dinner with a family. And that was pretty good, and then after we came back and we were about to leave but then Elder Judds bike got a flat so we couldn't leave. And we worked on it for the rest of the night.

Sunday we had church and there was 18 people overall at Church, the branch is mega small. 86-90 on record, 18-25 active. It's crazy. But it was pretty good. Then after Church we left to go visit people, and then we stopped to talk to a mother of the lady we met Friday night and then Elder Judds tire got flat. 1.5 hours later of trying to get the thing to stop sinking and helping the family out a little bit we switched to last resort and used a backup tire that I had. We got that working and we went on our way. We visited more people and found 2 more people through that and that was great. Then we were visiting one more person and he got another flat in his tire. Don't know how. But he did. Thankfully a nice gentleman took us to the post office and our house was next to that we walked the rest home. And then we had dinner and Call-Ins. 

This week overall was pretty good. I'm excited for this new change and be able to work on this area help become what the Lord wants this area to be. I love you all and am thankful for the support. Have a great week y'all!

May God be with you all, and know that I am here. I love you all!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Tag Photos
-Holly Springs
-West Point

Week 57: The End of Trenton

Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of my life as a Missionary! This week has been very adventurous to say the least. And I'm actually packing right now because I'm getting transferred! But I'll talk to you about that later in the email! Let's get into it!

Monday we had District P-Day and we went to Alamo, TN where we drove through a Safari Park and had a LOAD of fun. We fed a Bison, some Llamas (named Tina and Carl), a Giraffe named Jackson, and others. It was a very adventurous event. Then afterwards we went to the Church and played a bunch of games. Then we came home and changed, did some quick service, then we went to the Fishers for dinner and we came home and we all crashed.

Tuesday we had District Council and talked about Teaching. Then we went to Wendys and then we started exchanges. I went with Elder Ferrell to Dyersburg and we started the day. We did our studies and then after we felt like we needed to go finding. And during that we found a person and we were pretty excited about that. Then after we had a lesson with someone they were teaching and it went really well. Afterwards we were walking back and kinda got rained on which was meh. I'm starting to tolerate it but I'm still not a humongous fan of it. Afterwards we did a few other things and we got dinner and brought it home and just chatted about a lot of things.

Wednesday we did some studies and then we went to Salvation Army and did some service there. After helping there we drove all the way down to Friendship and ended exchanges. Me and Elder Fealy drove all the way back to Humboldt. We had a lot of contact attempts fall through and we were kinda bummed about it. Then we started walking about one street and we heard a door open, so we turn around and start talking to this old lady. Then her son comes out and we start talking to him too. They let us in and we talked about the Book of Mormon with them and it was a great visit. Afterwards we were getting food at Wendys and then we get a call from them saying that the mom doesn't want us to come back. It was very saddening but we knew we gave them that chance. Then we came to the Church and proceeded to have a really good Gospel Essentials Class where a good bit of people attended and we were happy about it. Then we came home and ended the day.

Thursday we did service at Marthas but this time at her husband's old office. We helped start sorting things out and she ended up having us take home his suit coats and his ties and a few other things. The photos below are the results of that hahahaha. Afterwards we went up to Milan and had a good lesson with Rachel and her friends and we taught the Restoration. It was really good, and afterwards we went to Perkins and had dinner with the Simon's there. After that we visited Daniel and Vivian and talked with them for a while. Then we came home and finished there.

Friday rolls around and we started off doing our studies and then we went to this place called Rachels Diner and then proceeded to eat in heaven😂. It was a super good place and I was happy about that. Then we did some of our Weekly Planning and we drove to an appointment. And we found a few people because of that and we got excited for that. Then we visited a few people and then the Wicknicks took us to Pizza Rev in Jackson and that was a really good pizza place. Create your own Pizzas was a great idea. I made a spicy pizza and it was actually super good. Don't judge me. Lol, then we went to the Church and did some preparations for Dyersburg.

Saturday was a long, but pretty eventful day. We were basically at the Church 90% of the day. We had a lesson prior and it went really well. Talked about the Book of Mormon and such. Then we went to the Church and cleaned up the font and started it for Dyersburg. Then Dyersburg and a few people showed up for their Baptism and it went really well for them. It was a good experience to watch them baptize her. Then they left and we started setting up the tables and trying to play Tetris with it. Then more of the members starting showing up and they helped set everything else up. Then we had our Branch Event and it went super well, Cynthia actually showed up and it was awesome! She enjoyed it as well which was good! After that we stuck around a little more and got Transfer News and to my surprise I got sent to West Point, Mississippi! And it's Full Bike. Man. XD I hear a lot of people like bike areas, so I'll just have to see how I feel about them when I get there. But, nonetheless I'm excited, sad that I'm leaving too.

Sunday we had 3 people at Church and I said Goodbye to some people. Then we came home, ate, and went out and did some follow ups and saying goodbye to a few people. Then we drove to Milan and had dinner and a Bible Study with the Johnsons and said goodbye to them too. And after we drove home and had Call Ins and started packing.

I enjoyed my time serving here in Trenton, sadly won't be able to see the Baptism of JT and a few others, but I know that they will be awesome in the Gospel. I'm thankful as well for the members and all that they did for us. I'm excited for my new adventure back in Mississippi! I hope you all have a good week!

May God be with you all, and know that I am here. I love you all!

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-Some Safari extravaganza photos
-Spooder
-Gospel Essentials Notes on Priesthood Organization
-Me and Elder Fealy in some suit coats
-Can you see me?
-Fishers
-The Johnsons/Gibsons
-Rene