Week 92: The Final Stretch

Hey y'all! How is everyone doing? I hope y'all are doing well. This week has been another busy one, but it's all a part of the work! Let's get into it!

Monday we had District P-Day in Hope where we all got matching shirts and signed the shirts which was cool. We also played Exploding Kittens! After P-Day we went to the Church and did a few things before going back to the Apartment for the night.

Tuesday was pretty awesome. We got things set up for our Zone Conference and the District showed up and we had our Zone Conference! We had a special guest join the call with us for an hour, and it was Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! He answered some of our questions and taught us a lot, it was a pretty cool experience. After he left we continued with the Conference and finished around 5:30, so we had the Conference from 11-5:30, it was crazy. Then after a small break we had our Come, Follow Me class with the Branch online and then we went home for the day.

Wednesday we got up early and drove up to Benton for a Doctors appointment to make sure Elder Roberts weight is normal. And then we drove back home and started off our day. We got our studies done and then we had one lesson with a lady we found last week about Faith and that was cool. Then we had another lesson and we read the Book of Mormon with him and that was good as well. Then we came home, had dinner, and then went back to the Church to do a few online things as well. Then we came home for the day.

Thursday we had a normal day today. We did our studies and got going for the day. We went to the Church to do some Online stuff. We also called our Families and talked with them for a while. Then we had dinner and got things ready for our Come, Follow Me class and that went pretty well! Then we came home for the day.

Friday was busy. We had another Mission Conference and we met in Arkadelphia for it. After that the Sisters went to get oil in their car and we had lunch while they were doing that. Then they came back and we went on a video making spree. We had to do 2 videos for our Facebook Page, and that took a long while. After we got all of that done we had a lesson with David over Facebook and that was pretty good. Then a few things happened and we came home for the day.

Saturday we got things rolling for the day and we had a Zone Zoom Call around 12:30ish, and that was good. Then we had lunch and then we got ready for a lesson which sadly fell through. Then we had Weekly Planning and that was pretty good. Helped us get ground on what we needed to do. Then we made some Dragon Noodles for dinner and went back to the Church and I had Call Ins with Hope and Camden.

Sunday we got ready for the day and we left around (:30 so that we can get to Camden before 11 so that we could all watch the Facebook Live together. Then me and Elder Roberts joined in on a branch call for a little bit before it ended. After that we had our Sacrament Meeting/Come, Follow Me Study and that was good as always. Then we drove home and did our studies and had dinner before we had Call Ins with our Zone Leaders and that was it.

It's been overall a pretty good week, even though there were a few bumps. But I'm thankful for the time serving and for this week being The Final Stretch, I hope I can finish off strong.

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-Me during P-Day last week

-Elder Bednar!

-Funny Pokemon thing

-Elder Evans shocked face

-Me and Elder Roberts pumped

Week 91: Busy Life

Hey everyone! How are you doing?? I hope you're doing well! This week was packed full of busy stuff and events! So let's get right into it!

Monday we had a P-Day as usual and got our things done. After that we got some things ready for the next day. Not much at all happened.

Tuesday we drove down to Hope earlier than planned to get a video ready for a Facebook Page this side of the mission is hosting, and that was an adventure. Then we went to the Church Building and the Zone Leaders showed up and we had the Mission Conference and mixed with District Council afterwards and that was pretty good. Then I loaded my gear in the Zone Leaders car and we started exchanges and I was with Elder Evans in Hot Springs. We got back to the apartment and Elder Evans had a call with the AP's and then we went to the Church and participated in Institute. That was about it.

Wednesday we got things ready for the day and then we started studies. We went to the Church Building and had a lesson for a person they were starting to teach. Then we finished and got things finalized to end exchanges. Then we drove to Bismark to end exchanges and we drove back to the apartment where we had a lesson and then had dinner right afterwards. Then we did some Online stuff for the rest of the night.

Thursday we did our normal studies and such, and then we called our families for a little bit. After that we had some complications we ran into then we started our Branch Come, Follow Me early and that was good. We had a Zone Call afterwards and then we went home for the day.

Friday was busy. We did a prep video for our live for Saturday prior before our Mission Conference. Everyone showed up and we had the call. After that we started Exchanges and I was with Elder Baird here in Arkadelphia. We did our studies and then we went to the Church to do our Online Work and that was interesting. We found a person so that was awesome. Then we came home for the day.

Saturday we did our studies and our exchange reviews. We met up at Prescott and ended exchanges, then we drove back up to Arkadelphia. We prepared for the Live event, which went pretty well for a first time. Then we got some things done and I had a ZLC which was good. Then we went home quickly and came back to do Call Ins and end the day there. Very busy stuff.

Sunday we did our studies and had our Branch Fellowship Call. Then we had a small lunch and drove to Camden for Sacrament Meeting. Then we talked about a Duet thing that might happen. Afterwards we drove back home and had dinner, then we watched the Little Rock Live video and did Call Ins with the ZLs. Ending off the day with a headache, so that was dandy

This week was full of crazy busy stuff, but it's still a good experience to learn from. Always keep the positive in mind in difficult times. Something I'm still learning.

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-Stroll in Hot Springs
-Quality Excersise photo

Week 90: Storms of Life

 Hey y'all! How are you doing? I hope you're doing well. This week has been pretty interesting to say the least, but overall it has been good. Let's get to it!

Monday we had District P-Day in Camden, and we had some fun. We played Ticket-To-Ride and I didn't do that great but I did pretty decent for my 2nd time playing. And then after P-Day we came back to Arkadelphia where we got things ready and then had a lesson and then came home for the day.

Tuesday we got things ready and then we drove down to Hope and we had our Mission Conference which was good. After that we had District Council and we talked about what we learned from Conference and we had a great discussion on that. Then we left and drove back up to Arkadelphia where we had our Personal Study and got things ready for our Come, Follow Class. And then we had our class and that was good, then we ended the day after that.

Wednesday we had a Zone Zoom Call and we talked about some Online things we were doing. Then afterwards we did some of our normal routine and figured some things out. We also had a lesson with someone we were teaching that night and we had a good discussion about the Book of Mormon and that was really nice. And then afterwards we left and came back to our apartment.

Thursday was a normal day for the most part. Got studies done, doing some online stuff, and other cool things. We also called our families as well and that was always nice to do. Then we had dinner and then got ready for our Come, Follow Me Class again and that was good. Then we came home and that was it.

Friday we drove down to Camden earlier than planned because I had a ZLC call and then after we had our Mission Conference. Then we drove back and got some things done for the day. Not much happened either, but it was a good day overall. We also had the World-Wide fast that day as well which was really cool to be a part of.

Saturday we did our studies and got some things ready for the day. Then we went to the Church where we did some minor things and then Weekly Planning for most of the afternoon. Then we had dinner and then we were supposed to have a lesson but that fell through, and after that I had Call Ins with Camden and Hope and that was pretty good overall.

Sunday we had our Personal Study then we had a call with the Branch and that was good. Then we did some other things and made Hope some lunch when they showed up. Then we had a District Sacrament Meeting and that was nice, and following that our Region Facebook Page did an Easter live so we watched that and it was pretty cool. Then we did a few finding ideas and then we were getting ready for a call in with the Zone Leaders and then a huge storm just blows through during Call Ins, luckily the power didn't go out..until after the Call In. So the power goes out, and we grabbed our stuff and tried to get back to our apartment, and ran into a few bumps because some trees decided to be piles and chill on the road, so we had to take the long way home. and the power was out for like literally the rest of the night. It was insane.

Overall it was a good week. Had some bumps that hopefully this week we can smooth out. I'm grateful for the Savior and His Resurrection for each of us. His Grace is infinite, and His Love is endless.

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Me with my mask  

Week 89: Meeting Extravaganza

 What a week! This week has been a very eventful week to say the least, a lot of things went down and a lot of other things to come! Let's get into it!

Monday we just had a normal P-Day and all that good things. After P-Day we did a Spiritual Video and that was about it.

Tuesday we went down to Camden and jumped into the Mission-Wide Conference Call and that was pretty good overall! After that we left back up to Arkadelphia and did our studies and got things ready for our Come, Follow Me Class online and we had a really good call with people! Then we ended the day from there.

Wednesday we had District Council here in Arkadelphia where President Hansen hopped into the council via Zoom and he enjoyed it a lot! It was a good Council and I was glad it went well. After he did interviews over Zoom and that was good as always. Then me and Elder Nelson started exchanges here in Arkadelphia and we did some things before we went back to the Church to have a lesson online. We also then got in contact with someone else in the process so that was awesome. And then he did my haircut! So that was pretty cool as well. Then we came in for the night.

Thursday we did our personal study and did a few things at the Church and then we came back for lunch and then back to the Church to do some final things before we drove to Prescott to end exchanges. Then we drove back to the apartment for some final things (like almost making a jelly and jelly sandwich, that was a story) before having our Come, Follow Me Study Class. After the class we had a Zone Zoom Call and then we came home for the night.

Friday we had our Mission-Wide Conference Call in Arkadelphia and that was pretty good. Then afterwards we set a few things up in preparation for General Conference. Then we talked to our parents for a little and that was good. Then we had dinner and came back and had a lesson with someone online and it was a very good discussion. Then we came home and finished the night.

Saturday was our glorious General Conference and I loved every session on Saturday! I learned a lot and we had a lot of good impressions as we watched! That was overall what we did on Saturday.

Sunday was pretty much the same thing. But after the final session I had back to back to back call ins I had to do, which they were good as well. And that was about it!

I want share what I posted on Facebook (I'm sorry if you saw it already, if not, check it out!)

As we just finished the April 2020 General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I've have felt so much gratitude for the truthfulness of the Gospel that I have gained a testimony of throughout the years. This is probably one of the most powerful Conferences I have been apart of and I am eternally grateful that I have been able to witness it.

Two of my favorite elements that were talked about in these sessions was the great emphasis on how we can better #HearHim and how we can draw power from that, and the second is about the power in progression and the eternal perspective from it. As I have been serving for 20 months, I have grown a lot in many different ways. I've been able to become something better, something bigger, something stronger, and even something more vulnerable.

Now you may wonder why I say vulnerable, let me explain. There is a quote from one of my favorite games called Kingdom Hearts that I am reminded of. It says, "The closer you get to the light, the stronger your shadows become." As I have been losing myself in the work of the Lord and striving to be a better servant of Him daily, I have learned a lot of weaknesses about myself. But I am grateful and have a testimony of the Saviors infinite Atonement and how drawing power from that can help me progress and become better each and every day. And I will slip up and make mistakes, but I know that my mistakes do not define me, no matter what Satan tells me. I know that I am a Child of God with Divine potential, and that I can always be better as I turn to the Savior in all things.

I know and testify of the Saviors love, and I know of a certainty that this is His Church here upon the Earth. God lives, and Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon is true, and I cannot be told otherwise. And I am thankful for each of you and your support you give me, even in my difficult times. I testify of these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-My new Profile pic
-Tag Photo 
-Me today
-Exchanges
 

Week 88: Adjustment

Hey y'all! Hope each of you had a decent week! This week was pretty ok for the most part, a little slow in some cases, but the week went by at a good pace. But anyways, let's get into the week!

Monday was pretty good. Got shopping and all of the good P-Day stuff done. We were able to finalize a few things for the coming week and got things uploaded so that was good.

Tuesday I officially became the District Leader again for my last transfer. I am kinda excited for it. We did our studies as normal and consumed some good air so we don't go crazy. A member also ordered some things for us so we went to the local store and waited for it to come out. Then we got things ready for a Come, Follow Me Class we were doing over Zoom at the Church. Sadly only one family logged in, but it was actually a pretty good class. After that we went home for the day.

Wednesday was just a normal day. And also it was my 20th month mark, so that was pretty cool. I was able to record my talk, which was good. Hopefully I'll be able to give y'all a link from my parents so those who don't have FB could watch it as well! And trying to upload it on my phone was a very much struggle. But other than that we just finished the day.

Thursday I was able to upload my talk onto the Computer and then onto Facebook. We also got our studies done and some other things. We also got things ready for the Come, Follow Me Class. We decided to leave the setup we were working on so when we come back and forth we can turn things on and get them running. It's pretty nice. Then we had the Class again and it was good. That was pretty much the day.

Friday we went to the Church to do our personal study. Then I had a ZLC Call and when that was over then the District showed up and we had our Mission Wide Conference Call and that was pretty good. Afterwards we got lunch and ate with the District and then they all left. Then we came home and did some Weekly Planning and I was able to plan out the entire transfer (or at least a phase 1, probably going to change) so that was good. And then we did a few other things before ending the day.

Saturday was pretty good also. We had a lesson with someone over the phone which was awesome! We read the Book of Mormon with him. Then we did some other things and then I had Call Ins with both Hope and Camden over Zoom so that was good. Then we came home.

Sunday was the world-wide fast. We had a Branch Call and then we drove down to Hope and we had Sacrament Meeting with the District and it was pretty good. Then we drove back and ended the fast and a member brought us items to make Chicken Enchilada Casserole. And after much figuring out we were able to make it! And it turned out pretty good! And we also had Call Ins with the Zone Leaders. And that was about it.

This week overall was busy, but at the same time not much happened. But I'm praying and hoping things pick up this week. I hope y'all are staying safe and healthy. I love you all!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

Also, if y'all ever want to send me something, send it to this address:

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Attachments:

-The eternal camera
-Elder Roberts

-Gettings some fresh air outside

-Cooking the Enchiladas

Week 87: A Soul for A Soul

Oh my lana. I don't even like... what just happened this week? Everything just blew up again. I have no words, except the fact of just explaining what happened this week. Let's get into it.

Monday we had P-Day as usual and decided to get a good bit of food to last us maybe 2 weeks. And did all of the other good P-Day stuff. And after P-Day we did some other things at the Church and that's about it.

Tuesday we had District Council down in Camden and that was pretty good stuff. Then afterwards we started exchanges and I went to Hope again with Elder Nelson this time. We got some food and went back to the apartment. We did our studies and we went and tried to see a couple of people. Then we came back to the apartment and had dinner. And did a few other things before we ended the day.

Wednesday is where the wall smacked everyone. we did our studies for the day and then had lunch. During our studies I heard that Utah had a solid 5.7 earthquake which was insane to hear, I hope everyone up there is ok from all of that. We then drove to a town called Prescott and ended exchanges. We drove back to our apartment and we saw that Elder Cleverly left something at our apartment. So we called, and we hear someone talking to someone in the background so we asked about it. They told us to check our emails and low and behold we got 2 emails back to back. One of them being that the entire mission is now on lockdown (not quarantine) and that Elders who will go home before Sept. 1 and reach 21 months will be released. So yea, I go home the first week of May. That was a shocker. And the other email told us we could call our parents since they were in the earthquake. So me and Elder Roberts are shocked by all of this so we go to the Church and call our parents. And then after that we come back to our apartment to do a few things and then we ended the day there.

Thursday we did our studies and went to the Church to prepare for a Mission Wide Conference to talk about what is going on and what is going to happen. After a little while the whole district shows up and we all get ready for it. The Conference took up to around 2 hours and we had a lot of our questions answered. And it was confirmed that I will be coming home in May, so that started to sink in a little bit. After the call we cleaned things up and posted on Facebook telling the Branch what happened and our guidelines. Then we came back to our apartment and did a few other things also before ending the day.

Friday we started the day early because we had to drive up to Little Rock because since my license got stolen and it would take forever just to process a new one, I had to get an Arkansas ID so that I can actually fly home. Then we drove back home and had lunch. We did our studies, some Weekly Planning, and then had some dinner. Then we started figuring out some online stuff and that was about it.

Saturday was our first day with a normal new schedule to say the least. It's going to take a lot of adjusting overall but it was pretty good. We went outside a few times to get some air as we did studies, some family history, and figuring out a lot of online stuff still. We had some ideas laid out, so hopefully we can get that figured out.

Sunday we went to a members home who wasn't high risk and had the Sacrament with the family. Then we had Branch Council over the phone and that went pretty well. And then after a little bit we drove home and ate some lunch and then started our studies. After our studies we walked outside for a tad bit before having dinner and then going to the Church and having a Branch Call and then making a video for the Branch. Then we came home and finished the night.

A lot happened and it shocked a lot of us. But yea, I now come home on the May Transfer which will be the first week of May. I'm excited, nervous, and just everything because I can't really explain it haha. But I hope y'all know that I love y'all and know that God has a plan for you. Have a great week everyone!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:

-Exchanges
-Preparing for the Mission Call

-Me and Elder Roberts

Week 86: COVID-19 Explosion

I think I can come back to a normal Weekly Email system. This week has definitely been something else.. ESPECIALLY when our good friend COVID-19 has entered the battlefield. And a lot of other shabang has gone down as well... soooooo let's get into it!

Monday we had P-Day and did good old stuff, it was my first NORMAL P-Day so far this transfer, so that was great to see. After P-Day we were able to have dinner with a member and talked for a little bit before we went to another members house and had a Book of Mormon study there. It was pretty good overall, then we came back home and ended the day.

Tuesday we did our studies and got things ready for the day. We actually had a pretty good day overall because we had some cool experiences with people that we are working with. We saw one of them and talked about what's been going on with them and they talked about their trials and their questions and we were able to use the Book of Mormon to answer his questions and he was really touched by it and was excited to continue to meet with us and learn more! And then later that night we were at a dinner appointment with a member and some non-members that we are trying to work with came and we had some pretty cool discussions about the Spirit World and about the Temple! It was awesome! That was pretty much the bulk of the day!

Wednesday was also a pretty good day! We did our studies and updated Area Book a good bit. Afterwards we picked up Lunch provided by a member and then we came home and ate that for a little. We then left and tried to contact a lot of people and we got a hold of a few, but not a lot. Then we decided to try this one person and he was ecstatic to see! He had a very good experience in the past with the missionaries and wanted to meet with us again! It was super cool! Afterwards we did a few others things before heading to the Church and did Institute and fellow shipped a few of the members there. Then we came home for the night.

Thursday the Hope Elders drove up early to Arkadelphia and we all got in our car and drove up to Little Rock for Zone Conference! We learned a lot and a lot of stuff happened as well. Right after Zone Conference my mom messages me "Church has been cancelled worldwide" and I honestly thought she was making a weird comment just to get my dad's attention or something. But I put it to the test and looked on the Church website and WHADDYA KNOW Church had indeed been cancelled world-wide. And that threw everyone in a loop. And then we had to figure out a few things while we were in Little Rock and then we all loaded in the car and had Chick-fil-A for a little and then drove back to Arkadelphia where I loaded my gear in Hope's car and we started exchanges where I went to Hope!

Friday we started off our day with our good old studies. We had a list to try and see how people were doing. And sadly not much happened for a good bit of it. We were able to have a good lesson with someone and found another person through that. Afterwards we had Book of Mormon study with a member and all that good jazz. Then we did a few more things, had dinner, and then drove up to a town and ended exchanges and we drove home.

Saturday was stacked like no one's business. After studies we went to the Church and helped prepare for a baptism for an 8 yr old here in the Branch. We also got Arbys in between figuring things out. Then we got things running and then had the Baptism! It was the spur of the moment so our Branch President decided to have some fun with it and had us speak on Baptism and then later have me do a musical piece (if you want me to sound good, give me a few weeks notice ok? Haha) so that was grand. Afterwards we helped clean up and we talked to our Branch President about a few items before we left and we stopped by Wal-Mart to try and get a thing or two which we were sadly unsuccessful. Then we did our Weekly Planning, had dinner and call ins, and that's about it.

Sunday was also interesting due to this whole Church called stuff. After our studies, we had lunch and then we went with a member to someone's house to do the Sacrament and that was good. Then we went and saw a couple of people and after all of that 2 people pretty much gave us dinner, so we had two rounds to go. Then we went to the Church because we had to do a few things and our Branch President was there too. And someone else showed up and we did the Sacrament for them as well. Then we talked with them a while longer then they all left and I called my mom since it was her birthday and that was always nice to hear from her. Then after we left we just came back home and ended the day.

So many changes and so many things are happening and it's insane, but I'm grateful for the Church and the amazing inspiration it has. There's no way this cannot be true. I know it is from the bottom of my heart that it is true. Stay healthy out there!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-Kit-Kat fun

-Huge Ranger thing

Week 85: Improvement

Hey! How are y'all this day? I hope each of you are doing well. This week was a little better, but still not much happened either. But let's get it into what happened!

We had District Council on Tuesday here in Arkadelphia and then afterwards Elder Cleverly and Elder Nelson switched out with me as we worked today. Sadly not much happened but it was good to get out. Then the rest of the week was on and off. We did minor things and saw a couple of people throughout the week. Yesterday we were out for a good couple of hours working around and visit a couple of people which was really nice. We were also able to do a few other things throughout the week and cleaned up the Apartment. 'Cleanliness is Close to God' is a quote I hear a lot and it feels nice to have a clean apartment.

That's pretty much it for this week. Though there is something else I want to talk about. We watched a video about Revelation by David A. Bednar and it was just amazing. One of the things that was talked about was about Lehi and his family. During that journey and how they got the Liahona. Even though they had that guidance, the distance of the travel didn't shrink, the struggles didn't get easier, but they had that guidance. Much like the Gospel. Life isn't easier and all these things aren't better, but we have that guidance and peace from what the Gospel gives us. And it's really a blessing. I'm thankful for it in my life.

You can watch the video (it's a little over an hour, but it's worth it) at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/an-evening-with-a-general-authority-2020?lang=eng

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Zone P-Day
-Elder Roberts in a taco
-Clean Apartment

Week 84: Discharge

Hey! How are y'all? Are y'all doing well? I hope so. This week was long again and a little bumpy. But things are slowly improving. I'll just do a short recap again.

So Elder Roberts little procedure went well. We were in the Hospital until Thursday. I was able to go out with the Zone Leaders on Wednesday which was good. But then we got discharged Thursday and been in our apartment since. We went to a place or two for a few things but overall we haven't done a lot. It's been rough honestly, but I'm pushing as much as I can. Things happen for a reason, but sometimes the things are very difficult.

It's been a week for sure. But we're hoping things will slowly pick up from here. I appreciate all the support and love, and I hope y'all know that each of you are in my prayers too❤️

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

P.S. I apologize it's a small email, not much truly happened. Just a lot of growing and persevering. I hope y'all can forgive me❤️

Also, if y'all ever want to send me something, send it to this address:

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Attachments:
-Quality Video
-Getting Discharged
-Me at the apartment and at Church