Week 32: Power Outtage and Contacting!

Hey y'all! Hope you've had a good week so far! This week has gone by pretty quick, but a lot has happened since. Let's get right into it!

Monday was a little slow, up and down and all that. I called home for a little, and that was fun. It's really crazy with this change, I like it a lot. After emails and such we went to try some appointments but they fell through, but we were able to talk to a few people and that was pretty good. Then we came back home and settled down.

Tuesday we had District Council and then after that we had Interviews with President Hansen. Then after we had a couple of lessons that went pretty well. And after we did some contacting and it was really good. We ended up talking to a few other people and they seemed pretty interested in learning more. Then we went over to the Andersons and talked to Brother Anderson and played a game with pool as we talked about Sacrament Meeting. Then after we went to Come, Follow Me Study Class and ended the day after that.

Wednesday we biked like almost everywhere. It was Elder Hormans birthday and we made some breakfast Burritos, which were pretty good. Some types of bacon produce a CRAP TON of grease, it wasn't even funny. Then after we went out biking. We had a lot of contact attempts for previous taught people. Through that we found a couple people and had a lesson with Tim, and that was really good. He is super awesome. Then we talked to a few more people then we biked back to the car and went to the church because a member brought us Pizza for Elder Hormans birthday. Then we had Book of Mormon Study Class and then we came back and had Call-Ins. 

Thursday we had a few things set up but those fell through. We did end up biking around some more and talked to few other people. Another lesson fell through and we were sad about that, but then we went to another area and started biking around there. Then we helped Randy's son with painting and fixing a dresser. Then we walked around a little more and came back and helped out a little more. Then we went and tried to do some Online Proslyting and went to Ward Correlation and came back home.

Friday we had Weekly Planning and got things a little more situated. Then we went out and did more contacts and met a guy who knows (kinda-ish) a less active in Holly Springs because of Drag Racing. Then we went and did some more finding, and we felt like we should go to the Andersons, so we went and talked with them for a little. It was ok, it could've been better though. Then we came back, grabbed my gear, and drove up to Wabbaseka for exchanges. I ended up going to Stuttgart with Elder Lee, and we drove up, and find out the powers out in the apartment complex and we couldn't get in because of the Gate. And we went to Taco Bell because we had a Zone Call meeting and we got in late because of more complications. Then after all that got situated we came back and the gate was opened, but the power was still out. Then later we finally got power back in the apartment and we went to bed.

Saturday we did some finding and talked to a couple of cool people. We had some other contacts that we tried and see and some worked and others fell through. And then we were supposed to have this lesson with someone at Popeyes but he didn't show. So we went out and see if we can find him (He hops around a bit) and after a while we came across him and had a lesson at Sonic and he really liked it a lot. And that was really cool. Then after we had a couple of other lessons and then we came back to the apartment for Call-Ins and calmed down for the night.

Sunday we had a really good Fast and Testimony Meeting. We had 2 of our people come to church and it was awesome. One of them bore their testimony and gave us a shout out and it was awesome XD. Then after church we had a lesson with some members, found a couple of new people for this new week, talked to a few people. And came back and did studies and finished up a couple of things.

This week has been good. It was cool to see some of those experiences happen. I'm thankful to be a missionary to see it come through. I love you all.

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

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Derp Dog
-Taco Night
-Elder Hormans Birthday
-Power Outage with Elder Lee

Week 31: Horse Races and Pepper Spray!

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a good week! This week was pretty good, a little slow in some areas, but generally it was pretty good. Let's get into this week.

Monday we had Zone P-Day and we got a ride up to Hot Springs and we watched some Horse Races! It was really cool to watch all of that. I also called home for a little bit, it's crazy to see that change happen in the church, it's going to do a lot. I also got a hat from it, so yay for that. Then after we came back and for the first time on my mission I rode my bike. It was kinda nice to be on it after a long while. We didn't have any success with talking to people but it was still a good effort.

Tuesday went by mega fast. We visited some members after studies, and that was pretty good. Then we had a lesson with Randy, and it was pretty awesome. He loves all the stuff we talk to him about, and he wants us to come by Tuesdays and Fridays. Then when we came out of that lesson and we looked at the time and it was only like 3:00, and we felt like it was only 2:00. Then we went some finding and then we got dinner and came home. We also made a Facebook post for free Bibles.

Wednesday we had Zone Conference, and a lot of people wanting Bibles. We were excited about that. But Zone Conference was really good, we learned a lot about Revelation and about how we can improve the mission as a whole. I also got a box from home, and the photo will show you what was in it, or at least one of the items. XD Then we had the Book of Mormon study class and did some more Facebook stuff.

Thursday was rainy, but we walked around, with umbrellas of course. But we were able to talk to a few people, not anyone new exactly, but potentials. Then a member dropped off gift cards for dinner at the Sisters apartment so we picked those up and got them the food they wanted (They were sick) so that was fun to do. Then we had Ward Correlation and then came home. So it was a little slow of a day, but overall good.

Friday we had a few things planned, but then it all went to another direction, for the good of course. We had a lesson with a guy who was very thankful he stopped by. And it helped him out a lot and he's very excited to learn. Same with the next appointment, it also helped him out a lot and it really gave him a better light on things. Then after we went to the Andersons and talked to a few people there, then we had dinner at some members. And that was just about all of Friday really.

Saturday was pretty good, kinda slow as well. At first it was crazy rainy, it looked really bad at first, but after a while it died down. We met a couple of new people and had some good lessons and talking with people. By the end of the day it was pretty sunny and then we came home and did some Weekly Planning and some contacting for church. Then we had Call-Ins and went to bed.

Sunday sadly no one came to church, but it was still pretty good. After church we had lunch and planned a little. Then we went out and talked to a few people. Then we had a lesson with a member and talked about what happened at church, and then had another lesson after with one of the people we are working with. Then we went up to another part of Pine Bluff and walked around there. We found some pretty cool people, and turns out the Sisters were in the same area as we were, so we thought that was pretty funny to hear, and it wasn't even planned. Then we talked to this really funny group of more middle aged guys, it was really weird but we left laughing, but we still managed to teach them stuff. Then we came back home and ate and studied.

This week has been pretty good overall, and of course it has it's ups and downs. But it was never supposed to be easy, only supposed to be worth it. Just know that I love you all so much, and please never forget that. Have a good week.

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

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-My mom got me a screaming chicken, and Elder Hormans mom got us some pepper spray
-Utah Street
-One day it was supposed to be 45 flat all day
-Horse Race! (4 pictures)
-Bike Day 
-So apparently this painting of Jesus had to be adjust during midpaint, and you can barely see the area where Jesus was originally going to be on the black lines on the other photo

Week 30: Testimony and Change

Hey everyone! Happy Late Valentine's Day! I kinda forgot it existed and all that, but this week has really been something. Let's get right into it!

FYI: My Domain has changed to braxton.hotton@missonary.org

Email me there, just so it's easier. Thanks!

Monday we finally got our haircuts, it felt nice to get that done. We shopped and did emails, and after emails we had dinner at a members house. It was mega rainy but it was good. We had Spaghetti and got to know the members a little more. Other than that was pretty much it.

Tuesday was really good. We had a couple of appointments that fell through. We helped the son of one of the people we are working with fix a dresser he found on the side of the road. He takes things from the side of the road, fixes it, and sells it. It's pretty strategic really. He was really appreciative that we helped him out. And then we talked to the father and he really liked the Book of Mormon and has some questions he wants us to answer. So hopefully we can get a time to do that. Then we went up to the Andersons and we talked with Brother Anderson for a while and then we see Jarrod, who was the teenager we met on Saturday. I was really surprised to see him and we invited him to the Come, Follow Me class we were about to have, and he said he would come. Then we went over to a members house, had dinner, and did the Come, Follow Me lesson and Jarrod came! It was awesome and he loved it. It was really cool to see that.

Wednesday we had District Council and had Pizza and Cake. Then the Zone Leaders Blitzed the area with us and we had some pretty good success. We found 4 people overall, had a ton of Church Invites, it was just really good, and as Elder Maddox calls it, "Making it happen". We also talked to a cool guy who actually was a former person and he was interested. We also had the Book of Mormon study class and after we helped the Sisters get home by giving them our yellow vests and using our vehicles as Hazard lights to protect them for getting it. It was fun haha, then we got McDonald's and came home.

Thursday was pretty good. We had one or two lessons that fell through but we met a guy who was trying to recruit Elder Horman at one point to play for Arkansas(And he wasn't even a coach), but he was interested in the Gospel. We also got some contacts for service opportunities and found a new person as well. We listened to a talk about someone's conversion (Bill Carpenter) and that was really powerful. We had Ward Coorelation and then came home.

Friday we had a Mission Tour with Elder Mckay and his wife from the Quorum of the 70. He was powerful, let me tell ya. I learned a lot from him and it was just awesome. Also, the new announcement came out, and I'm really excited about it! It was something I really didn't expect, but hey, the work is moving forward! I also saw some of the missionaries that came out with me also so that was fun to see them again. After we started exchanges and I was with Elder Rich, my MTC Companion. We drove to Stuttgart, got situated, read with some members, and had Taco Bell.

Saturday was rather.. Interesting. We talked to a few people and then we went to a funeral where a members brother died, and this funeral was at a Baptist church.. It was really something I didn't expect. Everyone was rejoicing and praising and it just felt weird. But it just gave me a stronger testimony of the Restored Gospel. I'm thankful it's in my life to help me better understand my purpose. We had a Bible Study with a less active and talked to a few more people and came back home.

Sunday was an interesting day as well. We had one person to church, but he didn't come till later, he was someone the Sisters gave us. So that was nice. The Stuttgart Elders stayed with us so they went out and helped us out with other lessons we had, some went well for them, and others.. Not so much. But they still had success in the end, and so did we. We met some pretty cool people and talked with the Andersons as well. Then we came home and studied. And that was pretty much it.

This week has been really crazy, but a lot of things has happened. I'm thankful for this Gospel and I know it will bless your life as well.

I love y'all!

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

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-The District.. Plus the ZLs and the STLs
-Elder Rich found a town with my last name

Week 29: The Birthday Week!

Hey everyone! Hope you all are doing well and that the snow isn't making life 10x harder! This week was bittersweet, but I'm very thankful for all of those who wished me a Happy Birthday! It meant a lot to me and thankful for each and everyone of you. Let's get into this week!

Monday after emails and slight bumps in the road, we helped a kid out with math. And his parents were thankful for that and wanted us to come back. Then we had dinner at our Ward Mission Leaders house, and when we were taking extra food home, we got a call to give a blessing so we dropped by the house, gave them our extra food, and then the blessing. It was really fun doing that for them.

Tuesday was my 19th Birthday. And Elder Horman made brownies in the morning for me. So I had brownies and a breakfast burrito for my breakfast of champions😂😂. We had District Council and talked about being a 'Challenging and a Testifying Missionary' and that was really good. Then Stuttgart went with us and we Blitzed the area for a while. Then we had dinner at a house who the Sisters are working with, but the husband and wife speak full Mandarin. It was actually really cool though. And they all sang to me on my Birthday, and I was thankful for that.

Wednesday we had a few appointments with people. Some fell through and others went pretty well. One of them was a little hectic because of the grandson, but we know he felt something. But we are going back and re-teaching a few things just to make sure he understood it. And we met a really cool guy who wants the best for his family, and he was very interested in the Book of Mormon, so that's exciting. We had the Book of Mormon study class and that went really well, then we came home and crashed.

Thursday was rainy, but we had some good success. We found a new person and had some pretty good lessons. We had a handoff lesson with the Sisters, they gave us a person they were teaching because they felt like it and we had a pretty interesting lesson with him. Then after we left and had dinner with a Missionary Senior Couple at the church and then had Missionary Coorelation Meeting.

Friday was a little show, but good. We went finding for a little, had little success, talked with a member for a little though. Then we went to the Church to give one of the Sisters a blessing because she wasn't feeling too good. Then we helped some members that were there to clean up the Church building. Then after we were going to meet Stuttgart half way for exchanges, then we ended up meeting them in Stuttgart, and then me and Elder Lee drove back to the Church for a Zone Zoom Call and then went to the apartment.

Saturday we were supposed to have a lot of lessons planned but almost all of them fell through. And it sucked a lot, and Elder Lee got a rock thrown at him by a little kid, but one things came awesome out of the day. So we were going to have a lesson with Fransisco and Macey but they weren't there, but we met another guy who has close affiliations in the Anderson home quite frequently, and we had a super awesome lesson with him. He is so prepared for the Gospel! Sadly he recently is taking a job where he is going to move around a lot but we are keeping in touch with him so we are excited for that. Then we got a ride up to Little Rock because we had Stake Conference. And that was good. Then we stayed the night at the Pinnacle Mountain Elders apartment.

Sunday we had the General Session of Stake Conference and that was good. I'm putting the notes on the email as well. After that we got a ride back home we did some planning and studying. Then we visited a less-active member and had a good discussion with him. He gave us food and we left. We came home, ate dinner, and had Call-Ins. 

You know.. I want to bear my testimony here. I know that this church is true. And I know that the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and that we have the fulness of the Gospel here upon the Earth once more. I know that to be true and you can too. I love you all and I hope you have an awesome week!

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

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Dinner at the Zhoas(The Family who Speaks Mandarin and others)
-Breakfast Burritos
-Chinese Dinner on My Birthday
-Me today VS 8 yr old Baptized me (Do we look the same??)

Week 28: The New Start!

Good Afternoon y'all! This is my first email here in Pine Bluff, Arkansas! This has been a very, very interesting week. I'm in one of the biggest areas in the mission. So, let's go over my week of literally every emotion😂

Monday consisted of a lot of packing, and sadly you can't get packing done early. You always have to end up doing last minute packing, you just can't avoid it sadly. After emails and all that, we went over to the Morrisons for dinner. We had Noodles and such(I forget what it's actually called, but it involves noodles, and it was good), and they celebrated my birthday early. They had cupcakes for me and they sang to me and gave me a couple of little gifts which it was really nice. Then we left and I bawled. You know, it's gonna happen to you those who are going on missions soon. You'll love an area so much, and then boom, you're leaving, and it sucks. But you get moved for a reason, so keep that in mind. Then we went to Brother Roswells and he gave me a blessing. He is an amazing example and I love and appreciate him. Then we came home and finished packing.

Tuesday we got up a little earlier so I can do my last minute packing. And oldest son in the Morrison family and Sister Morrison stopped by and gave me an amazing Assassins Creed painting that he drew (he said he was in a rush). It was an amazing painting and I appreciate it a lot. Then the Senatobia Elders showed up, Elder Spear dropped off his gear, and I loaded up mine, and I left Holly Springs. After hours of driving and talking to other missionaries, we made it to North Little Rock where I saw Elder Rich again, which was nice to see him again. Then me and Elder Horman loaded our gear, and drove to our apartment. After a while, we studied and left to figure things out. We went to an area near a person the Sisters are teaching (oh yea by the way there are 7 missionaries in Pine Bluff, and a senior couple, but they are in the Mission Office). We tracted for a little, found possibly a member(we weren't sure then), and then gave a blessing to a person, then ate and came home.

Wednesday we did loads of tracting. We didn't know where we were going for a while because our area book was registered in our area yet, not until later in the afternoon, then we had some of an idea. And we found out the person we met the night before is a less active member, so that was funny. But then we went to the church and had Book of Mormon study class, and met our Ward Mission Leader. Had the study class, and then came home. And Elder Horman scared me because I fell asleep with a popper.

Thursday was like a repeat from the day before. A lot of finding, with little to no success. Though we did commit the less active to come to church this Sunday, which was good. Later on we went back to the Church building and planned out a Church Tour outline, then had Correlation Meeting. After that we helped move someone that the sisters are teaching to a new place, and he was thankful for that. Then we came home and crashed.

Friday was pretty amazing. Before we had Weekly Planning, the ZLs surprisingly stopped by with Pizza and we chatted for a little. Then after they left and planning, we went out and did a lot of contacting. Some answered, some didn't, but we found 2 new people! We found one while walking back to our car, and he was pretty interested in learning more. Then we went over to a less active's (but very active in sharing the good word) house and we had a Gold Mine lesson with some teenagers that go in and out of the house quite frequently. Let me tell you, those teenagers are just ready. So that house is a target for finding people. So that was a good day.

Saturday we found another new person who is actually in relation to a member in the ward. We found a lot of potentials as well. We met some members and walked with one of them as he went to the Bank. He was pretty cool. Then later one we came home and had call Ins and texted about Church.

Sunday sadly none of the people we invited came to church. But it was good to see Elders Lee and Rich, we met some of the members as well. The bishop gave each of the new missionaries a blessing and then we had Sunday School. After church the Senior Couple had us practice for a musical piece which I'm excited for. Then we came home and studied for a little, and went out and found 2 other people, and then came home and made food.

It's been a long week with a lot of emotions of stress, excitement, sadness, and just everything. But I know it's going to workout, and I hope the people we've met this week will continue progressing. I hope you enjoy the photos for this week! I love y'all!

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

905 Kierre Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116

P.S. You guys are allowed to email me through the week, I just can't reply till Monday!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Saying Goodbye to the Morrisons/party
-Me, Elder Jackson, and Jordan
-Me and Elder Jackson
-Sweet painting Jordan made
-The Pyramid and AR sign
-Elder Horman
-Me and a burnt house in Pine Bluff

Week 27: Change, Baptisms, and WHITEWASH!

Hey all! How are you all doing? I hope y'all are doing well. This past Friday made it 6 Months since I've been on my Mission. Holy crap that's crazy. And also the sad thing, I'm getting transferred as well :(, more about that on Saturdays paragraph. Let's get into the week!

Monday we had District P-Day. We went to an Escape Room called Shadow Mannor and we got out! It was pretty intense, but a lot of fun. Then we went to a little crystal man-made cave in a Cemetery and inside it had a lot of Jesus Nativity Life sets and it was really awesome to check out. Then we went to Brother Boggs house in Collierville and played Ticket to Ride in which I ended up winning for the first time ever playing it, and also ate food, because that's important. After that we had dinner at the Morrisons and talked about part-member family opportunities.

Tuesday during District Council we talked about Our Purpose as a Missionary and how we can show that to people. Then after we bore our testimonies, which was fun. Then we had Wendys and planned on taking a different route this time. We went and visited Sister Watkins, and spoke to her for a while which was really good. After that we prayed with her and went finding on her street, and it was successful. We had one person for us and one person for Collierville. Then after that we tried Lynn and Beverly but they ended up being busy, so we(they) will try next week. After that we went to the church building and talked with Anthony and watched a member teach people self defense.

Wednesday was a little interesting. Oxford Elders came up here because Elder Jackson and Elder Oseen had a meeting to go to in Bartlett, so me and Elder Probst stayed here in Holly Springs. We helped Brother Roswell in the morning do some cleanup and chucked things into the dump and had Taco Bell as well. Also Elder Probst got a name by the Morrisons XD. We also had appointments throughout the day but all of them fell through, but we met a guy who was at first Skeptical of us because of past experiences with others(not missionaries). But when he realized we are really who we are, he opened up and he was pretty cool. So that was a neat experience to have. Then when they came back me and Elder Jackson had dinner at Brother Roswells.

Thursday we checked out a part-member family and that was interesting, we're going back to teach the wife the Plan of Salvation. Then after we went and worked on the church for a while, and then we get an email telling us that we get another stake into our Mission, the Tupelo Mississippi Stake. It came from the Alabama Birmingham Mission and now it will be apart of our Mission, so that was crazy to hear. So new areas like Corinth, New Albany, Tupelo, and other areas. So that's exciting, but it doesn't take effect till July 1st, so it's going to be a while. Then after we taught Shirley at the Cooks, still no baptismal date, ugh, soon enough it'll happen. Then we helped a family move a couple things into their shed.

Friday made it 6 Months that I have been on my Mission. It was crazy to think about. We had the Animal Shelter and I was a little sad because I felt like I was going to leave it. Then after we tried some people but all of that fell through, and finding in that area wasn't successful either. Then we came home and did a lot of church invites and then we got picked up by Brother Kahler and we had dinner with them and Elton. It was really fun, but that was overall Friday.

Saturday was a lot of happy and sad moments. We had a lesson in Northern Byhalia at 12, and we got a ride from a member, and we actually get there early. And we meet him and his Brother, and we teach the Restoration. And it was really good, the brother took a Book of Mormon and said that he will contact us. The one we had the appointment with was previously given one by someone before, so we challenged both of them to read it. Then we had lunch at Panda Express. Then we had Aerian and Lilyanna's Baptism! It was really good and me, Elder Larsen from Memphis 2nd, and Modesty sang a Child's Prayer and it was really good. Then after all of that we came home and did a couple of things. Then we went to Ray and Shay's and review the Restoration. After we went to Wendys and we received transfer news. So I was looking at the email that was sent, and this was what I was thinking, "Crap.. I'm leaving.. Ok.. Hot Springs Zone..? I thought it was the Pine Bluff Zone? Hmm, where am I at.. Ok.. I found my name.. Pine Bluff 1.. WHAT. Who is my companion.. Wait. Elder Horman(He came out with me)? Wait(Looks at where he is coming from)... OH CRAP. I'M GETTING WHITEWASHED." So yea, me and Elder Horman get to go into an area and get it going again. So that's exciting. I also get to see Elder Rich again, because he's staying in Stuttgart while Elder Brinkerhoff goes home. Wow, how time flies. But I was really sad to hear that I was leaving. I loved(and still do) Holly Springs and I'm going to miss it a lot. I start in Pine Bluff on Tuesday(tomorrow).

Sunday was good and hard. I had to say Goodbye to a lot of people and a lot of people were sad that I was leaving. But I will be back, even if it takes me till Spring or Summer of 2021, I will be back. But we confirmed Aerian and Lilyanna and that was good. Then after church we did a little bit of studies and we then went up to Lamar where I finally was able to give that marked Book of Mormon to the person it needed to go. After 4.5-5 months, it's finally in her hands. I was really excited. Then we went up to Mockys, prayed with her, and talked to a few people and made progress with a few people! We were really excited to see that happen. Then we went to the Millers, gave Sister Miller a blessing, and then had dinner at Brandon's house. We had fun talking about a lot of stuff, and then after we visited Gary before we went home.

It has been a blessing to be able to serve here in Holly Springs and to be able to work with the people that I was supposed to work with. I hope you all have an amazing week and I will see y'all in Pine Bluff! Wish me luck!

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-District P-Day
-Holly Springs District
-A Quote
-Baptism!!
-Saying Goodbye to a few people(Gary, Brandon, and the Beckerdites)