Week 65: Small Scare and Blessing

Hey y'all! Welcome back to another week of a lot of things to not a lot of things happening, so basically normal missionary work! Hope y'all are doing well and are staying out of trouble! Let's get into the past week!

Monday we went out and did shopping and as well we got our haircuts, which was well needed. We also finished up any other P-Day thing we needed to do. Then we left and visited Betsy and the family and talked with them for a while, and it was pretty good. Betsy had us try her soup, and that was pretty good as well, kinda reminded me of Spaghetti-O's because of the flavor. But yea! Then we came back and ended the day.

Tuesday I conducted my first District Council! It was a little nerve racking but it went pretty well, I hope haha. But that was good. Then afterwards Brother Doss took us to Cookout and we got food, and then he took us back to West Point. We biked around town and had a few lessons fall through sadly, so we tried visiting a few others and nothing came out of it sadly. Then we had dinner with the Booker Family and we were there for a while as we talked about a lot of things. We talked to them about the Gospel and about the Book of Mormon and they really enjoyed it a lot. It was an awesome discussion with them! Then we came back and ended the day.

Wednesday we did studies and did some contacting. Afterwards we left and went to do lessons. The first lesson fell through and when we were leaving Elder Judd had a flat tire that we had to fix, we were afraid we weren't going to be able to, but thankfully we did. Then we were biking to the next appointment and not even got too far when I was switching gears my bike chain derailed and a few of my things got bent. And I was afraid we were going to have to get it fixed at a Bike Shop, but thankfully a miracle happened. As I was assessing a XFinity Truck pulled over and out came a non-member husband of a member in the Tupelo Ward we've came across before and is like super cool and he started helping us out. He was able to assess it and was able to fix it thankfully! But yea, we ended up missing a lesson because of it. And overall we were dealing with Elder Judd's bike and my bike for 2 hours straight. So that was a lot of fun. Then we had another lesson fall through sadly but we visited someone that has met with missionaries before and he is super cool, then we had a lesson with Omar and Charlie and talked about our life on earth and trials. They enjoyed it a lot and they want to come to Church this coming week! And then after that we went back to our apartment where the Honsingers picked us up and we went and visited Neely and Betsy with them and had a long good conversation about a lot of things in life! It was awesome. And that pretty much sums up that day.

Thursday we did normal studies and all that. We also prepared a few things we promised Betsy we helped her with. We also helped Starkville with some questions they had a referral want them to answer. And then we went over to the Youngs and had a really good Lunch with them and talked with them about a lot of things! They are awesome people! Very open to learning more and more! And then afterwards we had a lesson fall through so we did some contacting and some reporting. Then we went and tried to see a few people and found a person out of it which was awesome. Then we had a lesson with Miehsa and it ended up just having to reschedule but we were able to talk to some of her guy friends that are there on occasion and they're pretty cool. And then after we decided to go to Neely and Betsys and we chatted with them for a while and talked about things. And that went pretty ok. Then we came back home for the day.

Friday we went up to the Food Pantry and did service up there. Then afterwards we came back and finished the rest of our studies. Then we went and visited someone that we are working with and basically talked about the importance of being self reliant because he's been on a spree about it and it's pretty cool haha. Then afterwards we biked up to our apartment and Brother Doss picked us up and took us to Okolona for a few appointments we had scheduled. We had a really good discussion with our first lesson and we talked about the Book of Mormon and about the Plan of Salvation and that went really well. She is excited to re-learn some of the stuff and check it out! Afterwards we had another lesson where we answered some questions about some Doctrine stuff and we challenged her to Read the Book of Mormon and she said she will so we hope that helps her with it. Then afterwards we went to our next appointment and kinda went through. We talked outside due to some house problems and we prayed with her and rescheduled. Then we came back home and did Weekly Planning and watched the new Book of Mormon Video that came out that night.

Saturday we did our studies and got things ready for the day. We got picked up by Brother Doss and we went up to Aberdeen and did a lot of contact attempts and had a few lessons. We found a couple of people which was awesome! We were able to setup a lot of return appointments that were setup for next Saturday so we are really excited about that. Then we came back home and finished off the day with other stuff we needed to do and did Call Ins with Starkville.

Sunday we sadly had no one at Church. But we had a lot of changes in our Branch Presidency and in our Elders Quorum Presidency. So that was something. Then afterwards we had our potluck and that was really good as usual. Then we got home and we had a few lessons that fell through. But we had some lessons that went through and we talked about the Book of Mormon and helped her understand what it is. Then afterwards we had a few other things that fell through but overall it was a pretty good day. One of the things that happened is that someone texted us that we've been trying to get a hold of and had a super amazing discussion with him about a lot of things and answered a lot of the questions he had and we are meeting with him either Wednesday or Thursday. So miracles still happen in all forms!! Then we came back and did Call Ins with the Zone Leaders.

This week overall was super good. We have continue to seen miracles in many different forms and it's truly a blessing. I encourage everyone to see life on a different view. I love you all and have a great week!!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Notes Elder Reardon left when we had Exchanges the week prior(found the last one this morning, took the entire week to find all of them)
-Haircut
-Cotton Field

Week 64: New Transfer, New Records

Hey y'all! How are y'all doing?? Hope each of you had a fantastic week! This week was something else to say the least. First week of being a District Leader and a lot of success in the finding spectrum of things! It's been great! Let's get into it!

Monday we had Lunch with the Shields and got P-Day stuff taken care of. After P-Day we visited someone that we are working with and talked about his stuff that's going on with him and the struggles of life. We hope we can get him to come to Church soon. But other than that nothing else happened.

Tuesday we had a pretty cool day actually! We did our studies as usual and had plans to really be all over town, so that was something for sure haha. We went out and tried visiting a few people, and some of them worked out and others didn't answer. We had a lesson which was pretty good, and answered some of his questions about life. Then afterwards we went north of town and tried visiting some people who were previously taught and we were able to find 1 person out there which was pretty cool. Then we biked all the way almost south of town and visited someone and they became a new person. And then as we were biking to try to stop by someone a thought came to me about someone else to stop by and I was just like oh duh, we can do that as well. And Elder Judd agreed so the person we first wanted to try didn't work so we went to the person that came to mind and we had a super cool talk with her husband! He is a talker for sure but we loved it! He's a super cool dude and him and his wife both met with missionaries before and they loved it a lot! And we hear he's a mega good cook as well! So we're excited to work with them! And then we ended the day and came back into the Apartment.

Wednesday was a pretty good day also! We had a lot of things planned for the day and we were pretty excited for that. But sadly some of them fell through but we were able to find a person during that so that was pretty good. Then we had a good lesson with Alice and we read the Book of Mormon with her and helped her understand what it was and why it's important. Afterwards we reported on the things that happened that day and we tried visiting one of the guys missionaries have been working with for a while and we were able to catch him and have a really good discussion with him about a lot of things in life. He's super cool. Afterwards we met with Neely on one of the streets and she was telling us what we need to do for the dogs she wanted us to take care of while she was gone for the weekend and we did that. Then we ended the day there.

Thursday was full of miracles, it was literally super cool! We did studies and got picked up by Brother Doss and he took us up to Okolona where we started exchanges with the Zone Leaders. And I stayed here in West Point with Elder Reardon. And we went to Aberdeen and tried visiting a few people and we had a few cool experiences. We were able to find 2 new people up in Aberdeen and talk to those people about experiences in the Bibles and about the Gospel. Then we got dropped off back at West Point and we went out again to go visit other people. We had a lesson fall through so we took care of the dogs and that was something else. And then after we biked up to have a lesson but sadly that fell through. We contacted for a little bit and then tried stopping by a members house but they weren't there. And then we walked to a person of interest and we started talking to him and his neighbor about the Plan of Salvation and why things happen and we gave them pamphlets and we set up a return appointment and we were super happy about that. Then literally we walked down the street and Elder Reardon asked a guy about the Post Office(me knowing it's right behind our house) and then we started talking to him about who we are and he became a new person and we both walked away just shocked out of our minds knowing that we just found 5 new people on the spot. So we were pretty excited about that. Then after we visited someone and talked about Church and talked about his struggles again. Then we came back and ended the day.

Friday we did studies went to do the Food Pantry, sadly we didn't have any boxes. Then we came back and finished studies and then they came down and we ended exchanges. Then we got stuff ready for dogs and went out. We took care of the dogs and we came back and did some Weekly Planning. Then we got picked up and visited Okolona and we tried seeing a few people. We found one person and updated the notes for some people in the area. We sadly had a lesson fall through but we were able to talk to her a little bit. Then we came back and finished Weekly Planning and ended the day.

Saturday we had an early lesson that fell through, then we did studies and got ready for the rest of the day. Then we had another lesson fall through so we baked sweets for those we said we would for. Then after we were leaving to take care of the dogs and someone stopped us and we started talking to him and he met with missionaries about 2 years ago and he enjoyed it a lot so we got his number and set up a time to go by, and we were happy about that! We then took care of the dogs and visited Betsy and had a good visit there. Then we came back and dropped off stuff and had a lesson with someone and talked about the Plan of Salvation and gave him a Book of Mormon. After that we had 2 other lessons, one of them fell through and then we came back and I did Call Ins with the Starkville Sisters.

Sunday we had Church and didn't have anyone show sadly. Then after Church we studied a little and went out and took care of the dogs, and got rained on. Then we came back and the rain didn't get any better so we did some Contacting, cleaned up Area Book a little, and cooked Enchiladas. After that we had Call Ins with the Zone Leaders and that was about it.

This week has been mega amazing! And I'm thankful for the experiences I'm having! I hope y'all continue to see Miracles in your own lives and hope you know that I love each and everyone of you. Stay Hot y'all 😉!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton


Attachments:
-Me and Elder Judd with a Pumpkin haybale
-The haybale itself
-Bible/Book of Mormon timeline
-Me in Wal-Mart

Week 63: Instrument in His Hand

Hey y'all! Happy October and I hope everyone enjoyed Conference this weekend! This week was busy busy busy and we saw the Lord's hand more in our lives! It's amazing! Let's get into it!

Monday after P-Day we went over to someone we were teaching and was able to have dinner with her and her family! We also were able to talk about the Book of Mormon videos that came out and how it's blessed us in knowing the Book of Mormon a lot better and she got really interested in them! After that we went over and saw Neely's mom and had a great discussion about how she didn't go through certain things and ended up down here for no apparent reason and meeting us, and she agrees! She's learning a lot and has a lot of questions to ask us and she loves it! Then we came back and ended the day.

Tuesday we got picked up by Columbus and drove all the way to Tupelo for Zone Conference and it was amazing! We learned a lot about how studying Electronically and how marking, tagging, and linking things will promise us greater understand of the Gospel and I have definitely see it help me out a lot! And we also talked about being Bold with love, that as we show our love and they know we love them, we can be as bold as we want with them, just not overbearing. Then after we got things ready and we came back a little later than planned and went out to try and visit people but it fell through so we just had dinner and ended the day.

Wednesday we did studies and went to the Library and did some studies there and gave Bibles to a lady who's collecting Bibles for the people in Ghana, which was super cool! Then we had a cool lesson with someone about the Restoration! And what was cool about it is that she likes what we are teaching because we can back it up with scripture! It's cool to see people open their hearts up when we show them that it's there in the scriptures and when they ask questions! Afterwards we had other things fall through and we decided to go tracking, and out of all the houses we knocked, we found 1 person through it all, and we felt accomplished by it! Through every effort we do, we see the blessings as we go out and act on finding the people who are ready for the Gospel! Then we had a lesson with someone and read a couple of chapters in the Book of Mormon and talked about Jesus Christ and the prophecies in those Chapters! After we came back home and ended the day!

Thursday we did studies and then a member took us to lunch to Staffords and that was super good. After that Columbus showed up for exchanges and I was staying here in West Point with Elder Hall. Then we started exchanges and me and Elder Hall biked up to the north end of West Point to have some appointments. Sadly they fell through and we decided to try and visit some people. We felt inspired to visit some houses and because of that we ended up finding 3 people! You know, I find it cool with that experience because I have learned that as you act on the promptings you feel you will be blessed. Some happen immediately, but some others take a little, but they happen, and it's super cool how the Lord is using me and anyone else as instruments in bringing righteous purposes for the Lord. Then after we had some lessons and visited someone we are working with and helped him understand stuff he had questions about. Then we came in for the night and had dinner.

Friday we got ready and went to the Food Pantry and we had 32 boxes. It was the most I have ever seen since I've been here. It was insane. We had to check temperatures, weigh, and sort into their perspective categories. Let's just say Columbus had to come to it and helps us finish because it was taking us a while haha. 272lbs of it was meat overall. It was crazy. Then we ended exchanges and me and Elder Judd had a miracle lesson with Vernita! She's been meeting with missionaries for about 2 years now and has had a hard time with a few things. But miraculously we were able to set her on date and help her able to overcome those struggles! We were super excited! After we came home and got picked up by Brother Wilson and had 2 pretty good lessons about the Plan of Salvation in Okolona! We helped one of them feel peace about a lot of things about the Spirit World and it was super cool to see her heart open up! Then we came back home and did Weekly Planning and it was just amazing.

Saturday before Conference we went to get things for cookies and we ended up finding 2 people! Then we went to the Church and Vernita came for the 1st Session of Conference! After that session we had a lesson fall through and then we came back and watched the other session and that was really good. We helped prepare the Church for the Women's Conference and we contacted a few people and studied a little and then we got Transfer news! I'm staying here in West Point and I'm becoming District Leader!! I'm super excited and nervous for it, but I know it's going to be great! Then we got a ride home and ended the day!

Sunday it was mainly Conference watching and it was very inspiring!! I loved a lot of the speakers and their testimonies! After the sessions we came home and tried to visit people but they fell through sadly. Then we came home and ended the day!

This week was super amazing and very spiritual! I'm truly thankful for General Conference and the love of the Savior that we feel that as we listen to the Prophets and do the Lord's will! I hope y'all can continue to feel His love! 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:
-We saw a Deer (360p quality sorry)
-Pink Water
-Hamburgers I attempted to grill on the skillet. 3/10 on my effort(then again it was my first time)
-A Salty Bag
-How we prepare for Conference😂
-Cinnamon Rolls😍

Week 62: Miracles on Miracles

Hey y'all! I hope y'all are doing well and are ready for October to roll around! It's crazy how 2019 has flown by! But this week for us was super awesome! And this week we get transfer news, holy crap!! Let's get into the week!

Monday we had the amazing opportunity to attend the Temple in Memphis and it was a great experience. We did a session and I got some answers to things I wanted to improve on and it was an amazing experience. I encourage everyone to attend as often as possible. You will receive answers to anything you ask for. After the Temple we tried visiting a few people and came home for the day.

Tuesday we had studies and did some stuff at the Library, then after we went out to visit people. We didn't have much success and had a few lessons fall through, but we were able to set up a time for service for someone. Then we had some time to talk to a few people we were teaching and had a lesson and found a person through that lesson. And then had another lesson too and that was good. Overall it was a good day.

Wednesday Wednesday was my 14th month mark!! It's crazy how much I have left!! It's amazing! We did studies and got some things done before we got picked up to get picked up to go Houston/Okolona area with Brother Wilson. We had a lesson with a recent convert, and that was pretty cool. We helped her pick up some limbs that fell. And afterwards we tried contacting a few people before having a lesson with a referral and actually found 2 people out of it! It was a pretty cool experience! We were really excited! Then after we came back and sadly had a lesson fall through. Other than that it was a good day!

Thursday I got my bike back thanks to Tupelo Elders. They picked us up and took us to District Council in Starkville and we had a good discussion about a lot of things! It was awesome. Then after we had lunch as a District plus the Office Elders and they brought things to our apartment. Then we blitzed Starkville for a little then we got back to West Point and moved a few things around and left for a lesson. We talked for a while and then we left and visited a few people and found a person through that. We also walked Bella which is always fun. Then we had a lesson fall through sadly and ended the day.

Friday we did the Food Pantry and then we did Weekly Planning and that was pretty good. After Weekly Planning we had a really good lesson with someone about the Plan of Salvation and then we came back and changed into service clothes and did service for a lady and her husband and took out a sectional. We then taught about the Book of Mormon and gave them one and they liked it a lot, they've had good experiences with the Church before so that's awesome. Then we had dinner and then changed back into pros clothes and visited someone else and that was pretty good. Hopefully he'll progress better. He's really cool. Then we ended the day.

Saturday we did Studies and did some Online Proselyting. After that we had a long list of people to visit and we visited a lot of people and found people out of it! It was super effective. We contacted others on the phone as well and then visited some other people and invited people to Church also. It was a really good day!

Sunday we had 2 people at Church and it was Fast and Testimony Meeting! It was super cool! And we watched the Broadcast for the new program and I'm really excited about it! It's super cool! Then we came back and studied for a little before we left for lessons and visiting people. We found another person and helped out a few things. Then we came back and had Call Ins and I got a huge headache and ended up going to bed early. But it was a good day overall, so I'm happy about that.

This week was amazing! It's so cool seeing the Lord's hand in this area and I'm excited for more miracles to be brought out! We have General Conference this week and I know it'll bless your life if you watch it! It's going to be amazing! I'm excited! I love you all! Have an amazing week!!

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

Elder Braxton Hotton

Attachments:
-Me at the Temple
-A Car Ad
-Moter Unicycle
-Inch Worn

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😭