Red Monkey

Dear Mom,

Ok, yes the dear elders count as hand written.  I am still loving my district. (sorry my grammar and spelling might be terrible I don’t have long)

I will be sure to keep an eye out for Rachel... you wouldn't believe it but a lot of the guys are like vultures here. They don’t do much (I think he is saying they just talk smack) but it is like I’m back in high school with a bunch of freshman.  It’s kind of funny.  Although, I will have to keep my companion away from her.... he is a goofus, I love him though. 

We and the whole district are getting along really well. Laundry is going good.  You might be getting an email of pictures my companion took. I am not sending my SD card home till I get more pics.  I have about 200.

Yes I got both the package and Brooklyn’s hand written letter... the district loved the pictures and they think I have done some really cool things. If you could, could you send more pictures of tons of stuff.  They don’t have to be great they just want to see what I looked like as a child.  Make sure they aren’t the only copy. Also send WAGON WHEEL COOKIES!!!!!!! Oh and some black cologne.

Spanish is coming along ok, we have already taught like 8 lessons in Spanish and we have two investigators!!! I can pray and bear my testimony in Spanish and hold up a conversation sometimes.

My companion has given me a red monkey, it was kind of weird at first. So now we have a teddy bear, red monkey, and a blue rabbit. I named it Lily.

We saw a Bunny on our temple walk this Sunday and it was like we saw a miracle happen.  Everyone wanted pictures of us and the bunny, it was worse than the muddy river instance... well anyway thanks for everything and have fun!!! 

Love your dearest son Elder Paxman 

Dad,

Hey dad this is going to be really short because I only have three minutes left, the computers are really slow. You can send me Dear Elders anytime you want, we check the mail twice a day, most of it is for the Hermanas. Well if the Guys want to write me they are more than welcome, in fact I would love it, they would just have to deal with my bad hand writing. The ice cream is pretty good here I have already gained 5 pounds!!!!!! I gained 7 but then freaked out and lost 2, and hopefully still losing.  I weigh 180. My companion has gained almost 17 pounds, it is really funny... Yea I was unhappy when it snowed but it makes it all better when I remember Isaiah 1: 18, it is really good and read D&C 6, it is probably one of my favorites.

Love Elder Paxman

*Anything written in Italics are mom's words

Hello from the CCM (MTC)

Thanks mom my P-day is Monday at least in the CCM (MTC).  It is awesome here so far.   I have started learning Spanish and it is really really hard but I like it a lot.  I have a bottom bunk there are six bunks in our room but we only have 4 elders in my room. My companions name is Elder Johnston he is from Pocatello Idaho.  He is really awesome. My district is really cool too, the elders are really really close we are all like brothers, although us and the hermanas are not that close... yet I believe it won’t be too long till we are getting along really well... My favorite food here is probably the drinks, I get grape juice with raspberry lemonade. It is really good, the best actual food I have had so far, is not much the food at all.  It just starts to blend together it is really good but it is just ok as far as long term goes... Exercise wise I have been doing a lot of basketball and volleyball with a little cardio. I went to the Provo temple today for the first time. It was really cool, we met a man who talked with President McKay one on one when the 150th stake building was being built back in 58.  Now we have over 6000 stake buildings, it is really cool. We have had some really fun nights, there is a thing we do in our zone called Buenos Noches hugs, it was a little weird at first but now it is just way fun. The friends I have seen are Drew and Kevin that is about it oh and a kid from college named Alex Gomez. Overall it is going great so far, and we have taught 2 entire 35-45 min lessons in Spanish to an investigator, it was freaky but really cool... Tell everyone I love them and I want some hand written letters.  Lots of them. Oh and also a photo album and some cookies, throw in some pictures with me doing cool things and with girls (we have a bet going on). I really really need a address book  with anyone who wants hand written letters from me…  But if people want to write me put my address on facebook and tell them to put there return addresses and put mine on there as well.  Packages are more than welcome. Well I love you guys so much and I can’t wait to hear from everyone back home. 

My district includes Elders Maughn from Maryland going to Anaheim, Thorne from Georgia also going to Anaheim, Stuart from Japan (military brat) going to Long beach, Nite from Idaho going to Long Beach, my companion from Idaho to Boston Hermanas: Ballard from Utah to Anaheim, Nahh, from Boston, to Anaheim, Miller from Idaho to Boston, Romans from Utah to Boston oh and her father is a fireman so dad should see if he knows a Romans. Noel from Utah to Anaheim, Schaffer from Utah to Anaheim.

Your loving son Elder Paxman, (Ben) 

The Beginning...Entering the Mission Training Center

Today Benjamin entered the Mission Training Center in Provo to begin his service to the Lord as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We dropped him off at 1:45 p.m.  He will remain in the MTC for 6 weeks where he will begin to learn the Spanish language.

A few pictures before we left for the MTC.  What a handsome missionary!

 Bailee and Kyle weren't able to be here today because of College classes.  We are glad we got some photos yesterday of all of us together.

 Upon arriving at the MTC we were met at the entrance by a gentleman who looked in the car and said "Do you have an Elder in there?"  He then put a purple post it note on the windshield and told me to proceed around the buildings to the number 22 on the curb.  As we made our way to number 22 you could see the curb lined with Missionaries.  There were literally hundreds of them waiting for the new incoming missionaries.  It was an exciting sight to see.  Elder Paxman said, "It's weird to think all these cars have new missionaries in them just like me."

 Some of these photos are grainy because Brooklyn was taking them through the window.

 We pulled up to 22 and were met by 4 elders.  One came immediately forward to greet
Elder Paxman.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

He was from Salt Lake.

We retrieved Elder Paxman's luggage, I gave him a quick hug and an "I Love You".

Dad did the same. (Brooklyn snapping pics from the Van)

And Elder Paxman walked away.

 I wont lie, there were a few tears falling.  Just a few. :)

We really tried to be very quick.  We said our goodbyes at home.  The families that were lingering were having a much more emotional time.
We didn't want to have a huge cry fest and make it hard for Elder Paxman.

An older Sister Missionary told us Thank you as we hurried to get back in the car.

His friend Trenton told him a few days ago, "Promise me after you hug your parents and start to walk away you wont look back.  NO matter what you do don't look back.  It will be easier."

He didn't look back!!

As we drove away the tears started in earnest.

Two years is a long time not to see each other.

But, I know he will serve 100% and love it!

WE couldn't be happier or prouder parents.

Set Apart

Welcome to Elder Paxman's missionary blog.

Here we will record his letters, places he serves, and information about his mission.  

Maybe a few thoughts from me (mom) too.

Today Benjamin was set apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Bailee arrived from school about 2:30 p.m.  Kyle couldn't make it because of work.  

We spent family time just hanging around.

Then we went to dinner at Ruby River.  The place of Benjamin's choosing.

Love these kids!!

 We then went to the Stake Presidents office.

It was a really neat experience.  The Stake President met with Benjamin alone in his office for just a few minutes.  Then they took his picture for the stake missionary wall.

President Arens, Bishop Bowen (stake executive secretary) and Lincoln placed their hands on Benjamin's head and The Stake President set him apart.

It was a beautiful, powerful blessing.

We were then blessed to hear the Stake President, Bishop Bowen and Elder Paxman share their testimonies.  

The Stake President and Bishop Bowen then visited with us a while and shared some great insight and advice to Elder Paxman.  It was a great experience for all of us.

Tomorrow...The Mission Training Center!!