Small Bumps in the Road

A few hours after I posted this blog, Linc received an email from Ben...So I edited and added.  Sorry if you read it before the addition of Dad's letter and the title change.

A Note from Mom:  We heard from Elder Paxman’s mission president this past Saturday and were informed that he is having some fairly serious problems with his stomach.  I was also able to talk with Ben myself.  After a lot of discussion, it has been decided that Elder Paxman will see a GI in Indiana and see if they are able to treat him, so that he can function fully as a missionary.  His desire is to remain in Indiana and continue serving the Lord.  I will keep you updated on his health.  Keep him in your prayers. 

Dear Mom, 

I like the two quotes you sent by Elder Richard G. Scott.  He is one of my favorite apostles.  Anyway yes I have been feeling better today and yesterday, we also worked a little Saturday. Anyway, today I find out when the Doctor appointment is.  

Thank you for everything you have done on my behalf, but I am fine. I am not a big fan of public announcements on my behalf.... Anyway thank you. It was hard the first day when it all kind of happened, but I realized something through much prayer, study and consultation.  Often missionaries and people say I will follow the Lord's will, but when push comes to shove they don't. I realized that although at first my thoughts were I would despise to the extreme if they sent me home, but, I learned something profound, (to me anyway). If I were to be sent home, I would accept it, because it is the Lords will if it does happen.  Health wise I have been doing better since yesterday. I still get bad pain in small bursts like those cramps I used to get, so I think it is Bacterial stuff, but we will see.

In all my thinking I remembered something someone said to me, it was something like this. "Many people fulfill their missions in 2 years but a select few finish theirs in a much shorter time, this was astounding to me when I first heard it. Anyway I am doing good, I was upset when I called you but that is only because I had all of 15 min to even think about all of it. Things on the mission are good otherwise.  Elder McDaniel and I get along very very well.  We have still been able to teach a good amount this week despite the sickness. Other than that not much has changed on the mission... Oh before I move on to the next thing though, something else I read, it was something like: "we come on our mission to saves souls and bring others unto Christ often times we forget, despite maybe only getting one baptism or teaching very little, often times the only soul we save and bring to Christ is our own." I have definitely seen that on my mission.  

Palisades looks like it was way fun, there isn’t too much I miss on my mission, Camping and the outdoors is a huge one, Family is another, and another one that surprised me was Music, haha but I don't miss them that much haha. The Kayaks are way fun I am glad that you finally rode one because they are so much fun. I loved the pictures!! The last one reminds me of those trips on the road so much, because that is what would happen half of the time. (It was a picture of the kids sound asleep in the truck) I am excited to hear about Yellowstone.  I don't want to take too long I still have to write quit a few others. Oh and sorry I didn't get a letter to you last week, I feel way bad. Anyway Mom I love you all so much and be safe but have so much fun. I can't wait to hear back next week. 

Love, Elder Paxman

Dear Dad,

That does sound like a very busy week, but lots of fun too. That is good that Grandma Paxman is doing better, because I was a little worried about her health. Anyway, I am glad you and the fam are getting to do all of this wonderful stuff. 

I liked the small bumps in the road analogy you sent me, and I have expanded it a lot but I will just share a bit with you. Those small bumps in the road of life are an interesting thing, and I have noticed that if you slow down and take them focusing solely on the bump it seems much bigger, but if you take it head on with a little more speed and faith, it passes by, and is remembered only as a pleasant memory. My companions think I am nuts because I am not freaking out or anything, and that I am very positive, they say that they would be having a mental breakdown. It did happen for a bit till I got a grip and pondered and prayed. Anyway other than that all things press forward in the work of the Lord.  

I want you to read something, we recite it every once in a while and I love it. It is called “The Standard of Truth”, if you can't find it I can always type it out for you next week. I have it memorized now.  

I do not know when my appointment with the GI is but it will come in due time I feel.  

We got to watch a cool broadcast on Sunday called the “Work of Salvation”, if you didn’t get a chance to watch it you should it was amazing. Many things have been shooting around in my mind, but not in a frantic way, but in a very peaceful yet rapid manner. I am actually not all that stressed as I thought I would be. Oh one thing that I am very anxious for and nervous for is exchanges!! It is just me and a Zone leader today in my area, so it is going to be very interesting, but exciting. I am so excited for when I am done training! I have loved it but I can't wait to be done. Anyway things here are going good besides the health stuff and even with that, I’m still going strong.  

If you can for a family thing sometime this week, and if you can on the 27th I think it is... Watch the “Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration” movie, on the day of his Martyrdom.  I really like this movie and it has helped me truly realize how much Joseph Smith has done for this great cause. I had Exchanges with the DL last week, it was probably one of the best times on the mission so far. The spirit dwells well with me and Elder McDaniel.  

I love you all so very much and you are all in my prayers on a multi-daily bases. I love you so much and I hope everything goes great. 

Love, your only son, Elder Paxman  

The quotes I included in my letter to Elder Paxman:

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your every lasting benefit.”
― Elder Richard G. Scott

"I have seen valiant missionaries brave icy wind, resist torrential rains, slosh through slippery, muddy streets, and conquer fear. Often they bear a powerful testimony, only to be rejected and roundly criticized. I have seen them struggle to communicate truth in a new language. Sometimes the listener stares in puzzled silence. Then there dawns the shattering realization that the message is not understood. But I wouldn't change any of it, even if I could, because there are those golden moments of success that make all of the hardships worthwhile. Such rewards come when the Spirit touches a heart for eternal good because someone like you was there. To share truth in difficult circumstances is to treasure it more. When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you. The beauty of your eternal soul will begin to unfold."
~Elder Richard G. Scott

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day DAD, 

I hope it was good, well I don't have like any time.  We are trying a new library because we are doing stuff more near our home, but it only allows for 35 min which makes this near impossible.  I haven’t even written mom yet..... and I have 5 min left. Well I hope works get better, and that was hilarious about Bai I can see her doing that stuff hahaha she is such a goof ball.   

Well sorry I haven’t written a (snail mail) letter back it has been a crazy week but in a good way.  The mission Pres. Is leaving in like 13 days so it is crazy getting ready for the new one and everything else. Anyway my letter, I am hoping to get it off tomorrow or Wednesday.  I hope your father’s day was great and You and the fam are always in my prayers. Let mom read this too because I don’t have time to write everyone and there is only like 2 min left.  We found a new investigator that has been lost for like 6 weeks, they were so close to baptism when I got on my mission and then they just disappeared.  We got back in contact with them and taught them twice in 4 days which was good, because they are a ways a way so we normally only get to them about once a week.  I have to wrap up but I love you all so very much and I hope that things are going well for you at home.  I want to hear all about Palisades and the trip to Grandma's.  Next week I will include more, tell mom I am sorry, I might have more time later today but I doubt it. 

Love, your son Elder Paxman

 

Demonic Hounds

Hey Bai,

It sounds like an awesome birthday, I am glad it was a lot of fun, but man it seems like you got spoiled for your birthday hahaha (teasin). So not a whole lot is new here in the mission just the work of the lord and how it progresses at an unreal rate. 

Man I miss Amusement rides, but that’s ok, I hope you go to Lagoon and tell me how it is.  Make sure and get dad to ride the tilt o whirl for good times sakes and for me!!  

(Bailee and Kyle have been redoing an old table for their apartment) That is cool about the table I am excited for the pictures and stuff. I like the quotes keep sending them. Kyle sounds like a pretty good cook hahaha, that is a valuable skill to have.  My companions like me for it, because I like making breakfast food when we have time.  

It was hot here as well like 88 with 95% humidity it was killer. I have a good story for this week. So we were tracting in a trailer park where a bunch of Hispanics live and all of the sudden like a little Scottish Terrier looking dog about the size Ceaser used to be... Anyway it comes up and starts just barking and growling at us, when all of the sudden like 3 more show up, then they get a little bold and start attacking Elder Mcdaniel (the visa waiter) but, it wasn’t over, while me and Elder Cozzens are laughing all of the sudden about 9 more of the little devils show up and start attacking and biting all of our shoes and ankles.  We can't do much so we freak out and start sprinting away.  It probably looked like a scene out of a movie, three missionaries sprinting down this street in a mad dash and like 12 rabid midget dogs chasing after us... We finally got to the car and jumped on top, it was ridiculous, little demonic hounds!! Anyway that is my story for this week. I hope everything goes really well with your jobs and everything else, stay strong and have fun in Utah, enjoy the mountains because it is stinking flat here.... Oh and I have 2 quotes to end too. 

"I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, while the song I came to sing remains unsung"      -Tagore 

I thought you would like that one, but guessed you have heard it already. This one is one of my favorites I have found on my mission (the next one) and it holds a lot of wisdom in kind of blatant words...

"Hell is paved with good intentions."

             -Samuel Johnson 

Anyway, Love you so much Bai and have a great Week

       Love, Elder Paxman

Dad,

I have discovered something very interesting, you and I are very service oriented people... My companions are kind of chickens about it.  For instance this week we came upon a lady who was stranded in an intersection where her car died, I told him to pull over we needed to help, I then had to convince them for like 5 minutes to get some courage and come help me. So after they still didn't move much I gave up and ran out there (once it was safe) and started to push alone, which wasn’t going all too great, after about one minute they finally came out and helped... I then realized that you have taught me so much about service and how big of a part of my life it is, as well as our families, and I just wanted to thank you for that. Also, for being that amazing example to me, as you have always been. Anyway I will let you go, but I love you so much and stay safe and give it everything you got.  

Anyway, I love you so much and you are always in my prayers.

With all I have, your son, Elder Paxman 

Mom,  

(I will preface his letter with a little information..I sent him letter telling him about our plans for the next few weeks, and telling him that if it makes him homesick to hear us doing stuff he loves, I will start leaving it out)

FREAK!!!!!! You wait till I leave to do all the cool stuff geeze.... Just teasin, I love hearing about all of that stuff because it lets me know what is going on, and no, it doesn’t make me homesick at all. Kyle will have a blast with the Fireman, I miss doing that, it is like hanging out with a bunch of goofy uncles and the fam. Man and Yellowstone! Geeze, well 7 brides for 7 brothers is a must see, I love that musical, and I am indifferent on the other but I would probably go with Dad hahaha.  The Paxman reunion sounds awesome, you will definitely have to let me know how that one goes and tell everyone Hi for me.  I have been wanting to write the Gublers and Grandma but it is hard to get time to write... 

(I also told him that his sister had a really scary bout of stomach pain, that almost took her to the ER. And that it reminded me of him being bent over in pain, and that these kids of mine are going to put me in the grave from worry, all said jokingly) Poor Bai tell her I pray for her and hope everything is going to be ok. I am really sorry for all the stress I have caused with my health stuff over the years.  I never liked being a hassle on anyone especially you and Dad at those times in my life.... maybe it is her appendix... anyway.  

My week has been great not anything really interesting... We have new investigators we range about 5 new ones a week but the difficulty is keeping them.  We have to remember a lot of them are here just for work and then go back to wherever they are from, which is really quite hard.  So they work a ton. We meet a bunch of good people but they are never there for 2nd appointments. The work overall is going good, I love it more and more each day. As far as the three of us getting along hahaha, Elder McDaniel and I get along very well, but Elder Cozzens and I bash quite a bit. It drives me insane, because I just try to be peaceable which seems to add to the fire. Overall we are developing great friendships between one another, and continue to do so daily. I did like Elder Johnston a lot he was awesome, but everything comes with time and happens for a reason. We get along great really though, there are just the few minor things. Yes me and Elder Johnston keep in contact.  We email each other usually once a week, we have missed the past 2 though.  It’s been busy and a bunch of stuff pops up not allowing us to email for like our full time.  

I have actually had the chances to get very close to this mission President and I will be very sad when they leave.  Sister Collins reminds me of you a lot in some ways, but not in others of course.  One she cries a lot hahaha.    ;)     So yea I will be very sad when he leaves, but I am excited for the new one to come and just to see how things will change,  because we honestly have no idea what so ever.  

My health is still doing fine. (Our youth are hiking Ensign peak this week) That sounds awesome about Ensign Peak, I don’t think I have hiked it actually...... I have no clue, a lot of times I don’t know if I have hiked a certain trail or not till I start on the journey. I have received the letter from Aunt Brenda.  I am trying to write back but it is very difficult with time.  I did get a letter from Garrett which was awesome! So I have to end because I need to email some other people too.  I love you so much and sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell a story, ask bai for the one I told her it was going to be the one I included to you anyway. I love you all so much stay safe and follow the will of the Lord for his is always the best way.

John 3:16 we use this scripture a lot and I love it 

Love your son Elder Paxman

Chasing Rabbits

Dear Mom,

I will start by answering some of your questions first, haha.  We get 70$ every two weeks and we have to budget it, which is nice. My staple diet is TOAST!!!! I eat about 6 pieces a day when we come back to our apartment during the day and when not about 3. My companions think I am nuts but it’s cheap and I can buy it in bulk.  

(I told him that I saw one of his friends on facebook just got called to the Indiana mission and wondered if he knew who it was)  Chris Rowe, yea I remember him, he is from North Star but I doubt he’d remember me... and by the time he gets to the field I will be more than 6 months old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That freaks me out!!  2 of my 16 transfers are gone!!!!! It is way weird.  One of the older missionaries I have become good friends with goes home tomorrow, Tuesday!! It is very weird and sad. Sundays we meet at the same Branch every week where about 80 people attend and 6-8 of them are missionaries, although the last two weeks we have had about 100 with investigators.  

(I had told him a funny story about a family friend named Ken) Kenny is a goofus and tell him Hi for me and that he needs to write or email me some of his crazy adventures and just how life is for him back home!!  

I actually don’t hear much about the playoffs. BUT the whole city was in uproar on not this Sunday but the last one, as the INDIE 500 was here!!!! You could hear the cars from outside our church building which is nowhere even close to the race track.!!! It was cool, and I say the Goodyear Blimp!!!!! Which was sick!!! I tried to get a picture but it failed... It was cool though. (Clearly he forgot that he already mentioned this…it must have been a highlight for him as he is mentioning it again. Ha ha)  

Anyway things are going great here. I did get the package and loved it, who picked out the Lower Lights CD?? I guessed Bai, it is the kind of the music she would listen to with some backwoods twang, one of my companions says it sounds like the Lumineers. Anyway it was awesome, and I loved the ties, any of those you want to send are more than appreciated. Elder McDaniel is still here and we haven’t heard anything about his Visa but I bet he is here for another six weeks or so. Things here are going great.  Transfers are Wednesday, we already found out we are all three staying here which is nice.  

Please tell Trenton for me that my P-days are Monday and that I sent him an e-mail today, he might not check since he doesn’t know, but I want him to read it before he gets into the MTC. I got a Haircut today which was in dire need, and after, I got hit on by a group of about 10 drunkards (men and women) it was funny but really creepy.... It was kind of funny.  

We now get fed about twice a week and we continue to work at getting more as we talk with members more and get them involved in Missionary work and fellow shipping. That is why we lose so many of our recent converts. Tracting and Teaching are going good, a pain sometimes but good, I am shy and don't speak a whole lot but they make me and I try too, but I struggle, although I have improved a ton thank goodness. But, Elder Cozzens likes to talk A LOT, he is very long winded. Anywho I got both packages one on Saturday and one today. The box Saturday and both posters today, I loved the packages, definitely more Cds especially ones you think I would like.  

Well things are going pretty normal here otherwise, it rains a ton here, and it is very hard and fun, loving and growing to love it more and more each day. Well I still have to write Bai so I will end with a story. So in the mornings we have about 30-35 min for workout, this used to consist of lying on the floor and doing the floating moss pose in yoga, (which is just lying there and sleeping) or the occasional crunch and stuff, but now we found out that we have a Frisbee!! We also have a field next to our apartments so we now go play Frisbee, which I am bad at but it is still fun.  Also there are little rabbits all over the field that are kind of slow, so my first instinct of course was to chase them hahaha so that gets me pumped for the day and having lots of energy. My companions laugh at me because I am running around chasing the rabbits in a bright yellow hoody and gym shorts at like full speed, so at times I look really stupid but I enjoy it greatly. Well I love you all so much and I pray for you daily. 

Love, your son, Elder Paxman