Elder Ben Paxman at Transfers. Picture taken by a sweet missionary momma!
Elder Paxman and his new companion Elder Markward. Taken by Branch President Coffin and posted to facebook.
Dear Mom,
I really liked the
cookies mom, they were super good and I am glad that you got them for me. Elder Markward actually got the other cookies
because he is my new companion. I am glad you liked the packages and the Books
of Mormon. (Elder Paxman sent us each a Book of Mormon with a post it note that
had a list of scriptures that he wanted us to look up and mark. He had also written his testimony in each
one.) I wasn't sure what to do so I thought that was a pretty good idea. I was going to highlight those scriptures and
make you all find them, but that would have taken forever, seeing as you all
got like 12 scriptures.
(This past week we were super blessed to receive
3 packages from Ben, a phone call from Brother TIncher, a member in the area he
was just transferred from, and pictures posted via facebook by a sweet sister
and the branch president in his new area) The Tinchers are amazing and I plan to email them next week,
they are awesome people and yes we always joked that they were going to set me
up with their granddaughter. I would email them this week, but I am a little
short on time. I don't know if they have served a mission in Palmyra but I will
ask him next week and see what he says.
1. Why
did you send home your Spanish Preach my Gospel? Don't you need it? Isn't
that what you teach from and study? I have two of them so I sent one home just in case you guys
wanted it, and because it took up space.
2. You
also sent home the Spanish MTC study book, don't you need it to study your
Spanish? The really big one is
super old and I figured dad could use it if he wanted I found it and thought it
would be cool to send home, I still have the newer ones with me.
3. Where
did you get those metal dice? Are they homemade and who made them?
They are cool. Brooklyn wants to put them on her shelf in her room
till you get home. I told her NO WAY they are Ben's. If you want to
display them you have to ask him. A member made me the metal dice back in
Logansport his name is Junior. he was super cool and from Puerto Rico.
4. Why
did you send home tie tacs?
The Tie tacs were sent home because they put little holes in my ties and so
instead I used to use them as lapel pins, but they said we can't use them for
that anymore, so that was sad...
5. Where
did you get all those CD's. The country Christmas ones? Do you
still have the CD's because all the cases were empty. If so where do you
keep the CD's? I bought a CD case and
the CD's are gifts from members, and then I bought I think two of them.
6. FYI,
Drew Shaver requested you as a friend on Facebook. I accepted him for you.
You have also had a request from a sister Deandra do you want me to accept
that one? That is awesome Drew invited me as a friend and I am glad you accepted him, also you can accept Sister
Deandra she is a very nice less active sister from Logansport.
7. What
were all the Bibles? Gifts from investigators, and the mini scriptures...
where did all of that come from? The bibles are gifts from
investigators and the little books are a military set that Elder Hjelm gave to
me and I need a box made for them haha.
This week was really
interesting... First off as far as transfers go... I am BACK in
CUMBERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy right!!!!! I thought so. Yes I am in the same Branch and so I have the
same mailing address as from the start of my mission hahaha. Hermana Marciella is a member in the White River branch. We have a full time car, thank goodness!! My
new companion is Elder Markward. I like him he reminds me a lot of myself when I first
came on the mission. I drive, he has only been out for about six months. The
apartment is the same one I started in, but they fixed the shower so it isn't
retarded. So I like it. The Branch is good.
Good news the Diaz family is active again (this is the family he prayed so hard to travel back to Cumberland to
be able to baptize) and it was like having a small homecoming yesterday in
the Branch so that was awesome haha. I did love the country though. My Spanish is alright not amazing, but it
does alright considering I have not been using it. It is going to be an interesting transfer. We have a few investigators, but we will be
trying to find more as time goes on. The Diaz family is in the branch and my area
of course, so that is good they were really excited to see me when I surprised
them with a visit on Saturday!
8. What are your plans for Conference? We
always go to the church for conference so that is amazing.
How was the women’s
conference thing?? I will have to go after my mission and just hang outside haha
you know to hit on du ladies and stuff bahahaha, man am I evil. Just
kidding!! That is crazy that you had
snow but probably good, you need the moisture.
No plans for the
temple yet, but we will probably go here soon, and yes it would be Kentucky
unless someone from somewhere else invites me
Well this week has
been great, transfers were a curve ball that is for sure, and I really like
Elder Markwarad he is from Washington. Well I do not have much time to email so I will
talk a little about my feelings of transfers and such. First off, I have really
learned about the will of God and also how he will do whatever he can for the
people and me. Coming back to Cumberland has brought back many memories of
great times, and funny stories. Another thing, it has helped me realize that
Heavenly Father needs me here on the mission and even more specifically in
certain areas for certain purposes. After
this transfer I will hit 9 months in this area, but I know without a doubt that
I would not be here if it wasn't for a specific reason. Maybe it’s to be with this certain companion,
or maybe to help strengthen some Converts or some new people searching for the
gospel, whatever it may be I will continue to do my best to try and fulfill his
will and be the best I can. I know the Lord and my Father in Heaven love me so
much, and the people here, to bring me back once again to the area, I cannot
express enough how much this has been on my mind that I am definitely here back
in Cumberland for a reason. Although I
may not know what it is, I will do my best to complete it. Also, with all the pondering
and reflection it has caused a lot of remembrance and yet excitement for the
future. Overall I am excited and grateful to be back and we will see what the
future holds for me as a missionary. By the
way this is extremely rare and usually never ever happens!
Well Mom I love you so
much and I can't wait to hear from you all again soon. Oh also one last story
before I end, so I was talking with Sister Diaz, which they have been coming back
to church for about 5 weeks now, and she was telling me again how much I have
changed her family for the better. In
fact her mother and one of her sisters have been baptized because of their
influence, and the spirit of this Gospel.
It has strengthened my testimony so much of the divinity of the work and
the power of my calling as a missionary.
Anyway I love you all so much and hope everything continues to go
amazing! Also I hope to hear from you soon.
Love, tu hijo, Elder
Paxman
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