Elder Paxman and Elder Ryan at a dinner following the sealing of the Ramirez family in Chicago.
Elder Paxman riding the saddle at The Texas Roadhouse for his 21st birthday last week.
A member took him and his companion.
Dear Mom,
The temple was amazing!! The picture you have seen was taken
at a chapel in Chicago after we went to the temple. We went there and ate with the extended
family and friends of the Ramirez family. So it was awesome. All those girls with us
in the picture, by the way are sister missionaries that serve in the Ramirez families
older ward that they used to attend. We rode with the Nehring’s but the drive
was hatin it. The road sucked the whole way and it was way snowy. So that
wasn't awesome. Chicago was freaking butt cold, but other than that, a really
pretty city. We were only able to drive through it at night. So pictures of it
are scarce. Also my camera was having a freak out when I tried pictures, so I
switched to video, so I don't have many pictures, but I do have a few videos.
It was a beautiful temple! I liked it a lot. It was amazing going to the temple
after not having gone in such a long time. I loved every minute of it and the
sealing was amazing! My first one, so that was awesome! The peace and
revelation gained in the temple is amazing. I can't wait to be able to go back
once again, when I get home. Also I still have one more temple trip available
before I return home. This one counted for the last six months. So it was
amazing. I got to watch the old video again, which was nice, but I wanted to
see the one I haven't seen yet! Oh well, one of these days I will get to see
it. No one else from the branch went besides the Nehring’s and one lady named Catalina.
She went and did baptisms.
I will work on the haircut before transfers. (I
saw in the picture his hair was long, I told him he needed a haircut) Transfers
are this next week... We will find out what is happening in this area here
soon... My bet is that I am leaving... Which I do not want to, but that is my
guess what will happen.
How was Texas Roadhouse for your birthday? Tell Eddie thank you so much for the pictures. Yep I
ate a pound and a half of steak and it was amazing!! Ribeye we even had to get
it specially ordered. Eddie is a single member; he is coming back into activity.
Great guy! I really like him a lot. I will tell him thank you from you for the
pictures. He is a great guy and has returned into activity in the last oh
probably 2 months. I really like him a lot.
How is the work? Are you still teaching your 2 investigators? Can you
believe that if I had not gone home, I would be coming home in a week!!! That
is crazy to believe! It blows my mind, and I am thankful that I still get to
serve every day! With Judy and Sergio things are going well. We are still teaching
them, and we are hoping they can both make it to church this week. If so that
would be amazing! We are continually trying to find people to teach and other
than that, just doing our best.
Dad got your bike out because the weather has
been nice. I cannot wait to get back on the motorcycle
and enjoy that. It is snowing here finally. A decent amount too.
I told him about our Valentines activities. What
movie did you watch? Eddie said “The Kingsmen” is a must see! So add that one to the
list! What movie did you watch with dad and Uncle Troy? That is nice that Brooklyn and Mayce got to go
to the Stake dance on Valentines. That was probably fun. I was always more of a
tractor days guy myself! Yes mom I guessed the Chocolate covered strawberries.
That is a dead giveaway. Brooklyn probably stole one too. Things don't change
mom hahaha.
I sent him the picture collage I put together for
his birthday. I was a cute little fart wasn't I?? ha-ha Oh
how times change... Now it is like... "what happened!?" hahaha. Oh
the days when life was easy, and all I cared about was how many snakes I could
catch and bugs I could eat... Good times, good times...
So this week we had a Zone Conference with the two zones in
the surrounding areas, and President was there. While it was going on, he turns
and says. “Columbus Spanish, what is going on there?” I was shocked... I didn't
know what to say. President is having a really hard time with this area,
because he does not know why the work isn't going forward as it should be.
There are a few reasons for this I believe. I won't really go into it too much
today though. He paid us an amazing compliment though. He told the ZL's that he
has some of the best missionaries down here and still not a lot is happening. I
think we really need to be increasing the members trust in us, even more. I
thought we had it, but I am not sure. That is the biggest issue that I can see
at this moment, or possible issue. So we will see how this goes. Although I
feel this area has grown well, since Elder Ryan and I have gotten here. We went
from nothing to now two people on baptismal dates and some less actives coming
back to church. This is all thanks to the blessings of the Lord. I really hope
I can stay in this area, but most likely I will be transferred.
I have a question. I
would love feedback from anyone who reads the blog. I don’t know how I could
get feedback, but if there is a way I would like to hear what they say. This is
the question. "What do you expect out of missionaries?" I am curious
to see what people say. (I think if you
want to email him your thoughts ideas that would be great, benjamin.paxman@myldsmail.net)
Oh actually before I forget, I was wondering if you could do
something for me. Could you get my CTR ring and get a dog tag chain and put it
on it, and if you could then send it out to me that would be great. I never
liked wearing it on my finger a ton because it bugged me, but around my neck, I
can do.
Anyway... So this last week was really good. Karina Banda came to
church this week for a bit. It meant the world to me. I was so happy that she
was able to come. She is very dear to me. I can't remember if I told you this
or not. So when I first met her with Elder Rowberry and Elder Blood, I had this
distinct impression come to me, you will impact this women's life and she will
do the same to yours. She, I truly believe is one of the reasons I came back.
It has meant the world to me, to be able to get to know her and grow close to
her. She is someone I hope to stay in contact with for the rest of my life. We
were talking to the branch President last night about this. We were talking
about what can we do to make this area flourish. I have felt that this area has
the potential to baptize many and bring many others back. This area can be a
great area. I have felt it, and I have felt it about everywhere I have had the
privilege to serve. I know that this work is progressing. I am sad that I will
only be a full time missionary for a few more months, but I am determined to
prove faithful. In another man’s words, that I now take as my own; There are
many souls whom I have loved, and to them I am determined to prove faithful. At
times in my life, I have felt as if I have failed. I have felt it at times in
the last few days; many times this is the adversary working his wiles and
schemes to make us doubt ourselves and the potential of others. I know that I
am so far from perfect and that I continually make mistakes, but I also know
that every day is a new day, and that I can become better than I was and make
up for my mistakes, through the Atonement of Our Savior. I hope to prove
faithful in that great and last day and every day to it. I know there may be
days I am not, but that if I try, I will get there, and so can everyone else.
There is a section in the D&C I believe 76 and it states what kind of
people will be in the Celestial Kingdom of God. It is those who will Overcome
all by Faith in the One who has loved them. That is not exactly how it is
phrased, but oh well. President gave us a compliment that was amazing, he said
something like: "in the last year and some change we have had many
missionaries come and go, but I feel that the 4 Elders we have now are truly
great missionaries" This was touching for me to hear, and something I
needed at the time, for I had thought that I had failed. We are destined to
succeed if we but try. I have seen it in my life; there are times, when I feel
that I am truly lucky to be alive. I know that I am. I hope and pray that I may
live worthy of those extra moments I have been granted.
Well I love you all so much and hope that this week is an
amazing one. Remember that we are the makers of our own happiness not the
substance to be acted upon (or the consequences of someone else's actions.
Whatever sounds better) We are to be happy and joyful, it is stated again and
again throughout holy writ. Well I love you so much and hope that you can all
make this week one worth remembering!
Love, Elder Paxman
[:{D
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