Week #38: ¡El poder del Espìritu!

Wow what is going on everybody?!! Another good week down here in TBO! It was pouring rain all day everyday, but we still managed to find a couple awesome people to teach this week. 

I'd like to share an experience that Elder Cruz and I had this past Saturday. We were walking along in our area, just chatting with some people in the street and we were just about to go visit this woman that we had contacted a few days before. We started walking to her house, and Elder Cruz told me that he felt like we should go visit this woman named Yaquelin (who lived a good 30 mins away). Yaquelin was a referral from another ward about 2 months ago. We were told her son and husband had recently passed away and that she was in a really tough spot in life. We tried for weeks to find her but we never could...until on last Tuesday when we decided to pass by one more time to try to find her, and we DID! She told us to come back another day, so we did, but once again we couldn't find her. Then Elder Cruz all of a sudden felt like we should go pass by again, so I told him 'lets get going!!' So, we sped-walked to her house. 

Ive had a few experiences like this before, and they don't always turn out to be the person you were inspired to go visit, but rather someone else that you run into along the way. So I was very attentive of the people around us. We got to Yaquelin's neighborhood and I saw a house that I felt extremely impressed to contact. So we went, talked to this one guy for a minute, but he said he was busy so we left. I was a little confused, because I had felt so strongly to contact this persons house...but we continued and got to Yaquelin's house. We clapped out front, and a kid comes out and tells us that Yaquelin wasn't home. We were  about to leave, but then I found myself chatting with the kid a little about futbol. Just then, Yaquelin shows up on her bike and tells us we can come in to chat. In that moment, I already knew without a doubt that we were sent from God above to talk with this woman in that very moment. She quickly broke down in tears to us about her son and husband and says that she's been extremely religious her whole life, but now that these events had happened, she was questioning her faith...and questioning God. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon, and how it explains the Plan of Happiness that God has prepared for us. We told her she would see and live with her family once again for eternity. She finally calmed down and Elder Cruz and I bore the strongest testimonies that we could to help this woman feel the truthfulness of our message. 

Now I don't know if Yaquelin will go on to get baptized, or if she will even believe our message is true...but I know without a doubt, that Elder Cruz and I accomplished what we were sent to do in that moment. We felt very satisfied that God saw us worthy, to send us to one of His daugther's who was in a lot of pain, and needed comfort. I really can't always explain my feelings through email, but I hope all of you know that this Plan that God has for us is real. That we really will live with our families again, and we will live in a state of peace and happiness. 

I can testify of the power that the Spirit has in us. If we just listen to that voice, we can be the cause for so much good in this world. I love what I do every day as a missionary, to truly be a tool in the hands of God to save the souls of His children. Have a good week everybody!!

Braxton and his new trainee Elder Cruz

Dinner after Zone Conference in Rivera

Rooftop view in Rivera 

The Zone in TBO

Taco Sauce loving Elder Cruz enjoying a good meal! 

Braxton is having a great time with his  new companion Elder Cruz

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City street view

Week 37: Im training a mexicano!

What is up everybody?! Wow! Its been a crazy week. Been a lot of traveling, and not much sleep for a couple nights, but, aquì estamos! I went down to Montevideo to pick up my ORO (translated to gold, means new missionary), and he's a beast! 

I seriously got one of the best missionaries out there! Elder Cruz is from southern Mexico, from a state called Tabasco. Pretty spicy name, I know. He really came into the mission the way you should...full of energy and ready to share what you believe. Ive honestly probably already learned more things from him, than he has from me. This guy is just ready to talk with people! He loves to tell all the people how much he loves tacos and spicy sauce, its pretty dang hilarious honestly. Although, he's a little depressed that there isn't spicy stuff here in this country whatsoever, but he´ll survive.. hopefully haha!

His attitude and tenacity to share the gospel has been what's impressed me most about him. He has plenty to learn about being a missionary and effective teaching, but that really isn't what is important at the end of the day. The Lord says, "Give me everything you have, and I will turn you into something that you could've never imagined you could be." Elder Cruz will turn into an amazing missionary, because he's just giving everything he's got!

Each of us has this same potential in our lives, whether it be in our jobs, studies, spiritual life, families, sports, whatever it may be...God will truly turn us into something we can't even imagine. I love the story found in Moses 6. It talks about Enoch. He was called to preach to the people, but in verse 31 he said to God "Why hast thou chosen me? For I am but a lad, and the people hate me for my slow speech." The Lord responded and told Enoch to go and do what He had commanded him, and nothing will be able to stop him from fulfilling his calling. In verse 47 we learn that the Enoch became so powerful in speaking that the people could not bear his words, for they were just too powerful! 

I truly can testify of the power that we can receive when we simply just trust God, and give Him our all. I hope you all had a great Easter Weekend, and were able to take a moment to think of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for you. That he truly felt everything you've felt, and that he truly understands you. He is waiting with open arms to receive us, and give us power in the things we never thought could be strong in our lives. I love you all, have a good one!

Braxton, as a new trainer, with his companion,
brand new to the mission field from Mexico, Elder Cruz!! 

Braxton ran into his first convert Sebastian when he was in Montevideo this week!
He is doing awesome and still going strong in the gospel! 

Braxton also rand into Elder Evans this week! He was his comp
in the MTC...and one of his 'best buds' in the mission so far! 

Selfie with Maicol ( a convert they baptized a few months ago)! 

Braxton's District! They are all training right now! 

Braxton and Elder Cruz before going to the temple this week. 

Group selfie of all the new TRAINERS!! 

Week 36: ¡Cambios!

Wow it was a crazy week! I am finishing off my time with my Chileano comp, Elder Seguel, and now Ill get to train a brand new missionary! I'm extremely excited to train an ORO BABY! But at the same time, I am a little nervous, as I will be this guys first impression of the mission haha! Its a good feeling though. It will be awesome to see my new comp grow into the mission and see his adjustment. I will find out who my oro is tomorrow at the Montevideo temple! Its going to be an amazing day for sure!

 Every new missionary goes through a certain phase at the beginning of their mission, Ive thought about this a lot. Some can take it better than others, but I would guess that its a rough change for just about every single missionary. One thing that will be rained down upon you is just HUMILITY. God really enjoys humbling His missionaries as much as possible, is what I've learned as a missionary. In every aspect possible, He will humble you, and especially if you are learning a new language. While its not always fun to get humbled...I really think humility is something so crucial to have, if you want to be even a decent servant of Christ. 

I have a personal belief that no "Christ-like attribute" is more necessary than humility, with exception to charity/love as number 1 on the list. When we humble ourselves, we submit ourselves entirely unto the Lord. We don't tell ourselves that what we think is gonna be the better way, we follow the Spirit in EVERY prompting that we receive. No task, no job, is too low for someone that is humble. 

Christ was the ultimate example of humility. Never once, did Christ put his own will or desire above that of the Fathers. He truly suffered the pains and sins of the world, so that Gods perfect plan could be fulfilled. I am truly coming to understand that without humility, we will never learn what Gods needs us to learn, and therefore we will never reach the potential that God has planned for us. I know that the attribute of humility is a God-like attribute that we must have, if we want to have any chance of becoming like Him. So, we might as well start today. Humbling ourselves in all things, both spiritually and temporally.

 I truly am thankful that God loves me enough, to humble me. Que podamos pedir al Padre el atributo de humildad. Les amo. Que pasen lindo!

A picture from President & Sister Olsen's Facebook page today!
Braxton with his new trainee and companion at the Montevideo Temple

Braxton and Elder Seguel taking in the sites of the Tacuarembo
one last time before the transfer.

Pday service activity! 

Week 35: LA CONFERENCIA GENERAL

Wow! What a dang good weekend! 10 hours of just awesomeness! I hope everyone found time to listen to the words of a Prophet and others from this weekend. General Conference as a missionary really is a special thing, but I know it really can be special for anyone who is listening with the Spirit and desire to learn!

 I saw lots of themes and takeaways from this weekend...probably more than anything, the focus on the family and home! I hope we all take a minute now that we've heard these talks, about how we can strengthen our families and homes. The conference serves us nothing if we don't take time to change ourselves from it and become better! 

One of the talks that I truly loved was from Tad R. Callister. He spoke concerning the Atonement, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us. His analogy was perfect...that a foolish man jumped from an airplane, and as he was in the air, he began to regret it. He began asking the law of Gravity to change for him. He said he was scared, or regretted it, or promised he would never do it again.,,but none of that mattered. The law of Gravity would stay in effect, and he was going to fall to his death. But then he realized his friend had slapped a parachute on his back...he pulled the string and safely fell to the ground unharmed, and the law of Gravity was still intact and had not been broken. It is the same with all of us. There is a law of Heaven, that no unclean thing can stand before God. All of us have erred in our lives, and because of that, we are unworthy to return to our Heavenly Father. But God, being perfectly loving, prepared a plan...a parachute...to save Us. The plan stays intact, we will not stand before God until our sins have been wiped clean from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And thus, Christ is the mediator for us, and answers the end of the law on our behalf. 

I know the Atonement is real. I have felt it and used in my life...and I have never experienced that kind of happiness from any other source in my life. I would invite everyone to take advantage of the Gift that Christ so painfully gave to Us, so that you may come to taste of the pure joy that comes from repentance. Im so grateful to represent my Savior for two years and carry His name wherever I go and invite others to come unto Him through the power of the Atonement. Que aprovechemos el don de la Expiaciòn.

Braxton with his mission buddies Elder Weed (from Wisconsin)
and Elder Moser (from Arizona).
He captioned this picture "Starstruck thinking about our
lives after General Conference." 

Got caught in quite a rainstorm this week! :) 

   A little graffiti wall from Braxton's favorite futbol team, Penaro
 (a local soccer team in Uruguay)

Braxton and his companion, Elder Seguel. 

Cute dog that was extra friendly with Braxton this week! 

Braxton and Elder Seguel with a kid from the ward.

Axel (a kid Braxton baptized a couple months ago)
 and another kid from the ward. 

Another 'rainstorm' picture! :) 

Zone Picture! 

Week #34 ¡Sois la luz del mundo!

What is going on everybody?!! Hope everyone is doing great back home! Things out here in Tacuarembo are going good. We're coming up on General Conference weekend now and all us missionaries are pretty excited! General Conference weekend is like Christmas for missionaries, haha! 

This past week was another good one. Some good and funny stuff happened here!! Quick funny story that you might get a good laugh at.. Elder Seguel and I were just walking down the road and a house started blasting some good latino music!! I was in a pretty good mood at the moment, so I started to bust out a few little dance moves in the middle of the street in the mid-afternoon, and didn't really think twice about it. Elder Seguel started busting up laughing pretty good, and then I realized there was a family sitting in front of their house behind us that saw me dancing, and they too were busting up laughing! I turned around and just yelled, "Bueno!" and then they laughed some more, and so did I. It was a funny moment!!:) Hopefully that family thinks us missionaries are just normal people now haha! 

Well now I should probably share a spiritual thought with you all. I was talking with Elder Garcia today from Peru. He is such a great missionary, and just barely got here. He was talking to me a little about the scriptures, and brought up John the Baptist. John always said he was not the Christ that was to come, but he was simply a Light to prepare the way for the Savior. Elder Garcia made the analogy that it is the same with us as missionaries, and as members of this church. We can give off a Light to a world in darkness. Elder Garcia also referenced that its like we are the moon. Jesus Christ is the sun, and his light reflects off the moon (us), and shines into the world to give Light. I absolutely loved what he shared with me!! There is darkness all around us...this world is just getting worse, but as followers of Jesus Christ we can give a Light off to this world and be the helping hand to someone in need. 

I hope we all can be that Light in someones world. Have a great week everyone! ¡Que disfruten esta conferencia general! 

Braxton and his companion, Elder Sequel, at Mas Valle Eden on Pday today! 

Beautiful scenery from Valle Eden.

Braxton is diggin Elder Seguels hat! ;) 

A picture of Axel! Braxton baptized Axel a few months ago!