We Have Been Born as Nephi of Old

Ayyy Loco, Estoy Disfrutando mi Tiempo Acá Con Elder Mangum, No Hay Ningún Lugar como La Misión. Me Encanta Y No Quiero Irme. VIVA CHILE!!!

All is well here in Tierra Amarilla. Pretty low key week. Lots of emotions, ups and downs... But hey life goes on. The biggest news that's happening here right now is that here in Tierra Amarilla - Copiapo They are filming a new movie called Los 33. About the 33 miners that got trapped a few years ago in the mine. I guess it's huge or something like the other day someone saw Antonio Banderes buying a swimming suit and a water bottle.... There are a lot of big names that are gonna be in the movie. Maybe it's just the Chileans making a big deal about nothing like always but who knows. You guys know more than me. But ya that's cool, Go Tierra Amarilla! 

Sad news, Dalmer.... Our stud Bolivian notified us last Friday that he is going back to Bolivia tomorrow.... NOOOOO DALMER NOOOOOO He wasn't able to finish up his papers to become legal here so the government or whoever is sending him to Iquique (more Northern Chile) To finish his papers to get him legal than he is gonna go back to Bolivia to look for a better job.... Super super sad news. Especially because he was progressing sooooooooo well towards his baptism on the 22nd. He has been to church about 5 or 6 times and has stayed all 3 hours every time.... He was so excited about his baptism. We got his email and phone number for when he is in Bolivia so we can help him get him to church - Meet the missionaries there. I'm sure they will love having a perfectly prepared potential priesthood holder walk up to them telling them he wants to get baptized ha ha. Dalmer is such a stud. I will send a pic. It was hard talking about leaving for him just cause he has grown to love the church, members, and Elder Mangum and I a ton. Seeing a grown man tear up while talking to him really shows what this gospel does to people. Changes for the better! We know that Dalmer will be baptized one day. Just frustrating we couldn't be here to see that awesome moment in his life. The Lord does things for a reason. I will keep you updated on Dalmer later on in the mission.

I wish I could explain in detail the difference you can see in our little Rama. About 6 months when Elder Mangum arrived here there weren't too many people with callings other than the Branch President. But with lots of diligence President Castillo and also our substitute, President Zarate right now, while President Castillo is on vacation, have really started giving our recent converts - Members opportunities to serve, We now have basically every organization with a president and a counselor Wooot Woooot. I'm sure the people in church are getting tired of having us missionaries teach Gospel Principals, Young Mens and Womens, Sunday School, and Priesthood hahaha. Now with teachers and presidents we're hoping people will enjoy the classes more haha. Nah but I like teaching. It helps my Spanish and teaching skills. 

I still dread the thought of lunch everyday... People just make fun of me cause I never finish my plate... IT'S NOT MY FAULT MY STOMACH IS THE SIZE OF A 3 YEAR OLD GIRL..... One of the members in our branch has a 4 year old daughter and she finished her completo (hot dog) and I couldn't.... Silly Paxman.... But hey! Yesterday I finished so props to me! I´ll keep yal informed on my progress ;)

We have been teaching this guy named Marcelo for the past 2 months. At first he didn't believe in God or Jesus Christ. With our visits weekly you have seen a marvelous change in him. He say that he loves how he feels when we read the scriptures and talk about the gospel. He has quit smoking, drinking, and going to the club. He said he went the other day but had the temptation to smoke so he went home!!!!!!! WOOOO Go Marcelo... Ever since we have started teaching him he has always said, "when I feel ready to go to church I´ll go...." We visited him on Saturday and he said, "tomorrow I'm going to church" and HE WENT..... Everyone usually just lies to us so they don't hurt our feelings about going to church ... Silly Latins.... But he came and loved it. Go Marcelo! I love seeing people change for the best. You can't see this change any other place quite like here on the mission! There are countless of other small stories where we see small miracles everyday! I love the mission. 

Yesterday it was missionary Sunday. All 4 of us gave little talks in church and also sang a musical number. We sang We´ll Bring The World His Truth. First and 3rd verses in Spanish and 2nd and 4th in English... The members liked that hahah It was fun. We didn't practice but it went so well basically cause my comp has the voice of an angel..... Freaken Mangum.... Gotta Love him hahaha. The people clapped after the song.... You can tell it's been a while since someone has given a musical number in the branch.... hahah. I gave my talk on how we can be the happiest people in the world. Chase showed me his insight on this so I read 4 Nephi vs. 16 and explained that with doing those things (the exact things in our gospel ) we can be the happiest people in the world. Then I read the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 vs 3-7. I explained how we are here to BAPTIZE! As members, as missionaries and even as people who aren't part of the church. We are here to help people make these sacred covenants and find that lost sheep and put it on your shoulders and carry it home. My talk was short and sweet and the other 3 missionaries tore it up as well. The song was the best part. Everyone crying and stuff. That's the best feeling when you can see people feeling the spirit so much that they cry! I love this church!!!!!!! 

It's getting a little more fresco outside. Not too much sun and heat... Still a lot but it's livable at least :) I eat granola and yogurt with bananas every morning for breakfast.... It never gets old :) We are in the work of the Lord. He will never let us down If we give it our all. The Church is true and the only one on the earth that has EVERY part restored like it was in the time of our Savior, Jesucristo. Love you all. Haz Lo Justo!

Elder Paxman
 

Bolivians and Baptisms

While all yal were watching a boring Super Bowl Game Mangum and I were out here in the North of Chile baptizing and confirming 2 new people into the church baby!!! I have it better ;) Honestly we can see the hand of the Lord giving us blessings and miracles. We couldn't be happier with the changes and new people that are being handed to us. The baptismal service went perfect. Baptisms should be simple, short, and spiritual. And that it was. Elder Mangum baptized Lizzeth (I have been spelling her name wrong this whole time) and I baptized Andrea. They both have been waiting for that day for a month and a half and were super super excited when it finally came. Lizzeth took out her tongue ring before entering the font, and as she set it down it fell down the drain at the top of the font hahaha IT'S A SIGN!!! She knew she shouldn't be wearing it but now she can´t wear it cause it's gone hahaha. The Lord helped her out with that one a little bit.

Lizzeth is 19 years old and has talked with the sister missionaries in Copiapó about doing visits with them. She has such a strong desire to serve a mission! Her and Andrea were planning on going back to Bolivia to study at the end of the summer, March, but she walked up to our Branch President yesterday and told him, ¨I don't want to go back to Bolivia, I want to stay here and prepare for a mission¨.... Our Branch President was shocked hahaha. How dope is that though.... A fully converted member. So we will see what happens with Lizzeth, Such a sweet girl.

Also Andrea is just 13 but loves the Young Womens and loves the church, Never wants to miss another Sunday. I LOVE BOLIVIANS!!!!!!! Their brother, Luis José is a stud. He is 18 years old and is the funniest kid ever. He is me in Bolivian form. We get along very well, He is teaching us all these Bolivian terms to use here. TAKE THAT CHILEANS NOW YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING. The tables have turned ;) Luis José has a baptismal date for the 22nd of February along with their Uncle Osvaldo, and their Good Friend Dalmer. The whole family are such great people. We get along with all of them sooo well. and guess what, Andres, our convert from 2 weeks ago, (part of the Bolivian family) Blessed the Sacrament this week!!!! How sick is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE BOLIVIANS AND THE LORD FOR HELPING US MEET THEM!!!! Andres was so excited and had been studying the Sacrament prayers all week and he did it PERFECTLY. White shirt and tie and all baby! Yesterday at church was a great day. 2 confirmations as members of the church and also seeing our convert bless the Sacrament!

During the Baptism we watched the Mormon Message ¨Standing in Holy Places¨ ... Go watch it. It made me think of Ciera, Mom, Pam, Grandma.. etc... basically all the women in my life and also my future wife ;) Go watch it you´ll understand. Lizzeth and Andrea loved it.

So I guess when I first got here one of the members fed us cow tongue..... and they just told us yesterday.... I knew something was wrong with that, what I thought was steak... Chile....

I have really came to love everyone here in Tierra Amarilla. Especially the members and basically everyone we meet. Even the flaite kids who yell English swear words at us in the streets. Silly flaite (thug) kids.... I love this area! We are singing in a missionary choir in 2 weeks for Stake Conference here in Copiapó, Mangum has a voice of an angel. He is singing in a solo with 3 other missionaries. So I guess it wouldn't be called a solo but I don't know what to call that but ya he´s doing that. hahahah He´s gonna get mad at me for saying this hahaha. Freaken Mangum silly guy Thinks he knows how to sing.... Jk that was mean.... ;)

Mangum just finished 6 months so he burned a tie... He´s getting so big ;(  I´m loving life, Found out some sad news about people back at home but hey.... I'm on the mission. I'm happy:) You all are awesome. I sent a package to Ciera with a few knick knacks for a few of you. Love you all. I'm reading in Alma 17 when Ammon cuts of all the arms of the people hahaha Ammon, He´s a funny guy. Don't fight against the Lord or you will lose your arms! 

Con Mucho Amor

Elder Paxman

Feeling The Blessings

Hello People.

Pretty Solid week. Feeling the blessings being poured down on us. Firstly, Andres (Bolivian we baptized last week) received the Priesthood and he is anxious and excited to bless the Sacrament this week. There really is no better feeling than seeing a complete 100% change in investigators after they are baptized. You can literally SEE the light in his eyes. You can see the difference in his countenance ever since his baptism. I cannot wait to see him be a leader in the church in a few years! Such a great guy, and knowing I was an instrument in this work makes it all worth it! Like I have been telling all of you, we have been working super hard with the family of Bolivians that live in the same house. 

 

There is about 10 Bolivians in total and 2 are now baptized and we have 5 others that are very very interested. How interested are they you ask? Yesterday we had the interviews for baptism for Andrea (13) and Lisel (19) and all went well and they will be getting baptized this Saturday, the 1st of February. Lisel is SET on serving a mission also. The sister missionaries in Copiapo came to our last baptism to meet Lisel and she is planning on doing splits with the sister missionaries... Lisel is sooo sensitive to the Spirit, cries while watching Mormon Messages and stuff. I love it!!! 

 

The Bolivians are awesome. And also we have the other Bolivians Luis Jose (18, We call him Lu Jo) Dalmer (35) and Osvaldo (26) 3 Future Priesthood holders for their baptism on the 22nd of February!!! They are all soooo stoked also. Its not 100% for that day but we are going to be working super super hard for that day for them. They need a little more help getting prepared but that's why Mangum and I are here right:) I LOVE BOLIVIANS. 

I ran out of long black socks so I'm wearing short ankle socks.... I look like a goon its funny. 

 

Go look up the Mormon Message, My Brother Hyrum, It's a good one. I cried. I love my little brother:)

 

We had Interviews this week with President Dalton. What a great man, so spiritual, so understandable. All went well, I'm happy, I'm pure, I'm loving the mission :)

 

Like I said last week we have goals to get in better shape. I knocked 3 seconds off my mile time to 5:42! I like running. Not as much as Elder Peck, but I enjoy it. 

 

There is a town called Nantoco that is in our area, about 20 minutes in bus to get there, and we have a recent convert, Mary, that lives there. She is awesome. Anyways we were out there waiting an hour and a half in the dry heat waiting for a Micro (Bus).... I love the sun..... It wasn't too enjoyable.... just thought I should share that with you.... Silly Chile with their Micros....

 

Nothing much more happening. Chile and Peru were gonna go to war, That woulda been cool. Peru wanted the Ocean..... I'm not quite sure why they want the ocean or HOW you can own the ocean but they want it.... So we might go to war... Is it even a big deal?... ALL the Chileans are talking about it. Have you heard anything about it? I doubt it's a big deal. Chileans are funny when It comes to things like this. Anyways ya... We are working hard. Excited to baptize! And can see the hand of the Lord in the work. I love being apart of this amazing work. All is good :)

Elder Paxman

 

 

Baptisms!!!!!

Not too much time today family sorry. We just back back from a beach called Bahi Inglesa.... Supposedly the best beach in all of Chile... I wasn't too impressed but ya it was fun none the less:) This week went perfectly as planned I will try to explain it all. The baptism with Andres and Mary went perfectly. The other Elders here in Tierra Amarilla had a baptism too so we had a great night with 3 baptisms. I was honored to have baptized Andres, even if it took me 2 times dunking him to get him all the way under the water and saying the prayer 3 different times..... hahaha silly Paxman. All that matters is that he is now clean! An Elder from the city next to us baptized Mary cause she wanted him to. He was the First Elder she met so it was awesome to have him come. Everything went well giving them both the Holy Ghost the next day in church! They are officially members! There is no better feeling than saving souls! During the baptism the family of Andres all the Bolivians were loving it. A few of them crying! They are next!!!!! We don't have a fecha with all them just yet because of a few problems but we will work it out. We are excited with the potential we have here in Tierra Amarilla!

We have doing quite a bit of work with the members to find their friends-family to teach and its going well but also we do a lot of door contacts to try and find new families ready to hear our message. There are always people who are ready to hear and accept the message, we just gotta find them! I think I figured out why its sooooo hot here... Air conditioning doesn't exist... I just found that out... it took me 9 months but ya... So basically our apartment is hotter than it is outside most times... so ya fóme (lame) I know. 

One of my favorite parts of the day (I have many) is definitely personal and companion study in the mornings. I love love love learning more in the scriptures, Preach My Gospel and all that other awesome stuff. I was reading in Alma 5... Go read it!!!!! Now!!!! And what I did was I wrote down every single question that comes up in that chapter and asked myself, What Do I Lack?¿ Do the same, it's a great chapter in the Libro De Mormon. We run every morning all 4 of us. Elder Peck ran Cross Country in High School he is super fast, I try my best to keep up with him every Tuesday we run the mile and record our times to get better for the Next Tuesday. Last Tuesday I got 5:45 my goal by the end of the cambio is 5:20... I love running!!!  My Boy Elder Joey Sargent is now In Antofagasta as Senior Comp!!!! He has been here 7 months sooo insane, love that kid #SargentAndPaxmanComps2014

I love the mission, seeing little miracles ever single day. I cant deny the push that the Lord gives me to make through some of these hot days. The Push he gives me to keep knocking on the doors. The Push to find more and more people who need this Gospel! I love my Mission.

Elder Paxman

I'M LEAVING!!!!!!!!!!

Well we got transfers yesterday... and Elder Mangum and I are both leaving.... They are closing the Sector... and shutting down the Branch and telling everyone in the ward and with fechas for baptism that they can't come anymore....

JK I'm staying.... I'm so funny sometimes.... There are no changes here in Tierra Amarilla. Elder Mangum and I will be together for another Cambio.. Woot Woot.. We´re stoked. We are seeing many many miracles here in Tierra Amarilla and were able to see success this week with our investigators. We brought 9 investigators to church and had 3 great hours of amazing talks and lessons! Our President of the branch threw Palos in Sacrament meeting with 3 talks on The Word of Wisdom, The Law of Chastity, and Tithing... and Then in Gospel Principals we had everyone together and taught Lesson 1, The Restoration and watched the video, The Restoration... Our 9 Investigators basically got ALL the lessons in just 2 hours of church hahaha. I thought it was funny but it went sooo well. Especially watching the movie on the Restoration. Our 2 Fechas Mary and Andres both came and are super stoked for their baptism this Saturday. Andres asked me to baptize him. I love baptizing, especially men!!! That's something we lack... Priesthood. So we are super excited for him to get baptized and also Mary. 

This past Saturday the other 2 Elders here in Tierra Amarilla have been working on a couple that are convive and it took 3 months but they finally got married!!!!! We spent all of this past week working and planning a wedding... Ciera would be proud of me.... I never thought I would be planning a wedding and doing a reception with food and crap... quite stressful..... but they got married and the bride is getting baptized this Saturday also.. So Tierra Amarilla is excited to see 3 baptisms this Saturday... Doesn't happen too much here. The wedding turned out great. I´ll send some pics. I took some videos I´ll show yal in 2 years... 

We cleaned our pension the other day... I think its been a while since a DEEP clean has happened in that pension. And due to the fact that we live in a forest, we killed approximately 1,204 spiders in 10 minutes.... And our pension isn't that big... Very disturbing and now I have a complete hatred towards spiders.... We played soccer today.... I like soccer.... I'm basically Chilean now..

Cool quick story. So this youth in our ward he has about 18 years and we have been working hard for these past 2 months to get him to church but with his work it's super hard. He just started working and we were frustrated that he wasn't coming to church and we went over to his house the other day to visit. We were talking for a bit and then asked if we could share something.. He said, ¨Oh wait hold on I have something for you guys¨ and he comes back with a tithing slip and says ¨Do you guys mind helping me fill this out? It's my first time with a job and my first time I'm paying my tithing¨. I don't know it was just like... Wow... How cool is that. An 18 year old kid with his parents not active in church and he hasn't been to church in a looong time still has the faith and the knowledge that he should and wants to pay his tithing... It was a really really cool experience especially considering we can count the tithing payers in our ward on one hand. Such an awesome kid and we felt bad we were mad he couldn't come to church but after we realized that he is trying his hardest to do the right things and obey the commandments even with his circumstance of working on Sundays. 

We were talking the other day and just saying how the mission is sooo much of a personal journey... I can't really explain how or what I feel when I'm out here in e-mails or even face to face talking about the mission. There really is no 2 missions the same. My mission is shaping me for what I need to be later on in life and it could be the complete opposite for any other missionary-ex missionary I talk to... I wish I could explain EVERYTHING I feel, see, and crave for here in the mission. I just can't... hahah. 

Just know that I love my Savior, I love my mission, and wouldn't change anything that I have learned here. I love Mosiah chapter 27. Basically in a few verses Alma the Younger goes from destroying the church to becoming one of the greatest missionaries in church history. I feel a little like that for me. I love my conversion to this gospel and will never go back. 

Chase sent me an e-mail today about goal setting. It's one thing to set goals and say you are gonna change but its another to ACTUALLY do them.. Work on that. Actually act on the goals we have. Act on your faith. Faith without works is dead. We're here on the earth to prepare to live in the presence of God. If we can't keep the commandments here on the earth we will NOT be able to make a change when we die. Jesus Christ will be begging God to let us stay in the Celestial Kingdom but if we don't know how to obey, we wont be able to handle the obedience that the other people there have.We will have to go to a place where we do feel comfortable.... I hope that made sense sorry... all over the place but you catch my drift.... Obey... and do it cause you want to.... Not cause you have to. I´ll send a pic of my goals for 2014... Now I just gotta do them! 

Love you all so much. Happy Birthday Zack! I sent a picture of the money we use too. Just basically double it so the 20 Mil (orange) is about 40 Dollars. 10 Mil (blue) is 20 dollars..etc..  

Elder Paxman

Happy Birthday Ciera!!!!!!! 23

Bueno.... If I were to put a name on this week I would call it the ¨humbling week¨. Elder Mangum and I have been working super super hard and actually had the best week, number wise, our whole Cambio. But the results just didn't come. We basically look at Sundays as our ¨Game Day¨ and the week we prepare for our investigators and menos activos for Game Day (Church). During the Holiday season its a bit tough at times and it showed this week with only 1 of our investigators being able to make it to church. We still have our spirits high and haven't lost a drop of excitement!!!!!! WOOOOOOO YAAAAAAA (That was me showing my excitement).

Chile is a lot different in the States for New Years.... They burn little Monos they call them. Like stuffed scarecrows with newspaper in them..... Freaken Chile.... It's like symbolism that they are burning all the bad things that happened during the previous year...... ya.... Don't ask me.... IDK.... Chile.... But we decided to follow along with them so we burnt a little mono missionary.... hahaha. White shirt and all hahaha I have a video... I´ll show yal in 2 years... At 12  o'clock The Chileans got freaky with the fireworks. There was so many it was shaking our apartment. Literally like Disney Land quality fireworks... I was impressed. So we watched them for a bit. That was fun. But just a regular New Year here in Chile. Everyone asked us what we did back in the States for New Years and they got mad at us that we don't hug every person in sight - burn random stuffed human sized scarecrows. Latins are a lot different than Gringos.... a lot.... 

Lots of things happened with our fechas this week... Don't wanna say too much other than.... All is good.... They will get baptized sooner or later. We are working hard to help people save their souls! ESTAMOS AQUI PARA SALVAR ALMAS!! We are happy and healthy. I will be working on my New Years resolutions this next week, so be ready to be blown away with the new and defined Elder Paxman next week. We fasted a few times this week for help from the Lord showing we will sacrifice to help the people here in Tierra Amarilla, and I can tell all of you that the strength of my testimony of fasting grew 10 fold because of the things that happened during and after the days of fasting. I wish I could share more on that, but I cant... But ya... Fasting... It works! :) I want all yal to go and read Ether 12:27 and think of all the weaknesses that we have in our life right now. Or this past year of 2013 and look what the Lord promises us! I testify that our weaknesses can become our strengths. New Year, New You! 2014 Change your weaknesses to your strengths! Tengo Fe en Ustedes :) I appreciate your weekly emails to me and I love all your thoughts and advice! Love you.

Elder Paxman