Travel Plans

Hello, My what a week this has turned out to be. We have a new Elder in our district. He had to stay behind when his group left yesterday. I was so shocked to hear he would be with my companionship, because he has pars planitis (Braiden had this eye disease between 2-5years old and went through several surgeries. Finally they drained the vitrious in his eyes and refilled them with saline solution). He is undergoing steriod injections right now. He is officially companions with Elder Saucy from Quebec, but he is English while Elder Saucy is Romainian. I don't know if I spelled that right and really I don't care.

So something really cool happened the other day. We were talking about the first vision and learning to memorize Joseph Smiths words and how he described it. We were practicing with a new companionship and we had all gone through except for Elder Green. The two missionaries are going to his area too. Forgot to tell you that. All of a sudden Elder Green just shuts his preach my gospel and starts bearing his testimony to us about how we are in it till the end and there is no going home until we are finished. The spirit was so strong that everyone was crying. Then one of the new missionaires told us that he had a meeting earlier that morning with his branch president to go home. He is now sticking it out even with an upcoming tonsilectomy. I didn't tell him my story though...thought he wouldn't appreciate it:) (Braiden had a lot of problems with his tonsilectomy with hemorraging and bloody noses. Spent a lot of time in the ER).

Just a little FYI, I only get 30 minutes on the computer and then it kicks me out. I like letters more than I do emails as well because I can't print.

So I got my travel plans last Friday. I leave Tuesday morning at 4am. My plane leaves Salt Lake at 7:30. I have a lay over in Detroit for an hour and then I should be landing in Toronto at about 3:30pm their time. I am traveling with a Chinese companion. I don't know if he even speaks English. Elder Hornberger and Elder Green leave Monday so I get to move into the "infirmery/outcast ward" with Elder Bowerman and Elder Saucy for a night. The rest of my district is going to sac town at 8ish I think. I am going to miss them. They are so cool.

I am learning so much about the scriptures. Brothers Murray and Smith are my teachers. They are so amazing. I feel the spirit so strong every single day. I write in my journal every night and I am so surprised to see how much I have grown in two weeks. I looked in the mirrow the other day and I scared myself. My eyes have changed, my face has changed, I have changed. I got a tape recorder and found out even my voice has changed. I will be sending a tape in a few weeks or so. Tell Alexandra I got a tape for her too.

I love hearing from you guys. Tell Dad thanks for the letters. I LOVE THE MTC AND I LOVE THE MISSION FIELD!!!! You guys are always in my prayers. When you get a chance, look at section 130 of the Doctrine and Covenents. Also look at section 87. We found an investigator proof of revelation. Joseph Smith knew about the Civil War before it started. Kinda cool.

Well, got to go. Thank you for everything. I love you all. Elder Braiden Paul Ashton