Letter #4 (MTC)

                                                                                                                       Aug. 28, 2013
                   This week was one of the most challenging and most rewarding. I feel like I say that every week but this one truly was. Yesterday, I had the lowest-low of my mission, but also, the highest-high, if that makes sense... We will start with yesterday and work back. Yesterday morning, me and my comp were teaching our investigator, Aclicio, who the time before, we set a baptismal date with. He was really excited and progressing at an amazing rate. However, this lesson took a turn for the worst and he said he didn't have a good feeling with us today. This was so hard on me, cause I have started trying to see my investigators as though they were being led into the waters of baptism and this has helped me grow an immense amount of love for them. I walked out of the room we were teaching in and back to the classroom holding back tears and feelings of anger for an unknown reason. Maybe anger because I know he knows our message is true and he's hardening his heart. But I walked to class sat down holding back tears. We then heard over a phone message one of our other investigators moved to Ogden and we don't have lessons with him any more. I was absolutely fuming at this point because I'm a teenager and can't see the bigger picture of God's plan. But one of our teachers took me and my comp into another room and coached us on our teaching. He is a big happy Poly and sensed my anger so he asked with his big happy smile whats wrong. I explained my feelings as best I could and he and my comp started crying as well as myself. We cried and tried to talk for about half an hour and then we (me and my comp) went into another room and hashed out our feelings, the teacher Hermano T. came in and said we have a visitor and so we tried to compose ourselves and walked into class, where Elder Holland was sitting with that big, genuine smile he has. We ended up being taught by him and my whole day was turned 180 degrees in a matter of minutes. I also learned we might go straight to Argentina on travel visas with a stop in Paraguay (Aunt Debbie, tell Zacky to look out for the short blonde kid with a smile on his face) I love this work, and I'm excited to serve the Lord another 23 months.

                     ~Elder Maddox II

Travis (Far left standing) and Elder Holland (seated center right)

Travis (far left) in the MTC

Letter #3 (MTC)

       So this week in the MTC, I had an amazing opportunity to teach my investigator and commit him to baptism. Me and my companion are really clicking and hit the ground running from day one. It is crazy how much the Lord has blessed me up to this point in my life. I constantly find myself wondering why I have been so blessed, and the answer I keep returning to is that He wants me to return the favor and live my life accordingly. I need, as do many other worthy young men and women, to serve full time a mission  in the name of our Heavenly Father, we need to raise righteous eternal families, and be a constant example of the believers. I heard a quote from one of my many teachers today and it goes as such "Have a light so that through you, others can see Him." (more or less) but this hit me really hard cause I have been a decent kid most of my life but not to this extent. We need to always have him on our mind and be mindful that the kid sitting next to us isn't LDS, the person on the bus was just fired from his or her job and has no hope, the 'terrible' neighbor was offended and just needs a hand extended. I recently read in Doctrine and Covenants section 104:80 and it says the Lord will soften the hearts of our debtors, if we just have faith in him. I have personally gained an immense testimony of faith these past two weeks. Elder Stephan and I taught the district meeting on Sunday and it was on faith. We found the best definition and examples of faith are found in Hebrew's chapter 11, I challenge you all to read it. I have a testimony and I know this church is true. I know, through Joseph Smith, the only true church and the truest book on this world are here today. I promise as we stay true to the covenants we made with the Lord at baptism, our lives will be blessed ten fold. I know through the Atonement, we can all return to live with our Father in Heaven. I love this work and the joy it brings into my life. Thanks family for supporting me through all of my endeavors and being a constant source of love for me, you're the best.
            ~Elder Maddox II

Letter # 2 (MTC)

                                                                                                             Aug. 9, 2013
          Well the first week of the MTC was unreal and filled with so many amazing experiences. For those of you preparing to go on a mission, I will warn you, Friday is usually the hardest for most so be ready because Thursday you're filled with the emotions of excitement of all the new things around you, but Friday, you fall into a routine and your thoughts will drift from the Gospel to home. The only way, I have figured out, is to work that much harder :) I have an amazing companion who is amazingly strong in the Gospel and very willing and ready to learn. Sunday, we listened to a talk by Elder Bednar called Characteristic of Christ. It was absolutely amazing and changed the outlook I have on the mission, the Gospel, and on life its self. He brought up many amazing points but I don't have my notes in front of me so I can't quote them but it was the most amazing talk I have ever heard. I hope everything is awesome at home and am constantly praying for you guys. Remember I am doing the Lords work and how quick you got over Steven leaving. I cannot wait to hear from all of you, its going to be amazing. I would still love to hear from everyone so write me, send stickers, do whatever, I will do my best to write you back. Yo se Jesuchristo vide hoy y el libro de mormon es verdadero, amo mi familia con todo corazon. Until we meet again in two short years :)
            ~Elder Maddox

A Note From The Mother:
           Just so it is very clear...We did not "get over Steven leaving" quickly.  This is either Travis' sarcasm or memory loss...probably both. 

Letter # 1 (MTC)

Hola Mi Familia! (Cliche, I know Dad)                                     Aug 2, 2013          
          Well, I am sitting at my dinner table, with my companion.  He is from Hurricane and is amazing.  He had an older brother who served in Chile and has an awesome spirit about him.  We taught our first lesson today.  Our whole district is struggling with the language, pero we make great strides in the right direction every day.  In our district we have eight missionaries, four Elders y four Hermanas.  I am very grateful for each of them.  In the 2.5 days I have been here, I have learned more spanish than in my three years of High school, been tested more mentally and somewhat physically than ever.  However, and this is where the Spirit has contributed the most, I have never been more happy and excited to wake up int he manana.  From the time I wake up to the time my head hits the pillow, I am immersed in the spirit and love from everyone. I am able to understand when I have he spirit con yo, but when It leaves, it is much much tougher.  I have little fear  when teaching the investigator!  I can set up lessons lickety split.  For that I have to thank you guys,  Dad, Mom, Alec, Makayla, Sabrina, and Katrina.  You guys raised me into who and where I am today.  I  know this won't fulfill your desire to hear from me but I need to go to bed.  I love you all y you se Jesus Christo y espiritu is con yo para todos tiempo.
        ~Con Amor Elder Travis J. Maddox


Travis sent home pictures and was excited to see so many familiar faces in the MTC!

Sis Sperry and Elder Maddox

Wes and Travis

The MTC

                                                                                July 31, 2013

   Well we dropped Travis off at the MTC today,  after a crazy morning of packing and lunch at The Pizza Factory, of course.  It always seems to be a day filled with mixed emotions; it is such a happy, exciting and anticipated day, yet it is so hard to part, that it is hard not to drag your feet.  Travis made a phone call as we drove to say one last goodbye to his cousin Spencer who was leaving the next morning for his mission, it was very sweet. We also received a letter from Caleb their other cousin who is already in the MTC. Caleb said that he was in charge of  putting up the different Nation's  flags so he was sure to put up the Argentine flag and the Dominican Republic Flag in honor of his cousins.  We also heard that Spencer's visa has come through so he will leave for the Dominican MTC tomorrow morning!  We were hoping that he might get to go to the Provo MTC with his cousins...But we also found out that Travis will be reporting to the MTC West, the new section that was converted from the Y View Terrace because of over crowding.   So the boys wont be at the same MTC anyway.  We headed to the MTC West to drop off Travis but decided to swing by the Provo MTC to see the flags that Caleb put up for the boys.  But there was so much traffic that we just took the picture from the parking lot next door.  When we got to Travis' drop off point, they told us that there was a mix up and we would need to drop off our luggage here but take Travis to the Provo MTC for his orientation.  So we drove back to the Provo MTC, through all the traffic and made it to the right drop off area. We were hoping that we could see Caleb as we drove through the parking lot but no luck.  It was so sad to say good bye but we did get a minute for pictures so that was great! Travis seemed so excited to begin his new adventure!   As we drove off it was hard not to feel the emptiness, especially with all of the open seats in our once packed car.  Some times its hard to believe that we have two missionaries out now.  Its even harder to believe that our little boys are old enough to be missionaries!  Later that after noon, we got some great news...Travis' cousin Caleb was studying in area that the new missionaries come through and found Travis.  It was Caleb's P-day so he was able to write us and tell us all about it.  Here is part of his letter:


       Hey Family!
 So to start out my day I was able to see Elder Travis Maddox! I knew where all the missionaries walked through the MTC so I did my study time out there and waited for him! He was nervous but seemed pretty relieved that he saw someone he knew! I began giving him all the ins and outs of the MTC when he told me he was at the West Campus! Darn! what a bummer! I talked to him for about 15 minutes and then took his host's spot and escorted him to orientation. We said goodbye there and some tears were shed. But man was it great to see him! He Looked great! Spencer my man! I heard you got your VISA! Thats awesome man! The Dominican needs you! Not gonna lie though, I was secretly hoping you wouldnt get it so I could see you! but thats alright, I think Ill make it! Just know that I love you man. But more importantly the Heavenly Father loves you Spence. If there is one thing that I have grown a greater understand about, its that. He knows you. He will do his part if you do yours. His grace is sufficient. Pray always. That stuff really works man. I cant wait to hear about the MTC down there! I look forward to some crazy stories! I Love you and will be reppin my tie for you!!
            ~Elder Reber

 What an amazing end to an incredible day! We will miss our sweet boy so much but we look forward as a family to hearing about his incredible two year journey and about his life changing experiences. 
             ~Lisa

Lunch at the Pizza Factory

The Argentine flag in front of the MTC

MTC West

 

    

See you in 2 years Elder Maddox!

Our sad ride home...

     

Caleb and Travis inside the Provo MTC!

The Setting Apart

                                                                                                                         July 30, 2013
          The night before Travis left for the MTC, Pres. Anderson came over to set Travis apart as a Missionary!  It was so exciting.  As Pres. Anderson went around the room to shake hands with our family; each person told him how many missionaries they had currently serving.  His eyes seemed to get bigger as he realized that we had so many family members on missions.  Then he took a minute to explain the importance of being set apart as a Missionary of the Lord.  Then layed his hands on Travis' head and set him apart to be a missionary for the next 2 years.  Wow!  It was such a special blessing, I am so glad I was able to share in that with Travis.  After that Travis opened a special letter that Elder Maddox I (that is how my boys are differentiating between the 2 Maddox Missionaries the I & the II ) But Boo sent Travis a special letter with a name tag he had made for Travis.  The letter said.."Know that when you first put your name tag on, I will also and every day after that I will be putting mine on with you.  You will never be alone brother"  It was so touching to hear Travis read aloud the letter from his big brother.  It was a very sweet evening.

Saying Goodbye for 2 Years!
Elder Hulsey and Elder Maddox

Saying goodbye to his baby brother...

Grandpa and Grandma Maddox

Travis and Grandma Honey

Who will be the tallest in 2 years???

Saying goodbye to Spenc...

Travis and Parker

Travis and Eli

The Family!

Cousins and Missionaries!

lmmadd's photostream on Flickr.

I had so much fun taking over 850 pictures of these guys! It was a very fun morning with some great pictures. I love these boys!  There are even some pictures with all 7 of the missionary cousins!

The Farewell

                                                                                                                                 July 28, 2013
        It's amazing how fast 3 long months can go.  It was that long ago that Travis and his cousin Spencer opened their mission calls.  Travis has been called to speak Spanish in the Argentina, Mendoza Mission; he enters the MTC on July 31st.  And Spencer has been called to the Dominican Republic mission, Spanish speaking and reports to that MTC the same week.  Their other cousin Caleb received his mission call already and he has been called to the California, San Bernardino Mission and is also going Spanish speaking!   It is such an exciting time.  These are the 3 youngest of 7 cousins that will be serving missions concurrently.  It felt like we had so much time to prepare and plan but as usual the time has past quickly and I find myself scrambling to finish buying all of the things he will need.  Travis spoke in church and did an amazing job.  He is such a good and kind young man and I have no doubt that he will accomplish great things in his life.  I am so thankful for Travis and his willing heart.  I am grateful that he has prepared himself throughout his life so that he could take these two years to go and serve the Lord diligently.  While I will miss him and his sweet personality in our home, I know that his decision is the right one.  I will miss him calling me throughout our house..."Mom..., Mom..., Mommy...,Lisa..." And I will miss his sense of humor, he is one of the funniest people I know.  I will mostly miss him coming home at night and kissing me good night.  He has a kind and gentle soul and with that he will change lives for ever.  After Travis spoke at our church, we rushed over to hear Spencer speak at his church; another amazing talk.  Then that evening we invited family and friends over to say goodbye to Travis, Spencer and Sydney Sperry a family friend who spoke today, as well.  We had a wonderful gathering in the backyard, filled with so many great people wanting to say goodbye to these incredible missionaries.
   ~Lisa

Travis, Sydney, Spencer

The Family

The Bairds, Bishop Carter and Jared Branwell.