Never Let Anything Stand in the Way of Your Obedience. That is What I Have Learned.

Oh man I don't know where to start. This week was so full of miracles. I have been learning so much here. Definitely a life changing experience. So ok I guess I can start with elder Ochoa. He taught us so many things. I`m not sure exactly why but this conference struck me really as one of the most powerful I have had in the mission. That back to back with the conference with Elder Cook so my testimony has been fed well these past few days.

Elder Ochoa talked about a lot of things. The thing that struck me the most was when he talked about the faith. We all know that the faith are things hoped for that aren't seen but his conference helped me look at it a bit differently. He said we don't have real faith until we act. "Faith is a principle of action". That`s so true. Sometimes we believe something but we don't do it. If I want to find more people to teach I have to get out there and start looking. 

But something interesting was when he talked about the seed. He said we are really not asked to do much. As members of the church the only thing we can do is plant the seed. Maybe put a little water on it and everything but we can't do anything else. The only person who has the power to actually make the seed grow is God. Sometimes do do everything possible to force the seed to grow but we can`t For example sometimes as missionaries we try explaining everything in detail so the people understand and then we use scriptures to almost in a way convince them that these things are true. It`s not like that. We have to just go to their house and help them feel the Spirit so that seed may grow. We missionaries don`t have that power. Only as they feel the Spirit when we are with them will their faith grow. So yeah that`s something I liked. Hope it all makes sense I`m trying to write fast to get everything in.

My companion and I have been focusing this week a lot in finding a new family to teach because now we don't have anybody almost! Man we just had to baptize everyone....Haha no but seriously we had the coolest baptism!! The Flores Family was baptized and confirmed this Saturday and Sunday. They progressed literally as fast as possible. They have such strong testimonies too which is awesome. 

Before being baptized I was waiting for the Dad, Juan Manuel, to leave the bathroom. I went in to see if he was ready and he was in his white clothes kneeled on the floor praying. I`m not sure if I have ever seen a happier man. I baptized him and he came out crying and gave me a big hug. I will never forget that moment. 

Last night we had a very good lesson with them and they started to tell us about all the changes they have made. They were talking about how angry he used to always be. We were confused because we had never seen him like that. They told us from the first time he talked to us he completely changed and has been making changes ever since. I am so grateful for having been a part of his conversion and of the entire family. It has been something amazing. I should mention that they almost have nothing. They live in a tiny little room and don't even have a bed, just a little mattress for all 6 of them. So anyways I couldn't tear the smile off my face when he came to church yesterday with his new white shirt, black pants, and to top it all off we got him a tie. Future Bishop. I`m totally predicting it. Moments like this make me happy to be here. It makes it all worth it.

So really that is what I have time to tell you guys. Really it`s the most important. I can't really explain it but in such a short time my testimony has grown like crazy. I feel so happy to be here preaching the Gospel as a representative of Jesus Christ. I will never forget the importance of this time in my life. It is definitely forming me to be the man that my Heavenly Father needs me to be one day. I`m far from perfect but hey at this rate give me a couple weeks. Haha ok kidding.

Love you guys and hope you have a good week. Remember that this Gospel is true. I have no doubt. Live it fully in your lives. Never let anything stand in the way of your obedience. That is what I have learned.

ADIOS   

Stress, Nine Investigators and Air Conditioning

Ok so we had a very interesting week. Definitely fun being ZL. I won't lie there is a bit more stress than I'm used to but I've gotten ok at managing that so I'm ok still...still breathing.

On Tuesday we had the divisions so I went all the way back basically to my last area. The assistant Elder Earl is a great guy. He was my Zone Leader for a long time and he`s the one I told you guys about cause he got his patriarchal blessing from Grandpa!! Small world right? He taught me a whole bunch and there are definitely some things I have to improve on. We taught some pretty good lessons too.

Here the work is trying to be 100% focused on working with members with is good and I learned some things I can do still in our area. The only hard thing about our area is it is a small Branch so there aren't many members. We are working to have more haha.

But hey yesterday was the coolest Sunday of my mission. About 50-60 people go every Sunday and this area has never been able to get more than 2 investigators in church. A lot of members had done their visits this week and a whole bunch of people came on Sunday. We had 82 people their with 9 investigators!! A new family that we found this week came (The Flores Family) (5 people) and absolutely loved it. So yeah we're going to be working with them extra. The Branch President was so happy yesterday. I really see so much potential in this Branch. I`m excited to be here. 

Well this week we traveled a lot too. We spend a heck of a lot of time in bus. As ZL we just kind of travel around. It`s cool though cause we get to know a lot of the country here. It`s a really pretty place...but yeah it is starting to be a lot hotter. Sometimes the buses have air conditioning though. And other times they have windows. 

Ok so I know I haven't really had the best e-mail this week but really we were in bus. But hey this week we're going to the temple! So more bus rides......Also I figured out how to send pictures so here ya go. BYE

Elder Layton   

An Amazing Blessing From An Apostle of the Lord

I think every day in this area gets crazier and crazier. I really don't know where to start. I guess I´ll try to start from the beginning of the week. I´m not sure if I mentioned to you guys or not but the Apostle Elder Cook came and gave us a visit! All 750 of us got to shake his hand too. Three missions went to see him and we got an amazing message and he promised us a lot of blessings. One specifically was that everyone we know at this time is being blessed because of our service. He directed himself to all those who had a family member who has strayed from the path of the Lord and said they will be softened by the service we are giving and they are also being greatly blessed. In ways that they may not recognize. Truly one of the coolest conferences I've been too. He said so many more things too but I have so much to say and so little time. So yes that happened the 22nd.

Let´s see what else happened this week. To help a couple of missionaries in our zone get excited about the work we got up really early and went to their house. (Remember that the areas here are quite far away from each other). So yeah we broke into their houses to surprise them. It was quite interesting actually. But it was really fun. After we helped clean their houses because they were horrible and then talked with them a bit. It definitely worked well and the Assistentes laughed really hard when we told them. Talking about the Assistentes I have divisions with them. It´s weird though because their area is within 5 minutes walking from my last area. I could easily see people I know. Apparently my last area too is having a TON of success. A lot of the people I taught are finally taking the decisions to get baptized. Cool right?

Ok Mom you have some homework this week. We had interviews with the President and I made a decision. I have decided that I want to stay till the end of my mission. (He was considering asking to be released 2 weeks early in order to make the Fall term at BYU.) So I'm scheduled to go home the 16th or 18th of September...Not really sure which. President Stay told me that he thinks fall term starts the 8th not the 2nd so maybe it would be possible to still make it even though I would start a bit late. President Stay´s dad actually founded BYU´s AFROTC so he knows a lot about it. Weird right? Apparently they should work with me. Can you just figure out with BYU what I can possibly do?

Ok last thing Saturday we had a lesson with Celeste one of our investigators. It went good. We left and 5 minutes later she called us and said she had had an impression and wanted to get baptized...tomorrow. So yes. SURPRISE we had a baptism yesterday. It was soooo cool and she was really ready. Also we are getting close with the rest of the family to be baptized. Sorry something is weird about these computers and I can never send pictures so maybe I will never be able to send any...Sorry.

Well no time. Hope you guys have a good week and see you in just over 7 months.... 

Working Like Crazy and Having Success

Man time is going so fast here. Easily the fastest week of my mission so far. We are working like crazy and having some success. We had 18 new investigators this week which is more than I think we had in my last area for 6 months.....ok just kidding but it is a lot. Alright I guess I`ll start out by answering all of your questions.

As Zone Leader we`re just in charge of all the missionaries here in these areas.  We have to do divisions with them but we also have to do divisions with the assistants. We are in charge of the zone meeting that we do every month and ever Monday we have to call the President to let him know how everything is going in the zone. There are a lot of Stake Meetings too that we have to attend so we travel a lot for that cause we`re actually 1 hour and a half away from the Stake Center. My area literally is perfect right now. It`s not the hot part of the season so it`s actually pretty nice. During the day it get a little bit hot but there`s always a nice breeze to help out. At night it`s actually cold. But I should be here for the hot part of the year. Also I forgot to take pictures of the chapel so well......sorry. 

My toe is totally fine now so yeah all good there. We always walk here....everywhere. Unless we`re late to an appointment we go in Tuc-Tuc which is a tiny little three wheeled car that they use as taxis here. But almost always we`re walking. Hope all that answers your questions.

Sounds like you guys had a good week and good job Curtis with your Eagle Scout thing. Like we would say here ¡Que Pilas! Haha. Also I hope you have fun reffing. People never told me how good I did they just always got made at me because for them I guess there is nothing more important in the world than 3rd graders playing basketball. But you should have fun doing that. Hey maybe if you save up enough money you can buy yourself a tablet!! .....Oh wait a sec....     

Ok so just now I have been trying to put pictures on but I`m having a hard time so maybe this week you guys won`t get pictures either...Sorry. But really we`ve been working so hard here and we should have success. The members are cool and they always help us. the only problem is is that there are not a lot of members...We`ll have to change that I guess. So yeah that`s the week. Maybe I can give you guys more details next week about people we are teaching just cause the problem is everyone is new! But soon we should see some progress in this area.

Hope you guys all have an awesome week in Oregon without me oh and in Salt Lake taking care of troubled kids haha. I`ll keep working here as the Lord needs me to.

Love you guys,

Elder Layton

New Area, New Companion, New Assignment and a Plastic Chapel

Progreso Jutiapa

Man this has easily been the craziest week of my mission. First off I should let you guys know where I am. Once again they sent me outside of the Capital!! I'm in a place called Progreso Jutiapa. The entire city is just for us including a lot of outlying aldeas (small towns or villages). It is a little branch of about 50 people and the chapel is made of plastic. Next week I`ll send a picture of it. It's actually pretty nice though. 

My companion´s name is Elder Guman from Ecuador and he has 20 months in the mission. So basically what happened is we are both new in the area. We are opening it up as Zone Leaders. So yeah that was definitely a surprise. 

Being Zone Leader is definitely pretty stressful. Especially outside of the city because we have to travel a ton. We have already gone back to the city 2 times which was interesting so we've actually had barely any time to work in the area so far. But from what I've seen it is really a great area. The people are really receptive and I think we are going to have a lot of success here.

So let`s go through the days here.

Tuesday- The change meeting and we were sent here. We traveled all day and got to the area late.

Wednesday- We woke up at 4:30 to go back to the city. We had to go to the offices to get our phone and also I had an appointment with the Doctor to cut off an ingrown toenail....Then once again traveling the rest of the day.

Thursday- The doctor said I wasn't allowed to leave the house or walk so in the house.

Friday- We once again woke up at 4:30 to go back to the city to have the mission council which we have to go to. Once again travelling all day.

Saturday- First real day to work in the area. Also President Stay and his wife came to work with us. He let us know on Friday that he was going to come work with us for a couple hours. (Coolest experience ever).

Sunday- President Stay came to our branch and my companion and I had to speak. After he came to Gospel Principles and we had to give the class.

Today

So yeah as I said the craziest week of my mission. But really on Saturday we went to an appointment with the President and it was the first time we had ever met this person. Really he ended up being the most closed off person that I have ever met in my life. So we didn't make any progress with him but I did get to see President Stay debate with him!!!!! SSOOOOOO COOOLLLL Haha but needless to say we won't be going back to this person.

Awww man I`ve really got no more time. That has been the week though. I´m working hard and enjoying the new challenge that the Lord has given me. Tomorrow we have the Zone Meeting so that should be fun. I hope you guys all have an awesome week and enjoy the cold for me because my new area is definitely not cold...

Love you guys!!

Bye

Lots Of Success Pending, But...

What a week.....

Hey Mom first off I should start by saying that the companion I sent a picture of isn`t new. We've been together for 3 months now. His name is Elder Peña and he`s from Mexico. I told you guys that on the phone. I guess I just haven't sent a lot of pictures of us together but I think I'll send a couple more today. But yeah so we have 3 months together but I should mention that last night I was told that I have changes. Tomorrow I have to leave and I`ll find out where I'm going. I`ll let you guys know where I am and what happens to me next week. 

So let`s see. This week was pretty good. The zoo was definitely fun. The animals were great. I almost got eaten by a llama which was funny. They also had white tigers and stuff so that was cool. Afterwards we went to Dominos and ate a bunch of pizza. 

So yeah that`s pretty much it about the zoo. As for new years we didn`t have permission to be outside so we were stuck in our beds. It was impossible to sleep though because it was so loud outside at 12:00. So I heard all the fireworks. Other than that the week was pretty normal.

We've been working pretty hard with a couple people. We're thinking in this change that`s coming the area should have 8 baptisms. Actually almost all of them are pretty sure. The Bishop called us one day and told us the grandkids of a member want to be baptized so that will be 2 baptisms in February. And of course I won't be here to see everything that`s going to happen. I told Elder Peña to keep me up to date with what happens though so I`ll let you guys know.

Well I hope you guys all had an awesome New Years and hope you enjoy this year. That`s crazy that all of 2013 I've`ve been here in Guatemala. Time is so fast..... Well sorry I never write very good e-mails. One hour just never is enough and I always get distracted. But really that`s what`s been happening. I hope you guys all have a great week and year and I`ll let you guys know what happens. See you guys later.

Adios  

My Testimony Has Been Growing Every Day

Going Christmas Caroling

What a crazy week! It was awesome to talk to you guys this week. It`s crazy that the next Christmas I`ll be with you guys. This week really was one of the most stressful weeks on my mission. But I'm not complaining. I have been learning SO much and really my testimony has been growing every day.

I think some of the stress I've had this week is due to the people who have all been on vacation. Everyone likes to leave during Christmas and no one wants anything. It`s interesting because in the missionary manual it says that these days are the best opportunities to find and teach. We did actually find a few new people this week which is awesome. One of them was able to come to church. He has actually listened to missionaries a few times and his family are all members but he has never wanted to get baptized. This time my companion taught him in divisions and he said he knows he needs to be baptized and he isn't really sure why he hasn't yet. He just wants to be able to have an answer that he can he sure of. So yeah he`s looking really positive and I`ll let you know how it goes with him.

Maybe you guys remember Rafiel Aguirre who was going to get baptized this week. Well long story short he wasn't able to because he had to go to the hospital for a little operation. He should be OK and everything but it delayed his baptism a bit so we'll keep working with him. This ward is going to have a lot of success I think coming up soon so that`s pretty exciting.

So yeah I hope that you guys had a good Christmas. It sounds like you did. And Mom don't worry about it, whatever food you guys weren't able to eat you can just send it down in a box for me. I wouldn't be too disappointed trust me. Curtis have fun with your helicopter which is WAY better then mine was :p Sounds like you guys were able to get the whole family together which is cool.

Well we'll keep working over here. We should have a good week coming up. We actually don`t have P Day today cause on Thursday we're going to the zoo. I hope you guys have a good week and next week I`ll let you know if I have changes or not.

Adios Familia.  

Christmas Letter

Can you believe that this week is Christmas? Well if not go throw a bit of water on your face and look at a calendar! Wednesday here we come.

I remember thinking a year ago today..."hmmm where will I be in one year for my next Christmas". Now thinking about that is a bit weird because I know exactly where I will be. I hope everything is good in Oregon. That`s pretty cool that the whole family is together. Man that`s weird. I remember when Sean was on his mission and wasn't with us. But now all you guys are together and I'm the one who's far away. Weird how that happens right? 

So this week was another one of those really tough one. It`s weird cause during this time when the people should be thinking more about Christ and everything no one wants to hear anything about the Church. It`s kinda sad because we had SO many appointments fall this week. We still were able to teach a bit but not as much as I would like. Also we still are having some more success working with SOME members. Some just don't want anything to do with us but others really are doing a lot. I was just trying to think of a good experience to share with you guys this week but nothing came to mind right away. But hey we had a ward activity this week which was cool. We had to do a talent in front of everyone which was actually pretty funny. I was a bit disappointed though because no one could get a trumpet for me. I really actually miss playing a little bit but oh well. 

So let`s see. This week I'm just going to call you guys exactly like the other times. I`m thinking about calling around 5 or something but I`ll let you guys know tomorrow hahaha. That`s weird that we're going to be talking. I hope I remember English....But I definitely don't have an accent. So Curtis has 2 tablets then? Man it`s cause he goes to the rich school haha. Well enjoy those Curtis and don't be expecting one from Santa. I hope you guys all have an awesome Christmas and that`s all my time. Talk to you guys Wednesday!

Adios 

Six Baptismal Dates

What a week this one.

Definitely a good week. To start things off strong I got the package!! Haven`t opened it yet but I will as soon as we get home. But don`t worry I think I might save the presents until Christmas. Also I got a package from Aunt Angie and Uncle Byron! So Thanks a TON to everyone and hope the whole family has an awesome Christmas. 

As the area goes we had a very good week. We were able to put 5 baptismal dates! Most of them look very positive and so we should have a good end of the year. Rafiel was able to go to church yesterday and has finally decided 100% that he wants to be baptized. The same day he`s going to do it we have to have a wedding and two more baptisms. This area has just randomly started to be very successful. To bad within 3 weeks I should be leaving....Oh well I`ll go where the Lord needs me. 

We`ve also been starting to have a lot more success working with the Members and using their houses to have lessons. The stat says that 2/3 people taught in the house of a member are baptized. 4 out of the 6 baptismal dates we have we teach in the house of a member and we`re working hard so we can get all 6. One of our baptismal dates is the Father in Law of the Bishop who isn`t a member. He`s always ahd drinking and smoking problems but he has been going to church and we finally got him to accept a baptismal date. On Friday we woke up early to wake up the Bishop with fireworks (because that`s what they do here on people`s birthday). A bunch of people from the ward were there which was funny but the Father in Law (Oscar) found us out of everyone at 5 in the morning sat us down and took out his Gospel Principles book to ask us questions. He had it all marked up and everything which was cool and I think he`s excited to be baptized. 

So yeah that`s what happened this week. Here it still doesn`t look like Christmas cause of course there is no snow. But it is nice cause everyone has really little fake trees up so it helps a little bit. You guys should send another package really fast full of snow. I would love that. Cause I mean come on there`s plenty there you guys can share a little bit.

Ok that`s my time. Hope you guys have a good week. Oh and by the way Elder Butler says hi. He was just sitting behind me and wanted me to say that. Merry Christmas and enjoy your Christmas. I shall talk to you guys soon.

Adios.

:/

We Are Always Protected

Well here I am!

I hope you guys all had an awesome week.

We`re still working hard here in what seems like the last 4 weeks that I should have in this area. Of course I`m still loving the area but we`re having a bit of trouble with some of our investigators. Actually interesting story. We were in a lesson and we asked a lady to pray. She didn`t want to and so we taught her how and tried to get her to do it. This took a bit of time but finally the husband said he would do it. As soon as he started we heard 8 gunshots...and close too. It freaked us out too cause If the wife would have prayed when we asked her to we would have been exactly where the gunshots were. God protects us in interesting ways. But the problem is the guy they wanted to get ran away and they ended up hitting one of our Former investigators! It looks like she`ll be completely ok cause it hit her in the leg but still it`s crazy. But really don`t worry about me over here. We are always protected.

Other than that we just worked hard this week. We put a baptismal date with Angie Grijalba and she accepted happily. She`s the grandkid of a member who recently has started to come back to church and she basically put her own baptismal date. I`m thinking it shouldn`t fall or anything so the 21st oif December we should have a baptism.

I should tell you guys about the Catholics here...The 7th of December is a big holiday that they have. They all buy piñatas that look like the devil and then they fill them up with a ton of fireworks. And the fireworks here are best described as well...bombs. It was the funniest thing ever though cause at 6 p.m. they all lit them off. There were huge burning piles in the street and every couple of seconds they would explode throwing firey ash everywhere. It was a blast to watch. Afterwards they have piñatas shaped as Bulls strapped with even more fireworks and people light them off...and get this, they put the piñata over themselves and start dancing! I`m not sure how they don`t get burned alive but it looked like they were ok afterwards. And to finish it all off they have a procession (I think that`s the English word for it) But they all were marching around in the street with a HUGE shrine for the Virgen de Guadalupe. I`ll send you a picture of it. The tradition is that if they wake up and their shoulder is green from the shrine then it is all your sins that have been forgiven. 

I love Catholics...

So yeah with that it`s all the time I have. Sorry I didn`t tell you guys more about investigators and stuff but I just have to tell you what`s going on in Guatemala. Basically the coolest country ever. So yeah have a good week. Oh and mom Christmas here is just fireworks and tamales. Everyone puts up a little fake Christmas trees too which is fun. Ok bye and be good this week. Santa is watching!      

Rafiel Aguirre

Well this is weird cause I still haven't got your last week e-mail. But oh well that`s ok I got this weeks. Sounds like you guys had a good week and a good Thanksgiving. Here the people literally don't do anything for thanksgiving so that`s ok. But hey next year save some pabo for me. 

So let`s see what happened this week. We actually had a lot more success this week working with members. We were able to have more lessons in members houses and that should continue. Also working in both areas is going well. We picked up a really good family this week from the other Elders who should be getting baptized this month. We're going to have a lesson today with them about baptism and challenge them for the 14th of this month. The Elders who just left think they should be ready and I definitely think so too. We also have been helping an older guy with only one leg named Rafiel Aguirre get baptized the 14th. I think he should be able to but he`s a bit difficult. He wants to know everything before getting baptized. We taught him about faith and everything but that didn't really change anything. But anyways he should still be ready for this month. It`s also hard cause he can`t get into cold water cause he`s kinda sick so we would have to go kinda far away to the only font with hot water in Guatemala. Well really it`s not that far but it`s going to be kinda a pain. Oh well it`s worth it when we think that it`s so that someone can be baptized. 

As for thanksgiving. I hope you guys had a ton of fun. Just one question. What on earth was Curtis doing with that ugly hat on (He was wearing his BYU/Utah hybrid hat)? It made me quite sad. I really wanted to eat turkey but apparently a family here is going to invite us to dinner on Christmas here and apparently they're going to have turkey.

Ok well I`m running really short on time. Sorry I didn't really have time this week. I hope you guys are all awesome and are enjoying the holiday season. It`s actually getting pretty cold here so that makes me happy. Not nearly as cold as in Oregon but hey one day I even had to put on my sweater. Thanks for sending my package Mom and I shall be waiting with anticipation to get it.

BYE

Have a good week.

Love you guys.

BYE   

The Awesome Mejilla Family

Interesting week this one. Definitely going to be a long change too. Right now there are four Elders in this ward. Well one of these Elders finished his mission so Thursday he goes home and the other Elder has changes and so for a change we're going to be alone once again. So yeah that's what`s going on here. I don't have changes and will be here for Christmas and New Years. Crazy how fast that is coming. 

I hope everything is alright up there in Oregon. Considering I don't know anything about your week maybe there was a nuclear war or something so you can`t write me. If this is the case you probably won't get this either so well.....good luck. 

I really hope you guys are ok. I'm doing pretty good and definitely happy to not have changes. We should have some success in this area this change. We've been teaching a couple new families and it has been going really well with them. The Mejilla family is awesome. We found her when we were knocking on doors and she told us that she had seen us about three days before and wondered why we didn't come to her house. This week we had the first lesson with her and the whole family joined us. They all loved the message and have always wondered why there are so many churches and just never have known what they can do to find Christ's true church. They understand the importance of praying and the all promised to pray to know if the message is true. We also go there with some members that live really close and so that`s always really good.

Let`s see what else has happened this week. Well yesterday the other Elders had a baptism and we are going to confirm her on Sunday. Also the parents of this girl are really close to being baptized and this month it should happen. They are familia Morales. I actually don't really know them to tell you the truth but we have to start working with them this week.

Really I got nothing else. I hope you guys are all ok and had a good week. Have a happy December and enjoy the beautiful snow for me. Talk to you guys next week. Bye.

Ready for Navidad

HELLO!!!!!!

Once again I am here writing you guys. That`s awesome that you are going to send out my package this week. I`m soooo ready for Navidad again and more Tamales. Seriously for a week before Christmas that`s all we eat. Oh well I like them. I do miss Mom`s food a bit though but whatever I`ll be there next time with you guys.

Let`s see here what has happened this week. We`re having a good time and it`s crazy how fast the changes go. The next week I`ll be able to tell you guys if I have changes or not. I sure hope not but I guess we`ll see what the Lord says. This week we have continued working with those people we found but none of them could come to church. We only had three people in church but they aren`t really progressing. The Bishop`s father in law isn`t a member and has drinking problems but he has stopped drinking and so we`re trying to get him baptized. It`s tough though cause he`s already been baptized in another church so he doesn`t want to do it again in another church. But hey we`re working so I`ll keep you guys updated. 

Once again I`m having a tough time thinking about what happened this week cause nothing super special happened. It was interesting though because yesterday we saw a weird parade. It was just a bunch of catholic people dressed up as monsters and they would just go to a street and just start dancing. They had some guys playing the Marimba and so they would just stop and start dancing. If someone wanted to dance with them they had to pay 5 quetsales but seriously it was really weird. I`ll have to show you the video I took. You can see it in 10 months. 

Also good to here Briana is going to be able to go to Salt Lake to do that there. Should be fun. Oh and with that my time is gone. I already bought shoes that I was finally able to find and so Mom 25 would be enough but I would never complain if you wanted to accedetily put in more. Ok Goodbye. I shall tell you if I have changes the next week.

Bye

Paz

Felicidad

Mucho Chicharron

I Am Starting to Love This Work and Every Day My Testimony Grows So Much

 Hey family!!

Awesome week once again. I`m still enjoying my time here just so you guys know. Oh and also just to tell you guys I wasn't able to send pictures last week so sorry but I will this week. They`re already uploading. So anyways let`s see what has happened.

First of all we have recently found two very positive families. The España family and the Martinez Family. They love the messages and definitely want to know if it`s the truth. They haven`t been able to come to church yet though so I've been praying for that. They could be such good members so I really want to see that happen.

This week was really good because we were able to find some good people. We have a high goal for the contacts we do every day and we were able to do them all this week and I definitely saw the blessing that come from it. I am starting to love this work and every day my testimony grows so much. And also when we teach these people that we have found I can see them changing every day.

Let`s see what else happened this week. We had an interesting experience with a lot of fire, an avocado tree, and a metal house. I`ll leave the rest of the details up to your imagination. But don`t worry, no Elders were permanently harmed in the doing of this service project. It was actually quite fun. 

The only other thing that happened this week is I ate cow stomach again. Man it`s so gross...I really never want to do it again. It`s like eating a tire that tastes much worse than a tire. I don`t know why people here eat some parts of the cow that they do. I don`t know if that`s legal in the states haha. 

The last thing before I have no time is that as District leader I just have to do the District meeting. Thursdays and Sundays I have to take the numbers of the District, and the last thing is divisions with my District. Really there is only 2 other areas in my district though cause the assistants are in it but they never can do divisions or anything so yeah. Ok there`s all my time and I hope you guys have a good week...have a good week.

It All Makes Me So Happy

Well here I am once again. 

I`m glad you guys have liked my last couple e mails so I`ll try to figure out what I did different...I think I just had better weeks. This week was also good though so we`ll see how this letter turns out. I also liked your pumpkins. Why didn`t we ever do cool things like that when I was home? Oh well I`m having fun also preparing for Halloween. I get to do stuff like hide a lot of money so people don`t rob it...hmmm oh wear my cheapest ties and....stay inside. Haha ok I`m just kidding but yeah it gets just a little bit more dangerous here during halloween cause all the kids go crazy. But don`t worry about it or anything cause it`s really not that bad. Nothing ever happens to us. The people respect us here and they know we never have money on us so they leave us a lone. 

Let`s see. This was an interesting week. We got a few funny questions this week. I contacted someone in the street and he told me he had a question for me. "Joesph Smith was killed in his thirties right? If he really was a prophet of God why didn`t God protect him?" He thought it was the smartest question too. I almost started laughing too cause he was so determined it was going to stump me. I just help him realize that Jesus as well died in his thirties. Also almost every other Prophet or Apostle in the scriptures was actually killed. Well there`s a lot. But yes I thanked him for pointing out that Satan always works the same way and that all the Persecution against Joesph Smith actually proves he was a Prophet of God. He just kinda stood their quietly. Needless to say we didn`t put an appointment to go to house. He apparently never "se mantiene en la casa". Experiences like that always just make me laugh and make me realize how blessed I am to actually understand these things. Really everything about this church is so based on the scriptures and it all makes me so happy. (Not saying that it makes me happy that all the Prophets and Apostles have died.)

Let`s see what else happened this week. We found a new investigator and the first appointment I invited him to be baptized and he accepted. He loved the message and just couldn`t come to church cause he has to travel a lot with his work. We`ll see where that goes. 

Other than that.....oh yeah another funny experience. We contacted a lady and I promised her that God answers prayers. I shared James 1:5. She kinda got mad at me cause she understood it that I was saying she lacked wisdom and that we think people from our church are the only people who understand scriptures. After me and my comp were kinda laughing about that. The people in my area are funny. I`m really enjoying it here. I should be here for Christmas too which makes me happy.

Ok I love you guys and have a good week.

Elder Layton

PAZ

Huge Missionary Activity Breeds Success

Recent baptism

Another amazing week for sure but thanks to computer problems I`m going to be typing fast. So this is what happened with the changes. My new companion is named Elder Peña from Mexico and has 9 months in the mission so I`m not training again. Also the President has made me....District Leader so that should be fun. 

So what else. Oh I should mention we finally had the coolest baptism of my whole mission. __________ was finally able to baptize ____________ and we had a really good baptismal service. She is so happy and so am I. The cool part to is she told the Bishop that she wanted me to confirm her so I got to do that yesterday which turned out much better than the first time I did it in Zacapa. Oh and Mom I should tell you I`m in the Capital still. I`m not in any small city but Zona 21 de Guatemala. 

So let`s see what else happened this week. We had 7 investigators come to church and we are going to put a baptismal date with two of them this week. I`m seriously loving this area and happy I`ll probably be here until January. Also this Wednesday we had a missionary activity in the Stake Center. We have been inviting everyone to it and a choir from the states came and sung some stuff about the Book of Mormon. We ended up filling the chapel so much that we weren`t able to see it. People were standing up and crammed in the chapel. You know how we have a basketball court in the states in every Chapel. Well in the place of that there is just a really big activities room with a stage and that was full too. Like seriously....full. So they decided to take out a camera and transmit it to another big room with a TV and that room was completely full too. Apparently 200 or more people came who aren`t members and so we had them all fill out a paper with their address so we have a TON of references. So yeah definitely a success.

Oh man I don`t know what else happened. Well a lot happened but I just can`t remember. We had some good success. I`m happy with the week. and now quickly I can answer questions. Weird you`re going to be sending my second Christmas package....way too fast the mission. Just so you know other Elders love that dog thing you gave me last year. It`s hilarious and definitely works.

Ok I hope you get better Mom and can work again. Also good luck on your talk I just remembered right now about the advice thing and now I don`t have time to tell you. But you have Briana and Dad and they`re smarter than me so good luck!

How Member Missionaries Make a Difference

Bowling on P-Day

To start off we were able to teach a lot this week...Well a lot more than usual. We've definitely been getting a lot more support from the ward and it`s helped a lot.

Ok and before I go too far I should let you know what`s happening with changes. Well My companion Elder Anderson is leaving tomorrow and I'll be staying. I've got to say I`m really happy to be staying in the area. One last time we had to push back _________________ baptism but this is the last time. She is so ready and luckily I`ll be here to see her get baptized.

What else happened this week? Oh Sunday was awesome. We completely filled the class of Gospel Principles cause a lot of people came. Also an investigator who hasn't come for awhile came and told us he won't be working on Sundays anymore cause he thought of his priorities and talked to his boss. After that he told us he wants to get baptized in November!! He's the son of recent converts. His parents were baptized like 6 months ago. So yeah in November look for the baptism of ____________________.

Also yesterday we had a big meeting for the third hour with everybody and had a big talk about missionary work. Later that day we did divisions with members. We ended up receiving and contacting 10 people and teaching a lot. So definitely a good Sunday.

This week we had some amazing lessons. Remember ____________ and ____________ who haven't been able to get married and baptized? Well they're working on it but for now everything is the same. He did hurt his leg pretty bad though and they might have to operate so maybe a prayer or two for him would be good. Anyway, we had a lesson with them which was one of the most spiritual in my mission. We've kinda run out of stuff to teach them cause really they know Mormon doctrine better than most members so we decided to share something that wasn't one of the normal lessons. In Preach my Gospel there is an awesome chapter that I have been studying a lot about the attributes of Christ. We taught about hope and patience. Maybe it doesn't sound like it would be so good but really it was so spiritual. We had brought them to a members house so that was cool too.

So yeah I hope you guys all have a good week. I'm still loving life here and next week I`ll let you know what happens with me. I`m hoping to train again but we'll see. Adios!

A Guatemalan Conference Report

Man you guys just made me sad with the news of Shorty. (The Chiechi's dog "Shorty" had to be put down last week. Sad times.) Definitely going to miss him. I guess I`ll have to give them a Guatemalan weiner dog when I get home. There are some funny looking dogs here.

So let`s see. I should start by saying how jealous I am that Briana went to conference. I've always wanted to go and maybe after my mission when I'm at BYU I`ll be able to go. I would have to say I love how much it talked about the family and missionary work. I want to be able to work with the members more. 

Also there was one talk I really liked. When he used the scripture about how the Lord will hasten the work in his time. Then he said "Now is the time". It just makes me think and also it makes me grateful that I`m a missionary at this time. I love the missionary work and I was able to learn so much! (exclamation point) Ha that talk made me laugh. 

I got to watch all the sessions and to make it better they were all in English. It`s weird a year has already flown by since the time that President Monson announced the age change. I was just a new little missionary in the CCM. I only have one more conference in the mission. But I don`t want to think about that right now.

So let`s see. The next Monday we will all know the changes and there is a chance that I could leave. I`m thinking my companion will leave though  cause the President likes to take out the new person. We`ll see though. I really don`t want to leave the area cause I really like it but hey "irè y harè lo que el señor me ha mandado." 

So let`s see I once again don`t have very much time. Really it blows my mind that I`m almost done training for the first time. Those were the fastest changes of my life. In a way I don`t want to train again so my mission feels a little longer.

So yeah that's the week. We're still preparing for ________ baptism this Saturday because she`s really ready. You should have pictures next week. also we're also working still with her friend and she wants to be baptized too. So yeah that`s the week. Love you guys a ton thanks bye. I`ll be able to say more next week.

It makes me happy that I was called to Guatemala

Hello family.

We actually had a pretty good week this week. We found a good amount of new people too this week was exactly what we need. We also taught more with a member this week then without which is really good but let's see.

Glad to hear Mom that you had a really good week at the store even though it was really stressful. Sounds like the store is doing awesome. That should help when I come back so that you can buy me a bunch of stuff :p Also sounds like Briana is having a good time with a ton of callings. Good luck with that Briana!! (Briana has 3 callings in her ward at BYU-I - a counselor in the Relief Society, temple coordinator and temple preparation teacher. Good thing that working and being a full time student don't take much of her time.)

So let's see once again pressed with time. I'll start out with _________. Definitely a stressful week because of her baptism and everything but she didn't actually end up being baptized. She's really ready but what happened is the Bishop never re-interviewed the husband Wiliam just to make sure he's ready to baptize her. Thursday night the Zone Leaders did divisions with me just so they could do everything to force the baptism for Saturday. The thing is they had a goal of 4 families baptized this month and with her it would've been 4. 

It got to a point where I didn't feel like it was best for her to go forward with the baptism so fast especially if her husband couldn't do it. But with the ZL's pressing so hard I ended up having to talk to the President haha and he completely agreed with me and told the ZL's to forget the goal and do what's best for her. I definitely agree and to make it all better an area had a baptism yesterday out of nowhere so we still got the goal. Really I had been praying to know what to do all that day cause I wanted to get the goal to but definitely this is what the Lord wanted.

So yeah interesting experience this week. Also this week we found a bunch of cool places in our area and the people are a lot more humble but I`ll send some pictures. Definitely a cool area and makes me happy that I was called to Guatemala. We taught a good amount and ended up having 14 new investigators with 5 new families. 

As for me and my companion his training ends on the 15th of October and we'll have 3 months. I`m thinking that one of us will leave the area that day and I'm hoping it`s not me but we'll see. So yeah. That's my time. Have a good week and make me proud out there.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes - Just Another Routine Day

Hey you guys.

20 and counting...that`s crazy (he just had a birthday).

Birthday in Guatemala in a Cool Hat

Sorry I couldn't write last week and seriously I don't have much time this week to write. It`s been a good couple weeks and super fast.

I should start with the last P-Day. What happened last week is my companion wasn't actually legal here...OK he was but he didn't have the visa thing. He just had to go to the offices to sign a couple things. I was expecting that P-Day to be kinda lame with the travel and waiting in offices and everything but it wasn't like that. There were 6 of the new Elders that had to do the same thing so all of the Senior Comps (like me) got to go to basically the coolest part of the mission. All it is is a huge Mall place but we had a good time. We started off by playing pool and then went bowling. After I ate this huge burrito thing that was delicious. To top it all off we had time to go to a Walmart and I bought Root Beer!! Man I had forgotten how much better Root Beer was then other sodas. But yeah much better than stuck in the offices all day. The only downside is that I couldn't write. 

Local Family

So let`s see. I shall continue with my birthday. It was a pretty happy day. So happy in fact the the whole earth trembled with excitement. Yeah there was an earthquake on my birthday. It was actually pretty decently big. It was a 6.5 but we felt a lot of it. No one got hurt or anything but we were laughing pretty hard. We were eating and then everything just started shaking. The second one I've felt on my mission. Volcanoes and Earthquakes. Second coming anyone? Ok maybe not cause that`s kinda normal here and it says it`s going to happen in diverse places I think is what it says.

Alejandra's Baptism

Ok almost no more time but we had a baptism! I don't know if you guys know but Saturday Alejandra got got baptized. She actually wasn't our investigator until the other Elders left but still it was awesome. I`ll try to send pictures oh and Mom sorry I still don't have the package...Yeah so maybe in a week. Hopefully....

I shall see you all soon.

¡Adios!