Safe in Uruguay

Thanks to the luxuries of social media and the kindness of Sister Darrington Olsen, who posted pictures of the new missionaries and their companions, we now know some of the details of Elder Layton's new assignment.

He arrived in Montevideo yesterday, after a very long and exhausting series of flights and layovers from Mexico City. He first flew to Santiago Chile, and then on to Montevideo Uruguay. 

This morning we found that Sister Darrington Olsen had posted pictures of the new missionaries in front of the temple.

...and one we believe to be in front of the mission office.

And then this picture, which is of President and Sister Olsen, Elder Layton and his first field companion. His companion's name is Elder Nielson. He's served for about 21 months and is from (we believe) from Centerville, Utah.

 Our next letter will come on Monday.

Excited For Uruguay

I cannot believe that I am nearly headed to Uruguay already!!

We went to the reception on Tuesday to get our itinerary plans. We are leaving the CCM at 4pm on Monday, so we can get to the Mexico airport early, but our flight doesn't leave until 8pm or so. Out connect flight will be all the way down in Santiago, Chile, which will take about 9 hours through the night to get there. We have a layover there and then another flight to Monevideo, Uruguay, which is about 2 and a half hours. Our itinerary says that we wont even arrive until 12:30pm on Tuesday!! So that will be a looooong trip. Nearly 5000 miles with the two flights.

I was made the travel leader for the group going to Uruguay, and got a list of the missionaries going there. There are 7 from our district but actually a total of 12 people, which I did not know! I knew the district leader of 6B, Elder Houston is going there, but apparently there are 4 others I didnt know of. But I am so ecstatic to go into the field, and meet my mission president and trainer.

But anyways, other things that happened this week- We have had a lot of TRC lessons with volunteers, which are super fun. It is really funny because every time we ask the "investigator" who they would like to say the opening prayer, the seem to always pick Elder Hill. He said the opening prayer in 7 TRC lessons in a row, so it was super funny.  Also, some of out lessons were with family members of our teachers, Hermana Cabral and Hermana Lozano, so that was pretty cool.

On Sunday, we watched the Story of John Tanner, which was so amazing. I would really recommend people to watch that.

Our district, along with district 6B have continued to play soccer nearly every day. A lot of 6B played soccer in high school. But yesterday, I scored 5 goals, so it has been really fun. But after my fifth goal, Elder Houston (who has got a big boot) missed the ball and kicked my foot while I was going for it and destroyed my toe haha. So it hurts, but it is just jammed, so its good.

Anyways, I seriously cannot believe that I leave on Monday! I am excited to meet my mission president and trainer, and be fully immersed in the language! Woooo Uruguay, here I come!!!!

Elder Layton :)

Trusting the Lord

So this week flew by SO fast! I don't even believe that I will be leaving for Uruguay in about a week and a half!! Even though I love the CCM here, I still can't wait to go out into the field. 

Did You Know That Uruguay is Further From Bend, Oregon Than Japan, China or Germany?

Serving Over Parts of North and South America

Heading to Uruguay

Good Food at the Mexico City CCM

So last Saturday, we started TRC which is where we have real volunteers from outside of the CCM come and we give them a 20 minute message! We got two people to teach, first Genaro, and then Mauricio. 

Genero was a little older, but was one of the nicest people I have met and gave us hugs afterwards.

The lesson went super well, and afterwards he told us that he was a member and served a mission somewhere in Mexico. Mauricio was pretty young, maybe a couple years older than we were, but it went really well also. We kind of got to know him before we started our lesson and he said that he played fútbol americano, so that was something you probably won't see a lot of in Mexico. But again, he was very nice, and I really enjoyed TRC. 

On Saturday and Sunday, we had a 24 hour fast, but during Sunday morning I felt kind of sick and had stomach cramps all day, probably because we eat so much all of the time here. But it was testimony meeting too during Sunday, and I got up and to my surprise, was able to talk for a couple minutes in Spanish without notes or anything!  Our whole Sabbath was pretty nice, and especially after I got some food in me, I started feeling a lot better. Also, on Sunday night, we got to watch Meet the Mormons!

One other thing that happened on Sunday was that I dropped my watch and it broke, and I tried fixing it, but wasn't able to. So I went to the tienda on Monday to see if they would be able to do anything about it. The main worker said he could send it outside of the CCM and have it to me by the next day. And on Tuesday, when I checked up, he was wearing my watch, all fixed up! I offered to pay, but he insisted and said it was free, so that was awesome. And it totally looked brand new, they even polished it up and everything. The people here are all just so nice! 

On Tuesday, we had an incredible devotional from 2011 by Elder Bednar. I learned a lot. He talked a lot about how the natural man turns inwards while Christ only turned out. I would really recommend everyone to go and watch it. I think that it was a devotional given in the MTC on Christmas day. 

Another awesome devotional was just last night. We had a live devotional broadcast by Neil L Anderson. I feel so blessed to be able to listen to the words of so many apostles and seventies here. I know that they truly are men of God. 

Today has been super fun. We played king of the court soccer with district B, and I scored a few goals, including a header! Later today we are planning on playing capture the flag, with the rest of our time.

I am having so much fun here and am learning a ton. I know that the first few months of my mission in the field may be challenging and frustrating due to the language barrier, but I also know that the gift of tongues is real and if I trust in the Lord, I will learn it, because through Him, all things are possible! I love serving my mission and I am so grateful for what I have ahead. It is crazy to me that I have passed my one month mark!! 

Hasta Luego!

Elder Layton

If I Trust in the Lord, I Will Learn

So this week flew by SO fast! I don't even believe that I will be leaving for Uruguay in about a week and a half!! Even though I love the CCM here, I still can't wait to go out into the field. (The rest of the letter comes after the pictures.)

Dinner at the Mexico City CCM

Streets of Mexico City

Ready to Go

These Young People Are Heading All Over North and South America

Elder Layton's New Scripture Case

We Measured. As the Crow Flies, Uruguay is Further from Bend  Than China, Japan or England

So last Saturday, we started TRC which is where we have real volunteers from outside of the CCM come and we give them a 20 minute message! We got two people to teach, first Genaro, and then Mauricio. 

Genero was a little older, but was one of the nicest people I have met and gave us hugs afterwards.

The lesson went super well, and afterwards he told us that he was a member and served a mission somewhere in Mexico. Mauricio was pretty young, maybe a couple years older than we were, but it went really well also. We kind of got to know him before we started our lesson and he said that he played fútbol americano, so that was something you probably won't see a lot of in Mexico. But again, he was very nice, and I really enjoyed TRC. 

On Saturday and Sunday, we had a 24 hour fast, but during Sunday morning I felt kind of sick and had stomach cramps all day, probably because we eat so much all of the time here. But it was testimony meeting too during Sunday, and I got up and to my surprise, was able to talk for a couple minutes in Spanish without notes or anything!  Our whole Sabbath was pretty nice, and especially after I got some food in me, I started feeling a lot better. Also, on Sunday night, we got to watch Meet the Mormons!

One other thing that happened on Sunday was that I dropped my watch and it broke, and I tried fixing it, but wasn't able to. So I went to the tienda on Monday to see if they would be able to do anything about it. The main worker said he could send it outside of the CCM and have it to me by the next day. And on Tuesday, when I checked up, he was wearing my watch, all fixed up! I offered to pay, but he insisted and said it was free, so that was awesome. And it totally looked brand new, they even polished it up and everything. The people here are all just so nice! 

On Tuesday, we had an incredible devotional from 2011 by Elder Bednar. I learned a lot. He talked a lot about how the natural man turns inwards while Christ only turned out. I would really recommend everyone to go and watch it. I think that it was a devotional given in the MTC on Christmas day. 

Another awesome devotional was just last night. We had a live devotional broadcast by Neil L Anderson. I feel so blessed to be able to listen to the words of so many apostles and seventies here. I know that they truly are men of God. 

Today has been super fun. We played king of the court soccer with district B, and I scored a few goals, including a header! Later today we are planning on playing capture the flag, with the rest of our time.

I am having so much fun here and am learning a ton. I know that the first few months of my mission in the field may be challenging and frustrating due to the language barrier, but I also know that the gift of tongues is real and if I trust in the Lord, I will learn it, because through Him, all things are possible! I love serving my mission and I am so grateful for what I have ahead. It is crazy to me that I have passed my one month mark!! 

Hasta Luego!

Elder Layton

If I Trust in the Lord, I Will Learn

So this week flew by SO fast! I don't even believe that I will be leaving for Uruguay in about a week and a half!! Even though I love the CCM here, I still can't wait to go out into the field. 

Dinner at the Mexico City CCM

So last Saturday, we started TRC which is where we have real volunteers from outside of the CCM come and we give them a 20 minute message! We got two people to teach, first Genaro, and then Mauricio. 

Genero was a little older, but was one of the nicest people I have met and gave us hugs afterwards.

The lesson went super well, and afterwards he told us that he was a member and served a mission somewhere in Mexico. Mauricio was pretty young, maybe a couple years older than we were, but it went really well also. We kind of got to know him before we started our lesson and he said that he played fútbol americano, so that was something you probably won't see a lot of in Mexico. But again, he was very nice, and I really enjoyed TRC. 

You're Going HOW FAR?

On Saturday and Sunday, we had a 24 hour fast, but during Sunday morning I felt kind of sick and had stomach cramps all day, probably because we eat so much all of the time here. But it was testimony meeting too during Sunday, and I got up and to my surprise, was able to talk for a couple minutes in Spanish without notes or anything!  Our whole Sabbath was pretty nice, and especially after I got some food in me, I started feeling a lot better. Also, on Sunday night, we got to watch Meet the Mormons!

One other thing that happened on Sunday was that I dropped my watch and it broke, and I tried fixing it, but wasn't able to. So I went to the tienda on Monday to see if they would be able to do anything about it. The main worker said he could send it outside of the CCM and have it to me by the next day. And on Tuesday, when I checked up, he was wearing my watch, all fixed up! I offered to pay, but he insisted and said it was free, so that was awesome. And it totally looked brand new, they even polished it up and everything. The people here are all just so nice! 

Excited to Serve

On Tuesday, we had an incredible devotional from 2011 by Elder Bednar. I learned a lot. He talked a lot about how the natural man turns inwards while Christ only turned out. I would really recommend everyone to go and watch it. I think that it was a devotional given in the MTC on Christmas day. 

Another awesome devotional was just last night. We had a live devotional broadcast by Neil L Anderson. I feel so blessed to be able to listen to the words of so many apostles and seventies here. I know that they truly are men of God. 

Today has been super fun. We played king of the court soccer with district B, and I scored a few goals, including a header! Later today we are planning on playing capture the flag, with the rest of our time.

To Uruguay

I am having so much fun here and am learning a ton. I know that the first few months of my mission in the field may be challenging and frustrating due to the language barrier, but I also know that the gift of tongues is real and if I trust in the Lord, I will learn it, because through Him, all things are possible! I love serving my mission and I am so grateful for what I have ahead. It is crazy to me that I have passed my one month mark!! 

Hasta Luego!

Elder Layton

I Am So Blessed to be Serving Him

Mexico City Temple

The CCM still is as great as ever! I had the opportunity to go to the temple again today and I felt I learned a lot! The spirit there was incredible. I am pretty sure that I will have one more opportunity to go while I am in the CCM too! Probably in two weeks or so

So Spanish this week has been tough, but I feel that I have learned a ton. Our teachers made a funny rule that every time we speak more than three english words in a row, we have to do five pushups! It is a weird rule but I am actually really glad because it is forcing us to try harder to only speak spanish.

My companions and I have been playing soccer everyday with district 6B and it is so much fun! I am super excited to be able to play it more in Uruguay, maybe even with the natives.

Half Off Ties (1/2 through the CCM)

Anyway, one reason that I love the CCM is because of how much study time we get and all of the incredible devotionals! First off, I have been really studying the Book of Mormon everyday, and have been getting SO much out of it! My love for that book increases everyday, and I know without a doubt in my heart that it is truly from God.

And on to the devotionals- I LOVE the devotionals here. We had the opportunity to hear from Elder Castañeda of the seventy, multiple times from President Call and President Lyons, and an AMAZING recording of Richard G Scott who talked about prayer. I love having so many leaders and teachers who are filled with the Spirit and teach us so much.

I am excited because yesterday I bought a really neat scripture case for my spanish scriptures. I think that it will be ready tonight, because they are engraving my name and mission on to it. I bought one with a really neat engraving of Christ on it and I am super excited to get it!

One other thing that happened this week was a miracle. Elder Espinosa (below picture on the far left) in my district has had a nasty cough for about two weeks now, so one night after a devotional, his companion Elder Passey gave him a blessing. It was so amazing because the very next day it was gone. I know that God really does work miracles and I am so blessed to be serving Him in this great work!

Uruguayan Flag

Love you all!!!

Elder Layton

Progressing Nicely at the Mexico City CCM

Hey friends and family!

Man, the MTC here in Mexico is so incredible! The Spanish here is crazy and I already feel like I am learning so much after just two weeks of being here. 

The temple last week was so amazing and it was extremely beautiful. The whole session was conducted in Spanish but the temple workers gave all of the missionaries English headsets, so that was pretty awesome. 

Mexico City Temple

It was neat to see not only the beautiful temple, but also some of Mexico City to and from the temple. 

Last week I mentioned being put in a trio with Elder Higley joining Elder Hill and I. That same night we were told that we had to move into a house because the apartment complex's only have two beds per room and Elder Higley couldn't sleep in a room by himself. So we had to pack up all of our stuff the next morning and move into house number 1, the VERY furthest house from everything we do. But it's all good now. We are all situated again and just leave our house a few minutes earlier each day.

Their are 4 other sets of elders in our house. Also, we find cockroaches all the time... But we don't even spend that much time in our house except at night so it is ok. 

Elder Layton at the Mexico City Temple

Anyway the people here are sooooo nice! I also love my teachers, Hermana Cabral and Hermana Lozano. They are awesome. 

We have a lot of ¨progressing investigator¨ lessons with our teachers acting as investigators. They are really fun. 

I have Moroni 10:4-5, the missionary purpose, Joseph Smith's First Vision and the baptismal invitation all memorized in Spanish. 

The Christus at the Mexico City Visitor's Center

I just love it here because I feel super productive with my time and and learning so much each day! Something else that happened this week was we met two Seventies! 

One was Elder (Netzahualcoyotl) Salinas ( who was probably the most enthusiastic and motivating speaker I have ever heard) and the other ones name, I won't try to write because I will butcher it. But they were both very uplifting and I learned a ton from them. 

One more thing about the MTC is that is rains like every evening and just floods. There are lots of big thunderstorms. I am just very glad my ties and shoes are waterproof, and plus I have an umbrella. But I am so glad to be here and to learn spanish. It is amazing as a missionary of the Lord, how many more blessings that I recognize each day. 

Love, Elder Layton

P.S. In the CCM, anyone can send mail to me each day through MissionaryPackageMX.com. The post office prints the mail each day and puts it in our mailbox, which is 6C, and I collect it for our district every day.