First Talk in Spanish

Hermana Hunter

Hola! This has been another great week in the MTC. I cannot believe I only have a week and a half left!

Each week we are supposed to write talks in Spanish and they don't tell anyone who is speaking until they announce it in church. The week before this one they called an Elder up to speak and when he got up there he said "If anyone saw me writing really fast before I came up it wasn't because I was procrastinating, it was because I wanted to make some changes." The branch president with a loud voice then said, "If you are not ready then Hermana Layton will be happy to come up and speak for you." It was funny at the time because I knew that he was kidding. But guess who he decided to call up and speak this last week!

Yep, I gave my first talk in Spanish. It was actually a really good experience and good practice.

Friends Headed to Korea

Yesturday I got to be a host for the new missionaries that came in. I was a host for a girl who was going to Japan on her mission. It was fun to be able to show her around and tell her how awesome this place is. It doesn't seem long ago at all when I was the new missionary. Time flys!

This morning we went to the temple again. When I got there a lady asked me if I would do one of the names she had with her. It was pretty cool. I absolutely love the temple! I can't wait to go to the one in my mission. When I get home I want to go through Salt Lake! I love my classes and all of my teachers. It is so crazy how in tune with the spirit my teachers are here. There were a couple of times while they were bearing their testimonies that they said exactly what I needed to hear at that time.

Like I said last week, I know that Heavenly Father loves us. The church is true. Missions rock!

Eric, I am so proud of you for getting into BYU. Smarty pants. You liking the new job? Tell me about it! Mom said that you look really cute in that tie dye. ;) Dad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I was thinking about you yesterday and wanted to send a happy birthday email so bad... I wrote a card earlier this week but just barely sent it out this morning. I hope it was a great day for you! Tell Dallin, Michael, and Allyston that they are going to love BYU Idaho. It is such a great school, and so much fun! Congrats to Brooke! I bet BYU is just as awesome! :) Love you all tons!

Adios! :)

Hermana Layton

I Know That Heavenly Father Answers Our Prayers

Hola! This has probably been the most amazing week of my life. I feel like a completely different person then I was a week ago. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers because I got a clear answer to mine. The answer might not come when we want, but I know that if we have faith and are patient that it will come on the Lords time.

Showing off her vertical

Last week on Friday night we were supposed to be having class, but it turned into a testimony meeting. I cannot exaplin the spirit that I felt. That night every person in the room including the teachers and every single elder was in tears. I wish there were words to explain it. That experience changed me. There are not words to describe what I felt but I absolutely know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that this church is true and I can't wait to share this with those people in Anaheim. Maybe they wont be able to understand much of what I say but as long as the spirit is there they can know for themselves the plan that Heavenly Father has for them. His love for us is real. It is amazing how he blesses our lives.

Briana's MTC District Showing Where They're Heading

On Sunday we listened to Elder Bednar's talk that he gave at the MTC during Christmas. It was so good! He talked about how the natural man turns in when Jesus Christ turns out. I have learned how important it is to focus on others. Jesus Christ is our perfect example.

Being here on a mission is the best decision I have ever made. I have never felt closer to my Heavely Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. One of my new favorite scriptures is Mosiah 3:19 :)

The prayer for the fireside went well. I wasn't nervous until I stood up to give it and realized that there were 2000 plus people staring at me and a bunch of cameras zoomed in on my face.. and my face was on the huge screens. Haha. But it really wasn't that bad. Afterwards Andrew Lamunyon came up and we got a picture together. I didnt have my camera but he took one with his. I also saw Brad Marley on Sunday but neither of us had our cameras. I think I'll see him again though. Also after I gave the prayer, an Elder Layton came up and asked which wife of Christopher Layton I was from.

Christopher Layton

He said that he was from the third. Haha... dad do you know? (We're from Sarah Barnes, his fourth wife.) Also I think I forgot to tell you that I met a older lady when I first got here that said she was related to Christopher Layton. (When you have ten wives and sixty four children, things like that are bound to happen a few generations later.)

It has been cool that I know the MTC Mission President. It all started because my new companion had been at the MTC before so when she came back she had to meet with him. So I got to know him then and then he just happened to sit by us at lunch. Now everytime he walks by he talks to us. 

I am so glad to hear that Alyvia's surgery went well. Give her a little kiss for me when shes home. Miss you all! A couple of pictures for you and letters for the boys will be coming soon! Love you all! Adios!

Getting Out of Her Comfort Zone

I am over half way done in the MTC. I fly to California on March 6th.
 

I cannot believe how fast time goes by here! It has been another great week. I need to figure out how to get the time to slow down. I will definitely miss the MTC when I leave.

I think Heavenly Father has been teaching me to go out of my comfort zone. Last Sunday there was a missionary conference, and the MTC President spoke. He said that he wanted to invite a few missionaries up to bear their testimonies. He made a list of a few people that he had met and called a couple of them up to bear their testimonies. He said that if there was extra time he would call another missionary. Luckily they ran out of time, because later that day I was walking by and President Brown said "Sister Layton, you were next on my list." Then he said, "next time!"

Great...I was thinking of how nervous I would be to speak in from of all the missionaries in the MTC. I thought I got out of it, but that same night the Branch President asked if I would say the prayer at the missionary fireside on Sunday. I guess I didn't get out of it... :) I haven't said a prayer in English in over a month. Hopefully I can remember how. Hahaa!

On Saturday our zone leaders asked the Hermanas to do a musical number in Sacrament Meeeting. Hermana Newton and I played the piano and the other two hermanas sang. Since neither of us actually play the piano, we both just learned one hand and then played it together. It was funny. I dont have any musical talent but for some reason they have been having me conduct the music in Sacrament Meeting. Im used to it now though.

Next Sunday I am also giving the prayer in Sacrament Meeting in Spanish. I'm not really nervous for that though after everything else. It has been good for me to have so many opportunities to get out of my comfort zone because I know as a missionary I will have to do it all of the time. I can't believe how much I learn every single day here. I love it!

Thank you everyone for the letters. I am trying to write everyone back soon.

I don't think Brad is in this MTC... I'm pretty sure he went to the one in Brazil. I could be wrong though (Brad Marley is in the Provo MTC). Curtis is in trouble for officially passing me up!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the package. I got it today. :) My companion said thank you and that it made her day.

 

I have learned to be so patient!

 

I loved Erics letter and Curtis's Valentines card! :)

 

That is so nice of Brother Bone! :) (Brother Bone creates the ward bulletins and put a huge plug in the bulletin for members to remember their missionary. He's too good.) What is his address? I want to send him a thank you card. I was wondering why Sister Bonkosky sent me a package full of cookies, but now that makes sense. That was so nice of her! Please tell her thank you. I will send her a thank you card too.

 

Well familia, miss you!! Eric and Curtis, MISSIONS ROCK! :) Paz. Love you all! :)

The Gospel is Amazing and I Wish Everyone Could Experience It

It's been another amazing week at the MTC! I have so much that I want to say, but not a lot of time.
First of all, thank you Aunt Angie, I loved your packege! Thanks for all of the letters too. My family seriously spoils me! I love you all and pray for you often.

Sisters Layton and Hunter

I saw Ricky again. I saw him walking outside and  I yelled "Ricky!" without thinking and a group of missionaries gave me a weird look. It would have been weird to say "Brother Pullan" to my cousin. Haha!

Before the devotional on Tuesday we were eating lunch and the MTC Mission President came and sat by us. He gave us a little bit of advice for our missions but then he went off on a ton of marriage advice. It was so funny, and none of us really knew what to say.

For the devotional Elder Nelson and Elder Holland came! There were also 8 others from the 70 there and 11 past MTC presidents. It was the 50th anniversary of the MTC. We were planning on skipping dinner to get in line for the Devo two hours early but everyone had that same idea. The lines were already packed when we got there.

There was a long line in the back for everyone who was singing in the choir. The choir got to go in earlier then everyone else so that they could practice. My companion and I stood at the end of the choir line so that when the choir went in we were first in that line. We ended up getting great seats!

Elder Nelson dedicated 5 new buildings in the MTC. There have been 680,000 missionaries who have served in this MTC! It was awesome to hear them speak! I feel so blessed to be here.

The Gospel is amazing and I wish that everyone could experience it in their lives. Don't be afraid to share it. Pray for missionary opportunities, and you will have them whether they are big or small. D&C 60:2 says "But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man."

This work is so important. You do not have to be on a mission to share what you know. I love the Gospel and I am so grateful that I can be here to share it with others. 

Love you all! :)