Off to Jail

Hola familia! We had exchanges on Saturday. One of the girls from Anaheim came with me for the day and my companion went there. She speaks Spanish so that helped a lot.
Guess what I did for the first time ever... I went to jail!! We had an investigator we were teaching and when she was coming back from Mexico she didn't have her passport. She was about to get baptized before she left for Mexico. They have this place where you can visit them through the wall with a little phone. We taught her a lesson and sang a hymn for her. She has changed so much and said that she is getting baptized once she is out. I think she just has about a month left.

Sister Layton in Front of the Newport Beach Temple

Mom you asked what a typical day is here for me. Usually we wake up and get ready for the day and then do personal study for an hour. Then we have two hours of companionship study. When my training is over it will just be an hour. After that we have an hour of language study and then lunch. The rest of the day we go out and either teach people or try to find more people to teach. We are working with the members in the ward and trying to get as many contacts from them as we can.

Dad in your last letter you talked about working with the members. The best way to find people to teach is definitely through them. We do go tracting a lot as well. We met this guy while we were knocking doors who was baptized when he was eight and remembered passing the sacrament when he was twelve but he said he lived at least three hours away from a church so he never went. He started singing the hymns that he remembered and we are trying to get him to come back to church.

I am excited for this week. We have some families that we found street contacting who seemed like they really wanted to know more. We have appointments with them this week. I love the people here. I am so grateful to be serving in this mission!

Sister Layton and an Elder from the District

Mom, you also asked how often I speak Spanish (with her companions). I need to speak it more with my companion. Usually we speak English. It has been a goal that I have had lately to speak more.

Oh also there was a little earthquake today. I was wondering if I would ever feel one while I was here. I was just standing in our living room getting ready to leave and we just started shaking. At first I thought that someone was jumping on the roof. It was funny.

Well, I hope you know how grateful I am for all of your examples. I know that this church is true. The Gospel is so amazing and I feel so blessed for the knowledge that I have. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that through Him we can change and be better. I love being a missionary!!!

Sister Layton and District Elder

I sent Kelsey a Birthday card to BYU but if she is in London then she probably didn't get it. Could you wish her a happy birthday for me? Even though it was a while ago now. Eric you are going to love college. Make sure you work hard though. It might be fun, but it's not always easy. Good job with your talk. Curtis that is so cool that you are doing a survivor challenge!! You should tell me more about it. Stop growing. Mom you ROCK! Dad I am writing you today!! You all are the best. LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH! :) Mothers day is coming up woo! Then we can talk on the phone.

OK. byeeeee.

Investigators on Temple Grounds



Briana's District

This has been a crazy week. I was worried that we wouldn't have time to email today but luckily we made it. Transfers were this weekend and they usually leave your trainers with you until you are done with the training program. We were told that we would all be together again this transfer. 
We had our day all planned out and we got a call this morning from the Assistants to the President saying that there was a last minute change and my companion Hermana Breitenstein needed to go to Anaheim for a couple of weeks. One of the sisters didn't get her visa and isn't here yet. We had to go to the meeting right then during our usual email time. Now I just have one companion.

Hermanas Vilches, Breitenstein and Layton

It was sad that she has to go, but I'm glad we will get her back in in a couple of weeks. She helps me out so much. Hermana Vilches is the coordinating sister so she goes on exchanges a lot. It is going to be way different now because I won't have Hermana Breitenstein to help.

Let's just say that I am really hoping these next two weeks will be exchanges with the Spanish speaking sisters so I have some help communicating with the people. :) If not then I know that I will at least have the Lords help. I know that if I work hard and am prepared then he wll help me know what to say. It will definitely be a good experience even if it's hard.

We had our temple tour this weekend. It was great! One of our investigators came with her three boys and there were many other investigators who came as well from all around our mission. We walked around the temple and a member from our ward talked about the it. We went back to the church building and they were able to walk around and look at the paintings on the wall. It was such a good opportunity for the investigators to feel the spirit. I am so grateful for the temple. I know it is the house of the Lord and love the spirit that is there.

Newport Beach Temple

Mom that is awesome that you signed up to go out with the missionaries. Member lessons are the best and they help so much. You would be great! Eric, congrats on winning 1st place! I am excited for you!! That's seriously awesome! I can't believe that you can turn your papers in so soon. Santa Vaca!!!

You should ask bishop for a copy of "Preach My Gospel" and read through it. That would be one of the best ways to prepare for a mission. I am sooo excited for you and can't wait to find out where you are going.

Curtis, stop growing and do not change until I get home. Pretty please! Ok, good.

Hope all is well with the best family in el mundo. Love you guys so much.

An Amazing Weekend

Hermanas Layton, Vilches and Breitenstein at Temple

Holy cow, this was an amazing weekend!!! We had mission conference on Friday. Our mission president told some of us that this would be a life changing experience but he wouldn't tell us why. Well, it definitely was!

Before the conference our mission president had us all read the talks  Ask in Faith and  Seek Learning by Faith by Elder Bednar and said that we would be using the talks during the conference. They always have the sisters sit in the front of the chapel.

We were in the very front row, and guess what! Elder Bednar was the speaker!!! It was so amazing. He talked for a while about the two talks that they had us read and then had a lot of time for questions and answers. It was about three hours long and the spirit was very strong. Towards the end he told us that most of us would never have an opportunity like this again to be with an apostle with so few people in the room. That was sad to think about.

Orange Mission District Missionaries at Temple

Well we were very lucky because when we came to church on Easter Sunday Elder Bednar was there in our ward!!! I feel so blessed that I was able to listen to him again. He is such a powerful speaker. He gave the talk in English but had someone translating it to Spanish. I know that I will never forget this experience. I feel so blessed to have been able to listen to an apostle of the Lord this weekend.

He shook all of the missionaries hands before the conference of Friday which was cool. Elder Bednar's wife and my Mission President's wife are cousins, so I think that had something to do with him coming here. I know that he is an Apostle of the Lord because I could feel it when he spoke.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet on the earth today and I am so grateful that we have a living prophet. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church again  to the earth and what a blessing that is.

Hermana Layton at Newport Beach Temple

That is sweet that Eric is starting his mission papers! He is going to be an awesome missionary. I can't wait to hear where he is going. When can he turn the papers in? Also I can't believe that he is going to be in Anaheim! Most likely I wont be able to see him. There would be a better chance that I could if I was serving in that area, but we are not allowed to leave our area unless we are going on exchanges.

I'm glad that Sister Rush email you the pictures. She is pretty awesome. :) Dad, I miss you. I am looking forward to your next letter. You are the best! :)

Random facts.. there are random wild parrots everywhere here and also wild bunnys. Haha.

Love you all.

I Love Serving a Mission

I am so excited to hear that we have sister missionaries in our ward!

What are their names? There was a girl in my ward from BYU Idaho who got called to the Eugene Oregon mission. That would be crazy if she was serving in our ward! The sisters lunch was great, I got to meet all of the sisters in the mission. There were about 20 to 30 of us.

The Spanish speaking sisters are all awesome. I will most likely be companions with some of them eventually so it was fun to get to know them. I was talking to one of the Senior missionaries there and we figured out that she knows Grandma and Grandpa Layton from a long time ago. I think she said that her daughter went to primary with dad. Do the Tarrys (Terrys?) sound familiar?

I loved general conference. Lucky we were able to watch it in English so I was able to enjoy it. I love listening to the prophet and apostles! Elder Holland and Elder Uchtdorf were my favorites.

This morning we were able to go to the temple. I love the temple so much, I can't wait to go back. This next week we have a temple tour for our investigators so we get to walk around it.

Tomorrow we have a mission conference. I am so excited for it! I will get to see all of the Anaheim missionaries who were in my district in the MTC. Also our mission president said that this conference will be a life changing experience but he won't say why. I'm sure I will tell you all about it on Monday. Mom, you asked about how we get around. We have a car and I will most likely have one the whole time I'm out here.

The weather has been really nice. There were a couple of days where it rained, but the last few days have felt like summer. Pray for the people here and that we can find those who are ready for the message of the Gospel. I love being out here and serving a mission.

Thank you so much for the package! I love it so much!!! The outfit fits perfectly. I will have to send pics of it on Monday if I can.

Can you please do me a huge favor and thank a few people for me. I will try to write them a thank you card if I have time but lately I haven't had much time to write letters at all. The Nennemans sent me cookies and letters and it absolutely made my day.

The letters made my day and the cookies were really good. :) Sister Bonkosky sent me cookies again. She is so sweet! :) Then I think the other package was from sister Matthews and Sister Petzinger. They had the achievement day girls write cards and and sent a few other things. Could you please thank those people for me. They all just made my day. And of course the package from my wonderful fam. Thank youuuu so sooo much! :) My companeras say thanks too. :) Can't even tell you how much I love you all! :)

Preach to me!



Outside the Apartment

Hola!!! It's been another awesome week! Last week for the zone activity we got to play soccer, and we get to play again today. Sooo fun! Before I forget, I want to tell you that my p day next week is on Thursday because we have a temple trip. I will email you then.

I love the people we are teaching! There was one night when we went to teach, but the man wasn't home. There was a guy right outside his house that said "He's not home? Preach to me!" So we found out a little bit about him and started teaching.

He spoke English which was nice because I could actually understand everything. He agreed with everything that we were saying and just kept saying he wants to make a change in his life. He kept talking about how he had made so many mistakes and felt so guilty. Then I asked how he would feel to be free from all that guilt and clean from his sins. He said that would be the most amazing feeling and he wanted that more than anything. We talked about the Atonement and how he could become clean. I asked him if he would be baptized and he said yes! Then he just kept asking what he needs to do to change and get ready to be baptized. It was awesome! 

Great weather and good food

Since he speaks English we have to pass him to the English missionaries so we won't actually get to continue teaching him but it was an awesome experience.

This week we have a sisters conference with all of the sisters in the mission. I will get to meet the other spanish speaking sisters. I will most likely be companions with some of them because I guess there are only 7 of us who are spanish speaking in this mission.

Mom, you asked where my companions are from. Hermana Breitenstein is from San Fransisco (Her dad is in the military so she has moved all around. That was just the last place she lived.) She has been out here 6ish months. and Hermana Vilches is from Dayton Ohio, kind of where Uncle Steve is from. Hermana V has been out for a little over a year.

Dinner from the bar-b

Please tell the Pullans that I loved the package! I got it right after I sent my email last week and it totally made my day! Too bad I didn't get to see them and they were right here!! Yes mom, I saw Hermana Christensen when she was leaving. And thank you for emailing Alta's mom. That will be perfect.

Eric... What the!... You can put your papers in so soon! (Eric is getting ready to start his mission papers.) I am soooo excited for you!!! You will be such a great missionary and you will absolutely love it! Sorry about the wisdom teeth. Good luck!

Love you so much! Have a great week!!! Anyways, I am running out of time. Love you all!Adios! :) :)

Spanish Is Pretty Hard But I Love It

MTC district

Hola! This week has been another great one. I love this area! My companion's names are Hermana Vilches and Hermana Breitenstein. Hermana Vilches is the one that is fluent with the language. She knew Spanish before her mission. They are really helpful with the language.

Spanish is pretty hard but I love it. There was one day this week where I was talking in Spanish all day and I knocked on one door and said something to them in Spanish. I was so used to speaking Spanish that I didnt realize that they answered me in English and I kept replying in Spanish and he kept talking in English. The conversation probably sounded really funny. My companions were laughing at me the rest of the day. So funny. :)

So this week I extended the baptismal invite for the first time. It was the first lesson that we had with him and it went really well. When I asked him he sat there for a couple minutes thinking about it and then he said that he would, but first he wants to know for sure that this is true. He has been reading his scriptures and praying so I know that he will find his answer.

Hermanas Vilches, Breitenstein and Layton

We are working with a lady that set a date to be baptized on the 26th of this month but it all depends on of she gets married or not. She really wants to but her boyfriend doesn't quite yet. She knows that the church is true and she has a really strong testimony so hopefully they will get married before the 26th.

We had my first zone conference this week. It was awesome. We heard from my mission president and his wife. It was a really great experience! They have amazing testimonies.
I am starting to get to know the people in the ward a lot more. They are great! The little kids are the cutest! On Sundays we stand by the door and greet everyone coming in and sometimes the little kids will just run up and give me a huge hug. It's sad that I'm not supposed to hug back but their hugs still make my day.

I don't have a ton of time but I want you to know that I know that the Gospel was restored to the earth and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I love teaching the first lesson and especially the first vision because it brings the Spirit into the room so strong. I love the gospel. I know that it can bring so much joy into our lives. Don't be afraid to share it with people. Find names that you can give to the missionaries in the ward. That is the best way to do missionary work! :)

Oh and a question that I think you asked last week that I forgot to answer... I was told that most likely I will be serving in all Spanish speaking areas. The only reason why they would move me to an English area is if they really needed drivers. A lot of the missionaries from out of the country can't drive. The mission president really likes to keep you where you have been called though so my companions said they really do not think I will serve in an English area. I guess there is a chance that I could though.

I love and you miss you all so much. Tell Aunt Karen that there is a letter on the way. It takes me forever to write back especially now that I am out in the field. Tell Grandma, Grandpa and Sean that I love them so much!!! and the Vegas family too! :) Gracias!

Orange County

Hola! My first week in the mission field has been great! My companions are both awesome and help me out so much. I am assigned to the Orange city area at least for my first 12 weeks. There is a 12 week training program for missionaries now that I am doing which helps out a lot with the language.

There are a bunch of different steps you take each week. Last week I was supposed to extend the baptismal invitations and all of us were supposed to take turns contacting people. This week I get to lead the first lesson when we teach it. It's really good because it pushes me to really pay attention and be involved when we teach.

I love the area a lot. The people here are awesome. I love them so much already. Almost everyone we talk to are Catholic and right when we say anything about Jesus Christ they open right up and want to talk to you. It's so crazy. The people here like to learn but it is hard to get them to keep their commitments, and it's really hard to get the to actually come to church which is really important.

Church was great but I could not understand very much at all. One of the few things I understood was "Now our new missionary Hermana Layton will come up and share her testimony." Hahaa! So funny. It didn't surprise me though because we had dinner at the first counselors house the night before and he didn't think I could understand him when he told my companions that he would have me bear my testimony, but I could. Haha!

The members are great and they have us over for dinner almost every night. Usually the Mexican food is really good but there was one night where they fed us pig skin and something else really strange. We have a BBQ outside of our apt, so when we don't have an appointment to go to we like to go outside. The weather is great during the day but cools down some as it gets later.

One of my companions really likes cooking. She loves making us breakfast. She's made pancakes, french toast, eggs, and biscuits and gravy since I've been here. Then my other companion and I do the dishes. Today we have a zone activity and guess what we are doing! All of the Elder wanted to play soccer!! Wooo! So excited since I couldn't play when I was at the MTC. I love being a missionary. It is hard sometimes but so worth it! :)

I love you guys and tell Sean that I felt so bad that I couldn't talk to him on the phone. Love you all so much!

Adios! :)