Investigators Helping Investigators

A Cali Sunset

So today we get to go to the temple and I am really excited! 

Eric, is there a temple close to where you're at in Guatemala? Also I don't know if I already told you this or not but keep an eye out for Hermana Andreason once you are out of the MTC. She was one of my companions in the MTC and I think she is in your same mission. 

This week we did a lot of finding again. We have been visiting part members families and have a lesson with one of them tonight. We visited [x] again this week. He is doing really well and seems to be really understanding the message and making changes in his life, but he hasn't come to church! He always says that hes going to come, and the last two Sundays we called in the morning and he said that he was sick. We are planning on teaching him the Sabbath day this week, so I hope he comes this next Sunday. [x] tells us that he has had dreams where he is with us in our congregation, and he knows he's supposed to come but he still hasn't. 

We also ran into one of our former investigators this week named [x], and he is probably the funniest person I have ever met! We couldn't stop laughing. He talks like a gangster and says the funniest things! He said he was going to find his Book of Mormon, so we might stop by again to see how he's doing later this week. 

Last night we went to visit [x], a less active member who we used to teach. He was baptized in Mexico when he was 12 and only went to church for a year and then he stopped going. We have invited him to church many times but he never wants to come. We were talking to him at his doorstep and this guy named [x], who we used to teach walked by. He is friends with [x] and so he came and started talking to us. We asked [x] if he still has his Book of Mormon and he told us that he is just going to read the Bible. Before we said anything [x] started explaining all about the Book of Mormon and how important it was, and telling [x] about when Christ came to the Americas. He started quoting scriptures and sharing his testimony.

Hermanas Schofield y Layton at Angel Stadium in Anaheim

It was awesome! He remembers so much! We ended up being able to make another appointment with [x], and [x] is going to try to come. It was a cool experience. 

This week our Mission President's wife called my companion and I to come help write names on the back of all of her pictures for the photo albums, and so we went to the mission home and hung out with president and his wife for a couple of hours. It was a fun way to use our service hours for the week! :) We are probably going to go over again soon to finish up. 

Well I think that's about all that happened this week. Thanks for all the letters and support everyone!!!! Love you all! :)

Have a great week!!!!!!!!!

Love, Me

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! :)