I Like This Room, I Can Feel the Spirit in Here

 Hola mi familia!

Last Tuesday after I emailed we went to the temple. I love it there and was very grateful to have the chance to go! After the temple our district went to the park for the rest of our P-day to feed the ducks.

No Turtle Races

We started feeding them, and a bunch of turtles would swim up to eat the bread. We caught some of the turtles and were going to have turtle races but we ran out of bread so they stopped coming. It was lots of fun! 

This week we were on a street headed to a lesson and the guy had just gotten home from work and was cleaning up so they asked us to come back in 15 minutes. We decided to go find some of the potentials that lived on that same street. As we started walking towards one of their houses a lady ran over to us and said,

"Wait! Are you Mormons?"

We said yes, and she told us that she has been looking for us. She used to meet with the missionaries, and would go to church all the time but moved and lost contact with them. She said that she couldn't find missionaries anywhere and so she went to many different churches but none of them were the same. She was really excited that she found us and wants to start coming back. Well this week we found out that she has to move again, and wants the missionaries to come visit her there. Also, when we were teaching her I had a random thought that she looked like one of my old investigators so I asked if they were related, and she said that it was her mom! Haha crazy! It was cool to be able to meet her and see the desire that she had to learn and come to church. 

Making Caramel Apples

This week we also taught [Brother X] a few more times. We had a lesson about the Sabbath Day and he told us that he was going to come to church and that he knew he needed to. Well, sadly he didn't show up. He said he was out of town and got back too late to come. It was really sad though because this is the third week in a row that he said he would come but then didn't. We have been praying a lot for him and I hope we can help him see the importance of church. 

This week I had a couple of cool experiences. The first one was a couple of days ago. I went on exchanges to Anaheim hills and they had their Halloween party that night. They had members in all of the classrooms handing out candy to all of the kids. The kids were all really excited and running around. There was one room off to the side that had a church video playing and it was a lot quieter. A boy who was probably about 5 or 6 years old walked in and sat on the chair for about 15 minutes while the rest of the kids were running around getting candy. Then he stood up and walked over to us and said, "I like this room, I can feel the spirit in here." That was so amazing to me that this little boy could recognize the spirit, and that he liked being there because he could feel it. 

Another experience that I had was last night. There was a member in our ward who was in the hospital. Her husband who is not a member, couldn't be there with her for most of the time because of work. We went to visit her and started singing hymns with her. During on of the last songs, her husband walked in the room and started to tear up. I know that he was able to feel the spirit. 

Yesterday was the wards primary program. Remember how Curtis used to sing really loud...Well there was a girl in the ward who reminded me of that. It was so cute!! I love those kids! The primary program is always my favorite!

The Cute Snake

This coming week we have the Halloween party for our ward. Its going to be after Halloween, but that's normal for my ward. haha! At the Halloween party when I was on exchanges there was a lady with a huge snake and she let me hold it for a while. It was so cute. It kinda freaked me out though when it's head started coming closer to my face. I think I want a pet snake when I get home (or probably not).

So yeah, exchanges were fun. I am super grateful to be speaking Spanish and to be in my area. We went tracting in Anaheim hills and it was really sad! It is a very rich area and the people were not very nice. At least here the people are super nice and talk to us even if they don't want anything to do with our message.  Anyways, that's about it for this week.

Eric! That's so awesome that you are the AP! I can't wait until you are out in the field! You are going to love it! Sounds like your Spanish is coming along really well! You probably will pass me up soon! :) Good luck!! You are always in my prayers! :) Love you all! :)

New Companion

I loved hearing about your trip to Las Vegas. Sounds like a lot of fun! 

Today is transfer day. We thought that we were going to stay together because that is what President said he was planning on doing, but they made some last minute changes and sister Breitenstein got moved to a ward in Anaheim. I am still here in my first area and I love it, so I'm glad I don't have to leave yet. I already miss my companion so much but I am sure my new companion will be great too.

Her name is sister Schofield and she is from Utah. She goes to Utah State  and is going into music. I have been on exchanges with her a couple of times so I have gotten to know her a little bit. She is a very good missionary and I am excited to work with her. 

That is so cool that Eric went through the temple this week. I loved the picture with all of the family in white. We are going to the temple again this transfer and I can't wait! When does Eric leave for his mission again?

I can't wait until we are both missionaries at the same time. Have him send all of his emails when he gets out, and I will do the same when I get his email address. He is going to do so great and help so many people. Tell him to look for Hermana Andreason when he gets to Guatemala, even though there are a ton of missionaries out there.

Anyway, the other day we were tracting and there were about 30 Jehovah Witness missionaries in the same area. As we were walking we tried talking to the JW's because we talk to everyone, but they didn't like us very much. They had already knocked on a bunch of the houses so every time we went to the door people thought we were Jehovah Witnesses. We didn't end up staying in that area for too long. 

Our investigators are doing well but we are still having a hard time getting them to come to church. I am so blessed to be out here and grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary. I know that this church is true and love seeing the gospel change lives for the better.

Nicole that is so awesome that your sister get called to Lima Peru North mission. My brother went to that same mission. I am so happy for her. She is going to be such a great missionary!

I love you all so much! Thanks for everything!

Sister Layton :)

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.

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! :)

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 Just Stare At Them With a Confused Look

Hola! We went to the temple again this morning. What a great way to start the day!! This week we have two new investigators that we are teaching. This time they are our teachers. I'm glad they are not real investigators, because sometimes I just stare at them with a confused look when they are trying to tell me something.

My companion Hermana Andreason leaves this Tuesday for the Guatemala MTC! She had a hard week because she doesn't want to leave. She will be great though!

Dad in your letter you asked what my favorite part of the MTC is. It is definitely the spirit I feel here. It is so amazing! I love the devotionals and the music. My least favorite part... well when I read that I sat there for a while trying to come up with something and I couldn't. Haha.

I know I have said this before, but I have amazing teachers. Spanish can be hard sometimes but Heavenly Father knows that we can do it and he trusts me. I just have to do my best, and he does the rest.

Grandma Layton I love your letters every week! You asked a few questions. When the general authorities come they talk to all the missionaries together. Also there is a temple in my mission, it's the Newport beach temple (picture is on the Blog header) and I do think that we will get to go often which I am excited for. There is no place I would rather be right now. I have learned that Heavenly Father knows me more than I know myself and I need to trust Him. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. He lives, and I know that without a doubt. I am on a mission because I know that they Gospel can bring so much joy into our lives. I know it is true and I love it! Thank you everyone for the letters and all of the support! I love you all! :)

I get plenty of rest but usually it takes me about 30 min to fall asleep because my brain wont be quiet with all the spanish sentences going through my head! Haha! Curtis, mom said you wrote me a letter, I cant wait to get it!!  Please tell Brother Bone thank you!

I love you all so much. Tell Sean that I am writing him soon and that I really miss him. Eric, prepare now for your mission. Read your scriptures every day and pray. Adios!

Called to Be a Representative of Jesus Christ

This week has been so great! Hermana Hunter moved up to the advanced class and now my companion is Hermana Andreason. She leaves in 3 weeks for Guatemala so I am going to get two new companions. Hermana Andreason is a lot of fun. She reminds me so much of Erica Marley!! They have the exact same personality, it's so funny!

This week for devotional Elder Nelson came. It was awesome! Our district president said that it was probably a rumor that the prophet was coming which was too bad.

This week we continued to teach our investigator Martin. He accepted a date to be baptized finally and we are teaching him again tonight. We are getting new investigators soon.

Spanish is hard but it is slowly coming. On Sunday we walked to the temple and this morning we got to go through. I love the temple so much and am so happy that we get to go each week.

The food here was really good the first week but it gets old pretty fast. We get gym time almost every day. The soccer fields are closed so we are supposed to stay in the gym. I played basketball one day but usually end up playing volleyball. I always accidentally kick it though.

Haha! I really like my district, we do almost everything together. The two sisters that I will be companions with when Hermana Andreason leaves are headed to Arizona and I will be with them the rest of the time. Most of the Elders in our district are going to Anaheim. I think there are at least 5 of them. It will be nice to know people on the plane ride over there. I love being here SO much! I am probably going to live here forever if they let me. But seriously I am so happy and I love the spirit here. I am so grateful that that I have been called to be a representative of Jesus Christ and wear his name wherever I go.

Please tell the Hallmans that I love the bracelet so much! And mom, I wear the watch every day. They don't really have clocks around.

Thank you sooooo much for the package!! We have dinner at 4:30 every day and sometimes I get get pretty hungry at night so the candy was great. Feel free to send more! ;) Thank you for all of the letters! I am going to try and write back to everyone soon! Tell Sean that he is in trouble because he said that he was going to write more than anyone and I haven't heard from him at all. Curtis and Eric write too! How about for FHE? Miss you all so much, love you!