Elder Landon Layton: "It's been a fun experience so far!"

"A little kid in primary. He never, ever changes his facial expressions!"
(That is until Elder Layton changes it for him!)

Dear Family,

Hello! It was good to get a nice long letter from you! It's good to hear that everything and everyone is doing good! Except for those that are disgracing Bountiful High... I would have never done that in high school. That's good that we didn't know who it was though haha. That's crazy. I liked the pictures that you sent me as well! It's fun to see Jackson playing LAX and liking it. I'm jealous that he is getting to play that! I wish I had.

As for this week, it was just like the last one! A lot of the same stuff going on. Learning French, teaching people, eating food and preaching the word. It's going good! I got another haircut this week, and it looks terrible... Haha they don't know how to cut white people hair! I really think that Macey (7 year old niece) could have done a better job! But I've come to the conclusion that this is Africa, and to just love the bad hair cuts for two years! Or just buy some other clippers.. I saw some at the store for 20 bucks. So I might do that! Gotta look steezy for the people here ya know? They just can't do it like mamma used to!

I started a new French study program... IT seems to be working pretty effectively! This is what it is:

8:00-9:00 ~ Study 20 new French words

11:00-8:00 ~ I use the words that I was studying and try and memorize them.

9:00 ~ I take a test of spelling and define the words that I have been studying.

So that seems to be working pretty well! We will see how long I can keep up that schedule! It's really easy to get lazy and just shoot the breeze when you could be studying! Then in my down time I usually try and read the Book of Mormon or talk with Elder Shumway.

I was walking down the street the other day and we starting contacting this guy. In French he said, "Sorry I don't really understand French very well". And without really thinking I said, "Well I speak English..." And he got all happy and started talking to me in English! Figures that he is from Ghana and just moved here and is learning French! All of our pamphlets and books of Mormon are in French though so that didn't really help much... I told him that we would get one in English for him which I hope is possible... I'll ask President tomorrow. But yeah we have our first lesson with him this week. It will be interesting to teach him in French when I can't use the excuse of, "Sorry I don't speak French very well". Haha. It'll be a cool experience though I'm sure.

I finally had an interview with President Weed this Wednesday! It was good to actually get to talk to him and know him a little better. He is a really cool guy with a good attitude about everything. He has only been the mission president for about 8 or 9 months now which isn't long at all! I really like him and personally think that he is doing a good job with everything. While we were waiting to go in for our interviews, Sister Weed was giving us a lesson about making contacts. She always needs a translator because she can't speak French. Elder Shumway was in the interview with President so I had to translate for her, and then tell the Africans what she was saying. I couldn’t do it word for word, but I could definitely get the message across! So I thought that was pretty cool! I think they understand... That's the weird thing, when you ask them if the understand, they will say yes when in reality they didn't understand a thing! The more I learn French, the more I realize how incorrect they speak it here! It's not their native language and not everyone speaks it. So it's kind of a broken up French. There are those who do speak really good English. For the most part, they don't speak it very well. Even the good French speakers that are here say that it's hard to teach them because they don't understand that much. They all speak Fon but for the most part we can always get our message across! I know it's from the help of the Lord that it's done!

Kind of on a more awkward note, I was at the super market with my companion going to get some turkey. (Not the kind you get at subway) and we didn't know where it was so we asked this girl if she knew and she smiled and took us to where we could get some. Afterwards I went to go shake her hand to say thank you and she did something weird. I didn't think anything of it because I didn't know the significance of it at the time. But she took her pointer finger and rubbed it in the palm of my hand. I just thought that was really weird. I went back to the apartment and told Elder Shumway and he freaked out and said that that means that she wants to be more that just friends with you, I guess you could put it. I didn't believe him at first... So at church I asked Elder Kittaka on Sunday and he said that's what they do... So I was pretty weirded out!! I felt violated.. Haha not really. But kinda. I thought that was weird that they do that!!

All in all, the week seemed to go really, really well! It's been a fun experience so far! Elder *** said that he is mad that I haven't gotten depressed yet haha. Just jokingly.. Like dad said, the mission is what you make it. The more positive you are, the better it will be. So I just figured whatever happens happens! And you deal with it. Come what may and love it am I right?? Alright well it was good hearing from ya'll this week as always :) You guys are literally in ALL of my prayers throughout the day. I love each and every one of you so much! I hope you have a good week this week and know that your Heavenly Fathers loves and knows you! Bye :)

Love your favorite child even out of the girls and everyone in the whole family, Elder Landon Dean Layton

My online email chat with Landon this morning…

Dinner at a members house from last weeks email!

Me: Thank you for your letter! It was awesome! AND THAT PICTURE!!!! I think I just threw up in my mouth :) Love you!

Landon: Haha I straight up had that IN my mouth! I thought I had better take a picture of it. I am working on some other pictures right now.

Thanks for sending that pic! It looks so nice there! I am super jealous of the weather... Haha it has been raining all day here and just stopped not too long ago. I love the rain, but not when you have to walk out in it!

Oh I bet that gets tough! We have had extra rain here too over the last 2 weeks. The weather is nice though. Ya work on those pics :)

Hey! Don't forget how awesome I was for sending those other pictures & video remember!!!

Haha Oh I don't! Seriously that was one of the happiest days of my life!!!! ...love you ;)

Haha I'm glad you think so! That's funny that you guys got the Don Williams CD! That brings joy to me.

We are so proud of you Landon! You're such a wonderful missionary!!! Thank you for praying for us. We too pray for you always!

How many computers are there where you are? Is it at a business? How many Elders are there?

Right now every computer is taken. There are 6 missionaries here right now. I had to wait today for a little while to get on a computer. It's usually pretty crowded. The lights always flicker and go out haha. I can try and take a picture and send it to you if you'd like! The computers are being super fast today which is nice.

Yes we would find that so interesting! :)

That tree you and dad planted was all in bloom! It was so pretty and now it has its leaves all on the tree. I love to look at it!

Heck mom, send me a picture of it! I spent a lot of time planting that tree! ;) How is dad doing?

I will have to send you a pic of it! I am at work so... next week okay?

Dad is doing really well! He is busy at work. He has hired new/more guys too! So they are on their way and keeping busy! He taught yesterday and did a good job as always! He is sure proud of you :)

Oh that's good to hear! Does he want me to send him a personal email as well??

That's up to you. He didn't say. You could send a short one and just say hi if you want. I have already sent him yours so it's ok if you don't too :)

Oh okay! I just wasn't sure if he had said anything about that! How is Shelby doing at Bountiful?

She is doing okay. Still making friends but is happy there so that's good! She has a hard time waking up and getting there on time! I am still so happy she is there though! She said it feels more like home there.

Ah that's good! Yeah that sucks it's hard for her to wake up. I'm lucky that has been always easy for me! That's good that she is doing well. Alright well I am outta here.

I love you :) Have a good day Mom!

And tell everyone I say hi!

Okay have a great week!!! We love you!