"...rainbows and roses..."

"One of our amis, Jean, who wanted a picture with me really bad. It was kind of awkward how he went about asking me. I don't know why so I kind of made a joke out of it... Haha."

Dear family,

     

     Hello and good day! How is everything going back in the States? It sounds like from what you have told me that things are going well! Everything here in Africa is going just grand! Still just hanging out and preaching the gospel! It's funny, the missionaries here always get mad at me because they always say, "We're already on the down slop of the mission for the time to start flying by!" Then I just tell them that it's already like that for me and they get mad because I'm not depressed. Haha kind of jealous I guess you could say. It's funny. I mean there have been some times where it hasn't been rainbows and roses, but for the most part, it's going very well. So I just think that's funny that they get mad at me that I haven't gone through a "depressed" stage yet. I told them that I went through it at the MTC, but they said they did too... Just silly ole missionaries. 

     This week went by really good, and fast! I know I say this every week, but it seems like just yesterday I was emailing you guys. Just shows how fast the mission actually passes. We started teaching the 3rd brother of 3 brothers. We have baptized Ares and Joachim, and they just told us that they have another brother who is interested in our message. He will be ready for baptism this week, so we will have baptized 3 brothers of the same family which is really cool! The other 2 are almost ready to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. They are all really good guys. It's fun to see the gospel enter into their family. The mom and dad don't really want anything to do with the church, yet. They just say that they want what is best for their boys. They just don't want to make the commitment. But we'll work on him! We are also baptizing 2 sisters this Saturday as well. One is 16 and the other is 18. Their mom was the one we were teaching initially, but she needs to get married to her boyfriend first so we can't go through with her baptism yet, but for her kids, it's all ready to go. I'm excited for it! We would be having 4 baptism this week, but Roxanne, another amis, isn't quite ready. The work is really going good in our sector! Not to brag or anything, but mine and Elder Tshionyi's numbers are the highest in the district ;) I know numbers don't matter though! Just sayin'... We haven't had a chance to teach the Ghanaian yet... You kind of actually reminded me of that so we should probably do that soon. Haha thanks mom :) We had 7 investigators to Church this last Sunday and it was kind of hectic to keep track of all of them and make sure they were mingling and talking with the members. It seemed to turn out alright. The way they do it here is they put all the investigators in a class, and the missionaries teach them. Kinda like Sunday school just with all investigators. One investigator was ripping on the catholic church, and one of our investigators got really offended and was making a big deal out of it afterwards. They were talking really fast and loud and I didn't really know what was going on haha but it wasn't really good and she won't meet with us again.. He have a lesson set up this week though, so hopefully we will be able to straighten things out. 

*File Photo

     So last Thursday, I wake up all tired and not really knowing what's going on, and I walk into the hallway. But there was about 3 inches of water throughout the whole apartment. At first I didn't even know what was going on, I was super confused. Then I realized that there was water flooding the apartment. I thought it just had rained super hard during the night and somehow got into our apartment. I saw it coming out of the kitchen, and I thought the fridge was leaking or a pipe broke or something. But no, it was none of those things. Hahahaha Elder Shumway left the water on all night filling up his water bottle and it was leaning up against the side of the sink and water was just pouring out, all night. It was hilarious. Luckily our whole apartment is tile and nothing got ruined. We used water pushers to push all the water out and no harm was done to anything. It was just super funny that it happened! Elder Shumway took a video of it I will try and transfer it over. I thought that I would share that little story with you!

     For having the cleanest apartment, we got to go out to eat at a fast food place and got a burger, fries, drink and a malt shake. It was delicious and the couple paid for it. Totally worth keeping a clean apartment! After eating fufu and rice for weeks straight, it is a nice break to have some normal food!

     It's good to hear that you talked to Sister Southam! I told her to call you. For the camera, I don't want to put that expense on you guys... My other one has just started to come apart at the top, and I figure that it's still gotta make it through a lot haha. So it's just your call! I wouldn't mind like an 8 gig usb to just dump my videos and pictures on before I send them off to you so I always have them. That's something that I've heard. Other than that I can't really think of anything!

     Well I think that I best be going. Thank you for all the things that you have done for me and for the love and support I receive from you! It really means a lot to me! You guys really did prepare me well for this mission and I know that I wouldn't be able to do it without you! Have an amazing week! And remember to "Hold To The Rod!" - Miller Family Moto reppin in Africa. Tell Grandma you're welcome ;)

                                               Your son,

                                                             Elder Landon Dean Layton

QUESTIONS: 

1- How many lessons do you teach a week?

     - We had 17 lessons with amis (investigators) and 8 with recent converts and members.

2- How is the work going?

    - Very well! We are a Branch now, and we will be moving appartment :( I don't know when though!

3- How is the eating? Are you cooking or helping cook?

     - Eating isn't bad. It's just kinda whoever is cooking I ask what I can do to help, and then they feed me haha. I usually just cut veggies and stuff like that. Or make rice.

4- Sister Southam told us that your group is now a Branch! That's awesome!! So will you be moving? (Landon lives above the church and they will now use his apt. for more rooms)

     - Yes ma'am!

5- Any good rain storms yet?

     - The rain is really bipolar here. And when it does rain, it's very very hard, but only for about 5 to 10 minutes.