I’m going to Togo on Wednesday!

Since we didn't get a picture in this weeks email I thought I would share a video of the crazy rain. The rain on the tin roof  sounds like a freight train!...  

~Bless the Rains Down in Africa~

I don't have the story that goes along with these pictures but I am guessing that Elder Layton was just walking by them on the street. This monkey doesn't look very happy :/ OUCH! 

 Dear Family,

     Well hello there my loving family! It looks like this is going to be the last letter that you guys get from me in Benin for awhile... I’m going to Togo on Wednesday! (Togo is a small country located between Benin and Ghana. Not as developed as Benin) The Assistants called me yesterday and said, "We just wanted to thank you for your service in Gbegamey and let you know that you'll be going to Togo this Wednesday." Pretty crazy right!? I'm pretty excited about it though! It will be a fun experience. Except for I found out some news that troubles me... (edited)

     I've heard nothing but negative things about (something)..  So I came down to two conclusions.

1- I can choose to be discouraged, and moan and complain and think, "Why me..?" Or 
2- I can accept it as a challenge, and go and totally work my butt off, and just be optimistic about it.

      I think that the second one sounds a lot better than the first! But at the same time, I know that it's going to be a lot more difficult. But I know that the Lord put me here for some reason, and I am determined to find the good out of all of it. Firstly I guess I have to wait and see if it is (as bad) as everyone has said, because you never know till you actually (see....) for yourself. But like anything, I know that there is always something that I can learn from everyone. Everyone else that came in my group, Burkhart, Poll, and the others are staying where they are at. So I’ll be on my 3rd companion in 4 months which is pretty crazy!! But like I said, I'm super pumped about it and know that it's going to be a good experience. I reflect back often to the letter that Uncle Larry sent me in the first package about how I need to be careful to not let the work ethic of others interfere with my personal work ethic and to not let it get me down. So that is going to be my objective! I will be living with a new American who is still being trained Elder Montrose, I think is how you spell it. He is with another Congo Missionary, and it'll just be us 4 in the apartment. I am super pumped!! So I'm sure I'll have a lot to tell you guys the next couple months!!

     Any who, it was nice to hear from all of you again :) It's always fun to hear about how everyone is doing and what everyone is up to! I like the little details! Sam finally got his braces off that is CRAZY!!! Tell him "félicitations"!! And that he looks like a good lookin' guy! Oh and sorry I can't send any pictures today... These computers that we are on are SUPER fast, but they don't let you put in your card because of viruses or something so that's a down side. But yeah everyone is looking really super good! I am jealous of the weather that you have back at home! It looks so green and grassy there! You don't see much grass here!! Everyone looks happy though so that's good. I did get to take some money out of my account! How much did it cost for me to take it out?? (It was only a $5 charge) I got some awesome stuff too that I am super excited about! Bartering every little price to see how low you can get something is quite exciting! It helps a lot with your French too so it's a win win situation :) I'm not going to tell you what I bought though because I want it to all be a surprise when I get back home! It'll be a surprise for me too I’m sure because I got them all wrapped up so I won't see them again till I get home! So that'll be exciting for everyone I'm sure! 

     Like I said, I've been reading conference talks throughout the past weeks. I read Elder Uchtdorf’s talk on forgiveness and I absolutely loved it!! I love the part when he said that sometimes the most important person we need to focus on forgiving is ourselves! I just loved the whole talk and really just made me want to "stop it! Because it’s that simple" When he was talking about holding grudges and envy for people. I really liked it a lot! All of them have been just absolutely amazing! It makes me sad that I didn't pay more attention to them when I was back at home. It really is divine revelation giving to the prophets and apostles to guide the members in these latter days. I was reading in an old Ensign that was in our apartment about conference talks, and how we should study every talk until the next conference. It's not enough just to listen to it once on the TV. We need to read them, study them, and pray that we can receive guidance and revelation when we do that. I have had a lot of questions answered about the gospel and ways to help my investigators while reading conference! It truly is amazing!

     A little side note on studying, I've noticed a huge difference when I choose to study really well, and when I choose to not study... I'm not going to lie, there have been times when I have chosen not to study. I'm not proud of it.. But it has happened nevertheless. But yeah I have noticed a huge difference throughout the day when I have a good personal study in the morning. I feel like I can talk and understand my amis better, and know the scriptures and things that I need to say in lessons. And more times than not, the things that I studied that day, seem to find their way into lessons and really help the investigator. It's pretty insane about how that goes about happening! When I am really focusing on obedience and working hard, the work seems to go a lot easier and more smoothly. I think that applies to life though too. When we are going what we are supposed to do, keeping the commandments, life seems to just be better, ya know? And who likes to deal with the trouble of sin!? I sure don't... But that's what the amazing gift of repentance is for!

    

     I always use the analogy for prayer and repentance with cooking, and the need to eat with my amis. I tell them that they have all the things that they need to eat, fufu powder, fish, veggies, everything. But it doesn't do you any good if it's just sitting there does it? So you have to act and use all the things that you have, and in the end, you get to satisfy your hunger! It seems to work! Haha.

    Okay family well I think that I am outta here... Thank you again for everything that you have done, and are doing for me! I am so thankful for your love and support, it really does mean more than you know! I hope that you all have an amazing day, and an even better week!! Love you :)

                                       Je vous amie - Elder Landon Dean Layton

PS: Big Happy Birthday shout out to Lindsay and Ellie!!! I hope that you gals have a great day to celebrate your birth!! Eat a good piece of American cake for me :)