I am so grateful for this gospel in my life and all of the blessings that come from it!

Left to right... Me, Kevin, Agathe, Naomie and Elder Ndaye

Dear Family,

     It is good to write you! I don't have really much to say this week... Not much really went on! It was good to hear from you though and about your week! Doesn't sound like much is going on over there in the States. But like you always say, no news is good news! This is super cool that Jackson is still undefeated with his team! It is Kevin that coaches them right? That is a good experience that he is having for sure! Unfortunately for Will...  that is not so good.  I guess you gotta just keep trying! As for Bountiful, I don't even know what I can say other than that sucks. That is too bad for Jord and how he got knocked out of the game. I heard there were a couple pretty questionable calls and unsportsmanlike stuff going on which isn't good. Oh well... I am just glad it wasn't my senior year that it happened. Jackson is getting so huge! That is crazy! I can't even wrap my head around it! And Ben too! He is gonna be such a cute little kid! Things sound like they are going well out there in Utah!

     Out here in Ablogamé is going well too! Like every other week. It was a good solid week. Had a lot of lessons and are being productive. 

Elder Haycock and I

Elder Haycock, our new Zone Leader, did a split with Elder Montross on Wednesday and it was fun having him over at the apartment. We talked and hung out too so that was fun. I really like him a lot too! I don't think that I have ever talked about him before in my letters. But he is from Colorado and played football and wrestled. He is fun to talk to and another one that I will want to keep in touch with after the mission! All the missionaries went and played Basketball this morning, but unfortunately, I couldn't get my companion to want to go. He refused. So I ended up just taking a nap...  I have needed to do something fun like that with all the other missionaries for awhile! I guess it doesn't matter... So yeah now I am here writing you! 

Me, Kevin, Agathe, Naomie and Elder Ndaye plus the first counselor and the member that baptized them for us. (friendshiping... what up!)

     We did end up having all three baptisms and the service went great! We had a lot of members even show up which is sometimes a problem... But this time it turned out really well and I was pumped for that! The service was at 3:00 and they all came around 2:00 to have their interviews and get ready. After their interviews, everything was ready to go and they all got baptized! I was one of the witnesses and I found myself smiling the whole time because I was so happy!! I was all like, "why do my cheeks hurt so bad..?" Then I realized, "Oh, I have been smiling for the past 10 minutes!" It was a really good baptism! I was happy with it! The following day, Sunday, they all got confirmed and received the Holy Ghost and that was equally as exciting! Agathe came late for some reason, we aren't really sure, but eventually she was confirmed. They were all really happy about their decision to join this church and are ready to start the 5th principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, endure to the end. Kevin and Agathe are the same age, 19, and they are both saying that after their schooling that they want to go on missions! They are both so outgoing and awesome and I can't wait to see them progress! It will be a sad day when I have to leave this area... But I guess we will just wait for that to come when it comes! 

Nestor, one of the ward missionaries who helped us with all of our lessons and Agathe.

     We got our transfer calls last night! We have some changes in our apartment. Elder Montross is leaving but staying in Lomé, Elder Kimzey is replacing him. So I will be living with him now. Elder Ndaye is leaving to Benin to work in the office, and I am getting an Ivorian from the Ivory Coast, as my new companion! YAY!!!!  I am super stoked for that! And finally, I will be the Senior Companion. So I will actually be able to call the shots! I am super excited about that. His name is Elder Ouenebou. Don't quote me on that because that is not how it is spelled, but that is what is sounds like. He was the missionary that Elder Shumway trained in Benin so I already lived with him for 2 transfers in Benin! He is a really good kid and I am excited to work with him. Unlike many of the Congolese who are older, he is my same age so that will be fun! I am excited to work with him! So yeah that is pretty much what happened... The Leavitts aren't in Lomé permanently yet, I don't think. They said that they wanted to stay in Benin for when it became a District so they will come over when that is all finished. 

     So yeah there is my week in a nutshell right there... Pretty solid week! Continuing to love this missionary work and still learning and growing every day. I am so grateful for this gospel in my life and all of the blessings that come from it! Like my amazing, awesome, totally cool family! Well I think that I am going to leave you here for this week... I wish you guys a great week and I continue to pray and think about you always! I love you!

                                             Love,
                                                   ELDER LANDON DEAN LAYTON

Some of our email conversation today...

Mom: Are you having a good day?

Elder: I haven't eaten anything yet so I am super hungry... (This is like 3 or 4 in the afternoon for him!)

Mom: You need to eat! Will you eat after this? Do you need some money?

Elder: Haha no I just haven't gotten around to it! I have plenty of money. No need to worry :)

Mom: GO EAT silly! I love you and happy you're doing well!

Elder: Someone just stole Elder Montross's and Elder Bukasa's phone... They can't find it and someone swiped it off his table here...

Mom: That is so crazy!!! Just like that! Keep your stuff close for sure huh! Don't keep ALL your pictures on one card. Right?

Elder: I keep all of them on one card but every Monday I put them on my thumb drive so I have them all backed up.

Mom: You are too smart!!!!! Good boy!!!

Elder: What can I say... I mean you did raise me! :)

Mom: Haha so very true! Is the phone still gone?

Elder: Oh yeah he is never seeing that thing again...

This Teletubbie has seen better days... Haha. I saw it laying, thrashed in the road and had to take a picture of it! We were walking home with Agathe from the baptism and I asked her if she knew what Tellitubbies were and she was like, YEAH! And she sang the song and everything! It was quite the shock... She said she always used to watch it when she was little! Then we were talking about how it is actually really weird and they never should have made it haha. Good fun. I didn't think that they would have that in French! Let alone out here...