Stung by a Scorpion

Dear Family,

     January 21st, 2013. That is the date today, and a pretty good looking one at that! It was fun to hear about, and see the pictures of Macey Magoos baptism!! I have not seen 

an eight year old get baptized since I have been home! I kinda forgot that that was the age that people get baptized... Just kidding. But really! Here in Africa, everyone who is baptized is a convert! I have yet to see a kid be baptized that was born into the covenant. Things are different everywhere I guess! I bet going to Washington was fun! 

When you said that Lindsay made you "soft pretzels", my mouth started watering and I had a flash back of going to the mall when we were all little and you would buy us pretzels at Pretzel Maker! Good times... Mom, will you push me around in my stroller and buy me a pretzel when I get back? That can be your welcome home gift for me! Haha. People would understand, I am sure... All you would have to say is, "He lived in Africa for 2 years" and they would get it! We'll talk about that later.. It fun as well to hear from the Strong family! They all sound like they are doing so well and loved Macey’s baptism! I bet that was super fun for them! Tell them all that I say thank you and to keep up the good work!

     Sitting here in front of my computer screen, I am drawing blanks... I am trying to think of the littlest amount of something that was interesting this week! 

The Emperor Scorpion is usually docile and calm,
but if agitated, scorpions can sting with their tail. 
All scorpions have a certain amount venom; most
people are not affected by the sting of the Emperor
Scorpion.  Although some people may have allergic
reactions to the venom, like being allergic to bee
stings, so it’s best to keep your distance if you
are not sure. 

Okay I guess there was the scorpion... But it isn't as exciting as it sounds... I was sitting on my bed after a long days work and decided I needed to cut my fingernails (they seem to grow a lot faster here by the way). As I was sitting on the side of my bed, I went to lean over to grab my garbage can aka a cardboard box, and I put it on my feet to prop it up so the clippings would fall into the box. Well little did I know that there was a flippin scorpion on the bottom! At first I thought that a staple in the bottom of the box poked me, but when I took the box on my feet and saw the scorpion I about freaked out! First off they are nasty looking things, and it was all mad and flexing its little tail at me like he was going to sting me again! So my instinct was the step on it... And I did and I killed it. I knew they were poisonous, but I didn't know how.. And seeing we are here in a 3rd world country, who knows what kind of unknown creatures are here! In a frenzy I called the Leavitt's just to be sure... He gave me a typical Bob Larsen answer, "Ice and Ibuprofen" and it would be fine. It did swell up a little bit and it is still red. But it doesn't hurt at all. I was surprised how bad it actually hurt though! Much worse than any bee sting I have ever gotten. I guess I am blessed for sure that it wasn't bigger or something more dangerous! Needless to say, I am more cautious when I put my shoes on now because I know how bad those suckers hurt! Have you ever been bitten by one..? I can now say that I have! And by the end of this month, throw eating dog up there too.

     Every aspect of the mission is going good! A lot of door to door, talking to people, teaching, walking and sweating. We did get to play some basketball this morning and that was fun! I was schooling all these wanna be's... Give me the rock and I'll take it down town. It was really fun and I got to meet Elder Kunz, Hawkins, one from Idaho, and Rowley. They all seem like pretty good guys and I can't wait to get to know them a little more! Elder Haycocks ground of Elders, which is a really big group, is all going home in 2 months, and after they are all gone, my group, Elder Poll, Burkhart and me will the oldest group of american missionaries! How crazy is that huh? I can't even wrap my head around that one! I say that a lot though... There is a lot of stuff I can't quite wrap my head around! But it was fun seeing everyone. I failed to take a picture... I am gun shy now! Never know when someone is just going to pop out of nowhere to take your camera out of your hands!

Oh and just a little fyi... I gave some stuff to Elder Hanna to take home for your guys! I put it in a mailer thing, but he is just going to give it to you at his homecoming that you guys should probably go to.

     Well thank you for your letter! I always love reading what you guys have to say, and really take it all in! It is what helps me though the week! I love you all so much and wish you a great week! Godspeed Family!

                                                                               Love, Elder Landon Dean Layton.

Mom: Thank you for your letter! We sure do love you and hope you have a wonderful week! No pics??

Elder: I sent my card with Hanna... So not today!

Mom: Well that is a WONDERFUL reason not to! SO excited to get it! AND yes I will buy you a pretzel  at the mall but you should probably walk haha. I only wish you were still that little boy in a stroller! NEVER been stung by a scorpion! OUCH!!

Elder: I also sent a CD home with him and my Zune. The CD is a DVD actually of all of the music that is HUGE here! Some of it is Togolese some Jamaican just kind of from all over the place. I didn't want the videos but the guy did them anyways... Because they are more expensive haha. But I thought that would be fun for you guys to have to hear what I hear as I walk the streets everywhere!!!

Mom: Thank you so much for thinking of us and sending the pictures home!! Love you! :)

Elder: No problem :) Well I gotta go, I will let you go and have a great day!!! I love you mom!

1. Did you get your camera?

     -yes! Thank you Elder Kunz! And I love it... It is more fun to take pictures with a new camera haha. But really... I know that wasn't cheap and it was tough to do. I really am so grateful for that! I love you guys so much!

2. Have you met the new Elders yet?
     -Explained in the email...

3. Package come yet?
     -Ugh.... NO! And anxiously awaiting its arrival!