Back here in Togo! I am so happy! I am in Love!

Dearest Family,

     Hey... This is Elder Layton and I am back here in Togo. I have been here for almost a week now and it has been simply the best week of my mission! I am in love! I love my companion, I love my apartment, I love my branch, I love the country, and I love everything! I am so happy right now! Okay so I will give you just kind of a play by play of my week for far... So on Tuesday morning, Elder Semken came and picked me up in the mission truck and we stopped by the

Elder Mundu~Elder Layton~Sister Semken~Elder Semken

apartment of Avotrou to drop off some stuff for them. That is when I said goodbye to Elder Baird... It was kinda weird because that could very well be the very last time that I see him here in Africa... But the fact that I was going to Togo was so overpowering that it didn't really faze me ;) We will see each other in the States for sure! But after that we went to try and find a bank that I could use to get my mission money out. On Monday the bank that was close to our apartment was out of order but we got to one and that all went okay. After that we went to the mission home and met up with the assistants and the Eastmonds and one other missionary that was transferred to Togo as well. From there we all got in the same car and were off to Togo! It was a really smooth drive. They have been re-building the roads so last time I came through it was really rocky and bad... But this time was good! 

    We arrived at Anfamé, the name of my sector around 3 o'clock and that is when I met my new best friend! Elder Rantoniana! He is my new companion! And we get along already like we have known each other for years! He is super awesome! Teaching lessons is no longer a chore like it was before... And doing companionship study is no longer like a death sentence... It is enjoyable! It is like really missionary work now! Okay it was always real missionary work, but now it is really enjoyable! And now I have just been getting to know the sector and meeting everyone! My companion has only been in this area for about 3 weeks so he doesn't know it too well... So we have been flying by the spirit to guide us a couple times, and it has always pulled through! 

     Leaving Benin wasn't really that bad at all... Saying goodbye was probably the hardest part though as always like you said. We did get to have one last FHE together and it went really good! It was like a tribute to me haha. Everyone there was so nice! It makes me sad to know that I will probably never see that family or Frère Santos ever again... Maybe in the spirit world! I can already tell that I am really going to like the branch of Anfamé! There is a sister that is going to be baptized this Saturday named Beatrice and she is SO nice! She already offered to do my laundry.. I didn't even have to ask! Haha! And I was worried about that... Because before  Mama Gloria did it for me... But I am going to help her out just like I helped her out! She even said that she wanted to cook for me... Haha we will see how that works out if it happens! I mean we have beignets right across the street, a bread mamma right down the street, AND the power almost never gets cut here! I mean the water here is super salty... And that is pretty much the only downfall. The apartment is really nice! Not having hot water sucks.. Haha that has been rough to adjust. I just don't shower anymore ;) Kidding! It isn't that bad. The apartment is nice! OH! I have a story that I can tell you!

     So this Friday me, my companion, Elder Ne-kindinga (an American) and his companion were all together at the church for our meeting with the branch presidency that we have every week. So we all went back together. But when we went to open the door, it wouldn't open... Like the key turned and the handle turned, but the bar on the inside fell down inside the hole to latch it shut! So when we left, it fell down latched! So we were locked out of our apartment and had no idea what we were going to do! So me and Ne-Kindinga walked around to the back door and found a big weight lifting bar... Aka a big 2 inch pipe with concrete slabs on each end... We picked that up and knocked the back door in. We were so drained and tired and didn't want to wait for someone to come and not be able to get us in anyways... So we took the matter into our own hands! We were able to get in with little damage. I did have to take some screws and kinda jimmy rig it up, but it still locks and is safe! So we got it all figured out with no problems! I just thought that it was funny that we had to break into our own house... Gotta love the mission! 

     Well I think that I am outta here... I've still gotta write president. I love you guys so much and I am happy to hear that you guys had a good Independence Day! I did as well! Listened to some Toby Keith and Andy Tippin! Haha God Bless America! I love you and pray for you always! 

            With love,

                           Elder Landon Dean Layton

My card reader is still all buggered up so no pictures…