" ...get your mind blown away from the amazing message of Christ that it contains."

Even on the mission I have a hard time taking serious photos…

See what I mean?

Dear Family,

     I am really feeling like writing you with the "Georgia" font today. Looks pretty good, wouldn't you agree? Thank you for your letter! It sounds like the Strong's had a nice little stay out there with you guys! I bet it is always fun to see them and have them visit from time to time. And their vacation to Disneyland sounds like it was quite the riot! Never have been there... On my bucket list of things to do. Hopefully one day I'll get to go... One day... Or maybe I never want to go so I can say that I have never ever gone to Disneyland! Lagoon is good enough for me... Keep it simple. Simple and easy. And you guys do go out to eat a lot... Holy cow! Save some money for me when I get home... That is funny that you asked me if I ever craved Mexican food... Because I do, like all the time. And Chinese food as well. Really any kind of food is the food that I crave that isn't made or prepared or comes from Africa.. Except for Ebecici with akoumé. That is bomb. That is good to hear that dad's team has made it to the playoffs! And they are playing the same team again? That is weird. Wish them all luck! As well as Bountiful. 

     This week was a pretty busy week. We spent a lot of time at the new chapel with the open house and dedication and everything. On Tuesday we had our Zone Meeting. That went pretty well. 

The Bé Kpota Zone! Best one to ever pass through the mission…

We got to meet all the new missionaries in the zone and they all bore their testimonies. We have 10 Americans, 5 Malagasy, and 5 Ivorian in our zone. A lot of new missionaries and a lot of new trainers! The Zone is doing really well. Reminds me to keep working hard! The meeting went good and my companion talked about the importance of training and actually following the program that is given to the trainers. Because a lot of missionaries don't even train the new missionaries... They just skip it because it is "hard". But I couldn't really talk because I have never trained before haha. It was really good though! Wednesday was just a normal working day. 

Me and my beloved companion… Elder Dagrou :) 

At around 7 pm my companion and I made our way out to Baguida to do a split with Elder Peterson and Elder Rosolo.  That Thursday night we dropped them back off at his apartment and I picked up my comp Dagrou :) We love each other. 

     Saturday was the open house at Kiegé... That is where the new chapel is in Lomé. 

A bunch of missionaries leaving the chapel! 

It started at 9 o'clock, but of course it all started late... People started showing up at around 10ish. All the missionaries were there and to be honest, we really did nothing.. It was just a reunion for all the missionaries haha. But the open house was a success, don't get me wrong! We had a couple amis come to assist and it all turned out really well. I got to talk with Elder Oliverson again and Elder Hawkins.  

Me and Oliverson…. My hair is at that awkward stage of growing so like… don’t judge me… 

I will try and attach some photos. Sunday was the dedication of the chapel. That went well too. It was a member of the area seventy who dedicated it. I forgot his name though... But it was really good! That was my second dedication of something. The MTC after 50 years, and now this one! The way our church is organized and how things work are pretty dang awesome!! I love this gospel :) 

     So it is pretty incredible how much I have learned about the Book of Mormon this past week... Like, really it is like a whole other book! I mean you gotta realize that I kinda started at zero at the MTC... I wasn't the best at reading the Book of Mormon before the mission. But I really have learned heaps and heaps of information from the Book of Mormon! The story of it all, the revelations, the prophecies.. Really just all of it and how it just all fits together like a huge, perfect puzzle. I love it! I am just about to finish Mosiah and start up Alma. My goal is to finish reading it again before I come home.. So like, J'ai beaucoup de pain sur la plonge. But I will keep trying and going! I can't wait to take institute classes and actually go and listen... I regret not doing that in High School now... Ah man.

     Well I love you all. Wish you guys the best in all that comes during the week. I invite you all as well to keep reading the Book of Mormon if you already are, and if you don't, then start and get your mind blown away from the amazing message of Christ that it contains...

                    Love your son,

                                        Elder Landon Dean Layton

The end of our area… And I am pretty sure Lomé haha. It was a pretty awesome view.

Minus the pigs that were eating garbage right in front of us ! hahaha

I don’t even know how this picture turned out so good… That’s Mimi. She was helping us teach that day. Hey and her book of Mormon… I can totally see that in a Liahona ;)
(Mimi's baptism is posted HERE)

Remember little Moroni and Joseph from back when I was in Ablogamé !? Well look how huge they are now!! And I promise the mom isn’t as mad as she looks… Haha one of the nicest ladies I know!

This picture posted below here has been one of my all time favorite pictures from the mission field! I even have it as my custom picture on my debit card. I really like it :) So I was going to ask Landon if he has ever seen this family again since then and if he had could he please take a picture of them again for me. Looks like I won't have to ask him now! I was so excited to see it! Made my day. Now I am curious if the girls are hers too?? That's a question for next week. -Michelle

(July 2012 Posted HERE) "Me and some kids! The one I am holding is named Joseph after Joseph Smith! His family have been members for 7 years and are sealed in the temple. There is also a 2 year old brother named Moroni, not pictured."