Elder Landon Layton: 215th Post! ...this labor of LoVe has come to an end.

So what's it like to have him home? This is my best response... Landon has lived with us for 19 years. When he was gone it wasn't normal and now that he's home, it's normal again! Our family just feels complete and it's truly THE BEST! He's such a wonderful son. We sure missed him and are so proud of him. I know it wasn't easy, just worth it! The best 2 years for his life. xoxoxo

BEING RELEASED:
Landon came home late on a Sunday night and President Gibbons was going out of town early that next morning so he was first released via a phone call as we left the airport parking lot. Then on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 he met with President for his official release. Dean and I were also invited to attend. He first met with Landon and then invited us in for the remainder of the meeting. He told us that if it felt like he was ignoring us, he was. We were there to listen as he counseled with Landon. It really was such a treat to be a part of that. Such an inspired man and we enjoyed listening to his counsel to Landon and also listening to Landon's words speaking of his mission.

Pres. Gibbons then pulled his letter out of the envelope that Landon had delivered to him and asked me if I would please read the letter out loud. Are you kidding me?! I started to cry before I got the first word out. *Side note- I didn't have my reading glasses with me and couldn't see but really wanted to be able to so I thought to take out my contacts so that I could see perfectly. I needed a new pair anyway :) The letter meant so much more to me having to be the one to read it to the person intended for, about the person written about in front of both of them, and with a mothers emotion. Very special and powerful!

President Weed sent home letters for the Stake Pres., Bishop Maxwell, Landon,
and Parents. They were sure fun to read as each of them were copied
and then returned to us for safe keeping.

After our meeting we left and then returned to the stake center later for the meeting with the High Counsel or "Grand Counsel" as Landon kept calling it for the missionary reports from the stake. There was Landon and Jake Adams from our ward and then a senior couple that served in Illinois. Each stood and told about their mission and then bore their testimonies in their mission language. Landon went last and when he bore his testimony in French was the first time that Dean and I had heard him speak. We just looked at each other like, "Who is this guy?!" It was such a treat for sure. After that, they had a Q and A with the men who asked questions of their missions. That was also enjoyable to hear and be a part of.

Officially released and now the last thing left to do was to report to the ward with his homecoming talk on the 29th at 9am.

MISSION REPORT TALK:
The last of the big exciting things to do from the mission was now before us. A new suit was purchased (and needed), shoes were shined and an African tie was tied around his neck, plus the CTR ring and watch that accompanied Elder Layton on his mission were worn. Church started at 9am and we got there early to have time to visit with any early comers. It was a great meeting and Landon spoke for about 30 minutes and it still wasn't long enough! I could of heard him for another hour. He sure did a wonderful job and I'm so very proud of him. I feel as though he was able to relate to us just how life is in Togo and the mission. We learned a lot about the people there and about their dedication to the gospel. At the end of his talk he did bear his testimony in French and WOW, it was such a treat. Amazing how the spirit can talk to you even though you don't understand the words. Just the spirit of those words. It was really nice to have some of the missionary moms and dads whose son's are serving in Benin and Togo. I know that Dean and I have loved attending those homecomings as we learn so much from them. Landon was among 3 Americans who returned from the mission, the first in 8 months, so it was exciting to have one return.

We had prepared a breakfast at our home for family and friends for after the meeting. Breakfast casseroles, fruit, ham, muffins, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts orange juice, and milk. The house was full of all of our favorite people and we felt so loved. It really was so much fun! Thanks to those that came and to those that helped prepare food too!

Here are a few pictures that we have from the day: