June 2, 2012

Hello Family and Friends,
Another great week in the Texas Dallas mission!  We see miracles everyday! Tuesday a new missionary came into the mission.  His name is Elder Gregersen.  He was somewhat unexpected, but we are glad to have him nonetheless!  We enjoyed an addition to the mission, and we can already tell that he is a born leader.  He came with us to our leadership training on Wednesday, and there he received his companion, Elder Stead.  The leadership training was great; I really do enjoy getting to go to mission meetings and being around the different elders.

So to explain this next picture, early on this week we arrive at home for the evening, and we realize that we have something blocking our door.  A GIANT BOUNCEHOUSE!  Someone had blown up a big bounce house not only in the middle of our apartment complex, but right in front of our door.  Luckily we could get in, but there was something going on all night long.  We are guessing it was a party for a little child in the apartment next to ours, but that is just speculation.  Let’s just say it was not something we expected.  

We are looking forward to this coming week.  Having a baptism is always a highlight.  Jennifer Ramirez in the Dallas YSA 1st Ward is getting baptized next Saturday.  We can hardly wait to see this wonderful ordinance take place!

Elder Layton

Mom, 

I am glad to hear that you had a fairly eventful week. I always enjoy hearing about all of the changes and exciting things happening.

My week was somewhat exciting.  It is just interesting how nothing is EVER boring in the office.  We have always got something interesting going on.  Last week we got information that we would be getting a new missionary in a week’s time, so we picked him up on Tuesday. Then we found out a few days ago that we will be getting another unexpected missionary this coming Tuesday.  We had leadership training this week, and I always enjoy getting to see other missionaries.  I have learned that I am fed energy when I am around big groups of missionaries. It is always a blast, and I really enjoy that! 

I know after years and years of eating junk, you may not believe this, but I have been trying to eat a little healthier.  I had been drinking fruit smoothies every day, but our blender started leaking blackened fruit juice out the bottom.  I feel so much better and cleaner when I eat healthy.  It is great!  I love it.

This coming week I will be having specialized training.  By the way, I have been on my mission for so long and have never been able to distinguish the difference between specialized training and zone conferences.  I just know that zone conference means that lunch is provided. 

 It will be fun heading out to east Texas next week and seeing all of the missionaries there.
Love you mom, hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Layton