June 23, 2012

So this week has been a whirlwind, it went by SO fast!  It was transfer week.  During transfer week, there are always a lot of things to do!  Transfers are a wonderful opportunity to see the Lord's hand in this work. The Lord knows exactly where each missionary needs to get moved to, and who needs to be whose companion, and everything!  As we saw some of the missionaries meet their new companions for the first time, you could see some of them just light up and build a connection right away.  We also got to meet the new missionaries that came into the mission.  What a great group of new missionaries!  We couldn't be more excited for the missionaries that came into the Texas Dallas Mission this week.  It is funny how you can tell right off the bat who of the new missionaries are going to be leaders, who is going to be exactly obedient and who is here in the mission field to serve with all their heart, might, mind and strength.  All of these missionaries that came in could potentially be leaders of the mission and one day will be church leaders.  We are excited to see their growth.  Unfortunately this week we also lost 21 wonderful missionaries.  Three of them are my former companions; Elder McOmber, Elder Johnson and Elder Duke.  They will be missed greatly! 

Last night, Elder Flitton and I had a few minutes before our dinner appointment so we went to knock a street, and before we got out of the car we said a prayer and fervently asked Heavenly Father to lead us to someone who would get baptized, and the second person we talked to, who didn't even live at the house he was at, he was just there re-doing the flooring in the home.  He has been struggling in his life with different things and asked for us to help him.  Was that an answer to our prayers?  I think so!

This week has been so amazing!  We are seeing miracles EVERYDAY! 

Elder Riley J. Layton

Mom, 

So I wanted to tell you that I have been thinking about it, and even if President Durrant asks me to extend, I probably won't accept.  I would much rather go home right on time, when I am supposed to go.  It is weird talking about all this, I still feel like it is forever away, but whenever transfers come and we drive departing missionaries to the airport it kind of sinks in how fast time is flying.  I can't believe this last week I drove Elder McOmber, Elder Johnson, and Elder Duke all to the airport.  It was hard to see them go.  I really am going to miss Elder Duke; he is the best friend I have had in Texas. 

Talking of friends, last night President Durrant called and told us he wanted to go teaching with some missionaries at about seven if any missionaries in the area had teaching appointments.  One of the areas I called was Lake Highlands and Garland 1^st Ward, where I spent about eight months of my mission.  At that moment, they were in the car with Andrew Lucio.  Andrew got baptized right before I got to the area, then Elder Duke and I taught his wife Tiffany.  Well, he got the number from those missionaries and called me while I was still on the phone with them. I was caught a little off guard to hear his voice again on the phone, but he and his wife are going to go through the temple and be sealed in August.  HOW EXCITING!!  I can hardly wait for it.

Well, everything here is great, Elder Flitton and I are loving life and working hard! 
Have you been in touch with any of my friends?  Do you know if kaj got his mission call?  Or if you have any other updates on my friends? 

Hope you have a wonderful week mother, I love you!
-Riley