April 4, 2011

Hey everyone,

This week has been especially amazing! Elder Lyman and I have been busier than ever this week, and have hardly had a minute to stop and rest. Elder Lyman is the district leader here, so I get to participate in exchanges once a week. because it is his goal to go on an exchange with every missionary during the transfer, that also means that I get to go on an exchange with every missionary during the transfer! It's way awesome having the opportunity to learn different things from each of the missionaries and to help myself be a better servant of the Lord. This last week I got to work with Elder Bezona, who most recently served in a city named Frisco, which is famous (or infamous to missionaries) for the abundance of wealth. He knows how to work and exactly what work is! More importantly, he knows how to find the joy in working hard, and I probably had a lot to learn in that aspect of the mission. He is an amazing missionary and I'm glad I got to spend time with him!

I would probably have to say that conference was the best part of this last week! I have never been so uplifted and edified by the words of the prophet! I especially loved how the general authorities seemed so much more human and more accessible. For those that went to the priesthood session, I don't think I have ever heard Elder Eyring crack a joke. He is so funny! Some of my favorite talks were the ones on pain, affliction and desire! It really puts our life on earth into perspective. We have so much to learn from the Savior and what He went through so that we can have immortality AND eternal life. I cannot even put into words how many miracles and blessings that I see every day that are all possible because of the atonement. We are very blessed to have a prophet on the earth today, someone that communicates with God for the welfare of the world and I wish that conference would last for days and days. Also, on Sunday morning when president Monson was talking about temples and he started talking about the Rome temple, I was partly terrified, but I was mostly giddy, thinking that he was about to announce either the far west or the Israel temple. The day has got to be growing nearer! I hope you all had the opportunity to listen to conference and feel the blessings from the restored gospel this weekend!

I love you all!
Elder Layton