Sep 5, 2011

Hey Everyone!

This week has been so incredible. Elder Duke and I have seen miracle after miracle!
We met a guy on the street named Junior Cortez, and he is at a rough time in his life, and he welcomed us to his home. A few days after we met him, we taught him about the restoration, and he was very open and willing to listen to our message with hope that it would change his life. That simple aspect of HOPE really makes all the difference. Hope drives us to do things and helps us achieve greatness. We are very excited to be teaching him now.

Wednesday night we went with Brother Larsen, our ward mission leader, and taught a couple-Gwinn Miller and Tim Frasier. Gwinn drives a city bus for handicapped people. When she gets a call that someone needs a ride, she picks them up and takes them where they need to go. A taxi for the disabled. Ever since she has been doing this job, she has been picking up older ladies and taking them to the temple, and they have been sharing the gospel with her. Well, curiosity got the best of her and asked us to come over. She is looking and searching for truth and when we went over to see her, she was anxious to learn about the restored gospel and apply it to her own life.

Tuesday and Thursday, we taught Anna and Freddy. Anna is not a member, and Freddy was less active for a few years. It has been amazing teaching these two. They have so much faith and desire to do better. One of my favorite moments on the mission so far, has been teaching Freddy. When we teach him, he looks at us so sincerely, and we can just tell in his eyes that he has this desire and thirst for knowledge. He admits that he wants to know as much about the scriptures as the leaders of the church. It has just been a great experience teaching him.

Friday night we got a referral from one of our members, Sister Garcia. We went by the referral on Saturday evening. We taught Lois and Joe. Lois has been inactive since she was 14, and really has felt "lacking" in her life right now. She really wants peace and direction, so she prayed to God for someone to lead her back to church. well, the very next day, her and her husband went to buy a sign for his work at Brother and Sister Garcia's sign shop. (by the way, the Garcia's are always sharing the gospel.) when Lois and Joe came in to their shop, the Garcias just asked if they were going to church somewhere. Lois said no, and Sister Garcia invited her to the LDS church. Sister Garcia started explaining the church meeting, and how it went, and Lois realized that it was the same church she went to when she was a teen.
Saturday afternoon one of the coolest things happened! I have to go back in time a little bit to tell the whole story. About 12 weeks ago, when I was companions with Elder Boynton, we contacted a young man on the street named Nikiea. He gave us the address to his apartment and invited us to go see him any time. A little while after, Elder Boynton and I went back. We knocked on his door, and nobody answered. We saw the door next to his, and figured "why not?" and we knocked on that one. A young man named Lance came out, and really didn't have very much hope in the world, but gained a little optimism when we shared with him the plan of salvation. He told us that the next day he would be leaving for vacation and wouldn't be back for a few weeks. A few weeks later, Elder Duke and I went back to see him. He wasn't home, but upon walking around the complex ran into Pearl. She invited us to come back and teach her about the Lord anytime. The past few weeks we have taught her a few times. then, on Saturday, (this is where I was leading to this whole time), we went to teach Pearl. we got there and she told us to come back another time, because she had family home. Elder Duke asked if her family would be interested and she invited us to come and ask them. well, it was just her great niece and when we walked in, Regina, her great niece saw us and said "oh great! bible study, let me grab my bible!" we started teaching the restoration, and Regina started asking these amazing questions! the best questions I have ever heard. Questions like "I know it is against Gods commandments to smoke and drink and stuff, but I have never been able to find in the bible where it says that, could you show me where so I can show it to those young men outside?" and questions like, "where did God come from? I know God had to have had HIS own mother and father, just like we have our Heavenly Mother and Father, where did he come from?" Those are just a few of the questions she asked. she has been so prepared, and really wants to learn more.

Sunday, one of the members of the ward just brought another family to church and they want to learn more.

Just like I said, miracles have been happening right and left. We have really been blessed and seen great things this week! I love these two wards, and the people we have been teaching. One thing I have learned is how when we are obedient and work hard, the Lord takes care of us. One thing that Elder Oaks said that has really stuck with me when he came to this mission. He said, "when we do the Lord's work, He will do ours", that is so true.

I know this gospel is true, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am so grateful for the living prophet Thomas S Monson, and I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior. I know that he suffered for not only our sins, but for our pains and afflictions, and sorrows. and most importantly, I know that he LIVES. that he loves each and every one of us. and I know that the Gospel, HIS Gospel is on the earth today and that the priesthood authority of God is held within his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be his representative, and for the ability I have to bear this message. it is a blessing to my life and I wouldn't change these experiences for the world!

Elder Layton