May 26, 2012

Well hello everyone,

This week was just incredible!  Elder Seager and I were able to get some wonderful work done!  We went to Mexico TWICE this week!  Now don't worry, we didn't leave the mission.  There is a small office building in downtown Dallas that is considered Mexican soil.  We have some missionaries in this mission right now just waiting to get their visas so they can go to Chiapas Mexico.  So, we went to the Mexican consulate to help with that. 

Elder Seager and I are particularly grateful this week because we got to spend some extra time proselyting in the Richardson 2nd and Dallas YSA 1st Wards.  Monday we taught a new gentleman in the YSA, his name is Charles.  He is an interesting fellow, but is very sincere and kind-hearted.  We taught him, and hopefully he will be coming to church this week! 

Stephanie Jones is actually a young woman that President and Sister Durrant contacted.  She was a waitress at Black Eyed Peas and President and Sister Durrant frequently eat there, and quite often Stephanie was their waitress.  Sister Durrant (being a fearless missionary) told her a little about the organization of the mission and asked her if she would be willing to sit down with some of the missionaries that they oversee and hear the message they have.  So we met with Stephanie on Wednesday, and despite being nervous teaching with President and Sister Durrant, the lesson was wonderful! We are very blessed to be able to teach her. 

For two weeks now have been teaching Jennifer Ramirez (also YSA).  She has a baptismal date set for June ninth which is in two weeks, we are so excited!  We taught her the plan of salvation yesterday and it went really well. 

A theme we saw all week long comes from the scriptures. The scripture is:
3 Nephi 18:31,  31...for behold, I know my sheep, and they are numbered.

Some of the simple things we saw throughout the week reminded us of that scripture. One in particular was when we were driving to the mission office.  As we were driving we saw two men on bikes with white shirts and ties.  We laughed and I thought to myself, "that looks like two Mormon missionaries".  So we turned around and threw their bikes in the back of our beautiful and spacious van.  We took them to where their appointment was, and as they were locking up their bikes we saw someone drive by just staring at us.  It wasn't really a disdainful stare.  It was more of a stare in awe.  Elder Seager and I, having things to do left, but we were informed shortly thereafter by Elder Ritter and Elder Taylor that the woman in the car flipped around and came and talked to them.  It just so happened to be a member that just moved in and had no idea when or where church was.  It is something so simple, but proof that the Lord knows his sheep. 

I am so grateful to be a missionary at this great time! This is indeed the Lord's work. 

Elder Riley J Layton