Everyday I'm Learning How to Be a Better Child of God

HEYYYY,

How's everyone? This week has been great. We're being very blessed. You remember the Earls right? The gringo couple from Utah in my zone. They're still working on the Spanish. Not completely fluent yet.... but on Wednesday I went out with them all day to help out. I taught them how to do the numbers and everything because it' not like they have a senior companion to teach them everything. We worked on the grammar a bit and taught several families.

They also came with us to an appointment yesterday that was a reference they gave us, and....it's an absolutely great family. They're the Galazar family....and it's a big family. Honestly I felt the spirit incredibly strong during the lesson. We taught the restauration with the help of the Earls. They taught the first principles and everything. What I like about this family is that they were paying a lot of attention. We left a Book of Mormon and everything and invited them to read and pray so we'll see what happen in our return visit.

Peru is getting to feel more like home... I really can't imagine the states anymore. That's weird.

Haha, I can't believe you found my passport! I looked for a week for that thing! About rooming, I can't find the info to Elder Stewart and Cope.....they were in my mission but they went back to their real mission in Bolivia. I'm not sure if they're done or about to get done but they definitely have more time than I do. So....if you can't get a hold of them, the most important is just get a room with Nate. Something cool south of campus is what I'm thinking. My companion will call in a couple of weeks. He's ending his mission the 24th of Feb. What else...

Tell Eileen I say hi. (My voice teacher.) I would do lessons again if I have a little time before school. I'm planning on getting relatively involved there at BYU. I have no clue what yet, but you'll see. Tell Logan I say hi when he comes home. I miss you all very much. Today we're going to go throw water balloons, play soccer, and have a BBQ. Very cool.

I'll just add that I really know the Church of Jesus Christ is true. Everyday I'm learning how to be a better child of God, and through constant prayer and scripture study we can do it better. It's so important to be constant. Like Elder Bednar talked about in one of his conference talks. If you were to ask his kids how were the scripture studies they wouldn't tell you it was exactly spectacular. They fought at times and didn't always learn a ton, but what they would tell you is that they were constant. They never missed a day of family prayer, or a night of scripture study. For that they've been blessed. They did what was necessary to overcome the temptation the rise up every day in our lives.

Have a good day!!!!

Elder Layton

This Whole Week He Felt Something Inside He Couldn't Explain

HI!!!!

Buenos Dias, I just really couldn't be happier right now. You remember Jose Valverde right? This Sunday he came to church...with his entire family. He told me during the second hour that he went to a Christian church Saturday with his family and then during the night he read part of the Book of Mormon with his family. He told me that this whole week he felt something inside of him he couldn't even explain but it was nothing he's ever felt before. He told me the church was a lot different than other churches. It was funny too because for being the new year he and his wife left the church with the new principles of the gospel manuals and other things so I think they were happy about that. Maybe in the states that's normal.....here, a book seems worth a little more. But really I feel happy he's progressing and everything. He has yet to accept a baptism date I think because of past experiences but I know he`ll be baptized because he`s actually looking for the truth and so I know without any doubt he`ll find it and he and his wife and kids will be baptized with him. I only hope it`s when I'm here.

Okay I also have to ask for forgiveness. I forget to tell you about one of my baptisms!!!....on the phone and when I wrote last week hahaa, I think I forgot pretty much everything actually. But Mario was baptized. He actually doesn't live in our ward but since the sisters moved out and the Earls (the Gringos, the white missionary couple) are in the MTC, we've been teaching him. We passed by last night too and he seems to be doing well.

New Years was bigger than Christmas. We flew kites at 12:00 on top of our roof. I have NO idea HOW they didn't get blown to smithereens!!! So many fireworks blew up all around them. We also made cardboard helmets last pday to be able to be up there. The fireworks were blowing up all around us.

About rooming.... I would LOVE rooming with Nate...Elder Rau. South of campus is where it's at though. I'm serious. I don`t know if it would more than an apartment but there`s a bunch of small little houses that we could live in I don`t know. Them cheapest thing you can find. But if you can get to know the people we'd be living with it'd be better....next week I'll try to give you some information of missionaries that will be going to BYU so maybe we can be with some ex Elders i know!

Well....I love you much!!! Keep writing letters. Chow!

Elder Sean Ryan Layton