Lima Peru North Mission - Next Stop

(We received a package day before yesterday with some items that Elder Layton didn't feel he could take with him. Included was this letter, which was not dated, but obviously was written before the last two that we most recently posted.)

Tomorrow morning Elder Ridge and I part ways, and same goes for my whole district. Elder Harris and I get on a bus and they take us to the Salt Lake Airport, where I go to Arizona, and he goes to Ventura, Ca. I really have no idea what I should expect, even after 9 weeks of training. Today was hard because it was the last time I saw Hardy Dos (He's my teacher, we have two teachers of the same name, no relation) and leaving my district is also very hard; we're great friends.

I don't feel ready, but there's no turning back time. I have few regrets about the MTC, I think it was a good transition for me to be honest and I worked so hard, but I have the most important part ahead of me.

I can't post Elder Layton's new address yet, because I don't know where Brenda put it. She's out of town, taking the Young Women on a three day wilderness hike in the Cascade Mountains somewhere. She returns tomorrow, and I'll do what I can to add it to the sidebar on the right.

Thank you all for supporting Elder Layton with your letters and prayers. Oh, and Angie, I love ya hon! This ones for you. MMMMMMMM, roasted Guinea Pig.

!Elder Layton Ya Puede Testificar En El Espanol!

The photo to the left is of Elders Layton and Ridge. Elder Ridge is Elder Layton's second companion in the Provo MTC. One thing I really appreciate is getting all of these pictures out in front of the temple. It has to be one of the best parts of being in the MTC...going to the temple every week.

There are more photos posted in the photo section as well. Click the link at the right to view them.

Again the MTC is swell. We've had really nice weather here, except it's poured a couple times. That's okay though. All the sidewalks are covered. I don't know what we're going to do in Peru when it pours and we have nothing to walk under...I've been here two weeks too long. I really want to start eating monkey brains and snake and Guinea Pig. Compared to the cafeteria food here, that sounds delish! Just kidding.

From the perspective of one very biased and opinionated parent, I love this photo. Elder Layton and Elder Ridge both have a very kind look on their faces. Kindness is an element of charity, and is so necessary for a missionary to be successful. May the love of God grow in Elder Layton and in all missionaries everywhere.

Yo se que Jesucristo es mi redentor. Tengo un testimonio muy poderoso concerniente el Evangelio restaurado. Jose Smith fue un profeta de la restauracion. Me encanta mi mision. ha ha. (I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer. I have a very strong testimony of the restored gospel. Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration. I love my mission. ha ha.)

Well that was just a few things off the top of my head. I love you. Sorry my letters are so short, Pdays are one of our busiest days. Write back soon! Tell Andrea that she's not distracting me at all. I'm focused. I miss her a lot but it's good.

This picture is of Elders Layton and George. We assume that Elder George is one of the new Elders that Elder Layton referred to in his last letter. If so, he is probably headed to the Lima Peru North Mission as well.

The room is Elder Layton's (and three others) living area while at the MTC. It is very typical of where most LDS missionaries begin the best two years of their lives.

Hungry Anyone???

Things are going well here in the Provo MTC. The travel office told us a couple days ago that everything had been resolved and that the visa's were on their way. (Note: We have information more recent than Elder Layton did...he is still on hold)

I'm eager to go to Peru of course so that was exciting to hear. Elder Ridge and I have been doing awesome. We're learning how to teach to the needs of investigators and not just teach lessons. Tonight we give the first lesson in Spanish for the second or third time. We're prepared I think.

Other than that, no crazy stories about monkey's yet. (Since we are still holding our collective breath for the crazy monkey stories, I thought I'd include a couple of pictures of a Peruvian Guinea Pig dish that we understand is served about everywhere down there.) Anyway, back to the letter.

I love the gospel. I want to get out so bad and just tell everyone I see about it, but honestly the Spanish could use a little brushing up on... The temple was really good today, except that I've been sick for the past 2 weeks and it was kind've hard to get through since my voice was almost completely gone. Everyone in my district has been sick I think. That's what happens I guess when Elder's and Sister's from all over the world come into one place. I want to hear from everyone about everything. The transition of not being able to really talk with anybody from home and school has been the toughest thing for me so far... along with other things. I miss you and love you all.

As far as the crazy monkeys are concerned, since the visa is still in limbo status, I suppose we're going to have to wait just a little bit longer to see anything like that.

When he does get his visa, I just hope we don't see the monkeys on the dinner platter anytime soon.

Okay, I admit it. The blog is starting to take a serious downturn while we're waiting for Elder Layton's visa to come in. My apologies.