Word From President Perez

This evening, we received an email from President Perez. It was sent via the assistants to the President, one of whom is Elder Landon Rich, now an Assistant to the President. It was sent to all parents of missionaries in the Peru Lima North Mission. The following are a few excerpts from that letter.

Dear Families of Missionaries in the Peru Lima North Mission,

It is an honor to be able to write you and express our thanks for the service that your sons and daughters are carrying out here in the mission. My wife and I are happy to have so many valiant young men and women that are giving all they’ve got, and even more.

Every six weeks we have the blessing of being with them, to interview them, train them, and visit their houses. It is in this way that we see the sacrifice they make every day with glad hearts, and we know that they are living many spiritual experiences.

Your missionaries know that if they work well and plan intelligently, the Lord will be with them. (D & C 84:88)

We want to again express to you our deepest gratitude; and please know that your missionaries are giving all for you. (D & C 118:3)

With much love,

President and Sister Pérez
President and Wife

!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.

...On the Bright Side of Things...

I just got back from the temple. The MTC has been great even though we were delayed. It's happened to a ton of Peruvian Elders.

I'm still learning so much. Dad, you're right. The teachers here are amazing. We have 2 teachers for our district which is down to 7 people. We get more Elders today that are a little more advanced in Spanish to begin with, so we'll see how that goes. I've gotten really close with one of my teachers, Brother Hardy #2 (They're both named Brother Hardy, no relation). He's only been home 3 months and he loves our district so much. I'm doing great. It's so hard, but I'm having a ton of fun.

Note: Elders shown from left to right are: Elder Bradin (sp?), Elder Griffin (1st companion), Elder Munk, (unknown - writing was blurred -and if any of you missionary moms can identify, that would be great!), Elder Layton, Elder Briggs, Elder Harris, Elder Ridge (current companion).

Picture at right shows Elder Layton with his close friend, Elder Nathan Rau. Elder Rau is in the MTC right now, and is preparing to leave for Argentina in a few weeks.

Recently Elder Rau wrote to us and said this: I did not really get to see him much while he was here (Elder Rau thinks Elder Layton has already left for Peru), but I did see him enough to know that he is enjoying himself and his Spanish is coming along well, and that he loves the Gospel and this work.

As for me, I love it too. For some reason, I am just beginning to realize how much sense the Gospel makes! I'm so excited to take it to the people of Argentina.

We love Elder Rau! He's our adopted son. Argentina is about to get a great missionary.

Note that several more pictures have been posted, including the ones at the right. Click the link at the far right to access them.

Patiently Waiting, Growing in the Gospel and Having Fun

Hi Everyone!

I'm still at the provo mtc, and we have no idea when we're leaving. They'll probably tell us the night before we leave and they said it would be 1-3 weeks 1 week ago. Elder Sheets, my District leader, says it's because he's praying for continuing support from the Peruvian missionaries (Elder Ridge and I).

MTC life is as busy as ever. I love being here. We think of it as a bubble. We're in Provo Utah but we're completely cut off from the rest of the world which is nice. I often see the SWKT and my old heritage hall at BYU from our 3rd floor classroom so that's nice.

Today we recieved new missionaries! We totally mess with the new Spanish speaking Elders as we walk around the MTC, Elder Ridge and I, by talking really fast spanish to them, and so they have no idea what we're saying. In fact, we barely do. I think we're getting some new members in our district too. After Elder Griffin (my first companion) and Elder Briggs left we were left with 7 Elders which is a way small district. Hopefully we get some more today. I love my district. We're all super close and they're way awesome Elders that like to work hard and help each other.

Please send letters I would love to hear from you.

I heard Elder Ridge's (My Current Companion), and Elder Hyde's parents get to go to Landon Rich's house for a BBQ or something. That's just wrong. I'm sure I'll be companions with Elder Landon Rich (He's a big deal everybody) before Elder Ridge is.

The Church is True. I love it with all my heart!

Elder Layton