Headed to the Nevada Las Vegas Mission

Well, we were able to email Elder Clayton a couple of times this last week due to him having different companions as they were leaving the MTC and he was staying until Wednesday.  That was fun.  He has always been the type that get it, get it done and get on your way.  The MTC was no exception.  He will be serving in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission until his Visa arrives.  His mission president is President and Sister Neider.  President Neider served in the General Young Men's Presidency before his call as a mission president.  They are from Sandy, Utah and parents of eight children.  After his arrival, we did receive a letter from this mission home and president which I will include and  picture.  Funny how different mission to missions are.  The scary country of Honduras we never heard a word for weeks and in Vegas where we could drive if needed heard almost immediately.  Also, I have a good friend that lives in the area and is already located his ward and contac information and will try and have him and his companion over for dinner.  Wow, tender mercies all around.  He is doing awesome and is loving it.  He is an excellent letter writer as well, and I will type in his letters as I have time.  We also received a postcard in the mail yesterday. I am beginning to think these stateside missions are maybe the best way to go.  Anyway, here we go...

Hello Family!

This week went by pretty fast. Faster than the first week. So ever since I got here I was eager to get my travel plans, I finally got them on Wednesday! I was reassigned to the Las Vegas Nevada Mission and will go there tomorrow at 8:30 and will wait there for how long it takes to get the visa. I am glad to get out of the MTC, but also a little sad. My district was super crazy and we had a lot of fun here. We laughed pretty hard and I will miss all the smiling faces at the MTC. I am ready to go and start working though. I have been craving real food and in-n-out in vegas would be nice haha. The food here is just kind of weird. I think it will be a little bit hot there, but it will get me used to Monterrrrey! My companion flew straight to Monterrey on monday morning at 4:30 am and yesterday I was with another Elder from my district going to Irvine California, now my companion for the day is Elder Reiley, headed to Mexico City south. We have started packing today and got haircuts too. Packing kind of sucks and is difficult to find a place to start. The two packages were awesome! We loved all of it. Thanks so much for the cookies mom. Everyone loved them! We are doing laundry right now and then have a devotional tonight at the marriot center at BYU. There are so many missionaries they are starting to have them there now. Overall, it was a great week. The language is coming along, there isn't much language study in the advanced classes, which can make it a little frustrating but when I get out I will have an hour of language study everyday. I love all of you and thanks again for the packages and the letters in them! Lucky to have all of you!

Love

Elder Clayton  

Elder Burningham, his cousin celebrated his b-day in the MTC. Stetson bought him a Powerade

Last picture with his district from the MTC

Postcard from Vegas.  Love Stateside Missions!!!

I am happy to inform you that Elder Clayton arrived in Las Vegas with a smile on his face and a wonderful spirit. Thank you for preparing him to serve the Lord. We will do our best to build on what you have taught him by incorporating the principles of missionary work found in Preach My Gospel. When his service is finished he will be a stronger person with a deep commitment to the Lord.

We hope as you write or email him weekly to express your love, that you will also encourage him to live up to the commitments he made when he accepted this call.  Missionary work is hard, and many times it is discouraging.  Your letters of encouragement and love will help him continue to work hard and be happy.  If problems arise at home we hope you will be thoughtful about what you share, so as not to distract his attention from the work.  If you detect any continuing problems through his letters, please write or email me if you feel we can help. 2013800@ldschurch.org.

Phone calls to family members occur two times a year, on Mother’s day and on Christmas day.  As you can imagine, many people visit or pass through Las Vegas.  We follow the church guidelines that there be no visits from family or friends.  Visits are difficult for missionaries as their focus is interrupted.  Please do not ask your missionary to see you or friends while he is serving.  Please help your missionary live the mission rules including calling only on the designated days.

Finally, the missionaries are provided a monthly allowance that covers their needs.  This mission has some of the most generous members of the church.  In most areas the missionaries are scheduled in a member home for dinner every evening.  Please help your missionary learn to live on a budget.  Don’t supplement him with unnecessary funds.  If an unexpected expense or emergency comes up he will email you.

Your love and support are so important to his success.  He will be blessed as he is obedient and he will be happier.  Again we thank you for your faith in sending your son out to serve the Lord.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Neider, President

NEVADA LAS VEGAS MISSION