Not Much of an Email, But Thankful for Pictures

This week we didn't get much in the way of email.  He is trying to help his companion work through some issues of staying. And, it getting to know the area and members there.  He loves how hard working and supportive they are.  It was fun to chat back and forth and he loves the street tacos.  Hoping for more information next Monday as we told him we will pray hard for both him and Elder Perez this week.

An Average Week, and Christmas Package Finally Arrives from the Ward

He sounds and looks great. The package he got was from the ward that was sent quite awhile ago. He said the things were gone through. I had written him a letter which they had opened I'm sure looking for money. Think heavens they left if in there. I write him often and mail it to him do he gets a real letter to hold and reread. I am grateful for the little things such as this. Ransacked but left the "good" stuff.

Thanks for all you'd support. Means so much to all of us. Especially to him. Enjoy...

Subject: Just an average week!

Hello family! This week was pretty average but it was a good one! On Thursday, we had Zone Conference with President Swapp and it was awesome! We watched the talk of Elder Oaks when he was at the Mexico MTC and said that in this moment, the nation of Mexico is a chosen place for the work of the Lord, that in this moment, the work is progressing. It is awesome to be apart of this work in this moment. We learned a lot in this conference and we had a slideshow at the end of the baptisms from January to March. Elder Gomez and I were in there a lot and it made me realize why I am here. after the slideshow, we were talking about how we all felt and how all the people in the photos looked. and everyone looks happy. Everyone has an expression of peace. It was cool to see that. Plus, I miss my time with Elder Gomez, best part of my mission so far! Oh and I got a dear elder from Sue about Elder Burningham cleaning a house in russia!! haha soo funny! I cant imagine that house! I received a package from Bishop Brisko, from the ward. tell him thank you and tell everyone hello! I enjoyed the photos of the ward! How creative! Everything was good, except it was all opened up, all of the packages and letters. Oh and I got the two letters from Grandma and Grandpa Clayton...finally. They sent one 27 November and it was in my hands 4 days ago. So quick. not. On Saturday and Sunday I got really sick! but I am better now. I had a fever and wasn't doing really well. For church, we take a microbus and its always soo full. Well,. I was in my suit and its super hot in these buses, and I dont think I have ever sweated more than that moment in my life, in a suit, with a fever, in mexico on a bus. but it was all good. When I got here, we didn't have any investigators, but we are working with a family that doesnt have their kid baptized, they are less active and we got them to church on Sunday! So that was good, we are working hard to find more people to teach. In this area, we have another area that is really far that is huge. Its like Foxboro, but we only have two members that live there! Love you all!! adios!

--

Elder Clayton

These are 5 Pesos, they are like Otter Pops, but they are HUGE!

we have an area that all the houses are the same and its in the middle of nowhere. on Friday nights we have a meeting with our mission leader and there is a big Mercado. or market!

 This was the tie from Bishop, and in the market I made a bandana with my name!! sweet huh?

 I love the Orchard 5th Ward!!!

and the lost cards from Grandma and Grandpa!

New Area, New Companion, Same Awesome Smile...

This a great email as he was transferred and in a completely different area and change, but you will see he is doing just fine. I also included a bit from the email I sent because he replied to it and it answers some good things that you will see how much he is growing. We are so proud of him and this week I sent a thank you to Sister Swapp who is the mission president's wife. She said he is doing so well and an asset wherever he is serving. I was not surprised. Thank you again for following his journey and your thoughts and prayers it means so much to us, but mostly so much to him. He always says please tell them all thank you mom. So, "Thank you" from him as well!  Enjoy...

> Hello Pal!  How was your week?  I am sure this has been a different week for you with all the changes and such.  First of all, I can't tell you how happy my heart has been with the email that you sent last week and the I feel miracles and tender mercies that took place before you left your area.  I know it is due to the diligence of you and Elder Gomez and all that you did to prepare those people to be ready to be baptized and become members.  Dad had the letter translated from Karla and I was in awe as I read it.  Remember that day that you and I were driving and you said what if I get sent somewhere that I won't be able to handle anything to eat, and I told you would be sent exactly where you were supposed to go.  Your last sentence on your email said it all, "this is why I am here"  He sent you exactly where you were supposed to go.  And Karla knew it too.  You were sent to those people because they needed you to touch their hearts, through the spirit of the Holy Ghost.  As I was looking at the pictures I had tears running down my face as I told dad it was sad.  And he told, me yes it is.  But, that is how it is.  I am sure that must have been how it was in heaven, too.  And yet we all agreed to do it.  Heavenly Father must be sad at times too knowing that some of His children choose poorly.  Thank heavens, some of them listen.  Thank you so much for going and sacrificing for these people.  They so need to know their is more to life and that they have a Father in Heaven that loves them and he sent His Son for them.  It is all such a great plan when they understand it all.  Mom
>
> Elder Clayton:  Hello mom! just read your sweet letter. love you so much. this week has been a bit hectic with the changes, but its all good. I was sad to leave Mitras, especially Elder Gomez and my converts. I am really looking forward to the time we can go to the temple in one year with the Family to get sealed, Karla and Jose Maria. I really really hope and I know that they will all stay strong. I haven't had many converts, but the ones that I have had are all worth it. When I am down or sad, I think of that letter from Karla. We really found her in the perfect time. She told us a long story, and she was ready to quit. I thank our Heavenly Father for putting Elder Gomez and I in her path and talking to her that day. I loved conference too! we watched in Spanish and I loved it all, I will tell more in my letter
>
> Hola Familia Clayton! Well, I got transferred from Mitras! It was pretty hard to leave. In the morning, at central, where we all meet for our new companions, Elder Gomez and I were pretty sad to leave each other, but it was all good. I really had a good time with him. So my new area is San Bernabe and my new Companion is Elder Perez from Distrito Federal. He is super cool and was actually the comp of Elder Gomez in the MTC, so I already knew a lot about him. Well, I am pretty far from the central of the city. I am in a ward and the members actually work!!! Which is super cool. On Friday, we went to the capilla to clean with the ward and all of the members are so nice and all were cleaning the church. So right now, we don't have any investigators, but we are working on it. Elder Perez and I are pumped to work hard here. Oh I was going to say, the Elder who gave the last prayer in the last session, I saw him the past Sunday and shook his hand! Funny how things like that come to pass right? Conference was super sweet. I loved all of the talks. I liked Elder Ballard how he talked about the importance of members and missionaries and Preach my Gospel. Its an inspired book.OH and today, our zone is super sweet. We played sports today and ate sandwiches at the church for an activity. Love you all!!
>
> --
> Elder Clayton

 This is a missionary that served in Honduras and knows Bridger they met as Stetson was waiting for the bus, crazy what a small, small world it actually is.

 Karla's kids.  He sure loves them.  They are adorable.

 His new area:  San Bernabe, totally opposite of where he was serving.  But he is ready to work.  

Not surprised, He says the members are strong there and good, and hard workers.

 Saying goodbye to Elder Gomez and hello to his new comp, Elder Perez

 Last picture with Elder Gomez and their solid now member Jose Maria.  They are now all brothers!

This is Why I am Here...Best Letter!This one is awesome. Enough said. They have worked so hard in this area and he was so afraid he wouldn't be there to see these baptisms. Tender mercies prevailed and it all fell into place. Enjoy, this just may be the best one yet... Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Stetson Clayton Date: March 31, 2014 at 2:49:21 PM MDT To: Mom , Dad , Bridger Clayton , Caleb Subject: Una Semana de Milagros Hola Familia! I have many many pictures to send, but I have a virus on my card, so I am working on that to send pictures. but let me start off by saying how great my week went with Elder Gomez! We had many many ups and downs, but it was all worth it. Well, if you all remember our investigator named Karla, she has the two kids. She went last week to our baptism and she really liked it. She has read everything we have given her and she has beencoming to church. but with the baptism, she was hesitant. On the day of Wednesday, we visited her and she completley changed. It is like over night she had a testimony. Just like that click in your mind. She now knows it is all true. So we set her baptism date for saturday. Well we were all excited, she had her baptism intreview friday....and didnt pass. So. Elder Gomez, Karla and I were really sad. There is a rule about the word of wisdom and she had drank a cup of coffee the day before. But she was ready to leave it for this Gospel. So the district leader had moved the baptism for the next week...which I wouldnt be here because I am pretty sure I am leaving. So, we were all pretty sad. but that night we picked her up with members for a noche de barrio and you could tell she was just down. So I decided to call the Assistent to the Prez beacause he was my old Zone Leader and he is super tight. So I called him, and he gave us permission for her to be baptized Sunday!!!!! When we told her she burst out in tears. Wow. It really hit me hard when she was crying. This sister couldnt wait another week for baptism. She truly was converted and it was one of the coolest expereinces I have had yet. but wait there is more. on Thursday night. the family that gave me cake for my birthday, well the dad and kid arent members and we have been working with them alot. Well, we had a lesson where we showed the story of John Tanner from the doctirine and coventetns dvds. We had a very spirtual lesson with this family, they want to have an eternal family, and all that was missing was the dad and the 13 year old kid. They have been to church before, but never had been interested in baptism. but with us we have gotten to know them and we testified of families and the blessings of this gospel to familes. So they too wanted to be baptized sunday. and this time, no problems with the interview!!! So sunday, we had three baptisms in our ward. I baptized Karla and Joel, the kid and Elder Gomez baptized the dad. It was an amazing meeting! Karla was crying very hard with her testimony and knows that we were intruments in the hands of the Lord for her to be saved. She was going through a really hard time and we found her just the right day at the right time. Boom. I love it. That is why I am here. Elder Clayton image.jpeg -- Elder Claytonimage.jpegimage.jpeg

This one is awesome. Enough said. They have worked so hard in this area and he was so afraid he wouldn't be there to see these baptisms. Tender mercies prevailed and it all fell into place. Enjoy, this just may be the best one yet...

Hola Familia! I have many many pictures to send, but I have a virus on my card, so I am working on that to send pictures. but let me start off by saying how great my week went with Elder Gomez! We had many many ups and downs, but it was all worth it. Well, if you all remember our investigator named Karla, she has the two kids. She went last week to our baptism and she really liked it. She has read everything we have given her and she has beencoming to church. but with the baptism, she was hesitant. On the day of Wednesday, we visited her and she completley changed. It is like over night she had a testimony. Just like that click in your mind. She now knows it is all true. So we set her baptism date for saturday. Well we were all excited, she had her baptism intreview friday....and didnt pass. So. Elder Gomez, Karla and I were really sad. There is a rule about the word of wisdom and she had drank a cup of coffee the day before. But she was ready to leave it for this Gospel. So the district leader had moved the baptism for the next week...which I wouldnt be here because I am pretty sure I am leaving. So, we were all pretty sad. but that night we picked her up with members for a noche de barrio and you could tell she was just down. So I decided to call the Assistent to the Prez beacause he was my old Zone Leader and he is super tight. So I called him, and he gave us permission for her to be baptized Sunday!!!!! When we told her she burst out in tears. Wow. It really hit me hard when she was crying. This sister couldnt wait another week for baptism. She truly was converted and it was one of the coolest expereinces I have had yet. but wait there is more. on Thursday night. the family that gave me cake for my birthday, well the dad and kid arent members and we have been working with them alot. Well, we had a lesson where we showed the story of John Tanner from the doctirine and coventetns dvds. We had a very spirtual lesson with this family, they want to have an eternal family, and all that was missing was the dad and the 13 year old kid. They have been to church before, but never had been interested in baptism. but with us we have gotten to know them and we testified of families and the blessings of this gospel to familes. So they too wanted to be baptized sunday. and this time, no problems with the interview!!! So sunday, we had three baptisms in our ward. I baptized Karla and Joel, the kid and Elder Gomez baptized the dad. It was an amazing meeting! Karla was crying very hard with her testimony and knows that we were intruments in the hands of the Lord for her to be saved. She was going through a really hard time and we found her just the right day at the right time. Boom. I love it. That is why I am here. 

Elder Clayton

--
Elder Clayton

I will also include messaging back and forth I was able to be on with him.  I can not explain how excited I was for him.  He was so bummed thinking he was not going to be there.  I told him I prayed hoping he would be there, but honestly, I didn't think it would happen.  I guess my faith wasn't as strong as it should have been.  The Lord knew he needed to be there and He saw that it happened.  Now he can move on and know that "All is Well"  I love him so much and as I was looking at these pictures I started to cry as I realized how sad it must be to know that he is moving on.  Wayne told me this is how it is.  And yet, he will be fine.  I am sure that is how Heavenly Father must feel all the time knowing that he has to watch us move on.  I am learning so much through these boys and their missions.  I am forever grateful for their sacrifice, for it is through them, I too am growing.

MOM:  You look so good in WHITE!   I'm so proud of you. See all those efforts have paid off. It sometimes takes time. Always in the Lord's time. She will be stalwart. Was President Swapp there, too? I am sure he is so pleased with you and Elder Gomez. What a great beginning to his mission. You're a great trainer!!!

Love you!  Go get em'

 

 Elder Clayton::   no he wasnt but he was ther right before, he had to leave though! but its all good! Love you so much mom! ah man. this ward is super tough too. So we had our baptism on sunday at 4:30, we invited everyone with 3 days notice. We called the bishop and the bishopric and we had the wife of a ounselor for a pianisita and 4:30 comes around, and no one shows up! Karla, Joel and Joel (the dad) are all here waiting. We had more support from another ward that helped us out alot. I called the bishop and he told me he couldnt make it. freaking sad if you ask me. Three new members! Two with the priesthood and Karla who is now a solid member. it was hard, but we did it

 With President & Sister Swapp he loves and respects this man and his wife so much.

Looking forward to this next week's email as he will be in a new area.  I pray that all will continue as it as before and if nothing else, that his smile will be as big and broad as it has always been in the pics.  It is at this time I will go to my go to scripture Moroni 10:23; if ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.  And I do...