The Best Week Ever, & Birthday Celebrations

As we didn't hear from him on Monday due to them going to the temple.  It made this email so much fun to see how they celebrated his 21st b-day.  As you will see it he says it was one of the best weeks of his mission.  So fun to see all the pictures and read of how much they all love him.  I'm not surprised...

Hello family!! Well this week was one of the best weeks I have had in my mission. I know I always say that, but things always get better. Well let me start off by saying I had a great birthday and one that I wont ever forget! So last week, we did divisions with one of our district leaders, and I went to a small city called Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon. Its super small, and I had a good time up there, then we returned to have interviews the next day with President Swapp, that went well and he was really happy how Elder Reyna and I have changed things around in the ward and the zone here. There really is a change, the bishop is happier and all of the members love us. On Sunday we had 4 investigators!! Joel, came, who is super cool. About 7 months ago, he had part of his hand ran over by a train! And he yelled out to God to help him, and if God helped him, he promised to be a good person and find a church. Well he was a reference and members had told the missionaries earlier to visit him, but he couldn't go to church at that time, but now he can and he loves it. He has been prepared to receive us and is excited about baptism! We had Kevin come, who is 12 years old and we are teaching him and his grandma, who both were references from members, Kevin is super cool and came in a suit!! And wants to be a missionary in the future. Now for the miracle, two jovencitas, or teenagers showed up with their grandma from Boliva. Well the grandma is from Bolivia, one of the girls was born in Los Angles and the other in Bolivia, but the grandma has been a member for over 40 years, but her granddaughters aren't baptized! We met them Sunday when they came to church and it is truly a blessing. Seriously they came out of nowhere, they live in our area, but how funny right as we get here, all these people have been prepared. I was talking to my companion, and we have never had so many signs to us telling us that we were meant to be here. Its pretty interesting. So we were both happy that we had 4 in church, but we are working for more and we are extremely grateful to work with members, they are good to us and we are helping them build their ward. Oh also on Sunday, two sisters from Huasteca, my last area came and kidnapped us!! They wanted to take us out to dinner, yeah on Sunday, that happens a lot. It turns out, the person who wanted to give us dinner on Sunday was friends with one of the sisters, so it worked out and took the 4 of us out! On my birthday, I woke up to my companion and a cake made out of Negritos, or Nitos its a Mexican pastry that is super good, then about 30 minutes later the sisters knocked on the door and they made me a brownie cake!! They are really nice hermananas, then we went to the district meeting and the whole zone bought a cake, and the tradition here is that they sing to you, then they make you take a bite of the cake and there is always someone behind you and smashes your head into the cake! Haha but it was a good time. I had a really good birthday, my companion is an excellent comp and really took care of me. He has a good spirit and we get along. Honestly, I have been blessed with such good companions. Now, today, we went to the temple and I really enjoyed it,  we traveled by metro and bus as a zone, and we talked and sang the whole time haha. We all get along, and its a good time. We went with another zone and Elder Jacobsen from North Salt Lake was there, so it was fun to see him again and talk to him, he will be on the same plane I think home. After the temple we went to Costco!!! There is an Elder in our zone who has a Costco card, so the whole zone went to Costco! Just like always it was a great time, we roamed around for a little bit, ate samples then we ate food. I ate a Costco dog and churro. The last time I was in Costco was about 21 months ago! But it brought me back many memories haha. All the Americans bought peanut butter and muffins. So it was an excellent week! Thanks for the birthday wishes, I cant believe I am 21 but esta bien. Love you all! Hope Caleb and mom gets better! 

--

Elder Clayton

 The sisters kidnapped him early in the morning and made him brownies

Stetson with Stetsons & Las Puentas

I was so excited to hear from him this week, no surprise.  And you'll see he got his birthday package, and the other Christmas package.  I really do know prayers are heard and answered.  I pray for those darn things every time they leave Bountiful.  He once again is so happy in his new area and fitting right in.  He got lots of mail this week.  My hope is he saved the cupcakes and candles for his actual b-day, but if not, that's ok.  Love him so much.

hello mom!! Just wanted to let you know I got both of my packages!!! We went Friday for a meeting and one was there, and we were about to leave and they told me I had another one that just arrived with the guard!! It got here in 9 days. thank you so much!!! I am so grateful for you all. The peanut butter and all the rest was well received! oh and next week we will be going to the temple, on the 11th. The Book of Mormon is so good. I carry it in my hand all day as we walk around.

 Hola Family! Well this week went by super fast! We fasted 3 times this week and we really saw miracles. One miracle that occurred was super cool. There is a Hermana here that is a recent convert and we are trying to meet her husband, we had gone about 3 times and here husband still hadn't come home from work. So as we were fasting, we left the house and we were walking and just out of the blue, a guy walked past us and my companion stopped dead in his tracks and had like a confused look on his face, like he was going to talk to the guy but he didn't, so I turn around and talk to the guy who had just walked past us, and it turns out it was the husband of the hermana who we were wanting to meet!! We had been walking for about 5 minutes and it was amazing how the Lord put us in the way of this guy. Just like that. The miracles are so clear to see. Also, we met a Joel, who had an accident about 7 months ago where a train ran over part of his hand! He is very humble and he came to church Sunday! We were super grateful to have him with us and we are excited for him to progress. Elder Reyna, my companion is doing wonderful and we are having a good time here in the zone of Anahuac. Thank you for the packages! I got them both and my birthday package came in 9 days! It was super fast, and I was there as it arrived. I am thankful for you all, love you all and thanks for the support. I also got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa Burningham and from the Orchard 5th ward from the Christmas dinner, thanks!! love you all!

--

Elder Clayton

this is the bishop of my comp, the bishops wife is from here and he is from Chiapas, and his wife grew up in the ward that we are in right now. crazy no?

 Tacos with the sisters in the morning

New Area, New Comp, and Spotted by Google...again! (plus lost a shoe, & His Retainer(s))

He lost both his retainer, all his toiletries and one shoe(?). He asked me to pray for it. Will do. I pray every time I send a package. All answered except one Christmas package still not there.

Hola Family! Wow what a crazy week. So I am in a new area here with Elder Reyna de Chiapas, Mexico. He is an excellent Elder, and I have known him for a long time in the mission, and have a deep respect for him, becuase he is a very respected Elder. so we are in Las Puentes, and we are two new Zone Leaders here, they took out the 2, and put is in here, so we know nothing about the area neither the zone! but we are more than excited to work and to get to know our area and work with the zone. Oh really quick!! We had to take two taxis from where we met up to get to our house, and I left a small backback in the taxi!! I put a bunch of things, but in short I lost ONE nike shoe, the other one was in another bag, becuase we only have limited time to pack, I lost my retainer, my Rainbow flip flops from Niel and Nancy, 2 missionary gaffetes, all of my razors, shampoo and all that! but its all good, so I took some money out, to buy some things, I was kind of mad about it, but I cant do anything! so this week we just started working and it was really hard actually, but we have found members from lists and other means, and they are giving us soo many references. I have never seen so many members willing to work. The funny thing is, I have heard of this ward before, and I heard that it was hard, and stuff like that, but my comp and I have come to know is that its an excellent ward. also the zone is a little hard, because we have 2 branches that have very little assistance. but we are excited to know the zone and help everyone to work. On Wednesday we were walking in the street, and I saw 2 rocking chairs, and I guys back to us, and these chairs I had seen before. The type of chair was made in one of my areas, in Mitras, and I knew they guy that I had just walked by, so I stopped to talk to him, and he was actually a friend of Jose Maria, remember the old man in Mitras?? I asked how he was doing, and he told me that he had passed away in December, that made me a little sad to hear, but I know he is in a better place. he lived a pretty hard place, but I know he is okay. Its small little things that make me realize that I am in the right place at the right time. Now as I am talking to mom, we met a family yesterday where we ate after church, this is how small the world is. There is a Hermana here in this ward that lived in North Salt Lake, worked at Lorenas and we have friends in common, then she started talking to my companion, and he is from Chiapas, turns out, when he was inactive, the sister, of this hermana reactivated Elder Reyna when she was serving there as a missionary, and here where are at her table eating la comida with her!! Such a small world. Its a funny thing, but I am super excited to find new people this week with Elder Reyna, just like Elder Brown, there is never a dull moment, and he says that I am more Mexican than him haha. Love you all!!

--

Elder Clayton

He asked me if I knew the Stoker Family.  Just so happens the daughter, Michelle lives in our ward and I adore her.  I wrote back telling him that and he replies with this:

wow!! what a small world, because I got moved to a new ward and a lady named Esmeralda Ruiz lived with them for 5 years!! and worked at Lorenas!!! haha Tell her that I live in her ward, I have found so many connections in my mission its so crazy., we ate in her house yesterday and she asked where I was from and I always say Utah, and then she was like oh what part, and I usually say Bountiful but then she was like, Bountiful or North Salt Lake, and then we made the connection. Tell Michelle that I met Esmeralda! Where does Michelle live?? ah ok, I cant remember what she looks like really well, but I remember Judsen, wow, well yeah text her right now, and see what she says! Its such a small world, its funny she worked at Lorenas, in fact, she knew Claudio!!! :) she only worked there for a semester, but still. what are the chances. haha okay! wow! that is such a small world,. I also wrote in my big letter, it turns out that her sister was a missionary in chiapas that reactivated my comp that I have right now!!

I am so mad I lost one shoe! I would have just rather lost them both, I also lost my retaniner, but I was wearing it every night, I think I will be fine. I had them both in a little container that had everything in it! I lost all of my bathroom supplies, toothbrush. I had a sweet one, crest 3d, all of that  but its all good. I gotta go, but I love you so much! Tell Michelle, that it is a small world, and that Esmeralda talks very highly about the Stoker Family

This is my new companion, Elder Reyna. 

I have a ton to tell you all!! New Zone, 2 New Zone leaders! 

 I went on divisions with Elder Mora, from Chile, 

and we had a ward activity and we lit Chinese lanterns. pretty fun!

 Spotted by Google again. And his new comp!!!

Last week with Elder Brown, but feels like it's going to be just Fine!

This was a great day.  Because it was Human Rights Day, I was able to be on instant messaging with him and it was awesome.  This is the email he found out he was getting a new sister!  Bridger told him about his engagement.  He is thrilled and excited to know he is waiting for him to get home before they get married.  It's going to be a fantastic and busy summer at our house.  He's doing amazing and knows that one of them will be moving to a new area.  We will anxiously await his email to see where the change will take him.  Wherever it is, he will love it I'm sure as he has always done fine, whatever area he serves. We will pray for you, pal.  So that the transfer will be easy and you'll feel at home soon.  Enjoy, this is a great one with lots of pictures...

Hola Familia! Felicidades a Bridger and Tori!! Wow, that's pretty cool, even though I have never met Tori, I am sure she is cool and will fit right in with us. I am excited for them both! Cant wait to meet her and for the day of the wedding. This week was a good week, we were out of our zone alot doing baptism interviews for our district leaders, but it was fun to get to know their investigators and I like doing the interviews to see the people and how ready they are for baptism. This will be the last week with Elder Brown! He has been a good comp and we have had a lot of fun these past 3 months, Yesterday I spoke in church, I spoke about praying and personal revelation. I love this ward, just like every area I have been in, I have come to love these people. This ward has a lot of cool people in it and they spoil us!!! haha They are good people, and I hope to see many of them another day. Edna, my convert is doing amazing, she came yesterday and is sad that I might leave, we had a cool visit with her this last week. She is a single mother and her mom is kind of crazy and doesn't help her out and she works full time. but we have promised many blessings to her, and she knows they are true. She has been a solid convert and continues to grow every day. I am thankful for the time I had to teach her and see her growth. Omar came to church, but still is smoking, we are working with him, and we will see whats up with him this week that comes. Tonight we will find out the changes!! I am kind of nervous to see what will happen or where I will go, but I know where ever I may go, I will have new friends and new faces. Oh and we are still reading the book of Mormon, I am still in Mosiah! I love it though. I love Mosiah 5. In the funeral of my convert Jose Manuel, I read Mosiah 5:2, so it has a special meaning to me always. love you all!! Congrats Bridger and Tori! love you both! 

--

Elder Clayton

  Edna is doing well

  This day was super cold, Mexican sombrero! 

 Ouicho y su papa el vaquero

 This is the zone that Elder Brown and I reign over.

Elder Chuquin!! About 6 weeks ago he called me, the small elder, coolest elder ever and told me they had found a less active family and found an older man that wanted to be baptized. I told Elder Chuquin that guy was going to be his first baptism, and it was yesterday!!

 A 17 year old we are teaching little sisters play doll named Tommy haha

 A 17 year old we are teaching and her little sisters play doll named Tommy haha

 Santa

 Elder Neves from Paris...Idaho

 This is our place to be on Saturdays en Santa Catarina. the best tacos de carne asada

Most likely his Last Week in Huasteca. Another place he has grown to LOVE!

This week I decided to include my email to him as his reply will make zero sense if not.  But, it is also such a great response that I felt was worth adding to the email.  He is doing so great and as his time is drawing closer to his return, I can see that it will be so hard for him as he has put his whole heart and soul into this mission.  However, I can't wait to hug him and hear him say, Love you Mom!  He would say it at least 3x a day, many times it was more than that.  But, I don't want to wish it away for him, either.  I can wait...(maybe)...

Hey Pal!  How are you?  Hope this finds you well and happy.  So, glad you got your package, but there was two.  Did you get them both?  I so hope so and that all inside was ok and you liked what was in there.  I will be sending your b-day box, is there anything you need one more time.  This might be the last one I send, maybe not.  But, just depends.  Don't worry about sending us anything.  Save your money.  I just know that you love us and as long as you are taken care of then that's all I need.  I have sent you some cards and letters.  Do you ever get them.  I try to send you ones around the holidays, but I never know if you get them or not.  I hope so!  I know it is fun to have something to hold and re-read over and over.  I just love ya pal!

This week we attended the baptism of a man that lives on Orchard Drive.  He is a dad of a little girl named Gracie and she was actually baptized about two months ago.  He really said he had no interest, and yet he would sit and listen as the missionaries would teach his daughter.  He felt the spirit and knew it was true and then decided he wanted to be baptized, too.  It was probably one of the most awesome baptisms I have been to.   I have been to several baptisms and they are all special and wonderful. But, I have never witnessed an adult male going into the water and the spirit bore witness to me that all of his wrongs were gone.  It was amazing.  I know the power of the atonement. And it was awesome to feel that spirit and realize we get that same promise as we take the sacrament each week.  I loved it!  I also thought of how you and Bridger spent your time doing this exact thing several times and how touching it was as you have witnessed and saw for yourself the change that occurs.  This man is now in such a wonderful and supporting ward.  He seriously is so blessed to live in such an amazing place.

How's Omar.  I have prayed for him everyday and will continue to do so.  It's crazy to think how some struggle with something that comes so natural and un thinking for you and I.  I hope that our prayers have been answered and that he is progressing towards the one thing that will bring such happiness in his life. 

I love that you are doing the BOM challenge with us.  45 days.  You'll read it twice to our one time.  I love the BOM.  Seems like 1st and 2nd Nephi get read the most as some don't ever get past that.  I'm so far on track.  Not bad, 2nd week into the year and challenge. 

Well, pal.  I just want you to know how much I love ya and how proud I am of you as you are accomplishing so much.  These things will benefit you for the rest of your life.  Guaranteed!!!

Love and miss you.

MOM

And his reply:

 Hello mom! I just got the one package, but I am sure the other one will get here soon! thanks though, everything in it was good and well recieved. in one month its my birthday, its crazy! I really liked the butter finger, but whatever is fine with me. I will be home soon, I am grateful for anything honestly. Thats cool that you went to the baptism, help him out, be his friend and help him with anything you can do. Too many converts slip away, and it is very sad because its super hard to get them back. thank you for going to that mans baptism. Tell him Congrats and send my love to him and that I am anxious to meet him. I didnt appreciate the Missionary work before, I know I went with the missionaries and all that, but its different coming out and experiencing it. Tell Caleb to read Preach my Gospel and even start speaking spanish! He will be going to South America I think. Bridger went to Central America I came to Mexico and Caleb is going to Bolivia haha. Oh and the book of mormon is amazing. I just got to Jacob, I am ahead of scedhule, but I love it. The Isiah part is a little hard, but I got throuh it! Love youmom, you are amazing thanks for all you do!

Hola Familia! This is the last week of this change and we will be having changes this next week! I am pretty sure I am leaving Huasteca. I dont know where I will be headed but its bittersweet. I feel like I might go train or be a zone leader in another zone. Still not sure, but its all good. Omar is still doing well, he is smoking about 2 ciggaretts a day, but he wants to be baptized! So that is good. The Zone is doing well, it was a hard week for everyone with it being really cold and with rain, but everyone finished strong. We are now looking for more people to teach, all the people we had been teaching just dont come to church, so we have to find new people. I am excited for this last week, and to finish strong and start a new change. I will be sad to leave Elder Brown though, he has been a good comp for these 3 months. We should be on the same plane though coming back to Utah which will be pretty fun :) Love you all! Thanks for the support always.

--

Elder Clayton

This is the sunset--

 El Hermano Jose Luis Mora! He is a good guy and we ate carne asada with him on Christmas. 

This is another picture of jose luis mora and Felipe.

 

 Felipe is a joven in the ward but we all call him La Jaiba, 

which means crab because he is from Tabasco

 Here is a picture of the 6 missionaries from Huasteca. 

This was New Years and behind us is a picture of Pancho Villa. 

--

Elder Clayton

2015 in Monterrey Mexico! And Christmas Packages finally Arrive!

It was so great to hear from him this week.  He didn't have his camera so no pictures...again.  Funny, how you get so used to things.  I have missed seeing his smiling face each week as it's been almost three since a new picture.  He promises to have some this week. Oh how I hope it will happen.  I understand how busy they get and little somewhat possibly unimportant things like the camera on Pday email time gets pushed aside.  He is still the happiest, and states extremely busy as the time is flying by even faster.  But, this is the year that in 4 1/2 months he will return.

It's short, but says everything it needs to.  Enjoy...

Hola Familia! I cant believe it is 2015! Elder Brown and I were talking about how crazy it is and that we will be home this year. New Years was good here, a family invited the six mission over and we ate dinner with them, then we went home and tried to sleep! but there was so many fireworks!! all night! They have huge fireworks here, full of black powder and explode and are cheap,so they do a lot of them. Oh and my package came!!! I was so grateful for it, as well as a package from Bishop Bob and the Orchard 5th ward came, gracias!! Remember Omar? The guy we are teaching, he is doing super well., and its crazy how far he has come along. when we first started teaching him he was smoking about 20 cigs a day, we visited him on Saturday in the afternoon, and he hadnt smoked that day. also, when we first started teaching him he was depressed and had a lot of problems, but now, his face is more lighter, its crazy, because you can see the difference in his being. He has been to the church now 4 times in a row. and we are working on baptism. He wants to be baptized just the word of wisdom details we are working on and he can be baptized. He is a good man, and I would love for you all to pray for him. Thanks, I know your prayers are heard and really do help me. Love you all. I will send pictures next week! I forgot my camera another time, because we went to go play soccer! I have photos to send as well. love you! have an excellent weeeek!

Short but Sweet Email after Christmas

As we had just heard from him and his memory card isn't working!  He didn't have much in his email this week, but I was able to chat back and forth with him.  I so love that  here's what was "said".

Elder Clayton:  Hello Familia! Love you all, thanks for talking on sunday! I loved talking to all of you
 Hello mom! I loved to see you all of you, and that's great that you could all be together as a the family for Christmas, the next Christmas we will all be together. dad was kind of mad that I had taken a lot of money out, I will cut back, but I thought mexico was cheap, but its really not, everything here is not that much cheaper than the US, but I feel bad, I won't take any more money out. So will Bridger and Caleb start to go to the gym this new years? I cant wait to work out with them, that will be fun. I have lost a lot of my strength though here in the mission!

I have pictures from Christmas, but they don't show up, I am sorry, I will send them next week ad the phone call,

MOM:  No worries, I'm just happy to get them when I do.  Did the packages get there...please say YES!

Elder Clayton:   I don't know yet, we go to the offices again Friday, we go every week for something! and I think it will be there, so its all good. I always get packages, so don't worry.  okay, how is Bridger and Caleb? I forgot to see Zoie on Skype! is she still alive?

MOM:  Funny you say that, I was going to show you her.  She is getting old.  When she is free, she wets on the carpet in the bathroom, ticks me off, big time.  She most likely will be living, she is going to live forever I swear.

Bridger and Caleb are good.  Bridger is head over heels with Tori.  She is most likely the one.  You will like her, we all do.  Lots of fun.  

Caleb is awesome, he gets bored on days when he has to stay home, but he'll survive.  He shoveled today for Cochrans' and ours.  We got about a foot last night.  UGH!!!

Elder Clayton:  love you mom! have a good week! 

And then he was gone...

This a picture from a couple of weeks ago.  As he didn't send any this week, 

I'll just add one that I especially love!