March 11, 2013

Hello friends,

What a week.

Monday was a great pday. We took care of things fast and then had a little time to chill. I wrote letters in my sun chair. The sun was shining and it was beautiful in my favorite chair and I was the happiest guy you've ever seen. That night we did some teaching and were fed from a member family. Great day. 

I also got my license and drove for the first time in almost two years. That was really fun. I like driving so much better than being a passenger. 

Tuesday was also fantastic. The weather was soooo beautiful and that just made me smile the whole day. It is unbelievable what some sunlight will do to your mood after 4 months of no sun at all. I was on exchange with a great young elder. We taught an investigator, a less active brother, a sick brother, and did a lot of doors. We found some people and some people even talked to us first. Pretty cool. It was one of those days where missionary work is just a joy. Like being rejected or people not keeping commitments weren't hard on you cause you were just having joy doing your part.

Wednesday was also good, but the weather took a nasty turn. We had a lot of stuff fall out, but did some doors and found some new people. It was fun, just followed the plan for the day and felt good about it.

Thursday was interesting. Everything fell out. 4 appointments all fell out and that wasn't too fun. We did some finding and taught a lady on the street about the plan of salvation. We then got the oil in the car changed and began our journey to Berlin for zone leader council. We drove over halfway and stayed the night with elders in Magdeburg. One elder that I'm good friends with from the Berlin days and one from the MTC. Sooo great to see them and catch up. We left super early and drove the rest of the way to the meeting in Berlin.

The meeting was great. Our mission president is super inspired. We learned about the doctrine of Christ and talked about how we can help the mission have more faith to baptize. We also discussed all the new sisters coming into the mission and how to accomodate them and help them. Got to catch up with old missionary friends, as well as the couple in Berlin that were in my district when I was district leader. We played soccer at lunch!! I scored two goals and managed to rip my pants hahahha.  I literally need all of my suits to be repaired, hemmed, tailored, or cleaned. I have one suit left that is ok to wear but needs to be tailored cause it looks like clown pants. Naja back to the meeting. It was super great and the excitement for my last two transfers is definitely there.

Saturday was really good. Had a joint teach with an investigator.  A former seventy and his wife, who are the mission couple in our district came with us and we had a great lesson.  The spirit was definitely there as we taught. 

After that we met with other investigators.  We talked about the importance of coming to church and keeping the commandments. One of them made it to church the next day!!!  In Sunday School we watched the restoration with him and we talked about how revelation is the source of religion. Super great. He hasn't been to church in twenty years but he finally came and that was a great experience.

So ya that is the week. Some disappointments but a lot of good and I'm happy to be a missionary. Free agency is a beautiful but sometimes frustrating thing. I'm so glad to be able to choose to be happy in the gospel. 

Have a great week!!

Elder Clayton