Bonus Email

Bridger said he wouldn't be on the computer today due to us just talking to him on Christmas, but to our surprise, he was able to type a short message.  A little homesick due to the phone call, but oh so worth hearing his voice.  He sounds so great, an accent and loving his mission.  We are truly blessed by his service and sacrifice.  Love and miss him tremendously, but so worth it all the same. 

To me:  Mom youre the best i love you so much i hope you have a great week

Love You

Love Elder Clayton

And to all of us...

Hey got on to talk to write pres and thought i could write a quick email I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH last night was amzçazing im actually a little sad today i dont know homesick but im good just try to throw down a prayer that i can feel happy and peaceful and that me and my companion can be good friends please i love you so much youre the best love you

Come what may and Love It

Elder Bridger Clayton

I Won't be Home for Christmas...but I'll be CALLING!!!

Nah im not gonna be home but im gonna be CALLING!!!! si hombre ok well i think the plan is im gonna call you guys at like 5 or 6 in the afternoon and well talk for a while haha im so stoked i think i will buy some tarjetas of Tigo so ill just use those hopefully i have triple but well see maybe buying a phone card would be a good idea for a backup plan my number i will be calling from is 504 98026379 man what a crazy week so said mygoodbyes and Wed came around sitting in cambios where am i going who am i going with ah it was nerve racking when pres veirs called my name e clayton going with morales in Bendeck Progresso and i was thinking ok sweet but morales was in chamelicon what the heck so we sit down and president veirs says Thats to open the area what again oh man alright so we got to the house it was pretty bad a mess ah it was bad anyways we went straight to work and really we have nothing right now so well see what goes down but we are really gonna need some help here but its good Elder Morales is from Guatemala hes pretty cool just freaking nuts ill say that im learning alot though from him so thats good right we have a cool ward here it will be a good time ah Progresso is so hot though in the days in the mornings its cool and our shower is freezing so im gonna buy a hot water thing to hook up to the light to heat the water because showering sucks haha but its good man i dont know what else to say about this week its just been super fast i just want to talk to you guys and cant wait till SUNDAY boom baby ok well i love you guys youre the best ill be on for a bit so shoot me an email Por Favfor

Love Elder Clayton

 

Merry Christmas Mom & Dad

Sister Veirs posted some pictures wishing a few of the parents Feliz Navidad.  Imagine how excited we were to see Bridger in them.  He looks so great...and very happy.  Can hardly wait 3 more days til we hear his voice.  So excited!

Moving on...a piece of his heart will stay...

This week's letter is tender.  He is being transferred.  It  has to happen, that's what happens.  But, hard when it's so close to Christmas.  They say when you get too attached it's time to move on...who are "they" anyway.  We are so looking forward to talking to him on Christmas.  He is doing great, so happy and doing exactly what we knew he would do.  He may go broke paying for all the weddings however.  Enjoy...it's a good one!

 He's on the fourth row back with his typical "Blue Steel" pose!

 Once  you know where he is then here's a couple more that you at least see him. 

This is the Christmas Party.

Ok im sorry i have no time at all so ill just break a little down for you this week we had 5 bAPTISMS Ya 5 familia villanueva and familia rodriguez heck yeah!!!! it was so bomb ya we paid for another wedding and everything was good haha the baptisms were awesome it was great!"!!!! Also i am super sad at the moment as i have a change on wed super bummed we knew it might happen i got to give a talk in church yesterday and at the end i bore my testimony and found that it was about as hard as leaving my own house i have fallin in love with this ward and this place every one of them i am bummed tomorrow im saying my goodbyes and buying some little things for people like ties and ya im gonna give Kevin Castillo 500 lmps its like 20 bucks for his mission he'll be leaving on to Mexico vERECRUZ have i told you guys about the Castillo familia they are the greatest its a family with 3 boys ages 19 15 and 14 almost just like ours theyre awesome the dad is 1st counsler in the bishopric theyre just amazing so ya tell dad ill probably pull a little more cash out and hopefully this will be the last time for awhile.. I gotta pay for transport too so well see how that goes down. Oh you asked how many lmps do i get ok so lets say i want like 20 bucks ill get like 500 lmps or so is about the exchage rate its like 19 lmps for every dollar or so so ya man i dont want changes but what can ya do right well see what happens LA LOPEZ IS BY CHOLOMA ask Bro Monje about that Choloma is well known im stoked to call on christmas got the package oh it was bomb the cookies were amazing ya past tense cause theyre gone ya oops but they were good i havent opened one present yet though so thats good right im a little ticked cause we have no time so i cant put my christmas music on my ipod oh well hopefully next week wherever i am at. I think what will happen is i will call you guys then youll call me i think anyways how long freak we will see how long i can stretch the time we will nsee man this week was awesome Baptisms Weddings ah man how great the only thimg that is a bit of a bummer is the change but its good im excited so see another place.

Well i love you guys hope youre enjoying the cold its like 80 here super awesome!!! oh and ive gained 5 pounds from all the freaking christmas food hahah nah it kinda sucks really with all the candy im eating too but what can ya do right haaha

Well I love you all sooo Much hope youre all happy especially during this time of year it really doesnt seem like christmas here but its still cool



Love Elder Clayton

Message he sent as last one from this area:  ADIOS DE LA LOPEZ ARELLANA POR CHOLOMA AFUERA DE SAN PEDRO SULA HONDURAS EN RUTA DE PUERTO CORTES

Feliz Navidad...Bonus Pictures

So, Sister Veirs has a blog of Bridger's mission that we check often and with fingers crossed hope that we'll see a picture of him.  This past week was the mission Christmas party and low and behold after carefully screening each photo there are a few of him.  If you can pick him out, you'll know it's him in his typical Bridger fashion pulling a "Blue Steel" pose.  Enjoy...

Did you see him...4th row, if you're looking straight at the picture, right side.  He has a white shirt and tie on...ha-ha-ha.

Rats eating the Libro de Mormon, Cold Showers, but oh so Happy!!!

Another good one. He's doing awesome and is so happy and loving his mission. Only 20 days til I get to hear his voice...I seriously thought about making a countdown chain. I'm such a nerd.

Thanks again for your prayers they are working and answered. Enjoy...
Subject: Feliz Navidad
Alright Family Well i had a great week it was an awesome one really i had a great time working teaching and well it was a fun week let me tell you a bit what has gone down

So were teaching this lady the other day and ask her if she has her Libro de Mormon she say yes and goes to get it its in like a water proof box with wrapped up anyways takes her like 5 mins to get it unwrapped and so we ask her if she read it.... No she says so pretty much we tell her well if you keep it like that how can you read it and she tells us if she leaves it out the RATS THE RATS will eat it i mean youve heard of dogs eating youre homework but Rats eating youre book of mormon man it was crazy she showed us like clothes and other stuf ftat the rats eat the rats it was rather quite funny but at the same time a littlesad shes a good lady just needs some help.

Then with the branch we had a family night where we watched 17 miricles ah it was so good have you guys seen the movie it talks about a handcart company and man it was amazing i loved it you guys should buy it its worth having

Then Freak its december right this week its gotten a little cold... ok like in the 70´s but thats cold everyone is in jackets eating soup and hot choclate there pretty much freezing here! Its pretty funny im not cold except in the morning when i have to take my ice cold shower thats when im cold but it only lasts for like a half hour or so so thats good! But too we helped a member put up christmas lights the other day and they were listening to christmas music in english it was super awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man i had a good time doing that i love christmas its celebrated a little different here every freaking niño buys firecrackers and they just light em off in the strrets ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT!!! but its fun and we eat Tamales theyre good i like em and sandwiches thats fun i love christmas i have my tree and nativity scene and ah i just love christmas always have its a happy time.

Alright so we go to teach a family this week the dad comes out tells us to pass we pass and tells us to go in the house so we walk in and out pops this freaking naked kid!! ok first off all the kids are naked here ok not all but there are a ton walking naked in the streets playing outside naked its a free world right and feels good anywyas but the funniest thing is he was covered in stickers that said like Buy Now haha i was laughing pretty hard so that was pretty funny.

Also yesterday i was sitting in Sacrament meeting i was thinking about orin beckstrand how he always gave a nice testimony remember that he was an awesome guy and i was thinking how much i love it here i do i love the people and theyre just like my family i have the Familia Zambrano where we eat lunch Joselino is one of the most awesome guys in the world you have Monolo and the familia Vasquez awesome we can just hang out with them i sell from the pulperia somtimes but its just awesome i love it. But i love you guys i cant wait to talk either i dont really know how that will work but ill figure it out. Also we have a multi zona this week its the christmas party so that will be fun. I love you guys so muich i hope youre on and i can chat for a min love you so much

Love Elder Bridger Wayne Clayton

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas & Happy B-day Elder Torres

This is a great letter.  He sounds so great.  Bridger has always had such a kind and generous heart and it's apparant he took those talents with him.  The first Christmas package got there and I feel like it boosted his spirits at just the right time.  A true tender mercy felt again.  Love you Elder Clayton, you're a great son and a wonderful missionary.  Enjoy...

Hello family welcome to diciembre!1

First can you guys belieive this week is freaking gonna be december thats nuts i cant even believe it but anywyas your emails sounded way bomb sounded like Thanksgiving was great did you guys eat alot. My Thanksgiving consisted of some beans some rice an egg and...oh i drank some banana soda....ya it was a memorable one haha oh i did go big and buy a dounghnut in the morning i hadnt had one of those for a while haha but it was good. So ya met Elder Richardson huh.. haha how was he doing. Did you like the stuff i cant really remember what i sent home i remember like Zambos and ya those are freaking good i have no idea why you dont like those theyre the best i love like chile lime stuff like lime i buy a bag of chips here and buy a lemon to squeeze the juice over the chips its way good i think its a honduras thing. Anyways ya thats awesome and you cleaned the yard huh and the lights dang i forget how big this week is right. Thats cool though are you guys ready for the Holidays. Freak i am i got the package LOVED THE TREE loved it i also bought a little manger scene so i have it next to my bed getting me into the christmas spirit i didnt unwrap any thing but the bouncy balls were a little unwrapped so i opened those and i could see the gum the orange cream and flip i couldnt wait so i ate that too! Ya the candy that was in the bags snickers hersheys and MYMS there gone i ate em all it was amazing amazing i gotta say i didnt eat alot of chocolate back at home but here i just craze it they dont have chocolate here everyonce in awhile you can find a snickers in a pulperia but theyre like 20 lmps so i dont buy that but ya thank you so much also for the stocking for my comp he was gratful for it. This week it was my comps birthday and he got out of email and told me his parents didnt send him a package or anything and he was a little bummed so i decided alright were gonna party here for his birthday so i called up all the jovens and was like alright be in the church at this time cause were gonna celebrate and  i gave em money to pay for a cake. Then i talked to other way awesome members here to tell em about the day and so everything was gonna be good we go to bed thursaday night i wake up to the phone ringing at like 5 am who in the freak is it its Monolo a way awesome ward member i answer it and he tells me he wans to wish E. Torres Happy Birthday at 5!ª!!!! anyways i pass the phone and he sings to torres and it was all good the day started off bomb. Then in the morning we went and did some yard work alrigt really went and macheted this ladies yard it was cool then she gave us a thing of sugar cane to suck on that was good i like sugar cane and ya normal day went to dinner then after he asked me where we were going i told him this one lesson and we passed in front of the church i told him i needed to use the bathroom we walked in and BAM all the jovenes were there with cake fresco it was awesome so then we left there and went to Monolos house where again he bought cake so needless to say we partyied it up for Torres and he was really happy so it was all good. This week was pretty awesome yesterday we had 15 investigators at church we are teaching 7 families and 3 are progressing so lets just say in Decmber were gonna have baptisms haha im so stoked Fam Villanueva is awesome theyre by far me favorite were going to San Pedro tomorrow to sack her partida and then were gonna marry them and baptize em haha its gonna be awesome. And ya that was my week i had a great one and Hoping this one will be awesome too thanks for all your prayers really i have felt them this week as last week i honestly was a little down and ya but im good i love you guys so muh thanks for everything.

Come What May And Love It

Love Elder Clayton

Broken Glass, & a Testimony of the Book of Mormon...A Really Good Week!

Welp another week right. Man this week was super awesome honestly it was a great one so heres a little bit what went down this week On Tuesday we eat dinner with a nice lady from the ward before leaving we asked if she needed help with anything and she said the only thing was to change this light that was 15 feet in the air i said oh ya dang thats a hard one especially since i havent seen a real ladder for like 6 months then she tells me well i can use the table and a chair alright sweet lets give it a shot so we move the table of WOOD right we thought it was wood anyways then put a chair on it i got up man like a foot short oh dont worry my comp says put this on the chair its like a water jug of some kind im  thinking oh this is really gonna end good thats all i know im gonna freaking fall anyways i get back up step on the chair then the stool and pop crack BOOM the freaking middle of the table was made of GLASS and shattered under i fall and freak it was a scene glass everywhere it was bad the hermana was all cool about it i felt bad and ya after that we just left this week were gonna take her flowers but yeah it was harsh oh i didnt get cut or anything just incase you were wondering. So also one day we were teaching a lesson and i thought im gonna describe a lesson to my family what its like in Honduras so here it goes... So were walking the dirt muddy garbage filled streets when you see an hombre outside ya stop and start to chat with him then you ask if you can share a message and we walk in. His wife is making dinner outside with the wood stove goin smoke blowing in our faces we get to know the family where theyre from and all that family is huge here right and then well have a lesson one of my favorite things to do is to read the book of mormon with investigators outside i love it i guess i have always loved being outside and well i have also come to love the Book of Mormon aka El Libro de Mormon but ya by the way i dont think i told you but i completed the challenge and finished the Book of Mormon 2 weeks ago it was great i love the Promise from Moroni and well really ive learnded you can do it more than once a testimony is evergrowing so ya need to maintain it i dont even know if that last line made sense but i know its true anyways also i am going to describe the best food ever made they are BALIADAS so bomb ok you have a flour tortilla but not the cheap ones you buy from the store no good flour hand made tortillas with beans this hard cheese thats down here i dont know if ive told you but american cheese it does not exist down here the cheese is wierd but its good. then mantaquilla or also its called cream with scrambled eggs avocado oh man they are so freaking good . Anyways thats that this week we are gonna baptize Jaiman a super cool guy we met him like 3 weeks ago hes ready and its gonna be an awesome thing also.... We have another wedding!!!1 Yep gonna marry and Baptize another couple heck ya Carlos and his wife theyre older like 60´s but so awesome Carlos is so freaking funny always making jokes and hes super funny Other than that things are good ive had a good week were working weve found a couple but could always use more so ya now im gonna read your emails and ill add from what you have written....

Well youre guys week sounded awesome i laughed about the frozen yogurt ah those were the days at the NSLPD loved that and heck ya i wish i had some Christmas music i want to listen to it so bad ya its allowed its all good. That is the coolest story about the wallet the coolest there definitly are good people everywhere NYC honduras bountiful utah everywhere good people well man i love you guys sorry im runnin short on time were gonna go play some futbol and learn how to make tortillas so its gonna be super sweet and oh have i told you how much i love tortillas of corn theyre are so good they eat freaking tortillas with everything spaghetti rice beans oh ya by the way dad asked if the food is the same from my cook....YEAH everystinkin day rice beans and a little meat but whatever come what may and Love it I love you guys so much youre the best

Love Elder Clayton

Great News...Paying for a Wedding and Not Loving the Food

 Last week as we didn't get an email we anxiously waited to hear from him this week.  He's doing great.  His attitude is awesome and he had some great adventures this week.  Please do not be offended by the first sentence, it is a family joke and we love and miss our Grandpa North. 

Enjoy...

Well How the Hell Are you (As grandpa North Would Say right remember that one time he said that haha) Haha anyways i was thinking of 1 liners and that came to me anyways freak what a week i didnt get to write you last week thanks to Velasquez haha so amazing he knew i wanted to write home way bad so so its a pretty funny story actually in the morning got a call he had a change so we went to choloma and printed fotos for him then came back to the house and he said okn well rest for a bit ok tight so i laid down for 10 mins in the hammack when he comes out and is like ready ready me he loved just trying toget a reaction outta me but i rarely gave him one so me i get up slow out of the hamack get dressed slow put my stuff in my bag and he tells me nah im tired well sleep and just not use internet today i tell him ok cool im down with that and lay in the hamack and ya he wanted to use it way bad too but freak i wasnt gonna give him a reaction so ya haha and the rest of the day he just kept saying pday was sweet right right i would just say ya man it was a good pday i loved it haha he was ticked but whatever right we got through it. Last Week was super rough but i got through it so we had a wedding for ALejandra y gerson and baptism that was super sweet oh except they were too poor to pay for the freaking wedding so..... i paid the freaking thing freak it was like 50 bucks but ridicoulos it was for a good cause but i feel that in this last month i just blew through lempiras but whatever. The baptism was sweet! it was really good. So after the whole p day thing we had changes on Miercoles i have a new comp.........Elder Torres de Guatemala but honestly im stoked this kid is a stud a real worker in just 5 days were good friends really Im teaching him english so thats pretty cool too. Anyways well this week i dont know what has happened with the food here but this week it has been bad i have eaten pigs feet again man theyre terrible i hate em also ate cow tongue ahhhhh that was super wierd but whatever also haha oh man so pulpčrias right theyre like little stores but there is one for every corner like honestly every 100 feet theres a pulp and they have everything you need food wise so we use em for like breakfast or snacks and ya. anyways i bought some well its suppose to be sweet but its not bread and i go to eat it and its just super moldy and ah nasty so what do i do well i was pretty much starving and ive been in honduras for almost 6 months so my immune system has really built itself up so i wiped off the really bad parts ya wiped it off it was like wet and soggy and ya i ate that crap haha havent been sick yet but well see what goes down haaha anyways oh also at changes i saw Peterson SI HOMBRE i was so stoked havent seen him in like 4 months we talked for like 45 mins it was awesome!Also something big happened the other day friday they put the angel Moroni on the TEMPLO it was cool i didnt get to see it but alot of members went to Teguc to see it go down and they all said it was amazing it was cool. So ya we dont have alot of people to teach right now it sucks we gotta find some people. I wanna find more that are conversions and not just baptisms right now theyre puttuing alot of pressure on us to baptise but i dont know i dont want to baptise just to baptise i was to help CONVERT people to the gospel and its hard but were getting through it thanks so much for all your emails you guys are the best last week sucked that i didnt get to talk to you but this week was just that much better i love you all so much thanks for everything!!!!

Hope someone is on

Love Elder Clayton

A Really Long Week...

Not sure what happened, maybe transfers, maybe a power outage, maybe too busy.  But, we didn't hear from Elder Clayton this week.  I'm sure his week was longer than ours, but we are so looking forward to this week and an email.  How in the world did people do it when email wasn't an option.  I would never have made it. 

Love him and needless to say my heart is at peace.  Heavenly Father is watching over him, we are praying for him and I'm sure he's just fine.

Another Package Arrives & Personal Scripture

Whats up Fam well another week has come and gone this one was actually super fast for me maybe it was for you guys too. Well First THANK YOU for the package oh man was it the best i could say yes for sure chocolate cookies were the best theyre all gone ya typical right they were amazing!!!!!!!!!!! The Knife was so awesome i love it. The Pics look great looks like everything is bomb. Man it was awesome to get that thanks so much it was awesome. The music awesome thank you Stetson it is gonna be great thanks for doing it. man i dont even know you guys do not know how great it was it was amazing. So ya thank you so much. So for this week well it has rained just about everyday this week Monday after we left internet it rained harder than i have seen in my life i felt like i was in a freaking hurricane insane it has rained a ton here but the weather is bomb everyone is literally freezing wearing hats coats the whole shabang but i swear its only like 75 haha its been bomb weather. Also this week i was just feeling a little down i dont know why i dont know what happened so i pulled out my Patriartical Blessing and read it man it was so awesome like those are so amazing to have i think its almost like your own scripture it was good. So ya last week i wrote that we baptized Fredy Super bomb this kid is so awesome I Love him this next week hes gonna get the priestood which will be cool. Fredy was a reference from a member and WAS a testigo (Jehova Witness) but he did what we asked prayed and BOOM hes in the true church now so sweet. Also we are teaching this family that we are going to get them married this friday so that should be super sweet the only problems we have now is to find freaking money for the wedding so that ya. Also we found a nice lady with her two kids 2 weeks ago and has been going to church progressing and have her scheduled for the 5 of november freak its almost november i cant believe that its nuts.The work is coming along alright working so yep. Things are a little better with Velasquez hestalking to me again a little but thats only because now when he sleeps or doesnt want to leave the house i just read my scrips we were sitting at a house the other day of an investigator and he was watching tv and crap and i was so frustrated with him i just opened my scrips up and to a random page and there was a scrip marked that said somthing about put god as your foundation and nothing else matters so really i thought if God is happy with me thats all i really need see if im good and my family is good thats chill with me and when im in charge well change things. But ya Also i got a letter from Mom and in there was the letter from Wendy Fenn it was awesome i have it and have read it a couple of times already The Fenn fam. It sounds like Masen did bomb on his talk and that he is ready thats so cool i love Masen hes the man and is gonna kill it in Peru i love him pass that message onto him from me. Other than that it was a week we have a lot of things going this week so its gonna be crazy but hopefully everything will fall into place . Also we went to visit a family that the dad is so sick and the mom they have a kid on the mish and the other son is like 17 and has some problems ya anyways we had a talk and during it i was thinking how much i love all of you guys and before the mish i really took for granted what i had im sorry i love you guys so much sorry for all the hard times we had Mom Dad Stetson and Caleb you guys really are my best freinds I Love You

Come What may and Love It

Love Elder Clayton

Able to be email back and forth...love this.  Here's what he said very short, but awesome.

 

Mom:  Hooray!!! So glad the package got to you.  How were the cookies?  Were they fresh???  Love you son, you sound so good.  I guess you should start singing in the rain.  When I was reading your email, that song has been playing in my head.  So glad you got my letter.  It hopefully will help you realize that you are AMAZING!!! 

 

Elder Clayton:  heck ya mom the package was so bomb thank youso much the cookies were amazing!!!!!!!!! Ya i sing in the rain all the time it has poured lately. Nah noones giving me a hard time its all good Thanks I love you oh by the way for christmas shoes im good im gonna get new floors in the ones this week and they should be all good. Socks that would be sweet some new socks garments im good. Just Candy i want candy music thats good pics loved the pics and just little cool things thats what i like How are you today mom

Paid for Transportation, another Baptism and a New Skill!

This is an awesome letter.  Seems like he has realized that attitude is so much of your success and happiness.  Loved this one.  He's doing so great and we can tell he's happy.  For that we are grateful.  Thank you for your support and prayers, they are being answered as you will see...  Enjoy...

Ok so as of right now i havent read any emails im gonna try this this week and see how it goes so let me tell you  a little thats gone on the week first on thursday we had an activity en the stake it was super awesome but before that we were gonna leave with our ward supposibly there was gonna be a bus but it never freaking came so me and velasquez got in a rapidito and were on our way when i spotted a hermana from the ward with her two little girls waiting for the bus from the ward that was never gonna come and i was just thinking man thats a good mom holding the hands of her little girls waiting for an activity so i told the helper to stop and pick em up heck yai paid theyre journey and it was so worth it as i was thinking about it i then the activity was super cool i loved that too it was way fun the youth danced dances from all over the world it was super cool.. Also so last Pday i put all the primary songs in spanish on my ipod and the other night we were rocking to those i love the primary songs as i look back i loved primary and every song has such a good message its great. So then also one of the days of the week we had service in another area with our district i love my district theyre super sick elders we did yard work honduras style ya pretty much its a heres your machete now chop the freak out of everything and its good haha it was way fun And also this week we had a little set back as our laundry ladys washer broke so yep washin my clothes by hand again gotta love it!!!! hAHA no really i dont mind it at all i just listen to my ipod while im at the pila its really quite alright. Then man something so bomb happened Freddy Jimenez was baptized this saturday really this kid is so cool i love him he is an investigador but really too hes my friend i love him when the dl in his intreview asked him who to baptize he was just like clayton noone else how sweet right man that made me feel good ya know its hard sometimes but when things like this happen its all totally worth it!!!! So then wow sunday was just an amazing day first for church the sacrament bread was banana bread double thumbs up there hahah right super sweet then ah ah man for lunch we got pigs feet ah man those are bad but you know what i have learned down here i honestly can eat whatever is in font of me on my plate nah i dont enjoy it all but i can do it a sweet skill that i have aquired sweet huh. Then also Pres Veirs wrote us a letter last week from a talk by pres Hinckley talking about on the mish you come to know the savior as your best friend its so true for me its so true when i have none to talk to i just pray ask to feel the spirit and that i can well have a freind for the day and really i can feel him there with me its amazing so thats a little about this week i just got done playong futbol im gettin better i can tell you that haha but ya its all good ill read your emails and wrtie you back youre the best family in the world I LOVE YOU

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT

LOVE ELDER BRIDGER CLAYTON
And my letter to him...

Hello Pal!  Can you believe it's been 7 months today that we took you to the MTC to start this amazing journey?  Somedays it seems like forever and yet when I look back on the growth you have done and who you are becoming it is so awesome.  How you doing pal?  How was your week?

I have to admit your letter was far too short, but I understand.  The bug bite had me a little concerned?  What was it, and are you ok?  I told Tammy Nielsen that for all I know you could be missing a leg.  Please update me on that one if you would. 

This has been a busy week I guess, not too much excitement, but I'll update you on what's happened.  Monday night we went to dinner with the Petersen's at Salt City Burger.  We love them!!!  We had a blast and they loved the food.  It was quite slow which we were grateful for so we didn't feel rushed.  I am going to send a couple of pics to you of the night and then of course I'll get some hard copies and mail to you in your next letter.   Letia and I feel as if we have always known each other.  We already have another date planned and seriously this makes the time go by faster.  We catch up on you and Elder Petersen and it is awesome.  He is doing well, a couple of more ingrown toenails, but other than that he seems like he has the same frustrations as you do.  I went to the Sister Veirs blog and there were some pics of his zone on there.  When are there going to be some of you???  I look each time and cross my fingers hoping for some to see how you're doing.  Can you send some this time with your email.  I just miss your face and need to see you.

Friday night was the Bountiful/WX game.  21 years, will this be the year???  NOPE, they killed us, 44 - 21 it was bad.  We stayed the whole time however, die hard true fans.  It was fun at the beginning when we were in it but after the beginning of the third quarter, it was all over.  Oh well, maybe next year.  Probably not though.  We sat close to Morgan and I talked to her.  She's so sweet and it was fun to visit and she how she's doing.  She says she's able to talk with you and for that I'm grateful.  If it helps you stay happy and focused then I'm all for it.  Did you ever know that Shad came home?  I thought he was going to go back out, but it's not looking promising.  And Kyle Johnson was there, guess where he is working???  Deseret Book!!!  And, thinking of a mission.  Awesome!  Love Kyle.  He's a great kid and said to make sure we tell you hello.

Next week at this time Masen will have given his farewell talk.  Seems like forever since he got his call and now it's 10 days away.  He's excited and anxious and I think just needs to be on his way.  They are doing the Costa Vida spread, trend setter that you are.  Wendy asked me if it was ok if they did the same.  I think it was so smart.  So of course we don't mind.  I need to tell you again thanks for being such a great son and helping us with that, it was what you wanted and we are so grateful for your  hard work and help in so many ways.  I just got called to say the prayer, ugh!!!  I'll probably cry, it's a given.  I will miss Masen with him around I feel like you're around. 

How's the investigators coming along.  We pray for you always for those people's hearts to soften and listen to the message you are telling them.  They will listen.  Get them to know you.  People will want to know Christ because they know you and see the light that you have.

I love you pal.  I'm so proud of you and look so forward to Monday's to see how you are doing.  I pray that your safe and happy.  Know that Heavenly Father is blessing us through your service.  You're amazing.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Love,

Mom

A Rather Short Email, and Something that Bites in the Night

This week's letter was way too short.  I guess it's better than not getting one, maybe.  Things look like they are progressing and he's loving his mission and area.  Hoping for a better and longer email next week.  Enjoy...

Its Cold huh dang i keep thinking that one of these days its gonna get cold but i dont think it will ever happen maybe a miricle but nah i dont think so Already snowed thats insane how old is brooklyn like 2 months right i think so anyways i cant remember. Thats sweet that the fall colors are changing though dad sent me a pic of bearlake looks so bomb. wHOOPS didnt mean to send that so the NBA are they gonna play no whats up thats kindda ridicoulous Meeting the Petersons thats super sweet tell em i say Hola salt city huh thats awesoem too Yes i wear my sandals all the time dont worry i wouldnt want to walk on the floor with out them oh freak two night ago somthing bit me in my sleep right i have no idea what it was but it was nasty all is good now though haha but for a minute there it was a little sketchy.But its all good.

This week we found absolutly no one it sucked and oh get this so we are now in charge of two wards so we do splits so im leaving my wward with a member and an investigador and all of a sudden theres a fight between the investigador this guy from the other ward what the heck was happening i have no idea we broke it up and they all went and talked in a bishops office but man it was different for a bit there i love this place they were fighting over a girl too so it was just that much more intense.

Man other thatn that its all the same have some good days have some crappy ones but its all good i hope you are all taken care of and have the things you want and need i love you guys so much Thanks for being my Family.

Love Elder Clayton

ps havent gotten your stickers yet one day thiugh hahah

And my letter to him...

 

Hello Pal!  How was your week?  The week here was not as eventful as some in the past but I'll catch you up and tell you what we all did.  First of all, it is so cold here.  Today was a beautiful day and really feels like Fall, but on Thursday and Friday it was 30-40 degrees.  It snowed in the mountains and hard to believe it's barely October.  It is going to warm up this week, but it definately is earlier than normal for being this cold.  We went up to Breann and Skylar's ward today where they blessed their little Brooklyn.  She's so cute.  Tons of hair.  I need to have her send me a picture and if I can get it today I'll send it to you.  Their church was the same time as ours so after having a get together at their house we decided to drive up through Morgan and around by East Canyon resevoir to see the leaves.  It was really quite pretty and funny how when we got to the top there was quite a bit of snow which looked strange to see the Fall colored leaves and snow on the ground, too.  None of us had our cameras so I can't send you a picture, darn it anyways. 

Now it's just been a lazy day at home enjoying the cooler weather and watching a little bit of football.  Update on the NBA, all preseason games have been cancelled and still waiting for a decision to be made.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a major day for the remaining season.  I'll let you know what happens for sure.

Yesterday we went to Dick's Market and ran into Beth.  She said she finally got a letter from you this week.  Wow, that took quite awhile.  She said she has mailed you at least three, so if you haven't gotten one there should be some soon.  Have you gotten any from me?  I sent you some with stickers in them a while ago and never heard if you got them or not. 

How's your companion?  Dad let me read the emails you sent him and you never really said what happened with the difficulties you were having.  Have they gotten better?  I sure hope so.  I pray for you so much and hope it is all working out.  Sometimes you have to have the bitter to appreciate the sweet.  Tomorrow we are going to dinner again with the Petersen's so I'll send you some pics.  We are meeting them at SCB.  Stetson is so excited.  He loves that place and really is making good money there.  He sometimes doesn't like working Friday nights, but then he comes home with good tip money and it seems like it is forgotten.

I started back at Four Pillar this week and am sore to prove it.  It seems to be the only thing that works for me and hoping this will help me break into a number that I have been trying for for a long time.  I thought of you yesterday as we were trying to find some fruit for Breann's today and the fruit seems to be done for the season.  No strawberries at Costco which is unheard of.  We ended up doing bananas and apples with caramel dip.  But realized how fortunate you are to have fruit at the taking, right?  What are you eating these days? 

We talked to Barbara Stevens yesterday who served in Paraguay and she said to tell you to make sure you wear your shower sandals, she used to have to pick worms out of her companions feet quite often, yucky, right?  I told her I thought you were always doing it and I didn't worry. 

I was talking to Cindy today, too.  Do you write in a journal?  Just wondering.  I hope so.  That will be so helpful, but we are keeping every letter and even printed the blog at six months which is awesome.  It was better than Christmas when I got it in the mail this week.

Well, I hope all is going well.  I hope to be able to talk with you while you're on, but if not that's ok.  Know that I love you so much and pray for you every day, several times.  You're doing a wonderful job and you look so great and happy.  Please send a couple of pics if you can since we will see the Petersen's tomorrow and they asked us to bring pics if we have some.

Love you son, things here are fine and we are all happy and healthy.  We are truly blessed from your service and sacrifices you are making. 

Mom

 

A Love for Conference & A Trip to the Zoo

Hello Family

Well it was a week right but hey it was ok the week ended the best the best with Conf. ya im gonna admit conf was just like ok ya its a thing i watch every 6 months watch a sesh or 2 and ya its cool but this time really i was struggling i was thinking a million different things and really just praying for 1 of the talks could be for me and i could get something out of it. BOOM prayers are freaking answered fam i loved conference!!!! Every single talk mom mentioned the one from Elder Uchtdorf dang that was super sick i also really liked the Lady who was 2nd after scott cant remember her name but it was so bomb! AND PREISTOOD heck ya jefferey R holland how bomb was that talk seriously prepare for the battal play for the Lords Team its the only way you can freaking win ya that was so sick i loved it. And really i know that i am not alone im not i have the Lord and honestly you guys tooo you do not know how many times i am walking or thinking in my head and am like hey if my mom was here i would totally do this if stetson and caleb were here i would definitly do that...what would my dad do in this situation..and tons of other things thank you guys so much for all your love and support  your the best.

This week well we taught and ya honestly we really do not have very many people right now so its tough but were fighting through it.
Thats crazy that Masen is about to peace out for the mish i have it written down on my calendar already haha so thats sweet rightalso i cant believe you spilled water on your ipod freak mom what are you thinking thts super harsh.dn im glad youre not letting zoie on the new carpet does she still sleep all day .

Do you guys have any fun plans coming up hows school for stetson and Caleb whats new.

Really i love you guys so much and thanks for all your support youre the best thanks for doing the stuff i asked for and just everything you guys are the best i love you. Conf was so sweet Caleb and Stetson keep being examples of the believers like they said in conf so many times have fun and be the leader thats what its all about I love you Brothers

So today for Pday we went to Puerto Cortes and the Zoo it was pretty cool it rained so that kinda sucked but it was cool the ocean is super sick the zoo was super sketch city though haha freak i got some pics none of us got eaten by lions but close encounters with thses animals haha i Freaking love Honduras the people the expierence its super hard but i love it i know im here for a reason and its all good hard times will come but you just have to come what may and Love it really thats all we can do. LOOK UP always

Love you All a better email will come next week

Love Elder Clayton

And my letter to him:

Hello pal!  How are you this week.  I have to admit I'm so looking forward to hearing from you this week and hoping that things are better than last email.  I have thought about you none stop this week and prayed for you and your companion.  I think this is the most difficult part of all is not being able to talk to you and tell you how much we are praying for you and that things will improve.  What'd you think of conference?  It made me really feel like you were watching it right with us.  Was it great to see the sights of Temple Square and know exactly where they were.  Did you see John and Diana Brown.  And they sang Consider the Lillies.  You know that is my most favorite song they do.  Did you feel like there were so many talks directed to you.  I think the one that hit me the hardest was President Uchtdorf's talk.  You are not alone, or forgotten.  Although you may feel like you are alone, Heavenly Father knows you and the test you are experiencing.  Here's some excerpts from his talk that I loved:

"But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that 'the worth of souls is great in the sight of God,'" President Uchtdorf said. "Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters."


President Uchtdorf warned that Satan seeks to deceive the children of God by discouraging them and endeavoring to make them believe they have no worth and are forgotten by all, including God.
He related an experience he had while attending pilot training in Big Spring, Texas. Upon arriving there from Germany he found a small branch of the Church and began to help build the new meetinghouse. He spent his time attending training school, helping with the new meetinghouse and improving his English skills by fulfilling his call to serve as a teacher in elders quorum and Sunday School.
"At the time, Big Spring, despite its name, was a small insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself — insignificant, unknown, and quite alone," President Uchtdorf said. "Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there.
"I knew it didn't matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was," he said. "What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could — all would be well."
President Uchtdorf said God knows where all of His children are, no matter how humble their circumstances may be and that He uses "those who incline their hearts to Him" in His own way to fulfill His purposes.
"God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history," he said. "They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior's example and spend the days of their lives doing good."
President Uchtdorf invited the congregation to consider four divine principles.
"First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are 'greatest in the kingdom of heaven'" (See Matthew 18:1-4)
"Second, the Lord entrusts "the fullness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:23).
"Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to be, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith," he said.
"Fourth,... understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be." Individuals will not feel sorrow, loneliness, pain or discouragement forever and have been promised that God will not forget or forsake "those who incline their hearts to Him."
"Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed," he said.
"Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love," he said. "God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season. He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

Don't you just love that!!!  You matter to Him, and to us!!!  We want you to know that.  So many are praying for you and you are not alone.

I loved so many of the talks.  I loved the Elder Yashitmato who talked about missionary work.  How you are doing a wonderful work and people are waiting and being prepared for you and the message you will be bringing them.  I also loved the choir singing, "I am a Child of God"  If nothing else, remember who you are and that you're not alone.  He will get you through your hard times, I promise.  I love you so much pal, and please know that I am right there with you every step of the way.  You're doing a wonderful job and we are all so proud of you.

Well, now on to what's been going on this week.  It seems like nothing really that exciting happened but to you it may seem like big news.  I got your package sent and with lots of faith I sent it on it's way.  It's full of things I'm sure you'll be happy to get, but full of love more than anything. 

I did run into TJ the other day at Walker's.  I caved and bought a diet Pepsi.  I'm back on track again and trying to not drink it again, but for some reason it tastes so good and makes me happy.  He had so much good to say about you and said to make sure I tell you hello and that you are missed.  He did say they'd take you back when you return, but not sure if you'll want to.  but knowing they are missing you is big.

Fenn's are now winding down Masen getting ready to leave.  They took their family and went to a football game in Vegas of someone in their family is a coach for.  Wendy said she couldn't believe they were at this point and yet to me it seems as if he has had his call forever.  Eileen's neighbor got his call this week and leaves in February, so time does have a way of marching on.

I'm hoping to be on with you today, but have a full day of patients.  Dad will be though.  And today a cup of water spilled on my phone so at the present time, it is sitting in a container of rice hoping to dry it out.  It didn't really get too wet, but it was doing a couple of weird things so I put it in rice.  Who knew that would work.

Stetson downloaded the music on a jumpdrive rather than a CD.  It should work.  He did all the things you wanted and then we added a couple of new cd's I bought.  You'll love them. 

Have you thought about what you would like for Christmas.  I need to send it off pretty quickly so I know you'll get it.  How are your garments, your shirts, your shoes?  What size garments do you wear, I wrote it down, but not sure where I did because I can't find it now.

Zoie is doing well, it's funny with the new carpet I haven't let her in until it's time to go to bed and at first she would whine, but I think that if she knows we are right here watching tv she's ok.  She comes in and goes down and gets in her kennel.  The board that kept her in the backyard has been coming up and she has been getting out.  Funny thing she doesn't go anywhere, I think she knows that she has it pretty good here.  We fixed the fence and so things are ok and I don't have to worry about her.  She's a good dog.

Well, I hope this week has been better for your.  Things will improve, I'm sure of it.  You're learning things about yourself and life that will help you for the rest of your life.  I loved Elder Richardson saying his mission was the best two years FOR his life.  As your dad can testify, that is true.

I love you and pray for you always.  I so hope I'll be able to be on with you.  I have lunch at 1:00 so with luck you'll be on at that time.  Be safe and obedient and have a wonderful week.

WE love you and are so proud of you!!!  You're a wonderful son and missionary.

Mom

Padilla Familia are Baptized and Singing with Elder Clayton

Well Fam hows it going man i love me some Pday action when i get to talk to you guys thanks for your emails they are the bomb i love em you guys are the best this week has been a little rough but hey got through it right so a ton has happened since last week this area thats next to us was closed and was given to us so ya im opening an area again so on sundays we have divisiones one in La Lopez and the other in La Victorias HAHA man the area is huge but its good really havent worked alot in the new area this week but we will get to it. So thats Crazy also this week this is a side note for Mom Jeff Fergusen came here Dec 8 2005 i found a vision the mission magazine with his name in it haha funny right but when he came the mission was in belize too but its not now but ya cool side note right.

Also oh freak get this so we baptized the familia Padilla this week si Hombre SWEET HUH but heres a great story for you ah man so on Tuesday we contacted this guy and wwent in his house and he talked in a wierd voice then i noticed his toenails were painted after the lesson i asked VELASQUEZ IF HE WAS gay and he thought yes so we decided we wouldnt go back it was super wierd but then we were in the padillas house and a voice said from outside the moms name a wierd voice when i asked the girl who it was she told me cristofer hes one of those gays!!! Huh on no hes found us again freak he walked in grabbed something and left nothing else. Then had a lesson and left all good then on Friday night we were there again to have another lesson but this time cristofer and his better half were working on the house doing somthing with the roof i dont really know. Anyways sang a hym prayed had a lesson prayed and were leaving then talked to the mom for a minute outside the house and this gay says ah youre leaving already and were like ya ya were out a here and he says this ah freaking gays ah but i want to sing too....I want to sing with Elder CLAYTON!!!!WHAT did this gay just say to me oh freak no after that we told him peace and left freaking ridicoulos. So ya that is the story of the week geeze

Also so we baptized familia padilla super cool familia there gonna be awesome ill see if i can throw a pic on but how are you guys man you better be awesome i love you guys so much not gonna lie the 2 things that get me through the week are pday en emailing and my ipod freak i want more songs so ill see what i can do about that i have thought about buying  a new ipod down here tell me what you think and then get music from  other elders so well see tell me what you think I love you all so Much.. Stetson youre the man i hope you had fun at the dance send me a pic of you and pars and Caleb keep being awesome how is school man are you loving JR high

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT, ITS LIKE IVE ONLY GOT ONE NIGHT ITS GONNA BE YOU AND ME ON THE DANCE FLOOR AND ALL THE OTHER GOOD LYRICS

LOVE ELDER BRIDGER CLAYTON

He is struggling a bit and I was able to email back and forth for a little bit.  He asked for some more music and a few things which are on their way and then sent this to me.  These little messages are priceless.

 

Mom i love you thanks so much for being my Mom and thanks for just ah being the BEST

And my letter to him:

Hello Pal!  Hope this finds you well and happy.  I have to admit after reading your letter last week and being able to be on with you, I love Mondays.  I will be working today but it is a no dr day and so I will try and catch you on.  I am getting your package ready to send.  Funny thing, you know Kaylynn from SpankyS?  Well, she is going to need a kidney transplant and her family didn't match her, so remember Heather Hanson, Biggest Loser, Heather Hanson, well she is a match.  So, her ward organized a yard sale fund raiser in Winegar's parking lot to help with some of the expenses.  Caleb and I decided to go over and see what they had an offer a donation to her.  They had several books, LDS ones and after going through a couple of boxes, I found a Jesus the Christ book.  Miracle!!! and only .50.  Bargain.  So, I have been able to get all you requested except the Dexatrim.  Dad thinks I shouldn't send it to you.  I will think about it, you are funny, you look amazing and it's not worth getting you into trouble sending something that I probably shouldn't. So, let me  know what you think.  The rest of the stuff was easy to get and will be in the mail on Tuesday.  Even the cookies. 

So, this week was a little uneventful.  I had a dumb cold, which may be allergies.  I can't decide.  I have a man voice and a stuffy nose so I think it's probably allergies, but I'm hoping it will go away soon.  It's annoying.

Today was the Primary program in our ward.  They seriously are the best.  Everyone did such a great job.  We were all surprised that Savannah didn't do her part.  She froze when it was her turn, which is quite out of character for her.  I love the spirit these meetings bring.  It seriously is the best Sacrament Meeting of the year.  Remember when you wrote on the commend card that they sounded better than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I totally remember that.  I also found myself thinking back to the time when you were four and had a part about Daniel and the lions den and watched as your eyes got droopier and droopier and fell fast asleep.  I spoke in our Primary and told those kids how it seemed like just yesterday that you were in Primary just like they are and now you are serving a mission and teaching children the same things that you learned in Primary.  It is such a great organization.  I also talked about music that you mentioned in your email, too.  How all those songs they are learning may one day get them through hard times.  The messages in music help you so much and are so simple we just have to listen.  Do you remember when I hurt my back and had to have an MRI.  I looked at that long tube that I was put into and immediately the thing that got me through it without losing it was singing Primary songs in my head.  I still remember thinking how grateful I was to know those songs as they gave me such peace and comfort in what I thought was a difficult time.

Loved that you spoke in church and you say you struggle with Spanish.  I can't imagine that you could speak if your language was not the best.  Don't be so hard on yourself, I know that you're getting it and you still have only been there for such a short time and your companion is one who has been speaking this his whole life.  Don't let it discourage you.  You're doing so well and we are all so proud of you.

And the story about the boiled green bananas, oh man that sounds so bad.  What a great plan of the bag in your pocket.  Just don't leave them in there, I am sure they smell so bad.  We all got a great laugh about this.

Yesterday was homecoming dance and Stetson went with Natalie Parson's.  We also went to the game which they won, shocker!  They played Cyprus which Stetson said they were hoping by playing a not really well team they could hopefully win the game.  It was fun to go and see all the kids and of course all the neighborhood was there too and sat together.  Gates lead the team on the field and we went down and said hello to him.  He actually looks really good and can work his chair with his hands.  He seems to have quite a bit of movement in his wrists and hands, but nothing in his legs.  So sad still to see him.  He keeps pretty good tabs with Garrett and says he's doing well in California.  He said to tell you hello, but I can't help but think he is sad knowing how different his life would be without that one choice and action.

Well, things here are good and moving along.  The weather is wonderful and the Fall colors are changing.  If forever had a season it would have to be Fall.  The days are perfect and the evenings are cool.  Let me know if you need/want anything else as I will box up all the things tomorrow and get it on it's way. 

How are your shoes, your shirts, your socks?  Just want you to have what you need.  Still not drinkingDiet Pepsi, had a few tastes this week.  Still miss it, remember when you quit for over two years.  You're so great that way.  When you put your mind to something you get it.

I love you so much pal and pray for you everyday.  Have a wonderful week.

Be safe and obedient,

Mom

Boiled Green Bananas & the Answer to Survive Them

This is a great email.  He's doing well and understanding that even though struggles happen, he has faith and prayer to get him through.  He was on his way to play futbol with the kids in the area.  They are really good and he loves it.  Thanks for all your support and prayers.  It is felt and appreciated.

Enjoy...

Dang Whats up Family!!!!

Well ive been out here now for 6 months flip cant believe its nut but at the same time i feel like i was born in Honduras but then at times i cant understand word or what people are talking about and thats when i relieze oh ya im american...But its all good thanks fro the doughnuts in my honor that was sweet and i think the loraines was in my honor too right. But really thanks for all the support you give me letters package everything its amazing.

So an hour and 10 mins at the fair huh sounds amazing haha ya there are some losers at the fair huh haha Im glad the loft and everything got done and i guess im glad your keeping the love sac i guess i honestly thought while readind the email that you guys chucked it but nope guess not 

So then Mom wrote about tithing this week and how important that is freak yes its a huge blessing Pay that not joking the members here that are strong and pay their tithing nah there not rich and im not saying they dont have money problems either but you can really see that they are taken care of! There is a promise from pres hinckley about if you pay your freaking tiththing youll be blessed and get out of poverty its super true. Dont forget and pay that Dinero. But ya isnt it crazy how fast prayers can be answered if you believe and its needed answered boom so sweet that we have a Heavenly Father! Invetstigadores theyre coming along alright i guess always could have more but im working and ya. This week has been one of the hardest my entire mish it was so hard i have no idea why  but it was super rough. But i got through it so im good i dont know if it was the language comp i dont know im pretty sure it was just a million things all in one but its all good really thank you all for your prayers for me i can honestly feel them i can its real. I pray for you guys everynight and i hope you can feel them too and have blessings as well. Cambios are this week im staying and Velasquez is too so ya which its all good i was listening to my ipod the other day and listening to the song from forgotten carols its called what i need seriously dont know why but i loved it. And made me feel so much better but heck i just love music always have and its amazing how it can help you or inspire you make you feel better. I was thinking of the primary song about baptism. And the Line i like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain. Man i love to do that ya at times stuff sucks but you can always look at the good. Just like come what may and Love it.

Ah oh ya freaking utes im glad i dont have to deal with all the BYU tipo ridiculous but im glad that Caleb is a true U MAN thats how it should be.

So this week well taught some great familys and people just Go to freaking church and stop doing the things of crap in the world but theyre all good people so thats good. This week Velasquez was ticked at me or something so i found myself pretty quiet some days so that was a bummer but i would just pray in my head or think about spanish and stuff it was all good. I just love you guys. Nothing much has changed here this week we should have a Baptism for the familia Padilla well the kids the mom has a little problem with Ley of Chastity so ya........ But other than that we just gotta get our people going to church and feeling that this is the truth.

Oh so yesterday i had to give a talk in church after we got a call from the counsler in the bishopric at 10 o clock at night saturday but it was sweet i talked about missioin work but how we can apply it to everyone of our lives in church and our just normal life. I used seccion 4 form doctrine and convents and broke it down verse by verse not gonna lie it was pretty sweet 

Also so a couple times a week a member or two will feed us dinner ok one thing that is super harsh is green bananas boiled ahhhh there terrible so why i have suffered eating them i have come up with a solution and this is it so they give me food talk a bit and what not then when they leave the room i have a bag in my pocket heck ya i put that junk in the bag and put it in my pocket its an awesome answer. sO Velasquez saw what i was doing and he hates it too but he didnt have a bag so he just threw em in his backpack freaking chapin but got all his stuff super dirty and stunk so bad haha but ya its a good solution. So then also sat from a pulperia i bought a bunch of crackers tons cause we didnt want to eat at lunch and so we had a cracker feast where i think we ate about 30 a piece mmmm delicious haha .

But ya theres a laugh for you guys i hope anyways i love you so much well this is my 1st email so ill be on for a bit Love you ALL

Love Elder Clayton

On Sun, Sep 18, 2011 at 8:50 PM, <claytonmom@comcast.net> wrote:

Hello Pal!  I hope this finds you well and happy as you are serving.  Happy Bump Day!!!  We celebrated by going and getting doughnuts at Parson's bakery and having one in your honour.  Can you believe you're 1/4 done with your mission?  You are doing an awesome job and we are all so proud of you.  I was a little worried about you this last week when I was chatting back and forth.  Please don't get frustrated with the language.  My goodness you've only been there for 4 months and your companion is speaking a language that is his own.  You're doing fine.  I did pray for you every day and night and even inbetween to have the gift of tongues as you were promised.  Obedience brings forth blessings and you'll get it.

I loved the pictures you sent.  I told everyone it was your true purse-anality coming out.  So glad to see you haven't changed!!!  I also got an email from Morgan saying she was able to be on with you.  She's such a great friend.  I told her to come around more so we can feel like you're here.  I hope she takes me seriously and comes over. 

This week has been a good one.  Monday night for FHE we decided to go to the Utah State Fair as Roger Beattie gave us tickets again.  And bonus we had tickets to the big slide, too. Remember that?  Well we got there about 6:10 p.m. and left about 7:20 p.m.  You might say we just felt like we didn't feel comfortable there.  I hope you got the pictures of Stetson and Caleb on the big slide.  They did a ride for you.  Then we packed up and headed for Lorena's for dinner.  We figured we'd rather eat there than pay the high prices at the fair and still be hungry.  We bought a couple of raspberry lemonade's which were really good but at $5 a piece I should say they should be, right?

We also finished carpeting the loft.  After doing the other stuff we couldn't see why not finish the job.  You know the "love sac", it really is not one.  It's just dumb, well coming down was no problem but getting it back up there was quite funny.  I will include a picture of that, too.  We all laughed so hard and wondering why we are even keeping it.  If it was a real love sac it would be a no brainer, but this one is ridiculous. 

Here's a little story on how quickly Heavenly Father answers our prayers.  Yesterday Caleb was paid for a month's mowing from Linda and the Chinese family.  $175, WOW, right?  I mentioned to him that it was important to pay his tithing and he made some dumb remark about how he didn't want to and you know typical Caleb fashion.  When I went to bed last night I prayed for Heavenly Father to somehow help me teach him the principal of tithing and it's importance.  Wouldn't you know that one of the speaker's topics of their talk was indeed tithing.  Wow, amazing how sometimes prayers are answered even quicker than we could have believed.  We talked about it at dinner and even though I know he isn't thrilled about it, he listened and knows what's right. 

How's the other investigators coming along?  Finding any new ones?  Transfers coming soon?  Will you be in this area for awhile? 

Michelle wrote a bit in Jared's blog about Gates and one of his friends coming into SpankyS and how touching it was that Gates friend feed him his sandwich.  What a true act of love and selflessness.  I often wonder how he's doing and then something like this happens and it is amazing something happens that answers my curiosity.

Well, I hope all is well and you're happy and healthy.  You look so awesome in your pictures.  I can't tell you how much good that does to my heart.  You look happy and that is all I can ask and pray for.

OH, almost forgot.  It was the BYU/UT game last night.  57 to 10, BYU.  It was insane.  The first 1.37 BYU snapped the ball and it went over Jake Heaps head, he tried to get it and fumbled it as he tried to throw, which put it behind him and in the end zone.  UT recovered and TOUCHDOWN!!!  It went down hill from there.  Funny thing, it was fun to go and do errands yesterday to see all the red and blue throughout town.  The UTES did not let us down, one of the best and worst games in history if you know what I mean.

That's why I sent the picture of Caleb to you he was dressed for the day.  He's funny and a true fan.

Well, I love you pal.  Hope you have a wonderful week.  I will try and be on today when you are, but I'm working today and sometimes I have patients and can't get on the email at that time.  I sure hope so, it makes me so happy to be able to chat with you.

Also, never be afraid or go without.  We are doing just fine.  Funny how things work out when you're doing the Lord's work.

Love you pal.  Be safe and obedient.

Mom

His True Purse-anality Coming Out, & Another Baptism!

I was able to be on with him again for a little bit.  This is good and hard at the same time.  Hope it's ok. 

Love your emails everyone of them. Hang in there. You're doing awesome. Love you and will continue to pray have never stopped. I pray mire and harder than I ever have in my entire life. You are AMAZING!!!  I love you. 

Mom

Thanks mom your the greatest!!!! I love you and is it cool if next week i out a list of maybe things you could send?

 His true purse-anality coming out!

Work it!

Another baptism!!!



Hola Familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are you doing well sounds like your week was super sick im stoked you all got the letters so thats cool. Did you guys like the pics of that baptism super sweet huh!! I thought so anyways. So 10 years of Sept 11 ya its not big here at all people dont really know about it but i thought about it yesterday when they anounced the date in church i cant believe it was ten years ago i was in 4th grade in Mrs Priors class. So the carpet looks so awesome i am stoked that youll send me hard copies too but man it looks way awesome.

So you guys ate Hamburgers and Corn on the Cob well ya you could say im jealous ya you can Lucky but thats cool thats wierd its already cold there for september is there still alot of water. The weather here is alright right now it is pouring pouring you guys have never seen rain like this i can tell you that its crazy. And Hot so thats fun.

Freak 6 months can you believe it i cant its nuts i still tell people only 4 months cause the whole spanish thing but ya its good. Im craving so much but next week ill write you with some ideas for a package please i hope thats ok. Fathers and Sons sounded like a hit was it cold of pretty nice. And What movie did you go to really even though it doesnt matter i dont know what movies are out or whatever but ya. It sounds like you guys are doing awesome im glad i love you guys.

Well this week has been super sweet working with some great people we gotta find more so well see how this week goes we have to find somone so hopefully we can oh and Remember Hna Rakel the crazy one super crazy well she finally decided to get baptized so i baptized her on Saturday!!!1 It was aweseme again its amazing to see the change in their lives it really is. Man other than that Nothing much is new oh freak i totally forgot saturday too was dia de niño it is huge here everyone has pinatas candy and its super fun its big here so we got invited to the activity for the primary it was awesome they had 2 pinatas full full of candy with probably like 50 kids there it was nuts a huge party so that was fun. on sunday our other investigadors didnt show up and the one family hid from us flip so typical right but its all good nex week i promise the email will be better sorry for this one.

Come What may and Love It

Love Elder Clayton

My letter to him this week:

Hey Pal!  Hope this finds you well and happy in Honduras.  I am still so grateful for last week.  What a wonderful letter you sent and sound so happy.  You will always remember your first baptism and you look so great. Everyone who I've shown says the same thing.  We are so proud of you and all that you are doing and becoming as you serve.  It's been a great week.  You asked about the letters and as of yesterday, Grandpa & Grandma received one, Dad, Stetson and Caleb and also Rylee all got letters this week.  So, I'm thinking Bethany must have gotten one too.  I have sent another one with some more stickers so hopefully you get those in not too much time.  I will put it in the mail tomorrow. 

This has been a solemn day as it is the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  They have had so many things on the history channel and such.  I remember that day very well.  As I watched and was in shock like the rest of the world, I remember the only thing I could do was pray.  I knelt in the living room at one of the green couches and prayed for peace and comfort for everyone affected.  Dad was in Chicago and ended up driving home.  A lot of things changed on that day.  Several turned to religion for answers.  I was always so glad I knew and believed what I did, so many don't understand the plan of happiness.  That is why it is so important to teach people what you are teaching them.  There is a heareafter and Heavenly Father loves his children.  Even though hard, those people will be taken care of.

Well, it was a busy week for changes here.  As you can see the carpet was laid on Thursday.  They did such an awesome job.  I will get some hard copies and send them to you, too so you can really see it.  It makes our house look so warm and inviting.  We had quite a big piece left and so we decided to do the loft too.  So, this week on Friday we will have another day with the carpet layers.  Dad was able to be here this last time, but I will be here on Friday.  I'll send you another pic on that as well.

Today we had Grandpa and Grandma out for dinner so they could see the new carpet.  We had bbq'd hamburgers and corn on the cob.  We then went up to Joanies and it was a nice evening and then all of the sudden it turned really cold.  We are all sitting there with big quilts and blankets and it's September.  This year's weather has been crazy.  So, we looked up the weather in Honduras and everyone was asking me how you are doing with the weather, the het and the humidity. So how are you doing.  I can't help but think you were in training for that type of weather by doing the NSL job, also the story of the digging the mote, did it remind you of the neighborhood gardens and digging so hard on that?  I did.  It's funny how things all work out, right?

Things are getting back to normal and routine with Labor Day being over.  It really feels like Fall is in the air.  Oh, and this week is your BUMP day!  Six months, crazy, right?  It seems fast most days and some not so quick.  I wish I could have sent you another package, but wasn't certain if you would get it.  So, know that we will celebrate on the 16th as it is always Elder Clayton day.  Is there something you would like?  Craving?  I am putting together another package and want to send you something that you think you would like. 

This past weekend was Father's and Sons.  Caleb and Dad were able to go, they held it at Camp Tracy.  Vince hooked them up.  They had a good time.  Masen went with his dad and brothers.  So, Masen was the oldest and Dallin Jackson was the youngest.  They cooked steaks and potatoes and then in the morning made French Toast and bacon.  I went to the movies with Suzette, Jennifer, Ginny, and Tammy Nielsen.  We all decided we needed to do it more often.  I am so glad we decided to follow the spirit and move seven years ago.  We truly felt like it was meant to be and I can see that we all made such wonderful, life long friends.  Sometimes I wonder what would be different if we hadn't of moved, and I dont' like to think about.  Heavenly Father can truly see the big picture and thank heavens we listen sometimes.

I also sent you a picture of the scooter on it's way to the repair shop.  I have to admit it tugs at my heart to remember seeing the Scooter Gang pull up to SpankyS.  Hope it isn't too much to have fixed.

Well, I guess I'll let you get to the others who have written to you.  Know that I am so happy you're doing so well.  I pray for you always and often.  Please be safe and obedient as I know you will.

I love you so much son,

Love, Mom

p.s. I will be working today so I'm not sure if I'll be able to be on with you.  I so hope I will, but if not, I'm sure your dad will be able to.  Have a wonderful week.  I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tammy Ü

Miracles in Honduras, What a Great Week!

This was a wondeful week for Bridger.  He has patiently waited for a package from home and it arrived, safe and sound and all there.  He was able to hand out pez candy to the children and share in some of the things he has missed from home.  He told me it was like waiting for Christmas.  He also had a baptism and did more service.  After reading his email about digging a mote and as hot as it is.  I am certain he was preparing himself for this area as he worked so hard at NSL for three summers.  He's doing awesome, your prayers are felt and answered in his behalf.  We are so grateful for the love and support you give him and us as he serves.

 He broke his name badge and is waiting for another one.  That Winnie the Pooh sticker has real sentimental value to me. 

 Safe and sound and all there!!!

 Amazing what a bit of love and a package does for this boy!!!  Another on it's way soon!

 This sweet sister is Bridger's first baptism.  Maria Teresa is 65.  His companion Elder Velsasquez is in on the right of her.

 His first baptism!!!  Is it me or are they both beaming!!!

This is the other baptism that his companion preformed his name is Sami.

Enjoy...

Hola!!! How are you all doing dang it sounds like you guys had a sweet week I totally forgot it was Labor Day Weekend but thats chill no school today right. Haha the Petersons that night sounded way bomb where did you guys play miniture golf at

Swiss days Man you love that dont you mom thats awesome though i hope you had a great time what are you doing with the plaque and did you buy anything else speaking of plaques i freaking broke mine in half yesterday so im ordering a new one for my pocket as for now im wearing my one for my suit man it looks stupid but who cares noone is gonna see it but its good 

The carpet sounds good are yu carpeting the loft stairs too thats a question i have and mom 14 days with out soda heck ya thats so sweet i should rephrase the no soda thing we dont drink pepsi or coke stuff with caffiena we drink other soda like sprite i love fresca orange banana grape stuff i hated before i love it now go figure. And ah man 80 degrees lucky i kee thinking one day it will be cold here but hasnt happened yet still always in the 95ishs with ALOT of humidity.

And Boom totally received the package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DANG that is exactly what i needed i was so stoked it was in perfect condition i loved it all all the food is gone of course it was amazing bueno with the PEZ i still have my winnie the pooh dispenser from the mtc so we filll it up and share it with the kids here so thats fun to do but no it was awesome thank you so much thank you thank you!!!!. Thanks for the obituary from grandma and Gabe too not gonna lie that is a pretty sad obituary to read i have his braclet tied onto my backpack cause i cant wear it on my wrist so im supportin him. Theres a litttle piece of him spreading the gospel here in Honduras its really a great reminder for me so thank you.

As for my week it really was a great one!!! Tuesday got my package haha then that night we went to a family we are teaching the familia Padilla we were there when lighting struck a tree like 50 feet away then started pouring pouring so we went in their house and prayed then were about to start a lesson when water started pouring in their house they have a house that well lets just say its not the best so me and Eldr Velasquez grabbed shovels and their pick ax and started digging a mote aroud the house ah man it was ridicouls i bet we dug for 30 mins just cause the mote kept filling with mud and putting water into the house ah man it was crazy. man what a night. 

Then on Friday i got to see one of our investigators Aami get baptized it was so awesome to see the change it was awesome then on Saturday i got to baptize!!!! A Lady named Maria Teresa what a great lady with a great family the family are all members and finally she listened to our gospel it was awesome to do and see she is a great lady!!! We also have others lined up for next week Hna Rakel and Fam Padilla!!1 so well see what happens wit that but thank you for your prayers can you see the influence they have really heavenly father hears you hears me and hears everyone its amazing. Amazing to have a prayer in my heart and see it be answered when i need it!!

Miriacules in Honduras la Lopez thats what i know so awesome.

So ya that was my bomb week we have found some other families as well so we´ll see what happens im so stoked i love being a missionary its hard but man what a payoff and ah just how awesome.

I love you all you are all the bomb i love you emails and Letters thank you for all of them by the way has anyone gotten my letters yet BETHANY BROWN i need someone to ask her if she has gotten the letters FB her or somthin if you can.

Thanks for everything package prayers support all i love you

Love Elder Clayton

My letter to Elder Clayton: 

Hello Pal:  How are you Elder.  Hope this finds you happy and well.  It's been a busy week although quite quiet this weekend.  It's Labor Day weekend and dad and Caleb went to Bear Lake.  Stetson had to work and so he and I stayed home.  Which to be honest is fine with me.  I was able to get some much needed cleaning done and just sleep in a couple of days. 

As you know last week we were headed to meet the Peterson's at Cafe Rio.  We truly feel like one of the choicest blessings of you servinga  mission is their friendship.  We all got our food and chatted just like old friends.  Then the boys went minature golfing and we met them at their house.  They have a beautiful home and it was fun to see that she has very similar taste to ours.  It truly feels like we have know them forever.  One of the most fun things was to look on their fridge and see pictures of you and Elder Peterson there.  I can't wait to officially meet him.  I sent you a picture of their fridge, fun right?   We have already planned a get together for October 10th and both Caleb and Stetson thought it was too far away.

On Wednesdy, Brent Ensign came to lay the tile in the entry way.  He told us Masen is just 6 months shy of coming home, unbelievable, right?  I guess it tends to fly by when it's not your family.  He set it on Wednesday, grouted on Thursday and sealed it on Friday.  It looks awesome. I'll send you a picture, but it will look even better at the end of this week when the carpet gets here.  This week will be busy as dad needs to pull up all the carpet so they can come on Thursday to lay it.  It's going to be a little bit chaotic this week and a mess, but all worth it.

How's the investigators coming along?  I hope someone is realizing the wonderful message you are sharing and wanting to embrace it and become a member.  Today it was fast Sunday and Ginny told of an experience where Ryan was able to witness a baptism in a lake near Buffalo.  He is doing well and feeling more comfortable.  I talked to Masen today at church.  I was hoping to have him go to Sunday School with me, but he was helping his mom do a sharing time about missionary work.  They took our map and placed markers of where the missionaries from our ward are serving.

Yesterday was Swiss Days and the one thing that I got was a plaque that reads, "Come What May and Love It"  what a great statement.  See when they start doing the vinyl lettering with a saying it's powerful.  It truly is a great statement and one we can all learn from.

With school starting the weather has already started to feel like fall.  It's been around 80 degrees the past couple of days and it seems perfect.  How's the weather there?  Still hot?  I so hope you send some pictures if you get a chance, I love seeing where you are and how you glow when you smile from ear to ear.

So, I've been 14 days without soda.  Can you even believe it???  So many times I have tried to quit and never seem to do it.  This time seemed easier for some reason.  I thought I should be able to do this since you had to give it up.  I am still hoping I get some type of benefit for doing so.

I will forward Brett's last email to you on Dearelder.com  He is doing really well and enjoying his mission.  Well the question that is certainly on my mind is did you get the package finally?  I so hope so.  As i pray for you I even pray that it will get to you and soon.  Do you need a new pair of shoes?  I will send you one like we bought at Mr. Mac's but do people usually send one shoe and then the other?  Please let me know if you want some and how they send them, or can you buy some there.  We can put more $$$ in your account if you need to be able to get some.  We want you to be comfortable.

Well, remember it's a holiday, so I should be able to be on again with you.  I so enjoyed that last week.  I feel very blessed when it happens.

Continue to be safe and obedient.

I love you so much son and look forward to hearing from you.

Love,

MOM

Tammy Ü