A Love for Watches, even in Honduras and Hanging in there, Literally.

Hey Fam first off dont worry about the email it was a bummer but it was awesome this week to read alot so thanks. Also i have gotten letters from like jared and rylee but i havent seen the stickers or any of that yet so i dont know about that .

And the Parade sounded like it went good so thats nice im glad I have nyah memmot rockin the catracho pride si hombre anyways i havent read dads letter yet but it sounds like the bearlake trip was a success it always is so thats nice. Did you guys have fireworks or anything for the 24th we heard that fireworks are all legal this year even the wyoming ones is this true? if so thats flippin sweet.

So everything sounds way good there i hope it is anyways it better be im out here working so i hope the Lord is blessing you.

Anyways for this week on Tuesday we went to San Pedro and Yes Pizza Hut but i have found the number 1 place in Honduras it is an American Store called Juniors and they had CHEX MIX CHEDDAR can you believe it ya i bought two bags of it it was amazing dang so good. So that was kind of a hight light Then on Jueves i had divisions with Elder Mcintire an elder that came to Honduras with me so ya our spanish isnt the best of course but we taught 5 lessons and did other stuff needless to say it was one of the best days id had in awhile. Also i was back in my area and it poured on us so bad that the streets were filled and i found myself wading in the water yeah wading over my knees hahah ah its crazy here but these people gotta know about this stuff so i do it Honestly i love wading through the water  when its pouring and people are just looking at us and i love to have a big smile on my face cause the people are either thinkging dang that kids crazy or he knows something haha yeah its a little of both.

Then also something we did this week that was fun and ive done it before but it just kinda was more awesome this time it is reading the book of Mormon outside with investigators like in a hammak or on a rock dang i wish i could take a pick cause me watching them read and then me with all the different trees and stuff its really amazing.

So i bought a new watch!!!! Yeah itsa a casio and was the american equal to like 4  bucks so that was a deal ya so its not a nixon and its definitly not the next best thing but its works so thats nice how are my watches doing is Stetson or Caleb or Someone rocking em.

Anyways that was our week we had a couple investigadors in church but yeah its hard right now i havent had much success its hard but hopefully ill see something in a little bit hopefully.

I love you all so much ill keep looking forward to the stickers oh and you dont need to dear elder me with every letter its really cool its all good. Im doing alright still just trucking along im having a rough time at times but just know that im ok and spanish is alright still and ya I love you all so much and pray for you every day love you so much!!!!1

Love Elder Clayton

This came from a member that posted on Facebook. Isn't technology amazing. 

From the same sweet sister.  So glad she shared them with us.  Gracious!

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 2:48 PM, <claytonmom@comcast.net> wrote:

Hey Pal!  Oh how saddended I was to read you did not get my email.  I will always write you!!!  Debbie Packard said that it happened occasionnally with Braden and so they got his password and username to make sure it was in his in box each week.  If you trust me to do that, that would be super.  I will not look at who you email or who is emailing you...I promise.  I certainly don't want this to happen to you again.  I know that this is what keeps you going each week.  I have also sent things regular mail and dearelder.  Are you getting those?  I sent stickers to you quite awhile back, have you gotten those.  I continue to send things regular mail just so you have something to hold onto and re-read when you need to.

How was your week.  Dad and Caleb just got back from Scout Camp.  They went to Bear Lake, staying in the Paris campground.  I know that Dad will be writing you today and I'm sure he'll fill you in on what happened there.  Just glad I have the boys I do.  Ones who help out and are easy to have at camp. They had a good time with minimal complaints or problems. Stetson went up on Tuesday night with Doug and went repelling and also to the lake to wakeboard and tube with Doug and the Bishop.  He had a great time, didn't hurt that Doug bought him a shake on the way in, and Bishop bought him one on the way home.  That's more than I've had in all the years I've gone up there.

Dad and Caleb stayed at the house from Thursday until Saturday and spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa.  I however was at home with responsibility to be in the Bountiful Parade yet again.  This year we had about 100 kids participate in the parade.  I made signs of all the missionaries and put a string on them to hang around their neck and each was given the flag of the country or state they were serving in.  Our theme was "Going Forward in Faith."  As the children marched at each announcer station this is what they read, "Going Forward with Faith"  and sharing their knowledge and testimonies, these primary children from the Bountiful Orchard Stake are carrying and waving flags representing the 61 missionaries from their stake.  Couples, elders and sisters from this stake are serving in 13 different countries.  These children have wonderful examples for them to follow when they are of age to serve a mission of their own.  It was so great to see them wave their flags and have the crowd cheer for them.  Nyah Memmott carried yours.  I'll send a picture of her for you to see.  She was so happy to do it.

Tomorrow is the 24th of July and so today we talked about pioneers in Sacrament meeting.  This is the one Sunday where your dad sings in church.  So that is always a great day.  It was also Tyler Jensen's homecoming for our ward.  He's been home for almost a month now.  He did a great job.  He looks so different.  Remember his long, blond hair.  Short dark brown now, he looks great and has a little Oklahoma drawl about his voice.  He said to tell you hello.  We are not sure what we are going to be doing tomorrow, but it will be nice to just have no schedule and just chill as a family.  We will miss you being here, but are so proud of you and what you are doing.

I love the pictures.  Thank you so much for sending them.  That is one thing that certainly keeps me going.  I still shed a few tears each letter just to know that you are well and happy.  You look great.  I can't believe how pretty it is there.  Tyler said it hasn't gotten below 100 degrees for the past month and is so humid.  One day they were wanting to go into their apartment which was air conditioned and get a gatorade.  He said a prayer in his head and they decided to keep tracting.  The next door they went to was a professional b-ball player and he offered them to come inside and gave them a gatorade.  He said his prayer was answered.  Everyone chuckled, but we all know of the tender mercies and miracles Heavenly Father gives us if we just ask in faith.  Not always will they be answered at the next door or even the same day, but they for sure will be answered in what is best.

Kylie, Cody and Ezra sat with us at church.  They feel like family and we all take turns passing Ezra around.  He's really getting cute, he smiles and almost laughs.  I'll try and get a picture to send to you so you can see the changes in him.

Grandma and Grandpa's house is progressing.  They should be moving in sometime the end of August.  They are excited but are finding the life of being a vacationer in their trailer isn't too bad.  I'll go and get some pictures and email them to you next week so you can see what it looks like.  You'll be impressed.  It's going to be really good for them and a lot easier, no stairs and not much of a yard. 

Well, I guess I'll let you get back to your other things.  I will send the email to dearelder again.  Please know how much I love you and pray for you everyday.  I think of you more than you probably could even imagine, but I know that you're doing exactly what you should be doing.  The people of Honduras are already loving you like I do. I loved how they call your name.  You have always made friends easier and kids love you.  That will help people to see they can trust you and will. 

Love you so much pal.  Be safe and obedient.

Mom:)

Fuzzy Bunnies & Eating a New Fish

Not sure what happened but for some reason my email didn't get sent and I can't even begin to tell you how saddened I was to think he didn't get a letter this week from home.  I've sent him things on dearelder.com and also regular mail, so with any luck and a small miracle something from home will get to him this week.  He's doing awesome and sent some pictures I will try and post them.  Thanks for all your prayers and support, we are very grateful for them.

Well first i dont know if you had time to write an email or not this week but i didnt recieve one so that was kind of a bummer um how are things going? Its almost the 24th so thats cool any fun parties or plans going on. This week has been long for me but it was ok first thanks dad for the advice about DC 121 it is a very good section and really its so true. So then last Sunday we met a guy crossing the rio and he wanted us to come teach him so we said alright set up a cita then asked now where exactly do you live. He said around the mountain so we said ok and on Wed. we started off and walked about 25 mins with no houses and well nothing except mountains then we passed a guy we told him where we were going and he told us we have like 45 mins to go what the freak so we walked walked and walked it was so far to these people that just work in agriculture corn to be exact and so taught some lessons there but really i dont think anything will come out of it because its so far away and the people dont have any way to trasportation so ya kind of a waste of a day. Anyways walking back after we got into town a school was getting out and there was probably 35 kids 8 to 11 years old and walking past i yelled well in espanol claro How was school today then high 5'd all of em haha i love talking to the kids here its exactly what grandpa said talking to them is so fun and with that something funny that i love to do we will be at lunch or in the streets and have some time and there will be some kids so ill walk to em and start talking then ill ask do you want to learn some english and theyre all si si si ok 1 word in english people use alot its like way cool or awesome and then there all stoked and i throw down the word "FUZZY BUNNIES" haha its so funny cause then they just repeat fuzzy bunnies all day long haha love it cause some kids claim they know english and youll ask them to speak to you and its like "Hey &%^$  or some other swear word so i always am like ya that doesnt make sense but this does haha so its funny. Then ill talk to the kids in the street and they know my name so when we pass certain areas they yell "Clayton, Clayton" which is awesome i love that.

Then went to lunch at this members house we had fish it was so good so so so good best meal ive had here well except wendys and Pizza Hut but you cant beat those when i was done i asked here what kind of fish i didnt understand so after i asked my comp and it was carp haha freaking carp but hey it was way good. Then Saturday we had a lesson where we were gonna watch the joseph smith movie so we had to run to a members house get the dvd run back then after the movie run the dvd back hop on the bus to go to our other area it was crazy needless to say we honestly were sprinting and we probably looked ridiculous but flip we already do cause we are white. so who cares.

So ya that was pretty much the week we had a good family progressing but they didnt go to church freak this is something hard others are having success and this area and us are not and i dont know why im trying but freak its just the lifestyle here just layed back relax and thats about it so i dont know thats hard. Then Yesterday i had to teach a whole sunday  school by myself that was humbling to say the least i can understand alot its just still hard when its not totally about the lessons and stuff its harder when we are in lessons though i can talk and understand almost everything so thats nice not to be lost in those anymore.

So ya im sure there was a default with the email or something i was bummed not to have anything from you guys well ok i got a short email that said something about a lion and then ya that you would be on today but i dont know.

Well i do love you guys so much thanks for everything from the last emails you all sounded good and stetsons car looks good so ya you guys are the best i love you so much so much youre the best family in the world i pray everynight for you guys to have all that you need and that youre ok i hope everything is working i love you so much.

Come what may and Love it.

Love Elder Bridger Clayton

 This is the trench he was building of the open sewer.  His face says it all.

 Filling the font by buckets of water from the well

He looks great! 

.

What a Difference a Week Makes -

Last week was a tough one.  He wrote a little frustrated with his new companion.  And as his mom I worried and prayed hard for him and his companion.  As you will see in this letter he is growing so much and his faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father is too.  Love him so much and was so relived after reading this week's letter.  Enjoy...

What up family!

Welp sounds like you had a sweet week and Elder Petersens homecoming was way sweet ya man hes such a great guy and was an amazing elder and honestly taught me how to be a missionary and honestly i am going to be the hard worker he was i am not gonna have any regrets. Im sorry about my letter last week i and about raging with all sorts of stuff but honestly right here i love this church and gospel i do and i want to share this with these kind giving humble people here and i might have some road blocks or obstacles in my way but freak im gonna get through them. One way or another its whatever.  I know there is a lesson to learn here and im learning it but in the end it WILL turn out all good as long as i give my all every day and thats my goal. i have never been so tired as i am on some of these days but so far its all totally worth it. Spanish is on another level for me now its Hard to communicate still i mean not as much in the lessons but just street talk its a little difficult but guess what im gonna get through this and one day be able to speak without thinking )I hope at least. 

Anyways this week we did some different thing first a companionship in our district needed to use the Baptismal font so we went to study in the church in the morning and fill it up. So it was on for like 20 mins and we were studying then the power went out which means the water stops too so we stayed studying hoping the water would come on then at 10 we decided we had to do something or the baptism wouldnt happen so we went to the WELL yes the church has a well and started filling buckets of water walking into the church and filling the font by means of bucket i have no idea how many it took but it took us 2 hours of non stop work it was hard but man what a story right. And the family got baptized so in the end it was all totally good.

Then on Sunday none of our investigators came again freak this is ridiculous i dont know why nobody comes to church its hard when they dont show up but whatever but on a good note we had attendance of 114 personas the most ive ever seen but i did fing out that this ward has over 700 members just inactive crazy huh.

So today is pday in the morning we played basketball which was sweet then got to go to San pedro with other Elders just to eat Real Food We went to WENDYS dang i have never been so thankful for wendys i had a baconator with a huge fanta fries and frosty i havent been this full for a while it was awesome. Now im just chillin in internet cafe honestly one of my favorite times of the week thanks for all your emails and pictures i love them so Dude stetsons car looks sick maybe ill get to drive that one day did he ever get new speakers. And about the dear elders i have got them and i got Grandma and Grandpas letter from Bearlake last week that was awesome ah there the best tell em i love them theyre the greatest. Those red fruits are called leeches way bomb there are crazy fruits here but all are amazing. um ii might take some money out this week so just a heads up i dont carry my card on my so ya whatever oh about the Ipod im so down for a little shuffel if you can. I will send you a list of songs that i would like to put on too porfavor. Well right now thats about it from Cofradia Honduras I love you guys so much your always in my prayers thanks for the great examples that you all have been in my life.

Im Fine i can hold my own i know who i am what i stand for and what im here to do. Love you all so much.

I just have to remember Come what may and Love it

Love Elder Clayton

Also we did a service projest where we trenched out ya trenching like i was back at NSLpd but this was not for sprinklers nah it was an open sewer ah killed me not gonna lie but whatever sewer old sitting water what can ya do im in Honduras ill send some pics next week but ya just a heads up crazy right

Church Manners & A Rat Killer

This week I wrote him about the Jensen's moving, testimony meeting and just stuff happening around here.  Hopefully, you can follow.  I don't want to take out what he wrote as it is going to be printed for him.  Enjoy...

Dang Feliz 4 de Julio. So it sounds like you all had a great week sounds like powell was fun thats freakiing sweet i wanna go to powell that sounds so awesome. Surf and Swim huh dang not gonna lie i would be so down for that right now its so hot here but i love it so its all good. YES SPANKYS dang i wish i could have that when we were in San Pedro i guess there is a subway so i might have to tryit out. What movie did Stetson go to instead of the fireworks? I love fireworks well except the fact that they have them here everynight ya no big deal just firecrackers like bottle rockets theres no rules or laws here.

Haha the xxxxxx  thing made me laugh haha remember when he was watching the Vances cat haha and then Stetson meowed in my ear i laughed so freaking hard oh my gosh so hard that was probably one of the times mom was a little less happy with me in church. But here dang whole nother world in church kids are walking up the stand doing the YMCA eating chips drinking Pepsi its a whole nother world that is for sure but fun even though i still dont understand everything. Thats a bummer about the Jensens but good for them i guess too who is the new young mens pres and really about the shuffel thing im totally down ya we can charcge it we have outlets so thats all good.

By the Way i sent Elder Petersen with some stuff for you guys make sure you get it from him on sunday remind him about it!!!!!! Anyways i was way bummed to see him leave he honestly was a bomb missionary and the missionary i want to be we worked so hard and i loved it it was so hard but so awesome as well. It made me relieze how much i missed him when i was with my new Companion Elder Richardson from Manti utah Honestly i am here to help the people and love them and the first night FIRST NIGHT we are contacting this lady who wants nothing to do with us and everything im trying to say something and in english he says bear your testimony and so honestly i didnt feel like that was the time but that all she needed was a nice invite to church and i would be on my way. Because hes so freaking abrupt to people like i hate it really so i start to say something and then she starts talking so im listening and he pokes me and says CONDEM HER MAN what the freak so i invited her to church and we walked away then we stopped on the corner and hes like youdidnt listen to me blah blah blah tells me a bunch of crap and all i said to him was guess what elder i didnt come 1000 miles away to freaking condemn people i love these people and you can rtell me a million times to condemn em and i will not do it because thats wrong i dont know give me your opinion but even if you are the same way as him really i wont listen i am here to share the gospel and I love these people i do I love them i dont understand everything that goes on but i want help them freak i know right then we just walked in silence and then went home went to bed and thats not the only time this has happened i gotta fuigure something out. But i know i have never ever prayed this much to love somebody its hard. But you know what im gonna do; Come what may and love HIM the best way i can anyways but whatever.

On a happier note i am a rat killer ya we had a rat in our house and i killed it last night ya no big deal or anything but yep.

Anyways we had the family at church again gotta get em married and it will be good a wauy bomb family. And I saw Elder Petersen the other day that was sweet he seems to be doing good he was a little ticked his parents bought a jeep but other than that all good well hope to hear back from you all love you so much happy birthday Dad 35 right anyways love you

Love Elder Clayton