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