Week 3

Week 3
January 8, 2018

 Hey everyone! This week has been so great! I'm really enjoying my time here. It's actually super fun. Thanks for the emails throughout the week and all the love I've been getting!

Well this week started with New Years Eve... which was really eventful. We stayed up all the way until 11:00, so crazy. Hahah, but anyways it was good to start off the New Years on a PDay, and Demar Derozan dropped 52! Anyways, the following day a Sister Missionary in my zone (Sister Burt) was leaving early in the morning for her mission, so we went to an early breakfast to say bye! When we got there, she asked if she could have a blessing, so we went to a room, and I was able to give a blessing of comfort before she left! She's awesome, and after she left we dropped down to only 2 sisters left.  Later that night, we had another Missionary leaving, (Elder Dealba) and he asked if I could join in blessing him as well before he left. So once again, another goodbye. 

The next day (January 3rd) we received the word that President Monson had passed away the night before, around the time we were getting ready for bed. He was a great man loved by all, and his teachings were amazing. He always said, "If God ever needs an errand run, Tommy Monson will run that errand.",  I love that. 

Anyways, on January 3rd we received 6 new missionaries! So it was pretty awesome to seem like the experienced/older missionary! They're pretty cool guys and have provided some funny stories, one of which I'll talk about later in this email. I met a couple Sisters going to Argentina, they're pretty cool, and we get along great, so we stop and talk every once in a while. (One of those times, Elder Webb stayed back and took a picture of me walking with them hahahah). 

The next day was kinda boring, but I found out Teigan/Elder Simpson got reassigned to Tacoma Washington so that was cool! Also this Elder in my zone (Elder Neilson) tried sleep paralysis and it worked, he was sleeping with his eyes open and he said he couldn't move. But then some people started laughing and he woke right up hahah. 

Anyways January 5th... here's a funny story about one of the new guys. So there's this one new Elder "J" and since his first day, he's been talking about basketball and how good he is. "I cant wait to show everyone up", "You'll have never seen something like this", "I'm not sure why, but its just so easy for me to put the ball through the hoop", those are just some of the things that he had said. Anyways today he got his first gym time... before we started playing he said he averaged 27 points a game back home, and also said that he once hit 100 three's in a row, and that he hit 40 three's in 5 minutes.... anyways  we shot free throws for teams and he missed 4 straight free throws and didn't make either of the 3vs3 teams aha. He later got on a team and maybe went 1-20 from three, as well as talking trash to players who don't even play bball. Anyways the moral of the story is that once you get to the MTC, you get a clean slate/new beginning... and when you get that clean slate, be yourself and not someone you want to be! However when I re-tell the things he said and did, I don't mean to bash on him or anything, I'm proud of him for leaving his home and family and deciding to serve a mission! 

More in the MTC basketball world, My buddy Elder Torbinson (Crazy good shooter and baller, played uni in the states) and I are tight. When we're on the same team we're undefeated, we play really well together. In volleyball everything is great, I made a friend from San Fran who played libero for his school, he sets me up perfectly and make vball 20x more fun!

Next day (Jan 6th). In class with our sister teacher she talked with us about super smash bro's which was awesome! But yeah in terms of class, the language is kinda hard, and I feel like I've gotta study all the time. Since I have two 3hour classes a day there's not much free study time, so its kinda hard to read scriptures and study language. 

And last but not least Jan 7th/ yesterday. Elder Webb and I got released as Zone Leaders cause they do that every 3 weeks so people get chances to be zone leaders and such. It's crazy cause I have been a zone leader since my second day, so now I don't have to organize weekly events or get up early on Sundays anymore, but being a Zone Leader was great. President Dansy thanked Elder Webb and I for being Zone Leaders and told me he couldn't remember the last Zone Leaders called as quick as us! That was great to hear, and I'm glad and I could serve the Elders and Sisters of my ward. 

Sunday was fast Sunday so we didn't eat until around 4:30. Later that night we watched a movie called "Testaments" which was nice cause it's always good to see a movie! And today Elder Webb and I woke up, got a haircut, and then got to go to the temple! Anyways the week was pretty great ! 

If you have any questions email me and I'll answer them! Thanks for all the support. If my pictures don't show up on this email you can view them at http://elderparkslayton.blogspot.ca as soon as my mom posts them! If you go on my instagram page that link is in my bio as well. 

Elder out
Mamba out





Elder Layton and the two Sister Missionaries that are going to Argentina





Elder Layton and Elder Webb


A visit to the Provo Temple


Elder Teigan Simpson (going to Tacoma Washington) and Elder Layton



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