Week 6

Week 6

January 30, 2018

THE KEYBOARDS ARE WEIRD HERE, I don't know how to work them really.

Hey everyone! SORRY, I didn't get any computer time for the last two weeks until now. So that's why I didn't reply or send any weekly email!  

Anyways... Last week here in the MTC! It's honestly been such a great time, and I've grown so close to all the people here, especially my district and zone.  I've met so many great people here, some I'll stay in contact for a long time I'm sure!

Anyways....
The week started with Jan 23rd, a Tuesday. My companion and I got to teach another skype TRC and it was super hard... I had a hard time I'd say. Then 4'Square came along and I went off, I'm basically the Jordan of 4'Square now. That 4'Square thing leads into a big story which happened the next day.

Wednesday was normal until gym at the end of the day. But I'll get there in a bit. Every Wednesday we have to wake up early and do service, I was lucky enough to vacuum all the carpets outside... which isn't that bad because all of the Senior Missionaries saw me, and thanked me! I also was able to find out the NBA All Star teams. I already knew Derozan was a starter, but I'm pumped Lowry made it as well. I'm also happy about my boys Oladipo, and Porzingis making it as well. Anyways back to, the mission. 8-10 Elders in my District got reassigned because their VISA's did not come in, they got reassigned to Logan Utah, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. That was pretty interesting. But now I'm at my story at the gym. So a little backstory, we usually have excersize time with Elders and Sisters who are learning Spanish and in 4'Square there is always a little bit of contention between us, but we love them still. There's some really cool Sisters and Elders out of them! But anyways, as gym time was ending, I was in the king square, and there was another Elder who made an illegal play and got me out. People waiting in line said that I wasn't out but I went out anyways because it's just a game!  But then the Elder who made the illegal play was staring at me and I asked him, ªAre we making up rules now?", a legitimate question... But he picked up the ball and whipped it at me. I caught his throw, and no joke it was probably the cleanest catch of my life. Then he walked straight at me... then turned and left the gym. Quite a weird situation but mostly a little bit funny! It was the main talk after excersize time ended.

Thursday nothing all that crazy happened, however we did get to watch this play/show put on by some MTC workers. It was actually super funny. The whole play was based off of everyday missionary life, and what it's like to meet the Mission President and stufff like that. At the end of the day I was able to see Ben Lacusta! That was great, it's always so fun to see someone you know while you're in the MTC.

Jan 26th! HBD Jacko! It was a pretty uneventful day... Besides the fact that I had my last gym time.  I ended in the king spot in 4'Square, so I left as a champ at least.

Last Saturday at the MTC! It was a day I'd been llooking forward to, but also kinda dreading. I had to say bye to both my Portuguese teachers, Irma Guy and Irmao Machado. It was sad, you really do become good friends with your teachers here, and I'd even say lifelong friends. The love you feel here is for sure real! I also started all my packing which was moito bon.

Then Sunday actually came, my last day at the MTC. It was the day I had been working towards that I thought would never come. Bittersweet. I had such a great time at the Missionary Training Center. So many people that I met that I know I'll forever stay in contact with and many lifelong friends. The love I felt here really proved how real brotherly love is. Anyways, the day really started when we were in church and Elder Throolin was playing the piano... He played the wrong music for the Hymn and everyone still tried to sing it, then he laughed out loud during the opening prayer hahahhah. Most of the day involved packing, but as a zone, preisthood blessings were given out to the Elders and Sisters leaving the MTC. Ended the night by saying goodbye to my new friends. Followed by the finishing touches on packing and bedtime cause I had to get up at 3:00 am to leave!

That leads me to Monday the 29th! The day I left. Woke up at 3:00 and left a 3:50, got to the Salt Lake City airport and we flew off to Chicago! There's 5 of us Elders going to Porto Portugal me, Elder Taylor, Elder Throolin, Elder Hunter, and Elder Howard. We were also with an Elder who was flying to Angola Africa. When we got to the airport it was great because we went to our next gate and then called our families! It was so great to talk to my amazing parents and unreal little brothers. Just the sound of their voices is so great to hear. It was sad to hang up but I had to do it ahah. Anyways, at the airport we met two Sister missionaries who are also going to Porto! They did not get their VISA's in time so they just finished 6 weeks serving in Arizona, but now they are with us! One of the Sisters, Sister Holmes, and us had a 3 person row to the two of us on the plane from Chicago to Frankfurt Germany, so that was great because we had lots of room, and had some good talks! Kind of a weird day though because it was only really a 18 hour day.

The next day, the Tuesday was super long though, it was a 30 hour day aha. When we got off the plane in Germany, me and my friend, Elder Taylor, put $1 American in an envolope that said "100 Euros" we both can't wait to watch the replay of who picked it up when we're in heaven hahah. Anyways, then we took a plane to Porto, Portugal! After we got off the plane our Mission President was there waiting for us! And we met up with some more Sister Missionaries who were serving in Porto! Anyways we got to our Hotel and me, Elder Taylor, and Elder Hunter were assigned as companions for the day. That was awesome cause I love those guys. Anyways, then we got interviewed by our President, he said he was really happy with my interview but then proceeded to tell me and Elder Taylor to get haircuts. Even though our hair was already short and we got haircuts the day before. Still, we went and got haircuts.. and I can say it was the worst haircut Iºve ever had. He told me "I cut what I want, and I like what I cut." In broken English. Then I went to bed after that!

A cool thought from this week came when two Hawaiian Elders from my zone did a haka type dance for all the Elders leaving. They said it's meaning was for the start of war. One of the Elders told everyone, "When warriors would go into battle over seas, they would burn the ships behind them. No return and having to fight."  They related it tp a mission saying that once you step off that plane, it's up to you to burn it and give the fight your all. I really liked that idea.
My challenge for this week is to do something that you wouldn't usually do. Like for me going to Europe.. aha. Anyways whether it be talking to someone you don't usually, or cleaning your room or whatever, I challenge you to do it.

Elder Out
Mamba Out

Elder Layton leaving the MTC and getting ready to board the bus for the Salt Lake City Airport
January 29, 2018




The Elders on the bus ready to go to the Airport. 



Elder Freeman and Elder Layton



Elder Layton with his MTC Elders and the new Sisters and President Amorim in Portugal
January 30, 2018




parks.layton@myldsmail.net
Address:
Elder Parks Stewart Layton
Portugal Porto Mission
Rua de Amália de Luazes, No 23, Sala 1
4200-052 Porto
Portugal 











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