Week 1...

Elder Clayton has been out for a  week and a day. We finally got an email from him after much wondering of when his Preparation Day (P-Day) would be. Ryan is learning Spanish so he will be in the Provo MTC for nine weeks, however, we have just passed week number one and he already wants to be in the field working hard and serving the Lord. I have a feeling the next eight weeks for him are going to be long, but what doesn't kill him will only make him stronger. I don't know if I can say the same about the food. He hasn't said whether or not he likes it but I asked so hopefully next week I will have a response to that answer. There are 11 other elders in his district including his companion, and he says they all get along really well. His companion is Elder Manglinong, he didn't say much about him but again I asked so we will see what he has to say. I'm beginning to see a pattern here about him not really saying much about the MTC itself. He did ask us to send him a seat cushion for the chair he sits in for around ten hours a day. 

The following are little snippets from his email home. No better way to tell you what's up than through his own words right?

"There's a saying here that I learned pretty fast it goes: The days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days.  It is so true, we have 14 hour days constantly studying and learning. Still feeling stressed but learning to be patient."

"Sundays are the best here we get to have personal study most of the day which is awesome and there's a fireside every Sunday and Tuesday night. Elder Bednar is supposed to come soon and speak. We get to watch the Brigham City temple dedication here which will be awesome."

"I think the worst part of my days are our daily investigator visits, we have to try and convert a mock investigator all in Spanish, it is so hard. It's amazing though of how much Spanish you learn in one week, I can already say a pray and bare my testimony all in Spanish! It's also amazing how much you mature in such a short amount of time!"

"We get to have an hour of gym every day which is the best! I've been playing four square and futbol (soccer) almost every gym and they're the best!"

"I went to the temple this morning and it was awesome, we saw a couple getting married which was pretty cool! It's amazing how much you can feel the spirit when you attend the temple, it's probably the best thing here!"

Here are some pictures of his first week! again he didn't say much about them so I am going to do my best at guessing so good luck!

Ryan and Robynn. 9/5/12

Mom and Ryan. 9/5/12

Dad and Ryan. 9/5/12

Elder Clayton. 9/5/12

This picture is so something Elder Clayton would do.

My guess is this is his companion

Elder Clayton has had a rough start this past week but here's to knowing things will get better. He is on the more discouraged side of things, which is understandable, learning a language in nine weeks could be considered impossible if it wasn't for the gift of tongues. Tonight my family put together a care package for our missionary fully equipped with Oreo's, soda, Crackers, chips, the seat cushion he asked for, letters, and candy. That should hold him and his companion over for about a week. Please send letters to Ryan showing him your love and support. He could really use the words of encouragement to push him through to the next week and the next two years. Ryan is a strong kid and I have no doubt he will be a fine and faithful missionary. He is a 19 year old kid leaving home for the first time going to a foreign country talking to strangers, building a love and friendships that will last throughout the eternities.

Address and E-Mail:

Elder Ryan James Clayton 
MTC Mailbox # 302
MEX-LEON 1105
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

ryan.clayton@myldsmail.net

God Be With You Till We Meet Again...