Glendale, California:  Week 19

Well, we're about 10 days into the quarantine, and things are still going well actually. 

All us elders are becoming a lot closer because of this. It's been fun getting to know them better and playing Frisbee and soccer in the church for our daily exercise.

We're still making lots of phone calls to people, sharing scriptures and doing whatever we can to help. Despite the difficulty of doing missionary work right now, I've really been able to see a lot of blessings this week. We have such a supportive ward helping us, and I know our Heavenly Father will continue to take care of the needs of all his children. I'm so happy I get to share scriptures about Jesus Christ with others, and hear their great spiritual experiences as they pray and read the scriptures. 

Unfortunately, one of the elders staying in our apartment had to go home to Chile, along with several others from our mission who came from out of country. It is sad to see him go, he was one of the nicest and funniest elders I've met. Plus, he was obsessed with cleaning the apartment, he spent a lot of his Pdays cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. With him gone, our shiny nice apartment will be the next thing to leave us.

On Saturday we did a competition in our zone, who could make the best reenactment of a scripture story. Me made a video about Samuel the Lamanite, and it was pretty great. Unfortunately the sisters in our zone made a Laban and the plates video that absolutely destroyed ours, theirs was much better. 

Here's the link, hopefully this works:

https://drive.google.com/a/missionary.org/file/d/1mXj_eAHDjYLbI8S1XIJlAqW0gPNX9pWK/view?usp=drivesdk

Thanks everyone for the support and kind emails, I really appreciate it.  Best of luck to everyone as we continue to navigate these unique times.

Elder Clayton

Երեց Քլեյթոն

We have increased family history time now, and I got a bit carried away with the FamilySearch activities.  So here's me if I was Armenian, I guess.

Also me in my Nephite outfit for the video.

Glendale, California:  Week 18

Times really are crazy, wow.

On Tuesday one of the Filipino elders got sent home unexpectedly because he's from out of country. It was really sad to see him go so suddenly, but his companion is basically in a trio with us now, which has been fun. I've been called to California speaking Armenian, doing some Filipino missionary work. Who would've thought?

Thursday evening we finally got put into quarantine. Sorry, I mean "safer at home mode" or whatever it's called haha. Basically we're not supposed to go outside except for buying food and supplies. We do a lot of phone calls and video meetings, since we can't go out and visit anyone. They've been good, and I feel like people enjoy the spiritual uplifting as well as just having someone to talk to. I have to admit though, making phone calls for hours a day is going to get old real fast.

Sunday sacrament meeting was really fun. With all 7 of us elders, it turned out pretty well. We all took our roles, and I got to be the 2nd counselor. We had sacrament, and I gave a talk about the atonement of Jesus Christ. Then we did Come Follow Me, and had ice cream cones provided by our Relief Society President, Elder Bahr.

I know that a lot of missionaries are being sent home from out of country, or for health reasons. I can't even imagine how hard that must be. I am so sorry, and to any missionaries reading this, just know that I am praying for you. 

I love you all, and I know God has things under control. All of this is happening for a reason, it's just a reason we may not understand yet. Keep being strong, and look forward to this rapidly-approaching general conference!

Elder Clayton

Երեց Քլեյթոն

Pictures of our sacrament meeting:

Glendale, California:  Week 17

Well, it's been kind of a dreary week. Nonstop rain, and a whole bunch of people are worried about the virus, so contacting people has been especially difficult. But we're not in quarantine yet! Still out and about visiting people, doing phone call lessons, and yesterday we got to take the sacrament over to some people.

It's crazy to hear all the news about the Corona Virus, how it's affecting other missions, and all the precautions being taken against it.

Just remember that God has things under control. We have a prophet to lead and guide us, and show us how to protect ourselves from the dangers of the world. I know that our Heavenly Father loves each of us, and would never leave us to fend for ourselves. 

Remember Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

Heavenly Father gives us everything, we just have to be prepared to accept it!

I wish I had some awesome story to share from this week, but nothing too exciting happened. 

Until next time, stay safe! And stay awesome!

I love you

Elder Clayton

Երեց Քլեյթոն

Glendale, California:  Week 16

Wow, this morning we got an email from the mission president telling us to buy 2 weeks of food in case a particular area goes on lockdown from the corona virus. I guess the virus is spreading into some missions in California and could easily get into ours. 

Also, when I went to 6 week training, I found out we got a new batch of missionaries previously serving in China, who had to come over here instead.

Due to my lack of information, it's hard to know just how bad it is. But it's obviously affecting some other missions pretty severely. My heart goes out to everyone who's being affected, I hope the other missionaries are staying safe, and I'll be sure to keep everyone in my prayers.

But all that scary stuff aside, this was a great week! We're teaching several awesome people, including some really promising Armenian investigators.

I got to lead an exchange in my area for the first time on Friday, with 2 fairly new Elders, one from Chile and one from Mexico. We went and visited one of our investigators who also happens to speak Spanish, so I was the only non-Spanish speaker. Good thing they all spoke English too, or I would've been completely lost. 

Then on Saturday, an amazing Armenian member (who I met in a TRC at the MTC), took us out for dinner at a place called Old Gyumery, and it was sooo cool. Armenian food, music, language, and everything else is just the coolest.

Then we went back to the apartment, and the Filipino Elders fed us balut, which is basically a cooked unborn duck that you eat out of the egg. It was neat to try, tasted disgusting though.

Elder Bell and I have been really blessed this week. When I first got here, we had basically nobody to teach, but this week we had a sudden explosion of new people.  And we didn't change the way we're doing anything, I guess the Lord just decided that these people are ready to hear about the gospel now. It's amazing how that works.

I love you all, and have a great week!

Elder Clayton

Երեց Քլեյթոն

Pictures (Old Gyumery, balut, me with the Spanish Elders, gave out our first Russian Book of Mormon)

Glendale California:  Week 15

You know, when I came on my mission I thought would dread writing emails home. But it's really fun, I love reflecting on each week and sharing about the stuff going on here.

Highlight of tracting this week: We were about to go home for the night, when we came across a guy on his porch, and offered him a Book of Mormon. He said he's not interested in reading it, but that he'll take one because he wants to show it to his member friend in Missouri(?). Not sure why he wants to show a Book of Mormon to his member friend, but glad we could help him out.

Then the very next house we stopped by was a super nice Armenian man who accepted a Farsi book, and took an Armenian one for his wife. Essentially, we gave out 3 different language books in the course of 5 minutes. And he gave us some chocolate! Then his wife walked over, and we recognized her! She's a worker at an Armenian food place we visit all the time.

Now when we talk about them, we refer to them as Chocolate guy and Lahmajune girl, cause that's what we remember them for. That was a cool night for sure.

Also, I've realized Armenians have a hard time saying my name. Whenever I introduce myself they're like "Cleenton? Like the president?" Sometimes they can get Clayton, and sometimes I just settle for Elder Clinton.

This week I got to meet with a somewhat recent convert, and we talked with her about temples. And bless her heart, she was so excited about temple work! We're hoping we can go to the temple with her sometime. 

This week we're doing transfers, and unfortunately the other Armenian elders are moving to a different apartment.  Thankfully we're all still in Armenian work, there was a chance that one companionship would be moved to English work. 

But a bit of change will be good, and I'm excited to meet the new elders who move to our apartment this transfer.

This week I had lessons with several recent converts and another who's progressing towards baptism, and I noticed they all seem to have something in common. They may still struggle with things, and of course they're still learning, but they all bore very strong testimony about the holy ghost. It was incredible to hear each of them tell us about the spirit they felt at the temple, or how comforted they were as they strived to keep the word of wisdom. 

It was proof to me that the spirit is what teaches truth. Those feelings are what change a person's heart and bring them unto Christ. 

I would encourage everyone to invite the spirit into their life a little bit more, maybe pray that you'll be able to feel the subtle promptings and feelings more easily. I know the holy ghost is a very important gift to us, and that we'll be blessed with comfort and guidance as we listen for it.

Thanks again for all the support, and I wish you well until next time.

Love,

Elder Clayton

Երեց Քլինթոն 

PS here are some pictures of a little Armenian totem thing.  All the Arcadia Armenian speaking elders have signed it since 2012, and it's been passed down after each generation. Super cool!