Entry Ten: OOOOH THEY GOTCH YOU!

 3/24/25

Hellooooo! We’ve made it through another week, woot woot! Here’s some of the highlights:

First off, I had my first in-field district council! One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is having district unity, and I think it’s safe to say I’ve been blessed so far with all my districts. Also, after district council we got Huey McGoo’s. Their spicy chicken tenders are actually so good!

I had a service project moving baby trees, and I think it’s safe to say I probably have a fear of insects 😅 I don’t know, something just doesn’t sit right with me when a carpenter bee (big and fluffy bee) is constantly hovering within 2 feet of my head and is staring into my soul. But, don’t worry, it didn’t distract from the service project… too much at least.

We had 2 friends come to church this Sunday! Their story is a little funny. We found Maya while knocking last week, and she said that her and her boyfriend had just moved in and were looking for a home church, so we offered them a church tour for a couple days ago on Saturday. Then, at walmart a few days later, we felt impressed to walk up to this man and invite him to church. We were going through our 60 seconds of power when all of a sudden behind us we hear, “OOOOOH THEY GOTCH YOU!!!” Turns out we ran into Maya’s boyfriend, Austin. 🤣 So we locked in that church tour right then and there, had the tour (also shoutout to Steve Smith for helping us with that tour), and then they came to church the next day! They said they liked it, and so we’re meeting with them again!

On Friday, Elder Driggs and I had to drive 3 and a half hours into Knoxville for a new missionary roundup, where I got to see all the other new missionaries. We had a great time and learned a lot about how to find people on the street. After practicing a ton, I think it’s safe to say I’m getting pretty good!

Spiritual Thought!

One of my favorite things I learned in my creative writing classes in high school (shout out Mr. B) was the principle of “show, don’t tell.” What this means, is instead of outright telling a point (ie. Fred was nervous), we try to show it through descriptors (ie. Fred’s eyes darted impatiently across the room, a drop of sweat trickled down his neck). I think a similar principle applies to living the gospel. In Christ’s infamous sermon on the mount, he shares this wisdom: 

“Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16, also 3 Nephi 12:15-16)

It’s good to to tell people about the gospel, but there is additional power to be drawn from living the gospel you speak of. When we live like He did, people will notice a light within us; the light of Christ. This is key to avoid being one who “draws near [to him] with their mouth, but have removed their heart far from [him]” (Isaiah 29:13) So, I invite you all to shine forth! (shoutout FSY company) Do one good thing for someone this week! I promise as you serve you will feel good!

That is all for this week, I love you all so much! Rock on! 🤟

A marble’s beauty is found within its imperfections.

Thinking of you all,

Elder Clayton

Photos? (did I have any lol)

Ok yeah I did, here’s my district on St. Patrick’s day

Found in the wild

I’ve been asked for an address so here’s my mission office: 9145 Cross Park Dr Ste. 104

Knoxville TN 37923

United States

Email List if anyone wants to join! (You have permission to edit) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_YNCAT_KrJyAaHBghczy4CQemItSvbeQrKAfOYxAkws/edit?usp=sharing 

Email Archive:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nv9hQehdVq0D_EP2lqnE7QFaN21mE70QBloWU_heK7E/edit?usp=sharing