Entry Sixteen: History has its eyes on you (Woah oh oh)

May 05, 2025

Entry Sixteen: History has its eyes on you (Woah oh oh)

5/5/25

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone! Apparently it’s May. I don’t understand time anymore hahaha. But, I hope this was the best week ever for y’all! It was a pretty stellar week for us out here in Forest City!

To begin, I got a little sunburnt last P-day lol. Not nearly as bad as the rest of my district, but it turned life into a game of “how can I best avoid direct sunlight?” Funnily enough, we ended up putting our friend Tammie on date outside, and in direct sunlight. But, we’re incredibly excited for Tammie, she’s awesome! She calls Elder Driggs and I, “The Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin” (I’m Robin btw).

I’m gonna skip to the end of the week real fast, since we had some tender mercies revolving around church. To begin, Elder Driggs’s thing (quote President Barlow) is to call down miracles through prayer. On Saturday, we prayed that we’d find someone who’s ready to come to church, and lo and behold: within the first hour of getting out of the house we met our friend, John. Unfortunately, he did have a commitment for his granddaughter yesterday, but he is super willing to come to church this next Sunday, and has loved reading the Book of Mormon.

Next, we had fast and testimony meeting, and our friend Maya (who isn’t baptized yet) bore her testimony! She’s also been facing a lot of opposition at work from coworkers, and has held strong on her own. She’s literally the best. We love Maya!

Finally, one of our members brought her friend Sammy to church, and we were able to start teaching him right then and there. Not only that, but he texted us back (which for some reason is impossible for a lot of the friends we meet?), and we have a group chat going with our member for extra support.

Now back to the main part of the week: We had zone conference! 🥳

The main focus of zone conference was on the invitation to be baptized and confirmed (pg 28 in PMG for all those who want to follow along), but specifically inviting with POWER. One of the things I hold true is that it’s not by logic, and it’s definitely not by coercion, but it’s by the POWER of the Holy Ghost that we know the truth of all things (Moroni 10:5) (Also apologies for all caps on the word power, I’m not yelling, it’s emphatic). A powerful invitation will get you a powerful commitment. Our words can only touch the hearts of those willing to listen, if we have that power- if we have the Holy Ghost with us. I want to invite you all to think back to a time when you have truly felt the power the spirit brings, inside or outside of a church experience. What did it feel like? How was the spirit able to be present? I know that the Holy Ghost is a gift to us from the Father. Christ said he will not leave us comfortless (John 14:16-18) because he loves us, and he wants us to return to him. I bear my testimony of the POWER of the Holy Ghost. I know it can change lives, and it will change yours as well. I say this all in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

That’s all from me this week! I wish only the best for each and every one of you, and I love you all so much! Buenos diaz!

Bread of life, living water, feed my soul, fill my heart.

Things are looking up,

-Elder Clayton

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