Entry Twenty Two: Stress O’ Clock

 6/16/25

Well hello everyone! I hope you all had the most delightful Father’s Day (and flag day too)! I know I certainly enjoyed the chance to call my Dad last night.

This week, to be frank with you (Hi my name’s Frank), was one of the more stressful weeks I’ve gone through, but I’ve come out the other end stronger, and plus it’s P-Day today, so I don’t got a care in the world. 😂

Between silly ward drama, lots of confrontational people, and a rollercoaster of emotions regarding a temple trip that was analogous to Schrödinger’s Cat (and unfortunately didn’t even get to take place because the night before the Columbia, SC temple lost power due to a bad thunderstorm), it was really easy for my energy and my desires to work hard to sink a little. As unfortunate as it is, stress is just a normal part of life, and more often than not, takes a physical and mental toll on us.

However, I want to highlight an important gospel principle that I think is wonderfully showcased by my very own Dad (way to tie it into Father’s day, Elder): endurance! 

I look up to my dad a lot when it comes to endurance. Throughout my childhood it seemed like just about every other weekend we were at another finish line waiting for my dad to finish a marathon. At the time, I definitely couldn’t appreciate just how incredible of a feat it was that my Dad was running not just one, but several marathons throughout his life. In fact (not to boast, but my Dad is awesome for this), on the time I’ve been out on the mission, my Dad has ran a 60K race in the desert. And just this past weekend, he and my oldest sister, Ana, did the rim to rim trail at the Grand Canyon, which is basically the length of a marathon, just hiking.

I mention all this because these things are hard, and yet my Dad was able to do them by a simple principle called “one step at a time.” I love the words of Nephi in 2 Nephi 31:20, which reads:

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Life is going to get tough, but as we look to Christ for hope, he will help us step just one step further. Then another. And then another. Until we make it to the very end. We can do incredible things as we stick through it and never give up. My Dad always used to teach me (and sorry I haven’t always been the best at this Dad!) “mind over matter; you are in control over when you are done.” I believe it is the very essence of being human that we have an unconquerable spirit. Only we control ourselves. When you match that with an unlimited and divine potential, “ye shall have eternal life.”

So, my message to you all: You are doing great, spectacular even! Keep giving it your consistent and diligent effort, and you will do amazing things!

But yeah, aside from that, we had zone conference and interviews, which are always hype. I got to see all my missionary friends, which was really good support this week. And now it’s time for another awesome week. I hope you all have a wonderful day today, and remember that the Lord loves you!

When Jesus, the anointed, descended from above and gave himself a ransom to win our souls with love- With no apparent beauty, that man should him desire- He was the promised Savior, to purify with fire.

I love you all a ton!

-Elder Clayton

Picture time!

We went bowling last week on P-Day (I won 😏)

I didn’t take like any pictures this week, so here’s my Dad and I. Love you Dad!

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 (if pictures don’t work, they’re always on here):

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