Entry Twenty Nine: Amish Style

August 04, 2025

Entry Twenty Nine: Amish Style

8/4/25

Howdy folks! Another week has passed here in Jamestown, and oh boy it has literally just passed. Nah, I’m joking, things do happen here. Although, despite that, the highlight of my week was actually heading just outside of my area about 3 days in a row because of exchanges to a little town called Muddy Pond. Now this place is menanite heaven let me tell you! Everything is simple and old style, and they make killer sandwiches. Probably have gained 3 pounds just this week, but we’re not gonna talk about that 😂

Also, in more Amish fashion, the internet is out this morning, so I am writing this on my scroll with a quill feather in a dimly candlelit room.

Alright now into the real stuff: We had two exchanges, one with Elder Brown in my district, and another with the GOAT Elder Newman, who’s my Zone Leader. Both of these exchanges were a lot of fun and just a good time to work hard while having a good laugh. That’s definitely something I’m trying to learn this transfer is to not be super high strung all the time and stress over the smallest details.

Speaking of which, we normally have district council at the home of the senior missionaries in our district, but they were out of town, and the church was closed, so obviously we had to do district council at Buffalo Wild Wings, right? Despite how loud and distracting the place was for a meeting, it was a lot of fun, and those Nasheville hot wings had nothing on me.

There’s a huge yard sale that’s happening this week that follows highway 127 from Lansing, Michigan down to Tallahassee, Florida (I think, again, no internet to fact check this for myself). People are doing what people do best and setting up early, and it honestly feels like a community event from Stardew Valley is happening. Public contacting at these booths is a lot of fun, we’re meeting people from all over the country. Who knew little Jamestown would attract people from Texas?

Now for a spiritual thought this week, nothing particularly stood out to me in my studies. Honestly, just one of those weeks. But I wanted to share one of my back pocket verses I like to use in case I’m randomly called upon for a spiritual thought while having dinner at a members house.

2 Nephi 2:6-7: Wherefore redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

Now how do you find grace through Jesus Christ? I want you to ponder that for a minute. For me, the answer is in verse 7 where it talks about how Jesus answers the ends of the law. He has set the bounds in which we must live, and as long as we are trying our best and relying on him, we are able to always repent. His grace is always readily available if we trust in and come to him. I know that my redeemer lives, and he is full of grace and truth! I say these things in His name, amen.

We now repent of all our sin and come with broken heart, and to they covenant enter in and choose the better part.

Love y’all! I hope you get to see a rare bird this week!

-Elder Clayton

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