Trip to La Ligua

Normally Mondays are for washing clothes etc.  Not last Monday.  The misionary couples that wanted to went to La Ligua to shop for sweaters, blankets etc.  Millie and I had enjoyed our previous trip so we elected to go.  Millie found several sweaters that look nice and will keep her warm thru the winter.  To get there we got to do one of Millie's favorite things.  Ride the Subway!!  It is very crowded and Millie doesn't enjoy it.  I just kind of tolerate it!  So after 11 subway stops we got to the University of Chile stop got off at the bus station.  We rode the bus company Tur Bus.  It took 2 hours to get there it is a little town in the mountains.  Then we took a taxi to a small town called Valle Hermoso(beautiful valley).  That is what La Ligua was 40 years ago when I was a missionary.  We have a fun time.  Ate lunch in a small cafe.  We had chicken breast.

chicken for lunch with french fries

After making our purchases we went back to Santiago arriving about 8pm at our apartment.  Nice day, had fun, and saw a little of Chile.

Plaza at La Ligua

Fire Truck for La Ligua  What do you think Paul?

Millie with her purchase on

We actually did all of our shopping at Valle Hermoso except above purchase millie made in La Ligua

Sign for terminal

Waiting at the bus station

Our first despida(going away party)

Sunday night April 22nd was our first despedida(going away party).  When a couple or single sister missionary go home the couples here get together and have a going away party so we can eat of course.  And at the end they can talk about how they are feeling about their experiences during their mission.  Elder and Sister Dalton have been organizing these.  He is the Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency of Chile.  He will be reassigned some time in the near future as the they have combined the Argentine and Chile areas and it will be relocated to Argentina with a new presidency and they already have an executive secretary in Argentina. 

So everyone brought food by assignment.  We brought a cake that I bought.  Chocolate of course.  I didn't want Millie's first effort at baking here in Chile to be for other people in case it didn't turn out quite how she wanted.  So here is a look at the food!

Most important food the Postres(deserts)

Millie getting some delicious food to eat

There were several people in attendance to honor those going home or being reassigned.  Elder and Sister Mason are being transferred to Buenos Aires, Argentina with the new Area Presidency.  He is the Area Auditor.  He now has twice the work he said!!!

Elder and Sister Mason speaking

Then Sister Ambris spoke to us.  She related a very touching story about the experience she had in the last week with having the temple work done for her mother and having the sealing done of her immediate family.  She is originally from Mexico but lived her married life in Los Angeles California before moving to Utah a few years ago.  She has served 18 months and it is now time for her return home May 2nd.  She is a dear sister and Millie has enjoyed getting to know her as she has worked on the same shift at the temple.

Millie and Sister Ambris

Sister Ambris talking to us

The last to speak to us were Elder and Sister Kimball.  They are from San Antonio Texas and of course as fate would have it did know Pat Hammon Millie's sister that lives there.  They are going home after 1 year working in the Perpetual Education fund.  They were trying to get the young people to understand that they had recieved loans for their education and were to pay them back.  Not an easy calling.  They visited 54 wards in the 52 weeks they were here.  Great job!



Elder and Sister Kimball

Millie, Sister Memmott(mental Health Specialist, ElderWelch(mission Dr)

Elder Figueroa(Rudy) Sister Ambris(Eloina) Sister Figueroa(Betty) ??

Sister Bowler(Dixie), Elder Bowler(Joe), Elder and Sister Kimball, Sister Memmott



Elder Mason, Sister Welch, Elder Welch, Elder Dalton, Sister Dalton, Sister Mason

Our First week in Chile

I think you could term our first week "The week that was".  It had to have been one of most unique weeks of my life and to experience it with Millie was such a treat.  Millie and I arrived at 6:30am at the international airport in Santiago, Chile on April 14, 2012.  We were met at the airport by Brother Anullo(sp) the Santiago Chile temple recorder as President Otay and his wife were out of town at a stake conference.  We got to our residence emptied our suitcases put everything away and went to bed.  Exhausted after being up 28 hours we went to bed for a nice 6 hour nap.  We got up somewhat refreshed after showering etc and were taken to dinner at the La Hacienda restaurant by Elder(Joe) and Sister(Dixie) Bowler from Bunkerville, Nevada just outside Mesquite.
Had steak and my favorite Flan for dessert.  Went back to the apartment to sift thru a few more things and check things out.  Elder(Ken) and Sister(Sue Ann) Workman and Elder(Rick) and Sister(Stephanie) Lee stopped by to say hi to us and bring us yummy bread made in Chile.

Sunday was a normal day at church except it was in Spanish.  They do have an English Sunday School class that many of the couples and or sisters or brothers attend that don't speak Spanish as well as they would like.  All told there are probably 12 couples serving here in various capacities.  I found that my comprehension was very good.  Millie struggled as long as she could then read her scriptures a little during Sacrament meeting.  Her feet swelled up from the flight so she went home after Sunday School with another sister to rest and put her feet up.


Prices are comparable to the United States or more expensive depending on what you buy.  The fruit and vegetables are very good.  We love the bread (Pan Amasado)!  It is about 6 blocks away so we walk to it and take a taxi back with our groceries.  Then Monday night we had family home evening with 10 American couples and 3 single sister missionaries.  2 are from Chile and 1 from the United States.  We had a local Chilean brother who is a painter and a graphic designer who has taught at BYU and worked in Australia talk about art and things that edify.

Then on Tuesday afternoon we went to the temple to start working.  For those who are LDS and been to the temple to start working you kind of know what we would be expected to do.  For those who aren't, inside LDS temples we do vicarious work for those who are dead and people who haven't been to the temple come for themselves the first time.  It is a hectic pace.  Their are 5 missionary couples working here.  2 are on the morning shift and 3 on the evening shift.  We were immediately thrown into the fray!  Of course all is in Spanish so was a very stressful!!  But after 1 week there isn't much we haven't done!!  The people here are great.  They just need more Chilean workers! 

We get home about 10:30pm after starting at 3:00pm.  We have been very tired but very satisfied in our service. 

Tuesday night we were awakened at 12:50am by a 6.6 on the richter scale earthquake.  The epicenter was out toward the coast near Valparaiso.  To say the least we were shaken up a little bit!!!!



My toothbrush the only casualty of the earthquake.  It fell down.

Saturday's are very hectic at the temple.  There were 8 buses of saints from all over the country that come Friday night stay over on the 2nd floor of our hospedaje and attend the temple all day.  We finally got home at 8:30pm as the last session was at 5:30pm but there were very few workers other than us missionaries to finish the work.

So that is the first week!!

Millie and I are very happy as you can see in the picture.

We have arrived in Chile!! Yea Viva Chile

We left the MTC on April Friday the 13th at 6;00am.  There was one couple going to Washington DC and 12 elders going to Peru.  We got to Salt Lake about 7:45 with 5 suitcases, 2 carry on suitcases and 2 computer bags.  At our age you have to give careful attention as to how many bags you have.  We had weighed them to the pound.  All 5 were 49 pounds.  We paid our $180 for the 5th bag and were excited to do so.

Tom Hollingsworth, Millie and Van Layman at Heaps of Pizza in Provo night before we left the MTC

Millie weighing books to make sure we stayed under 50 pounds. 

Our luggage out in the hall at the MTC

April 13th 2012 at the Salt Lake City airport. My coat weighed 12 pounds with all the electronics I was carrying

We flew to Los Angeles Airport where we changed planes and then to Lima Peru and changed planes in the middle of the night.  Arriving at 6:30am Chilean time(2:30am PST).  Needless to say we were tired.  Brother Anullo(sp) the Santiago Temple recorder was there to greet us.  Millie was worried about customs and all that but it went smooth.  Brother Anullo commented that we had 9 suitcases and he was glad he brought a van to pick us up.  It took us only about 45 minutes to get to our quarters behind the temple.  We immediately unpacked and slept for 6 hours awaking about 2:30pm.  We then went to lunch/dinner with Elder and Sister Bowler who will be our mentors.  He asked if we went to the Hacienda restaurant if it be OK.  He explained a little about it and I said sure.  I then told him it was my favorite restaurant in the area.  Their steaks are great.  Not to mention the flan!!

Millie on our flight to Chile

Our apartment on our arrival.  Out our window is the Santiago Temple!!

Our kitchen

More of our kitchen

Millie, Dixie and Joe Bohler at the La Hacienda restaurant first day in Chile

We were in bed by 9:00pm.  We then slept until 9:00am on Sunday.  Got up and went to church which is a 2 minute walk!!!  Millie gets to go to an English Sunday School class.  I went to High Priests and they asked me to teach the first Sunday I attend for next week.  We shall see how my Spanish really is.  The that night at 5:00pm they had a welcome dinner for us at the Bowlers.  The Lee's, the Figueroas and Sister Anastiz, Pacheco and ? attended.  We had ham, potatoes, pasta salad, salad and cake for dessert.  They have been great to get acquainted with.  Then we attended a Despedida(going away) for 3 sister missionaries of the Santiago East Mission.  They have beautiful grounds with fountains right outside by the temple.  Many ward members came as well as large number of missionaries as they were doing transfers that night. 

Brother Rudy Figueroa, Sister ?, Sister Pacheco at welcome dinner

Despedida for Sister McGee at Santiago Temple

Millie talking with Sister Dalton and Sister Berthong

Gathering at Despedida

On Monday Millie and I went to the store called Lider and bought our groceries.  Rachel your chilean coins paid the tip at the check out to the young chilean bagger.  500 pesos about $1.  We then dropped off the groceries took a taxi to Parque Arauco Mall.  We went in to Falabella and bought a few things for the bathroom and apartment.  Also went to Monarch store to get some hose for Millie.  We could have been at South Center in Tukwila, Washington the mall was that nice.  We didn't eat chilean food instead went very American at Tony Roma's. 

Then Monday night we had family home evening with all couples serving in any capacity here on the Square as they call it.  About 14 couples.  It was very nice a Chilean artist who is in charge of all the artwork etc in the Santiago Temple shared with us some of thoughts on beauty and the gospel.  Then showed us a couple of paintings of Salt Lake Temple and the Manti Temple.  Very inspiring.

Millie at Lider shopping.  Wasn't supposed to take pictures as I found out





2nd week of MTC-Provo Temple

Our second week at the MTC we were under the tutelage of Elder Melvin Hammon and his good wife Bonnie.  He is an Emeritus 70 and he and his wife have had the assignment for the last 20 months of training the new senior missionary couples assigned to temples.  Each day we went to the Provo temple and were trained on different aspects of working in the temple as ordinance workers.  It was very spiritual and emotional as we got to know the other 11 couples and 1 single sister. 



L to R
Elder and Sister Despain-from Montana going to Freiburg Germany temple, Elder and Sister Despain(no relation) from Brigham City, Utah going to Santo Domingo Dominican Repulic temple, Elder and Sister Layman going to Santiago Chile temple, Elder and Sister Rothey from Escondido, Ca going to Washington D.C. temple, Sister de Schweinitz Palo Alto Calif going to Madrid Spain temple, Elder and Sister Parrott from Atlanta, Ga going to Manhattan New York temple, Elder and Sister Holt from Fort Wayne Indiana going Cebu Philippines temple, Elder and Sister Ellsworth from Mesa Arizona going to Palmyra temple, Elder and Sister Bush from Nova Scotia Canada going to Manila Philippines temple, and Elder and Sister Oshima from Oahu, Hawaii(their 6th mission) going to Cebu Philippines temple

As you can see it is a pretty impressive group.  We were humbled at their knowledge and spirit.  We had as guest speakers the Provo Temple president President Daines, the temple recorder, one of the 6 managing directors of the temple department, the assistant engineer of the temple, and to cap off the week Claudio D. Zivic of the 70 and his wife came and spoke to us.  It has been a long time since Millie and I have had such tearful goodbyes.

Today we had a real treat as we were able to meet Elder Theran Meadows of our Auburn Ward.  He just came on Wednesday.  We were afraid we wouldn't be able to see him.  But we ran into he and his companion next to the MTC bookstore.  He will be a great missionary.

Elder Layman, Elder Theran Meadows, Sister Layman

Elder Orr and Elder Meadows

 Well our bags are packed and we are ready to go to bed as we leave the MTC at 6:00AM to go to Salt Lake City for our flight to Los Angeles International airport.  From there on LAN Chile we go direct to Santiago arriving on Saturday morning.  Will let you know how it is from Santiago.


Easter Sunday at the MTC

I wanted to post a note about Easter Sunday at the MTC.  It was a privlege to be with 2,000 missionaries including over 100 senior missionaries.  We were blessed to hear from Elder Allen Packer of the 70 and President Boyd K. Packer of the 12.  The MTC choir was incredible.  We then went to fast and testimony meeting with the missionaries which was uplifting.  We are truly blessed to be here and Millie is taking care of me so well.  We then went to a testimony meeting of all those leaving this Sunday where everyone bore their testimony in their language they have been learning.  Millie did very well.  Our tutor Leticia Murillo was very proud of her.  We then went to another meeting of all those who would be leaving before next Sunday.  The mission president President Brown spoke to us.  Then to top it off went to the Sunday night devotional in which the BYU men's choir gave a concert.  They were really good.  By the end of the night we were really tired but exhilirated.  We will try and blog about our fantastic week of temple training next.

1st week at the MTC

So the MTC is an experience that no couple should want to miss.  It is one of the most power packed weeks I have ever experienced.  From the moment you get there the missionaries greet you and take your bags to your room and say leave them there and off you are to your first meeting to get acquainted with the other couples.  There are 45 couples and 3 single sisters in our group.  Last week there were 89 people.  They said these were the largest groups they have ever had.  The first quarter of the 2012 Senior Missionary couples numbers are up 25%.  I feel blessed to be a part of that increase.  We all introduce ourselves, where we are from, where we are going, and how many missions as couples we have served.  The amazing thing was there were couples serving their 4th, 5th and 6th missions.  What wonderful examples they are to us all.  They then assign you to a district.  Ours has 4 couples.

Elder and Sister Wood Mesa Arizona going to Texas as Member Support

Elder and Sister Harmon Lehi Utah going to West Virgina for Member Support

Elder  and Sister Cheff a town close to Missoula called Ronan going to Madrid Spain on CES misson working with Young Single Adults

Sister Millie Layman Auburn Washington

The Woods are on their first mission at age 77.  Oh My!  The Harmon's have only been married 2 years and Cheffs met in Venezuela.  What a diverse and great group. 



Elder Van Layman, Brother Harmer, and Sister Millie Layman

Brother Keepman



Elder Van Layman, Sister Millie Layman, and Brother Keepman

We finally got lunch and paid our fees and were allowed to unpack and get ready for another meeting.  I must say Preach my Gospel has a whole new meaning to me.  There are 2000 missionaries here now and what a sight.  Heavenly Father has to be pleased with these young men and women who have chosen to serve.  Tuesday we were right at it getting ready to teach the first discussion as a Senior Missionary couple.  Our morning teacher is Brother Harmer, a returned missionary that served in Australia Chinese speaking.  Our afternoon teacher is Brother Keepman, a returned missionary that served in Lubbock, Texas misson.  What great teachers!!

The traditional picture at the map.  Pointing to Santiago Chile

Tuesday night we had a devotional with Elder Lance Wickman, Emeritus 70 and chief general counsel for the church.  He used his military background to inspire us.  He told us to go for broke. 
Then Wednesday morning at 10am we taught the first discussion about the restoration etc to James our investigator volunteer.  The interesting thing is that Brother Harmer is watching via camera that is watching us.  Very nerve racking and inspiring at the same time.  Probably the first time Millie and I had taught together.  She was really good and we worked well together.  We didn't go overboard in preparing too many things but tried to remember we were teach a person not a lesson.  It went pretty well.  The 45 minutes flew by.  We had language training for 2 hours from 6-8pm.  We were exhausted but had to prepare to teach the 2nd discussion Thursday afternoon.  Our mornings start at 7am breakfast meeting at 8am class the rest of the morning. Lunch and another joint meeting then more class.  Thursday afternoon we taught Brother Li.  A very interesting brother.  These are volunteers who pretend to be investigators with questions.  Boy do they ever.  Once again the 45 minutes flew by.  Then Thursday night language tutoring with Leticia Murillo.  What a sweetheart.  We have come to love her so much.  She is such an outstanding teacher.  Here are a couple of pictures and picture of her teaching on the white board.

Leticia Murillo teaching

Subjunctive on the white board

Millie and Leticia

So then it all comes to an end on Friday.  Many of the couples are on their way to parts all of over the world.  Friday night we washed clothes and pretty much would down.  Of course each study of the language, study the scriptures. try and answer an email or 2.  Saturday totally slept a little longer to catch up with our beauty sleep.  We went shopping with Debbie and picked up a few things we needed.  Then after dinner we walked down to the Creamery on 9th East for some ice cream to start our fast as tomorrow is fast Sunday and Easter.