God does not make mistakes!

What a week. Started out very rough and irritating. As I didn't quite know what
to expect from my companion as he was a totally different person than me! He is
from Utah, Salt Lake City. On the first day, I had lots of emotions and confusing
thoughts. And everything was just crazy and surreal. Even now it still feels
like a fantasy. The flight there was super sketchy, as the plane was making some
weird noises haha. but I met a cool guy named Elder Fraizer, and he is going to
Lima as well.  But when we arrived everything was kinda out of control. As only
one leader was trying to collect and gather all 200 missionaries! It was crazy.
The Mexico airport is nasty and super ghetto haha. But it was super nice when we
finally arrived at the CCM at like 6pm. My companions name is Elder Smith. He is
awesome, I didn't like him at all at first. I couldn't act myself around him! 
But after Sunday I got used to him. He has a strong testimony and is very good
at Spanish! Everything happens for a reason, and God does not make mistakes! I
now know why the Lord put me with Elder Smith, when at first I had no clue.

We hear police sirens every 10 minutes along with gun shots and like cannon

shots every 30 minutes! Plus people are constantly honking, the driving is
crazy! It has rained every single day except like once. It will be super hot at
one point and then it will just be dumping rain, people get soaked, but thanks
to my awesome jacket my mom got me I'm set! Thanks mom! Plus the food is
terrible! We get to have pizza on Tuesdays which is like heaven! I miss my mom's
food so much ! I definitely took it for granted.. the food is no bueno here
haha. Plus there are so many barking spiders all over the place, they are
following me everywhere! It's terrible, I think its the food. But all of the
companions are catching on to my AZ slang, haha. I have to shave everyday now,
that's a pain. And there is a really tight schedule here, but I try my best to be
obedient with exactness like the 2k stripling warriors! 100%.

However, it is so challenging when everyone around you is catching on to the

Spanish and already speaking it and I have no clue what I'm doing. However I am
really good at knowing what people are saying and understanding them but I don't
know how to say anything really, I didn't know how to react in Spanish. It is so
frustrating when I know exactly what I want to say, but I can't say it.
Especially when we were teaching out first investigator. His name is Joseph. 
He's awesome! It was so difficult teachings him the first few times, I wasn't
nervous, but I did feel really dumb for not really saying anything until the end
when I attempted to say my testimony... I love him, he brought us donuts one
night! It was like winning a million dollars! We have had some awesome lessons,
even though the first two I had know idea what he was saying, or what I was
saying. Since it takes me like ten years to say one word.  

But Sundays are the best! Very spiritual! We had a devotional that night, it was

so amazing! Bishop Cates, the director of the CCM spoke about the "eye of
faith"---seeing yourself in the future.

Are the things in the past out weighing what's in the future? Don't let the past

"blur" your future! Let go of the past and take control of the future.
 Stick to your task, til it sticks to you. Stay on target. Don't look back like Lots wife.
Target=Missionary Purpose.  Bring others to Christ. Push yourself to the edge,
and fly! That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do. Starters are many ,
finishers are few! Got to strengthen my testimony so much that day, as I gained
a greater understanding and appreciation for John Tanner and his amazing and
inspiring story! Wow. And I did start reading "Jesus the Christ", such an
amazing book ! I love it!

Every time I go to bed I think of everyone, my family and friends.. its been very

challenging to fall asleep sometimes, but I have gotten better. I am completely
in the swing of things now. I have a lot of friends like Elder Beckstead, he's raw
as dirt! Super chill guy, we are like the same, haha. I got him saying as dirt,
chirp, you know haha. Got to play ball with Elder Ryan too, that was super fun!
Glad we got to catch up!  We have gym time after lunch everyday, I play soccer.
Its super fun! Got to score like a bunch of goals! Feels like I felt a little
bit back home after not playing for 4 years. Kinda like LeBron going back to
Cleveland! haha. I workout every morning thanks to Tanner and his awesome
workout program he gave me! I am sore everyday, its awesome.

And I felt super cool when I got a letter in the mail! I was the first one haha,

thanks Mommer and Papa! Mail takes likes 11 days to get here.
The first couple days were very very difficult! But now it is leveling out. And
I am learning so much everyday. I know the Lord will help me if I have faith and
put my trust in Him. But I know that I have to my best in order for him to bless
me.  I asked my DL for a blessing so that I may learn the language, and it was
an awesome blessing! He said , "you will learn the language and that my mind
will be open, and my family will be safe and protected while I am gone." I felt
the spirit so strong. My DL is awesome, he is going to Lima West. Such a good
example.

I love you guys so much ! Thank you for all the prayers and support ! I miss you

all so much !

LOVE, Elder Clark

Ps. I want my missionary plaque to be Ether 12:27 please thanks

Letter from his MTC companion:

Sister Clark,
What an incredible son you have!! I am so grateful for his example and love for
the gospel and his kindness to me.  Thank you for raising such a stellar young
man and missionary. 
 Elder Smith

Brandon's District

Brandon & his District Leader

Mexico Rain

Elder Smith & Elder Clark

Enjoying the Rain!

Trying to escape the prison...haha. The walls of the Mexico CCM.

Elder Meyers & Brandon look like they could be related!

Looks like he already gave away his tie to Elder Meyers

Sweet reunion with Jaydon Ryan. They lived in the same neighborhood for 8 years in Layton, Utah. They played on the same basketball team together. Jaydon left his retainers at home, so Shari mailed them here for Brandon to bring to Jaydon.  Brandon was so happy to have a friend at the CCM.

Mexico Sky

Mexico Street, I'm pretty sure he took this picture because of the statue on top of the building!

Heaven Sent Doughnuts!

Testing the perimeters of the CCM--he cracks me up! That door makes Brandon look tall-haha!

I survived the Mexico airport!

Made it! Everything was perfect ! Mexico was super crazy once we landed ! things were just up in the air.  But I made some new friends while I was on the plane.  Elder Frazier.  he's pretty cool. I didn't get to finish the Book of Mormon... although I will be able to finish it today. Only about 20 some pages away.  The food is terrible haha.  I got a little freaked out cuz I couldn't find my camera. but I did so i'ts all good. I haven't found Jaydon yet.  But there are so  many people.  It's really cloudy and has been raining a little bit.  But it's great to finally be here! It took forever!  The plane was making some freaky noises when we took off haha.  They don't give you a lot of time to write for some reason. so Noah you better work on that typing haha. But my Spanish memory is better than I thought... but it's still terrible as dirt haha. You can totally feel the spirit just being here. But there is kinda a strange feeling outside haha. Everyone's driving is insane. Saw a bunch of police cars and trucks that had like military men on the back with guns. It was pretty cool.  But it's still crazy insane. Gotta go ! Love you so much ! Miss you all so much already. Don't party too much without me, haha.

love Elder Clarkie

 

Elder Frazier & Elder Brandon Clark met in the Phoenix Airport. They will both be serving in Lima, Peru South Mission. The plane was filled with at least 40 missionaries headed to Mexico CCM.

 

 Waving good-bye at the Gate in Phoenix. Mom got an escort pass and came to the gate with me. 

We had plenty of time to eat breakfast and visit.

 Poor Noah had to say good-bye & wait at the security check-point. Brandon was staying cheery for his little Bro.

 

 

President Allen was out of town. He flew in for just a couple hours to set apart Brandon for his mission. As well as, Garrett Abernathy & Tanner Hartvigsen. Such a cool Stake President!

Missionary Farewell - Open House

When guests arrived, they filled out "Words of Wisdom" for Brandon. These will go with Brandon in a binder with guest's picture, to take with him to Peru. The notes everyone wrote were priceless!

Double sided frames were spread through the home. Filled with pictures of Brandon at the temple, his baptism day, receiving the priesthood, and one at the Provo MTC the day we took his Uncle Ben to the MTC.  His Uncle Ben served his 2 year LDS mission in Lima, Peru South also!

 Catching Brandon sneaking a treat before the guests arrive :)

We used the colors of the Peru flag and made several of Brandon's favorite baked goods since he knew he'd go 2 years without any.

 Brandon's favorite Chocolate Cupcakes

 Red velvet cakeballs

 mini strawberry cheesecakes

lemon curd filled - lemon cupcake

Lon & Teresa Leavitt

 Mariyah Housari

 Cameron Ashton - Mission Bound to Canada

 Riddle, Courtney Wellman, Garrett Abernathy, Breanna Provenzano, Bailee Leonard

 Tevita

 Zimmermans

 Elder Dawson, Elder Wade-heading home tomorrow, Cody & Ben Harrison, Cameron, & Shaun Hancock-mission bound Vancouver Canada

 Brooklyn Nelson, Mattie Bow, Katie Denham

 Gabe Jordan-friends since Mountain View Elementary

 Sam Jenson, Laughton Cahill & Ben Harrison

 Jason Ward

 Ezra & Tanner Hartvigsen

 Jacob Riddle-Brazil mission, Tanner Hartvigsen- Uruguay mission, Zach Rolfe-Australia Mission, JT Moore-Florianopolis Brazil mission *JT & Jacob are going to same mission!

 Adella, Sid, Paige & Ezra - Shadow Ridge High School friends

 Caden Zimmerman, Caleb Abbott & Grayson Bailey

 Brenna Bailey, Levi Cahill, Brooklyn Nelson, Dalon Washington, Mattie Bow, Katie Denham, Kayla LeNguyen, Mariah Fleming & Jessie Harrison

 Billy Denham, Tracy Abbott & Spencer Bailey

 The Bows

 Elder Dawson, Elder Wade & Nate Hawley (Cody photo bombing)

 Billy & Rebecca Denham

 JT & Brandon

 Hailey Carter

 Lauralee & Kevin Harrison Friends & Seminary teacher :) 

 Adriana Mitton, Geanna Fleming, Mom, Erin Eames

 Chad Mitton

 Austin & Jayden Feltner

 Lauralee Harrison & Kristin Feltner

 Blaine Callister long time young men's  leader

 Travis Sudweeks- forever friend and scoutmaster

 Mom & Randi Garrett

 Carson Folk

Brandon's Ma & Pa Fleming from Trek 2014

 Rebekah, Nathan & Spencer Smith

 Chris Gouso--scouter :)

 Anne & Dan Smith 

 Marquez, Chris & Ezra

 Danyelle Kinder

 Jared & Erin Eames

 James Hawley

 Grayson, Ben, Tate, Seth, Nate, Veronica, Alysa, Austin, Hayden, Robert, Cody & Caleb

 Hayden Hawley

 Mariners

 McClanahans

 Brandon Soctomah & Triston Mitton

 Neil Christensen

Some of Brandon's favorite men....Bishop Garret, Dad & Brother Dan Smith ym leader

 Jessie Harrison - Pioneer Trek Sister

 Time to say good-bye

 Garretts - Thanks for employing me all these years to help pay for my mission!

 Brandon's FAVORITE Bishop

 Seth & Tate Garrett, Nate & Hayden Hawley

A HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT CAME AND SUPPORTED BRANDON! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE KIND NOTES & GIFTS! HE REALLY FELT LOVED & REALIZED HOW BLESSED HE IS TO HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS!