Well, here we go for the last weekly email I will send out as a missionary. That is a trip, and I really don't like it.
This week was super good! I was able to go out with a bang! Even with Christmas and Christmas Eve we were able to find six new investigators for Elder Nanto and his new companion to work with. That was good, because I really wanted to go out and leave this area better then when I found it, and last week, there wasn't really a whole lot going on due to a lot of things, but now there is and I am really grateful for that.
I really am tripped out that I am going home tomorrow. I have mixed feelings for sure. It went waaaaay to fast. Years ago, (literally) I was wandering the streets of Long Beach wondering how on earth I am ever going to survive for two years as everyone and everything I know and love is back in Utah. I was a very homesick little boy, then I finally got to find the joy of my calling, through the most happiness I have ever felt down to the lowest lows I have felt. I feel like I have finally caught the vision of missions. I am finally learning how to be effective and get stuff done. And, not it is time to be done. This whole going home thing has been a huge trip. It really didn't feel real up until like right now, and even then. I am super excited to go home and see all my friends and family again, but the thought of leaving here is already making me homesick for here. I am confident that it will be alright though. I have a good support system! :)
For my final scripture, I'd like to share Moroni 10:4-5 states "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things." Brothers and Sisters, I know that what I have shared in my emails is true, and I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I echo Moroni's words. If any of you do not know of these things, please pray about it so that you may come to know for yourself that they are true, and that this is The Church of Jesus Christ in which you can and will find true happiness.
Well, I guess that is all I got now. I am super nervous, but super excited to see you all tomorrow! Love you lots! Thanks for all the love and support!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
Friday, January 30, 2015
Week 97!!!
Hello Everyone!
So, this week was waaaay to fast. It was kind of crazy... we had soooo many meetings and stuff, it was nuts!
Monday was P-Day
Tuesday we had Elder Baxter from the 70 come and speak to us about contacting and stuff. Everyone was saying that we were getting Ipad's for Christmas, but I guess not. lol. He did however talk about dating. No lie. He committed us all to go home and go on a date a week till I die. So, that'll be fun! He also said that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your princess. He is a funny dude. He shared a lot of really good stuff about how to contact better. It was a really good meeting!
Wednesday we had to go to Long Beach to meet with the nurse a bit.
Thursday we had a Christmas Zone conference and gift exchange. We watched the 1st presidency Christmas Devotional. It was good. You should watch it!
Friday, we had district meeting and weekly planning
Saturday we did family history and had a baptismal service for some ladies in our ward.
Sunday was church and stuff.
And here we are. Pretty crazy week!
Malachi 4:5-6 says "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6- and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. It is cool! This happened and as you do family history work, you will feel the spirit. It is cool! Sorry, it is not about Christmas. I kind of forgot it was Christmas soon! Well, I hope you all have a good Christmas! Love you! Sorry, this is rushed. Out of time in 10 seconds. Hopefully this sends!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
So, this week was waaaay to fast. It was kind of crazy... we had soooo many meetings and stuff, it was nuts!
Monday was P-Day
Tuesday we had Elder Baxter from the 70 come and speak to us about contacting and stuff. Everyone was saying that we were getting Ipad's for Christmas, but I guess not. lol. He did however talk about dating. No lie. He committed us all to go home and go on a date a week till I die. So, that'll be fun! He also said that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your princess. He is a funny dude. He shared a lot of really good stuff about how to contact better. It was a really good meeting!
Wednesday we had to go to Long Beach to meet with the nurse a bit.
Thursday we had a Christmas Zone conference and gift exchange. We watched the 1st presidency Christmas Devotional. It was good. You should watch it!
Friday, we had district meeting and weekly planning
Saturday we did family history and had a baptismal service for some ladies in our ward.
Sunday was church and stuff.
And here we are. Pretty crazy week!
Malachi 4:5-6 says "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6- and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. It is cool! This happened and as you do family history work, you will feel the spirit. It is cool! Sorry, it is not about Christmas. I kind of forgot it was Christmas soon! Well, I hope you all have a good Christmas! Love you! Sorry, this is rushed. Out of time in 10 seconds. Hopefully this sends!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
Week 96!!!
Hello Friends!
This week was really fast, and kind of a trip! It started with the Temple and having P-Day on Tuesday really just messes everything up. The whole week just went super fast. I honestly cant remember much of the missionary work we did this week.
We were not able to get in with Ignacio and Trinidad this week. They have been doing a lot of stuff with their family and stuff this week, and he also had to work a lot with his son in law. .He still reads and prays though. He is still progressing with baptism.
We also got a lesson with the Torrez family. They are a less active family who we have been working with since I have been here. But, they didn't talk to us for quite a while. The dad walked out on them a week ago, and it was sad, but he decided to come back. Everything we talk to them, they express desire to come to church and they all say that they want to and they will try to come next week, but then they don't. It is frustrating. I wish that we could really get them there so they can see that they are right, that the church will bring happiness back into their lives. Deep down, they know it is true, we just cant figure out what is really holding them back.
This week was kind of a trip. Usually the Sunday before you go home, there is a big fireside where you can invite your friends from the mission to go and say good bye, and the Monday before you eat dinner with the President. Well, because there are some missionaries going home this Tuesday, and I go home the 30th, this all happened this week. It was crazy! I remember walking into my trainers fireside when I sent him home about 18 months ago thinking man, I'll never be there. Then it came. I walked into the church last night to see a lot of people I truly have come to love, and it really hit me hard that I really am going home now. My time really is coming to an end .I am very thankful that I still have two more weeks to serve the best I can
Hello again. I lost track of time and the computer kicked me off. Thank goodness for autosave drafts! :)
Alma 22:14 reads "And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king." I like this a lot! It is about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I really do know that through Jesus, we can overcome anything. He suffered it all so that we can look to Him for help. In the good times, as well as the bad times, He can comfort us.
I hope you have a good week! And sorry to all those who I haven't been able to respond to lately. I have been busy getting home stuff worked out. But hey, we can talk in two weeks, right?!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
This week was really fast, and kind of a trip! It started with the Temple and having P-Day on Tuesday really just messes everything up. The whole week just went super fast. I honestly cant remember much of the missionary work we did this week.
We were not able to get in with Ignacio and Trinidad this week. They have been doing a lot of stuff with their family and stuff this week, and he also had to work a lot with his son in law. .He still reads and prays though. He is still progressing with baptism.
We also got a lesson with the Torrez family. They are a less active family who we have been working with since I have been here. But, they didn't talk to us for quite a while. The dad walked out on them a week ago, and it was sad, but he decided to come back. Everything we talk to them, they express desire to come to church and they all say that they want to and they will try to come next week, but then they don't. It is frustrating. I wish that we could really get them there so they can see that they are right, that the church will bring happiness back into their lives. Deep down, they know it is true, we just cant figure out what is really holding them back.
This week was kind of a trip. Usually the Sunday before you go home, there is a big fireside where you can invite your friends from the mission to go and say good bye, and the Monday before you eat dinner with the President. Well, because there are some missionaries going home this Tuesday, and I go home the 30th, this all happened this week. It was crazy! I remember walking into my trainers fireside when I sent him home about 18 months ago thinking man, I'll never be there. Then it came. I walked into the church last night to see a lot of people I truly have come to love, and it really hit me hard that I really am going home now. My time really is coming to an end .I am very thankful that I still have two more weeks to serve the best I can
Hello again. I lost track of time and the computer kicked me off. Thank goodness for autosave drafts! :)
Alma 22:14 reads "And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king." I like this a lot! It is about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I really do know that through Jesus, we can overcome anything. He suffered it all so that we can look to Him for help. In the good times, as well as the bad times, He can comfort us.
I hope you have a good week! And sorry to all those who I haven't been able to respond to lately. I have been busy getting home stuff worked out. But hey, we can talk in two weeks, right?!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
Week 95!!!
Hey Everyone!
This week was pretty good!
Today we went to the temple! That is always good! I really do love the temple and the spirit you can feel there. I really invite all of you to do what you need to do to go to the temple, and those who are ready now, to go this week.
This week we taught Ignacio and Trinidad a few times. It was good. Ignacio really wants to get baptized, but Trinidad still wants to learn more. It turns out that they are having a few legal issues this month, and into the new year in Mexico, so they have to go there at the end of the year so Ignacio is kind of stressed out. He says he wants to wait till after the Holidays to do it though when he is less stressed. Much prayers would be appreciated. I don't doubt that he will get baptized; I would really like to be here to see it happen though. I have one more trick I can try! :)
Sorry, the temple P Days always mess up email. I don't have a lot of time right now. But, I know I am doing good!
Mosiah 4:9 says "Believe in God, believe that he is and He created all things both in heaven and earth. believe that man cannot comprehend all the things that the Lord can comprehend." this scripture is really cool! I like it because I have learned on my mission that the Lord really is in everything, and in everything we can learn a good lesson. Even from the bad times, God comprehends what we cannot, and if we stay faithful, we grow and learn.
Have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
This week was pretty good!
Today we went to the temple! That is always good! I really do love the temple and the spirit you can feel there. I really invite all of you to do what you need to do to go to the temple, and those who are ready now, to go this week.
This week we taught Ignacio and Trinidad a few times. It was good. Ignacio really wants to get baptized, but Trinidad still wants to learn more. It turns out that they are having a few legal issues this month, and into the new year in Mexico, so they have to go there at the end of the year so Ignacio is kind of stressed out. He says he wants to wait till after the Holidays to do it though when he is less stressed. Much prayers would be appreciated. I don't doubt that he will get baptized; I would really like to be here to see it happen though. I have one more trick I can try! :)
Sorry, the temple P Days always mess up email. I don't have a lot of time right now. But, I know I am doing good!
Mosiah 4:9 says "Believe in God, believe that he is and He created all things both in heaven and earth. believe that man cannot comprehend all the things that the Lord can comprehend." this scripture is really cool! I like it because I have learned on my mission that the Lord really is in everything, and in everything we can learn a good lesson. Even from the bad times, God comprehends what we cannot, and if we stay faithful, we grow and learn.
Have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Week 94!!!
Hey Everyone!
I hope you had a good week and a good Thanksgiving! Mine was pretty good... but I threw up for the first time in over two years. The last time being when I broke my arm... I had a good streak going! We had three diners, and an appointment for just pie, so go figure I threw up, right??? ha ha!! But, it really was good! I got to spend the night with Elder Lund and his companion. It was cool. It was fun. He is my favorite companion I have had. It's always fun to work with him a bit like the good ole days!
So, due to the holiday, a lot of people were gone. We taught Ignacio once who told us that Trinidad is going to Mexico for a week again. They really like to go out of town! We will see what this means for him. What he wants to do.
So, tomorrow I start my last transfer. It is crazy. It really sunk in that my mission is ending. I am excited for sure, but I really don't want it to end. I like being a missionary too much. At the end of every transfer, there is a big fireside in the mission for the departing missionaries so they can give their last testimony and talk to their friends. I have only been to about four of them because it is a lot more productive to teach lessons, but our zone put together a choir to sing at it. I was there and looking at all these missionaries going home it was really a trip to think the next fireside is mine... everything is becoming so real at how little time I have left. Then I read Elder Nokes' email who goes home tomorrow, he didn't leave very long before I did! Missions are very short. I think I just set in in how short they really are. I am so glad is till have another month to go out and to preach the word of God to those in need before I leave.
Have you heard of the "He is the Gift?" initiative that the church is doing? It is super good. It talks about how Jesus Christ is the first gift of Christmas giving to us by God so that we may return to live with him. Go to Christmas.mormon.org and look at the sight. John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This is the scripture they are using. I encourage each of you to talk to the missionaries in your ward about this and how you can help spread the word of God this Christmas season which is the most natural and rewarding time to talk to Christ. The church is putting LOTS of money into this, they are advertising on YouTube December 7th and the whole month on Time Square in New York. Do your part to "sweep the earth as with a flood" of uplifting messages of Christ. Visit Christmas.mormon.org to learn more!
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
I hope you had a good week and a good Thanksgiving! Mine was pretty good... but I threw up for the first time in over two years. The last time being when I broke my arm... I had a good streak going! We had three diners, and an appointment for just pie, so go figure I threw up, right??? ha ha!! But, it really was good! I got to spend the night with Elder Lund and his companion. It was cool. It was fun. He is my favorite companion I have had. It's always fun to work with him a bit like the good ole days!
So, due to the holiday, a lot of people were gone. We taught Ignacio once who told us that Trinidad is going to Mexico for a week again. They really like to go out of town! We will see what this means for him. What he wants to do.
So, tomorrow I start my last transfer. It is crazy. It really sunk in that my mission is ending. I am excited for sure, but I really don't want it to end. I like being a missionary too much. At the end of every transfer, there is a big fireside in the mission for the departing missionaries so they can give their last testimony and talk to their friends. I have only been to about four of them because it is a lot more productive to teach lessons, but our zone put together a choir to sing at it. I was there and looking at all these missionaries going home it was really a trip to think the next fireside is mine... everything is becoming so real at how little time I have left. Then I read Elder Nokes' email who goes home tomorrow, he didn't leave very long before I did! Missions are very short. I think I just set in in how short they really are. I am so glad is till have another month to go out and to preach the word of God to those in need before I leave.
Have you heard of the "He is the Gift?" initiative that the church is doing? It is super good. It talks about how Jesus Christ is the first gift of Christmas giving to us by God so that we may return to live with him. Go to Christmas.mormon.org and look at the sight. John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This is the scripture they are using. I encourage each of you to talk to the missionaries in your ward about this and how you can help spread the word of God this Christmas season which is the most natural and rewarding time to talk to Christ. The church is putting LOTS of money into this, they are advertising on YouTube December 7th and the whole month on Time Square in New York. Do your part to "sweep the earth as with a flood" of uplifting messages of Christ. Visit Christmas.mormon.org to learn more!
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
Week 93... TRANSFERS!!!
Hi Everyone!!
This week wasn't the best as far as missionary work is concerned. There was just a lot of other stuff going on that we had to take care of. I still don't understand how sometimes a whole week just doesn't work out. But hey, that's the way it goes I guess.
We were able to get back in with Ignacio and Trinidad, so that was good! But they have a cousin in town from Mexico. The cousin said she wanted to talk and to learn more, but really she just wanted to bash with us which really was annoying cuz she really had no idea what she was talking about, just throwing around a bunch of nonsense, so that lesson wasn't the best, but afterwards, when we had to go, the members that are helping us fellowship stayed behind to talk to them and be their friend. Afterwards they told us that Trinidad would like to learn more again. So that's good. I think it was in part because after listening to her cousin, our church really just makes sense. We had another lesson with Ignacio after that, but he told his wife to take the cousin out. Then they were both at church, and at a thanksgiving dinner we had on Saturday. So, it was good! It really is cool to see how much of the ward is coming together to help them out and to be baptized. I really do encourage all of you to do what you can to help out the missionaries. Members really are the only way to do missionary work.
I am pretty sure I told you guys about Jessica last week? Unfortunately, she fell off the map. We still have lots of hope that she will come around because she really did show a lot of sincere interest. We will keep trying to find her for sure. Hopefully we can find her. we made a pretty big mission mistake... forgot to get her number.
This scripture is pretty cool. It's in Psalms 100:4-5 "Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Yesterday a talk was given in church, and the speaker said right now all the meanings of the holiday's are falling off to "turkey day" or "bunny day" and he fears that soon Christmas will be "tree day" or something like that. I am going to encourage you what he said to us, as the holiday's are here, remember why the holiday's really exist. It's not just "turkey day" on Thursday, but it is Thanksgiving so give thanks for what you have. Really, do that always, but I guess especially on Thursday :). I challenge you all to from now and Thursday, to offer one prayer a day of thanks giving.
I hope you all have a good week, and a happy Thanksgiving!
Love you lots!
Elder Lloyd
This week wasn't the best as far as missionary work is concerned. There was just a lot of other stuff going on that we had to take care of. I still don't understand how sometimes a whole week just doesn't work out. But hey, that's the way it goes I guess.
We were able to get back in with Ignacio and Trinidad, so that was good! But they have a cousin in town from Mexico. The cousin said she wanted to talk and to learn more, but really she just wanted to bash with us which really was annoying cuz she really had no idea what she was talking about, just throwing around a bunch of nonsense, so that lesson wasn't the best, but afterwards, when we had to go, the members that are helping us fellowship stayed behind to talk to them and be their friend. Afterwards they told us that Trinidad would like to learn more again. So that's good. I think it was in part because after listening to her cousin, our church really just makes sense. We had another lesson with Ignacio after that, but he told his wife to take the cousin out. Then they were both at church, and at a thanksgiving dinner we had on Saturday. So, it was good! It really is cool to see how much of the ward is coming together to help them out and to be baptized. I really do encourage all of you to do what you can to help out the missionaries. Members really are the only way to do missionary work.
I am pretty sure I told you guys about Jessica last week? Unfortunately, she fell off the map. We still have lots of hope that she will come around because she really did show a lot of sincere interest. We will keep trying to find her for sure. Hopefully we can find her. we made a pretty big mission mistake... forgot to get her number.
This scripture is pretty cool. It's in Psalms 100:4-5 "Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Yesterday a talk was given in church, and the speaker said right now all the meanings of the holiday's are falling off to "turkey day" or "bunny day" and he fears that soon Christmas will be "tree day" or something like that. I am going to encourage you what he said to us, as the holiday's are here, remember why the holiday's really exist. It's not just "turkey day" on Thursday, but it is Thanksgiving so give thanks for what you have. Really, do that always, but I guess especially on Thursday :). I challenge you all to from now and Thursday, to offer one prayer a day of thanks giving.
I hope you all have a good week, and a happy Thanksgiving!
Love you lots!
Elder Lloyd
Week 92!!!
Hey Everybody!
This week was pretty good for the most part!
Ignacio didn't get baptized. Super lame. He was supposed to have his interview on Tuesday, but he called us and said that his wife said he can't. So, we go over to his house to see why. He said that his son is sick in the hospital (he is out now), and Trinidad was really stressed. So, she threw down and said she will walk out if he goes through with it. He is very sad, but thinks she just needs time, then he can do it. So, that wasn't cool. Sometimes missionary work is really hard when you get really emotionally involved, and then something happens and it doesn't go exactly how you wanted it to, and it hurts. But, it's all good. One day he will be baptized.
We did have a good week, and found some really good people. We found this girl named Jessica, who is a single mother. She is really interested. We have lots of high hopes for her. I really do believe she will get baptized, but we will see. We have another lesson tonight with her. It will be good!
We also had a member bring a friend to church who really wants to learn more about Jesus as well, we haven't had the opportunity to talk to her yet, but we look forward to seeing what that's all about!!
Me and Elder Nanto got an interesting call today. Sister Tew, my president's wife, said that they are trying to train two missionaries in every stake to know how to work in the family history center so that we can get recent converts and less active members to take their ancestors to the temple to do baptisms. It is pretty cool. So, me and Elder Nanto are the Spanish missionaries in our stake to do that. We don't really know what that means yet. We found out like two hours ago or so, but that should be good!
1 Samuel 16:7 reads "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." This is kind of a cool scripture. What you have in your heart is what actually matters, so have a good heart, and also don't judge books by their covers.
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
This week was pretty good for the most part!
Ignacio didn't get baptized. Super lame. He was supposed to have his interview on Tuesday, but he called us and said that his wife said he can't. So, we go over to his house to see why. He said that his son is sick in the hospital (he is out now), and Trinidad was really stressed. So, she threw down and said she will walk out if he goes through with it. He is very sad, but thinks she just needs time, then he can do it. So, that wasn't cool. Sometimes missionary work is really hard when you get really emotionally involved, and then something happens and it doesn't go exactly how you wanted it to, and it hurts. But, it's all good. One day he will be baptized.
We did have a good week, and found some really good people. We found this girl named Jessica, who is a single mother. She is really interested. We have lots of high hopes for her. I really do believe she will get baptized, but we will see. We have another lesson tonight with her. It will be good!
We also had a member bring a friend to church who really wants to learn more about Jesus as well, we haven't had the opportunity to talk to her yet, but we look forward to seeing what that's all about!!
Me and Elder Nanto got an interesting call today. Sister Tew, my president's wife, said that they are trying to train two missionaries in every stake to know how to work in the family history center so that we can get recent converts and less active members to take their ancestors to the temple to do baptisms. It is pretty cool. So, me and Elder Nanto are the Spanish missionaries in our stake to do that. We don't really know what that means yet. We found out like two hours ago or so, but that should be good!
1 Samuel 16:7 reads "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." This is kind of a cool scripture. What you have in your heart is what actually matters, so have a good heart, and also don't judge books by their covers.
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Lloyd
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