Week 7!!

Well, my first week in the California!! It went AWESOME!!! So, 36 people came out with me! its kinda nuts! It is the biggest group of new missionaries this mission has ever seen and will see for awhile. 33 were on my flight. We took up essentially the whole plane! This kinda caused some problems because it stressed out the leadership. So the first two days were kinda waisted. we didn't do much because we were only assigned to a temporary companion. After the first two days, they called us back to the mission home for two hours to tell us that all the temporary trainers are permanent. It was kinda dumb but that is okay... I love my Companion!! Elder Kasen!   He is a awesome guy!!  He trains me for the twelve week training program then he goes home!!
 

So I have already been learning so much about the gospel, about myself, and about others. Its crazy!! So I am in south Long Beach right now. I love it here, but some parts are really, really ghetto. The other day we were tracting through a old busted up neighborhood and walked right by Snoop Dogg's child hood home.I don't know if you have ever listened to his stuff, but his lyrics are kinda sad sometimes. I now know why they are the way they are. most of these people really don't have a great quality of life...

 

I really can't believe that I am already done with my first week in the mission field!! It is crazy!!    It has already been 7 weeks! It has really made my realize that I really do not have a lot of time at all to be here so I really need to give it all that i have got all the time!!! I really don't have time to waste!!

 

I'm not going to lie, I understand Spanish a lot better then I thought I would. Sometimes. Some talk really, really fast. I cant so much talk back though.  So the second day, the first real day of work (ish. the first real day with permanent trainer was day three) We walked over ten miles. I thought my shoes were broken in. turns out I was wrong... I literally bled form all the walking... that's okay though!! I'm not here for personal comfort...

 

So, next time you don't want to go to church... be happy you don't have to leave an hour early, Bike mostly uphill for 45 minutes, in the hot California sun with a fair amount of humidity. lol. Church is good though. except I cant really understand what is going on... lol.

So, I gotta go. I'm lacking on time. but, real quick, mail. the quickest way to send to me is to my apt. The address is:

 

440 West 5th street apt. 206

Long Beach, CA 90802

 

So this is for letters only. Like I said, I live in a rougher area so don't send packages to this address. Send them to the mission home. My parents should have that. also, transfers are every six weeks that i have potential for moving so every fifth week ( I will say in my email) don't write me to my apartment. send it to the mission home. I will let you know when that is.

 

John 14:26 reads "26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." I just like this because the Holy Ghost is the real teacher in our lessons and is such a great tool for everyone. The Holy Ghost will tell us anything God needs us to know for anything as long as we all do what we are supposed too.

 

One more note. If you want to talk to me quickly, you can send an email. the church made a church wide rule that missionaries can now email anyone outside of their mission boundaries.

 

Love you all!!! I look forward to hearing from you!!!

 

 

Me and Elder Kasen

Week 6!!!

Well, it turns out I do get a mini P-Day today that I can email a bit. I don't have a lot of time so I will be brief.
 

I really have LOVED my time here in the MTC. The first few days here were rough. Not going to lie. I would sit and wonder why on Earth I am here and how I'm ever going to get through it. Now, come time to leave, hermano Rhoton, my teacher, asked us what, if anything, we would change about the MTC. In all honesty, I would not change a thing. This has probably been the most beneficial time of my life. I look back, and I don't even know where the time went! It was such a good time!!
 

So, fun story. I just learned literally 30 seconds ago. Elder Williams, and Elder Stallings met each other in a restaurant before the MTC. They talk a bit and they both decided that they would see each other in the MTC kinda jokingly. Then after that they met up here and were companions! Cool eh?
 

Well, I gotta go. I need to finish my last preparations to ship out tomorrow morning!!! I leave in 10 hours!!
 

I appreciate all your guys' support to me and my family as I have served and continue to do serve. I can feel all your prayers offered in my behalf!!

 

 

Before I quit, I'd like to share a scripture. 1 Corinthians 14:2 reads "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" I just kinda stumbled upon this one today in my study right before I left as I was praying for an understanding of the Spanish that I may hear my investigators and they may hear me. This scripture kinda hit me hard. To me it is saying if I just open up and speak, then I will be taken care of. My mouth will be filled with the things I need to say. I learned that I don't need to speak perfect Spanish, but if I try, God will hear me and the Spirit will teach to my investigators what they need to know. Besides, the Spirit is the real teacher anyways. Doctors don't do the healing, they just set up the atmosphere for the healing to take place. Likewise, I don't do the teaching. I just set up the atmosphere for the Spirit to come and touch the lives of others and teach them the truthfulness of our message.
 

I love you all with all my heart! As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

Love

Elder Lloyd
 

Well, the computer wont read my memory card. So I'll send you pictures next week. Love you!!

Week 5!!

I really cannot believe it has already been five stinking weeks!! that is crazy!! So pretty sure my MTC experience has flown by. it is crazy! it seems like just last week, I was being dropped off. I really have LOVED my time here! I have grown so much in many aspects and I have learned a ton about myself, my family, and the Gospel, and many other things!!

I got my travel plans last Thursday! I leave for California on Tuesday at 8:37! I'm not going to lie, I'm kinda sad to leave the MTC, but I am beyond belief excited for the field!

So, just so you all know, any letters you send to the MTC for me after I depart will be forwarded to the Mission Home in California but any Dear Elders will be discarded. So, do be on the safe side, don't send any dear elders after Saturday or most likely I will not get them. However, anyone is open to write me an email, or mail me a letter at anytime. I am really busy, so it may take me awhile, but I will respond. If you want to send me a letter, the Mission Home Address is:

Office M.A.
6500 E Atherton ST
Long Beach, CA 90815
United States

Phone Number: 1-562-248-1300

This will get letters to me, but it may not be the most timely. I will send my apartment address when I get it.


So, I really like this scripture. I found it in the temple this morning. its Luke 5:20 and reads "And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are ^aforgiven thee." I really like this one. It is short, simple, but has a really profound meaning. If we but ask in faith, all our sins can be forgiven.

So, nothing really exciting happened this week. Sorry my email was kinda lame this week and just business stuff. But, I still love you all! :) Next time you hear from me, I will be in California and rumor has it, you get fun stories in the field :)


Love you all!
Elder Andrew B. Lloyd

 My whole district at the map. The Hermanas are going to Argentina if their visas ever come...

Most of the zone at the Temple

Me and Elder Jeppson at the map