Week 34!!!

Hey Everyone!

This week was pretty great! Still here and loving life in Pico Rivera! I LOVE the people here so much! This week was kinda slower, but that's okay. One of the highlights for sure was a big conference we had all about finding. It was super good! I learned so much about how I can become a better missionary. There is a section of Preach My Gospel all about talk to everyone you see. President Tew gave a big training on why it says "with" as opposed to "to" everyone. Then the assistants to the President gave a good training on how to better use the gift of discernment to know how to talk with everyone and say what they need to hear right in that very moment to make them see that this Gospel is exactly what they need right now. It is very cool. As we have tried to put this to the test, me and Elder Lund have definitely see the Lord's hand in EVERYTHING we do. And speaking of seeing the Lord's hand better in our lives, how is every one's Daily Miracle Journal going?

We are still working with Rosa's kids Wendy and Bryan. They are coming along great, but Bryan wasn't at church yesterday so he wont make his goal of being baptized on September 29. Wendy said she is "almost convinced, but she's not quite sure" and said she has a few questions for us, but then she didn't want to ask them anymore. We still don't know if they are doubts or if she wants more clarification on something? I guess we will see. Really, they are both super ready for baptism. We just need to get Bryan at church and then convince them they are ready.

Fila is frustrating. Salvador told us he wants them to be baptized, but Fila is "scared to pray because [she's] scared to receive an answer." Now I may be wrong, but I think that that means she has felt the Spirit in our lessons a few times and now has a hunch we are correct and is scared to pray because then she will find out that we are right and if we are right, she has to change. Change isn't exactly easy or fun so I kinda don't blame her I guess... But really? Like come on, just pray! Isn't it important to know the truth? Her daughter Marlen is doing well. She prayed and read "and got emotional" and now really wants to be baptized and really wants her mom to pray too. As soon as her mom will pray, we can baptize them. It took a long time to build her trust... and with transfers coming up, I am scared that if me or Elder Lund are transferred then the trust will be gone with the new Elder...

Mosiah 2:22 reads "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." Basically, if you first keep the commandments of God, then all other worldly things will work out and you will find a TON more happiness and peace in your life.

Thanks for everything!

Love,
Elder Lloyd