Week 71... TRANSFERS!!!

So, I kinda got distracted and lost track of time... so I better hurry and do this email!!   Sorry Mom!  Don't be mad at me!!

So, this week was actually super good. One of the best ones me and Elder Roberts have had!  We taught almost every night this week!  We only didn't teach on Thursday. Manuel and Jeni are doing super good; they are progressing in the Gospel quite well.  They were not able to make it to church this week.  We are going by tonight to find out why not.  But they are reading and understanding the Book of Mormon and praying about it.  I cant wait till their baptism! Not sure when it will be, but it is definitely coming up!  

So the uncle of Hermana Gonzales died.  That's sad. They weren't at church because they went down to Mexico. I really hope this is what they need to return back to church.

We met this new lady and her son named Elsy and Sergio. She came to church and liked it a lot!  Her husband was killed 2 years ago.  She tried to keep her faith but she says it was hard because her kids were saying stuff like why did God let that happen, and she didn't know why.  So, we will help her to know the Gospel and that she can see him again.

I love my mission!   Time is going way to fast! Transfers is coming up again, so if you want to send me any mail, make sure it gets here by Saturday!   I think I am probably going to be moving this one, I have been here for a long time!!

Jacob 2;18-19 says "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."  I really like that.  I really do know that as we put God first in all that we do, all other things will work out.  I know that God wants to bless us and wants to use us to bless others, but first, we need to do what he asks of us.

I hope you all have a good week and a happy fathers day!  

Love,

Elder Lloyd

Week 70!!!

Doctrine and Covenants section 1 verses 29 and 30 states "And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—"

Saturday we had a visit from Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the 12, Elder Acosta of the area 70 and Elder Schwitzer of the 70.  They came to town to do some training for the local priesthood leaders, and for us missionaries as well. I know that Elder Ballard is an ordained Apostle of Jesus Christ. I sat at his feet and listened to him talk. I felt the undeniable Holy Ghost tell me that he has authority from on High. I felt the whole feeling of the room change as he walked in and testified of Christ. I think I remember one time when I was younger that we had a member of the Quorum of the 12 come to stake conference. I really don't remember much about it though. This Saturday was the first time I have shaken the hand of an Apostle of the Lord with the new testimony and knowledge I have received here on my mission. in my mind this was a crowing event that changed my mission and changed me for forever. I mean before this time I had no problem looking anyone in the eyes and testifying that we have a prophet, but now really I cant imagine not sharing with people. In that meeting Elder Schwitzer read a verse in Alma that I'm not exactly sure where its at but says how Alma the Younger and his companions shaked and trembled because of the fact their brothers were perishing in unbelief. He asked us how many of us quake and tremble over the people of Southern California. It really makes you think. I have found myself becoming saddened by rejection. when I first started I would get discouraged by rejection. "why are they rejecting me?" then I got used to it iIguess and I wasn't discouraged. When I would get rejected I would move on. I knew I was there for a reason and someone would hear us. lately, I have come to know in a very real sense that I am a personal emissary of Christ. I am enlisted in His work to do what He would do if He were here. I came to know that it is something sad when people reject us because it is not us they are rejecting, but Christ. as we have His "only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth". This experience with Elder Ballard sealed the deal. It was a very humbling experience, hearing him testify that we are servants of Christ. It really made me want to be better. I want to go scream to the world that our church is true. That I know that through a living prophet, we have the authority to seal families for eternity.

So if I were to describe this week in a nutshell it would be the church is true. I know it and I can not deny it. I want everyone to know that I know that this is the one true church, for I have felt the Spirit testify to me the same way it is testifying to you right now as you read these words. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church of Jesus Christ restored on the earth in preparation for the second coming of the Messiah. Please read this book and pray about it. I desire all to come to the knowledge and partake of the happiness and joy I have because of this knowledge. As an ordained representative of Jesus Christ, I promise in His name that you will receive a testimony of Him by the same Spirit that I did. I bear this testimony to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Week 69!!!

Hello! 

This week was great! We had Hna Gonzales and her family at church again.  They keep bailing after Sacrament meeting, but at least they are there for that. Little by little they are coming back into activity. I absolutely love watching people slowly start to come into the gospel and watch the blessings and the happiness come to them. I LOVE my mission!    

We found 3 new investigators this week. One is named Carmen. She is 74 and has been catholic all her life. She loves the catholic church.  She could be super good though if she lets us help her! I guess time will tell.  She set up a return appointment so that's good. It shows she at least liked what we said. The other two are a father and son named Manuel and Nate. Manuel fell off a ladder at work and messed up his leg and slipped two disks in his back, Nate is in 8th grade and has Leukemia, needless to say, they are very humble.  They will get baptized for sure.  They came to mutual.  They are very interested in boy scouts, but I guess mutual was changed so they went to a park to play sports. Nate cant play sports right now, but they did meet a lot of the members and some friends.  They unfortunately were not at church because Nate had a doctor appointment so that's pretty lame, but in time we will get them. They are very prepared to accept the gospel. It really is interesting to meet sooo many different people in sooo many different walks of life and see how each has had different experiences and how they either turn to God because of them, or Satan gets them to turn away. I know that Heavenly Father is leading and guiding this work.

We had ward conference this week.  It was focused on Doctrine and covenants 38:30 "I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."   Particularly the last part, if you are prepared, you will not fear.    The bishop and stake president both gave very good talks on how we all need to get prepared, do things like save food storage, save money, learn English, get legal, (no lie. he said that), read and pray DAILY and attend the church. this weekend alone a school got shot up, 6 people died, a mom in Torrance killed her 3 daughters, and close to where I live, a cholo shot 2 random people on the street, and a few streets down from that another guy shot someone else.    Basically, the world is going to crap.  So get prepared both spiritually and temporally so that you are ready, for if you are ready you will have no reason to fear.

This week was super good but super fast! I cant wait till next week!  You have a good week too!

Love,

Elder Lloyd

Week 68!!!

Man, it's getting hot! I saw 109 twice last week. Assuming the car wasn't lying. That was even after driving for a few minutes to get it to adjust right! So, here we are sweating all the days while you are all wearing coats in Utah :) But, that's how it goes!

This week was pretty good. We had the Gonzales family at church yesterday! They are a less active family that we have been working with. They have been telling us for months they will come, then they never did. But, yesterday they were there so that is super cool! They left after sacrament meeting, but little by little they are going to come back. :)

We found a few super good people we are going to start teaching this week. They have a lot of potential, and we look forward to helping them to come to the gospel so they can partake in the happiness that comes from it. It is super cool to see the change come into people's lives as they learn about the Gospel and apply it in their lives. I really do love my mission.

Ether 12:27 is a super cool verse that I like a lot. It reads "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that be humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I really like it. When I was a young missionary, I was frustrated and a bit discouraged because I was really struggling with the language. This verse, shown to me by a friend, helped me a lot to get back on track and to be happy. To come unto Christ and allow him to work in my life and to help me out. Now, a year later, Spanish is definitely one of my strengths, and I am being blessed by it and so are many others. I invite you all to choose one of your weaknesses  you have and to take it to Christ humbly and allow Him to help you make it a strength, and I promise you He will.

Love,
Elder Lloyd

 

 

Week 67!!!

Hello! Happy mothers day to all you mothers out there! I hope you all had a good day!  I know mine was GREAT cuz I got to skype with my family :)

This week was super good! We got a few more investigators, and taught a few really good lessons. We were passing by some potentials we had found looking for a former investigator a few weeks ago. We met Arturo and his wife Natividad. They are soo cool! We knocked on their door, and Arturo answered. He said he had talked to missionaries before, but never got baptized cuz he moved back to Mexico for a few months, then just came back. We promised him that hearing the message we have to share will bless him more than he is able to comprehend before seeing these blessings come into his life. We asked if he's got a few minutes, and he told us to come in. We had a very nice talk with them. They are nonpracticing Catholics, and very very humble. We really were able to feel the Spirit with them. They said they cant wait to learn more. It truly was a miracle to find to a family that really wants and needs the Gospel.

We also had a lesson with Maria. Her nephew passed away last week, or two weeks ago. It was super sad, but she was humbled a lot. Her husband too. We finally got her husband to sit into a lesson with us. That was very good. We taught a very powerful plan of salvation. I love the Plan of Salvation and what it means. It is a very big role in why I am out here serving.

Last week, a few of the young women threw us a quincenera. It's like a sweet 16, but it is for when Latina girls turn 15. It was pretty fun. Me and 4 other missionaries in the ward turned 15 months. We are getting OLD!!!  

Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17 says "You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." That is a super cool scripture that Elder Roberts shared with a member.  Remember that its the little things in life that make very big changes in the course of our life.  So always remember that, and keep focused on the things of Christ so that you may continually be guided to the good things is life. The peace and happiness that only can come through the knowledge the Gospel gives.

Until next week,

Love,
Elder Lloyd

(I cant remember which picture I was smiling in for the quincenera, and the preview on the computer is too small to tell... :) )

 

 

Week 66!!!

So, wasn't watching the time... usually I try to do these emails first now, but today I got distracted a bit... now I am almost out of time.

This week was good. It was super slow though, and super hot!  Like 100 degrees every day! We spent a lot of time in finding activities with members and tracting because almost all of the lessons we had set fell through.  But, that's how it goes.  Every week cant be the best week!

So our investigator Maria couldn't meet with us this week. Her nephew died, its sad.  Her family is all super sad.   I cant imagine trying to face death without the gospel.  A death in the family is hard enough with the gospel and with the knowledge that I WILL see my family again. They are doing some funeral stuff like that, but this week we should be able to get in and have a lesson. Sounds like the perfect time to teach her the Plan of Salvation! So, we will get in on that and bring her to the knowledge we have and allow Christ to comfort her in her time of need. We really hope we can catch up with her whole family as well. She has told us that she really wants her kids to learn more about Christ because she has failed at teaching them herself. She really is a cool lady, with a lot of sincere desire. She just works a lot so we can meet with her.

I didn't get transferred! So I will stay here with Elder Roberts for another 6 weeks! I am excited! That makes 5 transfers in this area which is crazy! That's two more than my other areas! I felt like I am not done with my work here, now its time to go find out what the Lord has in store.

Isaiah 41:10 reads "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."   I really like that.  It is a great comforter.  I really do know that as we do the things that God Commands, He really will be with us. I have seen it in my life, that as I strive as hard as I can do obey with exactness, I have the Spirit with me a lot more prevalently and I have much more peace and joy in my life. I invite you all to strive to obey with exactness, and I promise you that as you do, these blessings will come to you too.

Sorry the email is a little bit lacking this week,

Love,
Elder Lloyd