FAMILIES: THE ROOT OF HAPPINESS

I love you all so, so, so much!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had an incredible week with many ups and downs...as a result, I think I've learned more this week than any other week on my mission. I don't even know where to start -- so many things have been happening!!! First, Happy New Year!!! I am so excited to start 2015 and work on some new goals and resolutions. Elder C and I are so excited to be here in Tawau, and we've already seen miracles. We had four new investigators this week, and it's only going to get better! This is a wonderful time, and I'm so grateful for our Savior...Christmas is just amazing :) 

One of the best parts of my week was being able to skype my family! All I can say is WWWWWOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! I have the most amazing family in the whole entire world!!!! I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was to see all of you and talk to you guys...it's amazing how much can change, but at the same time everyone is still the same.  

One thing that I've learned on a mission is the importance of and blessings that come from a family that loves each other and is rooted in the gospel. I have taught poor people, rich people, educated people, uneducated people, Malaysians, Chinese, Singaporeans, Ibans, children, elderly, and many other races and ethnicities, but the common factor for happiness is a loving family and faith in Christ. I have had the opportunity to learn first-hand, that true, lasting joy comes from loving the people around you and serving the Lord. I know that Heavenly Father has given us our families to learn how to love, support, learn, teach, and work together. This week, give everyone in your families a big hug haha :) Now that I'm gone, I've realized how the little things make a huge difference. 

Another amazing experience this week came with Brother H. He is almost ready for baptism, and we spent a little while talking about temples and how our families can be together forever. It was amazing to see how his countenance changed. He went from thinking the temples were just fancy churches into places where we can feel the Spirit and covenant with the Lord. I was able to share my testimony of the importance of temples and being sealed as a family. It was incredible!! I shared with him that my family was sealed together when I was three years old, but it's still the same as if we were born into the covenant. He has such an amazing desire, and I hope to be able to have faith like Brother H. Every single time I meet with him I have a special peace come over me, and I know the Lord has a great plan for him.

So many things....I never know what to share! We have been really trying to improve the strength of the members' testimonies lately in order to make church a more spiritual experience for our investigators. We were able to visit the S family and share with them a message about the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ. They have 11 children, live in a one room house, and they are the happiest, closest family I have ever met. Every single child is reverent as we teach and pray, and they are all completely obedient and happy :) It is such a special feeling to see them smile as you walk up to their house and say hello. I was able to bear a simple testimony about how Jesus Christ is our brother and wants to see us again. Every single one of the kids was listening so sincerely, and I just broke down. The people here in Malaysia are amazing. Their faith is so strong, and I am learning so much each and every day!!!

One of my favorite scriptures this week was Alma 26:16- it describes my feelings pretty well: 

Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

I can't even begin to describe all that I feel and all that I'm learning. I hope you know that I am so happy and so grateful to be on a mission. It was such a special experience to be a missionary with the title of Elder on Christmas day...it is so humbling! The Lord has called us to serve Him and do His work. I am so grateful that he has given me this opportunity to learn and grow. It truly is a privilege. I have been given so much, and now it's my turn to share it with people who are ready to listen. I would invite all of you to do all that you can to "be an example of the believers." Pray for strength and happiness so that you can represent Christ in all that you do. I love you guys so much!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!

Love, Elder Lloyd

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MALAYSIA!

Merry Christmas everybody!!!! What an amazing week I've had, and what an incredible week these next few days will be. Soooo many new things and exciting events are happening. I'm so grateful to be a missionary, and I'm most grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for this Christmas season and the joy that I've felt as we've sung Christmas hymns, talked to people, and worshipped Christ. I love Tawau and I love the people here!!!!!!!!!!!

So, this week was crazy!!!! Tuesday night we went caroling all over Tawau and a few neighboring cities in a bus with all of the youth in the branch – a record 20! We visited some very humble homes and some very loving people. It was so touching to see how grateful they were that we would make the trip just to sing them a few songs. Their smiles of gratitude made it all worth it. As a missionary, I'm truly starting to appreciate just how much joy making others happy can bring to myself. I wish I would've taken advantage of more service opportunities and small acts of service back home before the mission, because making a positive difference in someone else's life is something that is truly lasting and eternal. We got back from caroling very late, and then I helped Elder W and R pack because they got transferred. I'll miss those guys a lot, but ... I've got a new companion!!!!

Wednesday morning I flew to Singapore. After a day of travel, we had some training at night, and then Thursday morning we had a testimony meeting and we found out who our new companions are. Mine is Elder C!   He's awesome, and I'm so excited to serve with him in Tawau!!!

Because Tawau is so far from Singapore, we had to stay in Singapore all day Thursday. I got to go on splits with another missionary, and what an amazing learning experience it was!!! Singapore is amazing!!!! It is so beautiful and impressive in an urban, modern type of way -- completely different from East Malaysia.  I literally talked to everyone in my path. Three people described to me how they're free thinkers and believe in humans more than God. We had another man show us a million books trying to prove us wrong as he talked about Galileo and all this science stuff -- it was just so different! It was so cool to have the opportunity to contact and try and help people. 

One thing that I gained a testimony of is that this gospel does help everyone. Absolutely everyone on this planet would benefit from this message, no matter what they're going through. I know that the Spirit is something that not even the smartest people in the world can understand if they're not willing to open up their hearts. This message is completely unique and special to each one of us. I'm so grateful for the peace and knowledge that I have. I have seen, firsthand, the way that life could be if we didn’t have this gospel, and it is not something that I would ever desire. I know this gospel is for our benefit, and we truly are blessed as we obey the commandments and follow the teachings of Christ. 

 

One of the most amazing things this week was our Christmas party on Saturday!!!! We had over 100 people there! It was a miracle!! People I'd never seen made an effort to come! Right in the middle of the party, our electrical box blew up and we lost all power. Brother H called a friend and fixed the problem so that our party could continue and we could have church the next day. He is absolutely amazing. I truly feel like I am learning more from these people than I'm teaching them! I'm so grateful for this branch and for Tawau! I was able to be Santa Claus at the party, and all of the little kids were just so excited and happy. It was the best feeling in the world to take pictures with them and make them smile. 

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us more than we could ever imagine. I know that the best gift we could ever give in return is the gift of obedience and love. I would invite you all to make a conscious effort to be more loving this Christmas season. Make a list of specific things you can change in order to show love for others as you go into this new year.

I love you so much!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!! I love being a missionary, and I love being a part of God's work. I am so grateful for all of you and the support you give me each day. I would not be here if it wasn't for all of you!!! Thank you for your examples and prayers! I pray that I am able to share something that inspires you to feel the Spirit and joy. Merry Christmas from Malaysia!!! Zai Jian!

I LOVE YOU & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

These past few weeks have been very exciting for me  -- we went to Singapore, got a bunch of news from home, dropped and found new investigators....life is crazy but so great!!! I am so grateful for all of the things we have an opportunity to experience on this Earth. I wish I was a more eloquent writer so that all of you could understand the joy and amazing things that I've experienced and learned.

So many miracles have been happening....Firstly, I want to thank all of you for the amazing, uplifting emails, packages, letters, and pictures. I love you all so much!!! I would not be here if it weren't for all of you!!! I am so humbled and so blessed to be loved by so many people. I was asked to give a talk at mission conference in Singapore, and again yesterday in Sacrament meeting, and I based my talks off of love. This is a message of love. I know that Christ loves us perfectly, and here on this Earth we are given opportunities to show our love for others and for him in order to sample the joy that is promised us if we can endure. 

In my opinion, the crowning characteristic of love is loyalty. I know that as we show our loyalty to the Lord by serving others and reaching out to people in love, we will experience a fullness of joy that can only be understood as we act and discover it for ourselves. I know that the greatest gift we could ever receive was Jesus Christ and the Atonement. In turn, the best, most precious gift, I could share with anyone is my testimony and knowledge that Christ lives. I would invite all of you to show your love this Christmas season by sharing the message of Christ. Share something that can truly change somebody's eternal progression....it's just so humbling!!! We are so blessed to have this knowledge and truth. I am so grateful!!!

I have had so many amazing experiences these past few weeks....it's harder to write when more things happen because then they get all jumbled and you don't want to write at all haha...First of all, I want to update all of you and say that Brother "Robby" is doing amazing! I am so humbled that we were able to find him and help him come to know the truth. This gospel is true. It changes people, and it has changed me. 

We have had a few miracles in finding lately as well. We met two people at the shops that we have had the opportunity to start teaching. They are certainly infants in the gospel as far as knowledge, but their willingness to trust us and trust God is inspiring. I am so grateful for good people in this world. I know that everyone deserves to have a chance to hear the gospel, and I know that Christ's Atonement wasn't just for faithful members-it was for everyone. Heavenly Father also has a perfect plan for you and for me. I have experienced the peace, comfort, and joy that having a testimony brings, and I pray every single day to find new people that are prepared to open their hearts and come back to Christ. Thank you for praying for me and the other people here in Malaysia. Miracles are happening!!!

As I've pondered about all that Heavenly Father has given us it's rather depressing to know that there doesn't seem to be anything that I can give Him in return...anything that I give is already His. From Omni 1:26, I realized that one way we can truly show our love and gratitude is not only following the commandments, but truly giving our soul and will to Him. We will always have our agency, but I know that we can fine tune our desires and works in order to sincerely give our lives to the Lord. 

We have our families, we have our jobs, we have school, and many other things that seem to distract us from this gospel, but I know that as we come closer to God, we will notice that our "spiritual life" can join together with our "physical/temporal life". To do this isn't natural. It's hard to love others as Christ does. It's hard to stay focused amidst all of the temptations. The first thing we can do is ask for help. Please make sure that you are praying every single day, multiple times a day. Short, simple, fervent prayers will always help us remember Christ and keep us focused on what is righteous. 

During Zone Conference in Singapore, one of the Sister Training Leaders gave an amazing talk about the necessity to always show love towards people. The longer I'm here, the more I'm understanding that these wonderful people have so much going on in their lives, and they sacrifice so much to come to church. They are doing all they can, and that is all the Lord asks of us. My invitation to all of you is to praise people before you criticize them. Be patient, be selfless, and be positive. I am so grateful that I was sent to Malaysia and have already had the chance to make friends that I'll know forever. 

One more reminder:  "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, impurity."   

I invite everyone to always be examples of Christ so that when people come to learn about this gospel, they will have good feelings and spiritual experiences. 

Merry Christmas everybody!!!!. I want you all to know that I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this gospel, and I love you. In Malaysia, it is so apparent to see the blessings that come when we live according to how the scriptures direct us. I testify that this gospel is the way back to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for an amazing family and friends. I love you guys so much!!!!!!!! 

Sheng dan jie kuai le!!!!! 

NO TURKEY IN TAWAU!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!!! This past week has been filled with so many miracles. I am so grateful to be serving on a mission. The people I have met have taught me so much and brought me so much happiness, and I know that this is where I am supposed to be. I am so grateful for my family, and I'm so excited for my sister to return home from her mission!!!! I love you Sister Lloyd!!! 

I want to start off with some of the best news ever!!! Our investigator, Robby (fake name), has been progressing faster than a cheetah chasing a galloping gazelle haha. Seriously though. I am so grateful that the Lord was able to lead us to him and his family. This past week, we talked about the Plan of Salvation, and taught the Word of Wisdom as one way we can have more happiness on this Earth. He told us how his wife had just brought back his favorite tea from Shanghai and how he drinks five cups of coffee a day. While he was talking about everything I was just praying that somehow he would have the faith to try. Well, within a couple seconds he just stopped talking and said, "You know what, this is from God, and I know this is something that will bless me and my family." 

He went on to talk about how he wants to be a good example for his daughters and help them have faith in Christ throughout their lives. have learned so much from Robby's faith and willingness to trust the Lord and the Spirit. He is so sincere and interested when it comes to the gospel.

I think it's amazing that no matter how much you know about Christ, how old you are, where you're from, etc. we can still feel the Spirit and the gospel will still bless you. I know this to be true!!! Yesterday, Robby brought his whole family to church and had his nose in the Book of Mormon all during Sunday school. It's just amazing to see what someone who is prepared to see the gospel is like. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help Robby and his family learn more! 

Regarding meeting with some other investigators who aren't quite ready to receive the gospel, I know that the Lord is still working with people no matter what point in their conversion they're at. I am grateful to meet with people and learn more about what the gospel is about. Some people we meet think we don't have any credibility because we are so young, but I think one reason Heavenly Father sends 19 year old men and women on missions is because our testimonies are pure. We don't have experience, jobs, families, or education, but we have hope and we have a desire to share what we do know. 

I know this gospel has helped me have peace and happiness, and that is why I can share my testimony with others.

My personal study of the scriptures has improved so much since I have come on a mission. I have so many scriptures and thoughts I want to share with all of you, but I never know what will be applicable. One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for mystrength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will Irather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may restupon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, innecessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: forwhen I am weak, then am I strong.

I love this scripture because it tells us to glory in our awkward moments and infirmities. I am excited and proud to be imperfect because it gives me something to work on and learn from. I am so grateful that I will never be perfect during this life and that I can always find joy by using the Atonement and realizing that I can't do anything without Christ. I have had many moments where I have not taught well, said the right things, acted the right way, etc. but I know that the Heavenly Father and Christ qualify my efforts. Through the Atonement, I can grow and change who I am into something that Heavenly Father wants me to become.

I am so grateful for this gospel and I am so humbled to have this opportunity to represent the Lord. We are so blessed to have all that we have. Please thank Heavenly Father for the opportunity to live where you do and have the gospel in your life. I love you guys so much!!! 

PRAY ON!

A Wedding! 

This week has been filled with more miracles than ever!!!!!! Thank you so, so, so much for the prayers and for all of the love. This week I was greatly humbled because I realized just how little we really do as missionaries. I know it is all in the Lord's hands, and we truly are simply tools. Whatever you were all doing at home, keep doing it, because this week was awesome!!!

The biggest miracle this week came with one of our investigators that we found while contacting. His family is incredible, and he has two daughters. He has always wanted to know which church is true, and his questions for us are always sincere and innocent. It has been such a blessing and a privilege to bear my testimony to him and help him find happiness in this life.

Since I've been here, we haven't really had a sincere investigator so it is amazing to have a

Early morning studies

new investigator to teach who wants to learn -- desire is everything!!! If we don't have a desire or want to do something, we will never learn from doing it. I've learned that in order to make any commitment that we extend worth our time and the investigator's time, we need to make sure we let them know why they need to do it. When we promise them blessings of happiness and peace, they start to have a desire. 

He was at church yesterday, and two other investigators showed up completely unannounced after not answering their phones for a couple weeks.....WOOOOOOWWWW!!! ...on top of that, the Sabah Zone Presidency came to Tawau and gave the talks in Sacrament meeting that applied perfectly to our investigators -- miracles miracles miracles. I am so happy right now!

Another cool experience this week happened while we were contacting in a little Taman (housing complex). We saw a boy playing basketball, so naturally I went over and talked to him. As we started talking, he wanted me to try, so we played a bit. After a few minutes, he asked me if I was Uncle Drew it made me laugh so hard! He started asking why I was dressed so nicely, how I knew how to play basketball, and if anybody was filming us. It was hilarious, but also so sincere. It was a perfect way to start a gospel conversation about why I was in Malaysia. I know that God gives us opportunities and talents so that we can share the gospel and our happiness with others. If we are willing to act on those promptings that we receive, we will be able to strengthen our own testimonies as we find joy in helping others come unto Christ.

Some of my favorite questions to ask our investigators are: 

1. What's most important to you? 

2. Why would prophets be important? 

3. What kind of relationship do you have with God? 

I invite all of you guys to try and answer those questions yourself, and focus on what you feel when you think about them. What areas do you need to improve on? One of my favorite talks ever is called, "An Educated Conscience" by Stephen R Covey. He explains how we can feel the Spirit and recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives. Please read it and ponder about how you can better recognize the Holy Ghost in order to improve your relationship with Heavenly Father and Christ.

While studying these questions myself, 3 Nephi 19:25-26 was one of my favorite scriptures that I looked up. It talks about how Christ smiles at us as we pray. I know that by picturing Heavenly Father and Christ while we pray, will help us be more sincere and meaningful. I also know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us, and is always waiting for us to talk with Him. I love thinking that Christ smiles at us -- isn't that amazing??? Verse 26 follows up and says, "Pray On." I know that prayer is fundamental in order to develop a personal relationship with God, and I know that prayer is crucial to maintain a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I love you all so much, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity every week to share some of my experiences and thoughts. I know that Christ lives, and I know that through the Atonement we can completely change who we are. I am so grateful for all of your examples. I wouldn't be here without any of you!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Love, Elder Lloyd

TAWAU - WOW!

Hello everybody!!!!! 

Another week has flown by!!! This week was amazing because our zone leaders flew out to go on splits with us, and they brought all of our mail and packages for the first time! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the snacks and the mighty six letters and everything! I am so grateful, and it made us all happy!!!!!! I love you guys so much, and I'm so grateful for all of the prayers and love. Thank you! I also wanna shout out to Sam, Drew, Tanner, Ryan, and Jordan, and my other friends who are serving around the world.  I finally got to read some of your letters, and you guys are working miracles!!!! You're my heroes! 

This past week started with one of my coolest experiences yet!!  We visited the second counselor in our branch. He lives about an hour away from Tawau, in the middle of a huge palm oil plantation. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been! There were a bunch of houses on stilts, huge palm trees, little monkeys, and the friendliest dogs in Malaysia!. Brother Joseph is about fifty years old and is completely blind. After talking for a little bit, he shared his story about how he found the church. 

He shared that this gospel is special to him because he felt loved by the members and he felt God's love as well. I know that love is the most motivating, powerful thing in the world, and I felt that as Brother Joseph shared his testimony. In my opinion, the closer we get to somebody and the more we get to know them, the harder it is to dislike them. I've been trying to learn more and more about the investigators and everyone I come into contact with. If you are having trouble getting along with someone or just feel like you don't relate, I can promise that making an effort to learn more about them will help you understand their situation so that you can love them and help them.

As I continued to study about Ammon this week, I couldn't help but notice that he seemed to get what he desired, often. There were many situations where he said, "and this is what I desired." He was given many opportunities to use the talents that God had given him because he had faith and was willing to share the gospel. I know that each one of us has been blessed with talents of our own to share the gospel, and if we are willing to apply them, Heavenly Father will bless us with opportunities where we can connect with people and share our testimonies. 

While on splits with one of our zone leaders this week, I was able to share my testimony with a man. Originally, he didn't want to talk, but I promised him that this gospel is worth it, and that's why I came all the way from America to share it with him. A question I've tried to ask myself lately is, "How badly do I want to share this gospel?" If it means a lot to me, I know I'll do all I can to help others have the chance to receive it. 

Even though we spent two hours contacting and only found one potential, I know it was worth it. I know the Lord always wants us to be focused on the work, and I know that He is always willing to show us a better way to do things if we are willing to listen. 

I was reading through Jorg Klebingat's Conference talk (Approach God) and it was completely eye opening. Please read through this talk this week and make a list of a few things you want to change in your life in order to come closer to God. I want to have confidence in all that I do. If we haven't done our chores, we won't be able to have the confidence to ask our parents if we can hang out late on the weekend. If we haven't put the work in, we won't have the confidence to ask Heavenly Father for help. We will be able to ask, but we just won't be as confident, and that makes all the difference in our happiness and growth here on Earth.

Just know that I love all of you, and I wouldn't be here without you. We had a miracle this week and have been able to teach an amazing man with two children. He was just sitting in his yard, and was willing to listen. I am so grateful for people who will simply listen and give the gospel a chance. I would invite all of you to try and listen a little bit closer to those speaking to you. 

I love you guys!!!! Thank you with all of my heart!!!!!!!

Love, Elder Lloyd