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

AMMON: A MIGHTY MISSIONARY

Another week!!! It was transfers last week, but luckily nobody got transferred so I'll be finishing my training here with Elder W!!! This is awesome news! We reflected a lot on our past six weeks, and we've revised a lot of goals so that this transfer can be even better. It's amazing how quickly time passes, and it's amazing how much we can learn from our mistakes. I'm focusing a lot right now on trying to rely on the Atonement and the Holy Ghost so that when I do make mistakes, I can turn them into learning experiences instead of getting down on myself.

This week I decided to really focus on why Ammon was so successful as a missionary, because I want to improve a lot from last transfer and continue growing closer to the Lord. I studied mostly in Alma 17-20 and 26, and I'd invite all of you to do the same! The attributes that make him a good missionary can help us all be better, more Christlike people. There were a couple things that really stuck out to me that made Ammon so effective. He was constantly looking to serve others, and he never put his own personal desires before anything else. He denied the offer of a kingdom, he was King Lamoni's most obedient, hard working servant, and he never compared himself to others. He relied on the Holy Ghost and the Lord to receive instruction and inspiration, rather than turning inward and giving into the natural man desires inside of him. I know that Ammon was completely converted to the gospel and Christ. As a result, he was able to truly love others-he was willing to live among the Lamanites for the rest of his life!!

His love for the people led to his desire to serve them and teach them according to their needs. I know that as we become more converted, we will love others more, and we will find a desire to serve them. As we serve them, they'll love us, and become converted to the gospel. It's an amazing cycle that will work!!! I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the simple truths we can learn that will completely change our lives.

This week we were able to meet with a few people, but I want to share one lesson that really stuck out. An investigator that we have is someone who was taught by missionaries several years ago. They have been reading the Book of Mormon for the past few years, they have a greater knowledge of the Bible than just about anybody, and knows everything we've taught them. They'll even finish sentences for us! They know all about the gospel, but they still doesn't know that it's true. We've been trying to share with them how the Holy Ghost answers our prayers, and how sometimes we must take a step in faith. I was able to share my testimony, and I know that the Spirit was testifying that what we were sharing was true, but even after all that, they are still so unsure. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us and wants us to come back to Him, but sometimes we need to take the first step of faith. 

One of the hardest parts of the mission is realizing that you can't do things for other people when it comes to making decisions. I can't force anybody to do something, and sometimes it's frustrating -- I can only imagine what Heavenly Father and Christ feel when I make stupid choices. I'm grateful to feel the Holy Ghost's presence, and I'd invite you all to write down an experience that you've felt the Holy Ghost so that you can remember what those promptings feel like to you. Do all that you can to keep the Holy Ghost with you!!

Another cool experience this week was going on a hike with an investigator on P-Day. He's normally a really shy man, but while we were hiking he completely opened up to us. He talked about his family and his work. It was awesome! I know that as we find out more about what people like, we will become better teachers and be able to help know how to apply certain gospel principles in our contacting. It’s another life lesson – get to really know and care about people and relationships naturally develop. 

Lastly, while teaching a few people in our branch this week, I realized how bad I am at teaching sometimes. As missionaries, we try and extend commitments at every contact, invite people to read the scriptures, come to church, and many other things in order to come closer to the Lord. Unfortunately, sometimes I forget to explain WHY. If we can explain why each principle of the gospel is important to ourselves, we will be able to better help others come unto Christ. I want to really focus on gaining a testimony about every specific piece of the gospel so that I can know how to apply each part to investigators according to their needs. I'd invite you all to do the same! Focus on details if you want to truly understand the big picture! If sports taught me anything, it's that there are so many intricate little things that make up something bigger and seemingly simple. Becoming converted to Christ and this gospel is a lifelong process with constant refinings and necessary adjustments. Be patient with yourself and others you are trying to share the gospel with.

Zai jian from Tawau!

Love, Elder Lloyd

PRAY FOR AN ANSWER

Hello everyone!!! Wo ai ni!!! I love you guys!!! This week has been awesome! We did a bunch of really cool things...we even pulled off a Halloween Party here in Malaysia! Hooray! I'm so grateful for the emails and all of the prayers! Here are a few miracles and things I learned this week.

The first thing that I want to share comes from Alma 5:45-46.46 

45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

 46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

I think it's so amazing that Alma doesn't use his experience of seeing an angel as proof that he knows God exists. Some of the investigators and people I meet with don't care or don't understand why faith is important. They think that if something isn't right in front of their face, it doesn't deserve their time or energy. I love this scripture because Alma tells us that after MUCH prayer and fasting he knows. More often than not, we won't receive an answer instantly or even after a few hours. We have to have patience and continue acting in faith. 

A cool experience this week came while we were teaching a Chinese man. He is very kind and happy, but he's always busy and really hasn't been interested in the gospel until the last couple of weeks. We've officially taught him once, and it was incredible to feel the sincerity in his questions. Most people tend to ask us questions to prove us wrong or just to rationalize when we can't give them a perfect answer, but this man has a desire to learn. The last question he asked was "Why does God exist?" We told him to ponder and pray about this question and that we'd both share our thoughts next time. 

I am so grateful that I have a testimony and a knowledge about seemingly simple truths like why God exists. I'm constantly learning that I need to teach more simply. I have taken my knowledge of the gospel and Heavenly Father's plan for granted my whole life. I never realized how much direction and peace it has given me until now where I've been able to see what people are like who don't have the gospel.

One of the most important things that I've been trying to do in order to improve my teaching skills is to ask better questions. I'd like you all to write down one sincere question you have about anything this week, and search for an answer through prayer, scripture study, other people, church, and following the Spirit. I know that questions lead to a greater understanding of how the Holy Ghost speaks to us, and a stronger testimony of the gospel IF we are willing to put forth the effort in order to receive an answer.

Cycling with Bullet Bikes w/New Tires and Gears! 

One of the coolest moments of the week came after church yesterday. I was sitting at the piano with Elder Reynolds and we were just talking about music (he knows a ton of theory and awesome stuff!!!). While playing around and singing, I realized how much we don't know about things we trick ourselves into thinking we understand. Why do certain notes sound good together on the piano? Why do clashing things sound beautiful when surrounded by certain chords? Who decides what sounds good or not? I think these questions can be tweaked a little bit to apply to a lot of things in our lives. We all have heard music and know what we like, or we've all read certain scriptures/learned certain principles, but when we start asking ourselves why and come up with different questions or views to surround our original topic, we can receive revelation with completely new answers.

I know that we all have so much more to learn on this Earth and after we die, but if we can all make an effort to follow the commandments and read and pray every single day, we will be blessed in our lives and we will become more like Christ. We will understand more about who He is, and why He was the way He was. Sometimes all of the things we're supposed to do seem overwhelming, but small simple goals have helped me prioritize and be a more effective missionary. This week, write down a question and make a goal to find an answer to it! I love you guys!!!!

- Elder Lloyd

More Mud Facials! 

TAWAU IS A POW WOW!

This week has been amazing, but it has also been really tough! 

First of all, I just want to say that I love all of you guys! We are all so blessed. The people here do not have very much, but the more I teach and get to know them, the more I realize how similar they are to many of you. Each person has their own trials, but I know that the gospel can help with all of them. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each one of us, and they've sent us here at this time and these places because this is where we'll learn the most and be able to achieve our fullest potential.

So last Tuesday night, after a long day, we biked about forty-five minutes to a member's house for a big family home evening and dinner with a few families. We were so excited, but on the way there, I got a flat tire, and my companion's brakes/wheel broke. We ended up being around thirty minutes late, but luckily, the lesson went great, the Spirit was strong, and we saw everyone at church yesterday. Hooray!

After the FHE, we went outside and found that the wheels and gears on our bikes had all been stolen....it was frustrating to say the least. We spent the next two hours walking back home carrying our bicycles. At first I was rather frustrated and worried and mad, but I know that everything happens for a reason. I think that our wheels being stolen might have been the best way to protect us as we walked home, or it might have been the only way that I could learn how to try and look at the big picture and what really matters. Either way, it was a very humbling experience that I've ended up being very grateful for. I need to do better at letting the hard times turn into learning experiences rather than just letting them beat me down.

Dignitary from India Visited and Met the Missionaries 

I've probably shared this before, but I'm so grateful for the Atonement and the peace of knowing that the Savior has experienced all that I have. Everywhere in the scriptures it talks about trials and tribulations...they are blessings!! This life is a test!!! I'm grateful for the many tests that I have and will have because that means I'm having opportunities to grow and repent. 

A miracle this week occurred while we were looking in our area book and calling as many potential investigators as possible.  We finally connected with someone and she was super excited to meet us, and we ended up meeting twice in two days. It turns out that she knows a lot about our church already, she asked us for more reading assignments in the Book of Mormon, and she's super interested in our church. This is a tender mercy!!!!!!!!! I am so happy the Lord was able to guide us to her and that she has been prepared. I know that as we work hard and continue to be diligent in any aspect of life, Heavenly Father will bless us with successes and growth. 

Lastly, I just wanted to share one of the coolest experiences of the week. We visited a member and had a wonderful dinner of spaghetti, soup, bread, and ice cream (yes, I'm whistling and singing)! As we started to talk about our purpose in visiting him, he started to ponder. He kept asking us such sincere questions, and expressed his concern about working so hard to help his family and others. He started crying as he verbalized and recognized all of the stress on his shoulders. 

He is an amazing man who wants to make a difference in the world, but feels burdened with all of his responsibilities. We shared a scripture with him from John 14:27-27:

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Learning How to Roll Sushi

I know this gospel is something that gives us peace in this life. It is not meant to be a burden or something that stresses us out. We bore testimony of the Atonement and specifically how the gospel can bring us joy in our lives. I know that all of us get caught up in feeling that we're not achieving what we think we should/could, but that isn't supposed to happen. If we focus on doing our best and filling our lives with good things, the Lord will guide us in what we truly need to do. I know that all of us do make a positive difference, and Satan is the one who puts thoughts of inadequacy and stress into our heads. When stress starts to cripple us, it's not healthy.

Thank you so much for all that you've done to help me understand the gospel, and thank you for your continued support and prayers. I love all of you guys so much! This week, I got out some pictures and showed my companion and other Elders all of my family and friends...they were all amazed after I finished telling a few stories. I truly have been blessed with the most amazing people around me, and I hope you guys all know that you have helped me and continue to bless others! I love you all!!! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Love, Elder Lloyd

Branch Members