DIFFERENT STAGES

Good Morning everybody! I hope that I can share a quick message with you about some experiences we had last week. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have to help me grow, develop more faith, fulfill my purpose, and come closer to Christ. 

This past week was another wonderful week filled with many miracles. More than ever, I am grateful for the people around me. My companion, other missionaries, the members, the branch president, our investigators, the people of Malaysia--every single person is filled with a light that has helped me want to become better and do my best to represent Jesus Christ. 

Last week, while in a taxi on the way back from an appointment, I was able to sit in the front seat and talk with the driver for 30 minutes. He was in his fifties, he has four young children, and lives a very, very simple life. He was the only taxi driver that didn't try to haggle with us, so that's why we chose to get inside his car. As we drove, we talked about a few things, and I was astonished at his kind heart and good-intentioned spirit. Eventually, after talking about many wholesome things, I was able to talk to him about how important a parent-child relationship is. 

I talked with him about how my parents would tell me they loved me daily. He responded by sharing a few fond memories of him spending time with his children, but he was regretful to say that he rarely told them he loved them. I invited him to do so and I felt the Spirit strongly when he said he would. As we were getting out of the taxi, he told me he would never forget to tell his children he loved them. He offered us a discount and thanked us for talking to him. This was an incredible experience that strengthened my faith a lot. I was so grateful to talk to somebody who wasn't focused on how bad the weather, economy, government, life, etc. is. He was focused on others and helping his family. I know that there are people of every background, age, race, religion, etc that are in need of love and friendship. I pray that I can always carry the Spirit with me and be an example of the believers. I am grateful for my parents and the love that they have shared with me. I would not be here without them!

Another interesting experience I had this past week came while teaching the Plan of Salvation back-to-back. We met with one investigator accompanied by the Elders Quorum President and proceeded to help answer his questions about the origins of the Book of Mormon. As we talked about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and their love for us, the conversation naturally took us into the Pre-Earth Life, our purpose hear, and how we can use the tools Heavenly Father has given us. 

The investigator sat there in deep, deep, almost concerned thought for most of the lesson. The best word would probably be kao lu in Chinese. He had never deeply pondered the things we were sharing, and when the Elders Quorum President bore his testimony about the direction that the gospel has given him in his life, it really touched our investigator. Our investigator then repeated back much of what we shared and asked if what we shared was true. We testified of its truthfulness in our own lives and invited him to be baptized when he knew it was true for himself. He had a hard time sharing any thoughts with us and needed some time. 

Immediately after, we went to teach a nineteen-year-old college student who I had met in my previous area with Elder G and then miraculously contacted here. He came prepared to learn. He had read the Book of Mormon, he remembered the Spirit he had felt in Sitiawan while meeting with us, and eagerly absorbed the Plan of Salvation. He had the biggest smile on his face as we talked of the Celestial Kingdom and the time that we would be able to live with our Heavenly Father again. He said absolutely to the baptism invitation, and it was one of the happiest, most spiritual, and unforgettable lessons I have been a part of. I realized that each person is in a completely different stage of life and learning. The first Plan of Salvation lesson we taught wasn't necessarily accepted with joy and excitement, but with deep thought and pondering. The second time it was accepted with hope, faith, and desire to take the next step in the Plan.

As missionaries, we are also in different stages of learning. I know that sometimes, certain experiences and lessons motivate and inspire me-literally filling me with joy. Other experiences leave me in deep thought and reflection. Either way, I know that no matter what stage we are at, there is always room for progression and change. I know that we are all on a journey of faith, repentance, making/keeping covenants, and following the promptings of the Spirit. As we make small steps towards our Heavenly Father by following Christ's example, we will notice more joy and peace in our lives. I know this is true. I know that we are cared for and watched over. I know my Heavenly Father loves me.

20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord yourGod? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers?Have ye forgotten the many times we have been deliveredout of the hands of our enemies?

I pray that we will never forget the many times that Heavenly Father has blessed us and supported us. I know that each experience and memory is preparing us and molding us into the people that Heavenly Father knows we can become. Press on!

Love, Elder Lloyd

LOSE YOURSELF

JB Frisbee Fun! 

Good Morning Everybody!!! Another week has passed!!!!!!!!! It's amazing to sit down every single Monday and realize that millions of moments, priceless memories, and incredible spiritual experiences have all happened within just the past seven, short days. I pray that I can continue to share things that will not only help me learn and feel the Spirit, but I hope they can also help you to understand what the other missionaries here and I are experiencing and feeling. Thank you for your patience, love, and prayers. I am so grateful for you all!

The fans feel soooooo good! 

There were many amazing miracles last week. I continue to be amazed and humbled by the many blessings we are able to witness each day. They come through members, investigators, my companion, and even strangers that we meet. I truly feel good as we go outside and talk with people. Malaysian people are so prepared to receive the gospel and find this precious truth!

One of the most spiritual experiences came while Elder G wasn't feeling well and couldn't go out with me. Our branch mission leader (who is amazing!!!) went on exchanges with me, and we were able to go teach one of our investigators. We started the lesson by reviewing what he read in the Book of Mormon, and he read a lot!!! He has felt the Spirit, he knows it's true, and he wants to continue to progress. As we shared the Word of Wisdom with him, he was eager to do his best to follow it, but he was doubtful about how he might be able to give up smoking (he has already tried before). Our branch mission leader was able to share about how he was only able to permanently give up smoking before baptism when he prayed to Heavenly Father and shared WHY he wanted to quit. It was a powerful testimony, and I know that our branch mission leader was the person that needed to be there, sharing his experience at that time. I pray that no matter what we are faced with, we can remember WHY Jesus Christ atoned for us. I pray we can remember WHY we are here and what our Heavenly Father has promised us.

Another amazing moment came while teaching a recent convert. She has been facing incredibly tough challenges in life. Comfortingly, instead of giving up, she has turned to the Lord and tried to study the gospel more than ever before. She shared with us a few things she'd been reading, she told us about her desire to help with missionary work, she gave us a referral, and she bore her testimony of the Savior. I was so inspired and encouraged by what she said. I know that every single challenge and trial I've ever gone through have made me stronger and closer to the Lord because I chose to learn from them. I'm proud of this member for choosing to learn from her trials rather than give up and be discouraged by them. 

This week, we had zone meeting, and Elder G and I trained on the importance of losing ourselves. I know that we can only lose ourselves when we truly turn to Christ and let him "loose" ourselves. 

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

We had sickness, we have dropped a lot of investigators, the zone has been struggling to find, teach, and baptize, yet I have never been more hopeful in my life. I know that as we rely on the Savior, we will be filled with joy and happiness. I am so grateful for the amazing examples around me that continue to help me understand the importance of obedience, faith, patience, and hope. 

Mama meeting Elder Hanks and his Mama! 

I am so grateful to be a representative of Christ, and I am grateful to have a firm testimony of the truthfulness of his gospel. I know that we are involved in the most important work on Earth. I would not trade it for anything! As I've served and continued to try to repent and do all that I can to have the Spirit and align myself with the Lord's will, I have experienced more happiness, peace, and joy. Have a wonderful week everybody! 

Love, Elder Lloyd

So happy to be swinging a racket! 

GENERAL CONFERENCE! GOODBYE E HANKS - HELLO E GEILMAN

Good Morning Everybody!!! Another week has gone by.....it just seems crazy as I look down at my planner each day and realize that another day, week, or month has passed. I am so grateful for the incredible, rare opportunity I have to serve with Elder Geilman again. From the first day in the MTC, we were best friends. I love him with all my heart, and I'm so excited for this upcoming transfer! I'm already missing Elder Hanks, but I know that change is good and helps us grow! 

Our transfer vision is to "Bring Forth Zion!" We have had an odd week where we taught a lot of lessons, dropped a lot of people, and found a fair share of new people. I pray that we can focus on not only finding and teaching more investigators, but we also need to do all we can to support the branch here. I'm excited to share a few miracles with you! 

With that said, I also just want to quickly say that it was such a blessing and special opportunity to watch General Conference and hear the inspired council from prophets, apostles, and other general officers of the church. They focused a lot on inviting us to develop a deeper personal conversion to the gospel. I pray that as we continue to follow their direction and Preach My Gospel, we will all come closer to the Lord together.

While waiting for my new companion to come, I was able to visit and teach a few people with Elder Benson. We were talking in the car about a few things that we didn't expect before we came on missions. One of the biggest things both of us talked about was the amount of trust that we're given. Johor is a city with over a million people, we're basically on our own out here, nobody tells us what to do, and we are expected to be obedient and follow the Spirit at all times. 

At first the responsibility and trust was a little bit overbearing and crushing, but now I realize it's just what I needed to grow and learn to rely on the Lord. This is his work, and we are truly just his servants. As we strengthen and deepen our conversion, I've realized that the joy truly comes from following the Spirit and doing the Lord's will. 

It doesn't come in numbers. It doesn't come from bossing people around. It certainly doesn't come from being disobedient. I am grateful for the trust that I have been given by Christ to be his representative. I pray that I can continue to help other missionaries, members, investigators, and myself remember that we all must take on the name of Christ and do his work in order to truly have peace and joy that lasts forever.

One of the miracles that happened while working with a member occurred after English class. Our investigator and member (who is preparing for a mission) didn't show up to English, so we were doubtful they'd be able to meet at 8 for our lesson. Amazingly, they arrived on time, and we were able to share with them. Before we could even sit down, our investigator was bursting to share with us what she learned from the Book of Mormon. We prayed, then she proceeded to share all about 1 Nephi 1-8. When we finally came to Lehi's vision, she started asking all sorts of questions. Our member immediately started sharing and explaining. Elder Geilman followed the Spirit and invited her to continue to read and discover what the angel told Nephi about the dream's meanings. It was such a joyful feeling to see her excitement over the Book of Mormon!

After a few minutes, we asked why she wants to read the Book of Mormon. She hmmmed and hawwwed a bit and told us how she likes what she's learning. We then shared with her the importance of reading with the intent to know if it's true. We must read with the expectation and desire to feel the Spirit. We pressed a little harder, and she started to share an experience with us. Through her personal experience (which I won't publish) she told us that the Spirit guided her to change her behavior, which she immediately did. She felt the Spirit, and she acted upon it!

After she shared, the member then bore powerful testimony that she must continue to search for the Spirit and act upon the promptings. If we do not continue to search then obey, the Spirit will withdraw from us. She shared this with complete conviction and confidence. I know these things are true! As Heavenly Father blesses us with the Spirit, he expects us to listen then heed the promptings He gives to us. I am so grateful that I am  edified along with our investigators as we meet and discuss the gospel.

I love this gospel so much! The things that were shared at General Conference truly pierced my heart. What Lack I Yet? As Elder Geilman and I continue to search for the Spirit and guidance, I know that we will be strengthened by the Atonement in order to overcome our weaknesses. 

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

I pray that we can continue to fast, pray, study, humble ourselves, and purify ourselves so that we may always have the Spirit with us and become tools in the Lord's hand. Please read through the Conference talks! I can't wait until we get the Liahona in a few more weeks. I hope to hear more about the scriptures that you are ponderizing! have a great week!!

Love, Elder Lloyd

SO GRATEFUL

Good Morning Everybody!!!! I'm so grateful for the many miracles that I am graced with each and everyday. It is so inspiring to be able to witness the hand of God in the work and be a part of this! I love being a missionary! This past week and transfer has been one of the best of my entire life. I pray that I can retain everything that I have learned and continue to increase my knowledge and testimony of this gospel.

What an exciting week this is going to be ... new companions, new transfers, and general conference! I'm so excited, but I'm also very nervous. Elder Hanks has been the best companion for me at this time, just like all of my previous companions. I have learned so much from and with him, and I'm excited to learn the things that Heavenly Father wants me to with my next companion. Change will bring many new opportunities and inspiration. I am so grateful for the many new experiences and learning opportunities we have as missionaries!

This last week was absolutely incredible. One of my favorite parts was witnessing everybody's testimony at our Mission Leadership Council. President Simmons invited us to share our testimonies with each other. I felt the Spirit so strongly, and I felt immense hope as everybody testified of Jesus Christ. 

I know that we are where we are supposed to be. We have been given the instruction, training, and tools in order to succeed. It is up to us to have faith, repent, and learn how to utilize all that we've been given in order to qualify for the Spirit and carry out the Lord's will. I pray that I can have the strength, energy, and desire to work even harder. I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want to leave any stones unturned. I want to live with all of those around me forever in the Celestial Kingdom. I love these people with all of my heart!

Even though this last week was tiring, we were blessed with so many spiritual experiences that gave me the strength to continue with joy and excitement. One of the first amazing experiences we had was with an amazing young man who has become our dear friend. We had planned to teach him the first half of the Plan of Salvation, but when we sat down, he shared with us Mosiah 3:3-4. He loved how King Benjamin talked about the joy this gospel brings. We shared a few other scriptures and ended up simply talking all about Christ and his Atonement. 

I know that the Savior suffered for me, died for me, and established a church for me so that I could have direction on Earth and happiness forever. We talked about Mos 3:19 and how the things we are required to do may not always be normal according to the world, but they will surely bring the joy that the world doesn't understand. After the lesson, this investigator called us once more, thanked us for our time, and asked if he could have a few copies of the Book of Mormon to share with his friends and family. He had felt the Spirit, and he acted upon it. 

A few days later, we met with him again, and he shared more of the Book of Mormon with us. He also talked about how he had tried to share the Book of Mormon but it was not well received. Based on his questions and thoughts, we had a spiritual lesson about the Savior, Joseph Smith's first vision, and the feelings he had already experienced while reading the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong! He thanked us for listening patiently and testified of the Holy Ghost that had come upon him while praying about these things. His desire to help others is so strong. I am so grateful for his good heart and determination to follow what God wants him to do, even when it requires sacrifice.

 2 And Ether was a prophet of the Lord and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him.

This investigator and friend is an inspiration to me, and I pray that I can continue to work my hardest in order to share the message of the Restoration to everybody. I know this gospel is true! I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and I know this is the way to eternal life.

Another miracle from last week happened when we had dinner with two investigators and their parents. They are all Christian, and their faith is incredibly strong. They prayed over the food, and the conversation over dinner was completely focused on missionary work and Christ. Finally, in a desire to help the parents have a desire to learn more about what we'd shared with their children, we shared the Book of Mormon and a few verses with them. They were so excited to read about Nephi, Christ, and the things in our lives that had helped us have a desire to sacrifice part of our life to share the gospel with others. 

I have learned so much from the members here, from Elder Hanks, and from the people we teach. It was amazing to have so many members willing to help us last week. With both of those experiences I just shared, members were there bearing testimony and inviting them to church to come and see. It is so much more powerful when there are multiple testimonies shared bearing witness of the truth. 

Even though we are faced with hardship and trials each week, I only remember the happy, bright moments. I pray that I can be more bold in asking our investigators to sacrifice and make the steps necessary to come closer to Christ. As I have sacrificed, I have felt the Spirit stronger in my life. 

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

I know that we have been blessed and called to preach Christ's gospel. I know that we have a responsibility to follow him. I know that when we are willing to sacrifice everything and do anything in order to follow our Savior, we experience the change the prophets of old testify of in the scriptures. 

I am so grateful for the past couple of transfers during which I've served with Elder Hanks, Pearce and Avery. I have learned precious truths and experienced things that I will never forget. I could never adequately express the gratitude I have for all of the blessings I have received. I am so grateful for my friends. I am so grateful for my companion. I am so grateful for the members here. I am so grateful for the people in Malaysia. I am so grateful for my health. I am so grateful for my family. I am so grateful for this gospel. I am so grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that I know these things are true. I love being a missionary!!!

Love, Elder Lloyd