This past week has been filled with more and more amazing experiences. I'm so grateful to be a missionary. I love representing the Lord! I have never felt the Spirit stronger and more consistently in my life. I'm grateful for the Restored Gospel, and I'm grateful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is through learning, exercising faith unto repentance, and following the Spirit that we are able to become who the Lord wants us to be.
One of the first things that helped me increase my faith this week was something that happened every single day, over and over again. PRAYER IS POWERFUL. There were many, many, many instances when our prayers were answered immediately. We would pray, somebody wouldn't answer the phone, then we'd pray again. ANSWER! Literally and spiritually! 
We had fifteen minutes to eat a quick dinner before English class, prayed to know who to sit with, and sat down with a lady who was only spending the night in our city. She felt alone and forgotten and had no idea how anything could get better. We shared a message of the Savior and his love for all of us. Miracle!
We rode our bikes through dirt, grass, gravel, water, and over bumps, hills, etc. only to have the wheel pop off right when we stopped our bikes in front of our house. Miracle! There were miracles every single day as we prayed in faith, obeyed the promptings of the Spirit, and did all that was in our power. I know the Savior is with us as we work!
One of the most amazing days was yesterday. We decided to do a group fast in order to find prepared people to share the gospel with, and three people came to church who have never attended before. One of the boys is a young man we've seen every Monday when we go shopping, but we've never invited him to learn the gospel. He came to church, had a wonderful experience, connected with an old primary school friend, then met with us afterwards. He talked about how he is searching for forgiveness and an anchor in his life that can only come through Christ. I'm so excited for him and the amazing progress that will come this week. It was amazing to see the member that knew him from primary school sit with him, catch up, and bear his testimony during the lesson.
I know this gospel is true! I know that it can bring hope and joy. When our efforts are combined with the member's, true progression takes place and the Spirit is poured upon us.
We had many, many other amazing experiences this past week...after church, we met some of the most prepared people I've ever talked to. Our last appointment was with a family who has 4 young children who sat listening/interacting reverently for 30 minutes while we shared with them. I love this gospel!
I never realized how much joy could come as I was able to feel the Spirit and be a part of other people's spiritual experiences. I now understand what people mean when they say this is the best two years!!!
I am so grateful to be serving with my companion. He is a big reason why I have been able to feel the Spirit more strongly and have many faith strengthening experiences. His testimony is rock solid, he's obedient, he works hard, and he knows why he's here. While studying this past week, I realized that having the Spirit in the work doesn't mean we're directed like robots. I think most of the time, having the Spirit with us is a confidence that can only come when we've done all we can to qualify for the Spirit, then going forth with a knowledge that what we do is what the Lord would have us do. We've had amazing experiences as we have confidently and boldly born our testimonies with no doubts about whether or not we're perfect, what we're saying is perfect, or how we're saying it is perfect, because we know the gospel is perfect. We know that it will bring joy to others. I love being a missionary!
11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.
I know that if we can continue to have more faith, repent, and obey, our will gradually will become like His. I pray that through repentance, I can become like our Savior and Heavenly Father. I love being a missionary!!!!
I love this work. I love our Savior. I love having the Spirit with me. I still mess up each and every day...I say something weird in a contact, I don't teach the correct lesson, I'm not bold enough with commitments....but I have hope and confidence that progress is being made. Thank you for your testimonies, examples, and prayers!
Love, Elder Lloyd
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