BEST WEEK EVER (UNTIL NEXT WEEK)!

Badminton Champs! 

This past week has been one of the best of my entire mission. I don't understand how or why, but we continue to be blessed with more miracles and more wonderful experiences. I need to repent for not keeping a perfect journal, but I do know that the only way for us to recall the hand of the Lord in our lives is through the Spirit and then making a record. I'm so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the sacredness of my calling to be a missionary. I truly do feel the Spirit stronger than ever, and I know it's because of the prayers from all of you, obedience, and a desire to share my testimony with others. 

We had an incredible opportunity to go back to Singapore for our passport stamps and zone conference last week. I expected it to be the same, but President and Sister Simmons changed a lot of the former layout. Basically, it was a full day discussion among the missionaries about problems we're facing and solutions that we can try and apply in our areas. President Simmons directed everything and did an amazing job of trying to learn what we're facing. He is so humble, patient, and willing to listen. He shared that his vision right now is to listen. I thought that was very telling of the type of man he is. One of the biggest points of inspiration we focused on was in D and C 39. I don't have time to quote things right now, but I want you to know that we are all called as missionaries to share the gospel. Heavenly Father truly does know me, Elder Lloyd, and I know that He knows you as well. Continue to search and seek for revelation so that you can do things His way; only then are we able to feel the joy that He is urgently waiting to bless us with. 

After zone conference and before a leadership meeting with the zone leaders, I was sitting in a beautiful park in Singapore just pondering and writing some notes down in preparation. I was thinking a lot about how we cannot fear man as missionaries and members of Christ's church. We need to go out of our way to share the gospel and courageously open our mouths. 

There was an elderly man doing some exercises a few yards away from me, and I sat there thinking of how I could approach him. It was an awkward battle in my mind, because I knew what I needed to do, but I was letting doubt cloud my thoughts. Suddenly, he was next to me and told me he was sorry to interrupt, but he wanted to take a picture of my nametag. He quickly explained how he has an LDS friend and he wanted to show them a picture. As we started chatting, he complimented me on my study habits, dress, sacrifice, and desire to do good. He was intrigued about our religion and why only our church sends so many missionaries out. I thanked him, gave him a card, then went back to studying. 

A few minutes later he came back and asked for a phone number to contact me and the other missionaries in Singapore. I had only given him the website before (my phone number was malaysian), but I quickly contacted someone who gave me the Singapore Chinese Elders' number and shared it with him. After this experience, I was so humbled, and I learned a very important lesson. While I was battling in my head about what to say to this man, I felt sick in my stomach and stressed. When we fear man, life is hard, depressing, stressful, and straining. As soon as I was able to talk about Christ and my love for this gospel, I felt peace and happiness. As we stop fearing the world or our own weaknesses, we truly are freed and able to feel the joy that comes as we do what Heavenly Father would have us do. I am grateful for amazing experiences like this every single day.

I want to share one other miracle with you. I was on exchanges with the assistants last Saturday, and there were a few curveballs that would've thrown a major dent in our plans in the past, but because we had taken the time to look at every situation the night before and earlier that morning, we were able to adjust and have one of the coolest experiences of my mission. All of our plans suddenly lead up to us teaching someone at a time that they previously said they'd be unavailable. We were able to teach this boy about the Spirit, how he talks with us, and then we went into the commandments and the Sabbath day. 

We talked more about the hope Jesus Christ offers and how he has already promised to forget our sins if we will come unto Him. I am grateful for wonderful friends, teachers, peers, coaches, etc who have always helped me stay away from the plague of Satan. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to help people understand how to overcome their feelings of shame and guilt as they sincerely repent and have a desire to follow Christ. I pray that I can realize more about how we need to hate sin and glory in light rather than simply avoid sin and try to do good.

I love this gospel and my mission so much. I am grateful for my companion who constantly helps me understand how to improve by being a perfect example of a diligent, devoted missionary. 

I love all of you so much, and I hope you know I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. If I was able to have the time and ability to adequately share all of the miracles and revelation that we are blessed with each day, I have no doubt that you would all instantly understand the joy that I feel. I know we would realize that true happiness comes as we serve the Lord and others. 

Continue to look for people who are prepared, and cheerfully apply the teachings in your own life. I love you all so much, and I pray that we can all have opportunities to share the gospel each day.

Love, Elder Lloyd

TEACHING IN JB

BAPTISM!

Good Morning Everybody!!!! 

I'm sorry, today's letter will be a little bit short because we're rushed with travel and trying to get to Zone Conference in Singapore. Thank you for your love and patience!!!!! I am so excited!

This past week was incredible. Amidst the many miracles, WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!! Friday morning and afternoon it was raining cats and dogs, Malaysian style, and it just seemed like Satan was trying to get us down. When we got to the church to fill up the font, there was no power. The neighboring shops assured us it would be on by nighttime, so we didn't worry. 

Finally, by seven o'clock, the power still hadn't turned back on, and a bunch of people were milling around in the church lobby (that was now a sauna). We lit some candles, and we decided to proceed! At first I was appalled. There were a few people there early for English class, and I feared they would think we were some type of cult doing a candlelight baptism, but everything went perfectly. The baptism, talks, and atmosphere were all so sweet, simple, and pure. It was incredible to feel the Spirit in the room. It was truly like we were all a family of God. 

So many people came, and many students talked to us after about how they'd be interested in learning more about the gospel. Even though Satan tried to deter us and it seemed like an awful time for a baptism, nothing could've gone better. It was amazing!

I know that this is truly the Lord's work and everything is in his hands. I'm so grateful for all that we have and for all that God has given us. I know that I have many weaknesses, and I find more every single day, but I'm also happier than I've ever been before. I'm excited for the week!! Thank you!!! Love, Elder Lloyd

A CONSTANT SURGE

I love all of you so much!!! I can't believe a year has already passed and that everything is just moving along. I am so grateful for all of the letters, emails, love, smiles, stories and examples and just everything...I love you all so much!!! I also want to shout out to The Mighty 6! You guys keep me going! Thank you for your examples and for always sharing your testimonies.

This past week was incredible...I don't know where to start. It's always a good feeling when you have to choose which miracles to share because of a lack of time to share them all. Johor is doing great!!! I was finally able to meet the new mission president last week, and he is one of the most amazing people I've ever met. He is like a best friend, a brother, a father, a grandpa, and a stake president all in one. The sacrifices he and his wife have made to serve here are numberless. I'm so excited to serve with them and learn from them. I love the Simmons! 

One of the coolest things last week happened while we were contacting. We had planned to travel to a taman (housing development area) and talk to people outside because it was around 6 at night. We did that for about an hour and a half until it got dark and people started going inside. As we were leaving the area, I felt impressed to stop and knock on a very specific house. Remember that we hadn't knocked any houses for the past hour and were on our way to an appointment. We stopped anyways and knocked. A little boy yelled for his mom who waved us away, then another lady appeared saying, "Elder" in chinese. 

Elder H and I both looked at each other confused. It turns out, this woman was a member of our church and was visiting her sister. She had lived in some other countries the past few years and had been praying for missionaries to find her because she was unable to go to church due to personal circumstances. She was so excited to see us and ask us a few questions. She hadn't talked to Elders since she was baptized several years ago, and she was ecstatic!!! We committed her to go back to church when she goes back to her home country. It was so cool to be able to act on a prompting and see something miraculous come as a result. 

I truly know this is the Lord's work! I think the biggest change over the past year has been being able to feel the Spirit more consistently in my life. I felt it in short bursts before the mission, but now it's almost on a constant surge, and it's the best feeling in the world! I'm willing to do all I can to maintain this feeling!!!

 

Due to an experience with another investigator, I realized how important family relationships are, and I also have started to learn the faith requires patience. I'm so grateful for the family I have, and I'm grateful for the gospel principles that have helped our family become so strong and close. 

While studying this week, I was really just looking for an answer to my prayers and to find some solace from the scriptures. There were a few rough nights and dropped appointments that got me a little bit down. I was praying and then went back into my study room and started reading in Ether. I came across one of the most powerful and amazing verses I've ever read-

14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life , and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. 

I don't know why, but at that time, this verse spoke peace to my soul. I have never had more prayers answered in my life than on my mission, and certainly never so quickly. I know that the reason I'm here is because of Jesus Christ. He came into the world to be a sacrifice for us. He loved us so much, and had both the willingness and the ability to atone for our sins. It is now my turn to come here to JB and proclaim these truths. I love the Book of Mormon, I love the gospel, and I love the people here. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve and do the work of the Lord.

Love, Elder Lloyd

KEEP DOING THE WORK!

Thank you for the many incredible and inspired letters the past few weeks. I am so grateful for the many emails and prayers that I have received as a missionary. You all include so many different stories, thoughts, quotes, and testimonies that are focused on helping me understand one thing. Heavenly Father loves me. Thank you for your inspiration and for your love. 

Saying goodbye to everybody in S was one of the hardest things I've done on my mission so far, but I was blessed to get right back into the work with Elder H. It's impossible to feel sad when I already love the people here so much. 

All Saturday, we contacted, contacted, and contacted some more. Our appointments fell through, along with our backup plans, so we didn't have many options. Elder H and I went out and tried to talk to everybody. We got a few numbers and had a few successful contacts. On Sunday, a lady and her daughter we had met the day before called and asked if we had church today. We told her it had just ended. She was distressed because she had driven by earlier and couldn't find it. We quickly invited her over and she obliged. We were able to sit down in the chapel and start answering some of her questions. 

After a few minutes, I asked if we could say a prayer, and we started teaching her. Elder H started off by bearing testimony about how much our Heavenly Father loves us...within thirty seconds, she was weeping. We asked her what she was feeling, and she was unable to explain. We testified to her that God was telling her something--telling her what we were about to share was true and would change her life. As we shared the Restoration with her the Spirit was present the rest of the lesson. I have rarely felt the Spirit as strong as I did during that lesson. I know that Heavenly Father does love us. I'm grateful he's willing to give us feelings and thoughts in order to guide us and testify to us. 

Another person we are teaching is a young piano prodigy. After church he played a song my sister used to play every night. I used to nag her and tell her it was late and time for bed, but now I wish I could just say sorry and listen to her play again. When this boy played the song I realized just how much the small and simple things matter. I'm grateful for small miracles and beauty all around us. 

The branch here is absolutely amazing!!! The members are so excited about the gospel. It motivates me to do all I can so that they can continue to feel the joy that comes as others learn about the gospel.

A very inspiring part of last week was when a member called us and asked for a blessing.  He had just learned of a family tragedy. I felt so helpless as he sat there and cried. After a few minutes, we gave him a blessing then talked for a bit. We shared about how Heavenly Father loves each of us and never will test us with more than we can handle. We talked about the importance of sticking to what we know, rather than worrying about things we don't know. 

This past week has been one of the most stressful weeks of my mission. I feel like my chinese stinks, I don't have anything to offer, and I'm not making much of a difference. After meeting with this person and sharing with him, I realized that the things I was saying to him apply to myself as well. Even though I'm in a new place with new people, investigators, streets, food, companions, members, etc., most things are still the same. I am still working my hardest to be the missionary that Heavenly Father wants me to be. As I continue to stick to the truths that I know, I know that I'll be able to accomplish what Heavenly Father asks of me.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve with Elder H and live with Elder A and Elder P.  Elder H is an inspired, phenomenal missionary, and I've already learned so much from him. He's always happy, excited, and ready to work. I am so grateful for him and all that he is doing. He truly is a servant of the Lord.

The zone here is awesome, and I look forward to getting to know everybody better. My faith has been tested a lot, but I also feel like I am coming closer to Heavenly Father than ever before. This scripture really stood out to me this week as I was reading in the Book of Mormon-

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I know that Heavenly Father truly has given us everything. He is mindful of me and supporting me at every moment. I am so grateful to be His missionary and representative. I am excited to serve here and I promise that I will do all I can to always have the Spirit with me and follow His promptings. Keep doing the work!!!

Love, Elder Lloyd

TRANSFERRED TO JOHOR BAHRU!

I am so excited to talk to you! So much has happened this past week....it was one of the hardest weeks of the mission, but also one of the most rewarding. From homemade pork roast, sushi, ice cream, and funny things like that, to seeing the Spirit shine in the eyes of our investigators we have had many joyful moments. I think that's the way things often seems to work out. Only when we put our best effort in are we able to feel the sweet joy when miracles do happen. My faith and testimony have grown so much!

One scripture that describes a little bit about how the week went is found in Alma- 

38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.

It seemed that we were contacting doors and knocking all day, everyday. Saturday night I was more tired physically and emotionally than I was a couple years ago during football two-a-days in the August sun. But Sunday morning came and I was rejuvenated. It truly is miraculous what prayer and faith can do. Amidst the many rejections we were blessed with countless miracles. I'd like to share a few with you.

Last Tuesday night, we met with a newer investigator and review the first lesson with him. We explained more about the Book of Mormon, then we watched the Restoration. Immediately after it finished, he turned to us and just said, "Amazing." He asked how he could know these things are true the way we do. We bore testimony once again of the Book of Mormon and prayer. It was such a humbling and wonderful experience. 

Every time something like this happens I'm humbled to tears. I cannot put the wondrous feelings I feel as someone actually desires to know for themselves and tells us they feel the Spirit. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father continues to bless us with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I'm grateful this man has been prepared and is so in tune with the Spirit. He is excited to be baptized, and we are excited to continue helping him along the path.

Another amazing experience happened with some other investigators. We shared with them the Plan of Salvation and helped them understand that this gospel is for everybody -- the dead, the living, absolutely all of God's children have already made the choice to follow Christ and that is why we are on earth with our mortal bodies. 

An interesting note regarding social media. Many of our investigators look at our Facebook pages once we meet. It made me realize how important it is that ALL of our actions and communications be in tune with Heavenly Father's commandments. I was relieved when an investigator told me that they looked through all my FB photos since 2008 and said they couldn't find one where I wasn't smiling and that they'd never seen a family look so happy. I was able to bear testimony that as we learn the gospel and strengthen our faith in Christ, the little obstacles and stumbling blocks in life don't seem to be as depressing or weakening as before. I bore my testimony of eternal families and this brought peace to their hearts. I am so grateful for the family and parents that I have that taught me since I was born that I have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us. I know this is true! It is such a privilege to be able to share these things with people that are waiting to hear the gospel! 

OK - Change in topic and pace. I am a bit shocked because I just got news that I am going to Johor Bahru and will be zone leader with another amazing missionary named Elder Hanks (a Davis Dart)! I do not know what to think right now. I love these people here so much and the past four months have gone by in the blink of an eye. I do not feel like a leader or someone that people can listen to and feel inspiration, but I do know that I will continue to work my hardest and do my best to always have the Spirit with me. I have learned so much with Elder Jones and Elder Geilman about how obedience and faith bring miracles. My life has changed because of the people I've met and the impressions I've felt. I know that I was supposed to be here with these missionaries at this time. With that said, I know that right now I'm supposed to go to Johor and work with Elder Hanks. I am nervous and humbled, but I know that I will not be alone. I am grateful for the gospel and the peace that is given to us in our times of fright or despair. 

I wish I could say more....I hope you all can feel that I truly am happy and joyful to be a missionary here in Singapore and Malaysia. My perspective and viewpoint have changed so much. I truly know that this gospel is the most important thing on Earth. I know that as we are obedient we are blessed, happy, and free from Satan's captivity. Thank you for the prayers and the letters!! I am so blessed.

Love, Elder Lloyd