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

100 DAYS AS A MISSIONARY!

一百

I'm a Mormon!

WORK!

High Lo! 

This week has been amazing!!!! I just want to testify that if we are facing God and constantly trying to look for His influence in our lives, we will notice more miracles and be blessed more and more. This week, looking back and reading through my journal, I realized how many small miracles I missed that have definitely been the Lord's hand working in my life. I'd like to share a few!

BONELESS fried chicken! 

The first miracle happened Saturday afternoon. We biked thirty minutes over to a place called S after a long morning and early afternoon of meeting with potential investigators. Once we got there, we made a few "random" turns and found ourselves in a beautiful neighborhood. There were kids everywhere riding their bikes, families outside talking, and people washing their cars. It reminded me so much of back home! I could feel the Spirit and the pure love that existed between all of these people. Normally, when we contact, many of the people won't open their door if they see someone at their gate....Saturday was completely different! 

I was able to make friends with a few of the kids, and then they took my companion and me to their homes. We chatted with some of their parents and made return appointments -- that NEVER happens!!! We then continued contacting, and every single house we knocked on was willing to help us and talk about what we were doing. It was amazing! Everyone wasn't completely prepared, but I think we left them all with a good feeling and examples of Christ. To finish the night, right when we were leaving, a truck drove by and stopped. We turned around and ended up making friends with a 22 year old who is completely prepared to receive the gospel. It was perfect place and perfect timing!!! I am so grateful the Lord led us to this neighborhood and helped the people have soft hearts. This coming week is going to be packed full of trying to meet with all of these new potential investigators! Hooray!

One thing I felt extremely grateful for this week is my family. We were able to have an amazing family home evening, and a birthday party on Sunday night as well. In both instances, everyone was just so happy. Before family home evening started, we sang Primary songs with all of the children, and they were just giggling and smiling and it just is the best feeling in the whole wide world! It's awesome!! During the birthday party, everybody was trying to feed me, talk to me, and all of the kids were just bouncing around. 

Family Home Evening!

When we gather for wholesome things as family and friends, it is much easier for the Spirit to testify. I want to invite all of you to hold a family home evening this week, and make it fun! The home is supposed to be the first place we learn the gospel, and the gospel brings joy. Share a thought, sing songs, and play games. All of these things build our relationship with our family and with Heavenly Father. 

One of the scriptures that really stuck out to me this week was D and C 123:17- If we do all that we can with a cheerful attitude and patience, God will better be able to use us as His tools. This sounds so cheesy, but just put a smile on! It is amazing how much better I feel when I'm tired, worn out, frustrated, and then I remember to smile. This life is part of a plan of happiness; let's not forget that!! 

Flatter Battle while doing Facials!

This week my companion and the two other elders living with us had a flatter battle...it's a little bit like a rap battle but you have to beat the other person by giving them better compliments! Try and look for the best in the people. 

I love you guys so much! Thank you for your support and for trusting in the Lord in all that you do. I'm so proud to tell people about all of my friends and family back home, because that's part of who I am, and anything good about me is the result of your amazing examples. Zai Jian peng you men!

Elder Lloyd

Celebes Sea

CONFERENCE IN MALAYSIA!

First off, I just want to say that I am so grateful to have a living prophet who can lead and guide us in these latter days. We have so many people, tools, and resources that can help us hold to the iron rod if we are simply willing to listen with open hearts and the Spirit. 

It really hit me this week how simple the gospel is. We are given all of these things to bring us happiness in this life and the world to come. It is so hard to explain to our investigators how commandments, reading, and praying can change their lives for the better, but I know that it has changed mine, and I try to share my smile and testimony every single lesson/contact. 

I've never been so stressed and busy in my life, but right now I also feel the happiest because I'm making time to develop my relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father. This week, please try and pray and read every single night with your families. They talked about the role of families and parents a lot this past conference, and I am so grateful for my parents efforts and success in teaching me the gospel. I know that doing simple things will bring families closer and make our homes a peaceful place.Read and pray as a family this week, everyone!

So this week was very busy because we traveled to KK (kota kinabalu) for zone meeting and new missionary training.I had the chance to learn from President and Sister Mains on Wednesday, and then we had Zone Meeting on Thursday. 

New Missionary Training was amazing! President and Sister Mains are some of the happiest, most spiritual people I've ever met. Simply spending time with them and being around them uplifts my spirits and helps strengthen my testimony-I hope to have that effect on others soon!! We went over many, many things, but I'd like to share a few that really helped me.

The first thing is that we need to embrace change. I have always been someone who dislikes change and has a routine for every single little thing...life is about change!! Change is not bad, and it's how we learn and experience new things. We do not know what little changes will occur each day in our lives, but if we can anticipate them and prepare, we will be strengthened instead of shocked. 

In 3 Nephi 4:16-18, it talkes about how the Nephites were completely surrounded by their enemies...the Lamanites had even won a few battles and seemed to be gaining ground. I know that if we bear our afflictions with patience and have faith in the Lord, he will be able to deliver us with no regards as to what situation/state we are currently in. The key is to prepare by living the gospel and learning how the Lord strengthens us in order to find how we can gain the advantage over Satan. 

There is a reason church, prayer, and reading is CPR in the mission field! We need these things if we want to survive! These things are crucial and required for us to gain the Spirit and receive exaltation. I love you guys so much! Please focus on the small things the Lord asks us to do, and He will bless you!

A miracle this week was that we received a flash drive with General Conference!!! We met at the church and had malay, chinese, and english versions. So Saturday morning, after calling the whole branch and all of our investigators, we were the only ones there to watch. I was a little disappointed, but on the plus side, we were able to use the air conditioned room and watch it in English! Saturday afternoon and the Priesthood Session were the same story, nobody came. President Uchtdorf's talk about not comparing ourselves to others and focusing on our own weaknesses before we critique others really applied to me. I was so focused on who wasn't receiving the blessings of conference that I forgot about focusing and learning for myself. We all have so much to improve on....we need to see ourselves more clearly before we are able to truly help others. 

There were so many talks that I loved and truths that I learned, but one of my very favorites was Elder Bednar's Sunday afternoon. "Devoted disciples will ALWAYS be missionaries." This week, focus on the things that you have the weakest testimony about and look to share them with others. I know that as you share you will be able to strengthen your own testimony and ponder how even the seemingly "weaker" points have played a major role in your conversion. 

I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for all of the love, support, and prayers. I wouldn't be here without your examples and friendship. This week, I felt the love of my Savior for me more than I ever have before. I am so grateful for the family unit on Earth. I love my family so much, and I want my parents to know that I'm so grateful for all that they've done for me. I hope I can raise a family in the gospel someday, just as my parents have done for me.

SETTLING IN

My first week in the field is officially complete!! I can't believe I've already adjusted so much...this week has been amazing and I feel like miracles happen every single day. I'm so blessed to have this opportunity to serve. After being here and contacting, it is amazing to me that so many people have never even heard of this gospel. There is so much work to do around the world, and I'm so excited and privileged to be a part of it. I love you guys, and I'm so grateful for the prayers and love. I wouldn't be here without all of your influence and support! Thank you!!

So last Monday afternoon was awesome!! After emailing we went and got Nasi Lalap ....we eat fried rice/noodles for basically every meal, but this place was especially good and I had some iced Milo. Hooray for tender mercies! :) We spent the afternoon cleaning the church building. It was very relaxing to have time to ponder and be in an air conditioned building during the afternoon. 

Monday night we went over to a member's house and were able to have dinner and share a message. All of the people here are incredibly poor, so to make dinner for us is a huge sacrifice. She was an incredible lady, and we shared a message about families and how parents have the responsibility to help their children learn the gospel. I spoke about how I was sealed to my family in the temple, and it was just an incredible experience. We were all crying and I think we really helped her know Heavenly Father loves her. She asked us for a blessing, and luckily we were prepared to give one. I'm so grateful for the Priesthood and the peace it can bring to people no matter what struggles they're going through.

Tuesday was another great, wonderful, hot day in T! I loved reading in D & C section 3 versus 7-9 during personal study. I cannot be afraid of anybody while serving a mission and preaching the gospel, including myself. I think that more often than not, we are our own worst enemies. I'm so grateful we have the Atonement and we are expected to make mistakes..I mess up about a billion times a day, but I'm doing my best to learn from each experience. We were able to have district meeting with all four of us missionaries at the church Tuesday morning. Elder R is our District leader and led a discussion on meaningful questions...it was amazing! What I got from it was that we need to be direct in all of our questions. Eliminate words like maybe, kinda, sorta, and go for it. The other thing we can't do is make investigators guess. even in shcool, when teachers would ask these types of questions I'd just feel stupid, frustrated, and angry. Questions are so important when it comes to teaching the gospel, and I know we can all improve our teaching skills if we will focus on asking meaningful questions. If we want a real answer, ask a real question. After the meeting we were able to visit a few people and then go home. Once we got home, we couldn't unlock our bikes becasue the lock was all rusted...we said multiple prayers, and after trying for thirty minutes it still wouldn't budge. We didn't know what to do, when an little low-rider flashy "malaysian" car drove by and happened to have WD 40 for us...it truly was a miracle. There are things like this that happen every single day...I am so grateful for the blessings I've received as a missionary and continue to receive every single day.

Nasi Lalap

Wednesday was an awesome day, but man was it tiring!!! We literally biked allllll day long. For most of the day we were riding our bikes over to a different area. My shirt was absolutely drenched all day haha...that's Malaysia for ya. After knocking for like three hours, we finally talked to a boy who was outside in his driveway. He was super shy, but incredibly nice. His grandma came to the door and let us in (which is super rare). She invited us back this week to share more about the Restoration and our church. I am so grateful for the people that are willing to give the gospel a chance, and I know the Lord is leading us to them. I need to be more patient in my finding efforts, and I know the Lord will bless me as a result. 

Thurdsay was amazing as well, but I'm running out of time so I'll have to skip to Saturday...most of the days here are pretty similar. We study in the morning, contact, and try and teach at night when it's dark and safer to be inside.

So Saturday was my first day on splits! I was super worried because I don't know the language, don't know how to get around, and we didn't have very many lessons scheduled. I went with our District Leader Elder R, and it turned out to be the best day yet! We contacted all afternoon and were having no luck. People would just ignore us after staring straight at us through the door...it was super frustrating..we found a park, and there were like five kids...playing Basketball!!! We immediately went over and started talking to them. Two of them were very friendly and Christian. We started shooting around, and one of them committed to come to church with us because he had nothing to do...it was an absolute miracle. To find two kids with awesome families, willing to listen is something that we haven't found very often, so im very glad we were put in the right place at the right time. 

We finished the night by going to dinner at a place that served western foood!!!!! I got a burger, broccoli, fries, and some bread....I was so grateful to be filled after a long day. The biggest thing I learned was that if we are trying our best to do the Lord's work, he will bless us. All of our plans fell through Saturday, but we continued in faith and prayer, and it all worked out. I have felt the Lord's hand in my life more than ever while being on a mission. I also learned, while contacting, that we need to be bold, but we also need to be a friend. If we can know about their family, occupation, and recreation we will be able to better relate the gospel to them. I'm working on my conversational Chinese, and I am seeing a lot of progress. 

Our Church Building

Sunday was another wonderful day. At church, none of our investigators showed up, which was very disappointing, but fast meeting was great. All of the kids bearing their testimonies reminded me so much of being back home. The kids here are so sweet and fun and it is a joy to be around them. We talked a lot about commandments in Sunday School....since it was in Malay I didn't understand, but I was pondering a lot...I learned that commandments and the gospel-every single part of it-is to bring us joy and help us learn. I think things like fasting and tithing are to teach us how to sacrifice. The natural man is impatient and always wants more...when we give something away we focus on the needs of others. Christ was perfectly selfless, and I think that this gospel and our Church's activities give us plenty of opportunities to serve others and learn about the joy we can find when we serve. I want to do better at constantly looking to serve everyone and keep a good attitude. 

I am completely out of time, but please know that I love all of you!!! I am loving being able to serve a mission, and I'm so grateful for this privilege. Please try and share a message from Conference with a friend this week. 

Singapore Mission Office