BAPTISMS ON AUGUST 23!

ELLO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!

Two weekly letters from the Lloyd Missionaries. We are SO blessed!

First, I am staying in Manly with Sister P AND … guess who’s living in my flat? Sister M – my MTC companion! Reunited after 13 months. I am so happy.

Oh.

And I ate horse meat this week. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK.

Stringy and chewy. I just smiled and said malo aupito! Thank you very much!

So now for some MIRACLES!

Teaching as Jesus Taught came from a miracle lesson with a part member family. Remember S that I wrote about last week? Well, we had our first lesson with him and his daughter. We taught the Restoration and all of us were in tears because the spirit was so powerful. S said his daughter asked to learn about God. When we taught and testified to that little girl, and had her father testify as well, I felt like a true representative of Jesus Christ.  I testified of the love that God has for her, as His daughter and how happy He is that she wants to get to know Him.

One night, all of our appointments in Dee Why had been pushed back, but Sister P and I still felt like we needed to make our way out there.  As we were walking, we noticed a man on the street and spoke with him. We learned that he and his family had just moved here from the UK and are looking for a church.  He is Christian, but didn’t know what church to attend.  We are meeting up with him again this week.

On the same trip out to Dee Why, we were trying to find a referral.  We felt prompted to tract a few houses, and found a young family that was so inviting. The mother said that she and her husband had been looking for the right church but nothing had felt right.  She was more than willing to have us come back so that they could learn more. However, she looked at us with worried eyes, and said, I hope that we have enough time, we are moving to Singapore in November!  The spirit touched my heart as I realized what a tender mercy it was. (My brother will be serving in Singapore in November!)

Sister P and I also had the amazing experience to go on trade-offs in the City.  We practiced our finding skills for a few hours with the traveling sisters. I was in a state of gratitude to be in such a beautiful place surrounded by so many people who are prepared and willing to talk with us and learn of Christ.  I was a bit shocked, however, at how busy everyone is in Sydney. In Manly, I feel like there as just as many people, but people will still sit and talk with you.  In the city, you really do have to teach in 1-2 minutes! I need to work on teaching shorter, more powerful lessons.

We also met a woman at the bus stop who approached me as we were getting on the bus, and said that there was something about me that was different.  She said that I had a glow about me, and wanted to know why.  As we started talking, she was amazed about our church, and what we do as missionaries.  She said that I had such a trusting, loving countenance. I was so touched, and immediately started teaching and set up a return appointment. She was wonderful, and I am so grateful for the prepared loving people here in this area.

We had a Ward Cultural night this week, and it was amazing! So many people came and it was such a good opportunity to invite many people.  We gave chapel tours during the party as well, and set a baptismal date! On top of that, we found heaps of potentials who approached us, wanting to learn. So many miracles!

One more miracle! We had a lesson scheduled with a new investigator, but as we were walking there, he canceled. We kept walking, because we knew that there would be someone else to find.  And sure enough, we saw a man walking across the street who caught my eye. We ran after him as discreetly as possible. When we started talking with him, we learned that he just moved here from Brazil, and was baptized a member of our church years ago. He had drifted away from church but said he wanted to return. Miracle!

My core experience with God this week was during a family home evening. One of the members invited us to their home to teach their 7-year old the missionary lessons. We asked if it would be okay for our investigator C and her young son to join, as we were planning on setting a baptismal date with her the next lesson.  The night was incredible, and Brother and Sister S shared their conversion stories. Bro S shared that he grew up in Laos and was Buddhist, but had been searching for the truth when he found the Mormon missionaries.  It was exactly what C needed to hear, and she accepted the baptismal invitation. It was so neat to have the families together to learn about the restoration, and commit together to follow Jesus Christ. I love C so much!

My best experience of how the Doctrine of Christ has helped me this week has come through an answer to my prayers in which I have been seeking counsel the last couple of weeks. 

Instead of being focused on many different things, my goal now is to be baptism focused, and to be focused on inviting others, or rather, reminding others, to come to Christ by resolving concerns.  These concerns are the only things stopping them from reaching their divine potential. 

In Romans 8 it reads,

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

After our zone training, Sister P and I really felt the spirit prompting us with the realization that the Lord is please with all that we are doing, but that we shouldn’t be complacent with what is happening, and that new transfers are a perfect time to change.  I know that the “ideal” and best way to do missionary work is through the members, and so that’s exactly what we set specific plans to do. 

We went through our ward council and other members of the ward, and as wrote down specific people and their addresses and info to invite our ward members to assist us. In just the last couple of days, we have seen miracles with our ward members helping. As missionaries, we can work hard all day, and we have been, but we must always worked toward accomplishment, not just missionary-like activity. 

We have faith that as we believe in what God promises us in Romans, that the Spirit will tell us and guide us what to do, the same spirit will guide our members to know what people are prepared for us to teach, and how to make the time to go out teaching with us. 

We are so excited about the special baptismal date on the 23! (President has asked us to fast and pray specifically so that every companionship in the mission will baptize on that day).  We have seen miracles as we pray for that date and will work to help everyone we meet progress towards baptism. 

Love you so family. I’m so grateful to stay in Manly with Sister P and to have Sister M in the flat.  I am so very grateful and excited to keep working.

It’s going to be an amazing week!
I love you to the moon and back.

Elder and Sister Lloyd

Angel Moroni of Sydney Temple

ELLO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!!

OH TREV.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

SO PROUD OF YOU BABY BRO!!!! YOU ARE A MISSIONARY! 

I think that I will just not talk about it too much. You know how I feel, and I’m trying to stay focused. There's nowhere else I’d rather us both be. You know that. But … ya. Love you heaps.

MMMM … I HAD HOMEMADE CAFE RIO THIS WEEK – INCLUDING THE TORTILLAS (NO TORTILLAS IN AU)! I WAS IN HEAVEN!

Saying Goodbye at MTC June 2013

Also had my first experience with rugby this week. Everyone here plays sport ... Manly is a very touristy sporty area so everyone is always flat out with sport and footy. We have been trying to contact an investigator and she said that we could meet her at her son's game. We obviously didn't “watch” the game, but I learned some of the rules, and it was neat to have a peek! It’s so different than football. It reminded me of all the freezing cold, snowy mornings we went and watched our little squirts run around the football field AND we got to teach an awesome lesson to her on the sidelines. Miracles.

Here are just a few miracles that we had this week! 

We met an amazing investigator this week. He stopped US on the street, and told us that he was looking to learn more about Christianity. During our first lesson he asked us, “What do you expect from me? And what can I expect to learn from you?” How to start teaching fell right into our lap. We invited him to be baptized, and he replied, yes!  

My entire mission, I have had the desire to baptize a family and sit with them as we watch conference together. I only have one more conference, so we need to work really hard to find a family!

Yesterday, we received a phone call from a man. We had stopped by his house about two weeks ago and left a note and a phone number as no one was home. He said to us, “Hi, my name is S. I am inactive, and want to get my life back on track.  I have an 11-year-old daughter who needs the gospel and needs to be baptized.  Can we meet this week so you can start teaching her?” MIRACLES!

One of our investigators, C, is incredible. Every commitment we leave with her, she immediately promises to do – AND DOES IT! We introduced the Book of Mormon this week and left a passage for her to read in Chinese. We went back the next day to see how it went. She said, “I don’t know what it is, but I feel so strongly about this book! I kept looking at it on the table and was so drawn to it. I feel so warm and good when I read it. I know that it is God’s word.”  Incredible! The miracles just keep pouring upon us! 

Have I mentioned that I love being a missionary? 

Teaching as Jesus taught came from a lesson with a couple of our investigators. Our goal this week was to make sure that we testified of Jesus Christ in every lesson. We showed a Mormon Message on the Saviour. The Spirit was incredibly strong, bringing several to tears. I am so grateful for the spirit that comes when we testify of Jesus Christ.

My core experience this week came when an Elder was set apart as a full-time missionary. We went to the family’s home for coordination meeting, and when we walked in the door, Pres. Hamilton was standing there waiting to set apart E! They had a last minute change of plans so we got to be there during the blessing. My little brother is leaving on his mission this week, and as we were all gathered together as friends and family, the spirit was so strong in the room. As we bowed our heads, I just wept, realizing what a tender mercy the Lord was giving me to sit in on this setting apart. I realized that because I couldn’t be there when my best friend and little brother was set apart, the Lord placed there with E.

It reminded me of a scripture I read earlier this week in Isaiah 63:

 7 ¶I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

 8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

I know that the Lord will take care of us, and bless us and challenge us with the things that we need in order to become refined and sanctified messengers. I know that we need not fear, or doubt the Lord, but trust that everything is in His hands. As I do my best to apply this, I do not feel discouraged, overwhelmed or unhappy.  When we trust the Lord, we feel His love and we feel of His spirit which bring us joy!

Elder Packer says, sometimes we must, “Learn to walk to the edge of the light.”

We must take steps of faith; sometimes stepping completely out of our comfort zone and our present knowledge.  Then will we receive guidance as we continue on His path.

I know that some tears MIGHT be shed this week sweet family. Let’s just keep our minds focused and have an eternal perspective. We've gone a year without each other. And remember, there is no greater purpose and work we could be doing right now.

Let us remain in a state of gratitude.

I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Baulkham Hills and Harbour Zone Sisters

ELLO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? ANOTHER LLOYD IS HITTING THE GROUND. SOON. HOW CAN YOU NOT BE SO EXCITED FOR HIM?

I love you so much Elder Lloyd! I CANNOT wait to start hearing about your experiences! Ah!

So, this week, as a part of our zone training, President trained us on developing our life vision and we studied our Patriarchal Blessings. I am so grateful for this sacred document.

Incredible week. Again!

I know, I know.

YW called to serve in Singapore!

But guess what? Times a runnin’ out for me to say that. So yep. You're getting it every week. And every week is more spiritual and refining than the last. ALWAYS. That's what I love about missions. Each day is always better than the last.

Teaching as Jesus taught came from an experience we had teaching on the beach. We met a woman from Malaysia and Singapore!  I told her that in a few weeks my brother would be doing the same thing as me in her country. We taught her a powerful lesson about the plan of salvation while we sat with her next to the ocean. We discussed after, how sweet it was of her to talk with me about her country so that I could share with my brother. I learned from her that even when we don’t know people, we can show compassion and genuine love for everyone we meet. 

We had dinner with an incredible family, and shared a lesson about hastening the work using social media. As we sat around the dinner table holding family home evening, I realized that one of the reasons I have been sent on my mission is so that I can learn how to pattern my future family. I am so grateful for the beautiful and courageous families I have met while serving who set an example of living the Gospel.

We had a miracle with one of our investigators who I have grown to love so much! She is from China and is studying in AU. We met on the bus and offered to help her with one of her English papers. We taught her a lesson using mormon.org, and were able to go back and forth between the two languages. I am so grateful for the Church websites! They answer every question our investigators have. She then offered us a cup of tea, and I explained that we don’t drink tea.  We looked up on the church website about the Word of Wisdom, and she replied, “So you say, if I live the Word of Wisdom, I will have more strength, self control, health and knowledge?” We smiled and said, "yes"!  She promised right then to live the word of wisdom.

We had an amazing opportunity to have the “mini missionaries” (teens preparing for missions spend a few days with the full-time missionaries) with us this weekend. It was so incredible to testify along with these sisters, who weren’t set apart as full-time missionaries, yet have the most powerful spirits and testimonies. I learned so much from them over the 3 days we were together. I was so touched with the sacrifices they have made to live clean and pure lives in order to represent the Lord, with or without a name tag.

The Biddle Family and then some!

It was also a time to reflect on my personal growth in the mission. At times, they would start singing pop songs, or mention a cute boy on the side of the road, and immediately the flags would go up. It made me realize how much my nature has changed, especially over the last 8 months or so. I know that one day [sooner than I want!] I will return to "the world,"  but I am so grateful for how my sensitivity to the spirit has become refined.

My goal this week, and most of this transfer, has been to be more understanding of others’ differences. I have tried to develop patience and love from the perspective of our Saviour.

I was prompted to study a passage in Moses 6:31-39 this week. It reads in part:

 31 And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?

 32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

 33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you ...

 38 And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a wild man hath come among us.

 39 And it came to pass when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.

I love this passage of scripture. As I was preparing for our zone training, the words, “that my eyes needed to be opened to their understanding” kept coming to mind. I must be mindful of our differences and love and respect all. 

My core experience with God this week came from an overwhelming moment of love from my Heavenly Father. During our zone training, President trained on developing a habit of saying, “SO WHAT?” then  “WHAT’S NEXT?” when discouraging things happen. Right after that, a family of 3, and our baptismal date for the month, dropped us. The timing could not have been more perfect. I will admit, I have been tempted to question why, and to feel discouraged this week, but it is amazing to me the love that I have developed on my mission for people that I barely know. I know it is because it is not my own love, but is an eternal and incomprehensible love that comes from our Heavenly Father.

I opened my scriptures, and the first verse I read was in DC 31:

Thomas, my son, [Sister Lloyd, my daughter] blessed are you because of your faith in my work.

I could hear the Lord speaking those words directly to me. I know that the Lord is pleased with what SP and I have been trying so hard to do. I have faith that miracles happen every day, and I have faith in this work. I know that this work is our Heavenly Father’s work, and that is why I do not need to be discouraged. I know that I can feel at peace knowing that we're doing everything possible, and that a seeds have been planted. 

Always manages to find some fro-yo!

SP and I had great faith that because so many things had dropped on us this week, that a miracle was surely around the corner! And ... we found out we were right! While we were out on Saturday, almost every person we talked to asked US if they could come to church with us! We were so excited! We called our members and arranged rides, and planned out bus schedules for about 6 solid investigators. Did I mention we were excited?

Sunday morning came, and not a single person came to church! I couldn’t believe it. But, we shrugged our shoulders, and asked each other, “Now what do we do? What can we do to be moving forward?” Our faith has not been hindered. I am so grateful for my companion, we are each other’s "other half." We keep each other happy, moving forward, and not being bogged down by what might happen in the course of a few hours. 

I would like to add my testimony to Paul’s when he says,

“If God be for us, who can be against us?”   

I know that the Lord uses very imperfect instruments to accomplish this glorious work, and I know that the Lord can and has revealed every step that we need to take to help His children. I know that when we are “fighting” with Him, miracles will flow into our lives.

LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.

AND TO THE BEACH ... AND UNDER THE BRIDGE ... AROUND NORTHHEAD…UP TO SINGAPORE ...ACROSS TO THE MTC ...AND BACK!!

Baulkham Hills & Harbour Zones

NO GREATER JOY!

MALO E LEI LEI BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!

ANOTHER MIRACLE WEEK IN MANLY. OI OI OI!

There is a family living here from Santaquin and she reminds me SO much of Aunt Suzy! They had us over for dinner, and guess what ... SHE PROMISED ME CAFE RIO NEXT FORTNIGHT!!!! Ahhhh ... I could die!!!! :) :)

Oh, and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

'MERICA ***

OK. I’ll be honest. I totally forgot about it.

:)

I am Australian!

My core experience with God this week was prompted by a scripture found in 3 John 1:4.  It reads:

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

This week, we had an amazing lesson with a new family. We decided to just stop by and miracles and the Spirit overwhelmed us! Not only were they so keen to let us in and receive the discussions, but we rekindled a friendship and a trust that I feel started long before Sister P and I arrived in the area.

The mother asked me why this (my mission/serving/the Gospel) was something that I felt so passionate about. I reflected back to my Mother’s Day phone call, when my Mum asked me what kept me motivated to work diligently. I know that my sincere motive to work hard is because I love the Lord, and I love the Saviour and how His Atonement has allowed me to change my life. However, I know that a lot of the time, the sacrifices I make, and my motivation, comes because I want to bless my family. I have realized by working with so many part-member and broken families, that what motivates people, and what everyone truly wants deep inside, is to have a happy home, centered on something pure and good. I am so grateful that I have been able to bear my testimony of how the gospel blesses families by sharing examples from my own life.

I think of my little brother, who is leaving for his mission in about 2 weeks, and how proud I am of him! We taught another beautiful family yesterday, and one of the teen daughters asked me what I think my life would be without the gospel, and what I would do without it in my family. I couldn’t hold back my tears because of how much gratitude I have for my Heavenly Father and how he has blessed my family.

I know that like this scripture says, that there is no greater joy than to see our family, and our loved ones, and especially the families that we are working with, realize that this gospel is all about love and the eternal nature of families. I have never experienced greater joy than when families come together to learn and be edified and changed through the teachings of Christ.  

In Psalms 27:4 it reads:

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

We have used this scripture as a vision and a basis for the families we are teaching, members and non-members alike. After all, receiving the joy from the blessings of the sealing ordinance is what will bring us the most joy in this life and in the next. We must never shift our eyes away from this goal. 

Teaching as Jesus Taught came from a lesson we had with a member. Sister A is the grandmother to several less active and part member families we are working with. We had prepared to share a lesson with her grandson from Alma 13 to help him prepare to receive the Priesthood but he wasn't home so we felt prompted to share these same scriptures with her.  

Fresh Markets - kale and beans!

We asked her to read the verses about her holy calling, and she wept. The spirit was so strong as we promised her, as representatives of Christ, that she was doing her best and that the Lord was pleased with her. Just like we learn in President Eyring’s talk, it is because the Lord knows that certain people will love and keep moving forward, even in difficult situations, that he places them with certain people and family members. 

We had so many miracles this week!

I was reading the story of Abraham and Isaac in Gen 22 and something new really stood out to me as I pondered this story.

The verses read:

 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

 11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

I was thinking about how the Lord and the voice from heaven spoke out to stop Abraham. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I imagine that it was similar to the promptings we receive as missionaries. Sometimes they are clear, impactful words, but most of the time, it is just a feeling and a whispering. I can’t imagine what would have happened to Abraham if he would have shrugged off the prompting, perhaps thinking it was his own thought or desire.  It is SO important to listen and then to act on every prompting; we never know what the outcome will be.

Leaving Pass Along Cards Aussie Style!

As I was sitting in fast and testimony meeting yesterday, I thought back to what I learned from the last zone training.  Elder M discussed being over anxious, and over zealous as missionaries, and how both of these can be stumbling blocks to the work. I have decided to “let go of perfection.”  I think that because I have been blessed to “know better” and have an understanding, I feel that I am responsible for so many things. However, I must realize that I haven’t been given weakness to make me feel bad, or to trip and fall to condemn myself, but so that I can learn to call on the Lord and be humbled; another miracle!

I would like to follow the example of Helaman when he says,

 35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur.

 36 And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some faction in the government, that they do not send more men to our assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that which they have sent.

 37 But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.

I know that as we have an attitude that it “mattereth not” and we trust that God is working through us to refine us, as well as the people we are serving, we will not only be so much happier, but when we are humble and submissive, we will see miracles and feel the joy of the Spirit. I know that the Saviour lives and loves us, and this is His work, and I am so grateful for each day that I am privileged to serve.

I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK! MATES!

Ofa atu.

Kangaroom Scripture Cover she named Roody!

GRATITUDE FOR SENIOR MISSIONARIES

Temple Tuesday! The Feils "feed" the missionaries popcorn, hot chocolate and fruit - Harbour Beaches Zone

The Sydney North Mission office is managed by the most wonderful and loving couple, the Feils. They keep a blog so that their 11 children and numerous grandchildren can be a part of their mission experience. The link is here, Feil Down Under and always at the bottom of Sister Ali Lloyd's home page. 

Winter Wonderland with Palm Trees in the Background

This past week, they posted the most amazing pictures of whales spotted in the Newcastle area where Ali served the past six months. They also included some great photos of the Sydney-siders "freezing" in the middle of their winter (current temps range from about 40 to 60 degrees F)!

Inflatable Igloo - Australia is close to Antarctica!

Beautiful Newcastle Light House