September 23, 2013

This week was a really crazy one, a lot of things happened that pulled us away from the work a little, but its all good! Keep trucking along.

We have put more pressure on our search and rescue for those many in- actives that we all have here in our wards in Mexico. It has been so awesome working with them and seeing them come back, even one man named Jose. Even after 10 years of being inactive, he was in the church this last week and is so eager to learn. Through our hard work and help of the members our attendance has jumped and it was awesome this last week. I read a talk called The Rescue for Real Growth by Bishop Richard C. Edgley, that I loved, and especially loved this part. 

 "Earlier in my remarks I referred to the prayer Alma offered as he and his companions embarked on the rescue of the Zoramites. During World War II approximately 500 U.S. soldiers and supporting locals were held captive in a prison camp. Because of the suffering and concern for their safety, a volunteer force of approximately 100 U.S. soldiers was selected to rescue these prisoners. After the volunteers were assembled, the commanding officer instructed them something like this: “This evening you men meet with your religious leaders, you kneel down, and you swear to God that as long as you have a single breath of life, you will not let one of these men suffer one more moment.” (See Hampton Sides, Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II’s Most Dramatic Mission [2001], 28–29.) This successful rescue was a rescue from physical and temporal suffering. Should we be less valiant in our efforts to rescue those who could suffer spiritual and eternal consequences? Should we make less of a commitment to the Lord?" 

This week has been a huge week about obedience, it is one thing that can be hard sometimes, but is always worth it and will always pay off. I have a very strong testimony on it. As missionaries you can really see the difference in when we are obedient and not. I know that applies to everyone as well. Our Father gives us commandments and standards to live by so that he can bless us. On the other hand, Satan does no need us to commit big sins or things of that sort, if he can get us to do the small little things. We little by little distance ourselves from our loving Heavenly Father and we are where the Devil wants and needs us to be .  

Love you all 

Elder Lloyd 

September 9, 2013

Washing his clothes by hand!

A lot of changes and a lot of good things in the mission are happening that is for sure!

Our President has been changing things up a little bit. Changing the style up. We have been pushing more and more to work with the members, which it 100 % should be, as well as we are really pushing and focusing on the menos (less) actives in the areas. Which in all reality has been such a cool experience. We have been doing a lot of walking around our area, trying to find the in active people. Which in the city of Mexico is more like trying to find a needle in a hay stack! Apart from all of the houses not having correct numbers, or no numbers for that matter. The map of the area looks more like a maze then a map. But it has been some fun adventures!!

When we started implementing the focus on the less and non actives, I was a little unsure of how we would get to the other people. But it has been SO incredible to see all the blessings that have been coming from doing it the Lords way and through His will! It has been such a testimony builder of the scripture D and C 1:38 where it explains that it does not matter if it is from the voice of the Lords servant or of His own it is the same. I know that all these changes, and things of that sort from the our President are directly from the Lord, I have, and am seeing it in the works right now. Many times we don't understand, or why the Prophet, or the Lord is telling us something, but we need to listen and follow. It is one of the greatest ways to exercise our faith, is to say, I may not understand, but I am in your hands, and trust in that you know what you are doing. When we do that is when we see the blessings. But, as Elder Holland says, Some blessings come now, some come in the near future, and some don't come until the next life, but to those who are faithful they do come. And when we see His hand in our lives! And how incredible it is!

Hope everything is well, thank you for your support and prayers!

Love Elder Lloyd

Sep 2, 2013

One crazy week in the books to be honest!
We had a lot of crazy things that happened this week, Like the person that we were renting form going crazy and having to move all of our stuff out of the house in one night and moving into other missionaries house to name one! Ha ha but everything is good now. We also have a new rule in the mission, and I think it might be for all of Mexico if I'm not mistaken, but it is that all investigators have to attend the church at a minimum of 5 times before they can be baptized. In all reality that one changed the game up a little bit, and was a little hard to take in at the beginning to be honest. But in thinking and praying about it, it is from the Quorum of the 70's, and the leaders of the church, which means it is from God, and this is His work. What it  means is we need to do it to His will and His way to exactness. I have grown my testimony on it, I will make those who we are teaching more prepared. It will really help them make this life changing step life changing. I really feel this is what needs to be done, and what this country and people need.
This week we went to a reference that was from Adán this week. A man named Daniel and his girlfriend Damaris. It was so good to see that in all reality are so prepared to hear the word and change their lives, And in changes like the ones we are having in the mission, there are people ready and happy to take these things and run with them. The Lord always knows what he is doing, even if we don't get it, or don't understand. There is a reason for everything. We just need to humble ourselves like our perfect brother Jesus Christ and accept His will and trust in Him.
Hope everyone is doing great, love you all 

Elder Lloyd