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 

Aug 26, 2013- our UTES in Mexico City

 Elder Lloyd and his new companion Elder Rodriguez

Just another week in Paradise in the work of the Lord! This week being with my new comp has been so awesome. It is so great to see all the awesome ready missionaries that are coming into the field. He is a great, hard working kid! Such a great blessing to be with him!
We were suppose to have the baptism and marriage of Adáns parents this last week, they were going to sign the papers on Friday, but called us on Wednesday and they were in a fight and don't want to get married and want to wait for the baptism. It is true that when we put them on our list, so does Satan. This week we had the privilege of being part of the baptisms of 2 great people. A mom named Vanessa and her son Ivan. We meet them about 2 weeks ago and they are such great people. Her mother and little brother have been members for over a year now, and her dad about a year. At first we were teaching her, Ivan 14, and her daughter Karen 13 in the house of her mother in law. Her husband didn't want anything to do with us. After a little bit we got kick out of that house because they are super Catholics and don't want us in there. Soooo we moved to the church. We had great discussions with them, the bad thing after a while, and we don't know why, is Karen didn't want to talk with us anymore. And it was so apparent to me the strong impact the example of her family has had on her. That is why she decided to talk to us and make the commitment of going to church.
We all know it and it is so simple. But it is more and more apparent to me how it is more important than anything to be an example to others, and leading others by example. It is so amazing what it can and will do.  In a book called True to the Faith, it says that we have a great responsibility to preach the Gospel as members, and the best way to do it is be an example, like our brother Jesús Christ. People will see a difference in us, a light, and feel different around us and follow. One of my favorite quotes says, "Be the light on the top of the hill that people can follow, that doesn't mean a flash light shinning in everyone's eyes."
That is what the family of Vanessa has done for her and her son and I know that they will do the same for the rest of the family. He gave us a ride home from the baptism, and REALLY warmed up to us, we gave him a Book of Mormon and talked about it on the ride. And he even gave us a hug when he dropped us off. (wasn't expecting that) With faith and hard work, we will see miracles!

Lots of love

Elder Lloyd

Ivan, Vanessa, the missionaries, and her brother that baptized them.

New area, New Companion--Aug 19, 2013

Another week that just flew by that is for sure! But another great one none the less!
Looks like I will be receiving more changes, AGAIN, ha-ha. I get the blessing of being able to be with one of the new incoming missionaries, which will be a great experience. But I'm going to miss my old comp!! We had been blessed enough to be a part of the baptism of Adán this week. It was such an awesome thing. The pump wasn't working so we had to fill the font up with gallon buckets, from the well to the window, to the font. With four missionaries working, we got it done right in time!  As you can see in the pictures, our President made a surprise visit to the baptism of Adán. It was such a great experience having him there. 
During the week we met Adáns family, his mom, little sister and stepdad. We are now teaching them and are so excited because they are progressing so well! During one of our lessons with him and his family, his stepdad told him to make sure he knows what he is doing, and that he really wants this. It was so amazing to hear his answer of, "I know what I want, I have prayed about this, and I have my answer. I know what I need to do. I have also decided to prepare myself to serve a mission in 2 years when I'm 18 like these Elders." What a kid! But his Mom told us that it wasn't always like this. She told us, about just a couple weeks ago, how he would come home drunk, and smelling of smoke. And she said look at him now, as he was leaving the house in a white shirt and tie, going to get signed up for Seminary. She told us that she never thought it was possible, and he would never change. It was called to my attention to show her in Matthew. It is Matthew 19:26Where Jesus Christ says, For of men this is impossible, but of God everything is possible.
I KNOW that is true!! Just when we think something is impossible, when we feel that someone will never change, that we ourselves will never change, if we are trying to do it on our own. It is.... But like Christ says, through God NOTHING is impossible. I have seen it many times already on my mission in the little 8 months that I have. Literal miracles, but there is one distinct common theme, it is all through our loving Heavenly Father, and doing what he wants us to do, in following our brother Jesus Christ. We are seeing this in action in so many peoples lives, a Lady named Vanessa, and her 2 kids, a great 19 year old named Adrian who is more then ready to be baptized, but we just have to wait for some papers from the Church offices. It is so amazing to see!
I love you all!
Hope all is well.
Elder Lloyd

Adán, his little sister and mom, President Hall and the family that referred him

Adán, Elder Mendez ( From Ciudad Apizaco Tlaxcala Mexico), and I

Adan with President Hall

No limits to family happiness and strength - Aug 5, 2013

Another week down in Mexico! I was recently moved, well yesterday to another area, it is on the out skirts of the mission and is a little different, not as densely packed, but still unbelievably packed, ha-ha! I am with a new comp. from here in Mexico named Elder Mendez. He has been in the mission for 4 months and I am expecting great things. Nothing but hard work for the Lord!

 This past week we have been working a lot with a couple families. They are SO great and have so much potential. We set goals with 2 of the families, one being the family of Luis- to not only to be baptized but to be able to go to the temple in one year from their baptism. It is a thing that is the most beautiful thing that they could do as a family and I know that. They are going to have to work hard, But I know that with enough faith they are going to do it! The common theme that I have been seeing in these families that we were working with is the lack of the head of the household, the father. We know how important it is and especially with the priesthood, and with the incredible support and gifts of a wife. There are no limits to family happiness and strengths. This last Sunday Luis's stepdad came to church, and he was alone, (Luis was at a camp- out with the ward). I know that is how they are going to reach and complete their goal of the temple. It is by the great example of an incredible Dad, one of which I was and am SO blessed to have!

Love you all,

Elder Lloyd

Built on the rock of Jesus Christ - July 29, 2013

This week was a hard one, but one that like every week was very worth it. 

We had an experience that was so incredible. 

We were teaching the family of Luis as our last lesson of the day a couple of days ago. We have been having great lessons with them. We had wrapped up and were ready to go home for the day. When his Mom said to his dad that they need to go get gas to cook, and he needed to take a big gas tank down to a place where you can exchange it. Without thinking I grabbed it, threw it on my shoulder and said lets go. We headed out and started walking with Luis, his dad and little sister. It was just about 9 and time for us to get in our house, and usually when its about that time, all I can think about is running to get home. But for some reason, that feeling wasn't there, and I just felt, "just keep going." We were walking and walking, realistically not knowing where we were going with them, but for some reason it didn't matter. 

We arrived at this big metal door, knocked and Luis's dad went in. We were standing outside and going to wait, then all of a sudden all three of us ( Luis, Elder Thomson, and I) looked at each other, and with out saying anything walked in. As I walked in, I looked over to see a place that looked like a little restaurant type of place, with about 8 really drunk men, but I didn't think anything of it. 

As we stood there waiting, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice say, Elder. I looked over to see a pretty drunk man, as he said, "Don't you Elders go in there." My companion and I knew that he was a member because he referred to us as elder, Everyone else calls us brothers. When my companion walked over by me he asked him if he was a member. He said yes, Looked down painfully, and said I have been 38 years in the church.... And was a bishop from 2009 to 2012. It hit us like a ton of bricks, and we felt such a sorrow that I have never felt. We talked to him for a little bit to find out where he is from, and he broke down and said he never wanted to be like this or in this spot. Then he asked, who Luis and his family were. We told him investigators, and that Luis was baptized about a week ago, He looked at Luis, and broke down crying like a little kid pointing his finger saying, "THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST, This is the truth, I  am here for personal problems, Don't you leave this church. And these two men are men of God". He looked at me and fell into my arms and said, You have angels walking with you, remember that!!! I have never felt anything like that in my life. We testified with everything we had that he can get back to where he was, that he needs to for all those people of the ward we work with that look up to him and need him. Then Luis walked up to him, and I

in one of the most rewarding things I have seen, and gave him a loving hug, and said "Bishop, you can do it, you keep fighting you are going to do it...". My companion looked at him and said, Bishop we are leaving, but not without you, lets go get you a taxi and leave this place forever. He agreed and we flagged  down a taxi outside, gave the driver some money , and told him to get him home safely... we got his number and will be visiting him soon. 

It was one of the more touching, experiences of my mission. I learned so much from this experience, that it doesn't matter who we are, what we are, or have been, the devil will work on us harder and harder. It doesn't matter if we are an an ex missionary, stake president, or bishop, the devil will find our weakness, whether it is loosing our temper, fighting with our family, Whatever, he will pick at it until he gets us. But if we are built on the rock of Jesus Christ we will ALWAYS come out on top!! 

Love you All. 

Elder Lloyd 

New Mexico MTC - July 20, 2013

We are now officially in the middle of rainy season! (Which I don't mind) It goes from a regular nice day here, to the craziest down pours I have ever seen! At least once a day for a couple hours. But hey whatever!! ha 
This week was a hard week, felt like we got kicked around a little bit. But that's the grind for ya! Gotta love it!! 
We have been working with Luis's family this week which is great! We went to their house and went just to talk to his mom. His step dad is almost never home and we have only seen him a couple of times, but when we went he came in from work. Then he came up to us he told us, I have been thinking about you guys a lot. We asked him why, he went on to respond that he was really drunk the night before, and felt REALLY bad about it, and thought about us and how he is ready to change his life. We have had awesome lessons with them, but we are having a hard time with them acting on what we teach. But we have gotten them to pray as a family, which is so great to see. Love it. Little by little, step by step!
This week we have really been trying to focus on and do all of the little things. The little things that make such a huge difference. It applies to everything in life, and everything that we do. I have come to realize that if we are not going to do the little things, then when the big things come along, we aren't going to do those either. We have to start at the bottom. 

And like Alma Says, "By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass." 

Love Elder Lloyd 

We snuck into the new MTC 

 (Editors Note: Is it even possible for missionaries to "sneak" into an MTC? haha)