Last Time, Best Time!

Hello from CO for the last time!... that's pretty weird. But here it is!

This week was wonderful!! Definitely a great last week to end the mission on. 

 

We did some service, knocked some doors, taught our people, and lots more! It was weird because everything was my "last" this week. So every where I went I was saying goodbyes. All while trying to not be trunky. Luckily, I'm really good at procrastinating the finality of something, so it went okay!

Friday was my departing interview with President! Right before that we had lunch with our Sisters at Taco Bell (bless their dollar menu) and it was delicious. Then we went to interviews. President gave me some great advice and also a lot of upliftment, so it was wonderful!    

We got a call earlier this week from our Zone Leaders stating that our Stake President has been in cahoots with the Longmont Stake President about somebody for us to teach! Turns out there was a man who was recently baptized in Longmont who has a special needs daughter here in Boulder. He wants her to be taught and hopefully baptized so that they can get sealed together this coming September.  They requested to specifically have Sisters teach her.  We were also asked to pray about it and determine whether or not she can retain this information and register right from wrong appropriately.  No pressure..... lol But we set up an appointment and went to see her! She lives in Boulder in an assisted living complex. Upon meeting her, it was clear her mental disorder was pretty severe. She was really funny though! She would make jokes and tell us about her family! But whenever we'd ask a question she wouldn't answer and go on to something else. However, whenever we mentioned Jesus Christ or the Book of Mormon she would correlate it with the missionaries that used to teach her dad, so that's improvement! After a time of trying to figure out how to teach her, we set up an appointment for another day so that new sisters can determine how to do that and what the best way of going about it is. But it was a wonderful visit and we're excited to see how it turns out! 

This Saturday was so great! Alyonna Johnson was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!! We've been teaching her and her family since I got here, so it was definitely a long time coming! Not to mention that Aly has been wanting to be baptized since she could speak! On Tuesday at our service, Aly's grandma saw us and starting telling us how she put her papers in for a mission. We asked if she was going to be at the baptism on Saturday and she asked "for who?".. "Aly! Your granddaughter!" we said. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She literally almost fell over and had to grab the chair for stabilization. She put her hand over her mouth as tears rolled down her face. Finally, when she could speak she mustered, "Aly has been wanting to be baptized for ever... she begged and begged and they wouldn't let her. This is a miracle!!!!" It truly was. We rejoiced together there at service and made plans to see her at the baptism. Finally the day came! We tried to crowd control a bit as Aly is very very shy and wanted a small baptism.... well that didn't work. Lol Tons of family came and all were so very excited! They'd been waiting for this as long as Aly had. The service itself was wonderful and Aly quite literally glowed!! She was such a good example to her siblings, who all still want to be baptized! The next day we went to her ward to watch her get confirmed.  Again, she was glowing. I've never seen her smile so purely like the way she was that day! We decided to give her a gift- a necklace that represented her with the Holy Ghost now! She loved it and even her grandparents got teary eyed. It was a special time for the whole family. 

These moments, and really my whole mission in general, has made me reflect on how much Heavenly Father loves just one of His children. Also, how much a difference one person can make in the lives of others.  I've seen so many miracles. So many blessings. Indescribable things that shouldn't have happened but did. I'll never be able to put into words the things I've learned and felt while being here. The relationships made will last for eternity. I've grown to love them as my own family. I love Colorado as well, with all its dry-constant-climate-changing goodness! 

Mostly, I've learned so much from my Savior. I know I sound like a broken record but He really has changed my life and made all the difference. As I've strived to follow His example, I've felt what it feels like to align our will with His. I've seen others how He would see them. I've loved those how He would love. However, I am still far from perfect! I have a lot of work to do to continue to be more Christ-like and I'm excited to start that journey in a new stage of life!

As for my testimony- another thing I cant always put into words, "for I cannot heave my heart into my mouth" (Elder Holland April 2017 Conference). But please accept my humble testimony that I know with all my heart that this Gospel is true. I know that The Book of Mormon is true and that we have a living prophet here on the earth today! I love him so much, and i sustain him. I know that Jesus is the Christ, and His purest teachings, untainted by man, can be found within this Church. I know that our Father in Heaven has a divine plan for us all and that we're all part of a bigger picture! We touch each others lives to make an impact for eternity! I'm so grateful, and so blessed, that I had the opportunity to serve my God and my Savior for this past year and a half. My goal was to pay Him back for all He's done for me. In return, I got so much more than I deserve. I love Him with all my heart. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all! Have a great week and I will see you soon!!!!!!!

Love Always,

Sister Loyd <3

Well this is kind of a big week...my last official week in the mission field!

Hello family and friends!

Last week was a great week! And hot! (thank goodness).
It started off with Zone Pday. We went to a big state park called Chataqua And grilled out! President and Sister Mendenhall came as well, so that made it really fun!! After grilling out we played lots of sports, including (but not limited to), Kickball, volleyball tennis, speedball, etc. It was all eally fun, especially cause President and Sister Mendenhall were playing 

 

The next day was our monthly Car Fast. This is where from 10:30 to dinner we cant touch our cars- so  walk everywhere! So we did and we found a new investigator named Tara! She was really nice and has 3 boys and 1 girl. We're hoping to see her again this week!

 

Wednesday we had a lesson with our investigator Noheilani. Her adopted mom was there and immediately asked when they could take us out to lunch. We said tomorrow would be great, so we set up a time and proceeded to have a great lesson on the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The next day we went to Chili's with them and had a marvelous time! A marvelous time, of course, includes chocolate lava melting cake 

 

Throughout this week we were set to teach D'ona's kids to prepare them for baptism next weekend! Well D'ona called and said that 2 of the kids, Breck and Carly, decided they didnt want to be baptized, but Alli still did! So we taught her this week and she had her baptismal interview and she passed!! Alli is all set to be baptized June 17th at 1:30pm!! We are so excited! And about Breck and Carly, we havent talked to them yet but we have reason to believe they just didnt want to leave their field trips to have lessons... so they'll probably come around too!! Friday night was something called a Convert Fireside! The Mendenhalls thought it be good to have this as their big last hurrah with the mission! So the whole mission came, as well as investigators and recent converts from the past 2 years! The recent converts spoke and told of their conversion stories and bore some of the sweetest testimonies! At the end, President and Sister Menedenhall gave their farewell talks. As soon as they closed we broke into "Called to Serve" one last time. Again, it was an amazing, surreal moment. Then we mingled a bit to say my goodbyes to people i wouldnt see anymore and then headed back to good ole Boulder!

 

 

Saturday was the hottest day of the week, all of our appointments fell through so we spent all day tracting  and down streets! Even though it was hot, it felt really good! I think I will always prefer hot over the cold snow... lol But we did have success from our efforts! We found 3 new investigators!! 

Sunday was a normal day! The Relief Society president announced that next week was my last week, so now everyone is coming up to me with hugs and well-wishes... cant complain! Especially when they offer food :) Haha just kidding, but it was a good day! We had a lesson with Fred, our recent convert, and he is just doing so well! He got a calling last week to be a Family History Consultant and he is going to the Temple for the first time this Wednesday!! We challenged him to find family names to take so he did! Upon his researching, he discovered he had 3 aunts he never knew about... all died within the 1st year of their birth.... He said it was an incredible feeling and that he didnt know whether to be sad or happy. We explained that it was a great thing, because now he could have their Temple work done!!! So he is very excited!

Well this week is kind of a big week... my last official week in the mission field. Despite this knowledge, we are very busy and lots of things still need to be done so i'm ready to continue to give it my all and live what I have of this missionary life to the fullest!! It saddens me to think this is over soon... a lot actually... But there are always good things to come, no matter what situation we're in! 

 

I know the Savior loves each and every one of us. Our Heavenly Father adores us more than we can comprehend. Knowing this gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow, and the chance to make a brighter today! Hope and Faith can often be interchanged. When we dont have faith, EVERY SINGLE BELIEF we have will start to crumble. There can be no knowledge obtained, no miracles given, and no personal growth until we have faith! Its a precursor to everything!!!! We can strengthen our faith by reading the scriptures and praying daily, going to church weekly, attending the Temple often, and many other things. Of course these are the Sunday school answers- because theyre true! Lets strengthen our faith this week! Trust, hope, and love with all that we have!!!

I love you all dearly! Have a wonderful week!!!

Love Always,

Sister Loyd

Frozen Dead Man

Hello Friends and Family!!!!

 

This week was great! 

To start off I went on exchanges with the Sisters in the COMMERCE CITY area!!!! I was so excited. It was pretty surreal seeing all of my first area again at the end of my mission. Doesn't feel like that long ago, but at the same time feels like a dream.. Weird. Anyhow, we had a long hot day of tracting in front of us and I was excited! We actually had really good conversations with people, got a lot of new investigators and even talked to a renowned leather maker man in his leather making garage! He had a lot to say.. good and bad... but I got his card so if anyone ever needs to order a custom leather anything, i got just the person!! That night the Sisters didn't have a dinner set up so we called the Hiltwines (my recent converts that just went to the Temple) and asked if they would feed us. They readily agreed! We showed up and Sister Morgan was making some yummy pork chops and potato salad! A few minutes later, Doug showed up!! Scotty couldn't be there because he was working, but it almost felt like the gang was back together again!!! We had a wonderful dinner and they teased me a lot, of course. Just like old times! 

Later this week I went to my very last Missionary Leadership Council meeting, also know as the Monthly Lunch Club (because it lasts all day and they feed us lunch)! It was great as always, and they had a lot of trainings about Change and the acceptance thereof. Their motive for this was to prepare the missionaries for the new Mission President coming in and the changes he'll make, but i took it in a different way, and frankly it was just what i need to hear. Change is still no friend of mine though  President and Sister Mendenhall bore their last testimonies and, once again, it was such a tender spiritual moment. We all love them so much. 

Sunday was a pretty unique day! First off, our investigator Noheilani came to church!!!! She's been going through a lot of legal battles as well as health issues, but she made it! Not only that, but our less active Marquette came to church too!! It was such a wonderful meeting with lots of testimonies that seemed to be perfect for our people. Yay! Also, We were asked to join our ward Public Relations Specialist at an event called Interfaith. It's an event hosted by a church conducting a series of interfaith understanding of other religions! It included telling our basic beliefs, answering the common mythical questions, and even eating "Mormon Food". We had to get special permission because its in a mountain town called Nederland. The drive there was spectacular! Winding around the mountains and random boulders was so fun! LET ME TELL YOU HOW CUTE THIS TOWN IS. Its adorable. Right in the middle of the mountains, lots of history, VERY interesting people. Adorable. They even have a famous tradition called the "Frozen Dead Man".... Apparently way back when there was a family who's grandpa died. Instead of burrying him they froze him and kept him in the back porch. Now every year the town holds a festival to remember the "frozen dead man" but parading around the town and sledding down the mountain in coffins and other weird activities. I, unfortunately, did not get to witness this. But there is a gift shop for it! haha anyways, the event went really well and all in all it was a great time! 

This week I have such an appreciation for the Book of Mormon. As I read about the Sons of Mosiah and their journeying around the land I cant help it relate to them. It truly is a wonderful feeling to be able to relate to these great missionaries at the end of your mission. I'm taking it as a testament that I've done the work the Lord has commanded me to do. I'M NOT DONE YET THOUGH. I've got pleeeeenty of time to still do more, and i will never let up! 

My invitation this week to you all is to sincerely read the Book of Mormon. Put yourself in the mix and see what stands out to you- it can and will make all the difference. 

Love you guys so much!!!

Have a great week!!!

Sister Loyd

If it was your last day on earth what would you eat?

Hello Hello Everyone!!

Just a fair warning this may be a lame email because its been a pretty average week. Sorry in advance!

Ok so like I said its been a pretty average week, but of course some un-average things happened, as they always do. Here are the highlights! On May 17 at 7 pm it began to hail.. just baby pieces so we kept working. Well that it got much more intense and much bigger. Finally it got to the point we had to seek shelter so our car wouldn't get damaged! We went to a gas station and parked... Well we weren't the only people with this idea. Soon many-a-cars were packed like sardines under the cover and we all just waited as golf balls fell from the sky! It was quite the event. Once we felt it was safe we drove home. 

 

Next day rolls along and we look outside to see it BLIZZARDING! IN MAY!!!! (typical Colorado..) But, we still had to work! We met with one of our new investigators named Juice and he didn't flake!! Aka he's awesome! Plus his name is Juice so that makes him more awesome. We talked with him about the Restoration and later this week we met and went over the Plan of Salvation. Both went really well!! He leaves for LA this week for 2 weeks, so lets pray we'll continue to meet when he gets back!

The next day com

es and guess what... most of the snow is almost melted.. again, typical Colorado. I kinda love it :) So there was a recent convert who was being taught by Elders and they just passed him off to us! So we met with them and man he is a hoot! His name is Chris Harget and his wife, Lyndsey, grew up in the church. We taught our lesson and then did "get to know you questions" which consisted of "Would you do the Ultra-Death challenge?(where you eat the spiciest hot sauce and not have anything for at least 2 minutes"... that was a no. "If it was your last day on earth what would you eat? (he decided crab legs... guess what we're having for dinner next week with them... crab legs. lol). And "Who's your favorite NFL team?". All very important questions. Even though we have opposing favorites for NFL teams I think we won his trust by telling him my dad is a rock star and knows people from big bands.. He liked that. Thanks dad 

 

Later this week our zone leaders got a call that there was a lady who needed a blessing. She lives in our area so we all met up at her apartment! Her name is Noheilani and she's from Hawaii! Turns out many years ago she was taught by some missionaries who she stayed in touch with. She had just had two heart attacks- one earlier that week and one that morning- and the former Elder was very worried and called the missionaries to give a blessing. Well we got to know her a bit and they went to give her a blessing. She warned us and said "The last time I got a blessing the ground actually shook.. we all felt it.. so if it happens again, just know im not possessed or something, its just God." No pressure... lol. But they gave her a beautiful blessing and you could just feel the spirit so strong in the room. The Elders proceeded to leave and we got to teach her! She remembers a lot and has a very strong faith in God!! We talked about baptism and wow.. the Spirit was strong... She expressed that the only reason she isn't baptized is because of some family drama with particular members who are in our ward... We talked a lot about that, consoled her, and offered a plan on how to over come it using the Atonement. She began to cry, foreseeing the hard journey she was about to begin, but she agreed! It was an amazing experience and another testament to me that no matter how deep someone has offended us, or how rooted our grudges are, there is nothing that is strong enough to over power the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The key is to Let Him Help You. If we don't let Him in, there is no way He can help us. Its our choice, that's the beauty of agency!

 

The next day I went on exchanges with Sister Nielsen.... yea we had a ball. It was so nice to be with her again, just like old times! The rest of the week was the same ole same ole!
 

At a stake conference I went to on exchanges there was a quote that really stood out to me. It was, "First we must seek to understand, before we can be understood". How true it is. If we evaluate our relationships in life and ask "Do you feel understood?" we may be amazed at the answers we get. But most importantly, we must do this in our relationship with Christ. Do we truly understand Him? If so, fantastic! If not, do something about it. The only difference here is that He already understands you perfectly! So its just on us now. I promise a relationship with the Savior is a worthwhile venture!! It will bless you more than you can imagine!!

Well I love you all!! Hope you have a great week!!!

Until next week,

Sister Loyd 

That's right I pushed a car...

Hello Everybody!!!!

Hope you all had a great week! 

This week was kinda crazy! It was the last week of the transfer, which always calls for craziness! 

Since I updated you last week up to Wednesday, you now get a full account of the happenings from Thursday on :). 

Thursday we had District meeting and had a normal day... UNTIL we got a call at lunch from someone in our ward who works in the Seminary and Institute Department. She said a nonmember lady called in and asked if she could get help moving today. Whenever somebody asks help with moving we're just a little weary because we know how much time and people it takes to do that, and we usually get placed with more responsibilities in the move than we anticipated. But the question we posed was "What would Christ do?". Especially since she was a nonmember and could potentially investigate the church because of this. So we texted our zone and asked for help and we went over to their apartment. A few Elders came over and we got there and saw they had hardly packed anything at all. We found out they were being evicted and had to be out by 12 that night. They had some health issues and couldn't lift anything. So we packed and loaded all their stuff into a van from the 3rd floor over the span of a few hours. Then she told us we had to go to her new place and unpack stuff, then come back and get the rest of the boxes and furniture in the garage.... so we did. This also involved pushing out her broken down car from the garage. That's right I pushed a car  lol anyways, It took hours and hours and by the time we told her we had to go cause of curfew, we were exhausted and covered in yummy bugs :)))) I quickly showered and when we got home and passed out.

Well the next morning we had to go BACK to the old place and finish packing up all her stuff and take it to the new place and completely unload everything as well. We recruited the whole zone this time in hopes of finishing a lot sooner. We did thank goodness! She was very nice and offered to have us ALL over for dinner (which is illegal in the mission) and that if we're ever in the area to stop by and get some water. So we're hoping the Elders in her area take advantage of that and baptize her one day 

The next day we had to do our weekly planning and it was a whole 87 degrees outside!! So we planned outside at a park on a blanket to get some much needed sun. It was beautiful. Don't worry I used sunscreen! The rest of the day we tried by some people and tracted a bit here and there!

Sunday was just a regular Sunday except that it WASNT! It was Amber's bday!!! So that made it a good day. :) Later that day our main investigators dropped us... so that was sad. BUT we gave D'ona a call and she opened up to us about everything! She still wants us to come and teach the kids, so we are going to see her tonight and continue prepping them for baptism!!! GOD IS GOOD, MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!!

This week is the start of a new transfer, and the transfer results for me areeeee...... *drum roll*..... I'M STAYING IN BOULDER!!! Thank goodness. I really wanted to stay, and with Sister Mietus, and both happened!!! However, as STL's we covered 2 sets of Sisters. Well with all the lack of Sisters coming in they had to get rid of a set of STLs and give more sets of sisters to us to cover! (did that makes sense?) Anyways, we now cover FOUR sets of sisters in 3 different zones!!!!!!!! This is crazy. We have to go on exchanges with each set as well as plan sister's Pdays and there's only 6 weeks to do it. Our President's wife texted us about and said "This will make your last transfer fly sister Loyd!".... That's pretty much the last thing I wanted to hear.... haha BUT my beloved Sister Nielsen is one of the Sisters I cover now!! I believe she was sent so that she can actually help ME from having a meltdown at the end of the mission.... so stay tuned!!

With a new transfer coming around Sister Mietus and I have rededicated ourselves to being exactly obedient. And let me tell you the blessings are already abundant!! There is such a joy in obedience!!! Mosiah 2:41 is the scripture i live by. It promises happiness and prosperity with obedience and it really is a true principle of the Gospel!! I invite you all to reflect on your own obedience- to the commandments and to your covenants- and see if you're being exact in following them! I promise the Lord will bless you to strengthen them as you make the resolve to be better! Again, it has brought and continues to bring some of the greatest joy I've felt!! 

I love you all so much! Happy Mother's Day in advance to all the wonderful Mother's out there!! We love you and appreciate all you do!!! (especially mine)!

Have a great Week!

Love Always, 

Sister Loyd

Coincidence, I think NOT!

Hello Hello Hello!! Another week has come and gone... I'm not liking this time flying thing. But oh well!

This week was full of many-a-things! 

Monday started off with emailing of course, but then we went to our Zone Pday activity. We hiked Flatirons again and it was so beautiful! I love that hike! Pictures to come. 

The next day was a pretty normal day of service and lessons and trying to find people to teach! We had a lesson with Fred, our recently baptized investigator, and HE had to teach US the Restoration. Usually when we do this style of lesson the person is pretty shy and we help fill in here and there. Not with Fred. He stood up and asked us questions and paced as he taught and at the end, bore the most sweet and tender testimony that brought us all to tears. That man has a special Spirit and is going to be a huge blessing to the Lord's kingdom!!! That night we went on exchanges with some of our sisters.  

Wednesday was exchanges and I was in the Arvada 1st ward with Sister Callens- my original MTC comp!  This area is the closest you can get to the Mountains in our mission- it actually goes in the mountains a little bit. So it was beautiful! I got to meet all their top investigators and talk to lots of people. The highlight was when we went to Qdoba for lunch and a man, as we were walking out, approached us. I thought 'how cool, we didn't even have to awkwardly approach him, he wants to talk to us!'. Well he comes up and asks how old I was. I said 20 and he said okay, I'm Tom by the way and shook my hand. As I was introducing my self he blurted out "You're Beautiful" and then said "oh.. Sister.. okay"... I cracked up and said thank you! Then continued to tell him what we do as missionaries! He was very nice but politely declined. As we left we couldn't help laugh at the experience! It was a fun exchange. 

The next day was the infamous 4/20 in the great weed legal state of Colorado! Luckily we were mostly in meetings and doing reports and so on. But we did get some time to go out and tract! We started in an apartment complex and everyone was pretty rude. While leaving we looked up to see which building we were in and realized we had tracted building #420.... Coincidence, I think NOT! *teacher from Incredibles voice*. That night we went to our weekly Book of Mormon class where the Elders taught! They did really well! Fred met up with us at the Church right after and we taught him the Plan of Salvation. We got to the part about the Spirit World and his ancestors waiting there. We explained about Temples and the work we do for them inside and he broke down in tears.  We asked what he was feeling and after gaining composure he said "honored... trusted.... loved.... I want to give them the feelings that I'm feeling. This is so important". It truly is moments like these where I am so touched to be the Lord's servant, proclaiming these lost truths to people and seeing it click for them! It IS so important! Bringing the Gospel to everyone is the most important thing we could ever be doing!!!  We went on with the lesson and got through all the Kingdoms of glory. After explaining the Telestial Kingdom he whispered to himself "we all have a place to go.. He loves us so much..." and buried his face in his hands again.  Fred feels the Spirit so strong.  Its been amazing to teach him and see the Gospel light up his eyes with understanding and in turn feel the Spirit so strongly too. We love Fred. 

Friday was a pretty normal day of planing and teaching. Saturday, however, was quite fun! We were called to come help at a High School and set up for something called JAM. Apparently, a lot of the schools out here do a huuuuge after party at the high school after Prom to keep the kids safe and out of trouble. They go all out for this! We got there and the walls were covered in detailed murals of Mario Kart, Candy Crush, Star Wars, Clash of Clans, Tetris, etc! They had rooms set up for each them. They also had the coolest real-life props and decorations! For instance, in Mario Kart they had teenager sized tricycles decorated to go through the "Mario Kart race track". It was crazy! So we helped put up posters, decorate the walls, set up chairs and tables, etc etc. It brought flashbacks to high school and prom, which was weird, but also fun! The rest of the day we were running from appointment to appointment which is the best feeling ever! Saturday was great :) 

Sunday was Ward Conference. They taught a lot about Self Reliance and Visiting/Home teaching. I love that the church is pushing this more and more! What a help and blessing it will be to so many people! That day was really open so we took the time to tract and find more people to teach! This time the people weren't so rude. They were very nice in fact!! Almost right off the bat we had two great discussions with two different families, gave them Books of Mormon, and have an appointment to see them this week! We are so excited!! That night we had an STL meeting and it was so good to see Sis Nielsen again, and all the other STLs as well! We shared in our struggles and strengths and talked about how we can better handle situations with the sisters we cover. Very helpful!

Today is Pday and the plans are to get my hair done  I forgot what that's like, but when your investigator offers and you're desperate its always a yes!! This week Doug Hiltwine, my first baptism on the mission and the son of Scott Hiltwine, is going to the Temple!!! We get to go and Sister Platt will be there as well!! We are sooooooooo excited. Prepare for another water works of a story next week. 

I hope you guys have a great week this coming week! For me, the monotony of life kicks in sometimes, but when that happens I just find something to do! For instance, i think "how can I be better this week than I was last week?" Then start making plans to achieve it.  This makes life exciting! Each day you're striving towards something and you feel accomplished at the end of the day by meeting your small tasks set.  The Gospel is all centered on action and progression. We cannot sit idly by and expect our testimony to grow. If we're not moving forward, we're moving backward. Ive seen and felt the pure joy that comes from progression in one's self and its a very fulfilling thing! I challenge you all this week to work on something thats been an obstacle for you. Make a plan to over come it and DO IT! Its only 7 days.. at first. Then it becomes natural! I promise as you enlist the Lord's help, He will let you know what it is you need to work on and how, and then He will help you through it! 

I love this Gospel, I love this work, I love being a missionary!! 

Love you all! 

Till Next Week,

Sister Loyd  

You saved me!

Hello EveryBunny! Happy Easter!!

This week leading up to Easter was truly a miraculous one. 

Monday we started teaching D'ona's kids and they are great! Of course, a little rowdy, but actually had sincere questions and wanted to learn! They all want to get baptized and now have their own personal copies of the Book of Mormon to read! They are so great!

Tuesday is a day I will forever hold near and dear to my heart. My dear Scott Hiltwine, whom I taught and baptized a year ago, went through the Temple for the first time!! I got permission and we drove down to the Temple. We didn't see them walk in so we decided to go see if they were already inside. We change dour clothes, sat in the chapel, and anxiously awaited to see him. Finally, the Temple workers instructed those who were here for Scott to come to the room with him. We all proceeded in a line into the room. As soon as I saw him I couldn't help but burst into tears. We shook hands and held on, looking/crying at each other. Then he whispered "I promised you. April 11th, that was our promise to each other!" I recalled the previous year setting that as his goal, but then a thought ran through my mind that this promise was before that. At that moment I realized this was a promise we made to each other in the Pre-Mortal Life. All I could do was cry and nod. He had made it! Him and his wife finally made it!! THIS is what missionary work is all about- bringing our brothers and sisters to the temple to open the doors of Heaven and make more covenants with the Lord! My heart is so full. 

Wednesday we were running all around to try and prepare for our training we were going to give at Zone Conference! It was kind of crazy but we had to go to our appointment. We debated on rescheduling it due to our lack of time, but we decided to go anyways. This lesson was with a girl named Clarissa. We taught her the Restoration and she seemed to receive it well! We asked at the end about baptism and she said yes!!! She is preparing to be baptized on May 13th! Take that Satan!

Thursday was our Zone Conference day and all went well! Our training was on how to not approach people awkwardly using the Easter Initiative and it went great! Friday we did service and had a few lessons- a normal missionary day. 

All throughout the week we had been frantically preparing Fred for baptism- we weren't sure we were going to make it through the lessons in time for Saturday. But we did it!!!! HE did it!!! Saturday afternoon, April 15, Fred Gonzales was baptized!!! It was a beautiful baptism and he cried the whole time. It was one of the most Spiritual baptisms I've ever attended. Fred was so prepared and he truly will excel in the Lord's Kingdom!!! Following Fred was another investigator in our ward, Chris Hargett, got baptized! He was being taught by his Nephew who is a missionary in our mission. I got to see as their family gathered together and the Nephew performed the ordinance that will open the doors to Heaven and give them the possibility of being an Eternal Family! It was such an amazing experience and i was once again reminded of the great role our families play in this life! They mean everything!! 

Sunday was a beautiful Easter Morning! I woke up and before I even got out of bed, Sister Mietus brought me my Easter package and we opened ours together!! (Thanks for the package, it was bomb! I felt the love from afar and i gobbled up the seaweed and rice ) Then we went off to church where there was a wonderful service. Fred and Chris were both confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost!! Another beautiful experience! Later that day we went to our Bishop's house with Fred and had Easter Dinner- Roast with apple jello and broccoli! Not a traditional Easter meal but delicious all the same! Followed by some strawberry shortcake and a goodie bag of chocolates! They are very good to us. When it was time to leave we started gathering our things and Fred said "Where are you going? You cant go anywhere, you're my Sisters! You saved me!"Even though he was joking, my heart was still so full. He went on to say how we've forever blessed his life. I reminded him that it wasn't us, It was God and Jesus Christ. He agreed but insisted we were apart of it...
 

I cant describe the love I feel for the people I teach and for Jesus Christ and His Gospel. I know I sound so cheesy but its real! The work of the Lord to Preach His Gospel is the most rewarding work I will ever do. I love being a missionary, a tool in the Lord's hands. I love seeing people's faces light up when things click and they realize the "good news" of the Gospel! I love the blessings we receive each day to be able to keep going! 

 

This week was a Holy Week for sure, but as I read the scriptural accounts of the Savior's life day by day I was humbled to remember what He went through. The Savior's suffering and death was tragic, but necessary. His Resurrection- even more so! Because of Him we can now overcome sin, sorrow, pain, etc. Because of Him we can ALL overcome death! Because of Him we can have eternal life with our families!!! I love my Savior. I love this season we have to celebrate Him! I hope you all felt close to Him yesterday as we commemorate what He's done.

I hope you all have a great week this week!!! I love you all!!

Love Always,

Sister Loyd