...and when we said LDS she froze!

Hello all!

It's so good to hear from everyone this week! I miss you all and hope all is well!

 

My heart hurts as I have found out the news about the shooter in Orlando.  Someone told me while we were at dinner and I just couldn't believe it.  My prayers go out to the families and victims and I pray for all of y'alls safety and peace in these troubled times.  In a world of seemingly increasing chaos, we need now, more than ever, to turn to the Lord.  Not just in prayer, but in scripture study, Sunday worship, becoming more Christ-like in all we do, serving/loving others, and so on.  Some may question "Why does God allow evil and suffering to occur?" Read 2 Nephi 2, Alma 14:9-11, 60:13.  Sometimes bad things happen so we can know the good we have, or its to humble everyone to help us draw closer to the Lord (Mosiah 21). The list goes on and on.  There will never be an end to the craziness around us that we can't control, BUT we do have control over how we feel and react.  The only way to find true, lasting peace is to ask God and apply the Atonement in our lives.  Jesus Christ did not suffer and die for us just to make a cool story- it's so in times JUST LIKE THESE, we have someone to turn to, who knows PERFECTLY how we feel, and because of that can help us overcome our trials in the personal way it requires.  I love you all so much.  It is my prayer that you all can gain a testimony of the Divine Sacrifice given for us by using it DAILY! That's the key.

Okay, sad note over! 

 

So this week has been pretty great! It was SUPA hot! Got to 109 degrees one day! Okay the car had been sitting awhile in the sun.. but still! That's hot! Of course, it's a different kind of hot than Florida and the thought of being in that humid makes me gag.. lol not really, but kudos to ya'll for putting up with it! Not sure if I'll be able to do it when I get home.. Anyways, we've had a lot of success this week! First, we had a Zone Conference (a big meeting for the missionaries) on Tuesday - IT. WAS. AWESOME.  SOOO spiritually uplifting, very informative, and I got to see everyone from last Transfer!! We got to go to the Church in Parker and wow that place is just beautiful.  But apparently South Parker (where sister Borup went) is even more beautiful!!! So hopefully one day ill go there too! Anyway, I've learned a lot since being here and can feel myself changing little by little, but there is something that's happened that can just testify of how much I've grown. (Parents, get ready to be all kinds of proud).  I, Sister Loyd (and Sister Riddle), won the CLEANEST CAR COMPETITION!!!!!!! WOOT WOOOOT!!!!!!!!!! Yes you heard right, we won the cleanest car competition out of all the missionaries in 3 stakes.  We got a $25 gift card to ChickfilA and a nice little plaque :) It was a great day! Haha it was probably rigged but I hung that plaque up proudly!

After Zone Conference, we got a referral to see a man named Jose. We didn't know much about him but went to visit.  We got to his house and he was home, so we talked and taught the Restoration on his door step.  At then end, we asked him to be baptized on July 2 and he said yes!! Later in the week we went and saw him again, and he was super into it still and wanted to be baptized! We're excited to keep teaching him and see how far he will come!
 

We've also met with a lot of others who are willing to be taught, so this week will be very productive! 

Saturday we went on exchanges (we switch companions with other Sisters for a day) and Sister Sherwood came to downtown with me! She is SO fun and we had a blast, plus saw a lot of miracles! People gave us money for lunch and dinner (and ice cream) and everyone we tried to go see ended up being home! There was even one case where we went into a 13 step program house and didn't think we'd be able to be let in at all. However, as soon as we walked inside there was a man just standing in a hallway. He turned, saw us and said "Hey! You're from the church! I need your help!"  We introduced ourselves and he stated how he had just come from Utah and was recently baptized and wanted to go to church but didn't know where it was.  He also wanted to meet with us regularly and work towards receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood! So we arranged that and will be meeting with him soon!

Another funny story/miracle-  we went to visit someone else who had just moved in and he said we could meet outside his apartment building.  When he came down, he asked to go across the parking lot by the dumpster so that no one else could "hear our business"... It was still out in the open, so we agreed and followed him.  As soon as we got to the dumpster and started talking, it began POURING down rain! We ran back to the apartment building and stood under the pavilion.  We were able to share a message with him, but in the middle of it two different women, who had come close to seek shelter from the rain,  heard us and asked if they could join and we could say a prayer for them!!! We all joined hands and together said a prayer in the middle of a rainstorm.  It was beautiful! I began talking to one lady to give her our phone number while Sister Sherwood talked to the other.  The other lady asked what church we were from and when we said LDS she froze, asked "Mormon?", and before we could answer, ran away! We thought.. okayyyy see ya later.. but then she turned around and came back and asked Sister Sherwood if we believed that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  She was able to testify to her that He is, meanwhile I was talking with the other lady and sharing my testimony, while the guy we had originally came to see waited patiently, WHILE a

hurricane passed over us! It was such a crazy experience.  Finally, everyone went their separate ways and just before we stepped out into the ran to go back to our car, it stopped.. We were able to walk safely to our car and go home without any problems! I look back now and realize what a tremendous role Heavenly Father played in manipulating the weather to get us where we needed to be so we could see the people He wanted us to see, and then safely get home! Miracles DO happen people, and they happen everyday!!!! 

Well I'm running out of time but it was a great week and I can't wait to see what next week has in store as well! Thank you for your constant prayers and thoughts, I see and feel the difference!

Everybody please stay safe, pray often, read the scriptures, go to church and turn to the Lord!! He's waiting to bless you, His precious children.

Prayers are going your way. I love and miss you all!!!!

Until next week

Sister Loyd 💗