I then found out her other brother lives in Lakeland, Florida

As missionaries we have a little box in our car that monitors our driving called Tiwi. Its the bane of our existence. Well ours broke so the mission took ours out and let us drive without one for a few days! It was the best few days EVER! I title this No Tiwi, No Problem. :)


 

Hello Hello!!! Another week gone- whoa!

Jk it kinda seemed like a long week... but short at the same time? That's missionary time for ya.

This week was good! Still doing missionary work , still finding new people, still bearing the "cold." Lol it really hasn't been super cold, but its right on the cusp of chilly/warmish... very confusing, I'm not sure how to dress! So I just bring my big snow coat with me everywhere and hope for the best. 

This week we had a lesson with our investigator Edgar and it went really well! We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he really liked it! He has his "own beliefs and concerns" but, of course, whenever you introduce something to someone for the first time they don't always latch on. However, he did say that he really likes our perspective and it coincides with a lot of what he believes! Which is good for him because he's been so cynical about religion. He is also very very sweet AND KEEPS HIS APPOINTMENTS! #bless

Please oh please if you ever talk to the missionaries.... don't NOT keep your appointment. That is so hard. But its all good!

Later this week we went to church. Upon our arrival our Ward Mission Leader told us his long lost half sister is here visiting and knows nothing about the church! So he asked if we could teach The Plan of Salvation in Gospel Principles. So we did! The whole time we were doing it I could really feel the Spirit so strong. The members testified a lot! And we testified. There is nothing more fulfilling and Spirit inviting than the bearing of one's pure testimony. Its the witness that this isn't phony, but real and true and perfect! I love this Gospel. Anyway, the lesson went great and we separated for classes. In between I talked with her about where she's from and what she does. Turns out she's a Human Resource Manager! I told her all about how my mom does that and her adventures, and she related perfectly! I then found out her other brother lives in LAKELAND, FLORIDA. Hello. On top of that, her daughter is a dancer and does all kinds of dance! So needless to say we got a long and I hope there were many seeds planted (she left for New Jersey right after church). 

Today is Xander's (Sabrina's our investigators son) 4th birthday! We were invited to his Octonaughts themed birthday breakfast party.  So we bought him a little gift and went over this morning- everyone was so cute! We met a lot of their neighbor friends who asked us questions about being missionaries.  On our way out, Xander asked if we could "say a prayer to Jesus!". It melted my heart. So the whole party stopped and we said a prayer with everybody!! It was such a fun and memorable moment.  

I am grateful to be here and doing the Lord's work. Yea it gets hard, yea you lose motivation and get sick sometimes. But overall, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else! There was a quote in Sacrament meeting from a man about missionary work. It was actually from his Patriarchal blessing, but he said how this quote definitely is not just for him. He said "Be patient as you teach others. Not all of them will be prepared to receive the Gospel, but they will listen." I LOVE this because most of the time as a missionary, this is what we experience. People who are willing to listen and like what they hear, but that aren't willing to change their lives to accept the Gospel.  However, NO effort is wasted! The Lord works in mysterious ways.  People may not accept it now, they may not even accept it later, but who's to say they wont accept it in the Spirit world. I know and can testify that MIRACLES. DO. HAPPEN. If we have the faith to see them and allow them to happen... I say this not just because it helps me, but because I hope it helps you! We are ALL called to the work of spreading the Gospel! It is one of the covenants we make with our Father in Heaven from the very beginning. Don't let fear, pride, or assumption get in the way of truly doing what we were sent here to do. Those are all attributes from Satan, and who did we want to heed? Not Him. So whenever we think of someone, or receive a prompting to talk to someone, etc., HEED THAT! Not your doubts. Only good will come from following the promptings of the Spirit and bearing pure, strong testimony!! 

I hope all you guys have a great week and pray for missionary opportunities- and then DO IT! I promise, its the best! 

I love you all and miss you too! May God Bless you and the USA.

Anyways, Love all of you!!

Sister Loyd💕

 

 

I forgot to share a funny moment with you all! This week we were contacting someone and they left the door open to go get their spouse.  Their dogs were barking incessantly through the screen door. It was so loud! Jokingly, I said to the dog, Peace, Be still.. and it stopped barking and walked away!!! So funny but a miracle in and of itself!!! Haha Its the little things really. Ok forreal, love you all have a great week bye!