Hello family and friends!!! I love and miss you all!
This week was pretty good! Monday all the Sisters in our adjacent zone as well as Sister Mendenhall went on a Hike- beautiful! That night, however, we got a referral from one of the members that their daughter and her husband want to take the missionary lessons that night at 7. We found out they weren't in our ward boundaries, so we called the elders over them to see if they'd be available on short notice and they weren't. So we went ahead and got permission to teach them that night. Upon arrival they welcomed us in lovingly! They have a 4 year old daughter, who's hilarious and spunky, named Farrah and a newborn named Julian. As we sat and talked it became apparent how well we all clicked and how prepared they were to receive the Gospel. There were tears, as the Spirit was really strong there. I definitely felt something, and I automatically loved them. I wanted to keep teaching them so bad but I knew we had to pass them off to the Elders. Well, the next night they had a lesson with the elders, but afterward they texted us... Apparently they did not have a good experience with the Elders and some things they said really turned them off.. So they want US to teach them now! We called our President and got permission so we are now going to teach this sweet family! Afterward, I pondered on the idea if God would send me somewhere knowing I was supposed to teach somebody that wasn't under my Jurisdiction. My answer came as the voice of my mom as she once wisely told me, "a mission is not a location..."
Tuesday I got to email you guys, due to Presidents day. I did learn something great about the founding fathers at a dinner I had! On a member's wall was a big picture of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, etc signing the Constitution. On Washington's chair was engraved a half-sun. Benjamin Franklin (I believe) said he used to ask himself if it was a rising sun or a setting sun... meaning if their cause would fail or succeed. After the Constitution was signed, he knew it was a rising sun! I thank those men for their bravery and honor in helping develop this country! God Bless America ![[?]](https://mail.google.com/mail/e/fe4e6)
Wednesday was full of talking to people and teaching lessons! Very productive! That night, we went to institute with our investigator Dustin. That was my first time ever at institute and it was really good! I learned a lot and I know Dustin did too! Dustin is a little slow... we think he has some form of Autism as well as some damage to his brain from previous drug use - but he is very knowledgeable in the scriptures! Anyways, getting him to do anything has been like pulling teeth. He likes to meet with us, but coming to church has been hard for him, as well as reading, etc. This week was our Stake Conference and we promised him it would be really great and asked if he would come. He said yes! But of course, only time would tell if he really meant it...
Thursday was interesting.. It started out with my first district meeting! The Zone Leaders came to teach us. My Zone Leaders right now are Elder Kieth and Elder Stradling. I was there when Elder Kieth was "born" to the mission, I watched him being trained, and also found out he dated my friend's little sister! Elder Stradling is actually Elder Kieth's 2nd cousin or something, as they both grew up in Gilbert Arizona! Anyways, my point is, to me they seem like my little brothers, so to see them as my leaders and listen to their teachings was very interesting! haha Later that day we had to go to a chevy dealership to fix our car... that took a little while. Then we went home for dinner, but on the way there we got a flat tire... so right after dinner we went to Firestone.. that took some time as well.. by the time we were done we had about an hour or two to work and then we had to go home! our whole stinkin' day was filled with car stuff... lol at least we know were safe!
Friday was another normal missionary day, as well as Saturday! We found some new people to teach that we are excited about, so stay tuned! We did have a really cool dinner with a Japanese man who made us very authentic Japanese food! I had tempura water lilly
Sunday was Stake Conference. We waited and waited for Dustin to arrive but finally we had to go sit down. During the opening hymn, I turned around to see Dustin walking in with the biggest smile on his face!!! It was adorable!! He sat with some members a few rows behind us for the meeting. It was a beautiful meeting to say the least. I never used to cry but I swear I'm a bawl baby now.. its fine. lol But right after the meeting a member who has been fellowshipping Dustin (Trevor) asked if we could have a picnic/lesson with him after the meeting- we agreed. As he was grabbing our food (Pb&js with oranges) Dustin was stopped by some members who started talking to him about jobs. He has been struggling with finding jobs and this particular member owned a business where she hires and fires people regularly! She was able to talk some sense into him and really let him know what he needs to do to get what he wants! It was amazing because it was totally inspired but she helped him in a way we could never help him.
Please know how much missionaries value members and their wisdom and testimony!!! You help more than you know! Anyways, after that we proceeded to set up our "picnic" in the foyer of the church to have our lesson.... lol that was a first. But the lesson actually went quite beautifully. There are moments as a missionary when you can really feel the Holy Ghost take over. Everything comes out naturally and you feel completely guided as to what to say and how to help- this was how i felt. By the end of the lesson we were able to commit Dustin to a baptismal date of April 15!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A BIG DEAL GUYS! Not only did Dustin go to church, but he agreed to be baptized as well!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!!! The rest of that day was full of meetings, including a meeting with all the STLs in the mission at the Presidents house. It was so good to see all my favorite sisters, as well as Sister Sherwood and Sister Nielsen! They are my besties man. They help me so much. But we all stuffed our faces with strawberry shortcake (not as good as Parksdale Farms of course) and talked about our future sisters conference and what to do.
I feel so blessed to be where I'm at. The Atonement has blessed my life so abundantly and I'm still amazed at the far reach that it has in all our lives! I love this Gospel. I love my Savior. :)
Have a great week everyone!!!
Sister Loyd
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