Small and Simple Things

November 7, 2012

The reason why I've entitled this one small and simple means is this. You know how I told you a couple weeks ago that we had 10 investigators? well now we have 3. Last week we dropped a few and got dropped but a few. So instead of stacking up time teaching, we tracted! Can I just tell you how much I love tracting? It's the absolute best thing in the world! Seriously. Steven and Russell probably think I'm crazy, but I truly feel like every time Elder Belo and I go out that we are being directed by the Lord to someone who needs us. It was that way last week. We had a half hour conversation with a mother real estate agent who asked us if we had already knocked the entire street. She told us that missionaries had never stopped by her place and we asked her if we could and she said yes. Then a college student that we had found my first week in the field that we've talked to on several occasions about why we're out here and what happened in our lives to give up everything that we had going for us for two years to serve the Lord, we asked her if she'd like to learn and actually have the lessons and she said sure. She told us the first time we saw her that she was looking for a good christian church here in Portland to attend. Then we had dinner with J. and W. F. on Sunday. Had some gluten free pizza, which was delicious by the way, just a bit gummier than normal bread. At the end we asked them if they'd like to learn what the missionaries have to teach, and they we super open to it despite the fact that they went through a spiritual "finding" about 10 years ago. Maybe what they need is the Preach My Gospel lessons and not the memorized discussions. who knows, all I know is that in all 3 of these cases, we befriended them first some for weeks and weeks and others for just 30 minutes. It was only after they knew who we were that they became willing to listen to the message. So it shall be with you in your lives. When people get to know who you are, people will be willing to take the lessons, but if you never ask them, they will never ask you! Be willing to open your mouth. It's easy. I do it all the time, but usually my foot goes inside it ;) ha ha just kidding. But seriously... small and simple means.

The same thing happened to me with the elders in my district. I will admit, I had been feeling some pressure from my fellow missionaries. It was weird. A lot of them think that I'm too intense. This last week I made it a point to make go out on a limb and try to actually make friends with some of them. To my surprise, I really connected well with two elders who just white washed into an area that just got split in half. Again though, it was only after they knew who I was that they were willing to open up. I promise that life gets easier when you open up. We've been trying to teach that to one of our ward missionaries who is with us nearly daily. he's 73 and never had a family and is a convert to the church, so he dedicates almost all of his time to the Lord by being our means of transportation if we need it. We try not to use him unless we have to though, we were given bikes for a reason. hopefully I can send a picture home of him soon. His name is Brother R., and yes he's German, but he doesn't speak it one lick. He's never been east of the border of Yellowstone, and that was only because he worked there for a few years. He's a character and much fun to be with, he's just super introverted and shy, but he has genuine interest in the gospel and the investigators. He's with us for like 75% of our lessons. It's pretty sweet.Anyway the library is about to close, so I'll talk to you next week. I'll close with this though.

When our testimony grows so does our desire to become a master teacher, more obedient, increase work ethic, and better our attitude. If you don't want to work, look at your testimony and see how you can strengthen it. If you don't want to be obedient, look at the miracle of what Jesus Christ has done for you personally and then pray to feel of the reality of it and of His love for you. I promise that if you do, He will answer through the Holy Ghost and your desires for disobedience with disappear. Remember gratitude. Gratitude for everything that blesses your life, even if it's just the clothes on your back, when you are grateful to the Lord, it makes you curious about the nature of God and His plan for you and as you ask, you shall receive. So, if you want answers from God, start by being grateful for what you already have. I know that He will bless you so much there won't be room enough to receive it! I love you all and I want to hear from you. Including you Yvette/Steven/Melissa/Josh/Diana/Friends who read this on the blog! just in case you don't know, my email is kentl@myldsmail.net

Tell me about the miracles in your life! I want to hear about them.

sincerely,

Your Elder Lloyd