I'm happy that your Canada Day went well. I gave a bunch of the Canada things to Jayne and her kids because they love Canada, and because I want to be their favorite missionary (don't let the other missionaries know...haha).
High River sounds like it is in an awful state. It is so good that people are willing to help and that dad was able to go up and help. I love how people can come together when they face hardships and that they c an help and support each other. Can you imagine what it would be like if people were too selfish to help each other after disaster? I think that would be the point where the world would just crumble to pieces.
Tricia and Mark got a dog? That's funny because of all people I didn't think they would do it. That's fun though. The more hair I find on the counters from the last people that lived in my flat, the more I tell myself that I am never having a pet, unless it is hairless, or unless it is a wallaby. (Don't quote me on that later though because some dogs are really cute.)
Good luck to Gilbert! This will be a great adventure and an even greater learning experience. I'm glad that we have so many missionaries in the family. Yay!
This week has been really great. Sister Jodicke and I have been finding so many miracles as we have been teaching and finding. We almost reached Standards this week without even realizing it until Friday. 'Standards' is what everyone tries to reach, but it is really difficult especially in a whitewashing area. We were so close but on Saturday night, our appointment fell thorough and most of the people who were going to come to church the next day, bailed. We were really disappointed but we kept working hard and using our time wisely even though we knew we couldn't get Standards. We had to remind ourselves that it isn't about the numbers, but about how hard we work toward helping the people.
We met a really adorable South Korean girl on the street last week. Her name is Fiona. She was receptive to our message and we found out she lives really close to us, which is SO nice. She has been meeting with us pretty often and she came to church with us yesterday and loved it. She was happy with how friendly the people were and how it felt in the church building. She even asked us to find out if there is a church near her in South Korea. She was a huge blessing to us and we are grateful that we found her. It is amazing that sometimes when you don't think street contacting will be successful, it is. I didn't feel at the time that I was prompted to talk to her, but looking back, I know that I was. That is why it is so important to talk to EVERYONE.
There was an experience a few days ago that really made me realize how much i have come to love the people, and how I am learning more and more how Christ must feel when He sees people in unfortunate circumstances. We were a bit early to go to our tea appointment so we decided to knock around the area. We came across this 80+ year old lady and started talking to her. She told us that she has no way to change her beliefs now because she is so old, and sick, and deaf, and she can't even make it to her own church. She told us that she's dizzy all of the time, and she can't do anything. She said she hopes every night that she can pass on. It was really sad as she told us of her struggles, and we told her that she is a daughter of God and that He loves her. she had no faith or hope left and she said she had no desire for it. I felt so terrible for her, and I don't think I have ever felt so much compassion in all of my life. I asked her if we could offer a prayer with her. As I started to pray, I just cried. I never imagined that I would ever cry like that for someone I didn't know, and right in front of them. I desired so baldy for her to know that God loves her. That's all I prayed for, and I still pray that she will come to know that. We are going to visit with her tomorrow and see how she is doing.
I have had so many good experiences this week, although I have had a lot of hard ones too. It is sad to see people desire the gospel and then not keep their commitments, and even say they don't want to meet with us anymore. But through persistence and faith, Sister Jodicke and I keep finding more miracles than not. We have been so blessed.
I know that the work I am involved in is so important and that it will bring blessings as I do my best. I love the gospel more every day and it has become more apparent how important it is to live by the things we are taught by the prophets of God. Commandments really do help us to have more freedom and more joy. I am grateful that I have been able to come on a mission and I owe a lot of that to all of you who have supported me.
I love you all so much and I pray for you often. You are all great and I am glad that I get to hear from you!
Love,
Sister Lybbert
P.S. I got letters from J.P. Grandma and Grandpa Atwood, Cammie, and Mom and Dad! Whooo!
P.P.S. George made us the most delicious African food the other day. I don't think I have ever had African food before, but it was AMAZING.
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| Fish and Chips and Vinegar |
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| Fiona and me eating our fish & chips |
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| All of the trees here are so beautiful. Whenever I see a really nice tree, I just think of Emma and Mr. Knightly |
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| Castle (Folly) at Roundhay Park. The Mansion and Folly were built in the 1800's |
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| Mansion at Roundhay Park. It feels weird to wear pants! We had a picnic on the lawn and wrote letters. |
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| Me on the path way again |
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| This is a pathway to Clara Drive, an absolutely beautiful area in Calverly. Try to Google Maps it and look at the houses. I felt like I was in heaven. All of the houses are gated so it wasn't exactly easy to go knocking, but it was amazing. |
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| Gate at Roundhay Park |
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