Incredible week

Dear Family,
This week has been pretty incredible. We had some wonderful visits with the members, and transfers didn't change anything here in South Shields.

Sweater from Auntie Trishy
 and Uncle Mark

     Talyia met us at the church last week so that we could read the BOM with her and originally she was supposed to come with her friend, Ellie, but Ellie wasn't able to make it and we were somewhat disappointed, but we went and to our surprise, we saw Talyia coming up to the chapel with a friend! It wasn't Sally or Ellie either so we knew she has really been inviting all of her friends to hear about the gospel. She's  a great example to me. Her friends are all looking at the changes she's made in her life and her example and I don't think they realize how immensely these things change lives. Of all of the people I've ever met, these 12 year olds are the most powerful. understanding, and receptive of all of the people I've taught. It's absolutely breathtaking how the your are so strong.

With Talyia and Brother
and Sister Power

     The great thing is that the youth are the strongest people we meet, but they can also be the complete opposite because the gap between good and bad is definitely widening and it is happening fast. It seems that the teenage girls here are either getting drunk on the weekends, or they are discovering the role of their Father in Heaven and their Saviour. I feel so much responsibility in bringing them to the knowledge that there is more to life than just living and dying. I feel so much love for them because I know that being that age is hard, and peer pressure is hard, but I know that they can be powerful and become great disciples of Jesus Christ. Talyia has opened my eyes on the greatness of the youth, and to think that our Joshy is now 12 as well, I have such great hope for him.

This is for Keith...Christmas morning!

     So, please read your scriptures, pray with all the energy of heart, and prepare yourself to partake in the ordinance of the Sacrament every week. Invite the missionaries over.
   I have really loved to hear all of your stories about Family History work and it got me inspired. We are going to hold a class in a few weeks that we can invite people to as we're knocking, for them to find out how they can know about their ancestors. I am also VERY excited because on lds.org you can order your ancestor's patriarchal blessings (I discovered that back in June) andI kept think back on that and how I needed to order some of my great-grandmother's, and so I did and I can't wait. I think that is incredible that we are able to do that.
   Some scriptures that I really love lately are:
Romans 8: 35-39
2 Corinthians 4: 8-10
Alma 37: 35-37

A Cemetery. They're all neat but
I like the ivy

    They have really helped me and strengthened my testimony that God is always on our side and we can rely on Him through all hard times. I also love what Elder Kearan (1st counselor in the European Area Seventy?) said at the last Mission tour. He told us that we need to realize that nobody is the same person this week as they were last week and that we shouldn't judge others or ourselves because of that. We can become close to Christ day by day and so we must not be harsh on others or ourselves if we are sincerely trying to work toward that. I feel like the time here is going by so quickly and that I don't have time to become the person I hope to be by the end. I can't believe that it is January.
     I love this work.
     I love you all,

  Sister Lybbert