June 23, 2014
Dear Mumsy & Family, [she always sends the communal e-mails to me]
Things are going excellently. I love Sister Seely. She and I are having a blast together! She is from Idaho Falls, so it isn't even that far away from home!

Sister A and me

     This week we've had some great miracles. It was Sister Seely's first evening in Harrogate and so we decided it would be good to go to the Valley Gardens to street contact. the gardens are stunning and the people that go usually go to relax, so nobody is really ever 'too busy' to talk to you. We met this incredible lady and her daughter. They were adorable! It was a moment where I was able to see how the gospel is such a rare and precious thing because as we told them about it, they were amazed. they loved how we were modest, young ladies who had real values and were doing something completely worthwhile. We will hopefully be seeing them soon1

Me doing what I do best! Sister D
wanted a photo shoot...it wasn't like
the ones I usually do

   I am happy, and I am loving this work. the weather has been beautiful, and this town is getting all hyped up for 'Le Tour.' I'm not really sure what President will have us do because there's supposed to be over a million people coming, and the whole town will be shut down for it. We'll be having Sacrament meting at 6 p.m. that Sunday and having an open chapel during the day. It will be pretty exciting.

Sister S and me in our cleaning crowns.
We found some Christmas crackers in our flat!

     Yesterday Sister Seely and I taught the Relief Society lesson and it went really well. It was on the talk "Are You Sleeping Through the Restoration?" by President Uchtdorf. As you've probably noticed in previous e-mails, this time away from the real world has really opened my eyes to the sort of priorities I want to set in my life, and the way I want to spend my time. I also love helping others here, gain new perspective on thier lives. Whether it is a teaching experience at somebody's door, or an actula progressing investigator, it is all wonderful to be a part of.  There's a spider next to my computer....Ahhh!
    I'm not sure what elst to say...I always think of things and then I fail to actually write them down.

Sister C and I found a flogged
swimming suit. Dodgy!

Sister B (from Mongolia)

    Sister Seely's feet are freakishly small. It is hilarious.
Anyway, I love you an pray for you every day!
Love,
Sister Lybbert ;)

Ignore that our feet look disgusting...
hers are so small!

Happy Father's Day!

Dear Family,

Honey Combs!

Sister Acs, Me, Elders Rodgers
& McKay

     First of all, Happy Father's Day! I hope that it was fantastic for you dad. I thought about you a lot (always do) and I was asking people what they've learned from their fathers as an approach for street contacting. It was quite meaningful to me. And Happy Father's Day to my Grandpas. They are the best ones in the world.
    This week has been an eventful one. We had transfer calls on Saturday instead of Monday so that was nice to get more of a heads up. I am staying in Harrogate, didn't really see anything else happening there, and Sister Seely will be my companion! She's American, possibly from Utah but I don know that she's super sweet. I don't really know her that well, just that [she]
and Sister Monroe were great friends in the MTC. I'm excited :)

Pateley Bridge...Beautiful!

     I love the moment when someone (be it an investigator, less-active member, or member) changes from just "putting up with" you coming around to see them to really loving you coming around. (When you really become friends instead of just being "the missionaries"). Yesterday we were on our way to contact a potential investigator, and on the way we saw an inactive member and his partner out doing yard work. At first, I felt a bit intimidated because the last time we stopped by it was quite awkward. Brian, the less-active member, doesn't believe in God, and he can appear to be rough looking until you get to know him. Anyway, we got talking and we offered to help him cut the grass. I didn't think I would miss mowing the lawn, but I do! We were able to joke around a bit, and then have a gospel conversation, pray with them, and leave them wanting to see us next week. it was such a nice feeling to have.

pancake transfer night. Please excuse
the mess, there was a pancake mishap.

    We had a really good District Meeting yesterday about the importance of creating change. Elder McKay, my district leader, said [something] that stuck with me and it was something along these lines:
When you're too comfortable with you you are, you're not changing, you're not learning, you are damned. [to clarify for those who don't understand the true meaning, 'damned' means stopped from progressing] And it is true. Life is hard, but rewarding. it is supposed to be that way. We need to be able to motivate changes withing ourselves instead of waiting for some exterior change to happen so that we can react to it. I really loved this week. I loved serving with Sister Acs. She's a wonderful missionary.
I love you all!
Sister Lybbert :)

                                                                                                                  June 9, 2014

Dear Family,

I just received the photos in the mail. I was quite surprised because it magically came right to my flat...I think my Zone Leaders have been to Harrogate this morning? Weird.

     Anyway, I somehow, like everyone, thought that time has stopped for all of you. I can't believe how old everybody looks. Ciana - you look stunning. Scott - you have really long hair. Ashy- you look like a little lady. Josh- you are so tall, and Kyler - you look so old! Like a grandpa! ;)

     Also, if Jenelle actually reads this: I am grateful for your smiley pictures. I'd be even more grateful to hear from you. I wrote you in August. Reply woman!

     This week has been splendid. We have seen so many miracles as we have been spending a lot of time street contacting (not my favorite) and knocking doors. We have been able to teach so many people in finding situations this week. It is a great feeling and helps me know that we really are trying to do all we can. Sister Acs is catching the plane home next week so we're trying to make these weeks the best and most effective weeks ever.

     Sister Wynder and Sister I. Scoot (there are two Sister Scotts, this one is from Scotland) came on exchanges with us this week. It was wonderful. Sister Wynder and I were knocking ,and we met this guy named Matthew and his cat, Charlesworth, who is 10 and completely dear (the cat, not Matthew). He  wasn't at all interested, but he was willing to talk to us. He said he knows how we probably face rejection all of the time so he wanted to just put a smile on our faces. He was hilarious. Also, I got a picture in his Porsche. President Pilkington has this thing lately about how we can have fun while finding by getting pictures with people's fancy cars. He says that anyone who can get a photo in a rolls Royce will have dinner from President and Sister Pilkington. It's pretty funny.

     We also found a couple of new investigators this week. We met a very sweet girl street contacting. She's 14 and she's from Zimbabwe. She and her dad came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. We also had a crazy teaching experience with he dad. He says that he's prayed about Joseph Smith and believes that he was a prophet of God (this was before we met him), but he doesn't believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church. He doesn't believe there is a need to be an organized religion. It was pretty frustrating as well because he didn't really give Sister Acs and me a chance to explain. He just talked, and talked, and talked. However, we left feeling alright because they said that they'd come to church, and they did :)

Things are going well. I am happy and Harrogate is beautiful.

I love you all,

Love,

Sister Lybbert

With Sister Peirce at the
York Minister

Sisters Wu, Acs and
Boldbaatar

in a Porsche!

                                                                                                                May 27, 2014
Dear Everyone,
     Thank you for the communal e-mail, it was pretty hilarious. To answer your question dearest sisters: Yes, I shave my armpits. I know us Sister Missionaries look like sweaty nuns from the 1600's half the time, but really, I haven't completely let myself go!
     It sounds like things are hoppin' over there in Alberta! I'm glad you are getting some nice weather. Things here have been on the rainy side as of late, but I actually have been enjoying it. I enjoy it the most when I remember my umbrella.
     I can't believe how long it has been since I've seen you. It honestly feels like I say all of you yesterday. Weird.
     We've seen some great miracles this past week. First off, we were going around trying to contact some less-active members. We went to one house and they weren't home. Sometimes I get out of the habit of knocking the doors on  either side, but then I had a feeling that we should on this particular street. There was an 18 year old girl that answered the door and she was the sweetest thing. She was so sincere and it almost seemed like she was already a member. She is busy with school exams at the moment but on Friday we are going to ring her and make an appointment. I am so excited. SIster Dragoti even extended the baptismal invitation to her at the door and she said the if she came to know that the things we said are true, that she would. It was amazing. These things do not come in great abundance. I love when the Spirit is so strong in finding situations.
     Also, I am becoming more used to being in Harrogate. The ward is really great and since a lot of them are American they always provide us with American things like Ranch Dressing. Did you know that I like Ranch Dressing? haha.
     I'm also getting used to being in a trio. It isn't as hard as it was at the beginning. We always manage to work things out well. It is always interesting to see the contrast in different cultures.
    I'm so grateful for the mail as of late. It was so nice to read and I am super extra grateful for the presents from Cammie and Keith. I loved all of it! I carry the Harry Potter Wand pen around with pride. haha (and some humility)
I love you all,
Keep being wonderful and reading the scriptures.
Love,
Sister Lybbert




                                                                                                                   June 2, 2014
Dear Family,
     It is so crazy to thing that Corbin and Zach are home. Tell them hello for me. Stake Conference sounds like it was incredible. :)
     This week has been pretty good. Another twist to the circumstances, we are back to just Sister Acs and me. Sister Dragoti was transferred because another sister went home. Sad, especially since so many sisters have left lately. It means we're always moving around. And now there are only two sisters in our flat which takes away a bit of the fun, but Sister Acs and I have lots of fun together. She's a great companion and she is hilarious. I've seriously been so blessed with my companions.
     What else? Well, we've met some interesting people, and still trying to find solid people to teach. It has been difficult lately to get people but it just makes me want to immerse myself even more in the work and to not worry so much about school and life after the mission.
     We have an investigator. He's Scottish and he's in his 60's. He comes to church every Sunday, unless he has a hangover, and he has us over every week. He also makes us the best food in the world. However, he wants his answers without actually being willing to change anything. It is hard because I believe he knows that this is right, he just doesn't want to give some lifestyle choices up. He also has a lot of friends in the ward which helps. We're stuck at the moment as to what we can really do for him, but if we drop him, it could be really destructive to the little progress he might be making. We need to increase our teaching pool, that is for sure. This week is going to be the week!
I love you all, and I'm happy to hear you are all doing well.
Love,
Sister Lybbert