October 7, 2013

Dear Everyone,
I don't even know where to begin. i am on the hugest spiritual high right now because General Conference was INCREDIBLE. I didn't' even get to watch the last sessions because of the time difference, but I will be listening to it as soon as possible. We watched the first sessions live (so, yes we all watched it together!) at 5 p.m. and then the next morning us Sisters felt it would be uplifting to go to the Priesthood Session. the ZLs were mocking us for it but we went and had a miracle. Yep, we did. :)
     After the session on Saturday, we were catching a ride ( and some McDonald's :D ) back to Keighley with the Skipton Sisters ( Sister Kuhn - Australia and Sister Edgington - Utah whom I love dearly). We had a brilliant idea. Since  we were going to conference the next day together we asked the APs if we could stay over in Skipton together, and he said YES! The Skipton flat is gorgeous. Its' in a restored mill that is now apartments. We had some fun for sure and we all loved conference.
     On the way to the Priesthood session, there was a lady standing on the corner by the church (it's not an actual church but the Church is renting out the old courthouse for the Skipton branch. It's adorable.) Anyway, her name was Sue and she was wanting to come to church with us. She was waiting until she saw someone! She came and watched the Priesthood session with us, and she really loved it. the Skipton sisters will be meeting with her again. :)
     I have so many notes on conference and sadly...really sadly... I forgot my notebook so I'm just going to have to tell you other things that I can remember.
     I loved President Monson's address to the Priesthood about the importance of being a shepherd. It really made me excited to be the best Visiting Teacher after my mission. Also, I loved what L. Tom Perry said about the Articles of Faith. I started to study the first one today and while I read them this morning I realized how powerful they really are. I want to continue to study them every day and memorize them again.
     I also wanted to mention that M. Russell Ballard talked about us. As a matter of fact, he looked right at Sister Jodicke and I [when he gave a conference for the missionaries in Leeds this summer]. So, when he spoke about the missionaries in Europe that he saw, yep, I was one of the ones he was talking about. ;)
     I really love Skipton. I love Keighley too but Skipton is so quaint and beautiful.
    During the last session we were allowed to watch ( Sunday morning) the reception for the internet kept cutting out in Skipton. We wanted to hear the Prophet SO badly. All four of us ran out of the church in Skipton, to the flat, jumped in the car, and drove as fast as the law would allow to Bradford where they were broadcasting it AND we made it. It ws worth it too.
     AND the World report featured MY MISSION! President Lindley, Sister Lindley, Elder Weitzel and Elder Gee (my first AP's) and if you look back in the photos I sent, elder Juran was the one they featured and he was my first Zone Leader. He's Czech and so he was working in Sheffield with the Slovakian people. We meet so many Slovakians. We actually have a Slovakian Investigator right now, Joanne, who doesn't know English so we have to meet with her when her daughter is there to translate. We also meet a lot of Polish people that don't know English. One of Sister Kuahn and Sister Edgington's investigators that came to conference is Polish and she loved conference even though she didn't understand any of it. It was so nice to know she was feeling the spirit and that's all that mattered. Also, Sister Mcreyolds is in my zone and she is SO great. She was Sister Jodicke's companion before I was.
     I would really love to learn a language so that I can communicate with either the Polish, Czech, or Slovak people here. I can only say "Hi, how are you?" In Slovak. "Ahoy!" is Hello. haha.
     Next week is transfers again. I can't even comprehend that. Sister Jodicke and I have predicted that she'll be transferred to Newcastle and I'll be training here in Keighley. I would be perfectly happy with that. I will miss her though. She's been fantastic.
   Oh, and I haven't said much about the actual week because I was sick and we had a few days of staying at the flat. (Plus, I can't really remember things from day to day anymore...) It was not pretty. I am doing better now though which is a miracle because usually my colds/asthma problems last way longer. I'm hardly having any breathing problems at all. And yes mom, I have been taking my inhalers religiously. ;)
     I love you all and am so grateful for all of the letters. I feel like the luckiest missionary out here. I got some wonderful letters from Kaiah, Grandma and Grandpa Atwood, Jen, Mom, and then some I think I forgot to mention from Camille, Nicole, Sister Hillary Bennett, Shawna, and a package from BROOK SCULLY and LAURA HAMILTON (THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU).

Love you lots,
 Sister Lybbert :)

Past two weeks...yes I'm catching up

September 23, 2013
This week has been pretty great. We did 30 hours of finding, which was insane, but I'm enjoying it. It is something I want to get better at as well. it's hard to think of how to introduce yourself to people and make it genuine, especially when you really just want to have them open  their hearts to the gospel. I'm working on it though.  Today we are going to visit a lady who is a wedding planner and has teenagers. We gave her a For the Strength of Youth pamphlet last week and hopefully from that she sees how the gospel is such a great blessing. I'm praying that she will be home. So often we find incredible people, make appointments and then they "aren't home." It can be really discouraging. However, I did meet some pretty great people this week and I love the ward. The Stake President is in our ward as well.

Kirkstall Abbey

     President Pilkington and the Stake President, President Stewart, are really encouraging missionaries to build relationships with the members and never to ask for referrals, but to just get the members excited and involved in missionary work. this way, we love the members instead of annoy them. It is so hard sometimes (depending on the ward) because members feel like they are their own 'church' and the missionaries are their own. The greatest way for missionary work to progress is to work with the ward members.
     I didn't have any more crazy experiences like last week's but I still have good ones. Sister Jodicke and I were feeling discouraged last week, and so we prayed that there could be miracles and that we'd be happy and ready to work our hardest. After the prayer, we looked out the window and there was a full rainbow! So, naturally, we decided the end of the rainbow is where we'd go finding next. This is where the lady lives that we are meeting with today. :)
Love,
Sister Lybbert




September 30, 2013

Things this past week have been pretty good as far as the work goes. right now I can't really thing straight though, I have a terrible cold and it is not fun. I was also sick with a horrid stomach ache last Wednesday and had to take the whole day off.

Lewis, Natalie & Sis. Lybbert

     On Saturday, Tracy came out to work with us again. She's from Leeds and she knew Sister Jodicke when she was serving there so she likes to come help us out. We went finding and saw so many miracles that day. One of the miracles happened later that day when we were all exhausted and didn't know what to do next. I wasn't feeling too motivated and my head was hurting so I  was going to just settle for whatever Sister Jodicke and Tracy decided to do. Then, out of the blue, I had a burst of energy and motivation and I looked at Sister Jodicke and said, "We're going finding!" and off we went on the next bus heading to Haworth. We didn't know where we would get off, but relied on the Spirit. We got off, chose a street and went knocking. We were happy and even though people didn't really respond like we would have hoped, we kept going. We finished the street and then started walking to the bus stop. I felt we should knock one more house though. We went to a house, and it was impossible to get the gate opened, so we went to the house next to it. A lady answered and she was in the middle of baking. the miracle is that people usually pretend they're busy when they're not, but this lady was busy and she actually stopped to talk to us. She said she's been through some struggles and has been wondering if any body is allowed to attend our church services. We were thrilled at this, talked to her about the blessings of the gospel and she is now our new investigator! She's so darling. she's probably in her late 50's and her name is Amanda. :)
     Church yesterday was great. We focused quite a lot on missionary work because Priesthood and Relief Society were combined. I think we helped the members understand that missionary work doesn't have to be difficult, it's as simple as inviting someone over for dinner and letting them know you are a member of the church.
    I'm not sure what else to say other than I can't believe September is over. Time is flying and in two weeks from now, it's transfers again.
Love,
Sister Lybbert

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hello! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD AND SISTER JODICKE!

This morning for Sister Jodicke's birthday we had French toast and all kinds of fruit and ice cream and golden syrup and everythin'. It was delightful!
This week has been a good one. There are days where I feel like whitewashing is the devil, but at the same time it isn't so bad. We have met some lovely people this week, and we love our ward.  We are going to be getting the members SO excited to be involved in missionary work. There are over 200 less actives here, and there is not a chance the four missionaries in the ward can bring them back. It is the member's job to re-activate people. Missionaries come and go, but the members are the fellow-shippers. So, if you are giving the missionaries less-active families to visit, go visit the families with them! There is no pint if the missionaries just go on their own. Eventually, the missionaries will not be t here and the less-active people will still be less-active.
    We had some fantastic miracles this week. We were going to visit Marie and Betty, and we got off the bus too soon and had to walk up the hill more. I wasn't too thrilled about that, but there wasn't anything we could do. We walked past this guy, said hello, and then he started to ask us questions!  His name is Dan, he's 30 and he wants to know about what we believe. He has some pretty strong opinions about things but we were able to tell him a bit about the Restoration.  We asked him if he'd come to a baptism that the Keighley Elders were having on Saturday, and he actually came!  Not only that, but after the baptism, President Pilkington talked to him for an hour!  It was great! We then had a lesson with him and he actually let us talk. Usually he's pretty chatty.
     Yesterday morning, President phoned to ask if he'd be able to come to further lessons with Dan, and we are so excited. It is a bit intimidating, but I love President and Sister P and it will be fantastic.
A few days ago, we were walking in the pouring rain and our feet were soaking wet. (My black shoes don't have a sole any more, I need to buy new ones... I thought they'd last longer but I guess not...haha.) It was somehow so great though. We were walking in Riddlesden, and it is beautiful there with the rain, the front gardens of some beautiful houses, and the scenery of the hills. We visited a member from the ward, Sister Ratcliffe, and she made us hot chocolate and crumpets with lemon curd and then we shared a spiritual thought. I love days like that.

     There have been such wonderful things happening in the area and I'm excited to continue teaching the new investigators we found this week. We found a man who's in his 60's who likes to talk a lot about life, and about how the world is going downhill and he loves talking with us.  We were able to open his heart a little bit but he's still pretty stubborn and won't read the Book of Mormon or pray. I never understand how people say they won't read things after stating how open-minded they are. It will eventually happen with him, but will take a bit more time I think. He just needs to open his heart to the Spirit. I love it here, and I love the members as well. they are great!
Tell Baby C I love him!
Thanks for all you

We ate at a legendary place called "Chicken Cottage."
It's the greasiest, cheapest chicken in town. It only cost £2.00!
Whoo!

do,
I hope you have an excellent Birthday Dad,
Love,
Sister Lybbert

Last P-day we went to Haworth and went to the Bronte Parsonage. It was absolutely lovely! I saw so many great things, including the first edition of Wuthering Heights, and Charlotte Bronte's dress she wore while travelling to her honey moon, and so many other great things. It is a beautiful little place.
[Sister Lybbert added that her camera had died so she was unable to send the pictures this week]

On to Keighley

This  week has been pretty crazy. On Tuesday for P-day we went to Kirkstall Abbey and threw a Frisbee around, which was really nice. I will send you some photos of it. It was built in the 1200's. It is all just ruins now, but very pretty ruins.

During transfer calls Monday night, we were informed that neither Sister Jodicke or I were moving. To be honest, I kind of wanted to move just to experience something new. I felt like the work in the area wasn't really going anywhere, and I wanted to have a fresh start somewhere new. It was NOT that I wanted to leave Sister Jodicke though, she's the greatest.

The next day we had a P-day and Sister Smith was still with us. She left that evening. It was insane because 6:30 Tuesday night the phone rang, and it said it was the Assistants. Before I answered the phone, I said, "I bet this is them telling us we're both moving..." I was completely kidding. When I answered the phone, to my surprise, it was President Pilkington. The first things he said were, "Hello Sisters, we are transferring you out of the area." I was stunned. I was also pretty excited because we both got to move together to Keighley.

It was nice that we did say good bye to everyone the week before because we felt we were moving. I was able to get pictures with quite a few people as well.

We went to transfer meeting but didn't move that day because we had bought a whole week's worth of food thinking we weren't moving and we couldn't exactly get on the bus with our 5 suitcases and all of the food, and because there were problems with transporting everyone else's suitcases with the coaches, we didn't end up getting moved until Friday night. When we moved all of our things in the new flat, it was pouring rain and we were so tired. I love the new flat, except the room with the shower and the sing is upstairs, and the toilet is in a room by itself downstairs...weird.

Keighley is amazing so far. We have met some wonderful members and less-actives, and we have had a good time finding. Whitewashing again isn't the nicest thing but I really can't complain. Sister Jodicke has only ever whitewashed, and she was training after week 5. It has been splendid. Keighley is very beautiful. There are SO many hills, but it looks gorgeous with the mist and the trees and all of the housetops.

Oh, and last Saturday we had another baptism! I don't really count it as ours (not that it matters anyway) but it was a girl named Natalie who has a four year old son, Lewis. She was being taught by the Elders and then they decided having her with some Sisters would be nice for her and so we taught her the last couple of weeks before her baptism. She's so cute.

Sister Smith is going to come back and work with us because she loved the two weeks so much. I am so excited because we all have such great fun together.

Yesterday was Stake Conference and Elder Dallin H. Oaks came. It was incredible and he spoke to the members about how it is their responsibility to help the missionaries find people, it isn't the other way around. He stated that the keys to preside over the missionary work in the area are actually with the Stake President, and that President Pilkinton has the keys to preside over, teach, and direct the missionaries so that we can work with the wards we serve in better. It was nice because members seem to think they don't have to do anything except bring their families and themselves to the gospel. It is everyone's responsibility, so, please family go out  on exchanges/splits and be member presents for the missionaries! They will LOVE you. I know it's probably hard in Magrath, but missionary work is still somewhat possible.

Before the meeting, everyone was greeting each other and we were sitting in our rows. A man was shaking the lady's had a few people down from me and kept coming down the row. It wasn't until he got to Sister Jodicke that I realized it was Elder Oaks. He did shake my hand. This is the fourth apostle I've seen I think. President Uchtdorf [before he was in the First Presidency], Elder Scott, Elder Ballard and Elder Oaks. Unless I can't remember one from when I was little, I think that's it.

Things are great and I'm loving the missionary work. The Lord loves every one of His children and He will bless them as they put their trust in Him.

Love you,
Sister Lybbert

p.s. today our oven was not turning on so I had to microwave the batter for German pancakes. It actually turned out okay...haha.

Surprise!

Surprise!
Very unexpectedly Sister Jodicke and I are both being transferred to Keighley, SO don't send any post to the other flat but to the mission office ;)

Love,
Sister Lybbert

Just Continuing the Work

     This week has been fun. It is weird because the weeks fly by and I can't even remember what happened in which week.

with Joyce

     Transfers happened, and I am staying in Leeds! I have mixed feelings about it, but I won't go much into detail. Just that I'm happy Sister Jodicke and I can be companions still. I don't know what I would have done if  I was to lead the area. I could have done it, but it's nice that I don't have to.
     Sister Smith and Sister Jodicke and I have had SO much fun these past two weeks. I can do a pretty convincing Scottish accent, and Sister Smith's is so good. this past week we have been reading all of the signs on the buildings in Scottish and it has been really entertaining. Oh, and I'm getting pretty good at singing in Swedish. It's hilarious.
     This week we have been assigned to teach Natalie, a girl who is being baptized this Friday in another area in Leeds. She's so sweet and has the cutest little boy. I'm excited to work with her before and after her baptism. I love baptisms!

Mushy peas...I don'w know why
they are so popular here but they are!

     It was weird because I really thought I'd be transferred this time around but I wasn't. I said my goodbyes to everyone and now I get to show up at their house and feel awkward, haha. It will be good though.
     President Pilkington spoke at the Mission President's Fireside that happens every month and we were able to go to it on Sunday. He talked about how the blessings of the gospel far outweigh the "happiness" the world seems to entice us with. He said he'd like to gather all of the world's greatest minds, celebrities and scientists, etc. and tell them to come up with the way to make people the happiest. And he then said nothing they could come up with in a mil;lion years would be greater than what we are offered because we have faith, and a knowledge that God exists. It was a remarkable talk he gave. It made me think a lot about how I really don't care about what the world knows about me in the future. As long as I develop my talents, and I do it for me and not for the rest of the world, I will be the happiest.
     I don't know what else to say really, but things with Dennis have been progressing. He is really seeking to know whether this is the truth that we teach him and I know he has felt that it is, he just needs to realize it.
Things are good, just continuing the work.
Love you all,
Sister Lybbert

She loves her cat ears and wears
them all day and EVERYWHERE! 

My pudding package. Thanks
Cammie, Mom and J.P. We made
chocolate pudding last night!

Elder Alforque (Birmingham/Philippines) Elder Leavitt
 (Las Vegas)Elder Walter (Utah?) Elder Paczensky
(London) AND us sisters

Last Week of Transfer 2

with Sister Smith (mini missionary)

This is the last week of transfer 2! I cannot believe it. I have a feeling I'll be moving, so we will see what happens. Make a note not to send any more mail directly to my flat for now. [ Send everything to the Mission Home address on the blog]
     This past week was fantastic. We had another companion, Sister Smith from Doncaster, come with us as she's on a mini mission for two weeks. I love her, she's so cute and we only have one week left with her! I love having three of us, and a car. She was able to bring her car and use it. It is the greatest blessing in the world, it saves us so much time, and we get to jam out to Swedish Disney music. the Swedish stuff is more fun to listen to than the English by far, haha.

     Yesterday we had a Zone Conference and it was great fun. We took a coach to Billingham which took about two hours. I loved it because we just got to chat with other missionaries on the bus and I love the other sisters. We had to wake up at 4:30 though in order to get to Billingham on time.
     The Zone Conference was really focused on putting our hearts into the work, and not focusing on the numbers. This is something I am so grateful for because I don't want to be motivated by numbers, but by the people that I'm teaching. President and Sister Pilkington are so great. President Pilkington has made a few changes that have to do with that. He has more trust in us about being more responsible and policing ourselves with accountable hours and everything. Also, only one hour of e-mailing now...so we will see how fast I can learn to type.
   This week Dennis and Anthony both came to church! It was so so so great. Dennis wasn't sure if he was going to come, but he found the courage and came to Sacrament Meeting. He said that he felt very comfortable, loved how friendly the people were, and when I asked him if he felt the things we learned at church and the things we taught him were true, he said yes! Tight after e-mailing today, we are going to his house for a visit and we will find out whether or not he wants to be baptized. It is nerve-racking. I know how much the gospel could help him and how much he needs it. He said that his family is in support, whatever he decides, and I'm grateful for that.

Brother Jeff Powel

     There is an elderly man in the ward, Jeff Powel, who we visited last week and let me tell you, I could sit and listen to him for hours. He's hilarious and he has SO many stories. He was in the army and lived in Japan, Hong Kong, and I think it was Malaysia. His favorite was Japan. He worked with the artillery. After he came back to Leeds and settled down with a family, he worked doing autopsies and worked with some that had to do with pretty widely known criminal cases. My favorite thing though, is that on his 70th birthday (YES, his SEVENTIETH) he went bungee jumping! He said he'd do it again in a heartbeat but that his heart might stop...he's 83 now. He would also jump out of an airplane. He's always joking around and so energetic. Seriously, I would love for all of you to meet him. I will send a classy photo of him. His jokes remind me a lot of Grandpa Lybbert. :)
  I really love the work here. things have been going marvelously.
  Yesterday I got the big envelope from you all with your  VERY poo-oriented game of whatever-it's -called and I laughed so hard. So did all of the sisters I showed it to. I'm also so grateful for the lovely notes on the back and for Kyler's drawing of more poo. What is with you people? Haha I love your guts anyhow. :)
Thanks family and friend for all you do. I pray for all of you every day.
Love,
Sister Lybbert.

Some very ugly geese at Temple Newsam Estate

This pig was as big as 3
sister missionaries

Organ at Temple Newsam Estate

With Sis. Jodicke enjoying
icecream