July 21 & 29

July 21
Dear Everybody,
It sounds like you have a great week ahead of you, camping, and getting the fence done, that is pretty good stuff.
Yesterday we had a miracle. So, I don't know if I told you about Bob, [names have been changed] he's Sally's dad and they're the ones from A. Anyway, our meetings with Sally have been going really well, although, she doesn't really have motivation to do anything other than watch t.v. So, that is a bit difficult. but, we had an appointment with Bob two weeks ago, and we had to cancel it because I was not feeling well. (meaning, not funtionable). We didn't see him at the house when we'd go so we didn't' reschedule one. It had been on our minds though.

Pancakes!

   Well, two days ago, Bob came downstairs during our lesson with Sally and he was extremely offended that we didn't reschedule. He took it as if we didn't want to meet with him. Of course we felt awful about it, and we had been praying for a way to help him all week. We absolutely didn't forget about him. Anyway, we saw him last night and I was praying so hard that he'd listen to us. He's been taught by previous missionaries years ago, and it is all very complicated. He believes in Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon, but not in the 'denomination' side of things. We taught him last night about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life and that seemed to be really inspired. He is VERY expressive in his speech and he waves his arms and makes his eyes really big and sometimes takes a lot more time than needed to say what he wants to. It is always difficult to know how he will react to what you say as well. Any word could trigger a long rant on his part. It can get frustrating, but yesterday went surprisingly well. We will definitely be spending a lot of time praying this week for ways to soften his heart and help him see the need for structure.

Yes, I chopped off my hair again!

  It is hot out. Even if it is pouring rain, it is hot. The humidity is killing me, not because of the heat though but because my face and hair constantly feel greasy. (Do not be alarmed...I shower every day.) Also, yes, I did get a haircut. I've realized that I'm not happy with it long or short and I'm so tired of it. That is my rant for the day.
Well,
I love you all,
Sister Lybbert


July 29
Dear Everybody,
I am so happy that Surveyor's and Spokane were a great success! I do love camping in the woods, but why not just pack your suitcases and move flats?! That's what we had to do this week. We had just transformed the flat we were living in so that it was really nice, organized, and clean, girly and beeauutiful!...and then the assistants rang us.This transfer we're getting two more elders..and our flat is the big one so we had a swap and we were given the shortest end of the shortest stick. haha..it's more funny than anything, except for last night I had the coldest shower of my life. I've learned how blessed we are for hot water. We found out this morning that the radiator in the bathroom has to be on all day for the water heater to work. I don't know why, but that's that. It has been blistering hot lately as well, so having the heat on is not very desirable. Although, the last couple of days have cooled down, thank goodness, but before that I didn't feel like I could even be outside. I feel bad for the missionaries serving in places where it is always hot and humid. Oh, and because of the sunshine I have a disgusting tan line. haha
     I'm also happy to hear that Marnie, Doug, Taylor and Erik were able to visit. I hope that they are all doing well! (That is my way of giving them a shout out. Hello!)
     We had some crazy lessons this week. We prayed so hard to know what we needed to teach Bob, and Sister Seely had the impression that we should teach him about Lehi's Dream. So we did, and surprisingly, he absolutely loved it. It is so hard to know what to teach him. I prayed and prayed that we would know how to handle the lesson. Then, the next time we went to see him, he told us this story:
~ When he was around 10 years old, living in A, he decided that the Roman Catholic Church was not giving him the fulfillment he felt he needed, so he prayed to be directed to another church.
~ he got on a random bus, and went to a random street. He passed by different churches and didn't feel a desire to go in them, and then he came across a school and he heard singing. He went in, and there was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
~ He didn't join, but he prayed again throughout the years and had the same experience three different times. tow of those times he ended up at our church again. The other time, he ended up at the Apostolic church and he joined it.
~ Then he came to England with his family, and he ran into the missionaries. they taught him, but he already knew the lessons, and the missionaries gave up, not really understanding his situation.
~ Then, the one day that he decides to let Sally walk on her own to her youth club, was when Sister Wynder and I met her. She told her dad that she felt something, and although he wasn't happy with her talking to strangers, she pleaded with him to let us come and so he accepted.
~He prayed that he would have a sign when we taught, that we are called of God.
~The next day, during our lesson, we reached a point where I felt so frustrated because I could see his potential, and he just wasn't listening to the simple message we had, so I bore my testimony and it brought me to tears. He took that as his sign that we were real messengers of the truth. (I don't usually cry during lessons, by the way...) We then invited him to church the following day and he and Sally came.
~The next time we went to see him, he asked that we'd pray to know what to teach. We taught Lehi's Dream and little did we know, that is the exact message he was wanting us to talk about. He had a 2 dimensional diagram that he had created, and studied and worked on years ago, and it was his interpretation of the Tree of Life, and his interpretation was doctrinally correct. It actually taught me so much and Sister Seely and I left feeling the Spirit stronger than ever before.
So now we reach the conclusion of that story for now, that Bob believes both his church and our church are true. It is going to take a lot of prayer and work to help him understand that that isn't the case. It should be interesting and it is going to be exhausting, but I am excited.
I love and pray for you every day.,
Love,
Sister Lybbert

[Sister P took us to see Harewood House...bless her heart!]

Jane Countess of Harrington

Music Room at Harewood
House

State bedroom at Harewood
House

Harewood House

Happy birthday!

Dear Mumsie,
Happy Birthday! I am so glad that you received my letter, I'm sorry it is kind of on the short side, but as time goes on I just feel I have less endurance when it comes to letter writing. I am also not half as creative in them which is a sad fact.
This week has been also, so hot out. My energy is gone, I feel like the sun has stolen all of my essence. (*ahem* I may or may not be making a reference to The Dark Crystal.) It is always really nice in the evenings though, and we often go to the park to street contact on an evening which makes it even nicer.
     We are still struggling as far as people to teach goes, but we have been working harder than ever. It is important to always count the little miracles that come during the day, because if you are always waiting for the big ones you will have a lot less joy in the work.  We have met some incredible people, and had some wonderful conversations and teaching moments, but people here don't want to take it any further than that, and if you let it, it  can frustrate you a lot. I know that we are planting some great seeds and things will all work out how they are supposed to if we just keep marching north and being obedient.
     I am so happy that Ashy and Ciana had a great time at Trek. It was one of the best experiences I've had. Sister Seely and I were actually talking about it not too long ago. I don't want to dress up as a pioneer all of the time, but a week was fun.
     Family History is brilliant. Seriously, if it weren't for  the fact that I can't do family history right now, I would be doing it. We are being taught to use it more in our finding techniques because the spirit of Elijah is being poured out in this country. There is so much history here, as you all know, and someday I would love to come back and look at all of the parish records, and walk through the cemeteries.
     I hope you have a great "Magrath Days" and everythin'. I'm still pretty sure we make a bigger deal of that than was made of "Le Tour de France." (It comes pretty close anyhow) :)
I love and pray for you everyday.
Love,
Sister Lybbert :)

p.s.
Oh! and I'm supposed to thank you for raising me the way you have, on behalf of President Pilkington. He commited me to it in our interviews, so yes... thank you for being wonderful parents. AND I'm so happy for Grandma and Grandpa Atwood! they will love it! I have a friend out there too! Sister Hillary Bennett from Taber :)
 

Tour de France

My 'baby' at a specialized training
meeting

                                                                          June 30, 2014
Dear Family,This week has been pretty good. Not many new things have happened, we just keep marching forward and trying our best to follow the spirit. On Saturday we went to a street that we had prayerfully decided to knock, but when we got there, we just didn't' feel right so we prayed again and picked another street. When we got there, we still didn't feel like it was the one. We prayed again, and then we finally felt right about  the street we had come to. We prayed again to know which side of the street we should go to. (I don't think I've prayed so much to get to the right place as I did that afternoon. I don't always think we need to pray about every little decision, but I guess when you feel you need that direction, and you act, it shows the Lord your willingness to do what He needs.)

 

Bunny contacting at the park!

Anyway, we knocked the street and we met a young single mom with two year old girl. We have a return appointment for tomorrow. I feel that that must have been the answer to our prayers. We need people to teach and we've been spending so much time trying to find people. Sometimes I wonder if our lack of people to teach is because I'm not focused enough, or maybe I'm getting too comfortable with mission life, or maybe the Lord is working on my pride. Maybe it is a mixture of them all. I read "Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson this morning and it really helped me to see the things that I need to change. It also helped me gain perspective about  the things I want to avoid in the future so as to stay humble (whether or not I find myself with "worldly success" I want to be humble and happy) I look at our family and how we have been fortunate to have what we need and a bit more, but because of the hard work that you and Dad have given.
    We tried a new technique of contacting this week. President is always encouraging us to be creative, Jamie, a recent convert, loves to be involved with missionary work since his conversion not too long ago. He's completely changed from when he first came in contact with the gospel. Anyway, his mom has 34 rabbits and we took two of the babies to the park because Jamie said people would come to us. Yes, we went bunny contacting...whoo! It was pretty good actually, we just need to refine the techniques so that we can be in the park in a good time on a good day when there are a lot of people out. I will send you some pictures:)                     I'm not sure what else to say really, except that I am happy, and I'm happy that you're all happy.
Love you all!
 Sister Lybbert

                                                                                                                                    July 7, 2014
Dear Everybody, (and a shout out to Amber I am so happy to get an e-mail from you! Tell me all about how you are doing! How is your photography career coming along?)
     First of all, I'd like to congratulate my father and Uncle Brett for staying youthful. Not only do you refuse to wear the glasses you need because they make you look 'old' (you said it, I didn't!) But, you are riding around on the BMX you bought when you were 14. I have the best family ever.
     It sounds like Canada Day was a blast. For Canada Day / Independence Day, we made some s'mores on our gas stove. There wasn't much else we could do....whoo!
     This week has been pretty crazy. First of all, I don't think I could ever live in England permanently. I'm sick again with some sort of head cold / sore throat / cough thing. Three times within a year just isn't desirable. Ew.

Tour de France bikers

     The Tour de France was chaotic! There really wasn't a way to work, not even street contact because there were estimated to be a million people in Harrogate on Saturday so President told us to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience.We ended up getting a pretty good view at the 1 km to the finish line mark. It was a lot of sitting in the very hot sun just to see some bikes go by in about two minutes, but  now I have seen the most watched sporting event in the world. It was pretty fun to see all of the festivities. And, Mekaiah, you may want to know that Will, Kate and George were there. I didn't see them but, still that's pretty neat. And, David Beckham was seen in town earlier that week at Betty's Tea Room. Woah, woah, waoh.
     So because of Le Tour, we had Sacrament meeting at 6 last night and we spent the daytime in the chapel having an open house. It wasn't too successful, but some people came through.
     Other than the Tour de France, my mind is blank and my head is all full of cold. I really don't know what else to say except that I love being in Harrogate, I love teaching people more about how they can come closer to their Savior, and I am happy.
     We met a girl in the park last week that remembered me from when I knocked on her door in LEEDS in my first two weeks OVER A YEAR AGO. I was absolutely shocked and it was such a strength to my testimony that the people we meet remember us and we can affect them in great ways in just a short time of actually knowing them. It was a great miracle and really lifted my spirits.
     A talk that I read this morning that I really o\love is "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar. I watched it in the MTC but reading it today was lovely. It helped me to understand how I need to refine the way that I react to situations. I love it.
I love you all and am grateful for you all.
Sister Lybbert

Kinder eggs!

watching the Tour de France

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