Week #76

Dear Mum and All,
     Congrats to Taylor [and Carson], that's so exciting! I also approve of the name. I am happy it is classic, yet not overused or boring. Cute, cute!
     Also, congrats to Ciana for being a star, I'm sure she was the best even if she only had a few lines. She always is the best.
      This week was fantastic. As you know, we had Zone Conference, and you got a really long e-mail about that so I will not tell you any more about it. It was amazing though. And then on Friday we had our interviews. It was really strange knowing that all of these things are happening for the last time. I think it is starting to sink in, and I really wish I could stay longer, or take everyone here back home with me. I would take President and Sister Pilkington, the missionaries, the people , the Jaffa Cakes, the whole lot! President said that he was hoping they'd pass a low in parliament these next couple of weeks to allow legal kidnapping. He doesn't think it will happen, but he hopes so, because then we, the others going and myself, can stay!
     We had some incredible miracles on Saturday! We were heading to a small village to go knocking, and we missed our bus stop. The fog was thicker than I've ever seen it, and we accidentally hit the bell in the middle of nowhere. Everyone on the bus looked puzzled to see who would want to get off in the middle of a field, and then it was kind of embarrassing having to go tell the bus driver this wasn't the stop we wanted, haha. The old people at the front of the bus started talking to us though, and we all laughed about it. We ended up going to the next village.
      When we got there, we prayed to know where we should go, and what bus we should catch back for tea. (We didn't have tons of time due to our mistake.) Well, we went to a street, knocked on a couple doors, but nobody was home, and then the first house that answered the door was Gemma. She let us in strait away and we taught her and we are seeing her again tomorrow! She is so cute, and her 4-year-old daughter, Ava, is too. It made me so happy to know that we really are sent places, we don't just go places. And our prayer was answered about what bus to take back. When we got out of the lesson we had just enough time to catch the later bus. It all worked out splendidly. :)

Elder Rush, Eddie, Sister Garrett & Me

      Then that night, it was Eddie's baptism! It all went smoothly, the Spirit was so strong. The only thing was that there was hardly anybody there. A lot more people told us they were coming than what number actually showed up. I was disappointed at first, but then it made for a beautiful, simple baptismal service with a few wonderful people.
And last night was the Mission President's Fireside for everyone, members, investigators, etc. All the missionaries in the Zone were at the front to sing. We also sang "Pack up Your Troubles" for everyone. President's message was so good. He has a talent when it comes to speaking, and he is hilarious. He told a story about how, when he was a boy, he believed his dad when he told him that single-handedly, he had won the Second World War. He was talking about the concept of how truth is always truth, but there are people who deceive us for many reasons. Some, don't have consequences (such as his father telling him the WWII story), but some do. It was a lot more in depth than that, but that sums it up. I wish you could have been there, it was incredible.
Well,
I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Lybbert

Maple!

Harry wasn't home, but we tried! (We
may have the wrong city)

Christmas!

♫ Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, and smile smile smile! ♫

Dear Mom and Dad,

Surprise! We have been instructed to write to you today to tell you about our experience at Zone Conference yesterday. It was absolutely incredible, I feel so edified and inspired by the things that we were instructed on. 

First of all, it was such a special day to have a Zone Conference, as it was Remembrance Day and we are in Britain. There was a very special spirit with us as we commemorated those that have laid down their lives for our freedom. It was 100 years ago that the war broke out, and so there was a great amount of emphasis on the impact that it has made on our lives. 

We then were randomly selected to give the three minute talks we all prepared on humility and a Christlike attribute of our choice. I was not selected, thank goodness, but I learned so much from those that did speak. President times these talks, so they are absolutely not to go over three minutes. He said something along the lines of, "You will learn now to only take the time asked of you in meetings. There are RM's (and members in general) that take more time than they are assigned, sometimes even leaving an apostle who is visiting with less time than He has been granted." So you can imagine the pressure that accompanies that three minute talk. 

Elder Orr said (or he quoted somebody that said), "Being humble does not mean that we think less of ourselves, it means to think less about ourselves." Also a quote from President Uchtdorf was shared when he said, "It is impossible to be lifted up in pride when our hearts are full of charity." Those two statements had great impact on me as I am still weak in many things and I am striving to be more humble and charitable. 

Then Sister Pilkington instructed us, and this was a highlight of the meeting. She had Elder Mckay play his Ukulele and teach us the song from World War I that goes:

♪♫ Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile!

Just think of all the happy times we'll have!

Smile boys, that's the style!

What's the use of worrying?

It never was worthwhile, so,

Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile smile! ♪

We all stood and sang it together, and it sounded just as it would have as all of the young men were marching off to war. It was emotional; President Pilkington couldn't sing, I noticed that he was sitting down with his head buried in his hands. 

Sister Pilkington then spoke about how the first battle went. 900 British men went out that first battle, and only 250 returned. She spoke about how the youngest soldier was only 14 years old. 

She told us about how we are a part of a great war, although it is a spiritual one, it is still great. She shared a quote from George Q. Cannon about those who came to this earth and followed Christ, (again, I don't think I have the exact words)

"In the pre-mortal life, we faced the adversary and did not flinch."

President then gave instruction. He told us to never forget how blessed we are to have religious freedom. We need to place on the altar, our hearts. When we devote our focus and hearts, nothing can stand in our way. He told us to remember the experience we had singing this song, and I will. 

He told us the power that comes from humility and a soft heart. That obedience is the very centre of a soft heart. 1 Nephi 2: 16, 18, 19 show that Nephi chose to have a soft heart and he chose to have faith, whereas his brothers, who had the same parents, chose differently. We choose what condition our heart is in. President said, 

"The condition of our hearts determines the level of our happiness." And it is true. He told us, through great emotion, that Sister Pilkington's family reveres the name of the missionary who taught her family, Elder Brockbank. In tears, he explained that this Elder Brockbank was also the missionary that baptised his mother. We never know the impact we have on other people. But we can decide what we shall be remembered for. He said, "Lift up your heads, and fight for Christ."

Later in the meeting, President instructed us once more. This time it was on the scriptures found in 1 Samuel 25. A phrase, or motto, that we use in the mission is "March North". We read the story of David as he protects the shepherds of Nebal, and then Nebal (being wicked) shews them away. David reacts in anger, and his judgement of all of Nebal's household is flawed. He then prepares an army to go and slay his household. Abigail, Nebal's wife, who is a type of Christ, prepares bread, wine, and sheep for David and falls before him. She says that she will take upon herself the folly of her husband. In this, David sees that he should not have reacted in such anger, and her example stopped him from murder and from condemning himself as well.

Are we marching north, or to Carmel? When we are offended, or angered, or even sometimes when we withdraw ourselves (meaning when we give up on friendships, and put up barriers because we believe we're justified etc.) we are marching to Carmel. When your heart hardens, your judgment becomes flawed. President shared a story of when he and his brother were in business together, and his brother wasn't doing what he should have. They then went years without speaking. Then his brother was diagnosed with cancer and only given a very small amount of time to live because of the lifestyle that he had chosen lead. Upon hearing this, President arranged to meet at their mother's home. He said when they saw each other there were not words, they just embraced. Everything from the past melted away and there was a great lesson learned. President also learned that his brother had been doing incredible deeds for those that needed help. Being a man of significant wealth, he had been writing cheques to people who needed money raised to help their disabled children, and he had put up a large sum of money for the return of a child who had been kidnapped. The child was returned home. This among other things, President learned that because of hard hearts, judgement was flawed. 

He told us from this experience that it is so important to not hide behind the letter of the law, but live the spirit of the law. The Saviour requires our hearts. 

So, Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile!

I love you all and I am so grateful for your love and your prayers.

Love,

Sister Lybbert 

p.s. I apologise for the length, but I couldn't leave any of it out, it is all too good! 

Glad I don't live on Hoth

Dear Mum and Everyone,
I do not miss the Canadian weather. I don not want to have to drive on icy roads, or feel like I'm living on planet Hoth [Star Wars reference], or any of that. Although, I'm getting tired of the rain as well. It is just plain cold here regardless of if it rains or not. But, I am embracing the beautiful fog and moss, and green-ness.
     It has been a great week. good news everybody, Eddie is being baptized this Saturday! I am so grateful to be a part of this experience, it is so exciting to see someone progress in the gospel and desire to make covenants with their Father in heaven. We have also had some neat experiences while finding, and we had a great miracle on Friday. We had been trying to meet with Syllene and Amare her daughter) a couple of times this past week and it fell through both times. It was such a great blessing though, because as we went to the appointment we had set up on Thursday, she was just stepping out the door (so..we caught her at the right time!). We invited them to a Ward Party (for Bonfire Night a.k.a. Guy Fawkes Night) and they came! It was brilliant. Syllene asked us questions the entire time, the ward was really friendly, and she is really looking forward to seeing us on Friday. Guy Fawkes night is quite interesting... googling it would probably explain it better than I can. He was a guy who tried to burn down Parliament, so now, for some reason, they have a holiday for it? They have bonfires and fireworks, and they eat pork pie with mushy peas and mint sauce (interesting combo, but it was good nevertheless) I love mint sauce, by the way. I will have to bring some home with me.
     So, we have seen many miracles and Sister Garrett is doing so well. I can't believe she's only been out for as long as she has, she is doing amazing in lessons, and in finding situations.
I am grateful about how everything is going. :)
I love you all,
Love,
Sister Lybbert :)

Oh dear! I forgot to tell you something crazy! A few of the members in our ward saw myself and Elder Hays on the telly! (our companions were nearby, we were just the only two they recognized) It was on a preview for a program on Yorkshire politics or something. Apparently we were just walking down the street, but nevertheless, we are famous!

Week #74

Dearest Mother and Everybody,
This week has been good, and I am so happy to hear that everything has been good for you! Halloween sounds like it was a blast. I am so happy it is over, I am completely in the Christmas mood as of November 1st. Christmas music was on that morning! Whoo!
     I am so happy to hear that you and Sister Monroe (*ahem* Alli) are in touch! She is the greatest with a capital GREATEST. I don't know if we told you our plans of living in the wilderness and becoming friends with the Sasquatches, but that is what we are doing. She is my long lost sister. Seriously. :D
     This week we have seen so many miracles. Eddie, our investigator from Nigeria, is scheduled for baptism on November 15 and he is going to make it, I know it! He is so accepting of everything we teach, and when there is an inconveniently deep question by a certain someone in Gospel Principles, he answers it simply with his testimony that it just doesn't matter whether we know it or not! Bam! He was first contacted on the street by Sister Monroe and Sister Howard, and now he is progressing in the gospel so well. He loves church, he loves the Book of Mormon, and he is ready. This is all so excitifying.
     Sister Garrett is so sweet. She is seriously the cutest thing since the Baby Kitty riding on a baby duck that I drew on Sister Monroe's planner once upon a time.
I am happy, things are wonderful, the weather is marvelous (for the next five minutes anyway) and we are seeing so many miracles. :)

I love you all,
Love,
Sister Lybbert :D
p.s. Thanks mom for the poppies! Sister Garrett and I love them!

Week 73

Dear Family,

Well, I have some exciting news! I am still in Keighley!

AND...

My daughters! Sisters Garrett
 and Sister Nigido

I have another daughter! I am training a lovely missionary from Ogden, Utah *ahem* The Rocky Mountains (people on the street like to hear that more). Her name is Sister Garrett and she is adorable. This transfer will be great. I am so happy and excited. And the Elder Thomson you mentioned, I saw him at transfer meeting but didn't get a chance to talk to him. That is really neat that I know Alex, who is his sister!

This week has been pretty crazy. A good kind of crazy.

We made Eddie an official new investigator! He is the one from Nigeria, not sure if I've mentioned it at all. He is so solid. In gospel principles the lesson was on "the Gathering of Israel" (bless...) and he completely understood it\, so hopefully that will aid in his desire to be adopted into the house of  Israel...if you know what I mean. :)

     Sister Howard was a brilliant companion, we had lots of fun together and were all of the time, happy missionaries. she is now in Sheffield.

Farewell to the Mon in Monrybby!

AND the sad part is that Sister Monroe is flying home as we speak. But, she is planning on possibly coming up to Canada for my "homecoming." I would love that because I love her to death.

What else?

I am happy to be in Keighley. I have really learned to love it more as I've been here a second time. The first time I was here I didn't really get attached to anyone [she was only there for 6 weeks]. 

And we are teaching Jess, the daughter of a less-active member and she is so cute. She's 12 and last night we went to a Youth Fireside at the Leeds 3 chapel (it was weird seeing people from my first area when I was a stressed out deer in the headlights...people generally say I look more relaxed, haha). Also, I saw Adele, who is from Newcastle and hung out with Tal and Mazza and all of us. So, that was pretty crazy/exciting.

Yes, things are great and I seriously just want to stay another transfer

our District with our district t-shirts
depicting the cat versions of us
[I wonder whose idea that was]

...but I can't and it breaks my heart. If it wasn't the Christmas transfer I would be so on board with extending.

I love you all,

Love,

Sister Lybbert

at the train station

Leeds a Zone 

Weeks 71&72

                                                                                                                       October 13, 2014
Dear Mumsy and Everyone,
Happy Birthday to Cameron! Eat some pumpkin cheesecake for me,  because England does not believe in pumpkin flavored things hardly at all and it makes me sad. In fact, they don't even have  Thanksgiving. I made sloppy joes this week though. I'm trying to be a healthy person so I used Turkey mince instead of Beef mince [ground beef]. It was quite tasty. Then again, I don't think I have very high expectations of myself when it comes to cooking and ingesting food. I think I've graduated from making toast for every meal though...which sums up the entire first half of my mission. I do love toast though.
     This week was pretty good. Poor Sister Howard rolled her ankle pretty bad and so we've been in the flat for a lot of time this week. We have been making it as productive as we can though. Yesterday we memorized over half of "The Living Christ." It is pretty powerful, and by the middle of the week we'll have it all memorized and it will become a part of us. I really feel a difference already. I guess Sister Marriott from the General Women's Meeting inspired me. (She's the one who is working on memorizing it, right?) It has been so good!
     Also this week we had a brilliant miracle. We had a few minutes before a tea appointment, so we decided to knock a couple of doors. It was in a more posh area so I was a bit hesitant but we had faith. The first door we knocked, we met Paul. He was so friendly and told us that he has neighbors that are Mormons. Funny enough, I didn't realize that there were two solid, active families on his same street and he knew that they were members! He said that they were always happy, and smiling, and that they were very good and friendly neighbors. He's a stay-at-home father of two little kids, Sophie who's 3 and Harry, who's 7 months. He was open to listening to our message and we were able to meet with him two days later. He is a new investigator and we are seeing him tomorrow with Brother Hancock, on of the neighbors :)
   Also, Angela surprised us this week! We went to her house a bit earlier than we had planned, and she wasn't in. We called her phone, and she didn't answer, but then we heard her yell from across the street to us. She looked so happy and bubbly. She came over and told us that she felt so good, even though she has been feeling really poorly the last few days. She said, "I've been feeling poorly for a good reason though!"

I replied, "Angela, there is never a good reason to feel poorly!"

Then she said, "Yes there is! I have only had 11 cigarettes in the last 72 hours!"

Sister Howard and I were so shocked, and of course I realized that that is a very good reason to not feel well. We are so proud of her. Normally, that is what she'd have in an hour or two. She is going to quit this time, I just know it!
     Also, Helen, a recent convert is another great example to me. She was baptized just over a month ago, and since then, she has gone from having decent vision in one eye and only 8% in the other to now only having the 8% in the other. Something detached itself in the back of her good eye. She is incredible though. We have gone over and helped her hoover (she has a dog that sheds a lot, but she can't actually see well enough to clean) and we also make her bed and hang up her laundry on the line. She is so positive. She loves the gospel and she knows that if it weren't for the gospel right now, she'd be in a very terrible state. She was an atheist just a few weeks ago, and now her faith is like none that I've seen.
     I love the gospel, I love the missionary work, and despite the rain and cold and lack of Thanksgiving, I am grateful and happy.
I love you all,
Sister Lybbert

                                                                                                               October 20, 2014

Dear Everybody,
Congratulations to Brandon for graduating! [Bachelor's of Neuroscience] And Tony Roma's is lush...I miss ribs. And also, Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa Lybbert!
     It sounds like  this week has been quite eventful. Our week was really good too. We met with Esta and Bobby (her adorable dog) *note that I only love three dogs on this planet. Ozzie, Pooka (Dee's dog) and Bobby. And that is it.
     Anyway, a few weeks ago we helped Esta clean her house as she was moving to Oxenhope. And yesterday we stopped by to see her. She's somewhere in her late 20's early 30's and she is either full Italian and grew up in Yorkshire, or she's half Italian. Anyway, we all know how much I love Italians. I seriously want to go to Italy sometime in the future.
    We had an amazing lesson with her, we taught the Restoration, and she accepted it! She is anew investigator officially and we shall be seeing her and Bobby on Wednesday. :)

     We also went on exchanges this week with Sister Staheli (Utah) and Sister Schmidt (Idaho). I went to Leeds with Sister Staheli and Sister Schmidt came here. It was good. Sister Staheli is super adorable and it was a lot of fun.  For tea on Friday (during the exchange) the members fed us Chip Butties. It was the first time I'd had them, they didn't exactly appeal to me. (It's literally Fish 'n' Chips with

ketchup, vinegar, and salt...in a bun..a.k.a. death. It wrecked me. But I will not lie and say I didn't enjoy it. I don't think I'd ever eat it again, it is probably the greasiest, most carb-filled meal in the world, but it was actually nice
     Oh! And we had a lesson with Ronny, an old man that we met a few weeks ago. And guess What?! He worked as border patrol in Cyprus in his younger days and he actually met Marilyn Monroe and CARY GRANT. I think my jaw dropped to the floor and I actually jumped out of my chair. I met a person who met Cary Grant! My days... my connection to Cray Grant is now only through one person, and lucky you, yours is now only through two!
This week has been fab.
I love you all,
Sister Lybbert ;D

Week 70

Dear Mother and Everyone,
I'm not sure when you should expect travel plans, but it is a weird thought. I told them the information they needed about a week ago, so it shouldn't be too long until you know.

Knocking on the Bronte's door

     I loved General Conference. I loved how it was so focused on the Savior and about the Sacrament and how we can come to know Christ better by being agents and acting for ourselves. I have been studying from the manual, "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles" and feel like my relationship with Christ has grown in so many ways this past week. I understand more about what His life was like, and what His teachings mean. I also feel a greater appreciation for the Atonement. Conference went along with my studies and questions so well. I also loved Neil L. Anderson's talk. Lately, we've had so many people bring up "facts" about Joseph Smith that are absolutely horrible, and obviously not true, considering the meekness and humility of his character. I think my favorite talk was Jorg Klebingat. It was amazing. I really want to study his talk more in the near future, and learn how to build better spiritual confidence.
     This week has been really good. I can't really remember much about it (my mind always goes during e-mail time). We had some really good miracles and were able to see some desire in some less-active members that we are working with.
Also, our district had a competition last week for the team that could get the best cat photo. We won, but who is surprised? haha, actually, everyone's were super funny. It is also a good way to get people at the door to realize that we aren't nuns, or robots. We love cats!
I love the gospel. I love being a missionary and I know that there is no more compelling or greater work than this!
I love you all as well!
Love,
Sister Lybbert

Cat photo #1

Cat photo #2

Cat photo #3
This lovely picture won the
district's cat photo contest

cat photo #4