May 19, 2014
Dear Family,
Whoa, whoa, whoa! There is so much big news coming from all directions in my e-mails today! I love it also because it is all good news!
     Ciana: First off, I think that you looked absolutely stunning at your grad. You pulled off the lipstick very nicely. You are gorgeous! I cannot believe it was grad for you though, I'm still in denial that one of my baby sisters is almost 18. Like I said, I thought I knew everything when I was your age...well...I've come to see otherwise...haha. I love you though and am so proud of you!
     Tal: A good penny boarding place would be probably the new chapel car park, or, there's a really nice place near where you live. I can't remember the name of the street...it starts with a "P"? It is across the football fields...anyway..find it and let me know how it goes! :)
     Kyler: Thank you for the e-mail bro! I am so glad you got some new airplanes and that Josh got another BB gun. It sounds like you are having some fun over there in Canadia! But, do you know what's more exciting?! You will be officially my little brother soon! I already consider you my little brother, but this is so exciting that everything is working out! I love your guts!
     Dad: I'm glad that Queen Josephine is running the factory well, and that the results are delicious. I didn't realize you'd have honey so soon (I have no idea how bees do it...but I am so excited to learn!)
     Mara: Thanks for the e-mail! I am glad you have a new addition and especially that he likes to be entertained by bible stories [referring to Samara & Scott's lizard]...just as long as you cover his eyes during the dodgy "Donny Osmand has his shirt off" parts. Ew! Also, it is exciting that you are getting a car. Standard is seriously the most fun to drive. Fun fun fun!
    Josh, Ash, Kaiah, Brandon, Scott, I love you too but just a little less. JUST KIDDING> I love you too. I just don't have all the time in the world to express it. And you didn't write anything to me this week so sorry, you don't deserve anything more than my heartfelt love.
     Cammie: Why are your kids so adorable? Ahhh my heart is melting! I am so happy for J.P. and her house too. J.P. I need to see some photos :)
     This week has been full of surprises. First off, Sister Kumire has been transferred to Stanley because a sister went home and that leaves Sister Acs, Dragoti and me in a trio! It was quite a shock but we are coping. being in a trio proves to be what everyone says: hard. Not because of the people in it, but because companionship unity is hard to have during teaching situations or when finding. Plus, approaching people on the street in a trio is more like we are surrounding them and then we scare them off. We are improving little by little though.
     Sister Acs was only here 5 weeks before I came, and Sister Dragoti was only here one week before I came so we don't know anyone. We are basically whitewashing...it is okay though because we have some eternal investigators which means we aren't totally unable to have teaching appointments.
     To answer Kaiah's question about why Harrogate is so posh...I still don't know. (haha got you there) But to just give you a little more insight, in July, part of the Tour de France is in Harrogate. (I'm also confused because up until I came here I thought the Tour de France was a "tour of France"? Beats me...someone is confused.) So, if  I'm here next transfer I will be able to be among some insane crowds. I don't really know what else to say, but that I love you and I know that the gospel is true.
   This week in my study I was studying obedience, and it took me to the Book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament.  I was able to draw some really great parallels to missionary work and obedience from it.
    Nehemiah was a Jew, and was informed that the city of his forefathers, Jerusalem, had been attacked. there was a lot of work ot be done to build it up again. So, Nehemiah prayed and fasted about what he could do. He requested to the King to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the outer wall and the city itself. The king granted his request and he went.
   However, wicked men didn't want the work to go forth, and they tried attacking those that were working to build the wall. So, the workers had to work with one had , and have a weapon in the other.
Nehemiah 4:17 
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

When the wicked men saw that physically fighting them wasn't working, they decided to use a more subtle tactic and they tried to coax Nehemiah down from the wall to "speak to him." However, Nehemiah sent messengers down to tell them that "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Neh 6:3)

And with some more temptation, opposition and struggles,Nehemiah pressed forward and cried out to the Lord. I love this verse:
 6: 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

The parallel is that we, as members and as missionaries, are trying to rebuild God's Kingdom that has been destroyed by wicked men. We cannot just do the work without protecting ourselves as well with obedience and our covenants.
The adversary wants to weaken us but why should we come down and let the work cease so that we can converse with opposition? When we give in to temptation or when we are not living up to our potential and privileges, we are allowing Satan to speak with us, and the work is hindered. And, when we see that the road ahead is difficult, and our hands are becoming weak, we can press forward, crying out to the Lord:

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

I know this is so important and I found so much strength in reading this. 
I love you and I know that the gospel is true.
Love,
Sister Lybbert :)

Mother's Day Skype

     We had a lovely visit with Sister Lybbert on Skype yesterday. I love technology! As a kid, this would have been believable only on Star Trek. As a result of our visit yesterday, her email today was very short. I will include it but I thought I'd add a little.
     Sister Lybbert is doing well. She looks amazing and in some ways, has picked up a funny little accent, not much though. She has only been in her new area (Harrogate) for 5 days. Her companion is from Hungary. She told us her name but I don't remember it. She said that Harrogate is absolutely beautiful. She said it is what she pictured England to look like. She is happy and healthy and working hard.
      It is so strange to think she's been out for almost a year! Time has flown by for her and for us. She's trying to figure out what to do for schooling. She and Sister Monroe have become very close friends and because of that, she would like to go to BYU Provo, but she also is debating whether or not to finish her Photography Technology at N.A.I.T. or to do a business degree somewhere (the U of L was mentioned too). In other words, she is having the same trouble deciding as 90% of her peers. I told her she has time to figure it out. She loves being a missionary. She loves the people and loves the gospel.
   Sister Lybbert sang us a song in German that she had promised to sing last time but ran out of time. We asked her what it said and all she knew was that it had something about "birthday" in it. She also spoke some Italian. She didn't know what it meant really, but she did say she can pray in Italian. She does a great impression of a Scottish accent as well. Scott, our son-in-law, whose mother is Scottish, was here at Christmas when Sis. Lybbert Skyped, and said her accent was pretty good!

I told you it was beautiful!

Here is what she wrote this week:
Dear Family,
It was so good to see you yesterday! I have the best parents and brothers and sisters and brothers-in-law in the whole wide world. Thanks Brandon, for making me breakfast too. ;)
I don't really know what to say today other than that I love you and am so proud of all of you. Ash, Josh and Kyler are getting SO big I can hardly believe it and looking as classy as ever. Ciana, I need grad photos asap too. I cannot believe this is the week of grad! WHAT?!
It is nice and rainy here. I like being not so far north because it isn't cold when it rains now. I don't need to bundle up quite as much.
I really love reading through Moroni 10 a couple of days ago. I wrote down everything that Moroni exhorts us to do. At first, I thought it would just be to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, but he actually exhorts us to do seven things. So, I challenge you all to also go through and write down those seven things. It is powerful.
You are wonderful and I love your guts and goo.
And shout out to Cameron! I love you, don't forget your Lysie!!
Love,
Sister Lybbert :)

Sister Kumire's first fortune
cookie

With Sister Neilson

Transfers #8

Dear Family,
I can't believe transfers are happening again. It is probably the most stressful night in a missionary's lifetime waiting for that answer phone [phone message]. Anyway, make your guesses!  ****spoiler alert*****

With Clare

Italian Pizza Night!

I hate packing!

with Sister Morley

Elder Tsai and I have sock buddies

Saying good bye to Ashleigh

Sister M and I syncing our serenity

With Trish (a.k.a. Sister Bishop)
& Harriet

South Shields & Gateshead sisters
on Metro one last time

I'm going to Harrogate! (a.k.a. the poshest place in the mission...from what I've heard). There's an American Army base there too so there are probably going to be a lot of Americans which will be fun. I'm serving with Sister Something from Somewhere. I don't know how to write her name, and I'm not sure where she's from...I think she's Hungarian? I couldn't really tell ya, but my mind is all a blur anyway. I couldn't sleep last night. I leave tomorrow, but boy do I ever hate packing. I'm pretty excited for the new adventure, at the same time, South Shields is like my home, and the people here are like my family. It will be a very bittersweet departure. It is insane that I have only had two companions so far and now my third is also an ESL (English Second-Language). Sadly, I now have to try and learn Italian on my own, and maybe even try and learn bits of another language to help in language study. I'm not really sure though. We will see.
     It sounds like things are going splendidly back in pleasant little Magrath. Happy Birthday to Kaiah! Whoo!
     And, I'm not sure what time I'll be Skyping seeing as how I'm moving tomorrow, but I will let you know during this week sometime. And to answer Dad's question, England has Mother's Day in March (I think ...can't remember...it seems so long ago haha).
     I don't really know what to say, I'm in shock, haha. Today for P-day we are enjoying one last day in Newcastle together as sisters in the North Zones and then we are probably going to watch Monster's University at Emma's (recent convert). I love that movie, but I am so tired I will probably take a nap. Yep, that's what I'll do.
     Tal is so good and I'm glad you were able to Skype her. Please keep in touch with her seeing as how I can't really (as easily). I will miss her so much along with Ashleigh, the other members, Sisters Nigido, Monroe and Peck.
     This week we were teaching people about the great importance of John 3:16. It is a well-known verse by all but if we really think about how wonderful it is that God loves us, we gain greater appreciation and gratitude for what He has given us and the plan that He made for us. What if God didn't love us? But he does and it is phenomenal. Ponder that.
I love you all,
Keep the Faith!
Sister Lybbert

p.s. thanks Jonny for the letter! It's funny because I was thinking about writing you but I didn't have your recent address. I didn't know where you were. I'm so glad you are in the Mill Creek Ward! tell them hello for me. I will try to reply but in not soon, I am sorry. is Bishop Shipley still the Bishop? Ah, man, I love my Mill Creek family. I bet so much has changed since I left though.

Kinder Egg birthday hunt

Dear Family,
I'm not really sure what to write about. This week has been good, but really rainy. I haven't really minded the rain until it became cold and rainy. But, the snails and slugs are coming out...I guess that means it is spring? Ew.
I think baby Ben is sooo adorable, and I love my Cameron.
Sister Nigido and I were talking about the "Good, Better, Best" principle today. I remembered the Young Women's Project we did when you were my leader and I think it was such a great thing. I want to make sure that I don't waste my life doing meaningless nothings, because if you think about it, spending one hour on face book every day = 365 hours in a year and 3650 in 10 years. So, in that amount of time you could probably become a professional harp player, or learn how to crochet with your toes (maybe not quite, but you get the idea).
There are so many things that I have learned about how I can make sure I keep away from distractions and really come to grow close to God.
Tal is incredible, isn't she? She is like a sister to me and I love her to pieces. Next week is transfers again...and I don't know what is going to happen....ahhh.
I love you all and pray for you.
keep smiling and be grateful for all that you have.
Love,
Sister Lybbert :)

Oh, I forgot, Saturday was Sister Nigido's birthday! It was fantastic. I made German Pancakes and then decorated it to be an Italian flag with kiwi, whipped cream and strawberries. Then, because we sisters are collecting the Disney Princesses out of the Kinder Eggs (we only needed Belle...we have a ton of Cinderellas), we made a Kinder egg hunt for her AND...WE FOUND TWO BELLES! I don't think there's been so much screaming in the flat as there was when we opened those. We find joy in the simplest of things. :) Later that night we had face masks and a dance party to our missionary music. Whoo!

Incredible Week!

Dear Family,
I almost died when I opened the package. I had been telling everyone about these heaven-worthy marshmallow eggs that my mom makes every Easter, and there they were! I knew it as soon as I saw the wax paper. I was so tempted to just eat them all myself, but I shared them as instructed. :)
     This week has been absolutely incredible. Seriously, incredible. We have found four new investigators and they are solid. It has been so long since we have found four solid new people to teach in this kind of time and we feel so blessed. The first two we are hopefully meeting with tonight, Paul and Emma. They were found knocking. they have open minds and they are willing to learn and that is just incredible.
     The third new investigator was quite the miracle. It is also kind of a funny story. I though that there was and Easter fireside announced for 6 pm here in South Shields and so I had been inviting people to it for the past week. Well, it was actually in Newcastle at 6:30. I felt like an idiot...haha. Mostly because I didn't know what I was going to do if people actually showed up at our chapel. I believe though, that it was all meant to happen because when we went to the chapel (to make sure nobody turned up) there was nobody there, thank goodness. (Yes, I was happy about it, I didn't really feel like my companion and I could put on an entire Easter Program.)

South Shields Museum

   However, there were three teenage girls standing outside near the bus stop next to the church. I felt that we had better talk to them seeing as how we had just walked to the church for nothing. At first, they were typical teenage girls, giggling and smirking at the fact that these two 21 year old 'nuns' were talking to them. But, we persisted and helped them to see why it is so important to have a knowledge of God and the potential He's given us as His daughters. then we asked if they had ever prayed before. One of them had tried, but she said she didn't really know how. At that, we told them we were going into the church and they could come with us and we could teach them how to pray. They all looked at each other, and then at us, and said yes!
     We had a lovely lesson with them, and helped them really to see that it is incredible how this earth is so organized, and about different evidences that God exists. It was a huge miracle, because as we were telling them these things, we told them about this incredible girl we met a few months ago and that we taught her and she was baptized. Well, we mentioned her name, and it just so happens that one of the girls is Tal's cousin! It was powerful, and at the conclusion, we taught them how to pray, and you could tell that they were feeling something.
     We invited them to learn more, and to join us at Young Women's on Wednesday. Tal's cousin is coming and Talyia is over the moon about it. We feel so blessed. Unfortunately for the other girls, their parents didn't give permission.
     Anyway, it has been phenomenal this week. We just had a lesson with a new investigator and it went so good. And yesterday for P-day we spent it with the four South Shields Sisters, the Gateshead Sisters, and Emma and Jayla. Emma was recently baptized and her daughter, Jayla, is 2 and she's the most adorable thing ever. We went out for dinner at an Italian place that is literally on the seafront and it was delightful. :)
Love you all, keep up the missionary work,
Love,

Sister Lybbert

Dear Family,
     Cammie, you failed to send me the deets on the baby! You are forgiven though. President Monson's conference talk is taking effect and I approve of baby Benny Ben Benjamin. ;)
     Things here are going well. The sun is shining today so we are going to the North Shields ruins across the water. (It has been miserable and rainy the past few days ...and WINDY.)
     I loved conferenc and I loved the Women's session. Bonnie L. Oscarson is one of my favourite speakers to listen to. She did such wonderful job last conference (or the conference before that...I can't recall which one). Also, Elder Oak's talk for the priesthood was incredible. It completely settled any feelings of doubt in my self-worth as a woman. it must have taken so much courage on his part as well, to speak on such a topic with all of the protest "movements' going on at the moment.
     I'm so happy you were able to have a great gospel conversation with all of you. Family dinners are the nicest. I have "family" here that are so wonderful to be around for dinners and things. South Shields ward gets a 12 /10 for its treatment to the missionaries.
     I heard that Ashy face timed Talyia! I was so excited when she told me she was planning on face timing you Ash! She said it was really good and that she met Joshy and Mom. What was crazy for me was that my Mission life and Home life just connected. Unfortunately, Ashy, I can't "conveniently" be at Tal's when you face time, hahah, but I'll be seeing you on Skype next month. :)
     Sister Nigido and I have been spending a lot of time finding. unfortunately, we haven't been seeing any "crazy" results, justs ome good seeds planted. I really loved what Elder Uchtdorf said about being grateful for the rain before the rainbow comes. I'm working on just being happy and grateful even if we don't see the fruits of our efforts right away. Saturday we devoted most of the day to street contacting (what I find most difficult...because everyone is "busy" - to go to the chippy, whilst walking 0.2 km an hour-) It was a good day, but we didn't get any return appointments. I am being refined. Haha.
     Well, I love you and I'm grateful for your love and support. I am happy and healthy and cushty belta. Haha.
Love,

Sister Lybbert :)

Two Week Update

                                                                                                                            April 1, 2014

it was very foggy so we
decided to take an emo picture

Are you ready for the crazy transfer news? Tal probably already put it on fb, but...NIGIDO and I are going for a FIFTH TRANSFER together here in South Tyneside! I am still in shock. I've never heard of a companionship that lasts this long, but I'm so happy about it. Even better, we have Sister Monroe and Peck with us still as well. President Pilkington hardly made any changes this transfer throughout the mission. The only change in our entire zone is that Elder Dotschkat is going to Huddersfield. elder Dotschkat is from Calgary, so we're losing a Canadian up in Sunderland. :( I love this Zone though. It is brilliant.

Sis. M's birthday French toast

With Bro. Mcfayden a.k.a. the
best Ward Mission Leader EVER!

     We also had some incredible miracles this week. We got a referral from none other than our recent convert, Ashleigh, and he is fantastic. We scheduled him for baptism in the first lesson (Preach My Gospel style) and he's feeling the Spirit of the gospel. And we had a great lesson with Lawrence, our new investigator that is from the Congo. And we met a lovely potential, Laura, who is 18 and she's hilarious. We knocked at her door, and at first the conversation wasn't anything special, and then when we kept talking, she saw that we weren't robots, but humans, and she really had a good time. We are hoping to see her soon this week.

stranded in Whitburn...again!

     I am so excited for General Conference. I'm also very happy to be here for it because this ward is amazing. they aren't broadcasting the General Women's Meeting until April 13th, so unless I download the talks, I can't really see it until then.
    Something I really miss is going to the Temple. I will be going so much when I can.
    I'm not sure what else to say except thank you to everyone who writes, and I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to complete joy.
Love you,
Sister Lybbert

                                                                                                                              April 8, 2014
Dear Family,
     I absolutely loved conference. It was wonderful! My favorites were Bishop Stevenson's, President Uchtdorf, Russel M. Nelson, Henry B. Eyring and M. Russell Ballard's. I haven't' seen the Sunday evening session yet. they don't broadcast it at 9:00 p.m...shame.
     I'm really happy to be in South Shields. It has been fantastic so far and we've seen some great miracles lately with the people we are teaching and finding. Sometimes it is hard when you spend a whole day awaiting a lesson, and they don't show (flog), but I guess it is all part of life.
     I did see Joshy's bow tie! Classy! I've noticed there is a huge difference between suits here and in North America. Men's suits here are very tapered and fitted, and they all wear very pointy shoes. Joshy, you should get mom to make it European for you!

With Bro. Spedding

     I love how conference was very centered on obedience and standing up for what you believe in. Also, to not get distracted by things of the world and to tie yourself back to God, not to objects. there were so many wonderful talks.
    I was inspired that M. Russell Ballard spoke on studying Preach My Gospel more effectively. Lately I have just delved into it from the very beginning. Up until the last few days, my PMG looked so bare. There wasn't much written in the margins, or highlighted, but since I've been focusing so much on it, I've been learning great things and it looks less naked now. I used to think that PMG was too simple already to really need to take notes on the sides, but I was completely wrong. It is incredible what you can learn and apply from the simplest of things.
     It has been rainy lately. All the time, and everywhere. Although, I guess the mornings are usually nice. Sister Monroe and I are motivating each other to go running at 6:30 a.m. I have been feeling better about myself, but I'm afraid there remains some 'extra'  Sister Lybbert that I really don't appreciate.
   It is crazy though (besides what I mentioned above), if you look at my bus ticket, the picture is from week 1 of my mission, and I look like I am 15 years old. Yesterday I was told I look 18. Whoo!

Sis. P and M and me with
haggis...surprisingly not
that bad!

     Oh family, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Dad, you mentioned how Southern Alberta is sort of a bubble where persecution (and worldly influence) isn't really felt as much as other places. I can support that statement, and what worries me the most is that the people in the bubble (Utah, Idaho, Alberta, etc) will actually slip away because of distractions that seem harmless. I was so happy when Russell M. Nelson cranked all the super-bowl fans that skip out on church. I can't wait to listen to the rest of conference and the women's broadcast.
I love you all,
Be safe, and keep God at the top of your priorities because that will always bring the greatest peace, joy and safety we could ever have.
Sister Lybbert :)

Who rode Sis.  Dodsworth's stairlift?
 I did! Whoo!