11/12/12

THANKS FOR THE E-MAILS and MAIL FAMILY!: Dad, I'll be looking forward to the mail you send as mentioned in your e-mail, and yes I have been enjoying meeting every nonmember I come in contact with. In fact I have a miracle to share with you today. Mom, Thank you for that letter. I'm grateful that Nephi's teachings can also be likened to the dissapointment of an election lost. But in all seriousness, I am truely grateful for the prayer you mentioned, and the wisdom and love you always share in your e-mails. Elizabeth, Oh my goodness, I think this was my favorite batch of pictures you have sent me of Olivia yet. And it was cool to see the face of James Jr. I hope Olivia is ok after her fall. She is too cute! Esspecially in the "Woah" video. Erik, I was thinking about you all week and how I didn't thank you for writing me an e-mail last week. I am sorry. But thank you for last week's and this week's email. I always appreciate your perspective! Yes sometimes Agency is no fun. I agree. But you're right it is a joy to see people use it correctly esspecially after having a bunch of people not use it correctly.Sister Benividez thank you for your card. And don't worry about not sending the 5 dollar bill. No need. You focus on your dental care. Thank you for thinking of me and writing me a card! Keep me posted on how your Thanksgiving goes!

 

So does everyone want to hear a cool miracle? Yes, I thought so. So Elder Palmer and I were tracting. People slamming doors on us left and right. Yay! So then we approach this door where a lady answers. She is on the phone and asks us to wait around and that she was almost done with the phone call. She closed the door part way and finished the phone call. (For me, in the past, it usually has not been good if a person wanted to talk to us so bad, that they allow you to wait for them to be off the phone because usually they just want to put you down.) Well she comes to the door again, and we introduce ourselves. She said "Yes, I know who you are, I've been taught by two other missionaries before." "Oh," I said "Well, why are you not taking lessons anymore?" "Well," She continues "I believe that you are part of a cult. And I have tried to remove anything from my house that could allow Satan in, so I got rid of the Book of Mormon and told the other missionaries not to contact me anymore." "'Ms. D'" I said, "We are not a cult. We are here to help you to be a better Christian by making commitments such as reading the Book of Mormon and being baptized. Will you be baptized on December 8th, if God tells you that this is right for you?" "I would have to know with out a doubt that it is true." She said. "Great," I said, "and you can. I promise you if you read this book. (The book of Mormon) You will get that answer. It is true. I know it. Will you be baptized on that day if God answers your prayers?" "Yes." She said. "Great! We'll come by tommorrow with someone who can be your lifetime friend through this whole process." Elder Palmer bears testimony and sets up appointment. We have a great lesson with the member and her next day and set up a church tour.

 

Next Day: Phone call from 'Ms. D." "Hi Elder Lovell and Elder Palmer. Just calling to cancel and to let you know I dont want either of you calling me or visiting anymore." Me: "Why?" Her: "Because I dont believe what you've taught is from God." E. Palmer: "Have you been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it?" Her: "Praying yes, reading, no. I just dont believe it is true or see why we need it, nor do I believe your church is the only true one." Me: "Lets turn to the bible and read about what your end of the deal is in getting an answer about this." Read to her the scripture about experimenting on the word and knowing if I speak of myself or of God. Me "Ms., what are you going to do to get an answer." Her: " The same thing I have always done. Just going and reading the bible and praying." Me: "Let me try and understand. I think you have a little bit of fear of changing your life around to come closer to the Savior. I am sure you've felt the spirit, I just think you're scared." Her: "It may seem that way but I am so stressed out and I am thinking of admitting myself into the hospital, and I can take this anymore." Me: "We'll come over tommorrow to give you a blessing!" Her: Ok. (We gave her a blessing she still wants to meet with us everyday and she is still on date for baptism!)

 

Almost out of time! Gotta go!

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"

11/6/12

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Rachel and Ryan, I realized soon after I sent my e-mail last week that I did not mention you both. I recieved that post... brick. It is awesome! I unfortunately could not three hole punch it to put it in my letter binder, but now it sits in the front of that binder in a pocket :). I also recieved your package. I LOVE the shirts and the pictures AND the FOOD! I ate the gummy snacks and the nutella in two days. They were yummy. Unfortunately the muffin mix stuff was punctured somehow and went all over the inside of the box! That was sad. But it was all yummy and awesome. Thanks! Dad - Thanks for the e-mail. I always enjoy the quotes you use in it. Where do you find all of those quotes from philosophers? Many times I have recited the quote you sent to me three weeks ago in the mail - "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." How true that is. By the way, I met a sister benson who knew you that said she grew up with you. She remembered you burning down the barn. I gave her your e-mail. Hope that is ok. She is in my ward. Mom - To answer some of your questions, Elder Palmer is from Idaho Falls. He is the ONLY companion I have known that knew where Ririe was. Ambulence Families are not reactivation families. They are fellowshipping families. They are called that because most of the Investigators we meet are super sad. Thats why they listen to us. So we call up the ambulence family to be a fellowship family that can be ready at a moments notice to fellowship this investigator family. This mission also uses them as a finding family. They find a family that they can teach in their home and bring them to us. Thank you for that e-mail! I did vote. It went very well. Everything worked out as planned.

 

Today we are going to the temple. That is why I did not write yesterday. Today is our P-day this week. This last week we had a church tour with a woman named Sonja. She was fantastic. She doesnt want to come to church though, which is a bit frustrating because we did everything for her to feel the spirit. The most frustrating thing is all these people who come to the verge of baptism. Paris is one of them. (The son of the woman who gave you all a call about her medical problems). He came so close! He still is close. But I think he's going to become a former investigator. I've cried many times for him. Jacob is another. So close, yet so far. Chris. Tracy. And the list goes on. Sometimes I feel like if I just let the emotions for these people flow, it would just be unbearable. Somehow God keeps missionaries going to where they forget those pains and we can just deal with it and hope they get baptized.

 

Well, my companion forgot his camera at home. You can blame him for me not finishing this letter... ish. (I only typed that because he was looking at my screen.) Just kidding. The timer is almost up. 2 minutes to go. I hope you all have a great week! I love you all! 

10/2912

Dear Family and Friends,

Dad, Thank you for your e-mail and mail! Actually - I wanted to tell you a quick joke. Sister Partl told it to me and I thought you might appreciate it. (this is the story of why we put an angel on the top of the tree at Christmas - "So things are not going well at the North Pole. Christmas is in a week. Ms. Clause is in a monthly bad mood, the raindeers are sick, the sleigh has not come back from the repair shop and to throw a wrench in the mix even further, the elves have gone on strike in consideration of the calamities abounding. Santa is, well, less than happy. He's fuming. Steam coming out of the ears, and he swears to himself 'if one more thing goes wrong... (grumble grumble grumble).' Just then, an angel flies into his office holding a Christmas tree. She says, 'Santa, where would you like me to put this?'" And there you have it. We know where he told her to put it.

 - Mom, thank you for your questions. Yes I received the Absentee request form. I sent it in the day after I received it. Is there a time I have to have voted by? I never send the CSD card home yet. But I did buy another card. As for Christmas things, some brown pants would be nice. Ones that can be washed of course. A smaller, portable Preach My Gospel. I'm in a blue tie fad phase. Some new tennis shoes maybe because mine have been overwhelmed with the muddy gardens of Washington when giving service. Pictures of the Family. Music. I know there's something I probably need that I am forgetting. But I'll remember at a time when it isn't important to remember. Thanks for asking. Elizabeth - Thank you for the cutest pictures of Chloe, Especially the videos. I love how she says "Hiya!" So Cute! Thank you, Thank You, Thank you!

Ok, So, I'm going to get the most important part out of the way first. There have been a lot of discussions of goals within the ward, within the stake and within the mission. Goals, Goals, Goals. Now, I understand that some people do not like setting goals and that has been expressed over and over again through out these past few weeks. I want to bear my personal testimony about goals. I have come to understand that they are not just something we hope for, they are not something that is used for recognition, and I would suggest that they are not (at least in the Lords church) simply a way of recording temporal progress, no matter how useful all those things are in accomplishing great work. I am convinced that in missionary work, Goals are commandments. President Larkin, (The Key Holder of Missionary work for the Washington Seattle Mission) has drilled into our heads that when we get a confirmation on a goal, it has now become a commandment. At the Begining of 2012, (about a year and a half into his assignment) he was laboring much in spirit concerning the annual goal of baptisms for 2012. He somehow, in much research and contemplation, came to the number of 1038. 1038 convert baptisms in the year of 2012. A member of the Seventy came down to promise this mission a great and wonderful blessing of baptizing 100 people in one single month. He promised us that after the mission accomplished that goal, we would continue to increase the number of baptisms month to date from then on. This last month, Dash Point Baptized zero. The mission Baptized 54 in the month of October. I will quote Elder Kuckuchi's (Seventy) words to the mission as best as I can recollect. "What this mission does the month after baptizing 100 of God's children will determine what kind of mission you really are, what your mission president has really taught you." I know it's fantastic we baptized 54 people. That's great! I love it! But I am not happy to show my mission president that he's only taught me to reach a goal and not continue in excellence from the time we overcome. President Larkin send a voice message throughout the entire mission today, explaining that the Church is changing. With the new rules pertaining to age limits of missionaries being sent in place, the number of mission papers recieved at Headquarters a week has jumped from 300 to 4,000. These regulations haven't even had that long to take effect and it is already sky rocketing. Imagine when all those preparing to go on missions submit their papers, that will increase exponentially! President Larkin doesn't want the Washington Seattle mission to remain the same either. He asked us to fast in repentance tomorrow from 1:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday. I am not asking you to join in that fast as none of you need to repent. What I am asking you to do is to support me in the challenges ahead. President Larkin promised each companionship a baptism in each month for the rest of the year. At Least one in November and at Least one in December. He has challenged the entire mission to baptize 200 people in November. I do NOT intend to let the Lord down. Some of you reading this letter may role your eyes at that, but I am serious. I know that this is the Lord's will. 200 people are prepared to be baptized in the mission and at least 2 in Dash Point for the rest of the year. I NEED NEED NEED your prayers to qualify me to be trusted with those people. I need support. It might even help to throw a little reminder in each letter or note you send to me by mail or e-mail. President Larkin has also challenged us to read the entire book of Mormon before the end of the Year. If you would like to Join me, I am starting tomorrow at 8:00 - ! Nephi 1:1. Please Please Please, remind me, help me, and pray for me in this endeavor. Even if you may not totally agree with goal setting. Just trust me that I am certain in this command from the Lord. It will strengthen my faith, and it will strengthen yours.

I love you all. Thank you for being concerned about my health, my success, and happiness. Thank you for your prayers and words of kindness and love.

Love,

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear no

Dear Family,

Elizabeth, thank you so much for the videos and pictures - the one with chloe taking out tissues faster and faster is my favorite! Has she always done that to tissue boxes? That was so cute!. Dad, thank you for your notes both on e-mail and in ML-mail (manual labor mail) - I esspecially loved the joke about the thermometer falling at the speed of light. I did meet with the psychologist this past week, I well send you a seperate e-mail about that in a minute. I always love how you show that you read what I write and also give me updates about the family. Mom, Oh my goodness, those pictures of Chloe were adorable. Thank you! I also loved your e-mail, esspecially the advice to pray more specifically about what I need. That really helped. I'll let you know how that goes next week. The picture with you and chloe with the fake mustaches is my favorite.

Well, Elder Fukuyasu was transfered. Everyone was pretty emotional. In fact one young boy in our ward came up and did the coolest thing - he hugged him and said "NO! I'm not letting you go! If you go, you have to take me with you!" Sister Partl was a mess! She cried really hard. By the way, Mom, I heard sister Partl has e-mailed you a couple of times since she wrote you about the mac and cheese recipe, she really wants you to write back. Just letting you know. Anyway, my new companion is Elder Palmer. He is also a district leader. He is a great missionary. He has been out as long as me. The first words out of his mouth were questions about the area. He already has some great ideas and how to change the area. Elder Fukuyasu is now a Zone Leader in... Auburn? I think? The zone I am in - Federal Way - was just split in two. I am now part of the Federal Way South Zone. Dash Point is now the power house of the Zone, and so, I am to expect many calls from our Zone Leaders. It is quite a dead area and so I feel we will be getting many.

This last week, on Monday  we prayed diligently to be led to someone who could be baptized. President Larkin promised Dash Point three people that could be baptized this month. We just needed to find them. After completing P-day activities we knelt in prayer. We prayed and repented much. The first door we knocked on happened to be the door of a Former investigator. She was having a hard time and she committed to read, to pray, and to be baptized if she got an answer. It was wonderful. Hope this week is full of many more experiences like that!

Sorry I don't have time for a spiritual thought. We had to travel long to get to the library today, plus its transfers. Will try my best next time.

Love, 

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"

October 8, 2014

Dear family,

First, thanks for the mail and emails from mom and dad. Thank you Erik, also for your e-mail, and Elizabeth for your many cute pictures of Olivia!!!!!

The announcement that young men and women can start serving at 18 and 19 is really awesome! I thought about Dallin a month away from turning 19 and just went to college. He probably isnt too happy. I think my favorite talk was again President Holland's. The member that I live with, Brother Anderson, declared that as the church's new war cry: "Do you love me? Feed my Sheep!" This conference in particular seemed like a church milestone. Every able bodied young man and woman, plus the elderly have the flood gates opened for opportunities to serve missions. Not to mention it seemed like those that have left the church were begged back like nothing else. If these arent the signs of the second coming, I dont know what is.

This week we met a young man named Narciso. He didnt know much about anything religion. We put him on date for baptism, but he will have to be taught by the missionaries over the young single adult ward. But he felt the spirit and I dont think he knew that he has a Heavenly Father. That was a pretty good lesson.

One exciting thing is that we will be recieving senior missionaries in our ward to be focused on getting less actives reactivated. Plus I anticipate we will be getting double the amount of missionaries we have now with the new ages in place. The members we live with will be part of the new senior couple missionary less active program so that is pretty exciting.

Well this is the last week of the transfer so I might not get to write again until tuesday. I hope all is well with everyone! I love you all.

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"

10/1/12

Meu Familia amada!

Announcements: Thank you to mom and dad for your e-mails and letters, and dad I got your other letter this morning just before we came to the library. Thank you so much. Mom I am sorry about the nasty protien story that happened to you, but I will be more than delighted to share it with Elder Fukuyasu. Dad I am sorry you didnt get to see the trees you wanted to in mount charelston. I am also happy to hear that you got quite the kick froms mom protein bar story. Elizabeth, Olivia's pictures and videos this week were the best! Kudos to you for those! My goodness what a cute little girl she is becoming! Thank you for all the e-mails you sent me. By the way, I get a couple of different answers from people about the temperature during winter here in washington. Seems like the most common one is "Below 0" So I guess going with that, preparation never hurts anything. Thanks so much for thinking about that and I am excited to see your Christmas Present. Mom and Dad, I got your package! I've not had time to figure out what everything was yet. But I do know it is a lot of Halloween Decorations!!! Cool! Thank you! The Guanana is fantastic as usual. I esspecially loved the address labels. Those were much needed. Thank you!

This last month, the Washington Seattle Mission Baptized 101 of Heavenly Father's Children. Wow, yesterday was a great day for the mission. President Larkin is going to climb Mount Si (Really a mountain in the mission) and post our Ensigns from each zone to the Washington Seattle Mission. It was just another addition to my testimony that God of Isreal leads the camp. I was able to witness the 101st baptism. It was lovely. It was an emergency baptism though so Elder Fukuyasu was called in haste to interview the baptizee. It was a really cool experience. Esspecially because I got to run some quick errands with my Zone Leader, Elder Hampton, who I love. He is the coolest missionary in this zone. I had a great day when I exchanged with him.

This week was a tough one. Seemed like no one wanted to meet with us. Our investigators have gone stagnant. Recently I have felt much like the people of Alma when Amulon, the cheif wicked preist of noah, came to take over their little land of Helam. It seems like we prosper, and then to try our faith and patience the Lord lets us suffer a little. We are not finding any investigators who will meaningfully find their way to the waters of baptism. Most people just want to hang out. And that just makes me tired and bored. A lot of people love arguing, but thats not what I am here to do. Some days, my favorite people are the honest ones, who like us, but just aren't interested.

A miracle I saw this thursday was while I was tracting. This will feed into my spiritual thought for the week. Earlier thursday morning during personal study, I was studying a talk by Elder Bednar on how to be a preach my gospel missionary. He said something along the lines of Listen first, Observe next, Discern, and finally, Speak. I needed to hear that. Now doing those steps dont mean that we are going to know what to say, in fact I feel led to believe that we shouldn't really have anything to say. Bednar suggests we open our mouths, with the promised blessing that they will be filled and we will not be confounded before men. Wow does that work. While no one was interested in what I had to say, except maybe two people, everyone thanked me sincerely and said that I was doing the right thing. I felt like I helped them in a small way on their spiritual progression. I LOVED them. This is something that is not coming easily for me. To love the people that I meet while tracting. But with the admonition of Elder Bednar I am growing.

My spiritual thought for the week is to do with scriptures. I feel dumb for having this as my thought, but I want someone to know that the scriptures are not guidelines that teach us how to have the spirit with us so we can baptize more people. Does that make sense? It hit me like an ongoing train this week. I have been reading the scriptures so I could feel good and then go and conquer the world. That has never happened. What has happened was when I opened my mouth, I was filled with comforting words for others and the ability to express my love and concern for them. The scriptures are here to help us be more like Christ. I can easily see now how that could be regularly a confusion with missionaries. Sometimes I have thought, if I could just read the right verse and make myself feel good, I could go out and make others feel good! But it just doesnt work that way. Esspecially as a missionary. I need to find something that will make someone else feel good. I feel good when I help someone else feel good. I have been confused for the longest time. And I am still catching on. Being a missionary is hard. I am begining to learn, that the techniques to teaching, commiting, and baptizing come very much secondary to the love that is found within the scriptures. I have a LONG ways to go. 

Anyway, thats my thought for the week. I love you all! 

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"