2nd Letter from MTC

This is a copy of the second letter we received from Nate in the MTC.  He is indeed a man of few words!

Hey guys!!!

Greetings from Joburg!!!! 

So all is well!!! 

No nosebleeds! 

My watches were stolen from the lost bag! 

There is no thanksgiving here!  Um, I hope you guys had a great thanksgiving! 

I miss you guys a ton! I wrote a letter home so be watching the mail.  

So, Matt moved out for good? I'm confused.  

I saw the Southern Cross, Pop!!!  It's pretty sweet.  

I write in my journal A TON!!!  It is very helpful. 

I saw a monkey by the highway.  The driving here is insane!!  Well I guess everything is.  

Tell grandpa to get better, and tell Matt happy birthday for me.  

If you could do me a big favor and tell me all the birthdays for everyone in our family. I love you all soo much.  

I have been learning a ton.  I pray for all of you all the time! 

Thanks for the pictures!!! 

Till next time, 

Elder Lloyd

P.S.   Something for the bulletin... "People are so different here.  They want to hear about the feelings of the spirit, not the doctrines or principles of Christ.  Very simple people.  They just want to feel good.  I wish all people could just be that simple!"


This is a copy of the Thanksgiving Family picture we sent to Nate.

Family History at the MTC

Last Sunday, the missionaries (who wanted to) did family history work.  5 women names were found and 9 males names were found for the missionaries to take to the Temple.

I also am sending photos of some of the missionaries receiving a candy bar because they had clean rooms when I did a room check.  Thanks for teaching them to be clean and orderly!  This is one of the rare groups where every room was clean!

There is also a photo of Elder Nyambita...who had a birthday and kept it a secret.  But I found out and we had an impromptu celebration for him...very fun.

This group is doing so well.  We love each one!


Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

Letter From MTC President's Wife

We received a letter from the MTC President's wife, Sister Reber.  So I guess there is proof that he really is there.  Here is a copy of her letter and some pictures she took of the missionaries.


Dear Parents, Friends, Siblings, Bishops,

This is Sister Reber, wife of the MTC President. Your missionary has safely arrived at the MTC. We have had trouble with creating ldsmail email accounts for many of the missionaries....so although they have tried to email you, it hasn't worked. I am sending a few photos of the group. They are a small group of 14 missionaries from 8 different countries: USA, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Ireland, Swaziland, Dubai, and Tanzania.

There are 11 Elders and 3 Sisters. This is the first time we have had a missionary from Ireland....or Dubai. But Elder Bukenya, is Ugandan....working in Dubai. They study together, sing together, eat together, play volleyball together, and pray together.

We are blessed that they are all happy and healthy and eager to learn. Thank you for sharing them with us. I'm sending a few photos of their arrival....and also of one where many are eating gem squash for the first time. The food here in South Africa is very good.

Love, Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

 

First Letter Home

This is the first letter from Elder Lloyd. 

Elder Lloyd here! 

Hey Mom and Dad, how are ya!  I am fantastic! I love it here very much! The MTC is powerful! So I got here in one piece! One of my bags didn't show up the first day and that was a bad day indeed.  But I prayed and got it back.  Ahh, you were so right about Doctrines and Principles. Thats all we have been studying.  My P day is Sat here and Mon in the mish.  It is gorgeous here! my companions name is Elders Slabbert he is a native here but white...  He has a good spirit, I love em. Only 15 elders and 3 sisters here.  The spirit is with me, I am fearless when talking about the gospel. I can't get pictures to you till the field so 17 days from now. Um the food is super weird, haha!!!  But its still good.  I have some cool pictures. Um, I have had 4 nosebleeds since arriving, a little worrysome, but if I have another I will recieve a blessing.  Dad, this Gospel is burning! I cannot express how it makes me feel. Like God's hand is on my shoulder. Do not worry about me, I am protected by angels.  I represent my family fires, the church, and Christ.  Pray for me I will need it.  I am a couple days in and it is very difficult.  Tell Matt and Megan and Randy I love them very much.  I cannot wait to see them again!  I love you and Mom very much. I only have 30 minutes to write.

Till next time,

Elder Lloyd

Time to go!

This is Elder Lloyd just minutes before leaving for the airport.  Looks kind of like a deer in the headlights, Huh?

Then at the airport as we all said good-bye.  Nathan left for the MTC in Johannesburg on November 13th, at about 1:00pm.

Set Apart as a Full Time Missionary

Nate was set apart as a Full Time Missionary on November 12th by President Bryce Porter.  He received a beautiful blessing.  Time to go to work!

Tomorrow is my last day!!

Holy cow am i nervous! I cant sleep! Haha that is definitely the worst part.  But i have been hanging with Matt and Megan a bunch lately i love em to death and am going to miss em a ton! (I will miss lil gav man too).  I'm super pumped to get out there! Maybe a little too pumped.  But i cant wait to get out there and build his kingdom. I love you all!!

 Til next time, Elder Lloyd.

My first Temple Trip

My first time through the temple was at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on September 22, 2012.  I went with my parents and Randy & Dani.  It was very beautiful.

One More Week!

One more week to go before I leave.  Well, actually 10 days.  It's starting to get real now!