Swedish Rain

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>

Date: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 8:11 AM
Subject: Swedish Rain!

Hej Everybody!

Its been a crazy week! Lots of ups and downs and all arounds. We have had a few bumps in the road still since last week but each day I think we have come to a clearer road, that we are just two different people with different mindsets trying to accomplish the same thing. If we rely on the Lord and do things his way we cannot fail! So that's what I am working on this week.

Each and everyday I am able to speak more and more Swedish! I am so thankful to Heavenly Father who has been helping me along this great and treacherous journey of learning Svenska. We have had many member middags (member dinners) and we get to share a spiritual thought as always. Its intimidating sometimes to speak Swedish to the natives as they listen intently to what you are saying but all in all its an awesome experience and the Spirit is ever present as we both try to speak to the best of our abilities even if they are still of little vocabulary.

We had an interesting experience as our less active member who we are teaching English to in the mornings called and asked if we could meet earlier one day. We got to the library and he had his laptop up and loaded an email about a green card lottery for the USA. That he had won and all he had to do was pay 800 dollars. He was really interested in if it was true or not. I read it and caught lots of grammatical errors and things so I thought it was fake but to make sure we looked around online and emailed someone to find out more information. It isn't everyday that you run into those kinds of things. 

This week we met Gabriel- from Nigeria and he is awesome! We went contacting in the rain and borrowed someones umbrella from the center. We taught him on the street that night, the next night we taught him in the center and then we invited him to the baptism on Saturday in Utby! He came! He also kept us posted on the US Women Soccer game. We then figured out that he is in the Elders area of Göteborg so we have to transfer him to them. Which is a bummer but he is awesome anyway!

We have continued on with our Swedish course, teaching Swedish to foreigners, even though our numbers are dwindling because of semester (vacation). We are going strong and its really awesome to help others understand the language and learn it. Some people have lived here for 4 years and don't know any Swedish. Its crazy! 

We went trackting for the first time here in Västra Frölunda. It was a fun experience as many doors people let us teach them a little even though they were not necessarily interested in us coming back and teaching more. 

The weather here is crazy, you wake up and its raining, after studies its raining even worse, we get to the spårvagn stop at Musikvagen and its not even raining at all, so you put your jacket away and by the time you are in town (15 minutes) its pouring once again. I absolutely love it! Most swedes are fair weather people so many don't come out when its sprinkling unless they are on there way and in a hurry so the weather does put a damper on the work but we have had some success, like I mentioned before with Gabriel.

On Sunday, I was asked to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting. I was nervous about doing it, just because our ward is huge and we have someone in the ward translate everything into English, which was super distracting from the pulpit. But I went up and I bore pure testimony. I didn't write it out, or have an outline. It was a great and powerful experience. I didn't know that I could bear my testimony and actually communicate so much in Swedish. The gifts the Lord blesses us with are really real and come when we put our faith to the test and just speak from the heart. 

So today, the reason why everything is later then normal. We had a fast active study, shopping, and cleaning experience this morning as we hustled to get everything done and make our way to Hesingin (no idea on the spelling) to the Volvo Museum. It was a cool place all in all but I wish I new more about cars, all the statistics on the displays and things talked of how many of this and all the details of the engine. I know some of those things but not much, I needed Dad or somebody there to give me a little more information. Then since we have Zone Conference with President Newell tomorrow our Zone met and had an activity today, American Football in the park. So we went straight over there after the museum. Its been pretty fun. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, he has made lots of changes and we are up for some more it seems. Ill keep you all posted with next weeks email.

Challenge time! I've been having a lot of thoughts about the different ways we rely on the Lord. Its a tough thought to nail down in just a few sentences. This week I want to pose a question, How and what can we do to rely on the Lord to overcome our weaknesses? I'm working on an answer for this one. With this transfer of difficulties so far Its been quite apparent to me that I have some major weaknesses to overcome. As we all know, the Lord has overcome everything. How can we unlock the key that he has found already? Maybe this is a little farfetched of a question, nonetheless I know that the Lord will help those that help themselves, serve others and have faith in him. No matter what we do He is willing to help us to be a little bit better and to do a little bit more, even when we think we cant. So what are your thoughts? Write a missionary an answer =) Then, this coming week, search for ways that you can do a little more, be a little better, and serve a little bit more. I know that as we put these righteous desires into action and pray for guidance along the way that we will be shown what we can do and we will be given help along the way. The Lord doesn't always take our problems away but I know that He strengthens us so that we can rise to the challenge of overcoming that trial. He has done it so many times for me already in my life and continues to do so while I'm here in Sweden! I love you all and hope that you will take this challenge and experiment on my words! =)

Love you all

Love

Syster Juker

Picture time!!!

Halmstad goodbye, me with Familjan Acevedo =), the halmstad apartment, Göteborg center (institute), Our apartment, My bed and bookshelves (which side is mine? its tricky!), A swedish book I want to own about a penguin!, various pictures from last pday- botanical garden, Syster Brown Talitha and I at the garden, whats called a halv special (hotdog with mashed potatoes ketchup and a mayo relish thing, it was weird), spårvagn, pictures at the volvo museum, a taxi experiment car-my favorite of the museum, more to come next week! =)   

To see pics go to facebook. =)

Vastra Frolunda

From: Jennifer Juker

Date: Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 2:21 AM

Subject: Västra Frölunda

Hej alla!

I don't have much time to write today because of lots of reasons. So you all know me I'm just like Mom I cry a lot! When Syster Page left on her train to Stockholm and I was left standing with Syster Brown and Elder Bloomfield and Wood I got teary eyed. But I looked forward to the future!

I live in Västra Frölunda and we work mostly in Göteborg. lol The town is big lots of things to do and people to contact. We actually have an institute center where we do most of our teaches. Its an awesome place. In Halmstad contacting consisted of giving out pass a long cards and a short testimony. While here we have the ability to contact and take them to the center and teach them right then and there. I've only been here since önsdag and its happened multiple times. We do a lot with the YSA and its pretty fun. We teach a Swedish Class to immigrants and I love it. After learning Swedish and then turning around and teaching it to them, i have realized how much I actually know Swedish! By no means mastered at all but I can manage and struggle through it.

We've had a struggle here in Sweden, just differences in planning styles and my addiction to it. It's one thing that I learned the importance of my first transfer and hope to continue it throughout my mission. It's the Lords time and I definitely don't want to waste it. It was time for inventory and she laughed at me and told me You actually do that? then the silent treatment, there is nothing that irritates me more than that. I wanted to throw something or call mom but I couldn't. So I knelt in prayer and asked Heavenly Father for help to overcome and to work again in unity. I then asked if we could pray together. She reluctantly agreed. I plead with the Lord to help us overcome. You know me the waterworks were on full blast. I sincerely felt like giving up. Heavenly Father helped her to open up and we got a lot out in the open. It's going to be a long transfer but we will work together and it will be great. We made promises to do better and all will be well. Syster Brown works at a different pace but she loves everyone and works hard to show it. She gave me a hug in church yesterday as our nyömvand went up and sang in the priesthood choir. It's honestly the most love I have felt since leaving Mommaitos and Rachelitios and Ryanitos, well not Ryan I couldn't hug him lol. She is awesome.

Yesterday was my first söndag here and it was awesome. The ward here is huge and they all actually talk to each other! We had a correlation meeting with the Ward Mission Leader and Ward missionaries, we had a married investigator couple come (Epiphanny and Caliss from Nigeria) They are awesome and I shook Per G. Malm's hand and didn't recognize him. After Sacrament he took me aside and said Syster Juker be good. It was pretty cool. He came out of the room with the Stake President, Biskop and others and I shook all of their hands they asked about how long I'd been in Sweden and such. I struggled to answer in Swedish, but when talking to Elder Malm everything came out right and in Swedish. It was pretty sweet.

My challenge this week is to take time each day to study the scriptures. In the morning before work, at night before bed. Just take that time to show the Lord that you are thankful for all that He has given you and that you have put Him, or are trying to put Him as a priority in your life. To those who already have this schedule going, create a journal that you can keep your inspiration in. When the Lord knows that you value it, He is more willing to give you more. I have felt this as a missionary. I started my study journal before I came and its just full of good inspiration that has helped me, my companions, my investigators and those people I contact on the street. I know that if you keep a record and do as Richard G Scott admonishes in PME you will unlock the key to more. =)

Write a newly replanted missionary a letter =) also known as me =)

Thank you for all the love and support. I really need it and appreciate it! more adventures to follow!!!!

Love

Syster Juker

I'm trying pictures but we shall see if it will work. If not Ill try later at the center.

Goodbye to Halmstad

Jul 5

Hej all!

As you may or may not know this week is transfers. Its been a crazy week. P-day was to be tomorrow but it definitely is not going to work. Well first a funny story about our mini zone conference. Our district leader Äldste Shear´s Birthday was last saturday, the same day as our conference. So the sisters in his district (us and Lund) decided to give him gifts. Lund gave him some Yoga exercise cards and Syster Page and I baked some cookies and wrote a poem. You probably dont know but Syster Page is a prankster and so we made two kinds of cookies, salty cookies and regular cookies. We rewrote the lyrics to Arthors theme song into a happy birthday song. We were the last in our Zone to hope on the train to Göteborg so we found and sat by everyone. We surprised him with his gifts and he made a video about his loving "Relief Society" and the gifts we gave him. Then he shared his cookies with everyone. Realizing there were salty ones he quickly made another video of how upset he was that they were "poisoned" and a waste of chocolate chips. He laughed in good fun. Then once at the conference he played one back on us, He put the left over cookies on the dessert table for the two zones to partake in. As we were eating, Äldste Shear just laughed and laughed. Then President Newell partook of a cookie and admonished Syster Page to get a new recipe. It was a great laugh for everyone involved. When President Newell got up to talk with us he explained about our incident "If Syster Page wasnt going to be going home Id think twice about sending her home." All in great fun mind you. 

We found out yesterday that if we were moving President Newell would call. So we were waiting around as Syster Page packed up and I cleaned. No call ever came. We planned for today, wrote in our journals and went to bed without recieveing a call. I was ok with staying in Halmstad. I have learned to love all those people here and would have loved to have stayed here another transfer. Around 10:40 President called and informed us of my transfer. Im headed to Göteborg where Ill be junior companion to Syster Brown. I just met her when we had our mini zone conference where we met President. She seems pretty nice. Im excited to learn from her more swedish and a new town. Its exciting! 

Our Fourth of July Celebration was pretty epic. We had to do some laundry yesterday so we were running up and down the stairs to the Laundry room when the Zone leaders called. The whole zone took time in the morning on the phone to sing "God bless america" (well a few random elders) and then we all recited the Pledge of Alligence, Syster Page and I standing in the stairwell of our house. I never have experienced something quite like that before. Oh and we made juice popsicles from the koolaid Mom sent =) Thanks mom!

This week I headed up most of the lessons. Its been a big change. Usually with svenska Syster Page will lead and I will follow and testify, but not this week. It has definitely been a learning experience that was definitely needed. It helped me to realize how important it is to have Faith in the Lord and to rely on inspiriation from the Holy Ghost, as well as a whole lot of study on my part. Im proud to say (proud in a good way) That Heavenly Father helped me through all the lessons we had and we were able to teach in unity with the Spirit a lot this week.  

The Lord blessed us with Marianne this week. We have been having a rough time finding people to teach. We went trackting and found her. She thought we were jehovah witness but we explained gave her The Book of Mormon and an appointment in a few days. When we arrived back she had read every night before going to bed and had taken notes. She gives great hugs and is an awesome lady! We asked her to prepare to be baptized for August 13. She is so nice. We met with her yesterday and she gave us all super great hugs. She is like 65 Id say, lives alone with a dog and kat. Will you all please pray for her that she will continue to feel the spirit and feel prepared to be baptized on that date? Tack så yette mycket!

Im kinda bummed to be leaving Halmstad but I know Im needed for some reason or another in Göteborg. Its been an awesome area and Im excited to experience what Göteborg has to offer. I hope to find more Alligators there and to help many others come closer to Christ.

Now for Challenge time! ´This week I studied a lot about relying on the Lord. Its someting that seems difficult to master. The image in my head goes straight to that trust activity where someone stands facing away from a group of people and is supposed to fall into their arms. (please note I couldnt ever do that) So its an interesting perspective to be that person. You never know exactly who will catch you, if those that will attempt to catch you will catch you in time, or even if they will. Im thankful to know that that is not the case with our Father in Heaven. When we rely on him throughout everything, he will guide us, he is always there, no matter the worries our Natural man tries to put in our heads. When we rely on the Lord we cannot Fail. He wont allow us to, unless there is a purpose and we know that his thoughts are higher then our thoughts so all we must do is to rely on him. So i ask How do we rely on the Lord? Enough with the ramble! Its through our sincere prayers, as we kneel in humility to our Savior and ask for his help and guidence in all we do. He will help us. I know this is true, had it not be true I definitely couldnt be out here in Halmstad talking to strangers about Gods love for them. Will you all please take time each morning and evening so communicate with your Father In Heaven who has blessed you with all you have and will bless you with all that you need? I can promise that when you do this, no matter what is going on in life you will be strengthened and will be able to overcome all obstacles. Im living proof of that!
I love you all! Thanks for your support and prayers!

Love

Syster Juker