Memories to Hold on To

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 3:38 AM
Subject: Memories to Hold on To

Nära och Kära!

This week has been a great week! So much going on and so many memories being created! Its great to be in Sweden these days! We have been working hard on our goals and with the Lords help accomplishing them one at a time! He loves each and everyone of us and wants us to be happy. When He knows our goals through our sincere prayers He is the one that can help make them happen. Have you shared them with Him recently? If not I imagine you now know what to do! 

Last tuesday we had an interesting day as we worked on our areabook and looking at old investigators that we could contact again and see if they were interested yet. We all know they will be interested, some of them just haven't realized it yet! We got a few meetings set up and we shall see how it goes.

Wednesday, we had a lunch with a less active member and some friends. The spirit was strong as we talked about using our agency to do what we are supposed to be doing even if we don't really understand why we are doing it. We came to the center and my companions did a split so I could work on our Institute Report and call the Mission President about a few things. We then had Swedish class, but since it is Christmas season many are on vacations and so no one came sadly. We had an unexpected visitor come for institute class. Syster Sprague and I were contacted by a man on the street who was a little "full" på svenska. We invited him to the center, it had to have been about a month ago. They ran into him while they were visiting less actives and invited him. They came and actually recognized me. They were surprised that we had never drank alcohol, there were a group of YSAs around reiterating the same sentiment. It was awesome to see how the spirit worked as he went around the room and asked each person individually if they had. At first they seemed prideful but by going around the room he seemed more shy about it by the end. We hope to visit with them after they return from their Christmas vacation. They stayed for our old testament class. It was interesting. Im not sure how sincere they are but if they want to learn more, we are the ones to teach!

Thursday, we had a district meeting on our purpose as our missionaries. It was super cool as we determined our drive. We were asked to draw a gas tank and write in it the elements that drive us. Äldste Nelson and DeLeeuw gave us the situation, When the alarm goes off at 6:30 and its super dark outside, what makes you get out of bed? It makes you really think of what is important to us and why. I encourage you to do this yourself. Its a great evaluation of yourself! We then stopped by our friend Christer, hes been having a rough time so we want to visit him more and strengthen him when we can. He is a new member who has difficulty with things right now and his mothers health is depleating so he is down and low. We are trying to help him see the good and work harder for it. 

Friday, was super cool as we planned the night before to visit some less actives and give them a Christmas Message. Remember the reason for the season kind of a message. I made a scripture handout thing for them to stick up for Christmas. We all talked about what we had learned in personal study and went out to teach. We stopped by two different people but they werent home, or didnt answer. We planned to stop by Irene. She is an amazing woman! Her husband is not a member and she is less active but they are awesome. We talked about Christ and about the Love of God and how praying will help you no matter the situation you are in. She hasnt seen her daughter in many years and she is my age now. We talked about how at times its difficult to be so far away from your family but no matter what if both parties are talking with Heavenly Father about the situation both are comforted. I shared an experience from when I missed Mom and Dad and was comforted by the Holy Ghost and knowing that they still love me. She promised us that she would do better at prayers. It was awesome! We were supposed to experience Lisberg at Christmas time with the YSA and our investigators but the weather didnt permit it. So we had chill at the center and played games together instead. Some ping pong, chess, and crocheting. Can you guess where I was? 

Saturday we had an awesome teach with our investigator Hamdina! She is super sweet! We have always had a member present with us when we teach but this time we didnt and she really opened up a whole lot. Her mother is sick as well so she helps out a whole lot. The Family A proclamation to the World came to mind. So I gave it to her. It helps me, so I testified and she was excited to read it. It was a great lesson. We then went to the chapel to help prepare for our Ward Julfest. It was a big explosion in the morning as there was a miscommunication between the missionaries and the person in charge. It was determined that there wouldnt be enough food for all of our investigators to come. So we (the missionaries) werent going to go so they could have our food. It got resolved in a few more phone calls and determined that they could come and not pay. We were excited to teach the ward Santa Claus is Coming to Town in English. The five of us, Äldste DeLeeuw, Nelson, Syster Sprague, Jenson and I all sang it once creatively and we separated all of the tables and each table had a part and lyrics. It worked out well, for only practicing it twice and not ever with anyone other than us. We had fun. There ended up being 19 non members there and all but 2 want to meet with missionaries now. Its awesome! Im so excited to see the ward get so involved in missionary work! We were asked to help with clean up. It is so much easier it seems to clean up the entire chapel after a ward activity here then it is at home. There is very little carpet I think in Sweden. Everything is wood floor or the like. Its awesome! I used a push broom and swept all the floors. Instead of standing around waiting for the one gigantic car of a vacumn that exisits in what seems every building back at home!

Sunday we had a great experience as we saw two of Zahers friends enter the waters of baptism making promises to the Lord that they didnt really understand at first. Ali speaks persian and a little bit of swedish. Khalil speaks english and persian. Zaher was our investigator who just recently got baptised who speaks persian. He translated for all of the lessons and the baptismal interview and really got to explain things in a complete other language then any of us missionaries know. He gave the closing prayer at the baptism and the spirit was super strong. He had to translate the whole baptismal service to them. It was an amazing experience Ill never forget I hope. We then got a ride with Äldste and Syster Anderson back to the center where we had a celebration with Äldste Olsen and his parents who came and picked him up. It was weird seeing another missionaries parents but they were both super nice. We then had a dinner with the elders at the Murphy's house. He is an american and she is a Swede. At their house it feels pretty american ish. We all loved it! We shared a message of being thankful, which leads me to CHALLENGE TIME!

This weeks challenge is sort of three fold. First, read Alma 37:37. Its one verse I know each and everyone who reads this can do it. Second, is to make a list of all of the things that you personally are thankful for. I guess literally count your blessings, name them one by one. Third, consider who you have recieved those things from and how you can repay it back. In Relief Society yesterday our teacher shared this poem, I dont know who its by but its good, " What can I give him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb. If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart." I know that there are lots of cool gagets and gizmos out there to give your attention to this time of year. It is my testimony and my prayer that as we give attention to the things we appreciate life is better. Then as we try to emulate the good (Christ) and give back what we can our joy is full! I cannot express how much of a testimony it is to me that when we help others we forget ourselves. Being all the way in cold dark sweden is one strong testimony builder of this fact. No matter how cold the weather or the people can be my heart is full with the Love of Christ for each and every one of them. This all stems from being grateful for the things we have and giving back to those we care about. I know that as you try to apply these things  in your own life you will be able to smile more sincerely and feel better about the situation you are living in right now. Lets face it, if you are reading this, odds are you have a computer. There are still a lot of people who dont even have access to that. 

I love you all so much, thank you all for your kind letters of love and prayers. I am thankful for each and everyone of you who reads these! You guys rock!

Be good

Love
Syster Juker