From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Subject: Signs of Spring
To: john juker <tugcaptn@hotmail.com>, Nancy Juker <njuker@gmail.com>

Nära och Kära,

This week was interesting just like every other week here in Jönköping. We meet the most unique people everyday as missionaries. But the sun is shining today, so its a good day. As we were out shopping I smiled at those passing by and said hello. They all smiled back! It was great! I had a freak out for a second that I left my nametag at home, I checked the spot its usually at, found the tag securely in place. They are openning up! Its super good!

This week went by differently then most. It seemed to flash by super quickly! Last Monday we did what we do every monday. Wrote letters, shopped for food, cleaned the apartment. We then had FHE with the YSA. We had two less active members come! They were there for the spiritual part and the fun part. They played Kubb outside. Its a great game. We were able to talk with them and get them involved with everybody.

On tuesday we enrolled one of our YSAs, Ann-Sophie to help us with our language before lunch. Its a lot easier with someone who actually speaks the language and can explain why. She helped us a lot and we were able to brighten her day as we listened to some of her mission stories and shared a great message about the forgetmenots from Uchtdorf. The spirit was strong. We ate lunch and headed out to find a referal. The bus was packed, we couldn't talk to people packed. It was hot and gross. We almost missed our stop but quickly made our way off. Headed the wrong direction but had the sense to grab a map. We headed out. Contacted a family in their house to see if they knew who we were looking for. They were willing to help us with the question but didn't want anymore of it. So we found it, he wasn't home and didn't answer his phone. We talked to people around the area and no one was interested. It was a little ways out of town so we contacted as we walked. It's something that Syster Pool and I are really working on. It takes a lot of courage and faith but we are working on it. We talked to lots of people. Then went out to Råslätt an area of town where lots of students live. We went out in hopes of finding those prepared. We were able to stop by Julia's apartment. One of our less actives. She invited us up and was happy to see us. She is super nice. Had gone on exchange to Canada so Syster Pool and her were able to talk about things. We then were able to meet with Wilson and get him interested in going to conference. It was great! He wants the Liahona so he doesn't have to spend so much time on the computer. He has grown so much since I've been here it's so great to see how Heavenly Father can help! We went looking for some less actives we are trying to get contact. They were not there either.

Wednesday we had a meeting with Jamie and he is taking a break from meeting with us to focus on his family and getting things organized for them! We ate lunch with Bishop's wife! Its great having to get an English word from a swedish person to help clarify in English what I'm trying to say. It's crazy how much Heavenly Father has helped me in speaking the language when I need to. He really does pour out the blessings and the words if you just open your mouth and have faith. We then met with Abrahim, he read a little but directed our attention to the muslims and people of other religions. We left after an awkward conversation and told him to call us if he read and had questions. We met with Niklas and got great ideas to help our investigators. Made some calls and got some appointments.

Thursday we made the trip to Börås this time for our district meeting. Its a painful travel. Two hours by bus one way. We were able to enjoy our time there though. The district leaders (Äldste Brunn and Nelson) attended and had great ideas as well. The travel and district meeting took up most of the day so we were able to have the YSA dinner at the church and talk with them. We then taught Johannes about following the prophets and studying the scriptures. He also has shown lots of improvement. It makes me so happy to see less active members start to make better decisions. He is working on becoming fully active and that's his goal to be! We talked about it and we are making plans to get him there. Also Marie when the time comes!

Friday we met with Pauline again. She asked to meet at the Högskolan, I figured it was the place that I knew where was. On the way there it was revealed that that wasn't the place. We tried to call and she didn't answer. We said a quick prayer and Found a map on campus luckily it had pictures and we could find it. She is busy and sometimes feels like people are fake. I know how she feels because I felt that way once. It was cool to be able to testify about the reality of their kindness even if we don't feel it right away. The longer you are away the more "It's been a long time" you'll recieve. We then did lunch studys and weekly planning, because we hadn't time on thursday for companion study. We were able to make it up and begin a member program with the Robayo family. They are wonderful and are excited to learn more about Preach My Gospel and work with us in talking with their friends about the gospel. We met at the church for a YSA activity of Bränboll but felt better about finishing our planning.

Saturday, we were blessed with the experience of visiting a member of our ward who is in charge of our dinner lists. We had to take a trip out there but it was well worth it. She knew it was conference but couldn't figure it out on her computer so Äldste Rasmussen helped her out. She is a dear lady and is very diligent in her calling but has a tough time getting to church. We then attending General Conference with our ward! Annalisa asked us to move a couch for her so she would be more comfortable. She assured us she would share. It was cute! She helps us with our swedish as well.

Sunday was great with studies lunch and conference! It was a great conference. I'm excited to get it out in writing when its time. We were able to get Sabrina and Julia to sessions of conference. Johannes, Li and Wilson all came to priesthood as well. It makes me happy to see people out at conference dressed up with pens and paper ready for inspiration! Its such a blessing to have them all here.

Challenge time! (steven loves it! =)) Look up conference! It was great! Im still looking forward to having time to watch Sunday evening session. Find one you like and tell me why =) I need some upliftment here =)

Love you all Have a great week

Love

Syster Juker

General Konferensen Kommer!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 7:13 AM
Subject: General Konferensen Kommer!
To: john juker <tugcaptn@hotmail.com>, Nancy Juker <njuker@gmail.com>


Nära och Kära,

A week full of learning and growing ending in an interesting email experience today! I hope you all had an adventurous week and had opportunities to be missionaries yourselves. I know that Heavenly Father will always answer a prayer to have a missionary opportunity. Just test it and ask Him. He is 100% guaranteed to answer! I've done it and know His truth!

Last monday, wasn't our preparation day so we were able to get some real weekly planning in! It felt good to get the week planned out a head of us. My testimony of planning and being orgainized has just exploded since being here. So much more is accomplished when you have plans and back up plans set up just in case. Quite a few times this week those "just in case" moments occured and thanks to weekly planning we were able to save some time and stay productive. We had an uplifting experience as a man came to Jönköping from Uppsala and needed some spiritual upliftment. His testimony is strong and he just needed us to pray with him. The spirit was strong and he really made us laugh as he shared some cool stories from his life. The YSA had FHE and we got to talk to them a little beforehand because he came late. It was a nice night to see a scripture help someone to feel the spirit and a prayer to bring the feeling back. 

Tuesday, we had the Nilson's invited us over for lunch. It was the first member "dinner" with Syster Pool. It was great to see her open up and speak in swedish. I wasnt that brave at the beginning! The food was delicious and we talked afterward about General Konferens. We talked about going with questions. Just like Syster Anderson always said while she was here. They hadn't ever done it before so they are going to try it this time. It seems like the members in Sweden prepare for conference a lot more than I did at home. It was great to see them excited to test it out. They are awesome! We then went out to visit some less actives that no one has really had contact with for a long time. We got a return appointment with Marianne and left notes at the other two apartments. We talked to people as we went. It was great. We both feel better about the day if we are anxiously talking with people about the gospel. I now know why Heavenly Father has given me a love for animals. When the weather is nice like it has been, contacting those out with pets take time! We met a woman named Lisalotta. She had a big huge white dog she was walking. I stopped her and asked about what kind of dog it was. We talked about the weather and her dog. I tried to drop hints that we were foreigners. She never picked it up so I ungracefully just brought up faith. She talked a little bit about how faith helped her. She remembered going to school with someone who was a member of the church many years ago. We invited her but she wasnt too interested. It was cool to talk and actually communicate in swedish. They are patient even if you arent sure of the words. She was very kind. I hoped we would see her again. We were then invited to a surprise baby shower for a member of our ward. We felt unsure about going so we decided to make a change of plans. We created our report for our mission leader made some phone calls and were able to go visit Petra. Someone we have been trying to get in contact with for a while. She was home! I knew we weren't supposed to go just to meet her. She was very nice and we talked at her door as she explained her pause from coming to church. I really want to help her when she needs it. We are going to try to keep contact. 

Wednesday, This whole studying for 2 hours as a companionship takes a tole on the time we use in our day. We learn something new everytime we get to practice though so its good. We were then picked up by the Rasmussen's so we could go to Gunvor's house for lunch. It was a great experience as we heard more of her stories from life. We talked about prayers and shared experiences from where we had an answered prayer. She has a great testimony of prayer. We talked about how Alma prayed for his son and an angel came. As we were speaking the Spirit helped me to realize something there. If you look at Mosiah 27:14 it mentions the prayers of the people and the prayers of his servant. Its just like the members in our ward and us as missionaries. We should be praying for the same goal. Its a way to unify the ward. They are really good at praying for us. So we are aquiring names from our members whom we can pray for. Its so cool. We then went and heart attacked Emelie- this time actually going into the correct building. We ding dong ditched to see if we could see her, but she wasnt home. We visited Kjell and finally caught him! He is a busy guy. He had just got home and was just getting ready to go but he invited us in. We followed up with reading, the swedish is still difficult for him but hes working on it. We left the testaments for Elizabeth and he thought it was a great idea. We headed home and ate dinner before meeting with Johannes and Marie. The lesson went great. Marie is such a great woman. She is so kind and wanted to make sure we would be home on time. We talked about general conference. She shared with us why she hasnt been going to church and tried to catch up with the prophet and who was who these days. It was awesome and the spirit was there. We are going to meet again soon!

Thursday We had our first district meeting. We ate at a Thai place before and it was pretty awesome speaking swedish with those whose language was completely not swedish. Our district meeting was great, we discussed Christlike Attributes. We all got awesome ideas to keep the ball rolling in our lives. Afterwards we went to visit those less actives who we tried earlier. We met one and ran into Lisalotta again but this time she was on the phone. She put it on hold and said hello and smiled. It was great. We had dinner with the YSA and taught Sabrina. She is having a hard time putting church before school as she is working so hard with her thesis. We promised her blessings and asked her to read more regularly in the Book of Mormon. She said she would try especially since the thesis is almost done.

Friday We served the Wiklöfs and had lunch with them. We figured they had some cool study tips to help us prepare for conference. But they hadnt ever done that before. So we were able to share our experiences and have a very  nice spiritual conversation. She is going to do some questions as well. We were having a difficult time communicating Syster Pool and I, in a way that we both understood why. So we took some time to study language and then Syster Pool wasnt feeling well. So she took a nap as I made phone calls to get appointments set up. It was a great experience. I realized how important it is to mention what language they speak on the TU record. Its difficult to judge what language I should speak on the way they say their first name. We had a great dinner with Åsa and her family. We are going to do they member program with their who family and get them excited to be missionaries. They hadn't heard of the second harvest so we are going to give them a copy when we get a chance next. We then finished weekly planning because Li had to cancel on us. It ended well and we were able to resolve issues with companionship inventory. Im really thankful for the time that we are given to resolve things. Now we are going to work like a well oiled machine!

Saturday we had the chance to support our relief society as we talked about Visiting Teaching. Its something that sometimes struggles in our ward so they had a brunch and talked about Daughters in my Kingdom to get everyone fired up to do their visiting teaching. I was half expecting a normal american breakfast. You know eggs and waffles or something. But no it was the traditional swedish smörgås. Bread and meat and fruits and yogurt. Don't get me wrong it was delicious, just different then home. We had a lesson cancel on us and we had language study as a back up plan to clear up our evening plans. We did studies and had a member dinner with the Hegyessy's they gave us some soup i had never eaten before and it didnt sit too well, but tasted really good! We talked with them about recieveing revelation throught the Holy Ghost during general conference. It was great to share stories of when the Holy Ghost had guided them. It seems to be a great surge of the spirit whenever someone shares a spiritual experience. We then were able to meet with Li and talk more about the priesthood that he had just recieved. We shared a Mormon message and the spirit was present. He wants to learn how to pass the sacrament and to wear his white shirt and tie to church now. It was great!

Sunday, We had a great lesson in relief society on President Boyd K. Packers Counsel to the Youth from last conference. Then in sunday school Niklas helped relieve some questions that Sabrina had. He is a great teacher and we are grateful for him. We had an awesome sacrament meeting as we were again taken back to the basics of prayer and agency. I loved it. We were able to have a member dinner with the Högbergs, they are awesome and are working on being member missionaries. Its great I felt really sick and couldnt do much. So we took time to take care of me. We got some appointments set up and this next week is going to be awesome!

So this weeks challenge (i read steven making fun of me and all I say is =P) Its General Conference around the corner! Do something you havent done before, study, pray, have some questions and find the answers in this next conference. We have the chance to be in the seat as King Benjamin gives his great record. Except that it will be President Monson and we will be in comfy pews or couches depending on where you are. I know that this is a time that we can receive revelation for ourselves and for those questions that we all have. Heavenly Father wants to give them to us and all we have to do is all we can. Take time and figure it out. Give him some time and He will give you blessings I know it, Ive tested it. 

I hope you all have a great week and remember that I love you all! More importantly our Father in Heaven loves you each individually!

Love

Syster Juker

Failed Caramel Sauce

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Subject: Failed Caramel Sauce

Nära och Kära, (there just isnt a better way to begin a letter home!)

This week was an absolute WHIRLWIND! Its been crazy! It definitely takes a transition time to get into the swing of things. We are ready for this week though!

Last Monday, That was Syster Schneibers last day so we got to visit with some investigators and say goodbye from her. Äldste and Syster Rasmussen gave us swedish pancakes for lunch at their apartment with an investigator so that was great. We were able to do our swedish study with Leif and a bunch of other YSA people came in to help us learn the language. I think its a tool to get to know them. We have a weakness and its their strength so it makes them feel good and helps us do better. Wilson was in charge of the activity after fhe so we stuck around and played basketball with them it was fun. They definitely play differently then back home. But it's fun none the less.

Tuesday, we had planned to have more time together before my train, that we would be able to say goodbye. Time proved to be different. The Rasmussens came and picked us up after we ate lunch and I was headed off alone on a train to Stockholm. It was really different feeling. I kinda got teary eyed as the train passed everyone waving goodbye to the train. I figured I could talk with whoever came to sit by me. Rarely do we sit alone. This time was one of those rare occasions. I felt like an island as no one was on my side of the train it felt like. So I studied a little bit and got some more kunskap of the gospel. I then had a connection I had to make and I talked with a lady about the train coming. She was very put off that I began to talk with her. She began answering in english but i just continued in Swedish because she could understand. She helped me out and I thanked her for her help. Once in Stockholm Syster Hill and Talbot came and picked me up. We put my bag at the church and we went to a member dinner. We met with Maragreta and her husband. She knows Annalisa from my ward and so it was great to pass on the greeting to her this last sunday. We taught a lesson about the forgetmenots from President Uchtdorf. It was great. As we sat around the table it was remarked that I was the oldest missionary at the table. That had never happened to me before, it was a humbling experience. Her husband was Danish and it was definitely difficult to understand him but we got him feeling the spirit and I was able to talk with him. It felt great to understand swedish and even with his danish accent. We went home and got ready for an early morning.

Wednesday We got up at 5am to be able to make the train into Stockholm to meet up with all the other trainers. It worked well and I got to see Syster Jenson and Brown off at the station. We got to the church had a little breakfast, had a trainers meeting about our twelve week program and then I became a mother. Syster Pool! She is a great daugther and we get along great. She is from Canada and has been jumping rope for 14 plus years. (She's going to teach me in the mornings) She is a convert to the church of 2 and a half years and is the only member in her family! Her story is amazing! We got to get to know each other a little bit more over kebab and waiting for our train to leave from the train station later. Syster Vistaunet and DeTinne Cassel are training as well so we got a cool picture of that. We got to share a bit of our knowledge about buying train tickets and that was just fun. As we were waiting for the train to come and watching all of our bags, a bunch of the Elders came to watch them so we could use the restroom. We got the chance to talk with the Restroom attendant about the church and he was very encouraging of our work here in sweden. I was thankful that the first real contact went well. We got back and got to share the experience with the other missionaries around. We waited a little while longer and other missionaries I had never met before came and asked to see my journal. It was random and made me laugh that people actually know about it that I don't even know. We then were able to catch our train. We did some more getting to know and Syster Pool was tired so she slept on the way home. I was able to set up some appointments and take a cat nap myself. We got home got some dinner and unpacked. It was the only time we had set apart for it. We got to know each others families via pictures and got some unity going on in our companionship.

Thursday was a slow day. We began our twelve week program and did lots of studying together. It's going to be difficult but well worth it in the end we feel. We got to meet with Sabrina and had a lesson with her at the school. We were not entirely sure where the school library was. I called her for directions and she couldn't tell me. As I was on the phone Syster Pool stopped someone on the street and began to ask him. I was somewhat shocked. It was awesome! She didn't really know what he said. (He was looking for a bank) But she stopped him anyway! I was proud! I asked another lady and she showed the way. We taught about baptism and she doesn't quite feel the importance of it yet. We got into a great discussion and the time flew. We missed our next bus which threw the rest of the day off. Luckily we were able to find some service to do at the church as we helped Syster Rasmussen cook dinner for the YSA. I made sure Syster Pool understood that it wasnt a normal day of events. In planning we planned an awesome day.

Friday had a half day because we were going to go to Stockholm again with the YSA. We decided to do weekly planning another day and proselyte during the day. We were able to go to the Wiklöfs and help there first. Then we went out and visited two less actives and an old investigator. We made contact with both less actives and one doesn't want to be contacted anymore and the other wants to meet this next week. We made goals and it was super cool, we decided to make them alone and then show them after to each other. For the first time they were the same! This time together is going to rock! I'm loving it already. We made a goal more serious, as our standard of excellence is to contact 10 people and invite them everyday. I have seen this difficult to do outside of planning time to contact. We made it a goal to do it multiple times together. As we got up from the bench a lady was walking up. I thought to myself we gotta talk to her. As this was in my head Syster Pool already had it going. Its awesome! We made a goal and got to work as soon as Heavenly Father gave us the opportunity and we have kept it up since then. We then got contacted in a store by a less active woman that we have been trying to meet with and she wants to meet with us as well this week. It was great! The trip up to Stockholm took a while but we were able to watch as our YSA members took great care of our newly converted members. They were on the internet looking at ways they could do their own families work in the temple. We just had to bear testimony to what the YSA were already teaching them about. I wish everyone was so open like they are. We got into town and went to bed pretty much again with Syster Hill and Talbot to have another early morning.

Saturday Li and Wilson were able to do baptisms in the temple and the Spirit was strong as Oscar did the ordinance in english so they could understand him. They were great. We were able to attend a session and we went through in Swedish. It was so great to be able to understand it and not get lost! There is an amazing Spirit there! I love it! We were able to go home in the early bus and got to study and plan for our lesson that evening. It was great! Johannes is really doing great as he shared with us that he is doing home teaching and is willing to help teach Li and Wilson more about the priesthood!

Sunday plans were changed  but it all worked out great. We studied and we had a great lesson on strengthening and supporting our leaders. It's kind of a touchy subject but the member who taught it did it great and unbaisly. I loved it. We were able to then teach Sabrina during our sunday school time unexpectedly as our Mission leader was sick and couldn't attend church. We talked about the prophet with help from Syster Rasmussen. In Sacrament Meeting Syster Pool got to bear her testimony and we heard from the Stake Young Men presidency. She is skilled in swedish and the whole ward was impressed by it. She is awesome. The Young Men Presidency people spoke of the importance of the Book of Mormoon and how sometimes we feel like a Nephi and Sometimes we feel like a Lamen or Lemual and that's ok. As long as we are always striving to do what is right. After our meeting we were informed that our dinner was cancelled. Syster Rasmussen and Äldste Rasmussen were kind enough to invite us over for tortilla pizza and it was great! We were able to catch up on some companion study. We made cookies for a family in our ward and went to deliver them. While on the bus we ran into their daughter and she had a missionary opportunity with a friend that she just became friends with. We were able to deliver the cookies and now recieved inspiration to do a program with them and get them involved in the work here in Jönköping. It was great!

Challenge time! This was brought about by this Nephi Leman Lemual concept. There are days where we are a combination of Leman and Lemual and then part way through the day we repent and become as Nephi, with courage and diligence! I think that sometimes we have those "L" days and we get down on ourselves, thinking that we cannot become an "N" day. I am here to tell you all that that is not from our Father who Loves us. Its from that one who I frankly dont appriciate somedays. I know that as we remember our worth in the eyes of our Father we are able to become that which we want to become. We just have to make a choice and listen to the one who will help us. There are always going to be days where we feel that we are not good enough but as long as we remember that that is not so, we must rely on the knowledge of our Savior and never give up our fight against Satan. We need to find the courage to stand and strive to be better. I've seen this in my life and I have seen this in the lives of those investigators who meet challenges as they strive to change there ways. The only sure way to make a change last is to never give in and never give up. When you get knocked down you get back up. When someone talks to  you in english because you dont have a great swedish accent you continue to speak swedish! Heavenly Father wants to bless you and your diligence! Keep your head up and the blessings will continue to grow! Take a step back, give 10 big deep breaths and give yourself a big huge hug! It's from Our Heavenly Father who is proud of everything that you do! Mistakes included when we repent! I love you all and hope you all have a great week! 
love

Syster Juker

Life Takes Only Seconds to Change

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 7:16 AM
Subject: Life Takes Only Seconds to Change

Nära och Kära

This week has been simply one for the books! It proved to me that no matter what you plan on, it doesn't always work out that way. From lessons to planning and setting goals everything can change in a matter of minutes. We experienced a lot of that this week. The one thing that we could rely on, besides each other, was our faith and hope in the Savior and His hand in our work! He never leaves us alone and He will never leave any of you alone, of that I am certain!

Last Monday, we took some letter writing time, nap time and package picking up time. We got our orders of Book of Mormons and got to lug them home. It was a fun journey. We met with Leif again and had Swedish study. Its been really cool to get to know the YSA and to uplift them. They really have been opening up. While we were learning from Leif, Markus, our investigator dropped by the church to say hi and let us know that he wasnt going to be able to stay for FHE that night. It was very considerate of him and we got to follow up on his reading. He has been reading and asked his sister some questions! We are excited for him! During FHE we talked about goals and were able to testify about how they help us. We then had an activity of Jennifer and we got to play darts. Alex came and he and Leif ended up being on my team. It was Great! We all opened up and it was a great experience. We are going to work on getting to know more about them and how to help them become active again.

Tuesday, my visa is close to expiring so we were able to take time on tuesday to go to Göteborg and get it renewed. Its taken a lot of time with others whom I have helped do it so we thought it would take a while. It ended up taking less then an hour! We were excited. I talked with Mom about how as a missionary you don't have time to be sick and to sleep extra. On the way home from the Migration office I got hit with a wave of sickness. I think Heavenly Father was trying to teach me a lesson. You have to take care of yourself before taking care of others. I was very uncomfortable on the train but fell asleep in the sun. It was way different from home. I can't do that usually. As we got home to Jönköping, I felt even worse. Syster Schneiber decided that it was best that I have a nap and we could plan after I woke up. I was miserable and slept for a long while. Syster Schneiber was great and got a lot accomplished while I was sleeping. I tried to help but I was just sick. It was really difficult to just relax as a missionary and sleep. We talked about how its difficult for both companions who are together. It was difficult to feel productive but we got appointments set up and I was only super sick for two days. Now Im doing much better!

Thursday it was interesting to get to study and not be sick! I am so thankful that it didnt last too long. We had district meeting and Äldste Rice taught about how the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul. We came up with some questions that we thought our investigators could have and then switched questions and got to look up scriptures from the Book of Mormon to answer them. I was fully aware of the completeness of the Book of Mormon when answering questions but during this meeting my mind was opened up even more! I know that the Book of Mormon is true and has been given to us at this time so that we can have those answers that we all seek. No matter the situation you are in, we can find solace and comfort in that book. I have done it many times before coming to Sweden and that knowledge has only become stronger as I have been able to temper it through many different experiences and questions from various people and some of my own design. The Book of Mormon is the book to read and try if you haven't ever tried a faith before. I love it! We then had dinner with the YSAs before getting to teach Johannes again. We gave him "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. He really liked it and I think it helped him resolve a concern.

Friday We had a lovely weekly planning time! We have joked around about how planning is about the hardest thing for Syster Schneiber and I to do together. Teaching, Finding, and loving are all easily done but when it comes down to planning its like pulling teeth. BUT, not today!! It went practically seemless! We got great ideas going for the upcoming lessons and all the things that we are going to get done! We were both feeling sick and we didnt want to get our members children sick so we cancelled with them and got to eat at home before meeting with Sabrina! We got there a couple minutes before she arrived. She brought a friend! It was a blessing! Heavenly Father knew that we were not doing well healthy wise and we were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon. He wants to meet us again as well! He comes from Ghana and is awesome! Sabrina brought up a concern about spending so much time at church. "Come on Three hours!" Gershon was able to help relieve some of her hesitancy as he told us he spent 5 hours at church every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Thats a lot of church! We are still working on relieving that concern but we know its there.

Saturday We met with our ward mission leader because I was sick on the normal Wednesday time. He brought up things in Ward Counsel on sunday and gave us great ideas about how to help our investigators and those less active members we are working with. It was great to again share our work and have someone care so much about it. We then had a lesson with Li and Wilson our chinese boys! The YSA are going to the temple this next weekend and we are going as well. We wanted to have them come with us. Li  hadnt been ordained yet. So we taught about the temple and priesthood. There were great mormon messages on lds.org that helped get them excited about the Blessings of the temple. They are going to meet with Bishop Wallgren before church and hopefully they will be able to go! We then ate lunch at home and studied language. I had forgotten about transfer calls coming until I was left with the phone because it was difficult to concentrate. We got a great session of language study in before heading to visit less active members. While at the bus stop we started talking with a young girl waiting for the bus. She heard in our accents that we were from the states. She then switched to English with hardly any accent. It was pretty cool. We switched numbers and hopefully we will meet up with her soon. As we rode the bus up to Dalvik President called. I was handed the phone to answer. I didnt expect a call so when he said I will be training my jaw dropped. Syster Schneiber was sitting accross from me and she said that the picture was priceless! I am super excited and nervous and worried all at the same time. I know that I will have to rely on the Lord to do this right. So the Syster Schneiber and Juker journey is coming to an end. Its been a great experience to be able to work on so many characteristics that will bless me for the rest of my life. I have really learned so much from her about myself and about how to be the best me. She is awesome. Now she is heading to Allingsås with Syster Sprague! They are going to rock that place! We were able to stop by a few members houses and an old investigator when Sabrina called us. We were able to meet with her a short while before Syster Schneiber started to feel the same way I was feeling on tuesday. We stopped by a members home to see if we could do anything to help. They said we could walk their dog. It reminded me of Kaiser and she softened lots of people's hearts. Missionaries just need puppies, then Swedes will listen! We were able to stop by a less active YSA as well and she got to talking with Syster Schneiber. It will be great to get to know her better as well.

Sunday Church was great but was best was that both Li and Wilson came early to church and talked to Bishop. Li got the priesthood and they are now going to go to the temple this weekend with the YSA! Äldste and Syster Rasmussen talked about how it was one of their goals and we were able to help them accomplish it! The talks in sacrament meeting reminded me of going back to the basics. There were talks about the Book of Mormon and the importance of reading your scriptures and of developing a testimony of the Prophet. It was great! In Relief Society we talked about the Priesthood! We were excited that Wilson and Li were there in their meeting listening to the same lesson. Sabrina came as well, so we were able to teach her about the priesthood as we translated for her. During Sunday School Niklas taught about the Holy Ghost and Sabrina was able to apply it to a question she has about her life. We then met with the Thörn family! They had us over for dinner and we talked to them about completeing our member program and whats their next goal. They want to have an activity each month where our investigators can come over to their house and play games and get to know them. Its going to be awesome. This program I think will really get the members involved in our work. I look forward to starting it with other members in our ward soon. Then we got to watch the CES broadcast of Quentin L. Cook. (Definitely one to watch over again!)

On Sunday I was able to complete my reading of Jesus the Christ! It is an amazing book! Here comes challenge time! Read it! =) Whoes up for the challenge? I know it will change your life because it has strengthened my testimony so much of the Savior. I didnt recognize that we know so much about Christ. Its not a simple read but its so worth the time. Its taken me 10 months to complete and I have just learned so much from it. Now challenge number two, a little less complicated. Elder Cook said in his fireside to YSA age people that we must not wear a mask but be true to our faith, that we need to spend time on developing Christlike attributes and make goals to continue in righteousness. First off watch the fireside! Its not too long and its great! http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/languages/ces-devotionals/2012/03?lang=eng here you go =) Just making it a little easier! Secondly, make a little time to do a self assessment. Figure out what it means to wear a mask, how you can spend more time in developing attributes of Christ and what goals you can set to be better. I know that as I have tried to do this I have had an eye opener experience to the good things i actually am doing. No matter how low we feel we really aren't doing that badly if we can just have faith and pray for help. Heavenly Father is always listening and like it says over and over again in the Book of Mormon "his arm is outstretched still." We just have to reach up and take it. He wants to help. I know he does! He has helped me so much over and over again!

I hope you all have a great week and that you can add me and my new companion to your prayers. I know how essential prayer is in this life and I know he will answer your prayers too. Please! Love you all Have some fun this week!

Syster Juker

Kärlek

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 7:28 AM
Subject: Kärlek

Nära och Kära

This week has really flown by but we have had many miracles involved as always. We are working on building our faith and noticing Heavenly Fathers Hands in all that we do. Have you noticed anytime this week where Heavenly Father has helped you along? I completely believe that if we notice and are grateful for those times when we are blessed our odds of recieving another blessing go way up. Just a thought for you this week!

This week we were able to do exchanges! It was the second time for me but the first for Syster Schneiber. I got to stay here in Jönköping with Syster Erickson and Syster Schneiber went with Sprague to Allingsås. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot from eachother.

Last Monday, was a bit hectic as we were going to try to go to a museum where they made the first saftey match here, with Äldste and Syster Rasmussen. We got emailing done and shopping headed over to the museum only to learn that its closed on mondays just like every other museum here. It definitely makes it difficult to see them when our pday is always mondays! Oh well, we were able to book our train tickets and get to Göteborg pretty quickly. Its pretty interesting how much there feels like home to me. Ill admit, I took the wrong spårvagn this time but I was able to fix it and get us there in the same amount of time! Äldste and Syster Anderson were there and were surprised to see us. We talked with them a while and were able to talk with Mette for about an hour before Syster Erickson and I had to leave to go back home. The train ride home was fun we talked and got to know eachother and we were only delayed about 10 minutes. We got a message from Sabrina that she was leaving the church and wasnt going to stay for Family Home Evening. We texted back and she said she would wait for us in Willy's. We talked with her there for a few minutes before having to make our way to the church. She decided to give it a chance and see if Heavenly Father would really bless her studying after she went to do church activities. I translated for her and we talked about indexing in preparation for temple work. It was a good chance to teach her about temple work. She had a lot of questions and we were able to clear them up for her. She enjoyed it and we had some fun! Our plans for tuesday had drastically changed by the time we were home to plan. Pretty much the whole day cancelled besides Sabrina. Nightly planning was great! We planned to visit less actives in the area that we hadnt heard from in a long while.

Tuesday, upon waking up I realized we had told a member we would be able to help her move on tuesday. Shes bound to a wheel chair and was moving to a rest home sort of place. Luckily we remembered after trying to visit a few members who were not home. We got to her apartment and her two sisters and one of their husbands were there helping her. They were so thankful that we had come to help. At first they thought that we were the home service for Siv. It was funny. We were able to help construct boxes and take things down off high shelves for them. We went and got things out of the attic and helped move things that they couldnt do because of being older and such. It was a great blessing that we remembered that we were going to help. She only had that day to get stuff done. Heavenly Father helped us to help one of his children in need. We were able to get rid of old food supply that had gone bad. It was interesting to pour out expired food after opening the can with the old fashioned can opener. Syster Erickson and I really bonded. We talked with her familly members a bit about the church and gave them each passalong cards if they ever needed help. It felt good to be able to help someone in need. Siv had asked her home teachers and visiting teachers but they were all busy so it was great that all of our other plans changed so that we could help her. We went home and ate, grabbed our gym shorts for a relief society activity then headed to the church. We played volleyball and we had a couple less active members we are working with attend. It was great to run around and be with them. We really enjoyed it. Then we taught Sabrina about repentance. It was awesome because the sunday school lesson on sunday lead perfectly to repentence. She undestood and wants to pray about if she needs to repent. I am so thankful that we are given the opportunity to choose to repent. We can choose to have those guilty residue that sin leaves behind or we can turn to the Lord and try to fix it and be forgiven and be cleased once more.

Wednesday, We had to take a bus to Borås to trade back. It took a long while and there were not that many on the bus. We were able to talk to a couple and then did some studying. The February Liahona is AWESOME! You all need to pick that one up when you get a chance. I was super tired and I picked it up thinking it would help me fall asleep but it kept me awake and the Spirit is so strong thoughout each article. Anyway back to the travels, we left the bus driver with a passalong card. We had 10 minutes until our return trip. We got together and learned that someone had changed our outgoing message. We fixed it and laughed about it. We shared all the things that we learned from our exchange with each other on the bus trip back. We had a great lesson over lunch with The Nilson Family. We talked about the first presidency message about prayer. The Spirit was strong as we all noticed the blessings we have experienced through prayer. Heavenly Father really hears each prayer we pray. We then made a bus out to Mullsjö. This experience was completely a miracle. We had never been out there before, we had no maps but we had two less actives we wanted to go see that members had asked us about. We got into the town and called Helena up. We werent sure what stop to get off at. We read off a random street sign and she told us to get off at the next one. So we did, only to be on the complete opposite side of the lake that we wanted to be on. We asked a woman on a bike for directions and she said its a long walk but cut through this park and it will save you some time. So Syster Schneiber called Helena back and began to tell her our situation when a car turned the corner. An older lady stopped as she saw us destressed. We told her of our predicament and she helped us out. We were able to visit Helena and she is wonderful! We are going to help her get back in the game. We then got a ride across town to Erika's house. They know eachother! It was cool to see them greet eachother. Her kids are super nice! We got to know about how she became a member and were able to testify of the Book of Mormon. She showed us the walking path to the train station because the busses had stopped coming. We were able to use our camera and take a picture of the map so we could take it with us. We talked to a few people who helped with directions. I had a flashlight so we were good to go. One particular spot we got a little turned around and said a prayer, Heavenly Father helped us out as we walked a little bit further the wrong direction and then we turned around. We made it back to the train and it was great. We sat next to a man on the train who is neighbors to a member of the church. As we left the apartment at lunch Syster Schneiber wanted to be sure we had Books of Mormon so we did. We were able to talk with him a bit and give him one! It was awesome! Heavenly Father prepared the way for us and it felt great!

Thursday It was Äldste Norrs birthday so we all got Sushi, well besides me, but I ate it! Ill send a picture. We had a really great district meeting about how to increase our faith. Syster Rasmussen let us get rid of our pre concieved ideas about people. It was a great activity! Äldste Rasmussen got us thinking about what it means to have more faith and we read our own names into some scriptures it was great! Then to celebrate Äldste Norrs birthday we went and got Semlor. I think everyone should learn how to make them! They are deliceious! We then went and helped another family move. Her dad is less active and he was there. We were able to talk to him about his missionary experience and got some great perspective on the way we can interact better with Swedish people. We talked about the conversation as we went home and how important it is that we listen with our heart and not just our ears. We are able to be tools in the Lords hands as we really care and love the people we are talking with and not just trying to steer the conversation into something we can tie the gospel to. We went to the center and taught Johannes about recognizing the Spirit and praying sincerely. It was awesome as we sat in district meetings and gained further inspiration on how we could help. Benjamin was there and the Spirit helped us all understand eachother. So before going to bed I picked up the old Rubix cube Syster Jenson gave me and I SOLVED IT! I was so excited! I took a picture of it!

Friday, We had our apartment inspecition and got some things settled there. We then were blessed with a ride to the Wiklöfs apartment. Edith made us lunch and we were able to eat and help clean! We got to talk about missionary work and those we can pray for together to help them become ready for the gospel. After our travel home we did some language study before belting down and getting some serious weekly planning done. We have great plans for this week and it felt great to have it done. We then ate dinner and I got sick. It was difficult! We got to have a phone call with my MTC group to celebrate our 1 year missionary service. It was cool to have all of us on the phone and to hear some stories before going to bed.

Saturday, We went out to Råslatt to visit our Chinese members who live there. We had and awesome lesson with Li about living up to the promises we have made through baptism. We read the sacrament prayer and asked him how we can do those things. We figured a way to do better is to come to two hours of church instead of just one. So thats where we are starting. Reading more in the Book of Mormon and then also coming to church. We were able to stop by Wilson and talk to him about helping with the lesson in sunday school. Then we went to the church to meet with Albert. He wouldnt answer his phone. We did have Maggis come though so we were able to teach her about a member program that we are doing that she wants to do. Then we had a lesson with Sabrina about the Restoration and Caroline came. The YSA here are awesome and really willing to be in on teaches. I love it! It strengthens them as they are able to see our investigators grow and bear their testimonies as well. Sabrina is progressing greatly and is praying about baptism. She is awesome. We then met with Rebekka and her Dad who is also less active. We were able to share an awesome spritiual thought and get him thinking about the spiritual experiences of his mission. It was cool to see the Spirit touch his heart again. Its like a sacred moment that Heavenly Father blesses us with to help remind us that we are never alone.

Sunday, Testimony meeting was the BOMB! So many members went up and bore pure testimony of the Book of Mormon, of Christ, and of the Holy Ghost. It was an incredible meeting to be apart of. The Spirit was so evident, you could practically cut it with a knife. In Relief Society we got a music minute of a song that was awesome. Something about "I saw a candle burning brightly" It was so cool. It was set to the movie Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration. The Spirit was so strong. Then Aurora gave an awesome lesson on Visiting Teaching and how its not from a book. Its from heart to heart. Thats why we visit its not because of the numbers or the tracking of the church. Its because we really do care about eachother. We were invited over for dinner at Mattis' house. We had difficulty planning a spiritual thought for 3 rambucious girls. We went through many different activities before church and then on the car ride over it was nailed down what we needed to do. It was a team building activity I did in high school with my freshmen. We found a scripture to tie in keeping the commandments and we felt the Spirit leading. As we finished eating and got the activity prepared we got a little nervous that they wouldnt like it. We carried on though because we knew it was what we needed to do. The girls loved it, participated and then continued playing it after we left! Heavenly Father really does bless us when we are willing to listen and follow his guidence.

I should make a theme song for this CHALLENGE TIME thing! This one is a little bit tricky so I hope you can follow it. This week I learned a whole lot about love. I pretty much thought I understood love before coming here to Sweden, boy was I wrong. Love is anything but cookie cutter for everyone. Love is something that if done from the heart you can feel it. I think that sometimes as people we get caught up in this whole "this is the way we have done it and this is the way it will always be done". I dont know that that is necisarilly true (wow I am bad that is wrong but I dont have any idea what would work). Love is something that is shown through our actions. If we cookie cut something for everyone its not with our heart. I dont have any idea why it took so long for this to take root in my heart but now it has. All we do shows our love, the challenge for this week is to take a look at your actions and consider your reasoning. To make a concious decision to show your love and to listen with your heart not just with your ears. I've noticed that as I have forgotten my agenda for a minute and been able to focus on the people we are talking to and show them that we really do care. After all that is exactly what Christ would do!  I promise that the Love you show only multiplies in the return to you from Heavenly Father.

Thanks for the love and support! I love you all and hope that you all have a great week!

Love Syster Juker

Choose Eternal Life

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

Date: Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 1:22 AM
Subject: Choose Eternal Life

Hejsan!

This week has been another testimony to me that when we live worthy of the Spirit and try to recognize its hand in our lives we are blessed and guided even more fully. So many times this week we had our plans be a little bit different then (I have no idea -en or -an too much swedish!) normal and questioned it a little bit but prayed and confirmed that it was right. Then by the end of the day we looked back and saw that it truly was Heavenly Father guiding us in His work. After all we all are working for him, we would be foolish to try to do it alone. Yup it's been a year since I was set apart and I am still working at always remembering those simple truths of the gospel. Anyway now to the happenings of this week!

Monday!

I really enjoy p-day here, Its a day that we can write and take it easy. We actually planned to take a nap and accomplished that. Other missionaries would think that's a lame use of time but with being so tired during the week. It's the best! We again met up with Leif and had swedish study with him. He is really great and helps us understand things like crazy swedish grammer rules. At YSA FHE we planned a heart attach for one of the young adults who we felt needed some upliftment. We went out into the parking lot a they were finishing up there activity and put them on her car. She was super excited and definitely made her day better. She said that she put them up in her room and that she is grateful that we are in Jönköping with her! She is also planning on serving a mini mission at the end of summer. So we plan to meet with her and introduce PME to her. She is awesome!

Tuesday!

This was an awesome day where we felt led by the spirit by the end of the day. We went to visit Inger, a member who lives in a nursing home. She finds it hard to talk but understands and likes visitors. We went by to visit and she was out in the foyer area eating with a couple other ladies. We pulled up chairs and began to talk with her as she ate. Another woman at the table saw our tags and was very upset that we were there. We tried to ignore her but she wouldn't even let us talk with our friend. We ended up moving Inga to another table and talking with her there. She still was upset. She kept telling us to leave and that Inga didnt want us there. Well Inga did want us there and she wanted us to read her scriptures, so we did. She really responds and it's awesome. As soon as we began to read from the Book of Mormon, the other lady was quiet and remained quiet so we could finish our conversation and leave. There really is such a  power in the Book of Mormon. We are so blessed to have it in our lives. Just think a second to where you would be without it, I would think that its not a very good place. At least for me it's not. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has given us such a simple task as to read a book, pray about it and then have peace for the rest of our lives if we follow its precepts. Anyway back to the day, We left with our testimonies uplifted and happy again. The day was beautiful! On the way out Syster Schneiber said hello to a man with headphones and he took them out asking if he knew us. Of course we didn't but it became a conversation and we are going to meet with him sometime soon! We then went to visit a less active member but she wasnt home. We left a message on her answering machine and decided to sit outside on the swing set to get the calls made we needed for the day. It was wonderful, we were able to soak up some sun, call our investigators and talk to people as they walked past. Its amazing how drastically peoples mentality changes with a little bit of sun. They are way more willing to talk with us. We then had to catch a bus back to the church to meet Sabrina. We had Jennifer with us and we taught about faith. We explained it with the analogy about knowing the wind but not seeing it. She understood it. She recieved what she called "inspiration" about how just because you have a religion doesn't mean you have faith. She clarified things for herself. It was great to watch! Then as she would relate it to us she said, "When I was athiest..." We were stoked! She is progressing and reading in the Book of Mormon! Its awesome!

Wednesday!

We met with Pär and President Nilsson. The lesson went so well! It was exactly what Pär needed and a few things that we needed to hear as well. We watched a general conference talk titled Choose Eternal Life. From the last conference. It was awesome. I'll explain that for my challenge at the end =) We then had lunch with the Rasmussens and the Bishop and his wife. We thought that they work so hard as leaders of this ward and sometimes its hard to see the fruits of their labors. We showed them the video "Validation". (This was the weird inspiration we just followed) Despite having to have to figure out how to translate Validation into swedish it worked wonderfully. We were able to see their faces lighten with the fact that we noticed the things that they were doing even if it seemed like nothing is happening. It was great. Then Syster Rasmussen had been doing some missionary work and we were able to make some stuff happen with that. A lady in a travel office has some ancestors who moved to Visalia/Tulare area, but they have lost contact. She wants to figure out what happened so we were able to go meet with her and find out more information. It was great to testify of the eternal nature of families. During this lesson our phone began to ring! It was a welcomed surprise as we recieved a phone call from our long lost Albert. He has been going crazy with studying and writing his thesis. We were able to answer and Set up an apointment for later on. We even got Wilson to come with. We followed up on his trying to stop smoking and he said he quit for a week but then with the stress of things he started again. He has though made significant progress. We are going to get things back on track and help him find that peace again. We then met with Melanie the Relief Society President to get some ideas on how we can help the women in our ward and help in visiting teaching. How do you gain a testimony of visiting teaching? I gained mine by doing it, is there any other way? Let me know =)

Thursday!

We met with Jamie and taught him of the Restoration. It seems like he wants us to fix his problems, but he wont read in the Book of Mormon. We want to help but it's difficult to help someone who won't really listen. We are working on it though. For district meeting we had a wonderful lesson from Äldste Rice. He showed us the importance of the Book of Mormon and of testifying often. It was great and has really stuck in our minds. Afterwards we had planned to heart attack a members house for their birthday. We went out to her house and her whole family was there celebrating. We felt sheepish as we were invited in for cake and ice cream. We stuck around and did it as a surprise to her bedroom door before leaving. She also wants to participate more in lessons and things with investigators. We think it will be a way to help strengthen her! She is awesome and has been sick for a while now so we will see how that goes. Then it was back to the center for dinner with the YSA. There were a lot of them. It seems like they trust us more now that we have been around a little bit. They are willing to talk with us and ask us questions. It feels like we are making a difference. Johannes came and we talked with him about goals to set to become more active in church. We ran out of time so we couldn't watch the talk but he promised that he would as homework. Afterwards we talked a bit about his hospital experience and things as he got his jacket. Then out of no where came Isak. A YSA that I knew in Västra Frölunda. It was great to follow up with the goals that he had made last time we had talked.

Friday!

We met with Cecelia and had a good talk with her. She is still very strong in her reincarnation beliefs but we bore testimony about the Book of Mormon and incouraged her to read more often. Then in perfect timing we were able to visit the Wiklöfs and help them clean. It was very cool to exchange what we had learned recently from the scriptrures. I love hearing other peoples testimonies and applying what they have learned to things that I haven't ever thought about before or already know. Its such a strength! We were then able to head home and do weekly planning. It went really well and we are working out those problems by listening to each other better. We met with Sabrina that night with Ann-Sophie and watched Faith in Christ. Its sometimes difficult for people to understand Christ when they haven't heard stories from the bible. So we started there. After the video she told us that it sounded too much like a fairy tale. We bore testimony and were able to have her think a little bit. In the end, the Spirit was strong and she had lots of questions to ask Heavenly Father about. It was great.

Saturday!

We met with our ward mission leader and got a lot of different ideas to help the ward. Niklas is awesome! We were then invited by a less active to go and see her Handboll game. It was awesome! I had never seen such a sport. Its like a mix between soccer, basketball with the intensity of like waterpolo. I always wondered why she came to the center with Blackeyes and broken fingers. Its a brutal game. I'm excited to talk with her about it tonight hopefully. We then went to the church to eat lunch and met with Albert. But he never came. He just forgets sometimes. We were then able to visit Hannah's open house, she just got married. She is super kind and was happy to see that we could make it for a little while. Ulva was there, Markus' mom, so it was great to talk with them about sharing our testimonies! We went home and were able to do our companionship inventory and get things organized for the week. It went well and we have great plans to achieve our goals.

Sunday!

We had to meet early at church to practice for our song in sacrament meeting. We missed the bus and had to walk. It was interesting to walk and just have a little time to think about the Savior. We were excited to see Sabrina walk in dressed in a skirt on time for Relief Society. On Friday she asked if it was really important to go to all 3 hours. We testified that it was and she came! She is awesome! She told us that something wonderful happened after we had met on friday. It makes sense to her and is good! It was great to hear! In Sunday school we had 3 less actives in our investigator class and Syster Rasmussen was able to come in and testify. It was great to see everyone feel the spirit as Niklas taught the class. After church we talked with so many members about being involved this week with missionary work. then we were able to have dinner at a members house. It was great. We prepared for next week and studied some language.

Today we are doing splits with Allingsås and so we are excited. Thats why we wrote so early today. Lots to do. So now its time for Challenge time! P.S. Im still waiting on those lists from last week =) So there is this talk http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/choose-eternal-life?lang=eng&query=choose+eternal+life Choose Eternal Life. There are four different points towards the end of this talk. My challenge to you is to evaluate your choices and their consequences. It's a daunting task but it will help you to more fully choose eternal life. We are, no matter who we are, or where we are, making decisions that will affect us and our future forever. I know that and I have contimplated those decisions I have to make daily and consulted the Holy Ghost and our Father in Heaven He leads us. This week has been a testimony builder of that fact for me. No matter what we do we can be forgiven but if we make the right choice in the beginning we take out a lot of the heartache and pain of being silly.

I hope you all have a great week and remember to keep smiling. Our Father in Heaven Loves us each individually! 

Love you all

Syster Juker