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 May 7 |
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Nära och Kära!
Well this week was an
interesting adventure! I was in Karlskrona for part of it and it just was an
experience all its own.
I måndags we
celebrated Valborgsmässoafton, pretty much the celebration of spring coming. It
was a great experience with the YSA. I was able to translate a bit for the
Reynolds as they don't know swedish. Then Syster Pool and I talked with the
YSA's during the celebration and we got a couple referalls to go stop by. We
will see how that goes. They had an acapella choir and a cool band there to
play as well. The evening ended with Fireworks and with us being home on time
thanks to a ride from the Reynolds. It was a really typical swedish event.
There was music that people could dance too, but no one did. The only ones that
did were the YSA. It was interesting. Not many people talked to one another,
only those they knew. Äldste Reynolds talked to a few people and I helped
translate. It was quite an experience.
I tisdags we had some
study time that went really well and we were able to work on our Twelve Week
program. It takes a lot of time but I feel like we are both learning a lot and
becoming better missionaries because of it. We met with Marcos at the church.
He was the miracle from last week. When we met he had already read the
introduction and the testimonies in the front of the Book of Mormon. We took
some time to get to know him and heard is really cool story. He was abandoned
in Peru when he was little. (He and his little sister) He was adopted by a
swedish home and separated from his sister. Though he has a great attitude
about it. He really has strong beliefs in the family and in many of the principles
that is known as Chirsts Gospel. It was a great lesson where we just talked
about his concerns and tied it to the restoration. He wants to learn more and
prepare to be baptised on the 26. Its a great experience to meet someone who is
so prepared for the gospel. Even though he may not know it quite yet. We then
made our travel time to Karlskrona. It took forever it seemed but we were able
to get some ideas for the week out. I met up with Syster Ridl in Alvesta and we
made our way back to Karlskrona. It seemed to be a double booked train. On
trains there are open spaces where they connect where usually baggage and
things can be and if you need to stretch you can stand. We were the lucky few
who got to stand in there. It was entertaining to get on in sardine formation.
I was the lucky one to stand dead center in the empty space. As the train took
off I quickly realized why no one stood there. I was train surfing for quite a
while. Got a great work out on my legs though. We got home in time to eat
dinner and plan. Karlskrona seems like a nice area.
I onsdags was an
interesting experience as our plans changed a whole lot throughout the day. We
ended up riding the bikes up to the school and checking on their Swedish Class
flyers and running into a lot of their investigators. It was pretty funny. We
didn't have any solid plans for the day so I thought we would try to teach them
but it didn't end up that way. We did some following up and a few were worried
that Syster Winterton had left but we reassured them that it was just
temporary. We did some organizing of the ward list so that they can know who
they can visit in the areas that they are in. It really worked out well and we
got it applied here in Jönköping too. Im excited to put it into action this
next week. We had a lesson with Sharif and Hamid. They are great people and
Hamid seems to really understand the gospel. He knows how to teach Sharif. They
are great. We taught about commandments and it went really well and Sharif is
living them all already.
I törsdags we made our
way back to Jönköping and it worked out really well, never missed anything. It
was great. We got back at about 1pm and had our district meeting with Börås, It
was about using the scriptures in lessons. It was something we are working on this
week. We want to use them more then just quote them. So it is really applicable
to us and our goal right now. We had a meeting with Bröder Salo (Niklas, our
ward mission leader) It was a great experience. We brought up our idea for our
ward activity. It was brought about by the increased interest in jumproping the
other monday before the Rasmussens left. We are going to make it happen. Niklas
is behind us and all of the leaders of the other organizations are as well. Its
going to be a great activity! We begin with the YSA tonight actually and the
primary on wednesday. Its going to be great! We ate dinner with the YSA
before teaching Johannes about fasting. He really wants to do it but
isn't sure if he can because of the medications he is taking for his heart.
(turns out the doctor said it didn't matter, but then he fainted and couldnt
make it to church. But he is ok now.)
I fredags we met with
Marcos again and he had a few more questions about his baptism and then we
taught him about the återställesen. It went well and he is reading in the Book
of Mormon. At the end of his lesson he told us how he was sure that he couldn't
make it to church this sunday but that he would be next sunday. About 2 hours
later he called and said he had his schedule mixed up and that he would be able
to come. He is really enjoying learning so much about the church. Syster
Wiklöf, her husband is again in the hospital and she is having troubles with
it. We went over and she shared with me something that helped her while I was away.
She told me that she missed me and that just made my heart melt. She is such a
sweet lady. We helped clean and she fed us lunch. She really is a great woman
of faith. I have learned a whole lot just from her diligence and faith. Its
great! We did a bit of apartment renovation and took out a bunch of clutter
that has been around our apartment and now it feels much more like home.
I lördags we had plans
fall through but were able to do weekly planning and finish our new ward list.
Its working pretty great for us. We worked on our ward activity and did some
really great planning. I really have learned to enjoy making plans and setting
goals. Its a great way be be productive.
Igår We had a great
attendance at church. We were able to meet Syster Pools 2nd cousin once
removed. He was really nice. We had Marcos come for all three hours of church
as well. Our ward has changed a lot since I first came here. It seems like
before it was the ward and the missionaries on oppositie teams. Now its like we
are one super team. They are always looking for ways to help and are watching
out for us. Its a great feeling to have the support of the ward finally. It
took some time but I think we are getting a better grip on it. After the
meetings we were able to help the bishops wife figure out our dinner list and
help a few other members figure things out. It was great. Then the Robayos had
us over for dinner again because they are going to Columbia and will be gone
and wanted to be sure they said goodbye to us for the time being. That family
is such a powerhouse of faith. It feels close to a second home. We love seeing
them.
Today we were able to
go secondhand shopping and to write emails. Its been a chill day but we needed
it. Oh I was able to mow the lawn of the church a little. (it was a little bit
of a goal for me and Juan helped me accomplish it!)
So this weeks
challenge is to go to church! Its the best way to recharge those spiritual
batteries that are always running low by the end of the week. I have seen how
much church attendance means to those investigators and even just with me. No
matter how bad the week seems to have gone. It always gets better if I attend
church. Its the way Heavenly Father can show you his love and that you can show
him your own love for him. I am so thankful for the opportunity we have to go
to church. I feel at the top of the world in the beginning of each week and I
know its because we have Heavenly Father on our side more fully when we do what
He says. Its a great feeling!
I hope you have a
great week! I love you all!
Love,
Syster Juker
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