The Weather is so Complicated!

The Weather is so Complicated!                   June 20

Hej!

So time is running low but I am going to piece together a little email here =) The weather here is pretty unpredictable. Evidently summers are rainy and often times only a few days of warm sunniness. Right now its cold rainy and pretty gloomy. We were trying to set up another appointment with our friend francis and he said that the weather is complicated. it made us laugh. He really is awesome!he brought a friend to our game and movie night (only because it was raining was there a movie and game lol not like at home movie night) usually its sports. I realy dont use () these right. lol but he and his friend committed to be baptised once they know it its true! Its pretty sweet!

But good news is its midsommar this week. (the longest day of the year) We as missionaries are told from our mission president to not work an this day and to be with our ward and celebrate the holiday. No one works or anything. Swedes are big on their holidays it seems lol. But our ward isnt doing anything until saturday. so we get to throw a party for ourselves in our apartment friday and then spend saturday night with our ward mission leader Brother Acevedo and his family. It will be fun. He has two little girls and they remind me of Monica and Maliah when they were little =) So we get along great lol only thing is that I cant hold them. thats the tough part. lol

As for the work, it goes! This week we had lots to do out of town we had sharpening with the mission president and stake conference in malmö and then a broadcast from slc on suday ´so we spent lots of time on the train but also learned tons. In stake conference last week we had to write our conversion story in swedish to the stake president and he picked people to tell them in stake conference. My swedish was sketchy so i figured he wouldnt pick me. we waited for him to tell us who was going to speak. He came up to syster page and I and asked Syster Juker will you speak about Facebook? I was utterly confused lol My conversion story had nothing to do with facebook... needless to say he got me confused with another syster who had to speak! Saved by the Bell!! During the meeting we had a Malmö ward choir we sang in, the missionary choir and it was awesome, we sang For the beauty of the earth with a special arrangement and Called to serve, but in swedish its more about the choice to serve. ITs awesome. The broadcast from slc had a great deal to do with knowing that Thomas S Monson is the prophet today. Syster Julie B Beck, Elder David A Bednar And President Henry B Eyring spoke It was AWESOME! It was all in swedish (translated) and I still got great notes! =) 
I learn so much everyday. My testimony grows everyday, I feel the lords hand holding me up everyday. Everyday is awesome! He is there if we but ask him for help. and boy do i need lots of that these days!

As for a commitment this week, I take it from a commitment we gave Annette this week. She knows the Book of Mormon is true but is having issues committing to living the gospel and be baptised. She doesnt know the eternal truth of Gods love for her individually. So we came up with this commitment, before you go to sleep every night this week, take a minute and reflect on the day keep track of the little things that God has done to show you that he loves you. It may be hard at first but I know that He loves oss each individually and that is why he has restored His gospel to the earth, So that we can again find peace and happiness, and be lead by his Prophet in ways of righteousness. That doesnt mean that he takes away all of our problems, but he does strengthen us so that we can overcome all that He has given us to help us grow.

Thank you all for your love and support! I pray for you lots everyday! Keep the prayers coming and try to serve someone today!

Love you!

Syster Juker

Pictures included: =) Still washing clothes from bed bug adventures! Syster Page watching our cookies bake on planning day, A building called the turning torso in Malmö its pretty cool looking, Syster Andersson ´Sumner, Tanner, Page and I at Sharpening, Innebandy!!! Waiting for a bus on a pretty day in Oscarstram (spelling wrong), Central Station in Malmö, endless rows of bikes =) a super long bus, (well we thought it was but it was actually two in separate lanes =) Pretty buildings, from the train ride home, and Swedish cows! The first I saw, they really look happier then california cows not gonna lie =)

A Duet

Jun 13

Well Hello Everyboday!

This week we got to deal with our friends the bed bugs! We got to clean everything, wash all of our clothes, it took forever. Luckily we didnt have to cancel any of our appointments though. And I havent had another bite since they came to spray. It might be the fact that I switched to another bed but we shall see. lol We have had a few slow days recently lots of tracting and contacting and not much success, nevertheless The Lord has guided us in all we do.

We met a man from africa on tuesday and he was super nice. It was when we were looking for a less active member who lived in the same apartment complex. The whole complex was locked so we were bummed but just as we went to try the main door that was locked Francis went to get his mail and kindly let us in. We were greatful and asked him for some directions which he helped and then we started talking about what we were doing and such. We shared a short message about the restoration and got an appointment for friday. Friday went really well and we invited him to church yesterday! He came!! The first of our investigators to attend sacrament meeting! It was an awesome experience to see him in the building and feeling the spirit. Now to the title of this email, lol Syster Page and I sang a duet in sacrament meeting! Yeah it was pretty awesome, We sang I stand all amazed. I sang Alto and I was as nervous as could be. It was pretty cool to go up and sing in front of everyone. A lady here had that motherly look in her eyes as we sang. It reminded me of how Mom would look had she had been here. =) All in swedish mind you! lol The Lord blesses us when we work hard and have faith to act! We work hard for moments like that and I am so thankful to be a part of it.

Ive had lots of opportunities to practice my swedish as we go out and contact people and go knock doors. A few times while we are out waiting for a door to open or running for a bus I think to myself, Oh Yeah! I am a missionary! lol its an amazing feeling to remember why I am here and who has called me to work in this field. I know that I am here with purpose. As members of the church we can accomplish lots as we take that opportunity to remember what the Lord has given us and to share it with others. I thínk Heaven would be a different place if we dont do our part to share the gospel with those we care deeply for.

An activity we have been doing as we go and visit our less active members here in Halmstad is to have a random box of normal everyday items you can find around your house. You pick one out and apply a principle of the gospel to it. for instance if you take out an eraser its repentance because it takes away your sins. This is also like the sacrament, as we take the sacrament we are reminded of the sacrifice the Savior made for us. The world is full of ways to remember the Lord in all that we do. No matter what we do, where we go, or who we talk to, there is a way to recognize the Savior. My challenge to you all this week is to take 5 minutes everyday and remember the Lord, think of how he has helped you in your life and write those things down in your journal or a note pad or your iphone. I know that as you remember the Lord you will more fully feel his love for you and you will be able to recognize the blessings He has given you each and everyday. I know this will help make you happier, It has helped me as we have been trackting for hours and no one has let us in. I remember that we have a great message and the more no thanks we recieve the greater chance the next door will have someone just waiting to hear our message.

Im very thankful for the love and support everyone has sent me =) All the prayers too! Pray for swedish help, if I can ask that lol =) Search, Ponder and Pray everyday and I promise that you will recieve answers to your questions! i love you all soo much! Have a great week!

Love

Syster Juker

Pictures include =) Our adventures of Bedbugs and how our apartment looked at the beginning and remnants of how it looks right now. A picture of Syster Page Cleaning with all of the random items we found from the Elders, Misspelled english grafetti =), a really pretty bus stop that we visit quite often, we actually ran to it yesterday and made it there 2 minutes before the bus came! We were stoked because we would have had to wait a long time to catch the next one. =) til next week!

A Week of Firsts

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 2:57 AM
Subject: A week of Firsts

Hey Everybody!

This week has been an adventure all the way around! So much to do, so much to talk about and yet so little time.

Last monday we were in the library and I thought I saw Jordan Markham in the library, it was like his exact replica in all! It was really funny I laughed. Its interesting how being away you start to connect people from home to people you see here. One of our investigators reminds me of Stephanie a less active member reminds me of Aunt Teri. Its cool to make connections because then its more real to me to share my testimony and help them develop their own. =) 

On Tuesday we did a lot of trackting and didn't really find anyone who was prepared. We did some contacting in an area where we don't normally like to contact, after a prayer for guidance and found Rodrigo, he is awesome, his cousin is a member and he has a strong faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost really does guide us, all we have to do is ask and act. 

We did some planning and decided that missionary work is like dating. You have to get your second appointment while on your first. It was a great conversation. Thursday we had our district meeting here in Hälmstad and it went pretty well. Afterwards the systers went on splits. Syster Tanner stayed here with me and Syster Page went with Syster Sumner to Lund. It was an awesome experience to go through. We had a teach that night with Annette (our investigator who doesn't speak any english) We decided to teach her Frälsningsplanen (plan of salvation). It was a stretch because I hadn't ever done part of it in Swedish minus in the mtc with my other two companions. Syster Tanner is in her second transfer so her Swedish is still being developed as well. The lesson went AWESOME!! The Spirit was so strong and helped me to communicate all that I needed to. We helped answer her questions, talked about scriptures she didn't understand and invited her to read some more about prayer because she had a lot of questions about the importance of prayer. I felt the Holy Ghost work through me to convey my knowledge of the gospel in Swedish to her. It was awesome! My Faith was strengthened greatly!!! 

Friday was a lot of traveling as we had to get our companions back then we had a sports night and bbq with the ward. It was cool. I did my first splits, my first contact and my first wedding proposal all in the same week! lol The First contact was funny because we had been contacting for a while and I hadn't talked to anyone. So I told Heavenly Father the next person to come around the corner toward us I was going to contact.  He was pretty far away when I began to talk to him about the plan of salvation. He read our name tags and said in English Don't talk to me. Lol The wedding proposal came from a muslim guy who said he was just joking but it was super awkward. I told him no not even. I'm here to share the gospel not to get married. lol

Sunday we had a special fast for missionary work. It was an awesome experience to fast with the members of our ward for Missionary work and for those who are being prepared to receive the gospel. As we met together in sacrament meeting there was a great sense of unity as we all shared testimony of how this gospel has changed our lives and how we have grown so much closer to Christ because of it.

I hope that you can all take some time this next week and study a principle of the gospel that you just don't quite understand fully. I know there are many different principles but use the scriptures and try to get a clearer understanding of it. I know that as you show the Lord that you are wanting to know more of his gospel He will bless you and help you to know what is true.

The pictures included are of me numbering my bedbug bites one night before bed, we switched beds with the extra one and had to see if I got anymore. lol the next is of the shopping square fountain, it's questionable in nature but it was really pretty that day. The cookies Syster Tanner and I made. Syster Tanner in study mode. Swedish flags and a speed limit sign! Hope you like them! lol

Love you all, be good and pray always, That is where Strength is found.

Syster Juker

Miracles in Halmstad

Miracles in Halmstad

Jennifer Juker

May 30, 2011

Hey Everybody,

This week has been an adventure, I got to be "senior companion"! It was a fun adventure! We felt the Lord working through us a lot this week. It started out rough; one of our investigators chose to not take lessons from us anymore and to continue studying with the Jehovahs Witnesses. We were bummed but really couldn’t change their mind. We went to visit some inactives and on the way to our next teach we found a young lady who is super sweet and thinks she believes in God! She has tons of questions and inspirations when we teach. When we met with her the first time, she was nervous and a little scared, I said the opening prayer and she felt The Holy Ghost and felt peace and recognized it herself! IT was awesome. Miracles are happening everywhere, If you just open your eyes and look around!

Another investigator told us that she wants to be baptized this summer! Its exciting because she has known the Book of Mormon is true for something like 16 years and she has such an amazing spirit. She comes to church every Sunday. But we dont know where she lives and we can only meet on Sundays. This week she asked us if we could meet with her during the week! It was awesome! So we have an appointment for Thursday and I’m excited

In our district we have two sets of systrar so we are going to attempt splits at the end of this week. Im excited Ill be staying in Halmstad and Syster Tanner is coming from Lund to come be my companion. Im excited to see how it will go.

My challenge this week is for you to notice the miracles around you. Pray for help to recognize the Lords hand in all that you do and all that goes on. I think that is something I took for granted while back at home. I just went through life working hard and trying to make things happen on my own. But in taking a step back and one closer to Christ we can realize that He is in all that we do and in every success we have. I know that Christ is watching over us and guides us through life even if we ar hesitant to listen. He always is there to give us a little help. Please Pray! There is an awesome feeling that comes every time you sincerely pray. I know that this is how Ive been able to make it through these last few days. Its been tough but when relying on the Lord all things are possible!

Oh and pictures consist of the weather lately! We found out it rains all the time in the summer here in Halmstad. The package mom sent, me drinking hot chocolate, the övningkör is a ´sign that goes on the drivers training cars but we randomly have one on our fridge and the one of me before we left home to come to the library to write. lol I was bored and waiting´=)

I love you all! You guys are awesome! Keep up the good work and work hard!

Love

Syster Juker

Time Warp Continues

Jennifer Juker

May 23, 2011

Hey everybody!

Its pretty crazy how the time works, long days, short nights and even shorter weeks. Its been awesome though! We did better on our goals this week, did some tracting and some visits with less actives. I really enjoy visiting them, they are kind and speak slowly so I can understand what they say. Some people have strong accents so occasionally its difficult.

Well I dont know if you guys heard about how the world was supposed to end at 6pm on satuday? But evidently it was supposed to. A guy was on CNN and talking about it. dont worry we werent watching it. We did get texts from someone asking about doomsday and things like that. So we answered their questions and tried to calm their fears. He was still scared so we met with him and taught him the Restoration and how when the world does go that way the Prophet will know and tell those who will listen. It was a pretty great lesson. He is really sincere and has accepted to prepare to be baptized. Its pretty awesome.

While we were out contacting this week I actually opened my mouth. lol It seems like the toughest thing to do; but at the same time the easiest. I know the gospel will help everyone but they just wont accept it. Its tough. I studied this week about the power and authority we have from God to preach His gospel. Its pretty awesome! I know that I have been strengthened from that knowledge as well as from all of your prayers.

Sunday was busy, we taught relief society, taught an investigator about baptism, I spoke in sacrament meeting, we visited less active members, we had a member teach and dinner with the Stode family. They are awesome! Its cool to be able to follow conversations in swedish even if its still super hard to talk. I know whats going on now so im thankful. I dont feel so foolish when people are talking. My talk was on peace, it was rather difficult to get the guts up to go and speak but the spirit was super strong all day yesterday. It was awesome!

We got bikes, Jack and Josephine, lol yup we named them. Recieveing our bikes was as momentious as getting a new car at 16! lol We no longer have to go by bus schedule, we are free!!! =) Its a wonderous feeling. Well except when it rains, then its rather chilly but fun none the less. I am not all that coordinated in the riding of bikes and in a skirt makes every trip an adventure!

This week we have taught many people about the Restoration of truth through Joseph Smith. Its a great history one I am very thankful for. One thing Id like you all to do is to find a quiet place where you can be alone and read Joseph Smith´s own account of what happened. Then to kneel down in prayer and ask for reasurance in your faith. I know that these things are true. That Joseph Smith really saw God and Jesus Christ and that through him Jesus Christ Restored the fullness of His Gospel´. Its an awesome knowledge and I know that even if you already knew, seeing as I have for a while now, that you will be strengthened and that your testimony will grow. Every time we share the first vision their is a special spirit that comes and its an awesome feeling. Im so thankful for the blessing of knowing what we know and the opportunity I have to share it with everyone here in Halmstad! (Brother Bob, Just do it =))

I love you all and thanks for all you do! Keep up the good work and help out the missionaries where ever they are! You guys rock!

love,

Syster Juker

Adventures in Halmstad

May 16, 2011

Hey Everybody!

It’s been an awesome week! We've felt the ´Lords hand in our work lots this week. Monday during personal study a harley drove past our apartment and I was reminded immediately of papa! It was cool, there aren’t too many harleys around these parts. Tuesday we taught a lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy. it was awesome but she has to work most Sundays. She promised to try to come the next Sunday she didn’t have to work. So I’m excited! we had our first district meeting in Holsingberg and that’s spelled wrong lol but some pictures here will be from that. on a not cloudy day you can see Denmark from the coast. it was cloudy when we went.

Saturday was our day of consecration! It was super good and we worked hard all day. We had one of our investigators this week accept a baptismal date! I was super excited! ´He’s been ´taught three times, twice ´by us it’s pretty awesome. He is a little hesitant still but he is definitely searching for what we have. We got stood up for another lesson but got asked for the time but we thought she asked us if we were wise. It was fun to laugh about.

Towards the end of the day we went looking for a less active member’s house and got stuck in some pouring rain as we were waiting for the bus. Only to realize that the bus wasn’t coming to that stop because it was Saturday. we then had a squirrel seeking shelter from the rain share our bus stop spot as we ´found the nearest one.

This week I have really realized the importance of understanding the atonement and realizing the significance of everything that happened for us individually. As we center our lives on living more fully´like Christ and taking full advantage of the Atonement we will live with real love in our hearts and long to help one another come closer to Christ. I know that because I’ve seen in work in my life here in Sweden and at home. The Atonement is real, Heavenly Father loved us so much that he asked Christ to suffer for us and Christ loved us so much that he suffered it. I’m so thankful for this event and the blessing it has been in my life. Will you all find a little time this week to think and ponder the atonement and what it means to you individually? (Bob Just do it! =)) I know that if you do your eyes will be opened and your hearts will be filled with peace and happiness. I love you all! Have an awesome week!

Pictures consist of:

Rainy adventures, some graffeti that reminded me of the elephant mom drew on my letter, a really cool catholic church we saw when with the squirel, our cookie experiment because we didnt have all of the ingredients. Cool pictures ón the way to the train from our district meeting. And our ice cream adventure, it was sunny one day and we both wanted ice cream and as i went in to buy stamps the stamps are of ice cream so ´we decided it was a sign and bought some. It was delicious but super rich!

Love,

Syster Juker

SWEDEN!

May 9, 2011

Wowzers!

Its been a great day so far! I'm in Halmstad Sweden with my Trainer Syster Page! We have lots to do here in Halmstad and I'm super excited to get it done. I know I had a little come apart in the phone call today but I think its just goes to show where my heart is. I know that this is the most important message anyone can ever receive. It just hurts when someone doesn't have time for it. I know my testimony isn't wavering bit and I know that no matter what I have grown so much with all of these experiences. I'm so thankful to be here right now and to represent The Lord in Halmstad.

Halmstad is a little ward with some awesome members. Yesterday we got to meet with the Bishop and Ward Mission leader to talk about the goals they have in mind for the ward and how we can help them achieve their goals. It was an awesome meeting. We then got to substitute for Young Women and teach them. I was really excited to understand a lot if not most of what was going on even though it was all in Swedish! After that we had Sunday School, we met Annette, one of our investigators and she seems really sweet. I cant wait to actually teach her a lesson with Syster Page. In sacrament meeting we were introduced to the ward and were invited to bear our testimonies. It was kind of difficult but the spirit was very strong as I opened my mouth. I really appreciated the opportunity to do so in like a safe zone.

We had some difficulty with our calling card, as most of you know. I started to be a little bummed about it all. But I said a prayer and gained a different focus while sorting through the details. It all turned out well and we were able to both talk with our families. Our focus for now is to strengthen the members and help them be united so we can have success in bringing others into the fold. I'm excited to make plans and accomplish things here in Halmstad. It really reminds me of our little Summit Ward in Utah. I love it

Well I love you all! The pictures attached are of our apartment and walking home and of me at the church! I hope you like them! Thanks for all your love and support! I hope you all get the chance to Read Alma 32 and talk about what you can do to increase your faith. I know that if we all have a goal to be better in just one area Heavenly Father will help us every step of the way. Right now my goal is Svenska! He is enlisted and so am I! What can you do?

Love

Syster Juker