The Missionary Next Door

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 6:14 AM
Subject: The Missionary Next Door

Hello Family and Friends!

How has everyones week gone? It's halloween! I'd like to see pictures of who you were this year! =) Currently we are at the center like normal and our friends just came for our Halloween photo shoot! I'm going to take pictures of everyone today! So next week I'll have pictures to share! =) So this last week! Here is the shpeal!

Monday: We had pday, we played basketball at our chapel in Västra Frölunda with the elders. We had great laughs as they would sing "Everybody clap your hands!" a song from home and then everyone would jump in and clap/sing. It was funny. I spent some of my time writing a letter to Mom and playing some lightening! Then we had a lesson with Zaher before FHE. We had an awesome lesson on the Godhead and he decided that he wants to be baptised! So we set a date! It's so awesome!

Tuesday: We had a few teaches. We have one investigator who doesn't know English, knows a little Swedish and speaks mostly Portuguese. Äldste Bush and Jenkins wanted to do some split thing with the Systers again. So this time Syster Jenson went into the teach with Jenkins and Sprague and I stayed out with Äldste Bush to do some role play and language study time. But because he was having a hard time understanding the lesson started late and due to our plans in the evening and being double booked. Syster Jenson had to leave and so we went in to the teach and watched Faith in Christ. He really enjoyed it and said he had a much more grusome one at home, and asked for a copy. Then Syster Sprague and I went to Forsamlingsråde. (ward counsel? in English i think) It was cool. I'm in charge of the missionary part of our Christmas party with the ward so I needed to be there. The first meeting I didn't have to say anything and just took notes on what was discussed. This time that all changed. Since we were there on time. They gave us time to talk about our investigators, what our goal with the Julfest is and many other things. I was nervous as could be and wasn't all that prepared. I looked at Syster Sprague and she didnt understand what was going on so I took the "stage" so to speak. I shared all of the info and plans that we 5 had talked about and was scared out of my mind! They all understood and I felt super accomplished. We then went home to plan and eat dinner before Syster Jenson got home from the member middag with one of our YSAs.

Wednesday: Seemed to be a day of recognization! We had the hardest time focusing on those things that we needed to do! Whenever there are a bunch of missionaries at the center the work is difficult to get done. We prepared stuff for our Swedish class to start back up again and put the flyers up around town. As we were out we tried to swing by our new members house but she wasn't home. So then we walked back to the bus stop Syster Jenson and Sprague stopped to contact a women. To contact in three is just awkward so whoever is farthest away continues going. So I did and as usual. I walked to a nearby bench because no one was around. I began to sit as I saw a women struggling to push a stroller and another kid on a trike. So instead I walked over and asked her if I could help her out. We talked about the day and the cold weather. She was really sweet! It didn't get to the gospel before she got her attention drawn away and shooed me off a bit. It was an amazing situation just because I jumped out of my comfort zone and spoke in swedish. I'm just a chicken to do it in front of my companion. But I am getting better. The YSAs are awesome at helping with that as well! 

Thursday: We had an awesome district meeting about finding work. About jumping out of the box and doing the things that we don't normally do. We did roleplays and it was fun! After that we did some preparation for our fireside next Sunday and listened to a talk titled The Missionary Next Door! It is awesome! This is the challenge this week! I want you all to find this talk, I can't remember who it is by. Her voice is a bit different but the message is amazing! The line that applied a lot to us as missionaries was "call us weird, make fun of us, it's ok we don't care because we are getting transfered!" She goes through the aspects of member missionary work and how we can do all these things in everything that we do. My challenge for you is to listen to it, take notes and apply it! Use the peer pressure you have to give people the greatest gift they can ever have! The Gospel of Jesus Christ! The Atonement is the only way and we know this and everything because of the Restoration of the prophet Joseph Smith! I know that as we do the little things and be the example of the believers that we should be we can do the most good in the world! We visited one of our less active members and she is super cute and shared her blanket with me again because I was freezing cold. It was sweet! We talked of President Uchtdorf's talk on the Forgetmenots. I love that talk. That's a good one too look it up! =) We also witnessed miracles as we had just talked of how people came to him because they knew that He was of God. When we were on the way to her house we were known! Two people came up and asked questions, then once in Frölunda Torg three more people asked to speak with us! It was so cool! We found a new investigator who has a faith in Christ because he helped him overcome addictions.

Friday: Wowzers we had a meeting with the Relief Society President to talk about those who are less active in our ward. There are so many people that dont come to church. We can see the second harvest as we just work with the members who already have at least once upon a time had a testimony of the gospel! Its my passion I think! Its an amazing experience to stimulate a manifestation of the Holy Ghost and bear witness of his presence. Then to see the look in their eyes as they remember all of the times that they have known what to do just because of that gift and following its inspirations! Its the way we can relight the flame! I know that this is the way the gospel changes lives! We can do all we want to do, but when we cant find the equated happiness in other ways we long after what we have already had! Be the one to help those near and dear to you remember the truth and make the changes required. We are the biggest strengths to those who are around us! Just do the best you can and help all of those around you! We can rely on each other and make it through anything!

Saturday: We had Swedish class and a great experience with an investigator! The night before I talked with him on the phone and someone had robbed him of clothes in his storage unit. It was stressful. I asked if he could meet at a specific time and experiment on Christ. Put him first and then be able to do all of the studies that he needed to have done. He said when. But he talked of how he had laundry time booked. I made a joke of he didn't have many clothes to wash so of course he would have time to meet with us. I had never heard someone laugh as much as he did. So He agreed to meet. Then during Swedish class he called but we were teaching and missed the call. We called him back and he was super excited to share what had happened with his experiment! We found that his phone call was him canceling. But since we didn't answer he just continued working and finished half an hour before we were supposed to meet! It strengthened his faith so much! He was so happy to know that he could rely on the Lord that much! Its the truth too! If we (btw listening to A more excellent way! still reminds me of Äldste Juker!) put Him first in all things we are blessed with the things we need!

Sunday: We had an interesting Sunday with two investigators and a TU in Relief Society/Elders Quorum. We had a combined meeting on indexing! I cant believe how easy it is! We've got to spend more time doing that! I want to do that when I get home! I knew I  bought a laptop for a righteous reason! Can you guys help with that? I certainly think so! We had a Member middag with the Elders where Äldste Smith read the kids minds and talked about prophets and how we can recognize righteous men! It went well! We had to wait for the bus for an hour or so. Then we finally got home and did companion study and language study! I'm working on translating my patriarchal blessing its awesome! I'm learning a lot more Swedish as well!

The work continues! We have a goal of 60 baptisms in the mission by Christmas! We all know that its a righteous desire and as we all work diligently and prayerfully we will be able to reach this goal! The Lord wants it and we are his servants! How else would it work besides through us and the members? I'm ever so thankful for my membership in this the only complete True church on the Earth today! We are guided just as the people of old by a living Prophet Thomas S. Monson! I know that he is Gods mouth piece on the Earth today. I know this not only because I was born of goodly parents who taught me truth but because I have taken the test and asked God for myself to know. When teaching people how to pray who have never prayed to God before we tell them its exactly like a conversation with a good friend. You make sure He is on the line, you see how He is doing, Thank him and listen to what He has to say to you. Then ask Him the questions and desires of your heart. He is there to listen and strengthen we just have to ask for help. If you haven't done this in a while that's your own personal challenge from little ol´me. Prayer works! We are all living proof of that! No matter the stupid mistakes we make through life we always have those who know the truth and pray intensely for your favor, your help and guidance. I know that without prayer its hard to keep those "primary answers" alive. Just like we can't expect a plant with shallow roots to live in the desert our testimonies roots have to be continually nurtured and loved with prayer, scripture study and those three hours in the pews at church. I know that its tough but stop limiting yourself and take His hand He will strengthen you I know this because he has strengthened me. There is no way that I could do this work without my Savior in my life everyday strengthening me each step I take!

I love you all and hope you all have a great week! 
Love 
Syster Juker

Jag har orkester I min magen!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 3:28 AM
Subject: Jag har orkester I min magen!


Hello Near and Dear ones!

It's getting dark and cold here in Sweden! It's fun! Syster Anderson teases me about being from California because I have a hard time having a jacket with me. So this past week I brought my jacket with me everywhere. One evening as we entered the Institute she told me "Congratulations on taking the first step in bringing your jacket. Now step two is to actually put it on!" I'm working on it! Don't worry I am not usually too cold. Just enjoying the chilly breeze! When it's rainy dark and cold I have my jacket with me and on, buttoned all the way up with a scarf! It chilly!

This week has been interesting! Last pday we were going to go hiking and take in a good view of Göteborg but it was rainy and overcast so the Elders changed plans. They decided to go shopping so we did some of that with them and they all tried on onsies. Like gigantic footy pajamas without feet and with a hood that zips all the way up. They are cool and I would wear them at home but certainly not out like people do here. I'll attach a picture of such nonsense. The elders in our ward try to pull pranks on us and on monday night they tried to get us to carry 7 or so Book of Mormons home in our bags but I noticed and pulled a switch. It was funny, although they didn't make it home with them either. 

On Tuesday we finally got our visiting teaching assignments from our ward. So we went on splits with Eva and Mary Malm. Syster Sprague and I went with Eva, She's the relief society president and we were visting the less actives that we figured would be home on a rainy cold day. So they were older. We tried one of our less actives, Kirsten, she didn't answer. We went to another lady's house and she didnt answer and her name wasn't on the plaques so Eva rang all the other doors until someone answered and we learned that she had died and no one in the ward had known about it. 

We had some fun missionary memories in that trip. Then we had time enough for one more visit. Instead of having her pay for parking and take her two month old baby again out in the rain we just jumped out to go try to visit them. The address said 5I (im glad you cant tell if its a number or not because she just told us to go check its number 51. But once we got out of the car we noticed the building was 5 and the doors were A through K. So she said it must be 5 E. So we didn't think anything of it and we got to 5E and checked it out on the nametag plaque thing inside of each building and she wasn't there. Then we just started laughing.We remembered an "E" sound in swedish is the English I. So she was telling us in swenglish where to go and we just took it for english. It was really funny! We had to share it with everybody. Who also got a kick out of it!

On Wednesday we had a spirit-filled lesson and lunch with a YSA who is adorable! Then as we were waiting to get on the spårvagn to go into town a group of little boys came up as we were speaking in english with each other and one just stopped and stared at us. We started talking with one of them in Swedish. He asked where we were from in swedish and we would answer in swedish and then any question we would ask him in swedish he would respond in English. It's pretty nice when it works out that way and they will speak to you in enlgish and you can speak to them in swedish. We are both happy people. His name was David and he is 11. He was pretty nice to talk to, we all understood each other. Not like some swedes who talk incredibly fast in swenglish so you can hardly keep up. We had our weekly meeting with the institute counsel and a teach sceduled at the same time so we got to go on splits and I was chosen to go into the meeting. It was good we got a lot accomplished. As always we had Syster Andersons delicious dinner at the institute after the lesson finished. We met a members younger brother who joked around about how the only reason why I haven't been translated yet is because I like strawberries more then raspberries. I told him its because Im from California and he determined that that was ok. 

Thursday I got the most adorable suit from my Mom and Dad! I love it! I sadly forgot to take pictures in it but I LOVE IT! I cried when I read the letter and pulled it all out! So much love in every stitch! 

We are working with a less active who has some issues with pride and I sent him the scripture in Alma 26:11-12 about boasting of Christ and doing all things through his power. He kinda got upset with it so we had to talk about that and relieve some concerns in the teach that night. He ended up giving us a wonderful closing prayer and my first kneeling prayer with someone else besides my companions or by myself. It is an amazing experience. The Spirit is really evident as we reference ourselves and show our humility in a kneeling prayer. 

For Friday I did something drastic! We had some time before an appointment at lunch and I couldn't do anything with my hair and Syster Jenson offered to cut some bangs. So we did! It feels like I have a Caterpillar on my forehead! it's definitely different than anything I have ever had before. I have to actually blow dry or straighten them everyday. But I didn't want to today so I just pulled them back. I'll send a picture in this so you can see and make fun om du vill! =) We had weekly planning and ran into Klebber- a nyomvand who left for Brazil the next day. We were able to set up a time to meet for later on and say goodbye. We had a teach with Sampath and he has developed a desire to believe in God! This was the one who prayed to energy the first time he ever met with missionaries. We showed him the video of the scientist who testifies of God and he really enjoyed it. He wants to look at more of the videos on our church website and things its awesome! Im really happy for the progress we have been able to help him with. 

This weekend was called Halloween Weekend where YSAs from all around the world really, come to celebrate Halloween together and have a couple days of partying and a special sunday testimony meeting. On Saturday they had a devotional that we were invited to so we attended. It was really good and about ways we can make our lives better by acknowledging things we can't change and moving on. He showed us a slide in the slideshow that had the top 5 fears of sweden. They were death, war, the dentist, sickness and speaking in front of people. So I made the comment to Syster Spraugue that they would really hate to have to speak at a funeral while sick after having gone to the dentist in war time and the YSAs in front of us overheard and laughed. It was silly! The YSAs here are amazing and have such strong testimonies! After lunch we had time to do some language study and then we had a teach. The Elders had made another prank and locked our bags together with a lock. So we had to find a lock before our member dinner with them. We are plotting revenge its funny. We made our way to the families house and we learned that they forgot us. It was a little depressing but instead we ended up having to buy dinner so I picked a salad and we all chipped in and made a gigantic chicken salad and soup as a district and finding out our color personality. It was fun.

Sunday we had lots to do because our church was at a different time and we attended the testimony meeting with the YSA. They are crazy strong! I felt so good coming out of that meeting! We had two less active members go up and talk about how they knew that they were missing something but they would have never guess that it was the church. Everyone was crying it was really cool to be apart of and knowing them each and what they have gone through to be able to do what they have done. Being a missionary rocks!

Challenge Time! This morning in my personal study I was studying from the conference before last in a talk by Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. on TESTIMONY ITS AWESOME! (I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS IN CAPS SO YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT) TOWARD THE END OF HI S TALK HE BRINGS UP 10 POINTS "First, everyone has worth because we are all children of God. He knows us, loves us, and wants us to succeed and return to Him. We must learn to trust in His love and in His timing rather than in our own sometimes impatient and imperfect desires.

Second, while we believe fully in the mighty change of heart described in the scriptures (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 5:12–14, 26), we must understand it often occurs gradually, rather than instantaneously or globally, and in response to specific questions, experiences, and concerns as well as by our study and prayer.

Third, we need to remember that a fundamental purpose of life is to be tested and stretched, and thus we must learn to grow from our challenges and be grateful for the lessons learned that we cannot gain in an easier way.

Fourth, we must learn to trust the things that we believe in or know to sustain us in times of uncertainty or with issues where we struggle.

Fifth, as Alma taught, gaining a testimony is usually a progression along the continuum of hoping, believing, and finally knowing the truth of a specific principle, doctrine, or the gospel itself (see Alma 32).

Sixth, teaching someone else what we know strengthens our own testimony as we build that of another. When you give someone money or food, you will have less. However, when you share your testimony, it strengthens and increases for both the bearer and the hearer.

Seventh, we must do the little but necessary things daily and regularly. Prayers, scripture and gospel study, attendance at Church meetings, temple worship, fulfilling visiting teaching, home teaching, and other assignments all strengthen our faith and invite the Spirit into our lives. When we neglect any of these privileges, we place our testimonies in jeopardy.

Eighth, we should not have higher standards for others than we do for ourselves. Too often we may let the mistakes or failures of others, especially leaders or Church members, influence how we feel about ourselves or our testimonies. Other people’s difficulties are not an excuse for our own deficiencies.

Ninth, it is good to remember that being too hard on yourself when you make a mistake can be as negative as being too casual when real repentance is needed.

And tenth, we must always be clear that the Atonement of Christ is fully and continuously operative for each of us when we allow it to be so. Then everything else fits into place even when we continue to struggle with certain details, habits, or seemingly missing parts in the mosaic of our faith." tHE CHALLENGE THIS WEEK IS TO READ HIS TALK, APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE. EACH ONE OF THESE POINTS HAVE A GREAT EFFECT ON THE HAPPINESS WE FEEL IN LIFE AND HOW WE CAN OVERCOME THOSE HARD TIMES. i KNOW THAT IF WE JUST TAKE THE TIME TO BE MORE OBEDIENT WE WILL BE BLESSED! 

I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE THAT YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT WEEK AND WILL CONTINUE ALL THE WAY THROUGH!

LOVE ,

SYSTER JUKER

Sparvagn Contakt!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: 2011/10/17
Subject: Spårvagn contakt!

Hello!

How is everything going for you? I have had a busy week of many changes. We have had many different experiences this week. Its been an awesome week!

On Monday we had our final adventure with Syster Vistaunet. We had a great breakfast/lunch at an American diner called Egg and Milk it was pretty fun. We then all went shopping for the last few things that Syster Vistaunet needed before going to my birthplace of Halmstad! We had a great FHE with the YSA and we got to develop our relationships with them.

For Tuesday, we had a day of food! Syster Vistaunet did some packing in the morning and we went and visited Sophia. She gave us a great pizza lunch and we had a great spiritual thought about the importance of scriptures and how the Lord communicates with us through them. We each shared an experience and the Spirit was super strong. After that we met up with the Elders to go to a less active members house. Danika is her name. She is cute! I thought I recognized the name from when we were with another less active. So I was going to lead the way for directions to her house. The sisters were ready to follow me but the Elders came and said We looked it up and weve got to get on a bus. So I figured that it was another person and determined it was a good idea to follow them. We waited for the bus in Frölunda Torg and then hopped off two stops from the place. Hiked through a muddy and watery lawn, up a hill to exactly where I thought we were going. She ends up living next to our other less active. It took about 15 minutes to get there their way and it would have taken 5 or 6 going another way. It was awesome to lead the way back to our next appointment. We had Serbian food! It was pretty delicious, some sort of sausages with tomatoes and onions in it. They have this cabbage, oily salt and peppery salad (that Dad would really like) its pretty good as well. After we ate we went into the sitting room from her kitchen table and prepared for the spiritual thought. She brought out a Bible that was HUGE! Youll have to look at Syster Vistaunets pictures to see! It was so cool. We got oranges and some sort of candy thing from Serbia for desert. To add to all of the food we had eaten today we got to head to The Holdaways to eat a fika. Its a Swedish word meaning coffee and cookies but has come down to as refreshments of all sorts. We ended up taking a different bus then we usual, hoping that we could walk from the closest stop. It ended up being way to far away so we caught a bus going back to town on another street. We finally got up and over the hill but it was all worth it. Rich had prepared us some real american cupcakes with chocolate chips in it. They were delicious and remind us all of home. We had another great "district meeting" as Rich got us all rearing to go and preach the gospel! As we left their house we had to book it back over a hill to the bus stop because the bus was coming. We went super fast, walking down a hill. It pretty much more effort to walk that fast then it would to just run. I shared my opinion and the sisters all started running. Then it was dark and rainy as we were running and Syster Jenson stopped in front of me and I had taken off my glasses so I ran into her and fell twisted my ankle and skinned both of my knees. But we were going to miss the bus so I just got up and walked as fast as I could. We made it before the bus and in time that I could check out my knees. It was gross, I dont remember ever doing that before. We made a video with all of the other missionaries of their input on the situation. Ill have to send it home at christmas!  My foot is good and my knees are no longer infected because I cleaned it all up this morning. 

Wednesday we had to say goodbye to our beloved Syster Vistaunet and hello to our new friend Syster Sprague! She is great we got a lot of getting to know her as she unpacked. She comes from Pleasant Grove and is a joy to be around. We get along great! We had our last teach for Swedish class and it didnt work, our students didnt come and we even had a cake baked for them. We ended the evening with a great lesson with Sampath. He is very scientific so we talked more on faith and ended with us all singing A Childs prayer to him. It was awesome

Thursday we did a heart attack to a member in the ward and got a lot of teaches sceduled. I had my first spårvagn contact and it went a little like this. Syster Sprague and I were on the spårvagn going back to the center after our heart attack adventure. We ended up sitting in a part of it with 4 seats that two face the other two. There was a lady already sitting there so I sat next to her and Syster Sprauge sat across from her. We were speaking swedish to each other and I remembered we needed to text an investigator. We were discussing how to spell the word verkligan. which means really. We didnt know how to spell it so I turned to the lady next to me and asked her. She smiled answered kindly and then pulled the string to set the next stop and stood to wait at the door. We didnt get to the gospel stuff but I jumped super out of my comfort zone and it felt awesome! We are going to do so much good this time together its awesome! 

Friday we got what missionaries say here is blåsted. We got ditched. In swedish its the equivalent of being blown by the wind. Its cool. We did tons of planning and got next week all organized.

Saturday we had Zone Conference which was awesome. The APs had a great message about the power of the Book of Mormon. Then we had Stake conference. We were able to stay and I translated for Äldste and Syster Anderson. It is a difficult task to be able to translate when they speak so incredibly fast. I really enjoyed it though. I would translate literally and it wouldnt quite make sense and they would both turn toward my face and smile and Id try to clarify. It was awesome!

Sunday was great! We had another session of the stake conference and a ward activity afterwards where everyone brought a salad and we all ate together. We did some contacting later after some study time because we didnt have any in the morning. It was a great day, I felt very uplifted.

SO Challenge time! This week my challenge comes from something we did during zone conference! We read the first chapter of first nephi and compared it with the lesson of the Restoration. Every principle is in there! Its awesome! There is such power in that book! I have never really realized that that had been the fact all along. Its crazy that I have read that chapter 20 times or more and I didnt even realize it. My challenge this week is to dust off that book that we love so much and begin with prayer and real intent to be able to learn something new that you have never learned before. I know that as we approach those holy writings we can know of all the things that our Father in Heaven would have us do. Its amazing as you just try to take it one verse at a time. you learn so much! contemplate the whole phrase "and it came to pass" dont just pass it by! I love the deeper meaning!

I love you all and hope you all have a great and amazing week!'

Love 

Syster Juker

Triple Vistaunet!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 3:25 AM
Subject: Triple Vistaunet!


Hey Everybody!,

This week has been a bit of craziness! Plans always change, no matter how solid they seem in personal study has no reflection on what actually does occur throughout the day! On Monday we went coat searching! It was a lot of fun! Talitha, Syster Visaunet and I went to some secondhand stores to try to find a winter coat. It was really fun to find all the miscellaneous things that were just so unique! Syster Vistaunet found a great carpet skirt at a shop that I found a gigantic red coat at. They didnt take cards so we had to leave and get cash. It was only 100 krons and I took out 500 because I felt like I needed to. Upon walking back to the shop to purchase our things we noticed a different shop to go to. We found THE PERFECT coat for me! It was 499- the Spirit guides! Its so warm and perfect!

On Tuesday we had lots of plans made and they didn't really go through. We got a phone call to go to a school for their Religion day. They had all these different religions at their school and we got to represent our church. We got there and waited for the Elders to come and get us. As Äldste Smith and Norr came and got us they shared that they had been there for a while and had not stopped speaking Swedish. I froze! I am not skilled in this speaking Swedish all the time. It seemed like walking into a nightmare! I freeze when trying to speak with people of our own ages and younger. I am certainly more willing to talk to those who are younger. But in this situation I had no choice! It was a must to be able to make everything work. We had many missionaries and many students come to talk with us. People would come in, be greeted and then the conversation would go to the tables. Meanwhile other conversations would end and we would wait for more people to come in. Multiple times Syster Vistaunet and I would notice that out of all of the missionaries who have been out longer then us we would be the two set up for greeting. We took on the pressure with ease. It was really an awesome experience to rely completely on the Spirit so that I could answer their questions. I developed a lot more confidence in making mistakes and recovering. 

Wednesday Syster Jenson was sick and Syster Vistaunet and I had a really awesome teach with Paul a man who has no idea who God is or who Jesus Christ is! We were able to develop a relationship with him and let him teach us about him. It was awesome! He is very busy but we hope to be able to talk with him again and teach him more about what gives us all so much happiness! 

Friday we were able to do awesome weekly planning and had an opportunity to do an FHE activity with Rich and Sisla. He is an American and had taped a bunch of 9\11 rememberance things and invited all of the missionaries over to watch it with them. It was interesting to remember all of the emotions and things that were around as that occured. We all remember exactly where we were and what our first thoughts were. I really loved seeing them. 

Saturday is a special day! We made cookies for Elys baptism. During lunch we received the elusive phone call from President Newell, regarding transfers. Our dear Syster Vistaunt is headed to Halmstad! My beloved Halmstad! She is going to do wonders there. It's really sad to have her leave. We all shed some tears but we realize that the Lord knows what he is doing! Elys baptism went without flaw! The water was cold, because we had a child's in our wards baptism before hers. It was super cool to be on the font side of things. Her Brother was able to attend. She thinks he will follow in her footsteps. We had a fika at her house and talked with many of her non member friends who were there and we were home 10 minutes before bedtime! 

Sunday was a funny mistake. We all thought that since it was the weekend after conference we were fasting. All the missionaries fasted. We sat in the chapel preparing for the meeting to start as we realized that there were speakers on the stand. We all chuckled a little to ourselves as we realized all 5 of us missionaries were fasting and no one else was. We all fasted with purpose so it counts, but it was just funny to see the difference between here and the states. Evidently they don't usually fast in the months of General Conference. We thought it was different. Also, we realized that we were only going to be able to wear Syster Vistaunet's clothes for a few more days. So we all got dressed in her clothes and we were a triple Vistuanet! It was awesome!

Challenge time! I actually got this challenge from an experience I had this week. We were trying to figure out a scripture to help one of our investigators on his journey in learning the gospel. We all had differentiating opinions and none of us would budge. It was a terrible situation. I felt really bad about starting the contention. We just had a difference in opinion. We all realized that we were all being stubborn and not humble and acting in the Spirit. Its an interesting situation to reminisce on. We can learn so much by just becoming humble and trying to put others needs before our own. In order to do this I have realized my reliance on sincere prayer. When we are able to sincerely communicate with our Father in Heaven and tell him how we are feeling he is more able to bless us in all that we do. When we forget Him we seem to be forgotten. It is not the case but we are the ones who distance ourselves from Him. I am reminded of the story of Enos and his mighty prayer. My Challenge for you all this week is to take into consideration your sincereity of prayer. Put others needs before your own and live worthy of the Spirits guidence! Can you do it? I know you can Believe in the Lord and Trust in His care and you will be blessed with happiness.

I hope you all have a great week! Love you all!
Syster Juker

General Conference!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 4:24 AM
Subject: General Conference!

 
Hello everyone! 

This week has been a test of everything! Things falling through, unexpected things, as well as tons of blessings! Its a whole lot like life though if you think about it. No matter where we are in life, no matter how good we think we have it the variables of life take only seconds to change. Its a deep thought. But as a counteractor of sorts I am reminded of a scripture Helaman 5:12. "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." When we go through out our lives there are so many things that get in the way of our relationship that we are trying to develop with God and Christ. We let the "To Do" lists get in the way of what really matters most. The time we spend is precious. We need to make sure that what we spend it on is of eternal consequence and not just for the everyday variable. I know that when we are built on Christ we are not promised that the whirlwind will stop and that all will be perfect and peaceful but that we will be sustained so much that we cannot fall. The hard things dont ever disappear, how would we ever develop spiritual muscles if we took our heavy burdens away. Christ strengthens us when we ask for help. I know that because I have tested it. I have tried to go without His help, do it my way, my version of "alone". When in reality He is always there lifting just as hard as we are. It's miserable to struggle through life by your lonesome. I know that Christ is there We NEED Him even if we aren't willing to admit it to ourselves! Ok random ramblings over =)

We have a baptism in SWEDEN! Well we have lots but one just here in Västra Frölunda! This saturday! We are super excited to get it done and help our sweet investigator grow in her testimony of Christ and God. We also were able to meet with our other baptismal date and create a new date when he will be baptised! That teach was funny. He always refers to the church as "the church of the mormons" we haven't really thought of correcting it much. Then as we were inviting him to come watch general conference we showed him the apostles in the last conference issue he took it and read the churches full name. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and said "Wait?! are the mormons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" We explained yes and he shared with us a story of when he was in Ghana and his family gave the church one of their houses. He has been prepared for a long time now. He was able to attend the saturday morning session on saturday night and absolutely loved it. It was so cool to run from the church, literally, to the spårvagn stop to pick him up and  bring him into the chapel to listen to the prophets and apostles! 

General Conference just gets better and better. Did you get to watch it? What was your favorite talk? Mine was definitely, at least so far President Monson's talk on Sunday morning. We haven't watched the afternoon session yet. That's for this Yhursday night with a few investigators. You know you have faith when you can announce the next speaker knowing full well that he is not in the temple. This brings about the challenge time! I love these challenges, don't think that I just dish them out to all of you who read these. They are also things that I am working on as well. =) Anyway, We NEED the Spirit! No matter what we do we can live in a way to recieve the guidence from the Spirit to accomplish what our Father in Heaven would have us do. Since being on my mission I have definitely felt the blessings of having an extra measure of the Spirit when we are all living worthy and willing to follow the promptings. I know that in order to recieve the inspriation of the spirit we must be living worthy of the spirit. Now in a way its sort of a plea to repent and do better. But even more so it is a plea to do better. I know that there are many things that we are "supposed" to be doing so that we can "recieve" blessings. If we are doing those things for that reason thats good but there is a better way. We must be living everyday with Faith and hope knowing that when we stick out our hand to God that He will lift us. So the challenge this week is to do a little better, do some repenting if need be ( i know we all need it) and to smile because God loves you and it is witnessed to you if you but look around and notice the little blessings in each day! 

Thank you all for loves and words of encouragement! I hope that you all have a great week and remember to focus on the good things and Smile because of them! Im praying for you!

Love you
Syster Juker

pictures =) my scripture case! I need a picture of Charity!, a weird crazy misty evening after some conference sessions

Mindre Aktiv

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 8:27 AM
Subject: Mindre Aktiv



Hello Family and Friends!

Another week has been completed here in Västra Frölunda the greatest area ever! I feel super blessed to still be here. We have had so many great and wonderful things happen here. Its awesome! This week ended up having a little focus on less actives. Although we didn't necessarily plan it that way. We had about half of our planned teaches cancel on us this week. It was a bummer but we got a lot of other things done as well. I believe I talked about Mike last week and the awesome teach we had with him as Syster Vistaunet and I committed him to baptism. Well we tried to meet with him this week and his business kept him in Denmark the whole time so we haven't been able to meet with him. We are working on the finishing touches for Elys baptism on the 8th! We are super excited! She is as well! 

We have come across many members who have been less active and we are working with them. I feel like I have a connection with people who are less active, not entirely sure why but its how I feel like I need to work here. We are working with the members to remind people of the importance of keeping their baptismal covenants. So far it is amazing! We have seen and been apart of many miracles and I love it. We just have been able to remind a few of them to read and pray. It's simple through a text message and they show up at church without even having to be reminded that that is where they need to be. My favorite experience this week happened last night as we had been meaning to meet with Kiersten Halmstrand for a while and had to move the appointment because of other member middags. We were able to go over there and just get to know her because Syster Jenson and Syster Vistaunet had never met her before. She has diabetes and its crazy, she can't tell when she needs to take her medicine so it makes things difficult and she can't come to church alone. So we worked it out so that we can give her a ride and I can eat with her when she needs to so she doesn't feel so out of place. Its going to be awesome. We shook on it and then we realized that this week is General Conference! A little bit of a different situation. We get to watch the Relief Society Session on Saturday night and then the Saturday morning session after that. Then on Sunday we watch the Saturday even session and the Sunday morning session. And for a Pday in the future we will watch the Sunday afternoon session! I was so excited when I heard the news that we are able to watch all of the general conference sessions. We are inviting all of our investigators to come and listen to the Profets voice! Its going to be an amazing experience! 

Make sure that you invite all of your friends and do all you can to go/listen to conference with questions in mind. I have a strong testimony about that. While I was in the MTC Brother Harris asked us to come up with questions about whatever you have questions about and pray for answers. When I was there I had about 6 questions and all were answered in one way or another. The Spirit is real and when we listen and obey we have success and feel the feelings our Father in Heaven would have us feel. 

So I just got back from our Pday activity we went to a castle and it was pretty awesome. As I stood looking out over the water and around at the buildings of the town I got to thinking of all those people who are out there who have no idea why they are here, who they are, and especially what it feels like to be truly happy. The gospel is the only way to have that lasting happiness! There is no other way! We, as members of Christs church have a responsibility to share our testimonies with all those around us. We may not feel that our testimonies are strong enough to change someones heart, or to spark a change. I know that I feel that way in Swedish. It's difficult to speak and sound silly to yourself as you, in broken Swedish, testify of the saving power of the Atonement and that we can feel His sincere happiness as often as we will do what He wants us to do. My challenge for this week is a little on this point. We have an investigator who is near to baptism. We have been looking forward to this date for a long time! Its going to be awesome! There is just a little hiccup regarding our profet. A testimony of Christ's apostle on the earth today is a ground-laying principle to knowing that this is His church! We must have our testimony of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Restoration and as today Thomas S. Monson. They lead God's church through revelation and He is the head. I am so thankful for this message! That God truly is the same yesterday today and forever. We need never worry as to weather the profet leads us properly. He is of God and when we know that we also know what we need to do. I am also so thankful for the opportunity to have General Conference this weekend! Make sure that you all put proper time in front of the TV or listening to the radio so that you can learn and know for yourself that God and Jesus Christ have their apostles again on the earth to lead this, His Church!

I love you all so much and hope you all have a great week and remember who you represent!

Love

Syster Juker

pictures include, the castle adventure, planning in the dark on the side of the road waiting for a bus, and various others. I changed the quality of my pictures so now i cant send as many. Let me know if the change makes a difference =) Love you all!!!

Time is Written on the Window

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 4:42 AM
Subject: Time is Written on the Window

Hello!

Well this week has been a bit of everything! Last Monday we spent it on a boat travelling around to different islands but never getting off on one of them. We were with Sophia and Talitha they are awesome. Syster Jenson was going to teach the FHE lesson for the YSA and we were going to have a teach at the same time at the center. But he went to the chapel instead of the institute so we did some splits and Syster Vistaunet and I went in the pouring cold dark rain to the chapel and taught the restoration. 

On Tuesday we had lots of teaches and a surprise package showed up from my Mom! With my stomach medicine! It made me so happy! We have been rationing the american candy its pretty funny. We still have jelly beans and m and ms =) 

Wednesday we did a lot of little splits where Syster Vistaunet and I taught Mike the Plan of Salvation and committed him to prepare for batism. He is AWESOME! He just is african and comes late or forgets to come often. So we are working with him on that. We had dinner at the Holdaway's and they have given us the opportunity to watch the 9-11 special thing and we have president Newell's permission so we are going to watch that very soon. 

On Thursday we had our district meeting and on the way over to Mosens to eat kebab pizza there was the word time carved in the buses window. I told Syster Vistaunet that "Time is written on the window" Then we all chatted about how it could be a tagline to a movie of some sort and odds are we would all watch it. So you all at home can work on that one =) After District meeting we had service with Sophia McLaughlin- she is AWESOME as well. We helped take like seven layers of wall paper off of her wall and had dinner. It was really fun. We had a teach with Ely too on Thursday and she is lovely! So prepared and willing to follow Christ. She reminds me a lot of Charity. She is super sweet. I'll try to get pictures of these people so that you can picture them =) 

Friday was really cold. We did Zumba with Ely and Paola at their house. It was a lot of fun. I didn't do it because my foot hurt but I think it will be fun to do once at home. If I gain some coordination, I still can't dance for those of you wondering! Saturday Syster Vistuanet and I celebrated our 200th day on our mission. I know its a little random  but I have a system in my journal of titling each day and a few other things. We got some ice cream on the way home to eat. It was delicious. We had a cool lesson with Chuck as well, during another one of our little split things. He doesn't have any idea about Jesus Christ or why we believe in Him but he wants to know more and to attend church. Its a lot of fun to teach him. We asked him what a prophet is to him and he said, "Money?". We explained and he understands now the importance of having a prophet. 

Sunday we had lots to do and we kept busy the whole day. It ended with a great fireside by Elder Dallin H. Oaks on Truth or Tolerance. which leads me to my next time in writing! Challenge Time!! The fireside was a CES fireside and both he and his wife spoke. Both were AMAZING! I want you all to find his talk and watch it. Take notes and find a way to apply it to your life. I know that it applies to everyone on earth. I love you all and I am so thankful for all of you and the support I have felt from your prayers. I hope you all have a great week! 

Love

Syster Juker