Christmas!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 3:51 AM
Subject: Christmas!


Nära och Kära (Near and Dear)

This week has been one long adventure! Its been awesome! 

I måndags (Monday) we went on a search for onesies! Not the baby kind! But the kind we can wear. We ended up finding some in the kids section that we all liked well and we bought them. They are an awesome pattern! Just look at the picture! We had an awesome FHE lesson of Äldste Nelson and Nelson. (yes, they are both nelson) one is my district leader and the other my zone leader. Can you say confusing when they are both around and I have a question? Because I sure can! It was an object lesson with corn starch and water. He compared it with keeping a testimony. Try it out and try to keep it in your hands, its difficult but possible if you work at it. 

I tisdags (Tuesday) we celebrated Lucia day! Lucia is the bringer of the light before Christmas. It evidently used to be Christ who brought the light but the swedes took an idea from the Italians and stole Lucia. Not entirely sure how I feel about it but the celebrations were cool. They have a Lucia tåg. You could probably google it and make more sense of it then what I know at this point. We went with a member to a childs performance of one at Svenska Kyrkan then to a high school performance with the YSAs later that night because a few were participating in it. We heard some news of a friend we are working with got in a really bad accident and being in a coma so we got some notes written to him from everyone and got them ready to go to the hospital. 

I onsdags (Wednesday) we switched our district meeting to today because we celebrated a new members birthday on thursday for lunch. We had time to visit Erik in the Hospital. He woke up and wanted a priesthood blessing so the elders went and shortly thereafter we were able to go and visit him. He has an awesome attitude despite how the healing process seems to be going. We had a member dinner and I got to make faces at their one year old baby to make him laugh. It was super fun. We then taught our investigator Tony. He is so funny. He cant really express himself so well in swedish so its a little bit like charades when he has a story to tell. Its super enjoyable. He is on his way to baptism in januari!

I torsdags (Thursday) this day we stressed ourselves on planning perfectly and having backup plans, the whole shebang! It slowly went down the tubes! We did have a wonderful lunch with Rajesh to celebrate his birthday. He is a recent convert and has a heart of gold. He comes from India and the tradition there is that the birthday person takes everyone out for their birthday. So he chose to take the five of us to an indian restaurant. It was super fun and really good. I wasnt really sure what I ordered but it was good and spicey! I really enjoyed it. This whole mission thing is doing a number on my pickiness. Though I still stay away from anything Kebab related. After lunch our lesson cancelled and Rajesh offered to take us to his lab. He is working on cancer research at the hospital. I really wanted to go, (im a geek still, even as a missionary) We got to see what seemed like a CSI lab with DNA analysis equipment and everything. We saw cancer cells under a microscope, even the mice they are testing things on. That was the sad part I didnt like too much. All the science stuff was super cool. He got to share with us his passion and you could see it on his face how happy it made him that we were able to take the time to see his stuff. We had a member dinner and a member goodbye to get to afterwards. But plans changed and we went and did the service and goodbye first. We got to see the Holdaway family off to the states. We helped them move some wood to their back porch and then got a ride to our dinner. Then the Malms were sick and gave us food to take to the church to reheat. We did that and was able to talk with our Young women there for a while. Before going home and preparing our dresses for the temple because we wouldnt have time on friday. 

I fredags (Friday) we did our weekly planning first thing after studies which was a really long time to stay at home in the morning. We had a lunch at 2 with a member so we were starving by then. The family is super sweet. The Lundquists, he used to be an athiest and she is from denmark. They are awesome. We then visited Kiersten our less active who I love! She wants to get involved in missionary work. She cant read because of her diabetes so she asked us to leave a MB (BOM) on her table so she can bring it up in conversation when they come around. We then had an activity at the center known as the Julbord which is pretty much the same Christmas food from our ward party but this time it was at the center with all the YSAs. It was a lot of fun. The Christmas season just brings out the best in people. We knew we had to get to bed at a decent hour but it just didnt happen. 

I lördags (Saturday) we woke up at 5:30 am to be on the train super early! On the train ride there we sat next to a door on the train that had to be opened manually because it was broken. There was a sticker on the door with instructions in English Danish and swedish and a diagram illustrating how to open the door. People would read the first like and then turn around and walk away. It was really funny to see people who, at the first sign of trouble give up and turn around. We laughed as so many people did it. Just now I thought of it sort of like the gospel. When we face something uncertain its difficult to see what to do. Sometimes we want to just leave and stay unnoticed when it is always worth it to keep enduring until the end. There were people who would get off the train where they got on and walk off to another train door. Really silly thought! We got off the train, booked it to the bus, and made it to the bus stop to see where we needed to go. I had never been there before so it was pretty funny to see everyone go in different directions. We walked around asking people if they knew where a church is with a golden man on top. It was a pretty funny situation. We felt like tourists because we couldn't speak the language so we spoke english. We got to the temple in just the right amount of time. I absolutely love the temple. I am so thankful for the peace and comfort you can have just by walking in through the doors. The temple is beautiful and I really learned a lot this time. The session was in swedish and I actually understood it all pretty well. It was awesome. We got to go to the church with the original Christus statue in it with all of the apostles around. Its super cool! Ill send a few pictures

I söndags (Sunday) we had a great church experience with an investigator of Utbys as we taught a lesson second hour unexpectedly. We had a member dinner and it went really well as we made a list of things we were thankful for under 5 categories. It was cool. We then got the opportunity to visit Erik again. He moved hospitals and so we had to go by car to make it there in time. He is incredible. We found out that one of his feet the bones are like powder and he is still cracking jokes. He has a bunch of different metal plates and things sticking out of him but he is all cheers and laughs. He is incredible. We went home and finished our studies before going to bed. 

Challenge time! We had a super cool spiritual thought in our FHE as a zone last night on the phone. Its kind of weird  but I like the experience. So this time of year there is a special spirit and no one can really mistake that. January  is just as cold but December has a spirit like Heavenly Father has blessed it and hallowed it. Think of Christmases past and all of the feeling you feel as the person you worked the hardest on for finding the perfect gift opens it and is so happy. As you sit around the table eating Christmas dinner together. All the different emotions. Now read 3 Nephi 1:13-14. He is the greatest gift and it is our sacred opportunity to celebrate Him and His sacrifice for us. I am so thankful this time around for the reason of the season. I know that Christ is the Savior of the world! That he is the only one that we are able to overcome ourselves and be purified enough to return to our Heavenly Fathers presence. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have been  given to have grown up with this knowledge. I hope that we can all learn something more of Christ this Christmas and remember the reason for the season! Ill hear from you on sunday! Be good and have some questions ready for me! I love you all! 

Love 

Syster Juker

Memories to Hold on To

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

Nära och Kära!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be good

Love
Syster Juker

Bergita Returns!

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 4:00 AM
Subject: Bergita Returns!

Hello Near and Dear Ones,

This week has been a great mixture of emotions! All throughout life things go up and down and Christ is always there for us to left us up or keep us there. Its an awesome feeling! 

Monday, I found my winter boots! Heavenly Father is keeping His eyes out for me! I spent not that much and they are awesome. Right now they say that its going to be a mild winter because its the first week of december and the sun is shining through the window. We will see what actually happens. 

Tuesday, We met a woman who had visited Temple Square and requested a Mormons Bok. It was good but she believes in everything and doesn't want to meet until she has read the whole thing. Afterwards we worked out our invitations for our Christmas party until our member middag with the Sahlin Family. It was super cool They are a great familly and really keep us laughing the whole time. 

Wednesday, we had a great lesson with a less active member over lunch. Afterwards we were able to pick up a package and go to the church. My companions had never been on a church tour. So with no warning or preparation before I went and did one. It was awesome! I am so thankful for the missionaries in Visalia that let me go on tours. Its going to work great here with our investigators who dont really know whats going on or anything

. 

Thursday, we had an awesome District Meeting where Äldste DeLeeuw talked of a turkey who learned to fly and flew around celebrating then walked home. We made the analysis that of the great work and lessons we learned from President Causee we have to implement it. So we determined that we are going to make it a conscious decision to speak swedish while in the center and around town. Im super excited for all of us to be on the same page now. We had dinner with the Holdaways and then went home and I packed for Halmstad.

Friday, I was waiting in the center for President and Syster Newell when I happened upon a picture of Syster Anderson in the Ensign! I was so excited! Hope you can find it. We got to chat a little bit before getting on our train to Halmstad. We talked the whole train ride. Syster Newell dropped me off with the Systers and we went to eat some lunch. We got to teach Francis! I was super excited! I hadn't heard much about him for a long while. So we caught up a bit and then had a good talk with the systers as we walked home for dinner. Syster Newell came and we had a good companion study before Syster Vistaunet and I went and burnt tights for our halfway point. It was cool. Syster DeTinne-Cassel was on the phone with us. It was awesome. 

Saturday, Syster Newell rented a car so we could go to our service project on time. She rolled up in an Audi and it was really funny to see for two days I got to ride in one! We cleaned a preschool and played with the Alacorns babies. I got to talk in swedish to little kids and we practiced picking up rocks and throwing them, it was fun. We had a great lunch with the bishop and his wife before teaching a less active who I really had a hard time understanding last time I was there. I talked with many members and understood what it is to have a southern accent in sweden. It's difficult to see when I was there the first time but now I certainly notice. We had a fireside where we watched a movie called 17 Miracles. Its great! Find it and watch it! I cried. The miracle we have been given of faith. No matter what needs to be done the fact that we can show faith and believe, anything can happen. In all reality! The Faith required is great but we can do it and all things are possible!

Sunday, We had a great program planned in Relief Society and Priesthood, then in primary as well. I helped in the relief society and priesthood meeting as I translated for an elder women who cannot english. It was funny as President Newell began to speak he asked, Kan du översatte för henne? (Can you translate for her?) My heart stopped as I took the seat next to her and helped her understand. We then got to do role plays in front of everyone. I really don't like them but they work. We practiced them in front and then I was paired to do it in Swedish with the lady and it was super fun. I can Swedish! 

In primary we had an awesome analogy for feeling the Spirit. You have a bag full of various fruit and a person closes their eyes and sticks their hand in. They can't look but they know what fruit is what. Its the same with the Spirit, we dont know how to discribe it unless we become familiar with it. It is our responsibility to find it, familiarize ourselves with it and do those things to learn about the Spirit. This in lies the challenge this week. In Preach my gospel there is a section on Recognizing the Holy Ghost. I know that if we take time to learn things about the spirit we are more likely to live with the guidience of the Lord in our lives everyday. Its something easier said then done sometimes but it ever worth it. 

I got pictures of all of many different experiences this week. I've sent a few. I came home and then Talitha and I were companions as I arrived in central station and then to the Julkonsert. It went really well, the choir sang Unto Us a Child is Born! It reminded me of dear old 6th ward at home. I miss that so much. So I hope someone sings it for christmas this year! 

I hope you all have a great week! I love you all so much! Build your faith and read some scriptures!

Love

Syster Juker

Wowzers December Already?

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 5:33 AM
Subject: Wowzers December Already?!

Can you Believe it? Its Christmas time again! This year has flown by!

This last week we had a bit of a different schedule. Last monday, as you know was not pday. We had a great lunch with a less active unexpectedly and an awesome dinner that was super healthy and delicious. We had salmon, (I loved it!) She had the five of us missionaries over for dinner. (DeLeeuw, Smith, Jenson, Sprague and I) Syster Jenson tried to fill up Äldste Smiths cup and spilled the soft in the dish where the other fish were. Our member, without missing a beat said, "Snabbt! Flytta fisken innan den simmar iväg!" It was awesome! 

Tisdag we had a zone pday where I turned blue because I was cold. But I fixed it and got inside. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the Center with The Andersons and Rassmussens. Our Zone Missionary Couples. That night we had 7 sisters sleeping at our apartment. Including us! It was fun. I should have taken a picture of our apartment. We had the mattress pads off of our beds on the floor for the other 4 systers to sleep on. It was pretty awesome. I ended up doing my companions hair that night to prepare for zone conference the next day! It was pretty fun! It was awesome to see Syster Vistaunet again! She is as awesome as ever! I love her smiling face! It makes everything better! 

Onsdag we had Zone Conference with President Causse from the Area Presidency! He instructed us with kindness! I learned so much from everything that he said. He gave us hints on contacting with the Book of Mormon. How to plan for success. The necessity it is to be specific in our prayers. The conference took the whole day but It was awesome! We felt like that spiritual high after General Conference where you just feel like going home and taking a nap. But instead we had församlingsråd and got everything set up for our Julfest! 

Torsdag We had a great brunch with Maria! She invited all of us missionaries over to her house and we had legit American Pancakes with a bunch of our YSAs. (Talitha, Danielle, Issac, Mette). It took a little while longer then anticipated. So we had to do some splits so Syster Sprague and Jenson went to our member dinner and I stayed at the center and did Splits with Mette! I taught our investigator who has it tough with understanding swedish or english. It was awesome! 

Fredag We took a long time doing our weekly planning. Making sure everything was planned, according to what we had learned from President Causse. It was interesting. We have had quite a few companionship inventories recently where something is wrong but no one really wants to do anything about it. Its a bit distressing but as long as we rely on the Lord we can get it through. I thought I knew of the endurance of the Lord before going on my mission. But it truly is incredible how much strength and support we get when we just have the courage to ask, and the faith to receive. Before getting ready for chill we decided to call the president and ask if we could attend the temple with the YSA this weekend, because its been my 6 month time! =) We then got informed of a trip I am taking this next weekend. I get to go back to Halmstad with President Newells wife and do work overs with Syster Vistaunet and Syster Kiser! Im super excited but bummed because I have to wait for the temple. Luckily he said that I can go in the next couple weeks after that! Ill be heading down on friday evening and staying Saturday helping out with firesides and then to help on Sunday with lessons in Relief Society and in Priesthood. Im excited but I have no idea why I have been asked to do it. I imagine Ill grow a lot from this experience! And I get to see some of my old investigators and a new member that I taught before coming up here! The Chill activity that night was to decorate the center for Christmas! It was pretty awesome. We had julmust, its like a spiced cold cider that they have at Easter and Christmas. The first time I had it it tasted like cough syrup. Now I think I like it. Its very different, and I think one of those acquired tastes also. We decorated and listened to lost of Christmas music that reminded me of home. We had a great lesson with the YSAs after an experience that helped their testimonies grow so much! It was awesome and the Spirit was so strong. Its a great experience working with the YSA here. They really have to want it to keep their testimonies. I feel like I am here so I can help strengthen them and help them realize the blessings they have in their lives. Its awesome! One thing i really enjoy is practicing my swedish on them. They forgive me and help me do better! They are awesome!

Lördag we taught swedish class and had a lesson with an investigator who is very analytical and wants to prove faith. Weve been working on an experiement but he hasnt been giving a hundred percent so we are now working even more. He promises to do better. We shall see how that goes. We had a member dinner with a women who is just awesome! She has the greatest outlook on life and hasnt had the easiest situations in life. She is awesome! 

Söndag! Vi hade en dop i Utby men vi undervisade honom! It was super cool! We went to utby for church and had a lot of fun attending the older Sunday school class. I think we read the same scripture 3 different times in a row, because two were different versions but they didnt recognize that. It was awesome. We had to take the bus there early. Yet we were still going to be late so we informed the elders. They asked us if their investigators were on our bus. They werent but two stops down they hopped on. Two were drinking coffee and Zaher told them all about the Word of Wisdom. His baptism was great! We didnt do a dry try so the first time failed, as he tried to just slump into the water but it was adjusted and went perfectly! We then had dinner at the Holdaways house! We absolutely love them! We share a spiritual message and then it just gets magnified and we always leave being uplifted! All day the wheather had been pretty stormy and it just got worse on the way home. We ended up stopping by our place before going to a new members house to help strengthen him. At one point of our walk to his house we were walking at a 45 degree angle and the wind was still pushing us backwards. It was awesome! If it would have been raining you would have thought a hurricane was coming. It was chilly but a lot of fun. 

Now the plan for pday today is to find some winter boots. Im not looking forward to it but it needs to be done. 

Challenge TIME! Im sure these can help you if you do them! I promise! So today, we have all heard of Moroni's Challenge right? Moroni 10:3-5, Ive mentioned it in a couple of these it seems. I remembered recently an awesome FHE we had in the 7th branch before coming here. We went through and talked about all of the things that prophet Moroni exhorts us to do. I have the same wish for every single person who happens upon this letter. He expresses his true feelings of the book that he is writing. Id like to add my own testimony to his, I know that this book is true. That man can become so much more then they ever could imagine by simply abiding by the elements written and described in this book. It is the most correct book on earth! Whats keeping you from picking it up and reading from its pages! If I knew that a book was good, or even heard that it was the most correct book; I would certainly have to do some checking it out of myself. This is my hope! I know without doubt that if you do as Moroni instructs that Heavenly Father will answer your prayers and you will find super human strength to do all that you need to do. Because our Father in Heaven wants us to have that strength and support. The Book of Mormon is that support in my life, it reminds me of the priesthood that has been restored through the restoration of Jesus Christs Gospel through Joseph Smith. I know that it seems far fetched but lets keep in mind the concept that God in infinite, lets face it we are finite! We all will die, we cant comprehend even the gifts of life that we have already been given. We dont know what makes the tiniest of elements or parts of a cell work besides the fact that they are designed that way. Who is that masterful Creator? That is God and his Son Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for this knowledge that I have been blessed with. So the challenge is for you to take some time, read Moroni 10 and put it into action. It boils down to showing your faith and making the changes needed to be worthy of the Spirit. I know sometimes the future looks bleak but it is my witness that as you strive to do as Heavenly Father wants us to do we are blessed and we can overcome everything with His strength. He picks us up when we feel like we cant continue. Can you do it?

I hope you all have a great week! Enjoy the Season and remember the Reason even more! Im thankful for all of you and your examples to me! You are all near and dear to my heart!

Love

Syster Juker

Revelation of the Temple

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 2:31 AM
Subject: Revelation Of the Temple

Hello Family and Dear Friends!

I miss you all lots! Its been a difficult week this week, but it sure has its blessings as well!

On Sunday we found out that our investigator lives in Utby area and so we made the switch this week. He has really taken to Utby and the Elders so that's good. He is going to be baptized on Saturday! =) Its awesome! He has really gotten to open up to all of us missionaries and likes to tease us when we are late and things. Its good.

Tuesday we taught him with the elders. He taught us in analogies all his own the plan of salvation and how it all works its awesome. We had an interesting teach later on as Syster Sprague and I taught a man who couldn't really English or Swedish. (I just realized that that's not how we speak in English, that's a Swedish phrase, "Kan du svenska? kan du engelska?" Yeah, it’s cool I know =))  He called his friend who could speak Swedish to translate. As we were teaching he directed a question to me "Vet du vem jag är?" (do you know who I am)I had igen anning vem han var. (I had no idea who he was) So I told him, Nej jag tro inte det.(No, I  don't think I do) Han var en undersökare som vi har inte traffat för lange sen.(He was an investigator we had not me for a long time) He is one of the many who want to meet with the sisters alone. That doesn't go. The teach went well and it was a miracle that we could all understand each other.

Wednesday we did some splits with the YSAs I and Mette went to the library as Sprague and Jenson went to red cross to get some service set up. It was cool Because Mette is from Norway and we just spoke in Swedish. It was crazy to see how natural it was for me to communicate in a different language. It just happens, plainly and simply by the spirit! We had another lesson with Tony and he tried to teach us the plan of salvation simply. It was awesome! He can barely Swedish and he got it done pretty well. Syster Sprague and I taught! It was cool. The spirit was strong and he could understand us speaking! A miracle!

Thursday was our amazing District Meeting! My companionship taught on Unity and relying on The Spirit! It was oddly fitting because we have not been unified and haven't been able to fix it. I came up with an object lesson about making cookies but in order to gain an ingredient we had to answer a question right about our companions. It was pretty crazy! Then we talked about the things we need to be in unity with and how we can do that. We turned to pg 94 in PMG and talked about pleading with the Lord for his help and blessing. Its a pretty crazy concept but it works! I'm living proof!  After that we did a surprise for Talitha, who might have to move back home to England soon. We heart attacked her room and Mette got her to come all the way there so we screamed and surprised her! It was awesome! She has helped all of us missionaries so much with teaches and insights to things so we all just felt like we needed to show her some love so we headed it up. It went lovely.

Friday we had weekly planning and we made some scripture cases for the less actives we have been working with who have been coming to church. They liked them a lot. We had Chill night at the center and sang Karaoke! It was pretty fun. I had to stay out and talk with investigators that were coming as my companions taught Tony again. It was pretty awesome as one who spoke English walked in and then another who spoke just Swedish. I was talking with both of them and translating! It was amazing to feel the spirit so strongly and being able to communicate all of those things to each of them. At one point
Äldste Anderson came up (only speaking English) to the one who only spoke Swedish. I had to translate and I ended up speaking Swedish to Äldste Anderson and English to Ali. It was pretty funny.

Saturday we had an awesome teach with one of our less actives who wants to get back on track. We talked about  ovenants and the blessings of the temple. I shared an experience I haven't really thought about since it happened. On the way back from that Arizona Road trip not that long ago. We stopped at the temple. It was way late at night so naturally it was closed. We went to the fence anyway and looked into the temple grounds. Knowing the spirit on just the other side of the fence. I realized that I never wanted to be that close to the fence from eternal happiness. I want to be as far into the temple and Gods kingdom as possible. I lost it in emotions as I remembered this experience. I'm not sure that I shared it with anyone before. It was amazing how the Spirit could help me remember such a sacred experience to me and I was able to share it and that same Spirit that witnessed to me at the time of my experience witnessed it to all of my companions and our member who was there. Its a great lesson to learn, listen to the spirit and do. We then had a baptism in Utby where we sang the music number. It was cool We sang a hymns lyric that we didn't know to the tune of I know that My Redeemer lives It was awesome and went well.

Sunday we had a great day at church, a lovely family dinner with a family with many little children that love the missionaries. We taught an object lesson on Helaman 5 12. and a great CES Fireside from President Boyd K. Packer. It was last months, I'm not sure what it is called or anything but these two experiences create this week’s challenge.

Challenge: To find out and watch that Fireside and apply it! He has so many great quotes and then to study the temple. Find out a way to visit one before the end of the year. The lights are always GORGEOUS! Can you do it? Take a picture and send it my way! =)

Times almost up, we are at the library! I love you all! Ill try to get pictures sent later today after we play football! Tomorrow is our Zone Conference so we have zone pday today. I'm excited! I love you all have a great week and be good!

Love Syster Juker

A Privilege to Partake

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 3:36 AM
Subject: A Privilege to Partake

Hejsan!

Jag hoppas alt är bra med er! Denna vecka gick jätte snabbt! Vi har gjort mycket för att hjälpa människor kom närmare Kristus! Det känns underbart! Jag vet inte därför jag skrev på svenska just nu men jag gjorde det ändå! =) Kan ni förstår vad jag skrev?

I måndags vi bara skrev brev till våra familjer och vänner. Oh that needed to stop because I only have a certain amount of time to write and it takes forever to translate what I want to say into Swedish because English is still first! But I am working on it so no worries! =) We had a really nice teach with one of our investigators about God and how he is not only our creator but our Father in Heaven. We cant seem to create a desire within to know and ask if He is her Father as well. Any suggestions? 

I tisdags vi hade många som vi skulle träffa med men det går inte. We taught our investigator with a baptismal date and he is still progressing and now knows that The Book of Mormon came from God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet without a doubt. When he bore his testimony about the things that he has learned and how the Holy Ghost had testified to him of the truth It about had me in tears, the Spirit was so strong! We then visited a less active whose parents are visiting from Mexico. They only speak Spanish and very little English. This is where it pays off to grow up in Visalia! I was able to understand again through the Spirit what he wanted to say and translate it for my companions. It was such a wonderful experience to understand what he was trying to say to us. Her son speaks Spanish and some Swedish. He was playing in a little fort and so we tried to talk to him in Swedish. He brought his toy cars of Lightening McQueen and The King out to play with us! I was stoked! I had just put one of the stickers Mom gave me on my name-tag. So I showed it to him and we were immediate friends. I think my companions were jealous! We had another lesson with one of our investigators who knows a little Swedish and no English, we taught the Plan of Salvation and it went pretty well. We had a member who knows Portuguese with so that he could translate our Swedish more clearly into Portuguese.

I onsdags vi gav en UV en heartattack! Another lesson with our investigator with a  baptismal date. Where our member taught me a new word! Topan! It means like thats awesome, all rolled into one single word! Its topan! =) We had a lesson with our newest investigator, she lived up in Norrland with a member family who owns a farm and they gave her a Mormons Bok and she wanted to learn more. She is super sweet and reminds me a lot of Monica! I love it! We had an awesome experience where we deceived one of our YSAs who is less active. We wanted to heart attack her room while she was at school but her class got cancelled and she was just going to go home, but after our teach she was at the center. So Syster Jenson went on splits with her as Syster Sprague and I "went to put up Swedish Class Flyers" aka heart attack her room. She lives a good deal away by tram so we hopped on and I knew we had to switch trams midway through at Mariplan. So we hopped off grabbed some goodis and then hopped on the other tram. About 20 minutes later I realized that we were back to where we started from. We took a big gigantic circle. We jumped off and did some cool Swedish practice as we had one minute to teach the Plan of Salvation. We finally got on the right one headed the right way. I blame it on the fact that I had only ever been there once and I wasnt entirely sure where I was going. We got there and got it all decorated. Syster Jenson called and told us that since we were taking so long she and our YSA were going to go get some shoes she could wear for Pday from her house. They came and we hid in the corner of her dark room and scared her really badly. It was pretty funny. People in Sweden dont do Heart attacks sadly. We then had an awesome experience with another of our less actives as She shared with us how she was able to talk with her best friend about things and resolve the problem that had kept them from speaking for years and years. 

I torsdags we had a cool district meeting on effective study and then ended up going to the Vårdcentral to have Syster Sprague's heart checked out. While waiting my companions were able to teach someone in the waiting room. It was interesting but it took a turn for the worse as he realized that we don't date while we are on missions. It was comical being on the outside of the situation and being far enough away that it would be super awkward for me to say anything. We had to cancel a member dinner because we were stuck in the vårdcentral for approximately 2 and a half hours. it was crazy!

I fredags we got to do weekly planning and made cards for the children of the Holdaways. It was super cool! It was pretty much just a way to show them that we loved them and they really ended up liking it a lot. The Systers had the spiritual thought so we used Helaman 5:12 and used an object lesson with Jenga! I loved it and the kids enjoyed it as well.

I lördags we had multiple teaches and they went pretty well. My favorite was with our scientific investigator. I thought about how we could connect his scientific mind with his interest in the church. I was reminded of the Scientific Method a week ago and figured we could use that in some way. He wasn't able to meet for a couple week so we put it on hold. On the way into town I thought of Moroni's promise of the Holy Ghost witnessing of truth. (10:3-5) We took the Scientific Method and created an experiment for him to test the Holy Ghost. He seemed stoked and I really felt the Holy Ghost working through us. It was awesome! We hadn't seen one of our new members whom we usually see multiple times because he lives close to us. We stopped by his house and no one would let us in. We are nervous about it so we were secret agent systers as we tried to figure out if his lights were on or not. Sadly they were not so we are still nervous. 

Igor, I söndags, We had church where we had planned on having 4 investigators and 3 less actives there. EVERYONE canceled =( It was a bummer. We had one unexpected investigator show up which made things feel better as everyone slowly cancelled. Our member dinner cancelled and so we ended up going home after getting some appointments for the week. Syster Sprague and Jenson made pancakes and then we worked on a surprise we have for some of our investigators. Its pretty awesome. We also worked on our lesson plan for our district meeting, yup we actually get to teach it this week! Im super excited for it actually. Its on Unity and relying on the Spirit. Its an interesting topic considering what explosion happened and how we are at a loss as to what we can do to fix whatever is broken. Not entirely sure what is broken but It certainly is broken. Its been super quiet since last night between the few of us. Its lame. 

Challenge time! So during personal study today I found a talk that a friend of mine had sent to me while I was in the MTC, about the sacrament. Its called "Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament" by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone. It was an awesome talk about the privilege that we have as members to partake of the sacrament. How the meeting itself is something wonderful and that we should be aware of our part that we have in the meeting itself be it if we are just attending or if we are actively involved. I hope that you all can look it up. It really strengthened my testimony on how much we need to prepare and attend the meeting. If we are not there we cannot participate in the meeting, feel of the Spirit that uplifts us and makes life so much easier to go through each week. I hope that you can read this talk and apply it in your life. My wish is to see you all in church on Sunday. If you can make it happen I know that the Lord will bless your obedience with blessings that you cannot fathom! 

I love you all so much! Thanks for all the emails! Be good and have a great week!

Syster Juker

A Week of Miracles

From: Jennifer Juker <jennifer.juker@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 4:19 AM
Subject: A Week of Miracles


Family and Friends! How goes it?

Miracles happen, even if we don't recognize it. This week has been a week of miracles! How was your week? I know that these seem like rhetorical questions but I promise they aren't. I really would like to hear whats going on with you all. Your struggles your successes. I still love you guys and want to help in anyway that is possible. So respond every once in a while! =)

Last Monday, we went on a picture adventure for pday. I did a photo shoot! Just like I used to do at home! It was a lot of fun. I got to use my talents as well as have a lot of fun with Mette, Maria, and Talitha! It was a lot of fun. Ill send a few of these pictures attached here. After Pday we had a good chat with a new member and learned more about his conversion. After FHE I was able to talk with a girl who comes to practically every activity here but doesn't meet with the missionaries at all. We talked for 2 hours! It was so cool! We cried, hugged, and she opened up a lot to me about her situation. We switched back and forth between Swedish and English. She is a great woman of faith and has lots of experience of following the holy ghost.

Tuesday we had a great member teach with one of our investigators who wants to be baptized! He has a hard time sometimes understanding our accents in Swedish so our member was able to explain more what we were teaching. Right now we have an investigator who cant read, and speaks Portuguese and is learning Swedish! Its crazy difficult to teach but with the Spirit and the help of a translator we are able to help him understand more of Christs doctrine. We had a great member dinner! I love going to families with kids for dinner. Lots of families don't have kids and invite us over but the kids always make it more fun. We talked about prayer and the importance of it. We gave a commitment to say personal prayer as well as their family prayer together. Their son reported back on Sunday that he had prayed by himself every night as well as with the family. It was cool to be a part of just a little testimony builder for a young man. 

Wednesday was crazy busy. We set up a schedule to teach regularly our baptismal date! We made a choice to be more obedient and the Lord provided lots of ways! We woke up with one plan for the day, because of weekly planning and by companionship study we had a whole completely different one! Busy Busy Busy! We had Syster Vistaunet and Syster Kaiser here from Stockholm for an hour so we went on splits for a teach. It was so awesome to see Syster Vistaunet again, I miss her a lot! Then since everyone else had been with Syster Kaiser besides me I decided to take the dive. We did some study after walking around for a while. It was a pretty interesting. Not so much the normal routine of going and going! We got to meet with our chinese investigator from about a month ago. He got busy and we couldn't meet, but because of our obedience we were able to meet with him again. He never had a belief in God and since meeting with us he has developed just that! He is awesome. We then had a meeting with a new investigator who is having a difficulty comprehending that God is her Father in Heaven not just her creator. Anybody have any suggestions? We then had a good dinner with the Holdaways. They are an amazing family! We joked with Sisla on how she is "in sweden but not of sweden" like in the world but not of the world because she is practically American =)

Thursday, I had a flash back to home stuff! It was awesome! We had a great district meeting on our goal about 90 baptisms before Christmas. Made lots of good goals to help us on the way! But the flash back from home came as we all (Äldste Smith, DeLeuw, Sprague Jenson and I) Were on our way to our service project. There is a family here, who while his wife was away he decided to redo the house. She was on the way home from Stockholm. I was super surprised what he did! We walked in and there was a hole in the ceiling, wood shavings everywhere, nails and wood everywhere. Just like when building our house in Utah! It was super awesome! We worked hard for a couple hours and got lots done, but not all of it! We took out the floor, took nails out of the ceiling, fixed the hole, and then we offered to come back when they are ready for drywall. I sure hope we are able to! Its crazy how many different things I have learned to do from my parents. Not many other missionaries and  members know how to do so many things. 

Friday we did a crazy schedule that didnt make sense but we did it! Had a great teach and a good chill with the YSAs!

Saturday We got to meet with an awesome 18 year old. She is awesome and we really enjoyed talking with her! We had lunch at the center before Swedish class. With Swedish class we had four new people come who could already speak Swedish but just wanted a place that they could just speak Swedish in a safe environment. After our class we did some language study as we waited for our Elders to get out of a teach. We then planned with more detail our plan for our mission fireside. Since that day was a holiday we all went to the kyrkagård to sing. (graveyard) It was super cool to stand singing as people walked to different graves to light candles. The spirit was so strong. I got a bit teary eyed a few times as I thought of different things. It was awesome to know that we will see our loved ones again! We made it late home but it was well worth it. 

Sunday we had studies, church and had an awesome fireside with the YSAs. We talked of the two kinds of conversion (as mentioned in last email from Diana) The social and spiritual conversion. How much more willing we are willing to invite people to an activity instead of teaching them about the law of chastity. Its really awesome! That talk is great The Missionary Nextdoor. Way worth finding and listening too. =) They all felt like missionary work is something that they can do and that they had a misconception of what missionary work is. It was awesome!

So this week has been a testimony to me of the importance of doing what the Lord requires of us so that we can have success. When we do what He has asked us to do we have bound Him to bless us. Isn't that a pretty cool situation. He wants to bless us so he has given us commandments so that we can use our agency and follow His way and receive His blessings. When we don't do what he wants us to do we have no promise! So how can you do this in your own life? My challenge this week, is to make a decision to follow Him more closely to receive His blessings! I know that we can all work on these things. In PMG there is a section on Christlike Attributes, pick one and work on it. I know that even if you don't think you do have something to work on PMG has an activity at the end of the chapter that will help you narrow it down. Heavenly Father loves us enough to give us ways to improve take those moments and show Him that you are serious! 

I love you all and are so thankful for all the love and support you all have given me!

Love

Syster Juker