All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience

Another week down! Where is the time going! This week has been one of the best and one of the hardest weeks so far on my mission! I definitely have seen the hand of our Loving Heavenly Father in my life this week. This week something that I feel like Heavenly Father has been trying to get me to focus on is the power of faith and what faith actually is. I was reading in one of my missionary training books, and there was a scripture in D&C 122: 7, 9. These verses hit me so hard! "All theses things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good... Therefore, hold on". Everything I am going through on my mission is for me to grow and to learn something, growing can be so hard... But something that Elder Uchtdorf said in his talk in the women's conference this past weekend really affirmed to me that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. "Faith means that we trust not only in God's wisdom, but that we trust in His love". I know that everything in the end is going to make sense. That even though I am going to go through hard times in my life, they are but a small moment in the grand scheme of eternity. And because God loves me and all of us, we have been given the chance to come here to earth and have experiences that will shape us for eternity... And I don't want to waste my experience here just going through the motions. Faith implies action. When we are seeking for faith And doing everything Heavenly Father asks of us, He PROMISES to always be with us. I know that God loves each and everyone of us, and that he has a plan for each and everyone of us. I know that when we step into the unknown and do things that are hard for us, that that is when we are showing our faith, and that is when we are going to TRULY feel God's love. All we must do is trust that God knows us better than we know ourselves. I love being a missionary, and seeing the change in peoples' lives. It is a feeling like no other, seeing people choose to come closer to Christ is miraculous, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Wednesday: our P-day was super busy! We had a lot to do!
Thursday: so many miracles... Kylee and Ben were married for time and all eternity! Before I came on my mission, when I new that they were going to get married while I was gone I was soooo sad! But today I really felt like angels were bearing me up. I honestly was just so happy for the two of them, I was sad I couldn't be there to support them. But I was there for you in spirit! :) Heavenly Father kept us really busy today!
Friday: today was the first time I went to Woolich.... And man oh man, I can't say that I really want to go back!! Haha don't get me wrong it's a nice place, but it is so busy! It's fun to see. Different place and to experience a different environment though! We went to Woolich because we were visiting a recent convert (P.C) she is from Thailand, so she made us Thai food! It was so spicy and we already know how I feel about Thai food haha! But I was able to connect with her because I told her about Uncle Aaron, and Aidan and Alex!
Saturday: today was the best day! We got to take some of our friends to the London temple! It was such a spiritual experience! I also got a letter from Daddy! And I got it just when my heart needed it the most! Thanks Pops! Getting real life mail haha is the best! Bexleyheath is starting to feel more like home for me, it's taken some time, and it will take more, but it's getting a lot better!
Sunday: today was great!! Haha Maureen came to church and told us that she has an interview with the bishop for a limited temple recommend. Words cannot express how happy I was! I never knew that I could feel so much joy for another persons choice! I am so proud of Maureen, she truly is amazing!
Monday: today was a rough day. We all tend to have days like that. I found myself on my knees praying a lot! But I also had a day of "change". I realized that I shouldn't take one minute on my mission for granted. I won't go into the details of what happened, but all I can say is that I love my Heavenly Father, I am grateful He doesn't take away these hard times, but that He helps us through them.
Tuesday: today I am grateful that I know the truth! I know that this is the only true church! I love in D&C 50:25, where it says that if we know the Truth, that we can chase the darkness away. I LOVE this when we know our Savior and we know the gospel.... We can chase the darkness away! :)
I want you all to know how happy I am. The gospel makes me the happiest, and how lucky am I to spend 18 months doing something that makes me happiest.

Step Up to the Plate and Take Your Swings!

I love you so much family! This week went by pretty fast! Time as a
missionary is pretty strange... RM's know exactly what I am talking
about. But HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Pops and Mama!!! 25 years with eternity
to go! I love you, you are both such great examples to me! Love is in
the air... Congrats to Ben and Kylee tomorrow!! I am so excited for
you two, I know that Heavenly Father is so proud that you have made
the choice to be married in the temple for time and all eternity. I'll
be there with you in spirit ❤️
In our weekly mission president letter, they sent us a video. And in
the video, they quoted President Hinckley "forget yourself and get to
work". This hit me so hard... I haven't been my best. I get that I am
human haha, but like daddy always says we need to step up to the plate
and take our swings. As a missionary I feel like we take a lot of
swings haha! With missionary work comes a lot of emotions, but the
thing that matters is how we deal with these emotions. We all have
hard days, but we CAN'T turn those hard days into hard weeks. This
life is meant to bring us happiness, but we have to have positive
attitudes to find the happiness in life. But when I heard that quote
by President Hinckley I told myself that today is the day I change my
attitude. Instead of thinking "oh man I have 17 more months to go" I'm
going to be grateful for his journey I am on with my Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ. And I choose to be happy and positive about the
situations I am in.
"When life gets too hard to stand, kneel". I testify that I KNOW prayer
works. Heavenly Father really does answer each and everyone of our
prayers. I have found myself on my knees a lot this past week,
pleading to my Heavenly Father, and I know that He has been carrying
me through my afflictions and showing me tender mercies. I LOVE
HIM!!!!
Today I have been thinking a lot about our family, but specifically
those who aren't here with us anymore. I want you to know that I know
that Papa and Grandma have been here with me. It's the  most amazing
thing. Heavenly Father knows I have been struggling with things, and I
truly feel like Papa and Grandma have been here with me 100% of this
journey. Like the scriptures say and promise... I will be on your
right and your left and I will send angels to bear you up... This is
so true.
I miss American products!! Haha I really miss Daddy's blackberries
pancakes! I have no idea what the conversions or labels are here.
Maybe you could send me a picture of the conversions from England to
America haha 😂 also mama if you could send me some cheap healthy
recipes that we use at home! I want to cook real food because I really
don't want to gain weight haha.
Regarding like letters and packages: I sent you off a package today,
so hopefully you get that soon! Let me know when you get it. So you
can send letters to our flat with the address I sent you. But if you
send packages it's best to send them to the mission office.
Thank you for sending lots of pictures. Pictures really have helped me
make this place feel more like home. Sister Montredon says that my
parents don't look their age at all. She says you look really young.
She's so sweet! Mama could you send me grandpas email address. I
really want to email him.

Wednesday: the rest of p-day was pretty good! Not a lot to report!

Thursday: today was crazy/ great. We were so so so busy. We had lunch
with sister Eckelt a German lady in our ward. We shared the Mormon
message Because of Him... And don't worry... I cried through the whole
thing. But that is okay because I know that that is how the spirit
testifies and speaks through me. When we're out street contacting
tonight we met a man who is from Bulgaria, and he speaks very little
English. But he wanted to know more so we pulled out google translate!
Thank goodness for Google translate, and we were able to sort of talk
to him. But that was an interesting experience. When we got back to
our flat Brother and Sister McDonald came over to help us build our
beds because we still didn't have beds... But they didn't have a screw
driver so they couldn't finish. So we put our mattresses in the study
room. Oh man... I have never been so hot in my entire life! Sister
Montredon and I were dying!!! We grabbed wet wash clothes and poured
cold water on our arms and just laid in our beds soaking wet haha. We
were laughing so hard.

Friday: today was great! The McDonalds came back and helped us finish
our beds YAY!! We finally have beds :) and they even brought us a
fan... Just in time for colder weather, but we were so grateful! They
took us out to a restaurant on the street we live on called the
giggling sausage. I still have no idea what kind of food is served
there haha. But I got this sandwich that I thought was going to be a
grilled cheese sandwich... It wasn't what I was expecting. I say that
a lot here in England when it comes to their food haha. We were able
to see Maureen and her family again today! We committed them to come
to church, so hopefully they will come!! We saw so many miracles
today!

Saturday: today was my first district meeting! I love district
meetings they are fantastic! Today wasn't as busy. But it was nice
because our district meeting was in an actual church building, whereas
we meet in the school for church... I don't think I'll get used to
that.

Sunday: so many miracles!!! Maureen and her boys came to church!!!
Ahhh, we were so excited! I even got to speak in church, the bishop
asked me to just bear my testimony, and it was a great experience!
After church we had a lesson with a new investigator named Ayo. She is
from Nigeria, she is so so kind. The lesson went really well. Sister
Montredon and I feel like the Lord has prepared her! Something that we
have noticed in our area is that we will go and teach a lesson and we
will all feel the spirit so strong, and then we will meet someone on
the bus or street contacting who is totally anti-Mormon. Satan works
in mysterious ways. People here in England are very very
"Bible-oriented" and they aren't open to anything else. It can be
really discouraging at times but I know that the Lord always helps us.

Monday: today was busy,like normal! Not a lot to report as well!

Tuesday: we had a lesson with a woman named Peace! She's from Africa.
She seems so interested in the gospel which makes me so happy. We also
had a lesson with a woman named Pam, she is in her early 30s. She
talks a lot so it can be hard to share a message with her, but that's
okay. But I am really starting to like and get used to my area, I
still have hard times, but I'm starting to feel a little more at home.

I love this gospel... I can't say it enough. I know that as we keep
our hearts open to the plan that Heavenly Father has for each one of
us that He will help us through our trials. I promise and testify that
even if you don't understand why you are going through something if
you stay close to Heavenly Father that He will not forsake you. Step
up to the plate and take your swings.... You never know... You could
get a home run. I love you all so much. Make it a great week. We can
do hard things with Christ.

 We sleep under the same moon!

 I have a Bed!!

It's starting to become HOME!!

Patience is a Heavenly Virtue!!

Hi family!!! I am so so happy that I get to email you. My first week in the field has had a lot of ups and downs.

Thursday: First days are always hard for me, adjusting to being a missionary in the MTC, and adjusting to being a missionary in the field is completely different haha. As I said last week my trainer and companion is Sister Montredon, from France. She is a sweet heart! But today was p-day so after we were finished with everything we went to a relief society activity in our ward! The Welling ward doesn't have a ward building so they meet in Bexley Grammar School, so that is really weird for me not meeting in a ward building! But I was able to meet some of the women in the ward, I probably looked like a deer in head lights! We live in Bexleyheath on a really busy street called Broadway. So I feel like I'm living on a street in busy New York City.

Friday: Today was okay, we were able to have our first meeting with our ward mission leader Brother Middleton, he is so kind, and he loves missionary work! It's hard because since I'm in training and my companion has language study we don't leave our flat until after lunch, so I feel like I'm wasting time when I'm really not. But after our meeting with Brother Middleton, sister Montredon and I were able to do street contacting. We had an interesting experience, we met some women and they were actually gypsies. And they were very kind to us, we explained who we were, and what we were doing. And then they started to tell us that they had a friend that was going to the hospital, and they wanted us to pray for her. I felt a prompting that we should pray with them there, so I began to pray, and throughout the whole prayer they were like chanting or like saying things.... I guess they were praying with me... I was so confused though. My companion and I were like what just happened hahahah. But it was interesting to meet them. The rest of the evening we did knocking and bus contacting, which we do a lot of here.

Saturday: We saw so many miracles today!! To start our day we decided that we needed to visit a less active in the ward that lives in Abbeywood, her name is Maureen. She is married and has two sons, and she is originally from Nigeria, but we could not find her house.  We were walking around trying to find it for like 30 minutes. We decided to say a prayer, and after the prayer we found her house like 1 minute later. Prayer works (Miracle 1). Luckily she was home so she let us in, and she gave us a lot of food haha. She said that we were an answer to her prayers. She said that she had a had a really hard week, but that we were an answer to her prayers. We shared a message with her and it was amazing. We invited her to come to church and she said she would come... She didn't make it to church, but hopefully next week! Later that evening we had a lesson with an investigator, Norman. He's actually a Jehovah's  Witness... So I was nervous, because he loves the Bible. The lesson didn't go as well as we would have hoped. He had a lot to say so we weren't really able to teach. But through a lot of praying we have come to know that Norman isn't ready for the gospel. Which is okay it's all in Gods timing. We really saw God's hand in our day today!

Sunday: Today was a really hard day. I had church from 10-1, and I felt the spirit so strong. The members are wonderful and so kind. We have a lot of Nigerian people in our ward, they are great! Sister Schulz is not only in my district but she is in my ward as well, and I am so grateful! But it was a hard day for Sister Schulz and I. As soon as we saw each other we starting bawling haha. Members asked us if we missed our families...and we both just started crying haha. My companion and sister Schulz companion, sister Zulu, were like members shouldn't ask that question when the missionary has been in the field for only like 3 days haha.. After church everything we had planned to do kept falling through, and we got lost and missed our bus two times. I know as a missionary I am going to have a lot of hard days. But I KNOW that God listens and answers prayers, and that he always helps us in our afflictions.

Monday: today was good! We did a lot of finding and we were able to meet a lot of people. I think my favorite part of finding is bus contacting because they can't run away or slam the door in your face :) so I love it!

Tuesday: Today it was sooooo hot here in England, my goodness it was so hot. Sister Montredon and I sweated the whole day and night. Our flat doesn't have AC, so it gets stuffy in here but it's okay! We had a busy day. That's something that I like though because when I'm busy, I feel happy!!

I want you to know that I know this church is true. Missions are hard, and there is no way way I would still be here, if I didn't know that the church is true, and that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and for everyone. I know that I am struggling with things, but with Christ I can do hard things. I truly feel and know that my Heavenly Father loves me. There is a quote from a talk by President Thomas S. Monson, from the talk Patience is a Heavenly Virtue. " Life is full of difficulties some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the Heavenly virtue of patience is required." I know that we all have challenges but as we bear them with patience and stay close to the Lord that we will grow and learn so much. I'm grateful I have the opportunity to share the gospel with the people in the Welling area. I love you all so much! I have an iPad, so I am able to read emails whenever, I can only answer them on Wednesdays. And being a missionary, we live for emails, and contact from home! I love you, and have a great week with the wedding, you are all in my heart and prayers.

Love yours truly,
Sister Lund

 My first phone booth

 Maureen

 The London Temple

 Members in the Ward

The ward missionaries at your service!!

I Have Officially Arrived!!!

I'm so sorry, I don't have a lot of time to email today. I got my new
mommy for the next 3 months.... Sister Montredon, she is so nice! She
is from France so it can be difficult at times to understand her, but
she is the cutest! We are in the Maidstone Zone serving in the Welling
area! So we are in the city! We got our flat, and we were the first
missionaries to move into it!!!! So it's way nice... It's kind of loud
because we are right on the Main Street. But we are so close to
everything! I love being a missionary and I know that the Lord is
putting me right where he needs me. I feel like I am going 200 miles
an hour right now. I really don't have any idea what I am doing but it
is great! I absolutely adore my mission president and his wife. I know that I was meant to
have them. They are perfect for me. President Gubler is so smiley I
love it!
Tuesday: we were able to go to the Preston Temple for the last time!
It was so amazing. I hope that when we come back here that we can go
up to the Preston area and church history sites because they are
amazing.
Wednesday: we woke up at 4:45... But I actually slept walked last
night. I tried to wake sister Lall up because I thought it was time to
get up... But it was only midnight. I was just really eager to get to
the field haha. When we got to the mission office all of the trainers
and mission presidency were there to greet us. It was kind of
overwhelming but it was great to meet so many new people. Then we were
able to get all of our interviews and paperwork done. And we even had
time to go out finding. My temporary companion and I were able to get
a guys contact info. It was great! Then after dinner we got our
trainers... Sister Montredon!!!! I love her.
Thursday: they put us on a train to our new area in Welling. We got to
our new flat, we went grocery shopping, unpacked, emailed, and we are
going to an activity with the ward tonight!

I can't say enough how much I love being a missionary. It is really
hard, but so wonderful! I love you all soooooo much, We can do hard things! Trust in the Lord.

Love,
Your Sister Lund

 

The Lord Hears Us....We NEED to Trust Him!!!

This week has been absolutely amazing! I cannot express in words how much I love being a missionary... Don't get me wrong, it is not an easy thing, but I have never loved something so hard for me so much!!

Thursday: Today we went to the church history sites in Preston. Man oh man was that amazing. I can't remember all the little details but I'll just tell you where I went. The first place we went was where the first missionaries stood and preached to the people in Preston. Then we went to Fox street where the first missionaries stayed in a little white house, and that is where Satan's followers tried to go against the missionaries. Then we went to Ribble River, where the first baptisms were. Then we went to where Gordon B. Hinckley stayed when he was a missionary in the 1930... the infamous "Forget yourself, and get to work". Then we went to Downum... I think that's the name of the city haha. It was a city that looks the same as it did in the 1800s and we went to an old church where the missionaries preached in, and I think Downton Abbey episodes where filmed here as well. I really encourage you to look up more information about these places. I don't have enough time to go into details... But oh my goodness! This experience was absolutely amazing!

Friday: Today was great! Sister Schulze has become one of my best friends! I know that we were great friends in Heaven!! haha. We had in-field orientation today, so it was really nice to have a break from the classroom. I am so ready to get into the field and lose myself, and help bring others closer to Christ. I got my first package today!! I'm so so grateful for the adapter! It only works with my straightener, but I'm so grateful! It may seem dumb, but when I saw that package I almost started crying! I was so happy to have that connection from home, even though it was from amazon haha.

Saturday: Sister Schulze and I ran in the rain today! I love running! It is such a stress reliever for me, and makes me a happier missionary :) This week has been so amazing! I have gotten goosebumps everyday on my mission so far, I love how strong I feel the spirit here. I've never had this feeling before. 

Sunday: Sundays, lovely Sundays! Today was Fast Sunday, so it was different today then other Sundays. Lately I have been praying and fasting to be more bold. Because my personality is not bold, and most of the time in missionary work you can't be afraid to be bold. Heavenly Father definitely answered my prayer... I was the first one up to bear my testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting, in front of the entire MTC... It was terrifying but I did it! I can do hard things as Dad would say. We had so many devotionals and activities today!! And I loved it so much

Monday: Today has been an odd day. It's been really relaxed at the MTC. We had our transfer meeting AHHH! I thought I was going to learn about my area and my trainer and all of that... haha nope. We went over our departure details! We leave tomorrow at 6am, and it'll be about a 5-5 1/2 hour drive. I'm so excited to get into the field. I know that the Lord qualifies the called, because I am exhibit A. 

I am so grateful to be a missionary. I KNOW that this is where I am supposed to be. That Heavenly Father sent me here at this time for a reason, and I don't want to regret a moment of my mission. I am so excited to lose myself in the work. I know I will have ups and downs, but I also know that Heavenly Father and my Savior will be there with me every step of the way! I know that we are an eternal family, that we are sealed together forever, and I want people here in England to have this too. I want them to know that they can be with their families forever, because Heavenly Father loves them so much. I know that this gospel is true with every fiber of my being, I would not be here if I didn't. I was reading in D&C 123:12-17, and verse 17 hit me so strong. That we should do all things in OUR power cheerfully, and then we wait and SEE the Lord's hand. I know that if I do everything in my power and I do it  cheerfully with a smile on my face, then the Lord will help me with the rest. I am weak but through Christ I can be made strong. I testify that I know this is true. I love being a missionary, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, because I know it's what Heavenly Father needs me to be doing. I know that if we put our trust in the Lord that He will NEVER lead us astray. I love you so much, you are always in my heart and prayers. 

Love,

Your Sister Lund