Don't Look Back!!!!!

This week was so fantastic!! Christmas was so great. I'm excited to share this weeks journey with ya!
Thursday: we went to a Queen's house, a member in the ward, and had lunch with her. She is so nice! We visited a lot of less actives and recent converts today! I always love working with the members. Welling ward is amazing!!
Friday: today was a fun day! We had dinner with Pam, she is so nice, and MIRACLE her brother and niece were there for dinner so we were able to "teach" them as well. Haha when I say teach, its more like we start to bring up the gospel, and then they all bring up something else. They aren't very interested, but that is okay! One day they will be!! 👍 when we got home we wrapped presents for our flat neighbors. We wrapped Books of Mormon and gave them cookies as well. They all accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon! Haha granted they didn't know they were receiving it, but hey they got the best Christmas present!!!
Saturday: we went and Christmas attacked some of the members doors! This evening we had dinner at a members house and she made us Racklette. Oh my days it is so heavy!! Sister Montredon and I were so full! And we didn't even eat that much of it! But it was great to try something different.
Sunday: Christmas!!!!! Today was so great. We had church in Orpington, because the school wasn't open so our ward went to Orpington. Then we had lunch with one of our investigators Sete!! She is from Ethiopia, and she lived in Switzerland for 20ish years, and moved to England about 4 years ago. Her husband got baptized 4 years ago, but she hasn't yet! She knows the church is true, she just is hesitant to make that step. She is so nice though, she made us Christmas dinner. Then we Skyped at bishops house!! It was so great to see you all. You all look amazing!! Then we had dinner at a members house the also made us Christmas dinner. They're so nice!!!
Monday: we had another lunch appointment with one of the members she made a feast. Luckily we were able to pack most of it up and take it home!! Then we had a lesson with Tobeka. She is amazing. She has been a member for 7 months, and it seems like she has been a member her whole life.
Tuesday: we had a lunch appointment at a members house. She made us African food.... that's okay 👍😉 then we had correlation meeting at brother Middletons house in the evening.
This week was so amazing. The Christmas spirit is even stronger as a missionary. I'm so grateful that I was able to have Christmas as a missionary, and come closer to my Savior this season!! We have been starting to share with people a Mormon message that is about New Years, and it tells the story of Lot, in Genesis. In this story they were commanded to leave the wicked city, not look back. But Lot's wife, fearing what she was leaving behind looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. It really has made me think of all of the things that I have done in 2016. I have accomplished many things, I have made mistakes, I have had good times, I have had bad times. But I love that in this video, they say that EVERYONE can make the CHOICE to change. Trust in the Lord, he knows us better than we know ourselves. Bishop King shared a great analogy. When you look at your car.... your windshield is huge and your rear view mirror is tiny. We need to always look through the BIG windshield so that we can see all that is in front of us, and we only look back to check to make sure everything is okay. This is the same with life. We need to look forward, we need to look for the good things to come, to set goals that will stretch us, and we only should look back to remember the things that we have learned. We shouldn't worry about or stay stuck in the past, when our futures our SO SO SO bright!! This year.....Don't look back!!!!
I love you all! We got this!
Love,
Sister Lund

 Neighbor gifts...Book of Mormon and cookies

 My Christmas socks from home

It's A Wonderful Life!!!

Merry merry Christmas everyone! I've been thinking a lot about my favorite Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and how it relates so closely to the gospel. George Bailey thinks that everyone would be better off if he was gone. And I was thinking how sometimes as people we don't realize the effect we have on others. Sometimes we feel like what we do may not even make a difference, but as the movie goes George Bailey plays a huge role in other people's lives. I love watching this movie every Christmas because it reminds me how lucky I am to have the gospel in my life. That my life is so wonderful because I have the gospel, and it's so wonderful because I am apart of an eternal family, and it is so wonderful because I have this amazing opportunity to be a missionary. I really have a WONDERFUL LIFE!!! but this week was amazing!!!
Thursday: we had zone training! I always love going to meetings. When you sincerely pray for revelation, Heavenly Father always answers. We learned how important it is to be sincere, and how important it is to be yourself and share your personality with others. I love that you don't have to change you to be a missionary. If we acted like robots no one would accept the gospel. But when we share with people the joy the gospel brings us personally, that is when lives change eternally.
Friday: we met with James today! He had his baptismal interview! It was such a crazy day. There was definitely some opposition in the day before his interview, but the interview was able to go through and he is ready to be baptized!!!
Saturday: today was one of my favorite days on my mission so far. James got BAPTIZED!!!! The smile he had on is face when he came above the water was priceless. He is such a kind soul. His one desire was to just follow Christ, and he was so grateful to enter the waters of baptism. After the baptism we went to the ward Christmas parties. Haha it was really fun, they had dancing and karaoke, and food. We even had some investigators come, and they brought friends!! It was such a great night!
Sunday: we had a nativity at church today, oh man the little primary kids were so stinkin' cute! After church we had an exchange with the sisters serving in Erith. I love being a STL and serving with all of the sisters. They teach me SO MUCH, and I'm so grateful for their wonderful examples.
Monday: haha today I fell asleep on the bus. It was the first time this has happened!! Haha oh boy. It was funny though because I promise you the bus was way full of people, and what woke me up was that I could feel my mouth dropped wide open!! When we woke up no one was left on the bus and we were at the last stop! Haha luckily the last stop is what we wanted!
Tuesday: best day ever!!! We went to the temple today for the tri-zone Christmas party! As soon as I walked into the temple I felt at home. The temple is my favorite place on earth and it is a huge blessing that the temple is in my mission! I received A LOT of comfort at the temple. The Christmas devotional was amazing. It was nice to see the Gubler's and to see some of the other missionaries. We are excited for Christmas over here in the ELSM mission.
This week has been a good week. The members are so kind to us missionaries. They are taking good care of me mama 😉 Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love everything about it. And this year I am so grateful that I get to be a missionary, and share the true message of Christmas with people here in England! This Christmas let's remember our Savior, remember that he gave us a "wonderful life". I love you so much. See you on Christmas!!! 🌲😍
Love,
Sister Lund

 James got baptized!!!

Just When We Think We Can't Learn Anything Else...

Oh my days where do I even begin. This week has been a crazy strange week!! But first shoutout to Pops!!! Happy birthday!!! You young un' you!! You are the best daddy any girl could ask for!
Every time I email, I'm always so happy that I get to look back and see everything that happened. To see all the miracles that God performed!
 Wednesday: today was definitely an interesting day. We went to Guys hospital in London, because my sweet companion had a horrible tooth ache. Turns out she has an infected tooth, so we were able to get her some antibiotics to help with the pain until her appointment on Tuesday! But through all of her pain she was so brave and didn't complain once! She is so strong and is such a great example to me. But it was fun to be in Central London. We went and got lunch in Bourough Market, which is really popular here. It has a bunch of street venders, and they have some pretty tasty food!
Thursday: some times you feel like you can't learn anymore...until you do. Sometimes I can forget that I don't know everything 😂 something that our mission says a lot is that we need to "stretch not stress" and that slogan really made me think today. This tranfer I have felt a bit stressed, it just seemed like everything wrong was happening at the same time. But I realized that I am not super woman, and that Heavenly Father understands that. He wants me to push myself to do hard things. But he doesn't want me to stress! That even when we make  mistakes, Heavenly Father is still right beside us bearing us up, and cheering us on to keep trying. I realized that Heavenly Father is not wanting us to feel guilty. That is WHY he gave His only begotten son. He wants us to repent and move on from every little mistake that we make. And that when we don't forgive ourselves, I'm sure it makes Him sad that we are willingly rejecting the power that comes from the Atonement. Yes we need to feel remorse for our sins, and we MUST repent, but after we have truly repented we need to learn to forgive ourselves.
Friday: today was a day full of tender mercies. Heavenly Father is so sweet and knows exactly what we need when we need them! I got your Christmas present today! Thank you so much! This will probably sound funny to you, but the thing I was most excited about was the wrapping paper and the reused box! Haha it just reminded me of mama! She's so resourceful! 😘
Saturday: oh my my! It was chilly today! It wasn't so much the temperature but it was the wind and the rain haha! That is something that is definitely different from Utah!! But today was a pretty normal day! I am so grateful to be able to have my studies in the morning. A mission really has opened my eyes to how important studying the gospel is. Sometimes I wish I had a little longer to read my scriptures! Because I love them so much! I invite you even if it is just one verse, to read something every morning! Like I said earlier, Heavenly Father really does know exactly what you need!
Sunday: our friend James came to church again this Sunday! I can't remember if I shared this in the last email, but he has a baptismal date for this Saturday! We have faith that if this is what Heavenly Father wants that everything will go according to His will. We are the tools in His hands, He is in charge.
Monday: we had exchanges today!! Not going to lie I was a little bit nervous, since I have been called as an STL. I didn't feel qualified. And when we had exchanges I was with a missionary who has been out on her mission for almost 15 months. But exchanges were great. I learned a lot, and I know that I did my best to love the sisters, and to help them strive to achieve things that they want to in their mission. God gave me this opportunity to learn and to love and I am so grateful for it!!
Tuesday: I think it is safe to say that I don't want to be a dental hygienist when I come home... haha! Since we are meant to stay with our companion 24/7 I was able to have the lovely experience of watching and HEARING them remove one of Sister Montredons molars. Oh my days. I can handle a lot of things but hearing a tooth being removed, I can say I don't want to experience that again. I am so grateful I was sedated for my wisdom teeth! Thank you mommy and daddy!  Also I'm very grateful I didn't inherit the Ashton trait of passing out, thank you Lund genes! 😂Haha but sister Montredon was so great! She was so brave!
This week I have learned a lot. I have learned just a tiny fraction of the love that my father in Heaven has for me and all of His children. That he truly does care, and that he really does know all. I can testify that if anyone feels alone, or feels that no one understands what they are going through, that that is not the case! There is one that knows exactly what you are going through and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the LIGHT of the world. He invites all who are in darkness to take His hand and He will guide you through. I know that we are all so eternally loved, and cared for. Please please please, this Holiday season remember that we were given Heavenly Fathers only begotten son because God loves ALL his children. I love you all so much. #LIGHTTHEWORLD. Make it a great week. We can do hard things, attitude is everything!
Love,
Sister Lund

Wow, this Week Flew By!!!

Oh my goodness! This week really did fly by! We are in December already??? This week I have learned that it is okay to have imperfections. I often forget that I am a human being. That I am working towards perfection,  and as hard as I try, I will not be perfect in THIS life. I am so grateful I have the knowledge that I am loved by my Heavenly Father despite my imperfections. That as long as we are striving to make the next day better than today, that is all He asks of us. I don't know about any of you but I am loving the Christmas Initiative this year!!  #Lighttheworld. I love being able to each day find a way that I can come closer to my Savior, and then be able to share the #Light of the world (Christ) with people I meet here. Our preparation day has started off a little crazy. My sweet companion has a tooth ache, so we are going to the doctor and we don't have a ton of time to email today! But I will try to do as much as I can in the time I have!
Thursday: we went to P.C's house. We haven't seen her in awhile because she has been sick. She is so sweet though! I love her. Sometimes it can be hard to understand what she says, because she is still learning English, but she has finally been able to get a Book of Mormon in Thai, so I think that will be so good for her. After P.C. we had correlation, and while we were walking to correlation meeting, we walked past a house that was decorated with A TON of Christmas decorations but it was so pretty. It reminded me of Christmas Vacation.
 Friday: was a pretty normal day! Not anything super interesting to report. We were able to Skype with our friend Pam, who we haven't talked to in a while. She is great!
Saturday: we had a lesson with one of our friends James. He is from Nigeria. We extended him a baptismal date and he accepted. Sister Montredon and I are really trying to work hard and pray for him, because we want to make sure that he is understanding what is being taught. I think that is one of the hardest things about missionary work, is missionaries are always worried whether the people are really understanding or not.
Sunday: Fast Sundays have become one of my favorite Sundays, because we get to hear testimonies from the members. Wow our members have some strong testimonies! Tonight we went by Johnpaul and Maureen's house. We (Sister Montredon) made them French food, and we were able to talk with the whole family about the importance of Baptism. We really are trying to teach Johnpaul. He says that he has been praying about baptism, but hasn't gotten an answer yet! We are so happy he is praying about it though!!
Monday: we didn't have a lot of time to do much today! Because we were traveling to a doctors appointment, but we were able to meet lots of people on the bus and share with them the Christmas video. Christmas really does soften people's hearts. I love it!!
Christmas is a very special time of the year. And I love it! We get to remember our Savior even more. This Christmas season I'm so excited to #Lighttheworld. I love you so much, make it a great week! We got this! I promise next weeks email will be better!!
Big hugs and kisses!
Love, Sister Lund

 Visiting with P.C.

 This girl is on Fire!!!!

Reminds me of Christmas Vacation!