Agency is a Gift!!!

My oh my... a week of a lot of growth for sure! It's crazy when you get a new companion, you kind of feel like you are starting all over again! I love sister Honeycutt, she is so kind. Something that I love about her is how her prayers are so powerful and specific. Her example has really made me want to focus more on having more specific and genuine prayers. But here's a little recap of my "journey" this week.
Wednesday: we went to a place called Hall place. It is this old old old house, it was used as an American base in WWll. So it was really nice to be "tourists" for a change. I think Dad and Grandpa would have loved the history behind this place. We want to go visit the Bexley village, because apparently there is a lot more historical places there (I'll keep ya posted).
Thursday: First snow!!! The people here have said that they haven't seen snow since 2013. They weren't very happy when it snowed, and I think now I know why. It wasn't snow... it was slush haha 😂 but sister Honeycutt and I were SUPER happy to see something that reminded us of home! We went and visited a few members today. One of the members we visited was Sister Fuller. She just turned 96, she says she wants to live until 100 so she can get a letter from the queen haha! She's so funny.
Friday: we had a lesson with a man we met in the bus a few weeks ago, Michael. He doesn't open up a lot, but he loved the lesson, and he committed to be baptized, so that is fabulous!!!!!
Saturday: we saw a lot of miracles today! We had lunch with the Du family, which is always fun. I love being with the members. But after lunch with them ALL of our appointments and back up plans fell through. Sister Honeycutt and I have set some high goals for this transfer. We want to work our socks off, and do all we can do to fulfill our purpose. So it was a little discouraging when everything fell through. We felt prompted to work in a former investigators area in the evening. We knocked 3 houses, and 2 of them let us into their home and let us teach them, and said they wanted us to come back! Complete MIRACLE.
Sunday: all of our appointments fell through today. So we did a lot of finding, and contacting formers 👍.
Monday: we had a lesson with Kerri-Anne today. Oh my days, she is so prepared. It really is kind of scary how similar Kerri-Anne and Gordon's lives are to mom and pops! Like crazy!
Tuesday: we had Zone training with 5 zones!! Which RM's will know that that is A LOT of missionaries!! But it was so fantastic. We focused on faith, and how faith leads people to do amazing things. When we realize who we truly are... sons and daughters of the most high God, and we decide to give our will to his, MIRACLES happen. I know this is true. Something I loved that was said was: "God exercises our faith. He will try us, it is not meant to be easy". I love the word "exercises". When you want to be healthy and fit what do you do... you exercise. It's the same with faith, if you want to know if the gospel is true, if you want to know that God has an eternal plan for you, or that the Book of Mormon is true, etc. We MUST exercise our faith. We can't expect to gain spiritual "muscles" (answers/testimony) if we don't put in the work.
This week I have learned a lot. I know I probably say that every week... but that is what missions are about... learning. It's fantastic! I have learned that people have their OWN agency. And as hard as we work, we can't change that. Agency is a gift God has given us, a wonderful gift. But sometimes it can be hard to accept other people's choices. I have learned that we can only do so much. As we do our part God has given us His PROMISE that he will make up the rest. Why not make he most of each day God has given us, and look for the blessings and miracles he pours upon us! I know that there our plain and precious truths all around us, we just need to open our eyes just a little bit more to see them.
I love you! Have a great week! We got this!!
Love,
Sister Lund

 The First Slush

 The Du Family

 96 year old, Sister Fuller

 The Hall Place

Me and Sister Honeycutt!!!

Fire in Our Bones!!!

Another week gone! Time went fast this week. There has been lots of changes this week! I'll share some with you! It's been a FAB week!!
Thursday: we had MLC (Mission Leadership Conference) today!! It was absolutely fantastic and totally needed. The main focus was on how we are missionaries and we do missionary work for one basic reason... because we love our Savior. The Center of everything is our Savior, so our main motivation for everything in the Gospel is Christ. All things point back to Him. And as we are setting goals and making decisions in life we need to always ask ourselves if Christ would be okay with our choices. President asked us a few questions that really made me think...
Do I really believe in Christ? That I can do all things in Him?
Do I have fire and passion for the work? Am I ready to get out there?
Do I Have fire in my bones about Christ!!!!!!!!
If not...Get on your knees and plead with God to give you this fire.
 I felt the spirit so strong. This year I want to have fire in my bones for Christ! MLC was in Crawley, so we had to stay with the Epsom sisters in their area. We were Albee to do some street contacting in their area, and eat at a Mexican restaurant. It was great!
Friday: We had a very interesting wake up call... (don't be worried mama) we heard this REALLY loud alarm... and I was like "who set that as their alarm... that would be horrible to wake up to". But the alarm kept going off... after about 30 seconds we realized that it was the fire alarm! So we all (there was 8 of us in the flat) started running looking for a fire. Turns out someone left a towel to dry right next to the radiator and it caught on fire. Luckily it wasn't a big fire! It was funny though because one of the sisters yelled "we're on fire... fire in the bones". Haha I just laughed at this experience, because in all situations we are in we can relate it to the gospel. But today we had another leadership conference. And during this conference I made a promise with myself and with the Lord, that I would give my all to Christ this year! I want to work my socks off this year!
Saturday: we had District Leadership Conference. And we just talked about what we learned in MLC. But this evening we had a lesson with Johnpaul. He is making progress! But he's struggling with baptism. It's not the fact that he doesn't want to be baptized, he just wants to make sure if he's baptized that he is a solid member. To me this gives me a lot of hope. Because he hasn't cancelled out baptism!! He is just trying to gain a stronger testimony.
Sunday: we had lunch with P.C. Today. She is always so kind and so funny!! This evening our lesson fell through, so we went to a members house and did a GROW with them. I love helping the members set goals. It always helps them to see what they are doing well already!! Sometimes as members we think we don't do enough, but it's nice to know that we are better than we think we are.
Monday: we met with a lot of members, and we did a lot of contacting!!  Not a whole lot to report.
Tuesday: transfers!! I got my new companion today! Sister Honeycutt is from Herriman, Utah. She has been on her mission for almost 8 months. She is really nice. We did a lot of street contacting, because it is a harvest week, so we are trying to find everyone that we can, we have been able to get about 7 new potentials! So that is great!!! Tonight we had a lesson with Kerri-Anne, and she committed to a baptismal date!! She is golden, she is so prepared.
Even though this week has been full of meetings, it has been such a great week! We have worked really hard. I know that as we have "fire in our bones" for Christ, that miracles WILL come to pass. That when we put Christ first, everything just falls into place! I testify that that is so true! I have found that the only way to live life is with Christ at the helm. When Christ is leading our lives, the journey is so much smoother! Let's have FIRE for Christ!! I love you! Have a great week! We got this!!
Love, Sister Lund

 Meet Sister Honeycutt

 Mission Leadership Training

 Eating at the Mexican Restaurant

 Saying goodbye to Sister Montredon

They call it Futbol here. Still a fan of soccer.

Give Our All to Him This Year!!!

Happy new year!! Wow 2016 flew! I'm so excited for 2017, and to take you all on this journey with me. I hope you are excited, because I sure am!!
My week in a nutshell: Thursday: we had District meeting at the Rayfields (members house), since we don't have a chapel. Haha today was interesting though... we had a service project at the Mangal Karagana, a restaurant that is opening up on New Year's Eve. It's a Turkish  restaurant owned by a "family" from Turkey. They say they are all brothers from another mother. But they are really nice. The whole time they had us clean out the fridge, and then stock the bar. After we had finished that they made us Turkish food! I am a fan! The funny experience was that their nana was there observing them, and she is so cute. She doesn't have any teeth, and she does not speak a word of English, and she stood up at the table while we were all eating and she started "singing", Everyone was like listening intently to her and sister Montredon and I said aww that was a pretty song, and it turns out she was praying... but we had no idea haha we don't speak turkish.
Friday: we had a lesson with Johnpaul tonight, and he committed to prepare to be baptized February 4th! He says he still wants to pray to know if it is right for him, but he said that he will prepare! He is fantastic, and so is his family. I just keep daydreaming about their family being sealed in the temple, what a great day that will be! All in Gods timing!
Saturday: Last day of 2016!! Haha all of our appointments fell through, and so did all of our back up plans. So we did a lot a lot of street and bus contacting! But to celebrate New Year's Eve we went to Creams, and got waffles! It was a good day, I learned a lot about myself, and I was able to reflect about some of the things I accomplish in 2016, and some of the things I want to accomplish in 2017. Yay for the new year!!
Sunday: MIRACLE!!! A less active man named Gordon came to church today, and he brought his fiancé Kerri-Anne, and their son with him. She isn't a member, but she said that she wants us to come and teach her. They are so amazing, their story has a lot of similarities with mom and pops story. But this evening we had exchanges with the Orpington sisters. I was with Sister Bove. She's so funny! She is a great cook too!
Monday: we finished up exchanges. Something I learned from sister Bove was how determined she is. She is so amazing. I love being able to learn from the sisters in my zone. When we got home we had a lesson with Kerri-Anne. We taught the restoration, and the whole time she was like ya this makes sense, this makes sense. The spirit I felt was so strong, and was just another reassurance that the gospel is true. I love how when we teach as missionaries we are learning right along with them.
Tuesday: we went and visited Zoolien Inebe, a member in the ward. She is so nice! But today we had to go to the dentist again for another one of Sister Montredons teeth. Poor thing. She has had horrible luck with her teeth here!! When we left the doctor she was like "Awww no more sweets for me!" And I was like " me either", I have become paranoid of my teeth now... I don't want my teeth to fall out! Haha my goodness!
I love how each week I feel like there is a principle God wants me specifically to focus on. This week something I was thinking a lot about was a talk that Elder Holland gave and he says "salvation is not a cheap experience". I've really been thinking a lot about this. How can I expect my mission to be all sunshine and daisies... Elder Holland continues to say that when we are cursed at, spit upon, or rejected, that we are walking shoulder to shoulder with the greatest life that ever lived. And how can we expect to not be rejected or to not be mocked or to not be spit upon, when the Savior himself was. Ahhh it hit me. I love this talk so much! I love this work. It truly is the work of God. This year let's finally let go of things that are holding us back from our divine potential!
I love you! We got this!!
Love, Sister Lund

 Exchanges with Orpington Sisters

 Eating at Cream on New Years Eve

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!