Day #361

Mi Familia,

What a great week!! Definitely the fastest of my mission. It was so fast that I didn't even have time to think that it was going quickly before it was over. I had my first exchange as an STL on Saturday. We had a really good time and worked hard. We're going to have an even faster week this week: we have exchanges on Tuesday and Thursday (I get to go back to Riverside--my first area--on Tuesday!!), MLC (the monthly meeting for STL's and Zone Leaders with President..I am SO excited) in San Antonio on Friday, and a baptism on Saturday. We have a ton of lessons on Wednesday and we don't even have any room to do our weekly planning! It's going to be crazy and I'm so excited!

I LOVE Hermana Egbert. We have so much fun. And we work so hard. It feels incredible. We relate really well to each other, and we talk & laugh a lot. And our district is amazing. I've served with all but one of them before (he's brand new); it's like a mixture of all my favorite districts I've ever been in all in one. I'm just happy where I am in my mission. I'm not wishing time away (usually, haha), I'm just happy were I am. I love it.

Last week a man and his wife came to church randomly. He's a member but he's never been active and she isn't a member. They have a tiny baby. He's 35 and she's 19..which I guess is much more normal in Honduras. They live in a tiny, dirty, old RV on the property of some pretty sketchy men off of the highway..but they're moving into an apartment next week.  Anyway, they just moved here a couple weeks ago and they looked up the church online and came. They said they'd been wanting to for a long time. Melvin (the husband) says he has a testimony of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and of the Church being the true church of Jesus Christ. She just believes everything we tell her. She really wants to be baptized. They came to church yesterday again. Considering they really are married, she should be baptized in a couple weeks. She's so sweet and genuine and I love her! 

The people here are so nice to us, and they feed us non-stop. At least the Sisters. They love us, for some reason. It probably doesn't hurt that Sister King was here last. Anyway, we have dinners planned almost every night, and on the rare day we don't have one we still don't plan a dinner at home because we ALWAYS find food. One day this week we didn't have a dinner planned but I said to Hermana Egbert, "God will provide." Haha, we had chicken soup (we asked for un poquiquiquiquito and she gave us a whole bowl with a drumstick just sitting in there) when we visited a less active. Then in our next lesson we had a full-on meal of two chicken dishes, rice, and beans. THEN we stopped by another member's house and she fed us MORE chicken, beans, rice, and biscuits. It was rediculous. And just to add to it, we had gone to Chik-fil-a with some sisters we're over for lunch that day. We definitely got our protein. And we got 100000000000x the necessary daily intake of oil.

I loved our mission Book of Mormon study this week. That book is powerful. It's purity and truth just ooze from it's pages. The Spirit is present every time I read it. I love it. There's so much material you can study, but all I ever really want to do now is read the Book of Mormon.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana Lund

La Luz de La Verdad

Mi familia querida!

It's been a good week. Things were pretty crazy there for a while, but we've been able to get most of it figured out. Thank goodness. Anyway...Justin and Mari and Richard are doing great!! They were at church again yesterday (or course), Justin and Richard wearing white shirts and ties that I'm pretty sure Richard and Mari's dad gave them. They just fit right in. 

We had one of those unforgettable lessons with them on Thursday. We had been praying and thinking a lot about it before we went, because we've just about finished the lessons and it's really time for them to make some solid decisions. Justin and Mari scared me almost to the point of a heart attack when they said they had something to say. I would never have survived if they had said it wasn't worth it anymore. But they didn't say that, thank goodness. They said that they have been thinking and praying a LOT about what they should do. One of them can't very easily move out because they're all starting a business together, plus they're already basically a family with Mari's daughter and everything. Mari still wants a pretty, well-planned wedding, but she says that she knows she can't put that before being baptized. We talked a lot about prayers and the Holy Ghost and receiving answers, all of which was what we had planned, but we taught it completely differently according to what the Spirit prompted and what they were telling us. (I LOVE lessons like that.) 

Richard also opened up a lot about how he really believes it and wants to be baptized, but something keeps making him want to put it off. He said he just really needed to talk to his dad. (Sometimes I forget that he's just 20.) His dad was up this weekend to work in the temple so I hope he did. He really should get baptized soon. Oh yeah, and he's gotten to be really good friends with one of our ward missionaries, Brother Cook. He's texted him some questions he's had. Exactly what a missionary wants to see, because we aren't here for long.

That night Mari and Richard texted us to say that they're thinking about getting married in April. That's such a big step from a year!! And honestly, a huge sacrifice for Mari. I'm so proud of her. But I don't think they understand just how much this ward would help them with a wedding. They both really want us to be there when they get married; we've gotten really close. So..we're kind of hoping we can convince them to move it closer, since the chances we'll both be there in April are pretty slim. But it doesn't matter a whole lot to me, since I'm DEFINITELY going to be there in a year when they get sealed. And THAT is the beauty of a state-side mission.

So that's them. Keep praying! I'm not worried about them at all. They'll be just fine. It's been such a blessing to teach them. Especially because we really aren't teaching anyone else right now. Haha.

So I've decided that all I ever want to study again on my mission, and probably forever, to be honest, is the principles and ordinances of the gospel. I just got through an incredible study on faith, including Elder Bednar's visit. Now I'm studying repentance. It's been incredible to study the basics of the gospel. They really do bring you closer to Christ better than anything, because they are clear, pure truths. 2 Nephi 31 has become my favorite chapter in the scriptures. It's incredible to me how clear Christ has made it for us to receive eternal life. He knows exactly what it takes and every commandment we receive is only to make it simple for us to walk that path. It's genius! There is one way to eternal life, and that is Christ and his gospel. Any other way simply won't get you there. Why doesn't the world understand this?! It's incredible how things can seem so simple and clear, but without the Holy Ghost you'll never understand it. 

I know with all my soul that this is Christ's church and Christ's gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end...that's the way to eternal life. It's simple, pure, and beautiful. And it never, ever, fails!!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Lund

A Heavenly Texas January

Mi Familia,

Wow! What a week. I'm learning things this transfer I've never had the "pleasure" to learn before. I swear. My mission has been a non-stop furnace. Just when I seem to be figuring it out, I get t-boned by something else. All I can say is this better make me the best wife and mom the world has ever seen.

But anyway, Justin, Mari, and Richard are still doing really well. Mari came to church for her 4th time and Justin & Richard for their 3rd yesterday. The ward has been awesome, too. Without us even knowing it, they invited Richard to church ball and he went! They say hi to people in church and always tell them that they will definitely be back (it never gets old to hear that). Richard and Mari even told us that they've been telling people that they're Mormon now. Ha! They have been getting a bit of persecution, but they hold strong because they know it's right and they already see the blessings. Yesterday the gospel principles lesson was on the Fall and afterwards Mari said that she just wishes she could show the Book of Mormon account (in 2 Nephi 2) to everyone because people outside this church just don't understand. They're awesome.

Richard was previously set with a date for the 1st, but we're not sure that he's onboard with that right now. Not exactly sure why. He's really hard to get to the bottom of things with. Justin and Mari--especially Justin--would get baptized now if the whole chastity thing wasn't in the way. We've been fairly bold with them and they understand what they need to do. It's just a matter of them wanting it badly enough to sacrifice. They will. I know they will.

Besides that we don't have a whole lot of investigators. Not progressing, anyway. We've been working a lot with the Relief Society President and Bishop, visiting anyone and everyone they want us to. I like it because it keeps us busy. This ward is incredible. They blow my mind all the time. We have 15 stellar ward missionaries and the greatest Ward Mission Leader I've ever seen. It's the easiest thing to get members to lessons and they always take it upon themselves afterwards to befriend the investigator. If I ever move to Texas this is definitely where I'm going.

I love you all! Keep me updated with how your missionary work is going at home. I'd love to hear your stories!

Have a fabulous week!

Hermana Lund

Sana, sana, culito de rana. Si no sana hoy, sanara manana.

Mi Familia!

My new companion is Hermana Arteta! She's got a great sense of humor and a firm desire to always improve. I don't have my card reader with me today, so I'll have to send a picture next week.

This week has been leaps and bounds better than it would appear from the outside. Transfers and changes are always hard for me, and I miss Sister Arche a ton. But I'm really happy. I credit it to two things:

First of all, Elder Bednar came on Friday! It was an absolutely incredible experience. I sat on the 3rd row, right front and center. I even got to sing in the musical number! Sister Hill had volunteered to put something together weeks ago, and the Assistants called her the night before. So 5 of us sang Sweet Hour of prayer, including the 3rd verse that's only in the Spanish hymnal. Elder Peterson played the piano and jazzed it up very nicely. It was a really neat experience!

The whole time Elder Bednar spoke with us rather than at us. It was really special, and a great example of how we should teach our investigators. A few weeks ago he sent us a few of his talks for us to study before he came. On Friday he asked us to share what we learned. I raised my hand and shared an answer to a question I had received after a lot of pondering and prayer, that learning by faith means that we display righteous actions, which open our hearts to be taught spiritual truth by the Holy Ghost. Really simple, but really profound and eyeopening to me. Elder Bednar looked me right in the eye, had me repeat what I said, and fullheartedly confirmed it. He made me promise to never forget it, especially as a wife and mother. It was a really cool experience to have an apostle of the Lord confirm something I had received through my own revelation. 

Second, something inside me clicked this week. (I feel like I say that so much that it's probably losing effect, but just go with it.) My whole mission I have been told--by people, the scriptures, other missionaries, Ensign articles, everything--that I just need to chill out, focus on the good things I do, and let the mistakes go. I've tried several times, but it has always been halfheartedly since, if you don't focus on your mistakes, how are you supposed to ever get better? Such was my thinking. But I finally just got it, and i honestly have focused on all the good things I do. I don't worry about whether or not it is something any missionary would do, or whether or not I wanted to do it, I just recognize it as a good thing that I did. I do a lot of good things! It has completely changed the way I look at myself. I feel more motivated and more able to go out and work because I'm not so afraid. It's been very freeing. I just pray that I'll be able to hold onto this, that I'll be able to continue thinking this way throughout my mission. I still want to improve, but in a positive, building way.

I know this is God's work and I know He leads it. I know He is omniscient and knows our hearts better than we do. He loves us and only lets hard times happen if it will make us happier in the long run. He is good.

I love you all. Have an incredible week.

Hermana Lund 

11 Months

Mi Familia!

Today I've been out exactly 11 months. Crazy! It's so weird how the mission goes so agonizingly slow and so uncatchably fast at the same time. I'm kind of excited to hit a year; if I can do a year I can do a year and a half.

So..Sister Arche is being transferred to be an STL. I'm so sad to lose her! We really didn't expect it at all. We were sure we'd stay together. Really, I'm so bummed. I really hope God knows something I don't know. He does. In fact, He knows several things. Oh! And Sister Isham is going home (so sad) so Sister Hill is going to be our new STL leader, living with me. :) So you can tell Katie that. 

Guess what! Elder Bednar is coming to our mission this week! I'm so excited. If I were going to pick a favorite apostle--which I'd never do, of course--it would be him. So I'm excited.

We went to the temple on Thursday. We--especially Sister Arche--just felt like we really needed to go. Missions are hard. How many times have I said that? Anyway, Sister Christensen and Sister Isham went with us, along with Sister Slaughter. It was a neat experience. Also, as we were leaving, we ran into Sister Payne from The District! She and another missionary she had served with were there for the sealing of someone they had taught. Haha, she's a missionary celebrity! 

And we're still teaching Justin, Mari, and Richard! Richard is Mari's brother; I don't know if I mentioned that. They're all about my age, give or take. Oh my goodness, they are a missionary's dream investigators. I still can't believe it's real. We taught them 3 times last week and they LOVE it all. Their dad has talked with them quite a bit and they were prepared before we even met them. Richard accepted a baptismal date for February 1. Justin and Mari fully plan to be baptized, but they're not married or even engaged yet. Mari wants to be engaged for a year before they get married. Ahh! But who knows, minds can change.

They've all just been eating it up. In our last lesson Richard felt bad for only reading 3 chapters since Mari had read 8 and Justin had read 12. I'll take 3 chapters any day!! And Mari asked if we could teach Word of Wisdom, so we did. Apparently Justin is a big coffee drinker, but he found out about the Word of Wisdom last week before we met him and dropped it cold turkey. He says he's had headaches ever since, but he's kept to it! All 3 of them have felt the Spirit and have recognized that that's what it is. 

They even went to a baptism on Saturday. They loved it, especially Justin. He told Sister Christensen that when the man went under that water he felt peace, and that he knows he needs to be baptized. And I overheard him tell Elder Cottle that he loved the service and he can't wait to be baptized. When I asked him how he liked it he said very excitedly, "I felt the Spirit! I know that's what it was." And they all came to church yesterday! All 3 hours. From what I could tell they really liked it. And Mari's coming along with her daughter to a party a few of us missionaries are having with our investigators and recent converts tonight. They're SO solid. 

The only concern for Just in and Mari is the marriage thing. But honestly, either way, they're going to the Celestial Kingdom. I just know it. Even if they do get baptized in a year and a half, it is cool to be a little part of it all!

Richard doesn't seem to have any concerns. The only thing is that he doesn't talk much, while Justin and Mari have tons of questions. It's easy to just focus on them and assume Richard is doing fine. He seems to be, but we're trying to give him more focus and attention so he can be prepared for baptism soon. 

Also, we had our President Interviews and I talked to him about the thing that seems to always be on my mind: Spanish. I told him how I've felt somewhat limited in my learning since I'm, you know, in America. He thought about it pretty hard and then told me that he didn't think there were any limits on me. He said I can learn Spanish as well as I want to, and that it's a good desire I have and that I should take advantage of this time when I have so much of His help to learn it. It was so nice to hear that. Just knowing that it's not hopeless for me to learn it like I want to and that it's not selfish to want it helped me a lot and motivated me to work even harder for it. It's been so nice to have Sister Arche to speak with me. Heavenly Father truly does love and know us and works according to our desires.

How on earth do I write such long emails. Well, I love you all. Have a tremendous week!

Mucho amor,

Hermana Lund

Bienvenida, 2014!

What a week. It was SO good to talk to y'all on Christmas! It was weird how normal it seemed, except for Kevin and Matt's voices! They'll be grown me by the time I get home.

Haha, so I have a funny story. On Christmas Eve night Sister Arche and I got home before the other sisters and we immediately got into our pajamas since we were SO full of food. When the sisters got home they told us to get our clothes back on so we could take a picture. We were kind of annoyed, honestly, but did it. After we took some pictures, Sister Christensen told Sister Isham to go look at something on the phone outside or something (why didn't I see this as more suspicious?) and we immediately got back into our pajamas. Well, President and his family were suddenly at our door! Haha, they had some presents some random lady had given them and told to give to some missionaries. The sisters had tried so hard to get us to look presentable but we wouldn't do it. Haha, it was pretty funny. I looked pretty cute in my red nightgown, though.

We had a good Christmas full of lots of food. We had a cupboard FULL of candy, even after we had regifted all we could. The other sisters brought a huge box of pure chocolate to the office, thank goodness. I have never seen so much candy in my life. 

This Saturday was rough. It seems like, out of nowhere, everything that seemed to be going right had slipped down the drain. On Saturday we didn't have ANYTHING to do. We tried so hard to visit people and find things to do, but it just wasn't happening. We were both kind of in zombie mode. The next morning Sister Arche was kind of going crazy; she was just so fed up. Haha, it was actually pretty funny. 

Anyway, church was a good time for me to refocus and recommit myself. And last night we had a miracle! Our district leader and his companion had a random non-member family who lives in our area show up at church yesterday. They asked if they wanted us to come over and they said yes. So..we did! Their names are Justin and Mari. They're actually not married, but they have a 3-year-old girl. Mari's brother lives with them but he didn't go to church yesterday. He seems interested too, though. Anyway, they told us that Mari's dad is a member who had apparently been working hard on them for a while. Apparently they had a long talk with him and committed to come to the Mormon church for a whole year! And they totally want to be baptized. They told us that they're going to go to this church for at least a year no matter what and they want to know what the next steps are to "progress in the church." Mari said that the more her dad has talked to her about it, the more she thinks that it can't not be true. I think I'm still a bit skeptical of it all as a way to protect my poor, delicate heart but I think they're really interested! They would have to get married but..totally could happen! I'll keep you posted.

So this is the last week of the transfer. Can't believe how fast it went. If Sister Arche and I are separated I'm going home. Just kidding. Kind of. Being on a mission is hard in so many ways and I kind of feel like it's never going to end, but I'm so glad to be out here. It's like running (everything on my mission relates to running somehow, by the way). I don't know why I like it because it's miserable in the moment, but for some reason it's my favorite thing ever! 

Love you all! Sorry this e-mail isn't exactly inspiring...just read your scriptures or something. Have a happy New Years!

Hermana Lund

Feliz Navidad!

Mi Familia!

Besides the fact that I got a horrible stomach bug this weekend, we had such a good week! Things seem to finally be coming together. ALL of our investigators (though they be few in number) are super solid. We met this man named Rudy last week. He lost his wife of 51 years 3 weeks before and is heartbroken. He eagerly set up an appointment with us. Apparently he's already friends with 2 member families who live right by him, but they've tried to reach out to him and his wife before and they weren't interested. Anyway, we had a good couple lessons with him and he said that he would like very much to be baptized. He said he was baptized into the Catholic church but "that was different." He's going though a lot right now and just seems really prepared. 

And he came to church yesterday!!! YAY!!!!! Finally, an investigator at church!!! He immediately made lots of friends with the Elders' Quorum and our Ward Mission Leader said that, to introduce himself, he said, "I'm Rudy from St. Matthew's and I'm hoping to be here for a long time." He has a date for the 11th and we're pretty sure it's going to happen.

We're also teaching the Harris family, which is actually the Louis family I wrote about a couple weeks ago. Apparently he was just the boyfriend and he's not a good guy. We stopped by last week and Michelle, the mom, said the police had been there just and hour earlier to get him our of her apartment. So he's out of the picture. Anyway, we helped her out around the house. She doesn't have anything. We're working on getting a mattress from a ward member to give her because her kids don't even have a real bed. We were sweeping her carpet with a broom because she didn't have a vacuum. We had a little lesson with her. Actually, she mostly just talked. She doesn't get to talk to other women ever. 

Michelle is super attracted to the church. She loves the idea of Relief Society and activities for her kids. She has real desires to come closer to God and find a good church. We taught them the Restoration on Saturday and they all ate it up and accepted it. They are completely on board to be baptized. We set them with a date for the 18th but she works on Sundays. She's going to try to get them off, though. 

Michelle told us that she knows God sent us because of how she feels with us around. She said that it was really weird that she let us come back another time but she could just sense something different about us. Rudy said that, too. He keeps telling us how beautiful we looked that day when we came up and talked to him in his yard. Haha. I think he recognizes that as evidence of the truthfulness of our message.

We've also got Peggy and Shannon, whose ultimate goal is also baptism, but they might take a little longer. But it's so neat to be teaching people who actually are interested and actually want to make changes in their lives. 

Oh! And we had a missionary correlation meeting last night. It was the first correlation meeting I've had where ward missionaries came. Actually, we haven't really even had ward missionaries in my other areas. We did in Riverside but they didn't know what their calling consisted of. This ward is amazing! Everyone is so on board with their missionary work. Families keep asking us for Book of Mormons and pass along cards that they can give out. Almost every family we talk to has people they're working on. It's awesome. I can see now how it's supposed to be. I really want to be a ward missionary when I go home.

Well, I've got to go. Can't wait to talk to you on Christmas! Have a great week, love you all!

Hermana Lund