- Serving in Sweden -

July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July!!

Well, this is it, the last email! This week has been a good last week, but instead of reviewing the week I thought I would share 18 important lessons I have learned in the 18 months that I have spent serving the Lord (in no particular order).

1.) The Spirit is the ultimate guide and teacher

2.) Shake off any hurtful comments and get back out there (Matthew 10:14)

3.) Charity - the pure love of Jesus Christ - trumps all (Moroni 7:45)

4.) Always see others through God's eyes

5.) Laugh, all the time

6.) Consideration and communication are the keys to successful relationships

7.) Nothing works unless you do (Enos 1:12)

8.) Light will always overcome darkness

9.) Never lower the bar once you have raised it

10.) The power of the Priesthood blesses those who are lost, sick, or otherwise afflicted

11.) Pray like everything depends on God and then work like everything depends on you

12.) Sometimes we just don't have all the answers, and that's okay

13.) A positive attitude and optimism is the best way to live life

14.) Obedience brings eternal joy

15.) Counsel with the Lord in all that you do (Alma 37:37)

16.) Always strive to push yourself - climb higher and be better

17.) Faith in Jesus Christ is essential (Alma 32:27)

18.) "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies those he calls" (- Henry T. Blackaby)

My time here in Sweden has been unforgettable. The past year and a half have made up for some of the best times in my life - but it was not always easy. If I could use one word to describe my mission it would be "rewarding". Doors slam in our face, the language is hard, it's dark 6 months out of the year, but there is nothing I would trade for the experience I have gotten and the miracles I have seen. I have personally seen the gospel change people's lives. I've seen people stop using drugs, fix their lives up, be baptized. And I know that it has nothing to do with me. God is in every single part of this work and I could not have done anything without Him. In the Book of Mormon it says "Yea they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work. Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26: 15-16)"

Thank you so much for the support and prayers these past 18 months. I know that on the good and bad days, I've had "angels round about to bear me up" (D&C 84:88). Thank you for everything and I will see you in a few days!!!

LOVE YOU

Syster Jordan Lund