Every Day A Miracle

Hello  Thank you so much for your emails this week! I loved them so much! Rachel! I'm so glad I got a video! And those pics. I love Ben's haircut. I show everyone.

So I made it to my second transfer! Halfway through my training. I can't believe the time flew so fast. It's actually rather terrifying.

So on Monday I said goodbye to my trainer and spent the day with the Hermanas. I actually bonded super quickly with Hermana Riviera even though we couldn't understand what we were saying to each other. I sat with her while she packed. It was sweet silence. We could feel each other's vibes. Occasionally she tried to say simple things in English and I tried to say simple things in Spanish. It was fun.

Tuesday we drove to Santa Rosa. We got to transfer meeting and I saw all the missionaries in the parking lot and I was so done. It was like Nemo. "Good feeling's gone." Well I found my friend Hermana Burton who is in my Zone. She's my best zone friend  we are actually really close. I love all of the missionaries, but there are four missionaries I actually trust if that makes sense. one of them went home, one got transferred to a different zone, one of them I'm writing. She's in Vacaville. Her name is Sister Free. She was the one here in Davis before me. and the last one is Hermana Burton.

Well at transfer meeting since I didn't have a companion yet, I chilled with her (freedom! It was surprisingly nice not to have to stay tethered to someone) and she was like, "Let's go to the mission office and see who the new missionaries will be!" Because she's training this transfer  so we went in and I said hi to some of the
office missionaries and I turned around and my heart dropped. My trainer was  here!!! Since her plane didn't come until the late afternoon, she was being a secretary for the morning. Oh man. I didn't know what to do. I had already said goodbye, but I couldn't just not say something. So me and Hermana burton went over to her and she gave me a box of cookies. Thanks Nana!! Then we went back outside and
Hermana Burton helped me find my new companion. After that, we went back in to say goodbye for reals. The second time was no easier than the first time. As soon as we left, Hermana Burton just squeezed me tight. She takes such good care of me. I love her so.  We've decided to stay in the same zone until she goes home next transfer  after that President can receive revelation. Haha! It's our joke. It's such a blessing that she is still here. Heavenly Father knew I needed her.


It took me a few days to get into my groove again, and I still miss my trainer so much. I know that she will never be replaced, but I know it's okay  I also know it's okay that she will never be replaced. That each companion can be special without replacing the last one. If that makes sense. Talking to Sister Free really helps too.

So, this is Sister Haefeli!

She's from Riverton Utah! She's the bomb  she's actually a dying missionary too. She just got her flight plans. Two transfers left, which means this is probably her last area. She actually came from kind of a rough situation in her last area, so she emailed president asking him to please giver her a companion who would work hard. She said when she heard it was me she emailed him and said, "I think this girl is an answer to my prayers." 

In her last area, she was in a trio and for a solid month all three were sick. Like couldn't leave the house, in bed, sick. Then when things were better, there was some strain.... Hence an emergency transfer in which my comp and her greenie were transferred to Petaluma and the other companion stayed there. Sister Bear actually went to be comps with her and that's why I didn't get a picture. Sister Bear was comps with Sister Nelson and my friend Sister Free. Yeah. It was kind of crazy. 

When Sister Haefeli came into the area, and saw our Area book, she was super overwhelmed. In her last area, they were lucky to get three lessons a week. In Davis, we teach at least four lessons a day. Davis is booming right now. Her mission has been pretty slow for the last six months because of the areas she's been in and because of the circumstances in others. She says it feels like I'm training her. 

It was kind of a slug in the face for both of us. 

So right now I'm trying to help a missionary get back to a functioning status and help her adjust as well as helping her from getting trunky. She's helping me to finish my training and helping me to know and understand all of the rules! It's really great for both of us. She says President puts me with dying missionaries because my greenie fire keeps them going, hahaha! 

I love her a lot! She's really patient and willing to work hard! She's doing great so far. She's super chill and she loves making videos  we are going to make some. I've also felt a lot of extra strength and inspiration this week! Heavenly Father knew I would need a boost. It's like I suddenly know what to do and where to go like my trainer did. Almost like I inherited her spot. In ways I feel like the senior companion. I'm still getting used to it, but I love it  I'm still having so much fun! 

So the area is great! We saw soooo many miracles this week! Here's a cool story! 

We have been focusing on following the prompting a of the spirit. Every single one. Well we were going to visit a less active for our usual weekly visit. For whatever reason, he wasn't there. That was unusual. So we left and I had a feeling to jump over to a complex and look for some of the potentials on our list. We knocked on some doors and no one was home. We walked down a floor and I felt so strongly I needed to knock on door 223. Obviously no one was home. I walked by. I kept hearing this voice saying, door 223! Door 223! So I finally stopped, told my companion we needed to go back, and we knocked. No one. We waited a minute and then headed back. A door opened a few apartments down from us. I knew that was the person we needed to talk to. Before we could even say anything to her she saw us, stopped suddenly, very surprised and said, "Are you Mormon??" We said, "Yes!" "And you are the ones that explain about your book(she was referring to missionaries)??" "yeah!!" She excitedly told us how she was from somewhere in the Middle East and how she hadn't heard about Mormons until she came here and how her friend was one. She wanted to know more. We told her we would get a Book of Mormon and scheduled a time to come back and talk to her about it!" She was so excited. She had to leave because she was in a hurry, but I'm so glad we knocked on door 223. Otherwise we would have totally missed her. Heavenly Father is so mindful of each of us!! 

We also have another lady who is just dying to meet us! She is elect. So prepared. She couldn't schedule a time faster. We are going to see her tonight for the first time! So excited! 

We found a couple other new investigators and a recorded a few more referrals too! We have so many lessons, it's almost too much for just us. Yeah. Heavenly Father is just showering us with miracles and blessings. It's so humbling to see the trust He has placed in us. It's an honor and a privilege to teach someone the gospel. As a missionary you must always remember that. Each person you teach must be cared for and loved and you must always be your best! This is salvation! It's kind of important. Always be worthy of the opportunities and live worthy of the spirit. You never know when you will find someone who is prepared. When you show the Lord you take His work seriously, and exercise  exact obedience, He trusts you with more. 

Okay. So that's a little about me! Let's talk about YOU! 

Have fun you bums! Summer time is great! Especially when the temperature is nice  also mom, I made cookies and I almost cried. Your recipe defeats all. My trainer, who doesn't really like cookies, loved them. She kept asking me if she could eat the dough, and eventually asked me if she could just finish it off. It doesn't sound like much, but coming from her, it was big. She would make comments about them from time to time too. So yeah. Your recipe is a winner.  I'm making more this week. Tonight actually so I can take some to district meeting tomorrow :D 

So guess what. Remember how my inserts didn't fit in my proselyting shoes so I bought some really sturdy shoes instead? Well for he last week, my knees have been super inflamed, and my shin splints were coming back full force. I guess sturdy shoes don't replace custom inserts :/ lol. 

Who knew...

Well My trainer wore Vans. She got tendinitis in her Achilles, and she had to wear inserts and they didn't fit in her proselyting shoes. So she got to wear vans! Well I thought I was doing great, but this last week about killed me. And since I refuse to go home with knee problems.I called Sister Stewart (mission nurse) and explained that my knees were about to break and my shin splints were coming back, and I asked if I could wear shoes that my inserts would fit in to see if it felt better. She said, "Well Yes!!!" Haha! She's great. So anyways, I've been approved to wear deck shoes like my trainer for now. hopefully this helps. I went to target and bought some deck shoes and socks to test it out this morning. I already feel a thousand times better. I have to call her back and report, but I know it's the inserts. I'll wear my flats to meetings and church. For regular proselyting, I will be testing out deck shoes. 

Anyways, I love you family!!! I love you so much!! Is there anything I can do for you? Anything I can pray for? 

Your Happy Missionary,

Sister Julander

Don't Cry Because it is Over, Smile Because it Happened.

Teary Good-byes

Family!

Thanks so much for your email! I loved hearing about what you learned.
Great insights! Thanks for sharing.

So today is the last day with my trainer. She's getting ready to head
out here in the next hour or so. Right now we are just waiting for her
ride.

So basically the spirit is super cool, Heavenly Father is good, and
everything is going to be okay 

On Friday I got super sick. Really bad flu-like symptoms and I was
tanking fast. There's been a super nasty bug whisking through this
part of the mission right now, and I was so afraid I My trainer sent
me straight to bed for an hour and let me sleep. After that we went
out and worked. I put some deliverance on my feet and it was gone the
next day! Thanks for the oils Mom!

Okay her ride came. My trainer has left and now everyone is coming
over to give me love. Ah man. So hard. But so good.

An Hermana just came up to me just now, and she showed me a picture of
her saying goodbye to her first companion. She started to cry. She
can't speak English, but she shared a story while her companion
translated. She said that was her first companion. She knows that it's
hard. The first one is so special because they teach you so much and
help you adapt to the mission. She said it's hard to say goodbye. She
said she knew what I was feeling.

Elder Julander came and shared his story too and gave me a handful of
Reese's. It's a Julander thing. Bet you didn't think you would get to
experience this real time.

Anyways. On Saturday the transfer call came. I was in the other room
and my companion answered the phone (on speaker as per missionary
conduct) and I heard the district leader say that I was going to be
staying in Davis (kind of a given) and that I would be working with
Sister Haefeli. As soon as I heard her name I felt peace wash over me.
The spirit has been working inside me ever since, soothing my worries
and helping me to relax my mind. I know this is going to be a good
transfer. 

Sorry family, my emotions are a bit everywhere, and we are actually
quite busy today. I'll be spent the night in Winters with the
Hermanas, and today we are taking everything out of their apartment
because it's goi to be empty for a while. No more missionaries are
going to live there for a while. So it's definitely a working pday. We
are going to get up super early tomorrow to drive to Santa Rosa to
pick up Sister Haefeli (Hay-Flee) and drop off both Hermanas. They are
getting transferred. Everyone tells me how sweet Sister Haefeli is.
One sister said, "They are going to be the cutest companionship ever!"
I can't wait to meet her. I guess she has wavy hair like me  which
by the way, I have found how to make it so that it dries into these
sweet beach waves. I'm so vain, but I love it.

Family, I think I found my family here in Davis. Remember that woman I
told you about last week? She has two kids. One is nine and not
baptized, and the other one is 11 and is baptized. Her name is Yolanda
and she and her family have completely stolen my heart. She wants so
badly for them to have the gospel in their lives and serve missions.
She has us over and she listens and soaks up everything we give her.
She is also a stellar cook. Oh my goodness. She make us this fish dish
called saveeche or something like that and it was SO good! Also, that
Mexican corn with the cheese and chili powder. She made us some. My
new favorite thing. I literally can't even.

The work is good, I'm feeling a lot of peace right now. I know
everything is going to be okay and that there are so many adventures
ahead. Thanks for your prayers. I feel them. Also, thanks for knowing
your baby, mom. You knew this would be hard for me.

I'm glad to hear the weather is shaping up there. It is HOT here. This
last week changed from the nice spring weather to the start of the
Davis heat. It's been in the 90s all week. What is this? I keep
thinking its August. It's tripping me out.

Here's my spiritual thought for the week:

It goes like this.

Heavenly Father trusts us with a new day every morning. Each day we
have a chance to progress. There is something to be learned every day.
I think back on all of the times that I had the chance to do something
new, but instead I fell back on what I knew and missed out on a
learning experience. Here is what I have learned.

The time will pass anyway. There is no use stressing about what's
going on at home while you are a missionary. The eighteen months and
two years will pass by anyway, whether you are happy or stressed.
Whether you throw yourself into what you are doing or you are dragging
your feet, the time will pass. I've realized this applies to life back
home. You want to start a project, or learn something new, but afraid
to start? Maybe it's too much effort or will take too much time.
Unless you try, you I'll never know. Plus by taking every opportunity
to learn, new doors open and you find passions you didn't realize you
had. Plus the spirit has more room to work with. When you are out and
growing and experiencing, the spirit is right there with you guiding
your footsteps, showing you new ways, new ideas, and new perspectives.

Time here on earth is precious. Use every minute.

Alma 34:32 - For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to
meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to
perform their labors.

This is more than just getting baptized and living the Gospel. Think
of all of the amazing things God can do. Think of all of His
creations, all the of the beautiful things, all of His
characteristics. That doesn't happen overnight. He wasn't created with
those things. His journey was the same as ours. This time that we have
on earth is to learn and develop in more than just spiritual things.
We must continually look forward and see what there is to learn. I'm
confident that at the end of this life, when we meet Heavenly Father,
He is going to ask what we learned. He is going to ask us about our
experiences and how we used our time. This time here on earth is a
time to prepare to meet God, which means learn to become like Him in
ALL ways.

Think about something you've been wanting to learn for a while, or
wanting to try. This can be a new recipe, a food at the grocery store,
a restaurant you've always driven passed, talking to someone who is
doing something totally sweet and asking them how they did it. Start
small.

My invitation to you is to take a leap of faith and do the thing
you've been meaning to try.

Example. At Broulims I always wanted to try the Cookie Dough Balance
Bars because they always came through my line. How hard is it to go
buy one? Not hard. Not expensive. Not risky. Have I done it? Not until
my mission. How many opportunities did I have to do it before? A
thousand and one. What did I do instead? Bought the snack I was
comfortable with. I had a thousand and one opportunities to try a
thousand and one new things.

I'll be checking in with you next week. This challenge itself is an
example of the principle.

Love you!

Sister Julander

P.S.

Second spiritual thought for the week:

Heavenly Father loves us so so much. His love is tangible. There are
so many ways we can see and feel it every day. It is always there.
I've noticed that in my life as well as the investigators lives. I
love watching them come to see the hand of the Lord in their life and
to see the gospel light them up.

Always stay close to the spirit, stay humble, and learn always. There
is so much and when you think you know it all is the very moment you
need to pull out a pen and take notes. Love you!!!

This is my companion and a video showing you just how cool she is. Yeah. She's legit. 

Sister N. Saying good-bye to Sophia

Is There No One?

Hey Babes!

So good to see your faces yesterday!!! I love y all and I hope you
spoiled mom!!!! I know you did, you are all good boys 

Well, I'm not sure that I have ,I have to say because I told you
everything big going on, but I will share a spiritual thought, because
as a missionary you take every opportunity you can to teach.

Let's talk a little bit about being worthy and prepared.

Yesterday we were in Gospel Principles and one woman introduced
herself. She was a less active that we had been trying to get ahold of
for a while. After the lesson, we went over to talk to her. She came
to church because she is going through a major pinch point in her life
right now. She's losing steam and is majorly depressed. Her father who
it sounds like she was very very close to died and she has chronic
back pain 24/7. She started bawling and said she knew that coming to
church was going to help her. She said she woke up that morning and
felt the Savior calling her to come. So she did. My companion got
kneeled down next to her chair and sweetly counseled her, read her a
few scriptures, then asked if she would like a blessing. This sweet
sister didn't hesitate. "yes." We started to walk out and there was a
group of priesthood holders outside in the hall. My companion turned
to the less active and said, "would you like a blessing now?" Again,
she didn't hesitate to answer yes. My companion ran out to the hall
and asked the group of men standing there if they could come give a
blessing. They all eagerly jumped at the request.  My companion then
explained it was a blessing of healing and asked if any of them had
oil. They went down the line, each one shaking their heads no. We
asked each brother who passed by. Still no. One mentioned he had some
in the car. Another one pulled out his vial. There was just a drop
left. The brothers took that and were able to use it to give her a
blessing. Later that evening, we learned that the blessing brought her
a ton of comfort and helped her a lot. It was so sweet, and the
experience helped open her up to us meeting with her to I think. We
have several appointments with her this week. It was a sweet moment,
but I have to admit, I was a wee bit frustrated. How come it took so
long to find a few drops of consecrated oil among a group of brothers
who I think we're gathering for Elders Quorum? They were so eager, so
worthy to administer a blessing which was great! There was just no
oil. In an unexpected call for healing, no one was immediately
prepared.

Dad, please  call me to repentance if my frustration (though mild) is
out of line. Growing up I always remembered you having your vial with
you on your keychain. The Elders all carry it with them everywhere.
Maybe that's an incredibly high standard to hold the brethren to.

Ever since my mission, my testimony of the priesthood has increased.
How blessed we are to have that authority from the Most High here with
us today! If we are worthy, we have the privilege of calling upon the
powers of heaven to heal, comfort, and counsel. Boys, think about it.
Think about what you are doing in your lives. What are you doing with
your hands? The same hands that will one day administer blessings from
God. Do you use those same hands to write mean things, or to hurt
others? Do you use them to waste time and bring light minded things
into your life? Or do you use them to serve? Do you use them to bind
up the broken hearted, to offer a reassuring pat on the back, to lend
a hand to someone who is on the ground? Do you use them to better
yourselves? Not just in spiritual ways, but physical and emotional
ways. When called upon in someone's dire hour of need, will you be
willing and worthy to call upon the power of the Lord and use those
same hands?

I invite you to read D&C 121 and tell me what you learn.

Love you all!

Sister Julander

Trial of Mom's Faith

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I
would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and
not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no
witness until after the trial of your faith.

Right when you thought I wouldn't email, here it is.  Sorry about
that fam bam, my pday was moved to Thursday because of the temple
trip, which was also moved to Thursday. Today be pday! And I'm totally
drained. I have so much to tell you, but luckily for us we get to
skype on Sunday! Missionaries don't have a set time, we just make
appointments with our family. So how about we do 3:30 my time 4:30
your time? That will give you some time to get home from church and
then we will be done by dinner! Which you're cooking, right boys??? 


I guess I will give you a quick run down of the week.

Rachel got baptized, Sister Nelson (another missionary I've met) is
now my new buddy. She's so cool. Love her. I went to the Sacramento
temple! It's a mini one. Had no idea. I met Sister Nordfelt from BYUI!
She and her husband are serving here and they are in Nana and bompas
home ward. They were also your guys bishop when you were newly
married.  expect a picture. She's sending you one.

We went out to dinner with a member and she texted y a picture. It was
fun watching your response pop up on her screen and knowing for a
brief second you knew where I was in that minute. We were at a
delicious burger place called the Habit. Yeah. So yum. We are going
out with her again tonight because my trainer has a week left. That's
all I'm going to say about that or I will lose it  again.

Anyways, it's been great here in Davis. I'm growing more and more
everyday. Can't wait to talk to you on Sunday! I will respond to your
emails soon! So sorry about that. Thanks for sending them! I love
reading them every week!

Love you all!

Your happy missionary,

Sister Julander

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