June 9, 2015 Another great week !!

To Everyone:

Well another great week!  Unfortunately, we don't have the most investigators right now, but we are able to help lots of the families in the ward and do lots of service.  That is really great and we are able to be outside lots.  We help with yards, gardens, cleaning windows, etc.  Finland is so beautiful and the weather is perfect right now, so who wouldn't want to be outside!? 

There is an older woman in our ward that lives alone and is probably in her late 80's.  She was diagnosed with cancer in March.  We had been visiting her at that time, and she called us on her birthday to tell us the news.  It was the saddest thing ever and it broke our hearts.  We have been able to go and see her quite frequently lately.  My favorite thing has been to sing the hymns to her.  She really loves that and it brings such a spirit into her home, and I just have such an appreciation for music because of it.  I am grateful for her humility and her happiness despite all that she is feeling and dealing with right now.  I love that old woman so much and it makes me so happy to go and visit her.  

On Sunday, there was a broadcast to all the Scandinavian countries from Scotland.  It was Elder Holland.  It was really great, and it was so nice to have a Sunday where we heard things in English.  Elder Holland is great.  He talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how important it is.  It is the Foundation of everything in this church.  Everything relies and depends upon the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  I know that I have truly come to love the scriptures on my mission.  They guide me each day and bring peace and happiness into my life.  I encourage each of you to read them everyday.  Do what Moroni instructs us and ponder the message that it contains and then Ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, if it is true.  Even if you have already received that witness before, do it again.  It will be a another assurance to you that it is true and bring a spirit that what you are reading is from God and that it can help you and guide you in your life.  I love the Book of Mormon so much and I know that it is the Iron Rod to lead us to eternal life.  

The work here in Finland is slow unfortunately.  People are not super accepting of the Gospel (at least in my neck of the woods), but we will find those who are ready and prepared.  We have one investigator who will hopefully be back from Greece this week.  He has been investigating since I first got here to Marjaniemi.  I was the first along with Sister Seegmiller to start working with him.  He has slowly been progressing and I see the spirit that he has felt and how much he has enjoyed church.  I am hopeful of him and his desire to know more about this gospel.  Keep praying for all of the missionaries here as well as around the world.  We are so grateful for all of you and the support you show us!  We couldn't do this without all of you and your love, advice, guidance, support, and prayers!  Thank you!    

I know this Gospel is true.  I am thankful to be a missionary.  Remember God's love for each of his children.  It never stops and it never changes.  He loves you!  He wants what is best for you!  He is aware of you and hears your prayers!  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to be happy and have provided a way for that to happen!  So Choose to Be Happy!  

I love you all!!!!!  Make yourself the Best week!!!! 

With as much love as I have,
Sister Jordan

Doesn't get much prettier than this !!!!
Beautiful Finland

An early morning stroll !!

We got to see these amazing sisters while we were visiting East Helsinki!  Your daughters are doing amazing work.  We are very grateful for their service!  We even got to go to a lesson with them.  It was a blast!  They are truly doing the lords work!  Thank you for supporting them as they are serving the Lord.  We know that they are being watched over and blessed, even in times of trials.  Thank you again for letting your girls serve the wonderful people of Finland!

Andy and Katie Green ( Elder Green was a companion to Jake serving here in Finland)

Schyler and Sis. Forrest (2nd Comp)

June 2, 2015 The Rollar Coaster Life!!

Kaikille:

Wow life sure is quite the journey....  I can't even begin to tell everyone just how much I feel my outlook on life has changed within 3 short weeks.  One day you think you have it all figured out, and in moments it changes just like that.  It's slightly a scary thought-- living from second to second knowing that at any given moment, your life could drastically change.  BUT we have something that helps us find comfort and direction and peace even when we do know that life changes so quickly and drastically, and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have a sure knowledge of a God who so loves us and cares about us-- our mortal progress and our eternal blessings.  He is watching over us every seco        nd of every day.  He hears our pleas for help and our cries of sorrow.  He wants only what is best for us, including all of the struggles we will go through and the trials we will have to endure.  He has a plan, specifically for each one of us.  We have a Savior, Jesus Christ, our brother and our closest friend.  Someone who has lived and died, Atoned for everyone of us, and was Resurrected.  He knows completely and fully all of our heartaches and pains and exactly how to overcome them.  He loves us.  He is there for us. Always.  All of this knowledge, in those seconds we live day to day, provide us the peace and direction to move forward.  To take steps through the fog and put our trust in a God who so loves us.  

Although my heart is hurt, it is more full than I have ever felt in my life.  God loves me.  He loves each one of you.  He hears our prayers, and he does answers them in ways sometimes we can't even see.  I have been so blessed! 

Finland is SO beautiful! The sun is shining almost all the time.  I go to bed at 10:30pm at night and it is pretty much completely light outside, and when I wake up at 6:15am, the sun is completely up!  The sun makes people happy! It's as if everyone here has come out of hibernation.  They are so much more happy and friendly and there is actually life here in Finland.  It is so green and lush and just AHH just amazing! This truly is a sacred place and I am in love! 

Just a little about the missionary work here:  People are unlike anywhere else.  They are quite straightforward about whether they want anything to do with what you have to say or not.  People are not very accepting, but yet we still try and we still believe.  One day, they will understand and they will know of the importance of our message.  We serve the members as much as we can, and I have come to love them here so much!  Lifelong friends i'm most certain! 

Over the past three weeks, my language hasn't had the most attention.. well because of a lot of things happening (I know there shouldn't be any excuses), but surprisingly, especially this week, somehow God has allowed me to see progress.  I know that the gift of tongues is real-- SO REAL.  I have been able to speak and understand WAY more than I ever thought! I may be able to speak Finnish for reals one day! Maybe... just maybe! :)   

EVERYONE:  I Love it here! I LOVE FINLAND! I LOVE FINNS!  This is amazing! God is amazing! He loves us-- ALL OF US!  We are blessed and we have so much to be grateful for and so much to rejoice in! I love all of you, and hope that you all find success and happiness in whatever you are doing! Make yourselves the best week ever! 

Rakkaudellani,

Sisar Jordan        

Another lake in Finland

Beautiful Finland !

Amazing flowers near our Chapel 

Running/walking path

Its Gorgeous here!

A morning stroll !