March 29, 2016 The Power of The Resurrection

Kaikille:
Well finally here I am.  Sorry it's been a while.  So to update everyone.  I am serving now in Oulu.  It's the farthen
 most city in Finland that sisters get to serve in.  It's alone the ocean so that is amazing.  Pretty much the ocean runs in like little rivers through the middle of the city.  There are bridges everywhere.  The sunrises and sunsets are seriously magical.  They are so beautiful.  I feel so close to the sky because everything is so much more vibrant and just feels so much closer.  My first week here, the sunset was so beautiful one day that I thought that we were maybe in Heaven.  The sun was so huge and bright and amazing.  I love it.

So we ride bikes.  That's different.  But.  It's good.  It keeps things exciting all the time to try and keep my skirt down and stop people all the time and try not to crash-- especially in all the ice, slush, and snow.  Oh did I mention, there's still a ton of snow here and it also snowed a bunch more this last week.  But it's okei, because I love the snow.  The nice thing about being up here this far north at this time of year, is that the sun is now out even longer.  I can't even imagine what it's going to be like in the summer time.  It will be like day all day (including the night).  That will be crazy.  I hope I get to stay for that, because I already really love this place.  The members here are awesome.  It's a smaller ward than in Jyväskylä, but it definitely doesn't show.  The members are crazy about missionary work and they do so much to help us.  It's awesome.

My new companion's name is Sister Powell.  She is from Logan, Utah.  She's one change ahead of me, so she goes home this next transfer.  She's been a sister training leader for 4 months and she not only is an AMAZING missionary, but a really experienced and wonderful Sister Training Leader.  I most of the time am just straggling along behind her trying to catch up because she works so hard.  It's awesome.  She is super great at Finnish and an amazing teacher.  I don't think I've ever met a more perfect missionary or person in my life.  Sister Powell is amazing.  That's not cliche, it's not some nice phrase, it's not just me being nice.  It's the honest truth.  She is so great, and I don't know how she does it, but it's so cool and I'm so glad that I have the chance to learn from her and with her.

So this week we had a really awesome experience. Our first week together, Sister Powell and I were waiting at the bottom of an apartment building for a member to come to one of our lessons and this lady walks in the door. We decide to talk to her and end up getting a return appointment for about a week or more later. I honestly didn't think too much more about it, until about 4 days ago we were headed home from this same investigator's house and I saw this same lady walking down the street. So I stopped my bike and said, "Hey! How are you?" As I stopped my bike and Sister Powell stopped behind me, I realized that there were tears streaming down here face. So of course we immediately asked what was wrong. I never would have expected the words that came out next. She says, "My mom died today." My heart just sunk. Just hurt. So badly for this girl. So I wrapped my arms around her and just stood there hugging her. I just wasn't exactly sure what else to do right at that moment. Here Sister Powell and I were-- two 20 yr old girls, we had never experienced something like that in our lives. What was I supposed to even say? But that's what I love so much about being a missionary-- Sharing the hope of the Gospel with people. So then we decided to pray with her. As I started to pray, my heart filled with peace-- not because this was okay, but because I know that the Gospel would help her. It would be the only thing really that could bring that peace into her life, and I knew that God has helped us to cross paths with her when we did, because I know that she needed us that night, and that she will need the Gospel right now. After we prayed, Sister Powell had a really awesome idea to watch the new Easter "Hallelujah" video with her. Of course it's perfect because it talks all about people who know that they can see all of their family members again that have passed on because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her phone was almost completely dead, but I know that Heavenly Father blessed that phone to work all the way through the video so that she could see it. And then we bore our testimonies to her we gave her another hug. Then she said, "Send me a message this week, and we can meet." And then she walked away. I'm not sure that she has any other family. She was all alone on that street that night walking home crying. I just am so so grateful that Heavenly Father helped us to find her and her to find us. I know that it's not a coincidence when we meet people. Sometimes we don't always see the effects that either they have on us or we have on them, but I know that God places people in our paths for a reason. Oh how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Oh how grateful I am that I have the opportunity to share this with others who so desperately need it in their lives just like I do.

Oh how I wish I could share all that is happening here with you all.  It's just amazing.  So much happens in one week.  But for now, just remember how much God loves you and how much I love and appreciate all of you.  Wherever you are in the world right now, YOU are making a difference in the lives of those around you small or big.  I know that.  Keep it up.  You are amazing.  Love you all lots!!!! Have a great week.

Rakkaudellani,

Sisar Schyler Ann Jordan

All the Sisters in our Zone plus the amazing Sister Watson.  Sister Powell my companion is right by me.  

March 14, 2016 And All Her Dreams Came True...

Kaikille:
Wow what a week!! What a life. What a wonderful time for me.
I just feel so blessed.  I'll try and relay just a small part of what I have felt and experienced this past week, but I'm sure I won't even cover half of it, so here is the best I have.

Transfer calls.....  Bet you'll never guess! Yep I'm going to Oulu!! ..... to be a Sister Training Leader.  Can I just say wow God is good.  Clear back when I was in the MTC I remember talking about how amazing it would be to serve in Oulu my last transfer or two for the Summer.  That would just be my dream! Well guess it's true what they say-- Dreams really do come true!  Okei. So more like Heavenly Father knows that He needs me there in Oulu and so He blessed me with this wonderful opportunity to be able to serve there this transfer and hopefully the next one too.  When I heard the phone ring during personal study on Friday, my heart just started pounding.  Transfer calls are just always scary and nerve-racking like that.  Well then we found out what was happening.  Sister Adams will be staying here in Jyväskylä another transfer and getting Sister Yost who was Sister Allen (my last companion's companion).  After we got off the phone with President Watson, I ran around the apartment jumping up and down yelling and laughing and was just so excited.  And then... I got nervous. And scared. And sad.  And worried.  And a bunch of other no-fun emotions that come with fear and heartbreak.  Heartbreak because I've had to say bye to all of these wonderful amazing people that have become so dear to my heart here in Jyväskylä and also to this crazy beautiful city that I call home now.  8 precious months.  Some of the most amazing months of my entire life.  I know that I have been influenced by the people here and the experiences that I have had while serving here in Jyväskylä.  I just will miss it oh so much.  Saying bye to everyone over the past few days has been almost as hard as saying bye to my family.  All I've practically done is cry.  But I know that all will be well, and I just count my blessings because God has allowed me to stay here for over 8 months.  It's just so special.  Oh I just love this place.

Being a Sister Training Leader just scares the giffies right out of me.  Definitely isn't something I feel in any way qualified or ready for.  But. I know that God has purpose in all things and I know that our Mission President is called of God to make these transfer calls.  So like our wonderful Hymn book so beautifully states, I'll Go Where He Wants Me To Go, I'll Be Who He Wants Me To Be... I know that with His divine help and the Savior of the world on my side, I can do all things.  I can do this.  And I willingly accept!  I know God will help me and that if I do my best, He will make up for all that I lack.  He has so far, and I know He will never leave me alone.  If I trust in Him and do all that is in my power, IT WILL ALL WORK OUT... it always does.

Some other really awesome miracles I have seen this week are these:

-The investigator that we have been teaching since I got here back last July, finally has a baptismal date.  AHH... I am so excited.  I know that she's going to be baptized.  She's so ready.
-We picked up another new investigator.  The lesson was so awesome and she's just this nice sweet old lady.  What's even better?  She is a referral from one of the members.  Those are always the best.


Well that's about all I have time to write for the week.  I am so blessed.  I love this Gospel.  I am so excited for this new adventure in my life.  It's going to be great.  Thanks for all your love and support.  I love you all so much! Have a super week!

Rakkaudellani,
Sisar Jordan

I love Sister Adams. 

March 8, 2016 Faith is Like a Little Seed... If Planted (and watered) It Will Grow

Kaikille:
What a week it has been.  Bitter-sweet for sure.  Definitely one of my least favorite parts of my mission has been saying bye to companions.  Yesterday we said bye to Sister Saarinen at the train station here in Jyväskylä and today she is flying to America.  After the train pulled away, Sister Adams and I just stood there hugging each other crying.  We sure will miss her.  It has been three really awesome months of my mission.  But I am so excited for all the lies ahead for Sister Saarinen.  She is going to love her mission.. I mean how could she not?  She's going to serve right in my territory.  So cool!

We had a really cool experience with one of our investigators this week. We started the lesson off by asking her what Christ meant to her personally. She actually got really emotional and started to talk about his Resurrection and how much it meant to her in her life that because of Him, she had the hope that those she loves and has been close to that have passed on, she will see again. That they aren't just dead and gone forever, but because of Christ, they still live and will live and if she lives righteously, she will see them again some day. Wow did it strengthen my testimony to hear her say the things that she did. I could really tell that Christ means so much to her, and I'm so grateful for the spirit that we were able to feel while we were there with her. I know that as she continues to keep the commitments we give her, that her faith will grow. Just in the last few weeks, I have seen how much it has grown because she has kept the commitments that we are giving her. I really love her and have really enjoyed having the opportunity to teach her while serving here in Jyväskylä. Every. Single. Day.  My testimony of Christ is strengthened as I share it with others.  I say it all the time, but it's because I mean it so much-- Being a missionary is the best.  It is so fulfilling and rewarding.

I know that God's timing is perfect.  Our other investigator finally came to church this Sunday.  I can't tell you how many Sundays we have been trying to get him to come to church, and finally he did.  So as of this week, we have two progressing investigators.  I'll tell you all a secret-- that's the most I've ever had on my mission.  And can I just say how happy it makes me.  Yes I know that numbers don't mean everything, but obviously we're given them for a reason and they help us to do the Lord's work.  So needless to say, I am grateful for the opposition in all of this-- that for quite a few weeks, we didn't have a single investigator, and now we have two that are progressing.  It's amazing to see how much Heavenly Father blesses you for the hard work and diligence that you put forth.

This week I think I learned a lesson that I know has changed me already.  I learned so much about agency and accountability.  I think I finally grasped the concept of understanding both of those principles.  For the longest time on my mission, I have always just taken it so hard when people reject us, or when they turn away from us because our Finnish isn't very good, or when our lessons don't go so well because I just don't know what to do differently, or really I could just keep going on with the list of things that just haven't gone the way I thought they would and most of it had to do with other's agency.  Especially during these transfers with Sister Saarinen and Sister Adams, I have really beat myself up and felt like I was just failing as a missionary.  Well I think I finally have come to accept and understand more fully the concept that others have agency, and I have accountability to the Lord.  I can't change the way others choose to use their agency.  I can't change whether people listen to us or not.  But what I can do, is determine what more I personally can do.  What more can I change?  What can I improve upon?  What more can I study?  What more do I need to do, to give them the very best possible chance to use their agency wisely?  I think that it's such a huge lesson that I was meant to learn.  Because although I was doing those things to try and fix the situation-- mostly I was just miserable doing it and just being really hard on myself when it didn't work even when I had put so much work into it.  I think I really have learned how much I personally am accountable to Heavenly Father, but He doesn't necessarily expect me to change every one's minds or have control over every situation, that ultimately really isn't in my control.  I'm not sure if any of that really made sense to anyone reading this, but I guess the moral of the whole story is that I learned a really huge personal lesson this week and I wanted to share it in hopes that maybe it would help someone else.

This week is transfer week.  We will be getting calls from President Watson on Friday.  I have been here in Jyväskylä for about 8 months now so we'll see what happens.  There's a high likelihood that I will go, but if for some reason God sees fit to shower more blessings on me by letting me stay here, then I would kindly accept, but either way, I will go where He wants me to go! I sure love Finland.  I love my mission.  This is the best time of my life.

Have an awesome week and don't forget to enjoy it!

Rakkaudellani,
Sisar Jordan

Such a fun district.  4 months all together

I love these two.  We just had to eat at Sister Saarinen's (and our) favorite Thai restaurant one more time! Thank you Krua Siam!!! we love you!!! 

March 1, 2016 Tomorrow marks Schyler's ONE year mark in the country of FINLAND !!!!

All Thing Bright and Beautiful!

Kaikille:
It's been such a great week! As always.  I sure love being a missionary and I love being in Finland.  This week I really have felt God's love and know that His hand is in all that we do.  We had the opportunity to teach the recent convert family twice this week.  I really realized while we were teaching them, that I think one reason God has let me stay here in Jyväskylä for so long, is so that I could witness all the miracles and conversion and progression that would take place in their family.  Not only did I have the chance to be in instrument in the Lord's hands, but also it has changed me.  It has helped me to have greater love and humility in my own life.  They have been such a huge blessing in my life and they have made my mission so very special.  They will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will always be reminded of and strengthened by the love that I felt as I taught them, learned with them, and grew with them.

One of our investigators is doing alright this week.  We've had quite a few lessons with her this week, but still working through some concerns.  We're hoping to set a baptismal date for maybe a little farther in the future with her this week, so that hopefully that will at least help her to make some of these other changes and decisions in her life.  I have been teaching her since I got here to Jyväskylä and it's been so great to develop a friendship with her, and also to see the light that has come into her life because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The converting power of the Gospel is so real and I am strengthened every day by how much I can see that while serving as a missionary.  Have I mentioned already-- I love being a missionary!

So some other interesting things that happened this week--

-I cut my finger.  I was just in too big of a hurry to cut up an avocado and just practically tossed the knife in the air and then tried to catch it.  I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking, but I cut my finger pretty good.  I really don't do so well with my own blood, so I pretty much was in shock, when a ton of blood started gushing out my finger.  My companions were trying to figure out what exactly had happened, but I couldn't say a word.  All I could do is just stick my finger under the cold running water in the sink.  Finally we got it all taken care of and everything is okay and my finger is healing nicely.  But I definitely learned that it's better to just be safe than to end up cutting yourself, even if it means that you're going to be late.

-I got swatted at by someone that I tried to stop on the street the other day.  That was pretty interesting.  I never have had that happen before, so it was pretty funny.  We just walked away and I had a good laugh.  Oh you just gotta love people.

Sister Saarinen will be leaving for Utah (She will be serving in the Southern Utah Mission- so please everyone watch out for her and be good to her if she happens to be in your area serving) this coming week and I am so so sad that she will be gone.  I sure love her and have learned so much about these people that I love so much here in Finland.  She has been such a blessing in my life and I know that she will bless the lives of those in Utah as well.

 Well that's about all I have time to tell about this week.  I know that this Gospel is true.  I love it will all of my heart.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I am so very grateful for the opportunity that I have to tell people about Him every. single. day.  He is my light and my song and He calms the storms in my life.  I. Love. Being. A. Missionary.  I love you all so much!  Have a super week!

Rakkaudellani,
Sisar Jordan

The Beaver-ite and the Minersville-ite.... ok I don't actually know if that's right.  But it was so good to see Sisar Reynolds at Zone training.  I have been so blessed to have her here and to serve with her.  It's so good to have a familiar face 5000 miles away from home.  I love her so much and I'm going to miss her a lot when she leaves in 2 weeks.  She is sure great!! 

The church in Tampere for Zone Training.  

                                          WOW!  Schyler your hair is soooo LONG!!!!

MTC group reunited again.  Elder Gailey (the one next to me) was in my MTC district.  We haven't seen too much of each other here in Finland so it was great to see him at Zone Training and hear about all the experiences we've had the past year.  Crazy how fast time flies.