He Provides a Way

Friends and family! 

I've had a great week! I've been able to see so many tender mercies. The families take care of us and are so loving. The scripture that has been on my mind the most this week is 1 Nephi 9:6. It reads, "but the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he PREPARETH A WAY to accomplish all His works among the children on men; for behold, He hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words." I have a firm testimony of this. As we went about our week, we were able to see the Lord's hand in this work. He will provide a way. He always has, and He always will.

We went and visited lots of inactive members this week. Thursday night we went to see a certain family. We tried knocking but no one answered. As soon as we were about to leave, the dad pulled into the driveway. We introduced ourselves and quickly got to know him and his family a bit more. He told us that he was just running home quick to grab some clothes for his son who was in the hospital. We let him know that we had prayed and felt directed to his family in particular. We had no idea his family was going through this stressful time. He had been at the hospital all day and was going back to the hospital to spend the night with his son, and we just happened to be at his house at that exact same time. I am beyond grateful for the spirit and its ability to direct us. God is in this work, and I am grateful I get to be a part of it.

Okay, I absolutely love this quote and I read it almost every morning. My missionary commission is, "to do what He wants done; to say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous Latter-day work. HOW GREAT IS MY CALLING!" ❤This gives me motivation and fills me with so much love! I pray that we will all be able to emulate the Savior's example more this week. I love my life because it is centered around Jesus Christ. The Lord will provide a way, so keep trusting in Him. He is the light!!

LOVE YOU ALL LOADS. Have an amazing week and let me know if there is anything I can do for you!!

(Also, I tried koko samoa for the first time. Very good! AND I killed my first cockroach. Yikes)

Happy missionaries

She made me a cake.  What an angel.

A reindeer pop.

Missionaries helping the sweetest lady move.

I'm in Australia now :))

Hello everyone!! The past two weeks have been so exciting. SO many changes. So many new faces and so many new places haha!

I finally made it to Australia. I got to see and visit with Laura Mulholland at the SLC airport before heading off! The whole situation was a miracle! I am grateful for all her love. Seeing her definitely made the whole trip a lot easier. I know Heavenly Father was aware of us at that moment because I think we both needed that extra love.

The flight was soo long but so worth it. It is beautiful here and the weather is amazing. I am obsessed with the palm trees. It is a bit strange seeing Christmas decorations in this hot weather since I've only ever experienced Christmas in the snow, lol. This time change has been hard, but I am getting used to it.

There is so much smoke in the air from all the bushfires, but we are safe! My companion is from Brisbane Australia, so she already is a pro at driving on the opposite side of the road and she is great at killing spiders and cockroaches. (SO THANKFUL) She is originally from Hamilton New Zealand! She is the sweetest and I love her. I am in Hebershem [suburb of Sydney], in the Popondetta ward. My entire ward is Samoan except for two Australian families. They feed us loads. People call my district the Heber-fat district because missionaries in my area are known for gaining weight. Oh well, haha. I have a full stomach all the time, so I have no complaints. The other night I had three huge dinners, all from the same family!!!! So awesome, haha.

But in all seriousness, I love it here. It is hard sometimes when I think about how far away I am from home, but I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. I am surrounded by so many loving families and I know my Heavenly Father is watching over me. 

My comp had the worst cough this week and it was affecting her teaching, so she decided to get a priesthood blessing. After the first lesson we walked out of the house and my comp looked at me and said, "Sister Louder, I didn't have to cough once that entire lesson." This was a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father, and I know that there is power in priesthood blessings. When we humble ourselves and ask for His help, He will help!! Our Father in Heaven loves us, and He will strengthen us so that we can move forward.

We did lots of finding activities this past week. The reality of rejection hit me, but I know that there is always that one person looking for the truth and joy that comes only through the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know Heavenly Father is preparing them for us. Inviting others unto Christ and helping them feel more happiness is the best. There is nothing I would rather be doing than this work right now. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know that it is only through Him that we can receive the comfort we need and the courage to push on when things seem too tough. Turn to Him and rely on His mercy and love, always. Continue to look for the small miracles every day. They are everywhere.

I think about you all often. Make this week a good one and try to see the good in every situation. I JUST LOVE YOU ALL SOO SO MUCH! Take care :))) Also my Pday will normally be on Monday (Sunday for you) just so you know!!

My comp and I

"Koko" [cocoa], can you believe this becomes chocolate!

Soooo much food.

My MTC district... Miss them :(

Laura and I at the airport in Salt Lake City

The Mailo family <333

From President and Sister Runia:

"She made it and we love her already"

On Monday the 11^th class was interrupted around 3 PM when someone from the travel office at the MTC came to let the Jessie and Sister Christensen know it was time to leave for the airport.  They were the only two from their district of 12 to be going to Sydney and were the first of their group to leave.  After a tearful farewell, the two of them waved goodbye to the others as the elevator doors closed.

Once at the travel office the girls met up with 13 missionaries heading to Sydney, four other sisters and nine elders.  After receiving instructions and a ride to the Frontrunner train station, somehow the group managed to wrestle their luggage on board.  They traveled north to Salt Lake City where Jessie again struggled to get her three bags off the Frontrunner and on to the Trax train going west to the airport, but everyone finally made it.  Jessie was happy to check her two biggest bags in and to only have her carry-on to drag around for the rest of the trip.

Once she’d passed security and connected to the airport Wi-Fi, Jessie was able to make a video-call home.  Anne and I answered and to our surprise, sitting right next to Jessie was our good family friend, Laura!

Laura had been in Utah visiting her daughter and was traveling home to Calgary Monday evening.  While sitting at her gate she noticed a group of missionaries sitting nearby so she approached one of the elders and asked, “Are you heading to Calgary.”  The missionary responded, “No, we’re going to Sydney Australia.”  Laura said that, without thinking, her immediate reaction was to loudly cried out, “JESSIE LOUDER”.  A few steps away a startled Jessie turned around and in disbelief recognized a very familiar face. What a wonderful surprise and blessing!

It was wonderful to get to talk to Jessie for a few minutes prior to her boarding the plane for the first leg of her trip.  The first flight took her to Los Angles where she had a short layover.  From there Jessie and her group boarded a Boeing 777 for the trans-pacific flight to Sydney.  The plane took off just 10 PM.  The flight lasted about 15 hours passing Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, and New Zealand, crossing the international date line along the way, finally landing at Australia’s busiest airport.

We hope more news will follow soon, but we did receive a text and a photo from President and Sister Runia who had welcomed her. They said, “She made it and we love her already!!”

A happy encounter with Laura Mulholland at the SLC airport.

Over Samoa and Fiji.

Nearing Sydney

After leaving North America on Nov 11, Jessie arrived in Australia on Nov 13th, skipping the 12th somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

In front of the Sydney Opera House with President and Sister Runia.

The Lord's Work

Hi everyone!! I had another wonderful week here at the MTC. We got to welcome in the new missionaries in our zone. It is so fun hearing where everyone is from, and where everyone is going. So crazy to think that I leave for Australia in 6 days now! My time at the MTC has been the absolute best and I am so grateful I've been able to meet so many amazing missionaries. I just love my zone and all the beautiful sisters around me. I know that God placed me here in the MTC surrounded by these people for a specific reason. He is in the details of our lives. 

Last Tuesday we had a devotional from a member of the Seventy. My love for the Seventy changed after this devotional. I know that they are called of God. They truly do emulate the Savior's example. As we were praying to begin the devotional, someone in the stands had a seizure. We were all extremely worried but the President handled the situation so well. He told us all to bow our heads and say a prayer for this one Elder in the stands. I can't describe how powerful this experience was. Every single person in that room was praying for him and for his health. The love and the spirit in that room was so strong. There is power in prayer. I know Heavenly Father was aware of us and He was aware of this Elder. The Elder is okay, and is still here. This is a miracle to me, and it shows how much Heavenly Father loves each of His children and is sending help all of the time. 

Later on in the week my companion and I got to teach some amazing people. Their faith and eagerness to learn more strengthens my testimony. For one of our lessons with Olivia my companion and I were so uncertain as to what to teach in the lesson just minutes before going in. Neither lesson we had prepared  seemed right but we went in and the spirit guided us the entire time. We never ended up talking about the two lessons we were confused about. Instead we talked about what she had read in the Book of Mormon and her needs for the whole lesson. I know that this really is the Lord's work and that we are His representatives. He is guiding us and helping us, help others to receive this beautiful restored gospel. We are instruments in the Lord's hands and so all we can do is put our faith and trust in Him, put in the effort, and He will do the rest. 

I hope you all have an amazing week. I still think  of you and pray for you all often. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life because it is what brings me the most happiness. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! I am sending so much love your way. This really is the Lord's work and I love what I'm doing.

Sister Jessie Louder

Australia Sydney Mission

Our district in front of the Provo temple.

Me, trying to point out the Canadian flag.

Halloween cookies from Crumbl.

Me and my companion, disguised as a pumpkin for Halloween... orange and green... get it?

The obligatory traditional photo in front of the map.

With my roommates at the temple.