WE GOT THIS!

August 14, 2019

WE GOT THIS!

Hello Hello Hello!!!

My heart is so full! This week I have truly felt Christ's love for me and for all those around me! I'm so full of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the joy that it brings into each of our lives! This week has been so good!! Two of my very favorite people were baptized and I couldn't be more excited for them! Missions are the best.

ROBINS BAPTISM

Okay, Robin is the most amazing person! I love her so much!! She has the most incredible story! So 3 months ago she got a phone call and didn't answer. She decided to call this number back a few days later, and it was the missionaries in Salt Lake City. She doesn't know how they got her number but when they asked if missionaries could come to her house she said yes! And that's where her story began. Missionaries stopped by and started teaching her and she said it just felt right. She was at a place in her life where she was really searching for the truth and needed some guidance. She quickly grew to love the gospel and gained a testimony for herself. She was on date to be baptized 2 weeks ago but ended up in the hospital and was super sick. Thanks to Priesthood blessings and prayers she healed quickly and was able to get baptized this week! It was the most amazing baptism i've ever gone to! The talks were incredible and the Spirit was so strong the whole time. Sister Thomas and I sang "When I am Baptized" with Robins granddaughters. Robin is so prepared for the gospel! After she was baptized we went back in the dressing room with her and she was so overcome with the Spirit that she couldn't compose herself. She was truly GLOWING and it was a moment I will never forget. We hugged her and prayed with her in her soaking wet jumpsuit. In that moment I felt the Spirit testify to me that this is what it's all about. THE GOSPEL TRULY CHANGES LIVES!!

Also, a few days before Robins baptism her best friend from the ward, Sister Doutrich had a heart attack while she was out camping. Sister Doutrich is the most amazing woman. She came to some lessons with us to teach Robin and took Robin to church every sunday. Sister Doutrich would always tell us and Robin that "WE GOT THIS!". She has so much love! Sadly her heart attack was pretty severe. She has been in a coma since it happened and had a few more heart attacks since. We found out earlier today that they will be letting her go and her funeral will be this week. Before Robins baptism started on Saturday we had to tell her that Sister Doutrich wasn't going to make it. Robin went and sat in the bathroom and took the Scriptures. Later on she told us that as she was reading her scriptures she felt Sister Doutrich there telling her that she can do this and that she was proud of her! They have such a special friendship. The day Robin got baptized was also Sister Doutrichs birthday. I know she will always be there for Robin reminding her that "WE GOT THIS!"

AUSTINS BAPTISM

My cute friend Austin in the Chickahominy ward got baptized this week too! I wasn't able to go to the baptism but thanks to technology I was able to video call him later that evening! He's such an amazing kid! When I asked him how he felt after his baptism he said: "Cold on the outside but warm on the inside" I just love him! I'm so grateful I was able to teach him and his family!

EXCHANGES

We had exchanges this week with the First Landing Sisters. I was with Sister Holyoak and she is just the cutest! I love her so much! We had such a fun day together and saw so many miracles! My favorite thing from the day was we met with a recent convert named Tighrese. He's so cool! We had a lesson with him and his family and they are such amazing people! By the time we left that appointment they said I was part of the family! Haha it was so fun! I'm so grateful for the chance that I have to go on so many exchanges and learn from so many amazing sisters!

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT

Sheri L. Dew, while serving as a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, taught us concerning the role Jesus Christ plays in our daily lives:
“Is it possible to be happy when life is hard? To feel peace amid uncertainty and hope in the midst of cynicism? Is it possible to change, to shake off old habits and become new again? Is it possible to live with integrity and purity in a world that no longer values the virtues that distinguish the followers of Christ?“ Yes. The answer is yes because of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement ensures that we need not bear the burdens of mortality alone..."

I love that! I know that when we focus our lives on Jesus Christ we can get through any trial that life throws at us! There is so much to be grateful for! I love y'all and I hope you have a fantastic week!! Keep smiling! :)

❤Sister Stringham❤