Happy-Happy-Happy

September 16, 2019

Happy-Happy-Happy

Hello everyone!!

Another wonderful week! God is good. Missions are the greatest. And life is so beautiful!!❤

MIRACLES HAPPEN!!

Okay, my whole mission I have prayed for someone to just show up to church unexpectedly! And guess what?! That happened this week!! A few minutes after Sacrament meeting started someone walked in that we hadn't seen before so we motioned for him to come sit by us. He said he was from India and this is the first time he's ever been to our church. He's staying in a local hotel for a few weeks and needed a church to go to. He said that morning he searched Churchs near him and found ours. He came with the Bible he found at the hotel! We asked him if he wanted to come again next week and he said yes of course! He also wants to meet before church next week so we can teach him the lessons!! How cool?! It was a testimony builder to me that if we do all that we can the Lord will put prepared people in our path! :)

EXCHANGES

We had exchanges with the Hermanas this week. I was with Hermana Larson, she's so cute! She's from Logan Utah and she's been out for about 3 months! We had a full day of appointments together! She's an awesome missionary and I learned a lot from her! I'm so grateful for the chance I have to learn from so many fantastic Sisters.

BROTHER DOUTRICH

Brother Doutrich is the husband of our sweet friend Julia that passed away a few weeks ago. He hadn't been active in the church for years and wasn't interested in coming back. After the passing of Julia he turned his life around. He's been to church every week and he has asked us to go over the lessons with him. Last night he invited us over for dinner and he asked us about what Julia is doing now. It was a special experience to talk with him about the Plan of Salvation and help him understand that Julia is happy and doing amazing work on the other side. I'm grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation!

DOROTHY LANTZ

I received some sad news this week that one of the sweet ladies I used to visit every week in Harrisonburg passed away. She was sick for quite a while and I'm glad she's out of pain. Every time we would leave her house she always said: "just remember 'ah love yuh" in her cute southern accent. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people I've met on my mission!!

INTERVIEWS

We had interviews with President Droubay this week! He is honestly the coolest person ever! I have learned so much from him already! Something that really stood out to me during interviews with him is how involved the Lord is in our lives. He has a plan for each of us. There is no coincidence that I'm serving in Newtown with Sister Thomas at this time. The Lord knows us and loves us!

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT

Lately I've been thinking a lot about personal conversion. I want to be at a point in my life where I am fully converted unto the Lord. I was reading a talk by David A. Bednar called, "Converted unto the Lord". I love this talk! In there is said:

"For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience. Samuel the Lamanite identified five basic elements in becoming converted unto the Lord: (1) believing in the teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the scriptures, (2) exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) repenting, (4) experiencing a mighty change of heart, and (5) becoming “firm and steadfast in the faith” (see Helaman 15:7–8). This is the pattern that leads to conversion"

I've really been pondering what I can do to be more converted to the Lord. What things do I need to stop doing? Start doing? Or improve on? I hope all of you will take some time this week to ponder these questions. I promise if we are sincerely trying to become our best selves that the Lord will help us overcome all of our weaknesses.

I love y'all so much!! Thanks for being amazing! Have a wonderful week!!

❤Sister Stringham❤