What does Christmas mean to you?

Hello lovely people!!

Another wonderful week! Crazy to believe that Christmas is next week! Our Pday next week has been changed to Christmas day rather than next Monday. I hope y'all have a very merry Christmas! 

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?

This week we went on ODU with the Elders and set up some free hot chocolate and a big poster that said "What does Christmas mean to you" we had people write down their answers and it was so much fun! It was a great reminder that Christmas is so much more than a fun time to give presents and put up a tree! It's all because of Jesus Christ and the amazing gift he has given us! I hope each of you can take some time this season to really focus on the true meaning of Christmas and what that means to you! 

BOTANICAL GARDENS 

For family home evening last week we went to the Christmas lights at the Botanical gardens! It was so beautiful! I felt like I was in Disneyland! ;) 

EXCHANGES 

We had exchanges this week with the Hermanas! I was with Hermana Molinar for the day and wow we had so much fun! She is an incredible missionary and taught me so much throughout the day! She is also a dancer so we had fun talking about that haha! We did a bunch of street contacting and met a lady who is super interested and even has a daughter that is YSA aged as well #miracles!! We also got a call from a number we didn't recognize but we answered it, and it was someone who had met the sisters a while back in Walmart and had taken one of their cards. He needed some help and felt like he needed to reach out to us! Long story short....the elders are going to start teaching him! It really showed me that you never truly know the impact of your actions! The Sisters that gave him a card never knew that he would need help one day and think to call us. 

ALWAYS FOLLOW PROMPTINGS 

There is an inactive member of our branch that we have been trying to help recently. We hadn't seen him in a few weeks and one morning this week as we were planning we felt like we needed to stop by. We went by and quickly realized that it was really inspired that we went over that night. He struggles a lot with addictions and was making plans to end his life that night. We talked with him and prayed with him and gave him the information for the addiction recovery meetings. By the time we left he was feeling a lot better and told us that we truly saved his life that night. Always follow your promptings!! 

BRIONNA

One of my very favorite people, Linda from the Newtown ward has a daughter named Brionna. We have been trying to teach her for a few months but she has been so crazy busy with work. Last Monday right before FHE she called us out of the blue and asked for the address to the church! She came to family home evening and had a great time! She invited us over for her moms birthday dinner and we were also able to start teaching her! She is amazing! That night after dinner we were going to see Melinda but needed someone to come with us. We asked Brionna and Linda and they were able to come! That was such an amazing experience! As we were leaving Brionna said she wanted to cry she was so happy and that was exactly what she needed tonight! Melinda is truly preparing so many people to hear the gospel. I love her! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to give a talk in Sacrament meeting about one of my favorite attributes about Jesus Christ. I talked about the Grace that Jesus Christ gives us. Lately I have gained a strong testimony of relying on this Grace. One of my favorite Bible stories that helps me understand this Grace is the story of the loaves and the fishes. The disciples recognized they didn't have enough. But they gave what they had to Christ and he multiplied their humble efforts. 

"In fact, Jesus’s miracles often begin with a recognition of want, need, failure, or inadequacy. Remember the loaves and the fishes? Each of the Gospel writers tells how Jesus miraculously fed the thousands who followed Him. But the story begins with the disciples’ recognition of their lack; they realized they had only “five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” The disciples were right: they didn’t have enough food, but they gave what they had to Jesus, and then He provided the miracle. Have you ever felt your talents and gifts were too small for the task ahead? I have. But you and I can give what we have to Christ, and He will multiply our efforts. What you have to offer is more than enough—even with your human frailties and weaknesses—if you rely on the grace of God." -Michelle D. Craig

Give what you have to Jesus Christ and he will make up the difference. In other words, do your best and let God do the rest! ;) 

I love y'all so much! I hope you know how grateful I am for each one of you! Merry Christmas!🎄 

❤Sister Stringham❤

A live nativity with a real llama!

The Botanical gardens!! 

The Botanical gardens!! 

The Botanical gardens!! 

Azusa and Jessica at the Christmas Cantata!

Dinner with Brionna and Linda

Melinda, Brionna and Linda!

Tabling on ODU

Lunch with the boys 

District council!

Exchanges with Hermana Molinar!

We made lunch with Mimi, Cante and Anna

12 days of Christmas package!!