EASTER + BIRTHDAY

Hey hey hey! This week was amazing! So many miracles and it's finally becoming spring here in Washington! I have been finding so much joy in the work and I just love being a missionary! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• NAO: This week was new assignment orientation! This meeting is only for new missionaries, new trainers, and new leadership, but since Sister Sonognini was the only one from the north who had to go down, they sent me with her and I got to go help! I was able to help run the discussion with the new zone leadership! I saw so many of my friends and honestly learned a lot so I was very grateful to be there! 
• ZONE CONFERENCE: We had zone conference on Wednesday and it was amazing! They've been doing zone conference a little different the last two transfers. They give a short 10-15 minute instruction and then have a panel of missionaries that answer questions and it has been so cool! I have learned so much by hearing the thoughts of so many different missionaries.
• NIEDERHISERS: We have new friends! It's a family of 4 and they are just the BEST! We are having our first official lesson with them tomorrow and so we need lots of prayers! 
• TAMI: Tami is still doing great and will be baptized this Saturday! She had her baptismal interview this week and passed so her baptism is happening! It's going to be perfect! Keep praying for her! 
• EASTER: Easter as a missionary was so fun! We had church and it was amazing! We had Tami at church and one of our members brought a new friend and it was super cool to talk to him! We spent most of our night with members and they truly spoiled us! I feel so blessed to be serving in the greatest ward! No other ward compares to the Elma ward! 
• BIRTHDAY: I had my birthday this week! I turned 20! Crazy! I spent the morning with the Smith family who I just LOVE! It was so fun! They even made their famous cherry chocolate cake for me and it was AMAZING! Then we got to do service and got to work all night and it was just the best birthday ever! I got so many messages so thank you all for that! 
• SUNBURN: Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the sun. And anyone who knows Washington knows that there isn't much sun here. But this week it was so beautiful! I even got my first sunburn of the season which made me way too happy! I have been soaking up the sun before it disappears again this coming week. 

LOWLIGHTS:

• SAD NEWS: This week I got some really sad news. If you remember, I was teaching a couple named Tim and Lisa in my second transfer. They were our best friends and we loved being able to teach them. A few weeks ago, I heard that Lisa was in the hospital but was being taught again and wanted to be baptized! I was SO SO excited for her. Well this week I got the sad news that Lisa passed away. It's so hard to see someone you love so much go. Pray for Tim, he needs all the love right now! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This week as I've been thinking about Lisa, I have been feeling so grateful for the plan of salvation. How cool is it that we know for a fact we will see people again?! And it's such a blessing to know that Lisa can still be baptized! The plan of salvation is my favorite thing to teach people, seeing the peace and joy they feel when they hear it makes me so happy! I am so grateful for a merciful God who gives everyone so many chances! God is good! 

Love you all! Have a great week! 

-Sister Stringham