HAPPY FOURTH💙🤍❤️

 Hello hello friends! Happy fourth! I hope you all have some fun celebrations planned! I am so excited to celebrate today! It feels like it has been forever since I wrote an email because pday was changed so I will try and make it short!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• PULSIPHERS: Last week the Pulsiphers came into the mission. We stopped by the mission office last Tuesday, not even realizing they would be there, so we got to meet them! They are SO great! They have truly brought a new fire into the WVM. We all miss the Manns like crazy but we are super excited to have the Pulsiphers here. Sister Wood and I were lucky enough to bring Sister Pulsipher to a lesson with us last Wednesday, so her second day here in Washington. It was a really amazing lesson and it was so special to get to know her more and spend some one on one time with her. 
• HOUSE OF THE LORD: We got to attend the Portland house of the Lord this last week! I haven't been to the Portland temple since my 3rd transfer so it was so exciting to be back! It is such a gorgeous temple! We also went to Applebees with the members after and it was way better than I remember it being haha. 
• JOHNATHON: Our friend Johnathon is doing so well! He is picking up the gospel so perfectly and absolutely loves learning. He brings up baptism every lesson because he has such a strong desire to be baptized! He has made so many friends in the ward and I can't wait to see him continue progressing. 
• EXCHANGES: We went on 2 exchanges the last week of the transfer and both were so fun! I spent a day in La Center/Pioneer with Sister Stevens and a day in Whipple Creek with Sister Page. Being back in Whipple Creek was so crazy! We had a stop by with the Doty family and it was SO fun to see her. Her son opened the door and she saw me and ran over and hugged me. It was so happy! I love that area so much! And I love both those sisters so much and loved spending some time with them! 
• ASL: I got to use my ASL for the first time! The man was not interested at all but it was so exciting for me to finally get to contact someone! My ASL definitely needs some work haha. 
• TRANSFERS: We got transfer news on Sunday and the most unexpected thing happened. I got transferred! I have officially ghosted Walnut Grove twice in my mission now. I am now in Lake Sacajawea with Sister Sanders and I love it so much. It is so sketchy, there are scary people actually everywhere, but I love it so much! I have wanted to serve in this area my whole mission so I am so excited to be here! We have some amazing friends! We teach so much and it makes my heart so happy! I cannot wait to see what is in store for this transfer! 

LOWLIGHTS:

• TRANSFERS: Being transferred was the last thing I ever imagined would happen so it was so sad! I had to say goodbye to all of my friends in the zone and the ward who I love so much! It was really sad to leave the area but I am so grateful to be here now! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This week I was studying in 2 Nephi 4 and I absolutely loved verse 30. It says, "Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation." On my mission, I have come to realize how joyful the gospel is! We can rejoice always in the Lord because He is joy! I invite you all to reflect and recognize the ways that the gospel has brought you joy! 

I love you all and hope you all have an amazing week! Talk to you soon!

-Sister Stringham