let's go to the beach

 Hey hey hey! How is everyone? Hope you all had an amazing week! My week was super good! I'm excited to tell yall about it! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• BEACH: Last pday we went out to the Rainier zone, which is in Oregon, and went to the beach! It was probably the most fun pday of my entire mission! We played spikeball and some other games, had snacks, walked along the water, it was just SUCH a good day! It was only about 65⁰ and overcast yet I still got so sunburned haha. But anyone who knows me knows I love the beach and the ocean so it was such a good pday for me!
• ZONE CONFERENCE: We had zone conference this week! It was our first one with the Pulsiphers and wow I loved it so much! They are just so great! I learned SO much from them and from the assistants and can't wait to implement all that I learned. The Pulsiphers are definitely bringing a different energy to the mission and I LOVE it! 
• EXCHANGES: We got to go on exchanges this week with the sisters in Warrenton and Astoria! I got to spend the day out in Astoria with Sister Moore and Sister Mason and I loved it so much! It's such a beautiful area! It's about 10⁰ colder than my area and I was not prepared for that but we had a lot of fun together! We saw so many miracles! 
• TEMPLE W/ CHRIS: We got to take Chris on a temple tour this week! It was amazing! He told us he could feel and even hear his mom while we walked around the grounds, so cool. And then, the biggest miracle, Chris is ON DATE for baptism! He is working towards August 9 and will need lots of prayers so please keep praying for him! 
• IVY: Our friend Ivy is awesome! I talked a little bit about her last week but she is continuing to do great! She's actually YSA age and so this week we attended the YSA branch with her. She immediately clicked with some of the girls there and just had the most amazing questions! We sadly may have to pass her off to the elders but she is so great! She loved her time at church and put a bunch of the YSA activities on her calendar! We are super excited for her to continue to progress! 

LOWLIGHTS:

• WOW WEEK: This week was actually so bonkers. We literally never even had a second to breathe. Most of the week we couldn't even take full lunch hours because we just had so much going on! And this upcoming week is just as crazy so pray for us haha! We both have been so exhausted and we are really excited to get to relax today haha. 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

At zone conference this week, President Pulsipher spoke all about Joshua 1 and how it relates to missionary work. I love this chapter and it very much can apply to all of us! Throughout the chapter, it says over and over again "be strong and of a good courage". As a missionary, there is so many times that I am afraid to do something. To go talk to that sketchy person, to be bold to a friend, the list goes on, but as I turn to the Savior and rely on His strength, I am able to have courage to do what He asks. That can apply to anything in life! God asks us to do uncomfortable things sometimes, but He makes it possible for us to do so courageously. 

I love you all and I pray for yall all the time! Have a great week! 

-Sister Stringham